When the Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Rich Hill during the offseason to a three-year, $48 million contract, the expectation was he’d slot in rotation as a second ace to Clayton Kershaw. After all, it was a role Hill so effectively filled last season; albeit while battling nagging blisters.
On Saturday night, the southpaw improved on what had been his best start of the season. Hill completed seven innings for a second time in as many outings. He held the San Diego Padres without a run, and matched a career high with 11 strikeouts.
“I’ve strung together a couple outings now where my mechanics seem to be in sync really well,” Hill said. “The ball is coming out of my hand the way I want it to.”
While a blister twice forced Hill to the disabled list this season, the primary culprit behind his struggles was mechanical. A new, streamlined windup, has seemingly mitigated that issue.
“First, what comes is being able to find your mechanics. Once you can repeat, you’re able to command the zone a lot better,” Hill explained.
“The last couple of outings, that’s what I’ve been able to do. I feel like I’m over the rubber now, as opposed to a two- or three-part delivery. Everything is going to the plate. It was really a matter of maintaining my mechanics.
“When you can get into your mechanics the way you want to, you can feel the release point where the ball is coming out and see the shape of the ball well as it’s coming out of your hand. That’s really been the key.”
In his last three starts, Hill has allowed four runs in 19 innings, while striking out 26. Further evidence of Hill finding his footing is 69 of 92 pitches in Saturday’s win were for strike; phrased differently, 75 percent.
“Building on his last outing, he was fantastic. His finger is feeling good for three, four, five starts in a row,” acting manager Bob Geren said.
“His release point has been consistent, and he’s throwing the ball like Rich Hill does when he’s on. I feel like this outing is going to boost him for the rest of the year.”
Although his work from the mound was another welcomed sight for the Dodgers, Hill also contributed at the plate with his first career multi-hit game. Hill’s RBI single in the fourth inning was his first hit since 2009.
Next is a scheduled start Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The last time the Dodgers faced the second-place team in the National League West, they swept the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series.
