The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their homestand with a 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics in a game that saw Lance Lynn make his team debut.
The veteran right-hander was acquired alongside Joe Kelly in a trade with the Chicago White Sox last week.
Lynn’s first start with the Dodgers was a microcosm of his 2023 season as he completed seven innings but also gave up three home runs. Lynn carried a shutout into the top of the sixth before allowing the three long balls over his final two innings of work.
“We won, so it was good. That’s all that matters,” Lynn said of his first start with the Dodgers. “Offense did a great job and defense was awesome too. I made a couple mistakes that left the ballpark, but we won the game. That’s all that matters.”
Lynn, who is in his 12th MLB season, expressed his enthusiasm in joining a contender like the Dodgers. “No. Excitement, to be honest with you,” Lynn answered when asked if he was nervous on the mound.
“Whenever you come to a new team, you always want to make a good impression. I was in a pretty good spot there until the last inning. But all in all, we won the game. That’s the No. 1 goal. Offense did great, defense was awesome, and on to tomorrow to win the series.”
Lynn is in the midst of one of his worst seasons as he led all of baseball in earned runs and home runs during his time with the White Sox.
The Dodgers nonetheless were intrigued by his peripherals and may have some ideas on how to help him get back on track. “To be honest, we just started talking, and Will and I have a little bit of history with the WBC, so we know each other pretty well,” Lynn said when asked if he has made any changes.
“Right now it’s just, ‘Hit the ground, do what you do, and we’ll kind of figure it out as we go.’ Get to know each other, get to know what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to accomplish it. I made a couple mistakes on some pitches that I’d like back, but we won the game.”
Dave Roberts: Lance Lynn will benefit from trade
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident Lynn will find another gear with his new team. “It’s what we needed,” Roberts said of Lynn. “The change of scenery, I think served him well. I saw a little bit of — I don’t know if it was eagerness, emotions, maybe a little bit of nerves — but I like that.
“I think that’s a good thing, because he’s in a new environment, in a pennant race, and I know it’s something he’s excited about. Seeing him on the mound, it’s what we expected. It’s what we saw from the other side. He was a pro, efficient, attacking the zone, made pitches when he needed to.
“It’s been quite some time since we had a starter get through seven, so to use two guys out of the ‘pen and feel really good about tomorrow, it’s just what we needed.”
Lynn became the first Dodgers pitcher to complete seven innings since Clayton Kershaw did so against the Los Angeles Angels on June 20.
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