Veteran Dodger Rich Hill carries a lot of postseason roster weight on his shoulders. He’s missed most of the 2019 season with forearm and knee issues. Heading into play on Tuesday, he had 2 outings and upwards of 5-6 innings to prove whether or not he can not only occupy a roster spot, but own it.
Much like he did in his previous return outing in Baltimore, Hill struck out the first batter he faced, but he had a little scare that looked like it could spell the end for his season.
It looked like Rich Hill slipped or hurt his leg on his fourth pitch of this game. After a strikeout, he threw nine consecutive balls, and Dylan Floro began to warm behind him. Hill escaped the inning and is now batting. He’s supposed to throw one more inning.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) September 25, 2019
For a brief spell, it really did not look good. However, he adjusted, rebounded and got out of the inning.
Hill was limping when he tried to cover first base.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 25, 2019
Things changed drastically for the lefty in the 2nd inning. At first glance you would have bet the house on a pinch hitter coming up for Hill, but he didn’t even give them a chance.
Rich Hill is jumping into the on-deck circle…
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) September 25, 2019
Then, the miracle happened.
Richie with the double. You cannot write this stuff.
— Clint Pasillas (FRG) (@realFRG) September 25, 2019
Yet here I am writing this stuff. The Dodger play-by-play team of Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser quickly noted how active Hill was as he was “dancing off second base” as he took his secondary lead.
From there, something appeared to click for the veteran and he found a groove in his second and final inning.
Rich Hill is striking out Padres as if he's healthy.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 25, 2019
It should be noted that the Padres were playing their (version of an) A squad.
Hill strikes out 5 in 2 innings.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 25, 2019
And Richie mowed them down, punctuating the outing by recording his 1,000th career strikeout on his final batter.
Pretty amazing welcome in the dugout for Hill from his teammates after he struck out 5, including the last 4. Tony Gonsolin warming up for Dodgers.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 25, 2019
Dodger Insider Rowan Kavner hit us with the perfect quick summary.
In the first 45 minutes of this game, Rich Hill has pitched and grimaced and fought. He has a double, struck out the side in the second and now has 5 Ks through 2 innings.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 25, 2019
It was an impressive and inspiring effort from the 39 year-old. As I said on Twitter, Hill was either playing for October, or like it could be his last game ever.
To prove himself postseason roster worthy — something the left-hander very much wants — D Mountain jogged to the bullpen to simulate a third innings worth of pitches.
Hill hasn't had enough, so he's heading to the bullpen to throw a third inning.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 25, 2019
Rich Hill is laying everything on the line and we are all here for it.
Pain is fleeting , grit is forevermore
— 2019 year of the bois (@nerdyDodger) September 25, 2019
This is a Rich Hill appreciation tweet. pic.twitter.com/8gJg2fo2rI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 25, 2019
Thank you, Rich!
