Tony Gonsolin goes deep in Dodgers’ victory over Padres

For the most of Tony Gonsolin's professional career, Trayce Thompson has not sat front and centre. Gonsolin played outfield for St. Mary's College when Thompson's initial stint with the Dodgers organisation was at its height in June 2016

and the team selected him in the ninth round of that year's amateur draught. Please excuse Thompson for drawing too many conclusions from Friday's game, in which Gonsolin pitched 72 34 innings to help the Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 5-1.

Thompson stated, "I've seen two starts so far. It seems almost certain that he will pitch eight innings each night.

In reality, Gonsolin only pitched seven innings in a game twice before, the first time being in San Diego in September 2020. The right-hander has since improved to become one of the greatest pitchers in the National League

a distinction that should eventually ensure Gonsolin a spot on the team when the All-Star Game visits Los Angeles on July 19.

Gonsolin had a season-high eight strikeouts, gave up just four hits, and didn't give out any walks. After striking out C.J. Abrams on his 92nd pitch, he appeared hesitant to give the baseball to Manager Dave Roberts.

But by that point, the result was all but certain. With enough innings, Gonsolin's ERA dropped to 1.54 and his record improved to 10-0, making him eligible for the lowest mark in MLB

Trent Grisham's home run in the fifth inning, which cleared the loge level in right field, was the only run he gave up.

Despite striking out a season-high 17 times, the Dodgers prevailed thanks to two solo home runs off left-hander Blake Snell (0-6) and a few insurance runs off the bullpen of the Padres.

Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy jumped the fence in front of the 48,076 spectators who were present. In the sixth inning, Bellinger's 11th home run gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish.

Trea Turner reached on an infield single in the eighth inning, stole second base, and scored when Freddie Freeman doubled. In the eighth inning, with left-hander Tim Hill on the mound, Chris Taylor singled and Thompson doubled to start a two-run rally.

In the eighth inning, the Dodgers had a four-run advantage thanks to that. In a situation where a save was not possible, Roberts called on closer Craig Kimbrel to record the final three outs.

He did, and the Dodgers (48-28) increased their advantage over San Diego (46-33) in the National League West to 312 games.