The Los Angeles Dodgers earned a comeback 9-2 win over the Atlanta Braves behind a seven-run ninth inning and bounce-back start by Walker Buehler.
The right-hander recorded his first quality start since May 31 after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with five strikeouts in six innings of work. He also walked a season-high five batters, but still managed to limit the damage.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by Buehler’s performances and believes he is trending in the right direction, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“It was huge,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I believe in who he is. But you do have to get results as a player to build that confidence, that momentum. This was a big step. It really was. I talk about performing and results at this time of the season, and the results were very good.”
Buehler allowed both of his runs in the third inning and felt like he got stronger as the game went on:
“Two runs, I don’t feel super great about. But it felt kind of like we minimized it in some way,” Buehler said. “Start creating a little bit of momentum after that, and hopefully that momentum helped our team later in the game. I think it’s a big win, kind of however you want to look at it.”
Buehler gave up just one hit over his final three innings, which kept the Dodgers in the game long enough for them to complete the comeback.
The 30-year-old’s strong start couldn’t have come at a better time, especially with all of the negativity surrounding the Dodgers rotation.
Buehler has struggled for most of the year but figures to play an important role in the postseason. He is 1-5 with a 5.54 ERA, 5.89 FIP and 1.62 WHIP in 65 innings across 14 starts.
Walker Buehler ‘just trying to survive’ the season
Buehler, who returned to the Dodgers after missing the entire 2023 season while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, has not been able to find consistent success and recently admitted he is just trying to get through the year.
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