Dodgers News: Tony Gonsolin's Job Appears to be Safe For Now
As he fights through a slump that has his manager Dave Roberts putting on the pressure, Tony Gonsolin had a strong performance in Saturday's win over the Colorado Rockies.
Lasting six innings, Gonsolin allowed just 3 hits and a single earned run — a 426-foot home run that came from Gonsolin's first pitch of the game.
Before the game, Roberts had suggested that the 29-year-old's spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation was anything but set in stone. Afterwards, Roberts seemed to change his tone.
"I thought it was his best outing in quite some time," Roberts said of Gonsolin. "I thought every throw had conviction. He had good fastball command. He made pitches when he needed to, pounded the strike zone, used his entire mix, front to back, top to bottom, in and out. ... I think he understands the expectations, the bar, for him, for us. He realized it tonight."
(Via the Los Angeles Times)
In his previous outing, Gonsolin allowed 9 hits and 6 earned runs. Since Jun. 13, Gonsolin has seen his ERA skyrocket from 1.93 to 4.24 thanks to eight performances with at least 4 ER. Gonsolin spoke after the game about his reaction to his recent struggles, including the demoralizing first-pitch home run he gave up in Saturday's game.
"If I've learned anything this year, it's that if you get hit in the face, you just keep going," Gonsolin said. "But I thought I did a much better job of executing pitches today."
(Via the Los Angeles Times)
With the long-awaited return of Clayton Kershaw from a shoulder injury, the improved performance of Julio Urias, Bobby Miller's continued success and the introduction of Lance Lynn from Chicago, it remains to be seen what role Gonsolin might have in a postseason run.
"Given the way other guys are throwing the baseball, he's gonna have to pitch well, and I think he'd be the first to tell you that," Roberts said. "But as we started getting guys back and we start kind of honing in on the end of the season, we're going to go with our best pitchers, and that's the way it should be."
(Via the Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers currently have an 8.5-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.
