Running short on healthy pitchers this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers further tapped into their organizational depth and called up Emmet Sheehan for his MLB debut against the San Francisco Giants.
The young Dodgers prospect impressed in the outing and earned another turn in the rotation, which came Friday night against the Houston Astros.
Sheehan again pitched well as he initially protected an early lead and then kept Houston at bay after the Dodgers pulled back ahead on Michael Busch’s RBI single in the sixth inning.
In limiting the Astros, Sheehan became the first pitcher during the Modern Era (since 1900) of MLB history to allow no more than three hits and pitch at least 12 innings through his first two starts.
Sheehan held the Giants hitless over six innings in his debut, and followed that by not giving up a hit to the Astros until Chas McCormick’s one-out infield single in the third. The Astros collected their two other hits off the rookie when Mauricio Dubón and Kyle Tucker combined for back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning.
Sheehan then walked Alex Bregman, but finished his outing by retiring the final nine batters faced.
“I like to think I’m pretty good at that type of stuff, getting back into it after giving up a homer,” Sheehan said after earning his first career win. “So just reset, deep breath and then get right back at it.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the 23-year-old would make at least one more start for the team.
Emmet Sheehan growing comfortable with Dodgers
Sheehan had understandable nerves and excitement with making his MLB debut, emotions that weren’t quite as prevalent heading into a second start.
“I was pretty comfortable on the mound last time. I think leading up to the game this time, I felt a lot more comfortable and a little less nervous, so that was good,” Sheehan said.
“I felt great. I feel like my stuff was a little bit better. Getting more comfortable with the big league ball, and put us in position to win, which is what I was trying to do.”
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