Despite a valiant comeback effort, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday in a heartbreaking 9-8 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
The Dodgers stormed their way back from an early five-run deficit, picking up Walker Buehler after a particularly rough start in his first outing after the All-Star break. Buehler allowed six runs in the first two innings, yielding a trio of home runs to Scott Kingery, Brad Miller and Bryce Harper.
Buehler, pitching on 13 days rest, admitted that the layoff played a part in the rustiness he displayed early on, but isn’t concerned that it will have a longterm effect on him, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I think it’s going to affect everyone, a little bit at least. If that’s three inches off one way or the other, this game will change. I’m not worried going forward.”
Though the outcome wasn’t ideal, Buehler was pleased that he was able to settle down and somewhat redeem himself after the shaky start to his outing:
“I try to give at least six (innings) every time; I think that’s the bar. I’ve done that before in games, but today, to give up three homers and then give four zeroes is a consolation prize.”
Buehler locked in from third inning and on, tossing four scoreless frames to conclude his start on a positive note. He overall logged six innings pitched, yielding four hits and six runs (two earned) while accumulating seven strikeouts against three walks.
Over his final four innings on the mound, Buehler held the Phillies hitless while registering five strikeouts. He allowed only two more baserunners during the span, one by walk and the other via an error.
It was an encouraging performance by Buehler, whose efforts enabled the Dodgers to slowly chip away at the deficit they had faced for the majority of the game.
He didn’t factor into the decision, thus remaining 8-1 in 18 starts this season. Buehler did lower his ERA ever so slightly, from 3.46 to 3.44. It was a season-best 2.96 after throwing a complete game with 16 strikeouts against the Colorado Rockies on June 21.
Buehler endured a bit of a rough start to the season, which stemmed from a shortened Spring Training, but has largely found a rhythm over the past two months to again establish himself as a frontline starter.
