Dodgers Win: Young Caleb Ferguson Bests Old Bartolo Colon
When Bartolo Colon made his first career big league appearance, Caleb Ferguson was a year old. Indeed, what makes baseball special are occurrences like this one. Ferguson, the 21-year old and Colon, 45-year old faced off on Tuesday night in an inter-league tilt.
Almost time. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/pZJpbXzljL
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 13, 2018
The pitching match-up served to intrigue, but the game had an idea of it’s own in terms of a storyline. People left the ballpark tonight talking about the Dodger offense.
Homer Happy Dodgers
The long ball continues to carry the Dodgers.
Los Angeles homered three more times tonight. This brings their total in June to 29. Keep in mind – the franchise record of 53 was achieved last July. They could have a shot at that number if Joc Pederson and company continue to have swings like this.
Barely made it but it counts just the same ???? #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/1FOjytokWg
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 13, 2018
Max Muncy hit his 13th, and Yasiel Puig hit his 8th. Oh, you want to see Muncy’s bomb? We have Muncy’s bomb for you right here.
Mad Max got all of it. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/2ZSQ5Whay3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 13, 2018
The Immaculate Fourth Inning
The Dodgers led 4-2 entering the inning, and the lead swelled to 11-2 by it’s completion. Yasmani Grandal had two hits in the inning. Yasiel Puig homered. Cody Bellinger, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner, and Pederson all added hits of their own. Arguably, it was one of the most fun-filled offensive innings of the year.
Mood. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/iFee9bFENq
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 13, 2018
Caleb Ferguson’s Second Career Start
Orel Hershiser remarked that it’s not always about your stat line as a young big leaguer, but the poise you show. Ferguson was noticeably more composed than his first career start in Pittsburgh. His final stat line of four innings, five hits, two walks, and three strikeouts was not spectacular. Still, he allowed just two earned runs and was better than his opposite number Bartolo Colon who was chased in the fourth inning after just recording one out.
Ferguson did not get credit for the win in the box score, but he put his team in position to have success. Because of this, he probably earns a third start next time his turn is up in the rotation.
Final Thoughts
The Dodgers handled their business like a good offensive club should against a pitcher like Colon. This was a game they needed to build a lead with Ferguson starting, and they were up 7-2 by the time he was pulled in favor of the bullpen. They improve their record to 34-32 on the season, now 17-18 at Chavez Ravine. In the end, it was a solid 12-5 win in the record books for the Dodgers and an exciting game for the home crowd.
Stars Shine At the Blue Diamond Gala
In another head-scratching move, Dave Roberts took out a healthy pitcher in the 4th inning with a 6-2 lead (at the time he pinch-hit for Ferguson). Does anybody else think Caleb could have gone another inning or two, giving the bullpen less innings to pitch, and giving the kid his shot at his first ML win? Unless he pitched within the last 2 days at OKC, this move made no sense.
Well, I think when the decision was made; the Dodgers were up just 4-2. Then they of course exploded for seven more. I would have liked to see Ferguson get his first career win as well. I wish the ‘Win’ as a stat could somehow account for him doing the Lion’s share of the work in this case.