Dodgers News: Frias And Mattingly Not Worried Over Rough Outing
The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to complete a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Sunday as they went down to their NL West rival in demoralizing fashion.
Making his seventh career start, Carlos Frias faced off against Padres ace James Shields, who allowed no runs and just one hit through the sixth inning. Whereas Shields was nearly unhittable, Frias largely struggled. He managed to go just four innings, allowing 10 earned runs and 12 hits.
“It was a struggle with my pitch command in the first couple of innings,” said a dejected Frias. “I wasn’t able to control my pitches.”
Don Mattingly made an early visit to the mound during the second inning, in which the Dodgers right-hander had already given up six runs. Although instead of pulling the starter, Mattingly decided to leave Frias on the mound.
“Just a bad day,” Mattingly said. “He got behind in counts and he paid for it. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes they pop it up. Today they didn’t.”
Prior to Sunday’s matchup, Frias had posted a 2.55 ERA and had allowed no more than three runs in any of his starts. Frias, along with Mike Bolsinger, have been called upon to fill in for Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Some had previously questioned whether Frias is the answer as a regular starter. Sunday’s blip in the radar didn’t quiet those concerns, but they aren’t coming from Frias or Mattingly.
“That happens to anyone,” said the Dodger right-hander. “I’m just going to get ready for my next one.” Mattingly added, “We can’t make decisions based on one outing. Just a bad day.”
Assuming the Dodgers stick to their current rotation, Frias’ next trip to the mound should come during the weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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