Tanner Scott’s struggles continued on Monday night as he took the loss in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ series opener against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.
The left-hander entered in the 10th inning and immediately allowed a go-ahead RBI double to Francisco Alvarez that scored the automatic runner. Scott then gave up an RBI single to Francisco Lindor that extended the Mets’ lead to 4-2.
In both at-bats, Scott’s fastball caught too much of the plate after falling behind in the count.
“Missed location, especially down in the zone to hitters that I’m supposed to be in different spots. Just not hitting my location, and it’s costing us,” Scott said after the Dodgers’ 4-3 loss.
The 2024 All-Star believes mechanics and pitch execution are largely to blame for his location issues.
“It’s happened too much and it’s frustrating. Especially when we battle back and it didn’t go my way,” he said.
Scott’s fastball has been a dependable pitch more times than not but admitted it is a liability right now. “It’s getting hit a lot. It sucks right now. Last year, I relied on it a lot. This year, it’s getting hit and I’m missing locations,” he said.
Scott still believes the quality of his fastball is good and that his struggles are a matter of just missing location. “If it’s in the right spot, it usually doesn’t get hit. If I miss location, it usually gets hit,” he said.
Scott’s average fastball velocity is slightly down from last season but his biggest problem has been leaving it in the middle of the zone, leading to harder contact and fewer swings and misses.
That has culminated in a subpar stretch that’s seen him take two losses and blow three save opportunities in his last seven appearances. Scott has allowed 12 runs across six innings pitched, and opponents are batting .419 during that span.
Dave Roberts still trusts Tanner Scott
Scott has now been tabbed with two losses to go along with five blown saves overall this season, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will continue to trust him in the closer role for the time being.
“I would,” Roberts answered when asked if he would feel comfortable using Scott if another save situation arises in the coming days.
“I think it’s one of those things that sometimes we don’t always have the luxury of having a reset for guys, given the inexperience, the usage of certain guys. But there are a few guys that I feel comfortable finishing a game with.”
But, Roberts also noted the Dodgers don’t necessarily have a “dedicated closer” as they stick to their overarching approach that’s been implemented for multiple seasons.
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