Blake

Treinen

Sasaki dealt with some diminished velocity during Monday’s series-opening win in Milwaukee, which was ultimately finished off by veteran Blake Treinen, who was summoned to record the final out of the ninth inning of a one-run ballgame. All eyes will be on the 23-year-old phenom’s velocity when he gets back in a high-leverage spot for Los Angeles. He was an unexpected revelation for the Dodgers in his first couple playoff outings prior to Monday’s unexpected speed bump. It’ll likely be Treinen or lefty Alex Vesia handling a potential save situation in Game 2.

Treinen was summoned to protect a one-run advantage with the potential tying and winning runs on-base after Roki Sasaki was unable to slam the door. The 37-year-old high-leverage specialist walked William Contreras to load the bases before striking out Brice Turang to preserve the victory.

Sasaki was summoned to attempt to slam the door on the Phillies in the ninth with Los Angeles clinging to a one-run lead after Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia were unable to get the job done. The hard-throwing 23-year-old phenom coaxed a game-ending ground out from Trea Turner to allow the Dodgers to narrowly escape and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. He’s been a revelation since returning to the big leagues and appears to be firmly entrenched as the Dodgers’ primary closer for the rest of the postseason.

Treinen was the choice to step in after Yoshinobu Yamamoto lost his no-hitter with two outs in the ninth. He gave up a double to the first batter he faced before hitting a batter and walking two in a row to force in a run. He was then replaced by Tanner Scott, who gave up a two-run single to end the game. Treinen was in line for his first save since Apr. 9. The blown save actually ended up going to Scott, but it’ll be Treinen who gets the most blame for this one.

Treinen came on after Tanner Scott had served up a three-run homer in the eighth inning to tie the score. He needed just eight pitches (seven strikes) to retire the Diamondbacks in order in the top half of the ninth, then became the beneficiary when the Dodgers walked it off in the home half of the inning. He now sports a 3.12 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and a 27/9 K/BB ratio over 17 1/3 innings on the season while securing two saves and one victory.

Treinen was given a save opportunity and a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning. He did strike out two batters, but he threw 16 of his 26 pitches for strikes and was pulled with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning. Given his extensive experience, you’d have to assume that the Dodgers will give him another shot to convert a save, but this wasn’t a great outing for a guy in a crowded bullpen.

It’s a notable development with the trade deadline looming. Scott underwent an MRI last week that didn’t reveal any structural damage in his left elbow after hitting the injured list with inflammation. The 31-year-old lefty closer figures to need at least a couple weeks to ramp up again, but should make it back to Los Angeles at some point in August. It’ll be a mix of Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia and Ben Casparius handling the closing duties in his absence.

Jake Dreyer came in with one run in and retired Matt McLain for his first major league save. Treinen is one of the relievers in the mix for saves in the Dodgers pen with Tanner Scott out, but this won’t help the cause and there’s always a decent chance he’ll wind up back on the IL at some point. He seems like a weaker fantasy option than Kirby Yates or Alex Vesia, and the Dodgers might yet go ahead and settle the matter for good by acquiring a closer at the deadline.

Treinen returns to the Dodgers’ high-leverage mix for Sunday’s series finale at Fenway Park after missing three months with a forearm strain. The 37-year-old’s closing experience gives him a legitimate shot at earning a few saves down the stretch, even if Los Angeles adds a veteran bullpen arm at the trade deadline.

Treinen needed only nine pitches to record three outs, and eight of them were strikes. This was the first appearance in a planned back-to-back, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Treinen would need to pitch in back-to-back games before being activated. If all goes well on Thursday, Treinen could be up with the Dodgers this weekend and right back into high-leverage innings.