Dodgers News: Adrian Gonzales Feels Healthy, But Upset With Swing

In a battle of aces in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, New York Mets’ Jacob deGrom overpowered the Los Angeles Dodgers, striking out 13. DeGrom’s fastball sat above 95 mph for much of the seven shutout innings he tossed, and among those who particularly struggled was Adrian Gonzalez.

The Dodgers’ first baseman went 0-for-3 against deGrom with three strikeouts. “He was good, he had good stuff. I felt like we had good at-bats and worked the counts against him, but at the end of the day he made all the pitches he needed to make,” Gonzalez said.

“And we didn’t do much when we had guys out there. I have to do a better job [Saturday] and put the ball in play.” Gonzalez’s lone hit of the night, an RBI single in the eighth inning, came against Mets reliever Tyler Clippard.

Gonzalez, who has been battling a back/pinched nerve issue in recent weeks, said he was healthy heading into the best-of-five series. He reiterated that sentiment after the Game 1 loss, but expressed some frustration with his approach at the plate.

“I felt great. I think my swings were a little too big, Gonzalez said. “Maybe not too big, but I just need to be a little shorter so I can put the ball in play.” If there’s one silver lining the Dodgers can take from their loss, its Mets manager Terry Collins saying deGrom is unlikely to start a potential Game 4 on short rest due to the number of pitches he threw Friday night.

Gonzalez and the Dodgers look to get back on track in Game 2 against Noah Syndergaard. In his career, Gonzalez is only 1-for-3, but with a solo home run off Syndgeraard.