Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts apologized for the controversy over keeping pitchers. However, as a result, he was able to achieve the goal of a winning series thanks to this wasted game.

On the 12th (Korea time), Roberts delivered an apology message to fans during an interview with reporters ahead of the away game against the San Diego Padres. This was a response to some criticism regarding whether he had been too harsh on pitcher Matt Sauer, who gave up 9 runs while throwing 111 pitches in the game against San Diego held the day before (11th).

Roberts explained, "There’s no need to worry about Sauer's physical condition. He said he has no issues today," adding, "As a manager, I need to operate this game now, but I must also prepare for the next game. Sauer is a responsible player and understands his role in our team very well."

The Dodgers suffered a 1-11 defeat in the game against San Diego on the 11th. With major starting pitchers like Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow (both with shoulder inflammation), Roki Sasaki (shoulder collision), and Tony Gonsolin (elbow discomfort) on the injury list, relief pitcher Lou Trivino started as the opener, and from the second inning, Sauer was brought in as a 'bulk guy'.

Sauer started the second inning without allowing any runs, but in the third inning, after two outs, he began with a walk and gave up three consecutive RBI hits, resulting in 3 runs. After allowing 1 run in the 4th and 5th innings, he then gave up 4 additional runs in the 6th inning, including a solo home run, along with 4 hits, a walk, and a wild pitch. As the score widened to 0-9, Roberts pulled Sauer and brought utility player Kiké Hernández to the mound.

Sauer's performance was 4⅔ innings, 13 hits allowed (1 home run), 3 walks, 6 strikeouts, and 9 runs. The pitch count reached 111, which some viewed as a 'burden'. However, Roberts wanted to conserve his bullpen and waited for a situation where pitching by a position player was possible at an 8-run lead, and Sauer had to expend effort while giving up 9 runs during his 111 pitches.

This situation was uncomfortable for some fans, and Roberts conveyed his apologies on this matter. He stated, "If there are fans who felt it was too harsh not to pull Sauer earlier, I apologize. However, we are trying to win as many games as possible. Sauer fully understands that,” emphasizing that it was a strategic choice due to team circumstances.

Ultimately, Roberts proved himself again with the results. By giving up on the game early in the 6th inning and conserving the bullpen, the Dodgers won the game against San Diego on the 12th with a score of 5-2. Starting pitcher Ben Casparius allowed just 1 run in 4 innings before unleashing the bullpen from the 5th inning.

Trivino (1 inning), Jack Dryer (⅔ inning, 1 run allowed), Kirby Yates (⅓ inning), Michael Kopech (⅓ inning), Anthony Banda (⅔ inning), Tanner Scott (1 inning), and Alex Vesia (1 inning) combined to allow just 1 run over 5 innings in a swarm of relief pitching. The Dodgers finished the three-game series against San Diego with 2 wins and 1 loss, maintaining the No. 1 position in the National League (NL) West with a record of 41 wins and 28 losses (winning percentage .594).

In last year's postseason, the Dodgers won the World Series with brilliant pitching management despite injuries to key starters like Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Gavin Stone, using only 3 fixed starters (Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, and Walker Buehler). When it was difficult during a game with an opener, they boldly discarded it, and Brent Honeywell Jr. mostly played the role of a mop-up pitcher. This year, Roberts is also efficiently managing the mound with a selection and concentration strategy amid injuries to starting pitchers.

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