Editorials

Dodgers News: Mattingly Concerned For Bullpen In Rain-Affected Games

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

After completing a four-game series in Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the challenge of concluding their seven-game road trip amid chilly and rainy weather throughout the weekend in Colorado.

Of the weekend schedule, Friday proved the best chance for the Dodgers and Rockies to play and game. That didn’t prove to be an easy task as it rained in the hours leading up to the 5:40 p.m. PT start and caused a one-hour and four-minute delay.



Prior to news of an official delay, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly discussed the challenges for the pitching staff that come with playing under the less-than-favorable forecast, via ESPN’s Mark Saxon:

That’s your biggest fear, starting a game and losing a starter and having to finish that game with the bullpen,” Mattingly said. “It’s going to put you in a bind. I think both teams are really mindful of it, though. They don’t want to start a game and not get it in.”

Once Friday’s game began, four innings were played without much issue. However, by the bottom of the fifth, the steady drizzle turned into a strong downpour. With the Dodgers leading 2-1, Brett Anderson recorded two outs before walking Charlie Blackmon.

Blackmon stole second base and attempted to score on Corey Dickerson’s chopper up the middle that Justin Turner, playing second base, made a backhanded stop on only for his throw to first base to be late. Adrian Gonzalez recognized Blackmon breaking for home plate and threw the ball to Yasmani Grandal just in time for the third out.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss challenged the call, which was upheld after a roughly three-minute review, making the game official. It entered another delay in the top of the sixth that lasted one hour and 40 minutes before the Dodgers were declared winners.

Anderson earned credit for a complete-game win, which at least momentarily laid Mattingly’s bullpen concerns to rest. Had play resumed Friday night, it was doubtful Anderson would’ve pitched.

The Dodgers and Rockies now face the challenge of playing the next two games with the forecast calling for the possibility of snow. Thus, whereas Mattingly gained a reprieve Friday, he and the Dodgers bullpen may not be as fortunate over the next two days.

[divide]

Brett Anderson Encouraged By Health And Results


Please enable Javascript to watch this video

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button