When Clayton Kershaw experienced back spasms after a bullpen session over the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers made adjustments with Tony Gonsolin and began preparing him for a potential start against the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.
Having last pitched in a game on Sept. 26, Gonsolin was scheduled to participate in a simulated game during a workout at Globe Life Field on Saturday. However, that was changed to a bullpen session.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained Tuesday that amounted to Gonsolin having last season batters roughly one week ago heading into his Game 2 start. The rookie nonetheless impressed early and got through three perfect innings.
A leadoff walk in the fourth was followed by Freddie Freeman hitting a two-run homer. Then a one-out walk in the fifth inning led to Cristian Pache’s RBI ground-rule double. Gonsolin walked Ronald Acuña Jr. and was subsequently removed.
“I thought my body felt pretty good for not throwing in an actual game for a while. I didn’t feel as sharp as I thought I could’ve felt,” Gonsolin said of his outing. “I felt like I didn’t need to make the adjustment I needed to make in the fourth inning.”
Gonsolin finished with seven strikeouts, issued three walks and ultimately was charged for five runs. “Just didn’t make that adjustment I needed to make to get in the (strike) zone a little bit more later in the outing,” he lamented.
“I wouldn’t say I really got fatigued. I just think my ability to make the adjustments quicker wasn’t there. There’s always room for improvement. … Just to get back in the zone. Get that slider back in the zone, same with the splitter as well.
“I just think I was trying a little bit too hard to make it overly nasty and trying to be too fine.”
Roberts trying to lean on Dodgers starters
With the NLCS schedule not including any off days, Roberts has been mindful of attempting to get as much length possible from starting pitchers.
“You’re playing seven days in a row, so you have to try to give your starters some leash,” he said. “We knew that going in. Walker, we pitched him, it was five innings and 100 pitches. I really wanted Tony to get through that fifth inning.
“We just ran into some trouble and I felt he didn’t have anything left in the tank. We couldn’t finish that inning out. With Julio, I expect to give him a runway, expect him to pitch well and give us a chance to win a baseball game.”
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