Buehler Solid in Starting Debut, “Gets By With a Little Help From His Friends”

Walker Buehler was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this week and took the mound tonight to face Jarlin Garcia and the Miami Marlins (5-16) in his MLB starting debut.  The 23-year-old from Lexington, KY has been one of the top prospects for the Dodgers (10-10) and would prove his worth tonight by tossing 5.0 shut out innings.

 2nd Inning

With one on and two out in the top of the second inning, Buelher would get Miguel Rojas to hit a sharp ground ball heading toward center field; however, Kiké Hernández would make an incredible defensive play to end the inning.

3rd Inning

With one out in the top of the third inning, Kiké would one-up himself and make another spectacular defensive play to retire Starlin Castro.  The only word that can accurately describe this play is WOW.

4th Inning

Kiké would lead off the bottom of the fourth inning and break-up a no-hitter by Garcia with a solo shot to left field to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.  Not only did he do it with his arm tonight, he also did it with his bat.

8th Inning

Buehler would finish five strong innings allowing no runs on 4 hits (all of which were singles) and 3 walks while striking out 5.  He would also hit 99 MPH on the radar gun on eight different pitches.  Unfortunately, he would settle for a no-decision despite Ross Stripling throwing scoreless frames in the 6th and the 7th.  With JT Chargois on the mound in the top of the 8th, the Marlins would tie it up that began with lead-off man J.T. Realmuto getting hit-by-pitch on a 2-1 count.  Castro would then hit a ground ball to Kiké that looked like it would be a double play; however, after getting the out at second, Austin Barnes would air mail the throw to first allowing Castro to advance to second base.  Brian Anderson would come up to bat next and rope a ground ball into center field that would score Castro and tie the game 1-1.  After walking Cameron Maybin, Chargois’ night would finish but, thankfully, Adam Liberatore would come in relief and prevent any more damage.

Chris Taylor would lead off the bottom half of the 8th with a double down the left field line to put the go-ahead run in scoring position.  That would bring up Kiké who would lay down a perfectly placed bunt that would advance Taylor to third and result in everyone being safe.  He would finish the night 3-4 with two singles and a home run.  The bunt would prove crucial as Corey Seager would strike out in the next at bat for the first out.  With the sac-fly possibility still an option, Cody Bellinger would do just that by roping a line drive to right field that was caught by a sliding J.B. Shuck.  Luckily, the ball was hit hard enough that Taylor would score and put the Dodgers ahead 2-1.  Yasmani Grandal would pop out to shortstop to end the inning as well as end his career high 11-game hitting streak.

9th Inning

Josh Fields would come in relief in the top of the 9th looking to close out the game since Kenley Jansen was unavailable after having pitched last night.  Fields would retire the first two batters but would allow Rojas to single on a blooper to left field.  Fortunately, Realmuto would swing at the first pitch and fly out to center field to seal the victory.

The Dodgers (11-10) now have a winning record for the first time this season and will look for their third consecutive series victory tomorrow night behind the arm of Kenta Maeda beginning at 7:10pm PST.

BakoBoyInBlue