The Los Angeles Dodgers once again found themselves in a close game late with the San Francisco Giants, tied at 2-2 in the eighth.
After putting two runners at the corners with two outs, Teoscar Hernández singled to drive in the game-winning run. It was his third RBI of the night, and gave the Dodgers the 3-2 lead that they ultimaltey won with.
The Dodgers scored their first run when Hernández tied the game with a home run. He also added a single in the sixth inning to score Freddie Freeman to put the Dodgers ahead.
River Ryan made his MLB debut after the Dodgers added him to their roster and made the surprising move to designate James Paxton for assignment earlier in the day.
As the Dodgers top pitching prospect, the organization has hope he can help solidify a group that has dealt with numerous injuries and struggles over the last month.
“This is something that is really exciting for us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “We got him by way of trade a few years ago, a position player, shortstop, very athletic. Was a two-way guy and now he’s kind of really shot through our system as a pitcher.
“It’s big stuff, it’s a high-velocity fastball, and there’s a curveball, slider and changeup in there. Very confident young man. He’s going to attack guys, so it’s kind of how we sequence. Put down the right fingers and keep those guys off balance.
“It’s a team that hasn’t seen him and he hasn’t seen them, so just go out there and try to execute, manage his emotions. I had a good conversation with him earlier. There’s going to be some adrenaline, but I’m expecting him to manage those emotions once the game gets going.”
Ryan was as advertised, throwing 5.1 innings while allowing one run (unearned) on four hits with two strikeouts to three walks. While his command wasn’t on point, that was to be expected in an MLB debut.
The lone run was scored on a passed ball in the fourth inning after the Giants put runners at the corners. Ryan was then able to get out of the small jam.
He started the sixth inning and recorded an out, but left after allowing two singles. Alex Vesia came in and stranded both runners to close the book on Ryan.
Ryan Yarbrough allowed a solo home run in the seventh that tied the game, forcing the Dodgers to re-take the lead.
Daniel Hudson gets save for Dodgers
Evan Phillips has been struggling recently, and the save attempt was given to Daniel Hudson, who shut the Giants down. Roberts did not commit to removing Phillips from the closer role, but he may not see the majority of save chances for the time being.
The Dodgers are hoping they can help him work through things and get him back on track.
“To be quite honest, I’m going to pitch him in leverage,” Roberts said. “I don’t know what that looks like. Can I see him still finishing games with the right lanes? Absolutely. But is there a chance that I pitch him in the seventh inning in leverage? Sure.”
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