The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday to start their road trip on a positive note as Tony Gonsolin provided five innings of solid work even without his best stuff.
Entering the night, Gonsolin had only given up three home runs this season. But in just two innings he surrendered long balls to Jonathan India and Albert Almora Jr.
Self-inflicted traffic in the first inning was caused by a lack of command and resulted in some hard contact and four three-ball counts to four of the first nine batters he faced.
However, after the home run by Almora Jr. in the second inning, Gonsolin retired 10 of the next 11 batters faced, which he attributed to finding a better feel, via SportsNet LA:
“Yeah, I felt like I came out there a little uncomfortable. Settled in around that third inning, felt more confident in my stuff and started throwing strikes.”
Unfortunately, Gonsolin’s streak of starts with a minimum of six innings pitched was snapped at six. But being able to hold the Reds to just two runs and find a rhythm is something Gonsolin believes is a byproduct of his continued development:
“Yeah, definitely. I would like to settle down a little earlier, but to go five (innings) and give up two (runs), is still a decent job. Especially with how my stuff had been feeling. Overall it was decent.”
Gonsolin was able to induce 19 whiffs with all but one the on slider or his splitter. Gonsolin is now 9-0 on the season with a 1.58 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP, and has totaled 64 strikeouts in 68.1 innings pitched.
Gonsolin’s 1.58 ERA ranks fifth in Dodgers history through their first 13 starts in a season.
Gonsolin credits new approach for success
When recently discussing his impressive start to the season, Gonsolin attributed it to a new mentality. “Just attacking guys,” he answered when asked what has made him so successful.
“I made a point in Spring Training to just throw strikes and see what happens. I try to give whoever is hitting my best stuff, and whatever happens, happens.”
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