Carlos Frias threw four shutout innings against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. (Associated Press photo)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carlos Frias, in his most important start of spring training, did not allow a run in four innings against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. The Dodgers won, 13-0, after Vin Scully flew in on a private Guggenheim G4 jet to call what may have been the final spring training game of his life. (Guess which part of the day was more interesting.)
Frias’ line score, which included one walk and three strikeouts, was a bit misleading. The right-hander allowed six hits, his ERA bailed out by two double plays and an out at home plate.
Still, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sounded pleased with what he saw.
“He gave up a couple hard hit balls and a lot of weak contact,” Roberts said of Frias. “He was going after hitters and trusting his sinker. Got him up over 50 pitches. It was a productive outing. It was a big outing.”
This was Frias’ first start since he was thrust into the convoluted picture that is the Dodgers’ fifth starter competition. Zach Lee is also under consideration now that Mike Bolsinger (oblique), Brandon Beachy (elbow), Brett Anderson (back surgery) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder) are hurting.
The fifth starter is only needed once in the first 18 games of the season — coincidentally, April 8 against the Giants, which matters a little.
“There were some regulars in there for the Giants in their lineup,” Roberts said. “To see the at-bats that they put against him, and to see how they went after him and the results, that was some information for us.”
