The Dodgers downed the Rangers 11-5 in game one of the three game series to wrap up LA's long road trip to end the second half. Tony Gonsolin struggled on the mound, allowing 4 runs over 5 innings but it could have been much worse than that if not for rookie center fielder Jonny Deluca.
Deluca wasn't even supposed to be there. He was optioned to Triple-A last week as the Dodgers picked up veteran outfielder Jake Marisnick. However, Marisnick suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the week and Deluca was back just in time to make two incredible game saving catches in center for Gonsolin.
As Deluca came into the dugout, Gonsolin told reporters after the game that he offered the rookie outfielder whatever he wants for saving his bacon.
It turns out, Jonny wants beef.
"I said, 'thank you. Whatever you need, I got you.' He said, 'two steaks.'
In his fifth season with big league time, Gonsolin certainly has the funds to properly take care of his center fielder. Tony described his viewpoint of the back to back incredible plays.
“The first one, I was like ‘alright, that was pretty sick. Then the other one I looked up and saw the exit velo and I thought it was a homer for sure, like way gone. I feel like he just came out of nowhere, jumped real early and just floated. It was really cool to have those back to back.”
The outfielder spoke with reporters about the plays after the game.
“The first one, I was very surprised I caught [it],” Deluca said. “I just ran as hard as I could, and then [gave it] a courtesy dive and it ended up going in my glove. I feel like the second one, I almost made it a little harder than it needed to be. … But it was fun. The play was pretty good.”
For his efforts, Deluca got rewarded with el bencho in game two of the series as the Dodgers face the right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning.
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