Photo via @jflare on Instagram
Jack Flaherty has been given an opportunity that is presented to few players; play for your dream childhood ballclub. After being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, he made a memorable first start in blue.
Flaherty grew up in Los Angeles, rooting for the Dodgers. In the midst of his incredible bounce-back season in Detroit, he was traded to the Dodgers.
It was the perfect fit for the native, as well as the Dodgers, who desperately needed pitching help at the trade deadline.
You can read more about the trade in detail here.
The Dodgers traveled to Oakland with a record of 63-46. Despite a three-run blast by Shohei Ohtani in game one, the Athletics held on for a 6-5 win.
Flaherty took the mound in game two on Saturday, as the Dodgers sought to even the series.
Flaherty allowed two hits with no outs to start his outing. However, a pop-fly and two strikeouts sat down the Athletics.
Through the next four innings, Flaherty was smooth sailing. He struck out four and remained without any earned runs.
In the sixth inning, facing Oakland’s lineup for a third time, Flaherty got into a jam. The Athletics loaded the bases on a throwing error, hit, and walk, and threatened Flaherty’s shutout with no outs.
However, a force-out at home, followed by a strikeout and groundout retired Oakland. Flaherty was unscathed and finished his day.
Flaherty’s final line included 6 shutout innings, 7 strikeouts, 5 hits, and just 1 walk.
Behind Flaherty’s dominance, bullpen excellency, and an offensive explosion, the Dodgers finished on top 10-0. On Sunday, the Dodgers edged out Oakland 3-2 for a series win.
Flaherty’s ERA has lowered to 2.80 with his sixth scoreless performance of the season. In addition, his strikeout/walk ratio is 7.0, which is only lower than Seattle’s George Kirby this season.
The Dodgers take on the struggling Phillies from Monday through Wednesday. Flaherty’s next start will likely be in the following series against Pittsburgh.
Read more about FlahertyFans with more articles here, and check out the FlahertyFans Instagram here.
Adam Cooke Journalism 