Not much went right for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday as they were nearly shut out by Blake Snell and the San Diego Padres while Ryan Pepiot took his first loss of the season.
Pepiot was solid for most of the night and turned in six innings, but he also allowed four runs on six hits, including two home runs, both of which were in 0-2 counts. “Just a couple pitches I want back,” Pepiot said.
“I felt like I attacked the zone the whole time but fell behind a couple guys and gave up some singles. Obviously, two 0-2 homers just can’t happen. The (Juan) Soto one, tried to get up and in, and missed over the middle. Right in his zone. (Luis) Campusano put a good swing on a pitch that wasn’t down enough.”
The first home run came against Juan Soto in the first inning on a 95 mph fastball down the middle of the plate. The second homer Pepiot allowed was to Luis Campusano on a changeup low and in at 84 mph but caught too much of the plate.
“Just have to execute better,” Pepiot said. “That one stayed up too close to the zone. I have to look to see exactly where it was, but just too close and too good of a pitch after throwing him another one.”
Pepiot has still pitched well in his limited opportunities this season, mostly fueled by cutting back on his walk totals, with none on Wednesday. Following an up and down performance in the outing, Pepiot is looking to learn from it and move on to the next one.
“I take positives and the negatives,” he said. “Obviously want a couple pitches back. Going to look back at those and figure out where the spots are to make those pitches, set up things better next time. Just try to lean on the positives, like I didn’t back down after giving up the homer. Just tried to keep the guys in the ballgame.”
Pepiot now holds a 2.00 ERA in 27 innings with 22 strikeouts and a 0.63 WHIP.
Ryan Pepiot believes tough outing can help prepare for postseason
Pepiot is looking to pitch his way into the Dodgers’ postseason rotation and thinks the adversity he faced can help prepare him for a potential October role.
“Yeah, some things to learn on,” Pepiot said. “Pitching in different situations are always good, but just want to always give the team the best chance to win every time I take the ball. Keep the offense in the game, the defense played well behind me like they have been. Just do what I can to continue to put up zeros.”
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