The Los Angeles Dodgers did not make more of their matchup with the Houston Astros compared to any other opponent, but they embraced it was a highly-anticipated series and looked forward to Walker Buehler taking the mound in the series opener.
Tuesday’s start was Buehler’s first since being named National League Pitcher of the Month for July. He went 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 32.1 innings pitched across five starts during that span.
Buehler wasn’t overly dominant against the Astros’ top-ranked offense but held them to one run and got through his benchmark of six innings.
“It’s what I’m here to do, as I’ve said, is try to get through six innings and put us in a position to win,” Buehler said after the Dodgers’ 3-0 loss. “When the guy over there throws the ball the way he did, I just didn’t get that job done.
“I’m upset that I wasn’t able to give us momentum, wasn’t able to carry us into getting the bats going. That’s part of the game. That’s a good team no matter how emotional this series is, at the end of the day that’s a good baseball team and they played well.”
Buehler pitched out multiple jams and finished with five strikeouts while tying career high 113 pitches. Despite limiting the Astros to just the one run, Buehler didn’t find any reason to be satisfied with his performance.
“My job is to get guys out,” he said. “And I didn’t get the percentage of guys out that I needed. Gave up a run to lose a tight game, so no, there’s not a whole lot to be pleased about.”
Buehler sympathizes with Dodgers fans
The series opener marked the Astros’ first time playing at Dodger Stadium with fans in attendance since their 2017 World Series cheating scandal was uncovered. As expected, Dodgers fans unleashed their anger through relentless booing, disparaging chants and throwing baseballs and inflatable trash cans onto the field.
“They sustained the noise, which is a tip of the hat to our fans,” Buehler said. “Obviously there were a few stoppages in the game with stuff going on the field. We get it. It’s an interesting thing because I think the emotion is warranted and I think there’s not a whole lot we’re going to do to change that.
“Certainly a different atmosphere and feel than most baseball games here.”
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