Dodgers: Chronicling Walker Buehler’s 19th Start vs. Rockies

Dodgers Nation will be following Walker Buehler’s starts as he seeks to be the next elite Dodgers pitcher. The Dodgers have a history of dominant players on the mound from Sandy Koufax to Don Drysdale to Clayton Kershaw. As a former first-round pick and a highly touted prospect, Buehler looks to be the next big thing in Los Angeles. All we can do is relax and enjoy the show.

September 8, 2018

Season statistics coming into the game: (6-4, 2.92 ERA)

Season statistics after the game: (6-5, 3.09 ERA)

The Opponent: Colorado Rockies

Stadium: Coors Field

Days of Rest: 5

Catcher: Austin Barnes

Game Results

Innings Pitched: 6

Earned Runs: 4

Hits: 6

Home Runs: 2

Strikeouts: 7

Walks: 1

Pitch Count: 96

Batters Faced: 24

MLB.com Game Score: 45

History

Walker Buehler headed to Colorado, having already faced the Rockies seven previous times in his career. His most recent appearance at Coors Field came on August 11, where he threw seven scoreless innings. He did not factor in the decision in that game, as he matched up against Rockies’ hurler, Kyle Freeland.

Performance

For the first time since July, Walker Buehler allowed more than two runs in a start. He went six innings, allowing four runs on six hits, including two home runs. Buehler struck out seven batters but wound up with his fifth loss of the year.

The Highs

Other than the two home runs Buehler surrendered, the Dodgers’ rookie pitched a solid outing. The two home runs accounted for three runs, with the other coming from an RBI single by Ian Desmond. Buehler walked just one batter, his lowest total since July 31.

The Lows

Four of the hits allowed by Buehler went for extra bases. Those were the most extra-base hits Buehler had allowed in a single outing since June 28 against the Cubs, when he pitched one inning of relief.

Analysis

Taking his first loss since July, Walker Buehler admitted to his mistakes, saying after the game, “Two bad pitches, two good hitters. Blackmon hopped on a slider and Iannetta, a fastball.” Those two pitches proved to be the difference between, not only a win and a loss, but also the difference between first place and second place. The Dodgers had a chance to regain the division lead over the Rockies with a win, but instead find themselves trailing Colorado by 1.5 games.

Buehler is not the only blame for the loss. It is rare, especially in Coors Field, for two runs of support to be enough to pull off a victory. The Dodgers offense went just 1-6 with runners in scoring position.