The Los Angeles Dodgers ended their three-game losing streak behind an impressive performance from Jack Flaherty in his team debut.
The right-hander allowed five hits and collected seven strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a 10-0 blowout win against the Oakland Athletics.
It represented just the Dodgers’ second quality start since June 27, which is the second-fewest in baseball over that span.
Flaherty was thrilled to have a successful Dodgers debut and remains focused on helping them succeed, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I’ll take the time tonight and kind of soak it all in,” said Flaherty, whom the Dodgers acquired in a blockbuster deadline-day trade with the Detroit Tigers last Tuesday. “I’m just excited to be here and have a chance to help this team.”
Flaherty was dominant for most of his outing, but ran into some trouble in the sixth when the Athletics loaded the bases with no outs. He escaped the jam by inducing a force out, striking out Seth Brown, and getting Abraham Toro to ground out to end the inning.
Flaherty appreciated manager Dave Roberts giving him a chance to get through the frame:
“It felt really good, Doc giving me the trust there in the sixth to find a way to get out of it,” Flaherty said.
Roberts praised Flaherty for giving the team a much-needed boost:
“For him to go six innings scoreless was a huge lift,” Roberts said. “If we’re expecting him to do what he expects into October, he’s got to be able to manage stress. And he did a fantastic job.”
Flaherty providing six scoreless innings on 99 pitches not only gave the Dodgers a huge lift, but quelled some concerns that he was still feeling the effects of a back injury.
One report suggested that the New York Yankees had a deal in place to acquire Flaherty at the trade deadline before backing out over health concerns.
However, general manager and senior vice president Brian Cashman disputed that notion, along with Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris.
Jack Flaherty embracing expectations with Dodgers
Flaherty being traded to the Dodgers not only marked a homecoming, but thrusted him into the National League playoff picture. “It’s fun. You want those expectations,” he said.
“You want to be part of a team that has those expectations. That’s what I came up with in St. Louis, of expecting to win, wanting to win, and being a part of that. If they brought me in for that, hopefully I can contribute in as many ways as possible.”
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