Ryan Pepiot turned in another strong performance as the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-2 walk-off victory against the Detroit Tigers.
Ferguson served as the opener and surrendered a solo home run to Spencer Torkelson, but otherwise struck out three in the first inning. Pepiot was the bulk pitcher and enjoyed one of his better outings of the season.
The right-hander yielded one run on five hits and recorded four strikeouts against one walk in six innings of work. It was his third consecutive appearance logging at least six innings.
“It really means a lot. It’s nice seeing all the hard work I put in during the offseason and rehab paying off,” Pepiot said after the game. “Obviously it started a lot later than I wanted it to, but I’m just happy to be here. Just trying to help the team and make an impact any way I can.”
It appeared Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was going to make a pitching change in the seventh, but stuck with Pepiot for three more outs. The 26-year-old ran into some trouble by allowing two consecutive singles to begin the inning, but escaped the jam without giving up a run.
“It meant a lot to me to stay out there,” Pepiot said. “Will (Smith) came out and gave me a nice little breather. A lot of high-energy pitches that inning, first and third, obviously trying to limit damage.
“They went to try to bunt, so tried to make a good pitch that he couldn’t get the bunt down. Ended up getting him, and that last batter, it was just trying to make pitches and get out of it as quickly as possible.
“Defense had my back the whole time today. It meant a lot to get that final out. Fans went crazy after that, so it was a pretty cool experience.”
Pepiot, who made his season debut a month ago, will likely be part of the Dodgers postseason roster and is focused on helping the team in any way he can. “Just continuing to execute pitches,” Pepiot began.
“Whatever the role is, if it’s start a game or come out of the bullpen, whatever situation arises, just go out there and do what I can to help the team. Give us the best chance to win and keep us in the ballgame.”
Ryan Pepiot ‘making a good claim’ for spot on Dodgers postseason roster
Despite missing the entire first half of the season and being asked to fill multiple roles, Pepiot has not missed a beat, going 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA, 3.71 FIP and 0.70 WHIP in 33 innings pitched across six games (three starts) for the Dodgers.
“He’s making a good claim,” Roberts said of Pepiot potentially being included on the Dodgers postseason roster. “Starting, coming out of the ‘pen, going as hard as he can for as long as he can.
“And tonight, to see him get out of that seventh inning was big and growth for him. So he’s open to whatever we need. And his part of the deal is he’s got to go out there and pitch well, and he’s holding up his end of the deal. It’s really encouraging what he’s doing.”
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