The Los Angeles Dodgers have enjoyed immense success this season in using starting pitchers out of the bullpen. On Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds, it was Kenta Maeda’s opportunity to shine as a reliever.
Heading into the weekend series, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Maeda would piggyback with Rich Hill or Alex Wood. Hill went five innings before giving way to Maeda. The relief appearance was his first since doing so in 2008 as a rookie in Japan.
Maeda converted a four-out save in the Dodgers’ 7-2 victory, allowing a solo home run in the ninth and later a back-to-back two out single.