The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their road trip with a series victory over the Oakland Athletics behind a 3-2 win on Sunday.
River Ryan made his third Major League start and had some early struggles as he surrendered a game-tying, two-run homer to Brent Rooker in the bottom of the first inning.
Those were the only runs Ryan allowed over 4.2 innings, largely thanks to Evan Phillips getting the Dodgers out of a bases-loaded jam. The right-hander froze Rooker with a backdoor sweeper for the final out of the fifth inning.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Phillips and believes the key out gave the Dodgers a boost toward winning the game, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It was a big moment for Evan,” Roberts said. “He’s been fighting some things obviously with results. He’s a guy I certainly believe in that he can manage success, manage some hard times and still mentally re-set. I thought the last two in this series were really good outings.
“Bases loaded, two outs, against their best hitter – to get a punchout right there I think was the ballgame and just gave us a lot of momentum.”
It’s no secret that Phillips has struggled lately but he has been encouraged by recent progress:
“I think it’s still generally a work in progress,” Phillips said. “I think we’ve kind of ironed out a clear plan moving forward. We clarified that maybe a week, 10 days ago. Just gonna continue to build on that. But definitely feel like I’m in a better spot.”
Phillips posted an 11.24 ERA in 10 appearances during the month of July, but has thrown 1.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts since the start of August.
The 29-year-old entered the year as the Dodgers closer, but his ongoing struggles have resulted in being moved into other situations as well.
Phillips is 2-0 with a 4.01 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 1.31 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine in 33.2 innings pitched across 38 games this season.
Evan Phillips searching through frustration
Amid his recent struggles, Phillips has been giving up more hard contact while missing fewer bats. If his last two appearances were any indication, he may have found a solution to get back on track.
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