Dodgers News: Brett Anderson Says Adjustments Must Be Made
Only once in his first four starts has Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Brett Anderson pitched more than five complete innings, and that came in his first start of the season.
Anderson has been relieved after 73, 72 and 74 pitches in his past three starts, reaching the sixth inning just once. The oft-injured pitcher has been subject to a bit of bad luck, allowing five infield singles in his start on the road against the San Francisco Giants on April 21, but has also failed to break through and have a solid start from start to finish. On Monday night at Dodger Stadium against the Giants, the left-hander was given a four-run lead early on before allowing three runs in the fifth and being removed for reliever Carlos Frias.
According to Dodgers Nation reporter Matt Moreno, the 27-year-old was upset with his performance:
Fortunately, we got the win. But from my perspective, it’s frustrating because these guys handed me a four-run lead,” Anderson said. “I was able to get a shutdown inning after that, but then I wasn’t able to prolong it.”
Luckily for the Dodgers, both Zack Greinke and Scott Baker made it through seven innings in the past two games, so the bullpen wasn’t as taxed. Frias, Adam Liberatore, Yimi Garcia and Chris Hatcher combined to finish the game without allowing any more runs.
Despite the strong performance from the bullpen, Anderson doesn’t want to make anyone pitch that shouldn’t have to:
I could have saved the bullpen a little bit and not used those guys. I’ve got to do better – either make them hit it hard at somebody or make better pitches to get swings and misses. But some adjustments have to be made.”
With Brandon McCarthy out for the season, the Dodgers will need Anderson to get deeper into games, especially with the rotation unsettled at the moment.
[divide]Andrew Friedman Discusses Losing Brandon McCarthy
Well he isn’t allowing Home Runs. He seems to be a little unlucky in that some of the rallies have been with guys hitting balls on the ground. The great news is he is healthy and is throwing most of his pitches down in the zone. I think a few tweaks and he is good. I always was concerned about McCarthy because his mistakes were flat waist high pitches over the plate and they were hit long distances. Anderson’s mistakes are generally ground balls through gaps. Plus Anderson has been able to throw several pitches for strikes. Unlike Hatcher who has had severe control issues with everything but his fastball. I would sit Hatcher or send him down to get it worked out. He has a plus arm but needs to get his pitch control. Baez, Garcia, Rodriguez, Liberatore all have amazing stuff and serious heat. When Jansen gets back we will might have one of the best BP’s in the game. WHo would have thought?? Bolsinger, Baker and Lee all having great appearances in Okie City with less than 1.0 ERA’s. So there is help in OKie City. The Front Office has done a great job stocking AAA.