The Los Angeles Dodgers’ rough patch continued as they were shut out 5-0 by the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, giving them four losses in five games.
Dustin May made his third start of the season but took a step back from his previous two outings. Although he was still effective, it was a struggle for May, who threw 35 balls compared to 42 strikes.
The Giants opened the game against May with two straight walks before taking a 2-0 lead on a double from Joc Pederson. May escaped without allowing any more damage, but that proved to be all the Giants needed in the game.
The right-hander ended up pitching 5.1 innings with just the two runs allowed, but still wasn’t pleased with his outing, via SportsNet LA:
“I never really found myself. They were just swinging at balls that were in the zone. Just got to throw more strikes.”
Despite allowing just two hits, May ended up walking four batters while only striking out three. But one positive note is that he didn’t struggle due to injury or any lingering effects from his Tommy John surgery, which provides optimism he can get the walks under control:
“I felt fine. Pregame bullpen was fine, just didn’t have it once I got out there.”
May is still sporting a 1.47 ERA this season across 18.1 innings, but he only has 12 strikeouts compared to seven walks. If May can decrease his walk rate while adding more strikeouts, he could take the next step into ace-level territory, but it is easier said than done.
However, May has some of the best potential among young pitchers in baseball, so it would not be surprising to see him take the next jump, but even with the worst outing of his season, he was still highly effective.’
Dodgers relying on Dustin May
This season is May’s first full year since undergoing Tommy John surgery, and he’s someone the Dodgers figured to heavily lean on. May’s importance has further increased in the wake of Tony Gonsolin and Ryan Pepiot still being out due to respective injuries.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said the Dodgers are counting on May and the team’s other young starters taking a step forward this year.
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