Matt Krohn/USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Dodgers lost the final game of the series to the Minnesota Twins, 3-2. Although the pitching staff didn’t have the best players, they were still able to pitch a solid game, resulting in a disappointing overall result.
Bobby Miller allowed just two runs but gave up three walks in just four innings. Instead, Alex Bashear recorded two outs and hit the winning home run.
Beshear allowed a home run when he was hit with a 93 mph fastball near the center of the plate on the second pitch he threw to Edouard Julien. Bashear said via Sportsnet LA that he believes he is in a good spot overall, but he made one mistake that cost him his life.
“I only made one bad pitch today. I feel like I’m hitting the ball a lot better. I have to get better.”
Bashear got off to a slow start this season, pitching 6.2 innings in seven games with a 4.05 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He has given up runs in back-to-back games, but his left arm feels like it’s headed in the right direction.
“Good. It’s gotten a lot better. I like where I’m going and the trends. I feel like I’m in a pretty decent place. I just need to get better.”
Every run Bashear allowed against the Twins was on a home run, so he’s watching video to see if there’s a specific issue that needs to be addressed or if it’s just a mistake.
“Oh yeah. I’m the toughest person on myself. So we looked at different mechanics, pitches, etc., and it was obvious that I missed the position today, but he got me. I did.”
The Dodgers need Bashear to get back on track as a primary left-hander out of the bullpen, but he has struggled since the introduction of the pitching clock rule. In 2021 and 2022, Bashear was one of the most effective relievers not only in the Dodgers’ bullpen but in all of MLB.
He has a career ERA of 3.43 with 209 strikeouts in 155 innings, and is coming off a season in which he posted a 4.35 ERA in 49.2 innings.
Could the Dodgers send Alex Bashear to the minor leagues?
Bashear has one year left on his option, so the Dodgers could send him to the minor leagues to work on his assignments if they feel it’s necessary. They made that decision last season as well, and it worked well for the southpaw.
However, that leaves Ryan Yarbrough as the Dodgers’ only left-handed relief pitcher, and the options for his replacement are limited. Drew Pomeranz could also be an option, but he was released by the Angels before the season.
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