ANAHEIM — Last month, the Dodgers struggled more than they were used to, and the bullpen bore most of the blame as the team slipped back to third place in the National League West.
The Dodgers’ bullpen went into the two-game series against the Angels with a 5.04 ERA, the second-worst grade in the majors behind the A’s, who have the worst record in baseball. It was a rather unexpected turn for an auxiliary corps that was considered a strength last season.
On Wednesday, the same bullpen had to face off against the Angels’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who was making his first start against the Dodgers. On paper, given Ohtani’s performance and the Dodgers’ bullpen on the mound, that was a significant mismatch.
Games don’t get played on paper, however, and a group of seven Dodgers relief players defeated Ohtani with a two-hitter and a 2-0 win at Angel Stadium. It is only the second time the Dodgers have ruled out the Angels in consecutive games, most recently on June 27-28, 2008.
“Every time you talk about the bullpen, it’s like a relay race, where you pass the baton to the next one,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “They’re really tight. So when a man fights, you can feel that everyone is feeling it. And vice versa: if one is doing well and throwing a good inning, then the next one wants to do the same. So tonight was perfect.”
Originally, the Dodgers had plans to use Michael Grove to win the majority of the innings. But Roberts said they postponed those plans late Tuesday night and informed the Angels early Wednesday they would be hosting a bullpen game instead.
Brusdar Graterol was told Tuesday night he would open the game and he didn’t disappoint. The right-hander put on one of his best performances in weeks, scoring three in two scoreless innings.
That set the tone for the rest of the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Victor González followed with 1 1/3 innings, helped along the way by some great defensive play from David Peralta and Will Smith. Luis Rengifo came on for goal, Peralta threw a powerful shot at the plate and Smith had a perfect day for the second straight day to keep the game goalless.
After González got his part of the lineup up, Yency Almonte also went 1 1/3 innings. Almonte struggled to start the season but the right-hander has been much more efficient in recent weeks.
“Bullpen games are pretty tough to master,” said Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who hit the first with a fourth-round solo home run against Ohtani. “You did an incredible job tonight.”
Perhaps the pitcher who needed a solid showing the most was Alex Vesia. The left-hander has been one of the Dodgers’ best triggers in each of the past two seasons, but in 2023 he was one of the least effective arms. In season five, Vesia fought her way out of a stalemate by getting Hunter Renfroe to fly out with the tie run in scoring position.
Roberts then entrusted Vesia to face Ohtani and Mike Trout in the sixth round and he came through, making Ohtani pop out and knocking out Trout swinging.
“It gives them confidence,” Roberts said. “We never discussed arm talent, what these guys did, but definitely [regarding] The performance of the last couple of nights has been at the level we expected. We can build on that.”
The fifth pitcher of the night was Ryan Brasier, who retired all four batters he faced in his Dodgers debut. That gave Caleb Ferguson the opportunity to finish a goalless eighth place for the second straight season and Evan Phillips made his second consecutive save in ninth place.
“The boys were grinning,” Ferguson said. “I don’t think it was as far away as it looks. Just a few better pitches here, a few better pitches there and things are very different. But kudos to everyone who put their heads down and kept grinning. I just keep getting through the difficult phase.”
Ferguson mentioned that the bullpen had internal talks amid this surprise phase. While it wasn’t formal, there was a sense of urgency to get back on track. And for two nights it looked more like the Dodgers bullpen from before.
If this continues, it would be a huge development for Los Angeles.
“[It’s a] “You have to see it to believe it,” kind of “You have to see it to believe it,” Phillips said. “Success creates self-confidence.”