The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to three games on Friday, but it was not without another wobbly performance from key members in their bullpen.
With the Dodgers holding a 3-1 lead, Blake Treinen entered in the eighth inning and gave up a run. He managed to strand the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.
The baton was then passed to Tanner Scott for the second night of a back-to-back. He retired the first two batters faced before allowing a double to Cal Raleigh.
Seemingly sensing the moment and trying season Scott has had, Miguel Rojas led a mound visit. It was one Scott said he appreciated and wasn’t surprised by Rojas playing a leadership role, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“When everyone came to the mound, Miggy and Kiké, they were awesome. They hugged me up and I got the job done. That’s all that matters, and we won. … Miggy is a great leader. He’ll come to the mound, I’ve known him since our time in Miami together. It was huge for him to do that.”
Rojas explained the purpose of gathering around Scott was to remind him of his potential and needed approach:
“We faced him from the other side, and we all know the talent is there, and the capacity of getting outs in a big situation. To it was really good for Tanner to listen to what Kiké and Ben and I had to say there on the mound, giving him confidence that he’s better than anybody that steps up to the plate. It doesn’t matter if he was going to walk Julio there or whoever he was going to face, just attack him.”
There wasn’t immediate dividends from Rojas and Dodgers teammates lending their support to Scott. An intentional walk allowed Scott to avoid facing Julio Rodríguez, but also put the winning run on base. A hit by pitch then loaded the bases.
Scott wiggled out of the jam by striking out Eugenio Suárez in an at-bat that featured a steady dose of sliders out of the strike zone. The save was Scott’s 23rd of the season.
Meanwhile, that Rojas would play an instrumental role in that manner is further symbolic of winning a second consecutive Roy Campanella Award.
Tanner Scott, Dodgers relievers pitching scared?
After the Dodgers blew a 4-0 lead and Scott was on the mound at the end of a walk-off loss, manager Dave Roberts criticized the bullpen for not having what he believed was an aggressive mindset.
“We’re going to have to find a way,” Roberts said. “Not each individual. These are our guys, I do know that. I just see careful. The getting behind, the walking guys, hit batsman, that’s a sign of you’re either scared or you’re pitching too careful. That’s just the facts.
“And you’re not having the conviction in executing pitches, for fear of failure of getting hit. At this time of season, you’ve got to put everything out there and trust it’s going to be good. Because when you pitch behind, are afraid to make a mistake, hang a breaking ball, that’s when bad things happen.
“So not each individual guy, but as a whole, that’s what I’m seeing. Hitters can smell that.”
Roberts declined to specify which relief pitchers he believed were faltering.
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