Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Likes Grandal’s Handling Of Frias
When Yasmani Grandal came over from the San Diego Padres, he came with a reputation that wasn’t the best when it came to relationships with pitchers.
It was reported that multiple starting pitchers chose not to throw to Grandal last season; however, all seems well in Los Angeles and the Dodgers starters. Grandal has been a key component to the first place Dodgers, not only on offense, but on defense. In Tuesday night’s victory, Grandal threw two runners out and helped starter Carlos Frias get through a rough start to the game.
After the game, manager Don Mattingly gave his take on the battery relationship. “Yas[mani Grandal] seems to handle him well. He’s a tough guy to catch. He’s live, it’s all over and you don’t know exactly where it’s going,” Mattingly said.
Frias allowed five hits and had two wild pitches in the first two innings, but was able to escape allowing just one run. He settled down over the next 4.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs. The right-hander has allowed three earned runs or less in all but one start this season. Coincidentally, that one start was the only one that Grandal wasn’t behind the plate for.
Mattingly added,”They seem to have a pretty good thing going there.”
Grandal has been a steady presence in a somewhat shaky rotation until the last month. The Dodgers have used 10 different starting pitchers this season, but have settled in with a five-man rotation now. Zack Greinke sung the catcher’s praise earlier this season, and there have been no reports of issues with Grandal and other pitchers.
Offensively, Grandal gives the Dodgers power on offense from the catcher for the first time in a few years. He’s hitting .276 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 44 games this season.
[divide]Yasmani Grandal Defends Dodgers Bullpen
