Dodgers Rookie Bobby Miller: ‘A Lot To Learn’ From Start Against Giants

Bobby Miller got off to a historic start since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation in late May, but he endured some struggles in a lopsided loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Miller wound up pitching into the sixth inning and allowed more than one run for the first time in his five starts. Miller had given up five runs at the time of being removed, and two more were charged to him when Alex Vesia surrendered a grand slam.

“First four innings I felt like I was moving really quick,” Miller said after taking his first loss. “First inning was a little long, but after that I felt like I was getting very efficient. But fifth inning, kind of fell apart a little bit.

“Felt like before the home run, I made some really good pitches; some jam-shot hits, a couple bloopers. But there were a couple walks and HBP in there that came back to get me. Hats off to [LaMonte Wade Jr.] for hitting a first-pitch curveball. Not many guys swing first-pitch curveball.

“I feel like a lot of guys are sitting fastball off of me, so hats off to him. It was a really good hit.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts felt Miller became agitated with himself after his pickoff throw to second base carried into center field. Miller agreed and immediately recognized the mistake.

“There was a pickoff called, waited a few seconds to make sure everything was good and then turned around,” he recalled. “I was already mid-throw and I couldn’t really stop myself from throwing it. That’s on me.”

Bobby Miller learning from loss

Despite the rocky ending to his start, Miller was generally pleased with the outing and considered it a learning experience.

“Just a couple bad pitches. Honestly, I feel like there was a lot of good in there as well,” he said. “Not looking at the line, there’s a lot to learn as well. But I feel like I made some really good pitches besides a couple at-bats.

“I’ve lost plenty of times in my life. You win some, you lose some. Just got to stay positive and keep pitching. Keep doing what I’m doing.”