Since becoming a full-time starter for the San Diego Padres, Adrian Gonzalez has appeared in at least 156 games each season since 2002. Through the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first 39 games this year he was the lone player to appear in each game, making 38 starts.
Gonzalez made 19 consecutive starts then entered as a pinch-hitter against the Miami Marlins on April 25. After being removed early on May 16 due to back tightness, he missed three consecutive games and didn’t start a fourth, though entered off the bench.
It was the first time Gonzalez missed three straight games since August 2005 when he was with the Texas Rangers. Remarkably, the last time Gonzalez did not appear in four consecutive games was twice in September 2004 after joining the Rangers from the Minors.
Gonzalez did not start games for the Padres from May 3-6, 2006, but appeared off the bench in three of the four contests. He didn’t start for the Dodgers from May 3-5, 2013, but entered one game as a reserve.
That made the two games Gonzalez didn’t start against the Pittsburgh Pirates all the more noteworthy. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts intended to give his slumping first baseman one day off, but Gonzalez requested a second.
In an interview with David Vassegh on “Dodgers On Deck” on AM 570 LA Sports, Gonzalez explained he used the time to refine his swing:
“Actually, it was very beneficial. I went into the cage during the game and started tinkering and doing some things, and I actually found basically what I’ve been looking for, what I’ve been missing. Hopefully going forward, it’s going to pay off. I feel very confident about my approach and my swing right now with the adjustments I made yesterday in the cage.”
Gonzalez’s first start since the Pittsburgh series netted early returns, as he went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, one double, one RBI and a walk. Some of that may also be attributed to Gonzalez entering the three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers a .404 lifetime hitter at Miller Park
On the season Gonzalez is batting .272/.347/.382 even with a poor June where he’s hit just over .200.
