Justin Wrobleski recorded only two strikeouts. He generated just four swings-and-misses.
And yet, during the Dodgers’ series-opener against an ice-cold New York Mets lineup Monday night, the promising young left-hander almost flirted with a complete-game shutout:
Eight innings, no runs and only two hits allowed in a 4-0 win.
“I think a big point of emphasis for me is just trying to keep it as simple as I can,” Wrobleski said. “Let’s just attack and see where we’re at … Keep them off balance by using my stuff.”
The night might’ve said more about the scuffling state of the Mets’ high-priced –– but also Juan Soto-less –– offense, which entered this series with just nine runs scored during a five-game losing streak.
Still, for the 25-year-old Wrobleski, it easily went down as a personal-best outing, marking the first time he’d pitched past six innings in the majors and the first time he’d gotten into the eighth in his pro career.
“Being able to sequence, miss barrels, put it on the ground, create soft contact, work with efficiency,” manager Dave Roberts said, “those are things that help a championship team win games.”
Wrobleski didn’t allow his first hit until the fifth inning, retiring his first 13 batters before then with the help of stellar Dodgers defense –– highlighted by a diving play at shortstop from Miguel Rojas in the second.
He then immediately erased the knock, a one-out single from Jorge Polanco, by dialing up a double-play in the next at-bat.
And from there, he kept on rolling, mowing down nine more consecutive batters to face the minimum into the eighth inning.
Wrobleski’s night ended after stranding a two-out single from Francisco Alvarez in that eighth inning. Of his 90 pitches, 64 went for strikes.
“I’m hoping there’s plenty of other opportunities like that to get a complete game,” said Wrobleski, a former 11th-round draft pick who previously had a 4.74 ERA in 34 big-league outings. “That’s the goal for me. That’s something I think is really cool.”
Still, when Roberts came to tell him he was done, he didn’t argue –– and not only because he was well past his previous season-high of five innings and 78 innings.
“That’s something that I got to earn,” Wrobleski said. “I trust Doc. And at the same time, I know they’re protecting me and keeping my best interest in mind … So there was, there was nothing other than, ‘Hey, great job.’”
An understated end to an outstanding overall night.
What it means
In this #BillionDollarBattle –– between two teams who, when counting for luxury tax penalties, are projected to eclipse a combined $1 billion of spending this season –– it’s clear whose money looks more well-spent right now.
While the Mets (7-10) were thought to be perhaps the toughest competition in the National League for the Dodgers (12-4) entering the year, they’ve looked little like it during a woeful start to the season.
Managing just two hits off Wrobleski only served as the latest example.
Who’s hot
Through the season’s first 15 games, Freddie Freeman was the Dodgers’ unluckiest hitter. But on Monday, that fortune started to turn.
Freeman went 2-for-4, lining a 100 mph single in the fifth inning and a 102 mph double in the seventh. His biggest break, however, came in the third.
On what should have been an inning-ending double-play, Freeman instead reached safely after Mets second baseman Marcus Semien bobbled the ball on the turn to first.
It proved to be a critical miscue. Andy Pages came up next and whacked a three-run homer out to left field. It was fifth long ball in a scorching-hot start to the season, and made him the first player in the majors this year to reach 20 RBIs.
Who’s not
It was a tough night at the plate for Max Muncy, who has failed to build upon his three-homer game earlier in this homestand.
The slugger went 0-for-4 with three inning-ending strikeouts, two of which came in high-leverage situations: Bases loaded in the first, two on in the fifth.
Still, Muncy made a couple nice plays at third base to contribute to one of the Dodgers’ best defensive performances all year, including a leaping catch that ended the third inning. He’s quietly been one of the Dodgers’ best defenders so far this season.
Up next
Dodger Stadium will get a highly-anticipated pitchers’ duel on Tuesday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 2.50 ERA) set to start for the Dodgers and talented rookie right-hander Nolan McLean (1-1, 2.70 ERA) going for the Mets.
