While Walker Buehler had picked up the Los Angeles Dodgers over his last handful starts with stellar outings, the roles reversed Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers. Pitching at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park, the rookie right-hander labored through just four innings.
The outing was Buehler’s shortest of the season and it marked the first time since July 25 (five starts) he didn’t complete at least five innings. Buehler began the night on an efficient note, setting the Rangers down in order on 10 pitches in the first inning.
However, a nine-pitch duel with Adrian Beltre before he flied out and subsequent two-out single by Jurickson Profar made for a more laborious second inning of work.
After the Dodgers provided Buehler with a 3-0 lead in the top of the third, he allowed the Rangers to mount a two-out rally and cut their deficit to one run. Buehler’s 37 pitches in the third were the most he’s thrown all season in a single inning.
Following the Dodgers’ win, he admitted to not having a sharp fastball and voiced conf as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I just wasn’t as crisp, so sometimes you’ve got to make an adjustment and go to the other stuff. … It wasn’t my best day, and hopefully I’ll be sharper next week. … They put some swings, it’s not like they were hitting rockets everywhere. Balls found holes. That’s the way it goes sometimes. “
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained during his postgame interview that Buehler’s pitch count in the third inning and overall (84), coupled with the heat, were factors in the early hook.
Buehler didn’t factor into the decision for a second consecutive start and saw his ERA raise to 3.02. He nonetheless is 6-4 in what’s been a productive season.
Buehler’s next outing is expected to come in the four-game finale of a pivotal matchup for the Dodgers against the Arizona Diamondbacks this season.
