Dodgers' James Paxton: Cruises to win over Rangers
Rotowire
Paxton (6-1) got the win over the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings.
Paxton's lone run against him came in the second inning on a sacrifice fly. He cruised the rest of the way from there, allowing just two more baserunners and did not allow another runner to get into scoring position. Tuesday was Paxton's first quality start since May 17 and his first win since May 11. His two hits allowed also tied his season low. The strikeout numbers have not been there for Paxton this season. He's topped four strikeouts just once this year and that came all the way back in his first start of the year. Still, he's been able to limit significant damage against him for the majority of the year and owns a 3.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 35:32 K:BB in 59.2 innings. The 35-year-old southpaw lines up to complete a two-start week against the Royals on Sunday.
Paxton (5-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks across 1.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out two.
Paxton retired the side in the first inning but endured a nightmare second frame. He gave up a walk, three singles and a double to the first five batters he faced as part of a seven-run inning by the Pirates that Paxton didn't finish. The veteran lefty has been shaky over his last four starts, surrendering 15 runs over 15.1 innings while allowing multiple homers in two of those outings and Wednesday's start ballooned Paxton's ERA from 3.29 to 4.19. He'll look to get back on track with a scheduled start against the Rangers on Tuesday.
Paxton came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the Mets, giving up two hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.
The veteran lefty was pitching on just four days' rest, and per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, was told prior to the outing that his workload would be limited. Paxton wound up tossing exactly 50 pitches (29 strikes), as the Dodgers effectively went with a bullpen day and used six relievers after he left the mound. Paxton will take a 3.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 31:28 K:BB through 52 innings into his next outing -- when he should see a more usual workload in a road start against the Pirates.
Paxton allowed five runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out four during the Dodgers' loss to the Reds.
Paxton got off to a rough start by yielding a three-run shot to Spencer Steer in the first inning. The Reds's bats then went quiet until a six-run fifth inning. Paxton was charged with two of those as he gave up a season-high five runs during his shortest outing of the year. The veteran southpaw saw his ERA jump from 2.84 to 3.49 through 49 frames. Paxton is still 5-0 despite some recent struggles (4.13 ERA over his last five starts). His next outing is projected to come on the road against the Mets next week.
