Dodgers’ Gavin Stone Opens Up About Pitching Deep Into Game

The Los Angeles Dodgers looked doomed after Kansas City starting pitcher Cole Ragans retired the first 10 hitters he faced on Friday and the Royals jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a home run from Salvador Perez.

But starter Gavin Stone almost matched Ragans, retiring eight of the first nine batters he faced. After Perez’s homer, he only allowed one more hit while completing seven innings for the fourth time in his past nine starts.

“I feel like that’s my job, more or less – to go deep in games, give us some length, and let the bullpen come in and do their job in the later innings,” Stone said.

While he is only in his first season as a full-time start for the Dodgers, Stone has become a trusted member of the Dodgers’ rotation, manager Dave Roberts said. Stone has also been consistent. He is 7-2 with a 3.01 ERA across 13 starts.

“He’s been consistent,” Roberts said. “I think with Gavin, I’ve got all the trust in the world in him that he can make a pitch when he needs to, get back after a tough inning, and keep us in the ballgame – which he did – save the bullpen, which it seems he does every time he takes the baseball.

Stone has the poise of a true veteran on the mound. He remains calm under pressure and he exudes confidence. He has improved greatly from last year to now going 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in nine games (four starts) in 2023.

If he keeps this up, he might find himself with the ball in his hands come October.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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