The Los Angeles Dodgers took it to the Pittsburgh Pirates this week, outplaying them in all facets of the game, finishing off a three-game sweep with a 6-4 victory on Wednesday evening.
Left-hander Rich Hill got the start for the Dodgers and turned in another solid performance, giving up just four hits and two runs in five innings of work, striking out five while only issuing one walk.
Hill was removed from the game in favor of a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fifth though after just throwing 73 pitches. According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, that was because he is dealing with neck tightness, although it is not believed to be serious, via Pedro Moura of The Athletic:
Rich Hill exited because of neck tightness, Dave Roberts said, as a result of that memorable head-first slide into home plate. He said Hill is day-to-day.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) July 5, 2018
The neck injury did not occur while he was on the mound, rather while he was on the base paths. He earned his first base hit of the season with a perfect push bunt to the right side.
After taking second and third on balls in the dirt, he attempted to score on a fly ball to center off the bat of Max Muncy. He was thrown out, but the neck injury occurred on his head-first slide into home, which was an awkward one.
With the All-Star break just around the corner and Walker Buehler scheduled to return next week, the Dodgers have the luxury of giving Hill some extra time to rest if his neck is still not at 100 percent by his next start. It doesn’t seem like that will be necessary though barring any significant changes.
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