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By Jon Weisman
I’m mulling a longer post about today’s surreal game, but in the meantime, I didn’t want Carlos Frias’ performance to get lost in the shuffle.
Expectations were modest for Carlos Frias today, but they weren’t non-existent. It wasn’t like he was going to throw nine innings, but he wasn’t supposed to have to battle to survive every batter.
Suffice it to say, Frias gravitated toward the high end of fulfillment.
The 24-year-old righty became the first Dodger since Hong-Chih Kuo, seven years and 360 days ago, to throw six shutout innings in his first Major League start, according to Elias Sports.
Going toe to toe with a top starter in Washington’s Jordan Zimmermann, Frias allowed three hits and a walk in the first three innings, then retired the final 10 batters he faced and finished with four strikeouts, throwing 77 pitches. Only one runner from the National League East-leading Nationals made it to scoring position.
He received a no-decision for his efforts, but lowered his ERA from 5.65 to 3.98 and his WHIP from 1.05 to 0.93.
winnipegdave
Mulling is fine. Writing about that messy, heroic comic-tragedy of a game is better. I might even suggest that it is necessary to help many a Dodger fan figure out what it is they saw, and how to feel about it.
Speaking of that: Is Mattingly genius or insane? He said that yesterday’s game was a good one for the team. I don’t know if that is truly brilliant or utterly crazy…
Asher B. Garber
I like Donnie, but I feel he’s going through a bit of a slump right now. Why take out Wilson and ask Jansen for a 4-out save the night after closing? I didn’t get that. I also am really not liking replay. When Dee Gordon can clearly beat the throw to the bag but then his momentum carries him off the base for a split-split second, and he gets called out…. That encourages two things: sliding head first, and allowing managers to stop a game whenever momentum gets going against his ballclub to find that millisecond freeze framed moment…. Donnie may think that was a great game for the team, but for this fan it felt like a harbinger of doom.
winnipegdave
That’s a fascinating idea – a manager going through a slump. It raises some interesting questions about Mattingly’s tendencies – are they constant or do they change/evolve? Also – are (some of) his managerial tendencies flawed in some fundamental way or are they solid but just being overwritten by uncontrollable circumstances, thus causing a slump.
I appreciate managers ability to understand the length of the season and rest players accordingly. Would Mattingly (or any manager for that matter) have the same view of needing a mental break himself and put Wallach at the reigns for a game or two? I guess that wouldn’t be up to Donnie but would be Ned’s call. Not that it would ever happen. Just an interesting thought.
Asher B. Garber
What got me thinking about it was him not pinch running AJ when he was at 2nd and waited till he got to 3rd. Puig’s hit coupled with Werth’s bobble would have scored anyone but AJ, and yet Donnie caught wind of it one base too late.
oldbrooklynfan
It was simply outstanding. I never expected a performance like that .I wish I had the words to describe it.
Don Bright
I don’t think Mattingly is a good in-game manager (after 3 plus years he should be better), and the Kasten and co. made a huge error given him another multi-year contract. I know he can’t be blamed when the O doesn’t do their job, but he simply makes too many errors in putting players in situations they can better succeed. Sadly the bullpen’s inconsistency, along with an O that is struggling makes the game non-Mattingly proof were he can blow it as well. We have to hope Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu are so great in the playoffs, that there’s just enough run support for them to win. If it comes down to a pen game, or a move DM makes, more than likely it’ll be a loss.
oldbrooklynfan
I thought the article was about Frias. As far as the game goes, I think DM’s biggest mistake was not pinch running for Ellis when he was on second base.
Asher B. Garber
Frias did pitch well, and you’re right, the article is about his performance. He did a great job. I guess I’m in playoff mode. A grumpy Gonzalez rather than a peppy Joc.