Lance Lynn has been everything the Los Angeles Dodgers could have hoped for and more since acquiring him as part of a trade with the Chicago White Sox, but he’s experienced some regression in consecutive starts.
Lynn labored through six-plus innings against the Boston Red Sox last week, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts attributed to a longer-than-normal layoff between starts. However, that then was followed by giving up seven runs in a loss to the Atlanta Braves.
“It’s a good team. I wasn’t able to execute, they were able to get some hits early and then some of it I did to myself with a walk and hit batter,” Lynn said after the 8-7 loss. “I’ve got to be better. Obviously with what the offense is capable of doing, I can’t give up six there.”
The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first but the Braves responded with a six-run second inning. It was punctuated by Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting a grand slam and Austin Riley adding a solo home run.
Lynn later gave up a homer to Michael Harris II as well.
“All in all I wasn’t good. Wasn’t comfortable, didn’t make pitches and I cost us the game,” Lynn said.
The matchup in the series opener at Dodger Stadium figured to be a tough task for Lynn, given his struggles with the home run ball this season and the Braves having already set a franchise record.
That was further compounded by the veteran only managing to strike out one batter. Lynn has just five strikeouts over his last three starts.
The 36-year-old had no fewer than six strikeouts in each of his first three starts for the Dodgers.
Lance Lynn commends Dodgers lineup
The Dodgers nearly erased a 7-1 deficit and potentially would have if not for Max Muncy’s throwing error leading to the Braves scoring an eighth and decisive run in the game.
Lynn is well aware of the capabilities of the Dodgers lineup, but he again lamented putting them in a difficult situation.
“I put them in a deep hole and they weren’t able to get through it,” he said. “They gave it hell, but I put them in too deep of a hole.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
