The Los Angeles Dodgers mustered just three hits in a 4-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants, but did receive yet another strong pitching performance. This time it was Tony Gonsolin taking the mound on an overcast afternoon at Camelback Ranch, and he added to a growing reputation.
Monday’s start was Gonsolin’s first of the year and his third overall appearance in 2019 Cactus League play. He bookended a perfect first inning with strikeouts, set the Giants down in order in the second, and got through the third without allowing a baserunner.
Gonsolin finished with three strikeouts over three perfect innings. The 24-year-old has now turned in six shutout innings in his three appearances.
Gonsolin was spotted an early lead thanks to the Dodgers manufacturing a run in the bottom of the first inning. After Joc Pederson led off with a double, he advanced to third base on Max Muncy’s groundout. Justin Turner’s sacrifice fly put the Dodgers ahead 1-0.
Giants starter Chris Stratton settled in from there, allowing just one more hit in his four innings of work.
San Francisco tied the game by getting to Caleb Ferguson, who’s had a bit of an inconsistent spring thus far. Ferguson was the first Dodgers reliever to enter the game, and he promptly allowed consecutive singles to put runners at the corners with nobody out in the fourth inning.
A double play limited the damage but brought the tying run in. The Dodgers had a golden opportunity to reclaim the lead in the bottom of the eighth as a walk was followed by an Alex Verdugo double. However, a force out at the plate and fly out followed.
The Giants cashed in on their opportunity in the ninth inning, as Stetson Allie and Luis Vasquez combined to walk the bases loaded. Joey Bart made them pay with a bases-clearing double that gave the Giants a decided lead.
