In a shocking flip of occasions, a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher averted the injured checklist. Ben Casparius remained accessible for the crew after straining his proper calf on Tuesday. With the bullpen banged up, Casparius was referred to as on within the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ sequence opener in opposition to the Boston Purple Sox Friday.
The rookie reliever grew up in New England rooting for the Purple Sox. And with family and friends within the stands at Fenway, Casparius recorded his first profession save. The Dodgers pitcher acknowledged the memorable second after the sport.
“It was fairly cool,” Casparius admitted, per SportsNet LA. “It was particular. And an effective way to begin the highway journey.” Requested if he stored the sport ball after locking down the Dodgers’ 5-2 win, Casparius grinned. “I did get the ball… It’s gonna be framed someplace, that’s for positive.”
Reliever Ben Casparius helps Dodgers prime Purple Sox in sequence opener
The 26-year-old righty bounced again from a tough outing in opposition to the Minnesota Twins. Casparius allowed three earned runs and exited the sport with a calf damage earlier than recording a single out.
After Dodgers nearer Tanner Scott landed on the 15-day IL with elbow irritation the crew might sick afford to lose one other bullpen arm. Luckily, the calf pressure didn’t require an IL stint. And Casparius was able to go when supervisor Dave Roberts referred to as on him to shut out the Purple Sox.
The younger reliever says he wasn’t shocked to get the ball with a three-run lead within the ninth on Friday. “I simply assume with how fluid our bullpen is and guys doing totally different roles, I believe it could possibly be anyone… I believe the expectation is to simply be prepared when your identify is named.”
Casparius’ identify was referred to as and he fulfilled a childhood dream by taking the mound at Fenway. That isn’t to say the outing was notably easy. Trevor Story led off the ninth with a double. After retiring the subsequent two batters, Casparius hit Romy Gonzalez with a pitch, bringing the tying run to the plate.
Nonetheless, the Dodgers hurler induced a game-ending floor out from Rob Refsnyder, incomes his first MLB save. “[It was a] Powerful month however I admire the teaching workers placing me proper again into the hearth like that. I felt good coming off the final couple days too. So, simply to get that one below my belt felt nice,” Casparius mentioned.