Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu Takes Blame For Struggles With Will Smith Catching
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu Takes Blame For Struggles With Will Smith Catching

Matt Borelli
September 23, 2019
3 Min Read
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has a mound visit with Hyun-Jin Ryu
Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers wrapped up their final home series of the regular season with a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies, receiving contributions on both sides of the ball from none other than Hyun-Jin Ryu.

The left-hander most notably slugged his first career home run in the fifth inning — a game-tying blast that he believes was the most pivotal factor in the Dodgers coming from behind to defeat their National League West rival.

Ryu additionally thrived on the mound, yielding just three runs on six hits over seven innings pitched in what amounted to his 13th win of the season.

It marked his third consecutive quality start in September — a promising sign that the 32-year-old has put his struggles from the previous month behind him.

Perhaps even more encouraging was Ryu’s success while pitching to Will Smith. There were earlier rumblings that the rookie’s unfamiliarity with the Dodgers’ starting rotation had led to miscues.

“It was never a problem in the first place,” Ryu said. “Coincidentally, when he started catching, I started struggling. I’m kind of sorry, because I’m well aware of the talk. Today, we were on the same page and we did really well as a battery.”

Ryu has far and away pitched his best baseball this season with Russell Martin behind the plate, compiling a minuscule 1.60 ERA in 123.2 innings pitched (19 starts).

Smith, however, has garnered the most opportunities at catcher since being promoted to the Dodgers for a third time in July, when he assumed starting duties on a full-time basis. In a limited sample size that includes only six games, Ryu has accumulated a 5.40 ERA when throwing to Smith — easily the worst mark of the four catchers he has pitched to this season.

“There really wasn’t a doubt in our eyes,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the positive results Ryu enjoyed with Smith behind the plate on Sunday. “Regardless of who’s back there, he has to make pitches.

“Obviously the numbers are real and you have to look and listen and appreciate them, but sometimes things can be overblown. This is a case in point, if he’s throwing the ball well, it doesn’t matter who’s back there.”

Roberts previously defended Smith amidst speculation that he hasn’t meshed well with certain pitchers and isn’t blaming his learning curve for the starting staff’s struggles in recent weeks.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Hyun-Jin RyuLos Angeles DodgersWill Smith
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Kiké Hernandez helmet, bat
FeaturedRumors

MLB Rumors: Teams Told Not To Expect Universal DH For 2021

December 8, 2020
December 8, 2020
Dodgertown
Dodgers News

MLB, Indian River County Reach Agreement To Renovate Historic Dodgertown

November 14, 2018
November 14, 2018
Dodgers News

Dodgers Injury Update: Clayton Kershaw Likely Ready For Simulated Game Or Rehab Start

June 16, 2018
June 16, 2018
Mookie Betts, Dino Ebel
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Records From 22-1 Win Over Diamondbacks

July 11, 2021
July 11, 2021

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어