Ryan tallies first MLB win when LA needed it most

HOUSTON -- At a time when they’re dealing with injuries and some inconsistencies, there’s a long list of things the Dodgers can improve upon heading into the July 30 Trade Deadline on Tuesday and beyond.

But amidst all the things that have seemingly gone wrong over the last few weeks, the Dodgers continue to get superb production from rookie starters who likely wouldn’t be getting opportunities if a handful of arms weren’t currently on the injured list.

On Sunday, it was No. 4 prospect River Ryan, who delivered exactly what the Dodgers desperately needed, allowing just one run over 5 2/3 strong innings of work to help Los Angeles avoid a three-game sweep with a 6-2 win over Houston at Minute Maid Park. It was the longest outing of Ryan’s young Major League career.

"Man, that’s a pretty live arm,” said Astros manager Joe Espada. “Pretty good stuff. [Four-seam] fastball, he’s got a sinker, slider -- just a good mix. He used all those pitches, threw strikes. They [threw] some good arms at us this weekend."

In just his second career outing, there was a lot of pressure on Ryan to deliver a good start. Given how taxed the Dodgers’ bullpen is at the conclusion of 10 consecutive games without a break, the team needed a strong start. When you add the fact that the club was looking to avoid being swept by a rival, it only added more importance.

Ryan said he had some jitters in his first career road start, but it was impossible to tell. Outside of walking the first two batters of the game, the 25-year-old dominated a shorthanded, but still strong, Astros lineup. Ryan got an inning-ending double play in the first inning and went on cruise control from there.

"I just stuck to the same game plan I’ve done my whole career, against lefties and righties,” Ryan said. “I was able to execute very well today and it worked out for me."

After starting the game with two walks, Ryan retired 11 of the next 12 batters he faced. He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Jon Singleton lined a leadoff double. Ryan, however, quickly responded by getting Jake Meyers to ground out and striking out Victor Caratini and Joey Loperfido.

"The fastball certainly plays and has a lot of life,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "I thought today the secondary, the curveball was really good versus right -- but particularly versus left-handed hitters. … It was good to see him use that four-pitch mix effectively and, you know, we pushed him.”

In the sixth, it was déjà vu for the Dodgers. With two outs, Yainer Díaz coming to the plate and Ryan at a career-high 91 pitches, Roberts turned to his bullpen instead of letting the young right-hander finish the inning. It’s something the Dodgers did on Saturday with Justin Wrobleski, a move that backfired as Evan Phillips’ struggles continued.

On Sunday, Díaz jumped on a first-pitch fastball from Alex Vesia for a two-run homer, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one run. After the game, Ryan admitted there was some fatigue, given he was at his career high in pitches and making just his 10th start at all levels this season after missing the first couple of months with a right shoulder surgery.

In the end, the Dodgers’ bullpen, backed by some insurance runs in the eighth, was able to keep the lead on Sunday and help Ryan secure the first win of his big league career.

"Unbelievable,” Ryan said of winning his first career game. “It’s something you work for your whole life, pitching in the big leagues. Fortunately I was able to come out with a W."

Over the next 36 hours, Los Angeles' front office will be busy trying to find ways to improve a team that has a lot of holes at the moment. Getting reinforcements will be a big step in the right direction for a banged-up Dodgers club. They’ll also be looking for impact players on both sides of the field.

But regardless of what happens before they take the field against the Padres on Tuesday in San Diego, the Dodgers learned a lot about a pair of young starting pitchers this weekend against the Astros.

"River did a great job,” said Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux. “I feel we all think we should’ve won last night’s game. So to get one, take one from a really good team, obviously avoid the sweep, have some momentum going into the off-day, we all wanted that one pretty bad."