Dodgers News: Rich Hill Solid in First Start Versus San Diego

Rich Hill is notorious for bad spring trainings. In his first game of real action, Hill reminded the Dodgers why they acquired and extended him in the last year.

Hill went five innings, allowing just two hits and one run. He didn’t allow a hit through three innings. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was a reliable showing the Dodgers are coming to expect of Hill.

Rich Hill is done after 5 IP. Dave Roberts had said Hill would be working in slightly shorter stints than the other starters to start year.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) April 6, 2017

Hill was yanked before the third time through the order. The Dodgers management plan of Hill makes sense. He’s often injured, and putting any stress on him before the postseason would be irresponsible.

Solid night on the hill for Hill. ? pic.twitter.com/9NZ4oxhoKU

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 6, 2017

On the negative side, Hill had three walks. Erratic command plagued Hill in March. As Eric Stephen at True Blue LA acknowledged, Hill was slow out of the gate last season in that area.

Rich Hill has 3 walks tonight. He walked 3 (or 4) batters 6 times in 20 starts last year. All of the high-walk games came in April-May

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) April 6, 2017

Hill’s next start is scheduled for Monday against the Chicago Cubs. Chicago will raise its banner before the game.