Justin Wrobleski flirts with shutout as Dodgers…
Justin Wrobleski recorded only two strikeouts. He generated just 4 swings-and-misses.
And yet, during the Dodgers’ series-opener against an ice-cold New York Mets lineup Monday night time, the promising younger left-hander nearly 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 time may’ve said more about the scuffling state of the Mets’ high-priced –– but also Juan Soto-less –– offense, which entered this collection with just 9 runs scored during a five-game shedding streak.
Still, for the 25-year-old Wrobleski, it simply 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 professional profession.
Justin Wrobleski (70) throws to a New York Mets batter during the seventh inning of a baseball sport, Monday, April 13, 2026. Jessie Alcheh for CA Post
“Being able to sequence, miss barrels, put it on the ground, create soft contact, work with efficiency,” supervisor Dave Roberts said, “those are things that help a championship team win games.”
Wrobleski didn’t enable his first hit until the fifth inning, retiring his first 13 batters before then with the help of stellar Dodgers protection –– 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 stored on rolling, mowing down 9 more consecutive batters to face the minimal into the eighth inning.
Wrobleski’s night time 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 Eleventh-round draft choose who beforehand 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 got here to inform him he was executed, he didn’t argue –– and not only because he was nicely past his earlier season-high of 5 innings and 78 innings.
Justin Wrobleski appears on after an out against the New York Mets during the fifth inning. Jessie Alcheh for CA Post
“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 excellent total night time.
What it means
In this #BillionDollarBattle –– between two groups who, when counting for luxurious tax penalties, are projected to eclipse a mixed $1 billion of spending this season –– it’s clear whose money appears more well-spent proper now.
While the Mets (7-10) had been thought to be maybe the hardest competitors in the National League for the Dodgers (12-4) getting into the 12 months, they’ve appeared little prefer it during a woeful start to the season.
Managing just two hits off Wrobleski only served as the latest instance.
Who’s sizzling
Through the season’s first 15 video games, Freddie Freeman was the Dodgers’ unluckiest hitter. But on Monday, that fortune began to flip.
Freeman went 2-for-4, lining a 100 mph single in the fifth inning and a 102 mph double in the seventh. His greatest break, however, got here in the third.
On what ought to have been an inning-ending double-play, Freeman instead reached safely after Mets second baseman Marcus Semien bobbled the ball on the flip to first.
It proved to be a crucial miscue. Andy Pages got here up next and whacked a three-run homer out to left subject. It was fifth long ball in a scorching-hot start to the season, and made him the first participant in the majors this 12 months to attain 20 RBIs.
Who’s not
It was a powerful night time at the plate for Max Muncy, who has failed to construct upon his three-homer sport earlier in this homestand.
The slugger went 0-for-4 with three inning-ending strikeouts, two of which got here in high-leverage conditions: Bases loaded in the first, two on in the fifth.
Still, Muncy made a couple good performs at third base to contribute to one of the Dodgers’ best defensive performances all 12 months, 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 proficient rookie right-hander Nolan McLean (1-1, 2.70 ERA) going for the Mets.
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