Dodgers Skip the Mercy Rule in Loss to Padres

Major League Baseball does not have a rule that allows for the early termination of games. On Tuesday night at Petco Park, the Dodgers appeared to be in need of one.

Recent Strategy Changes

In past seasons, the Dodgers have often called off games to safeguard their injury-prone pitching staff. However, their recent 11-1 defeat against the San Diego Padres took this strategy to an unprecedented level.

Unusual Pitching Decisions

The Dodgers began the game with minor league call-up Matt Sauer on the mound, who struggled through a lengthy outing. When the team faced a nine-run deficit in the sixth inning, they made the unusual choice to have position player Kiké Hernández pitch the remainder of the game—the earliest a position player had taken the mound in the franchise’s history.

Manager’s Perspective

Manager Dave Roberts expressed discomfort with the situation, stating, “Very awkward. It doesn’t feel good.” This decision was made purely out of necessity, as the team was down to just four healthy starters and had a fatigued bullpen coming off an extra-inning game.

Sauer’s Performance

Sauer acknowledged his struggles, emphasizing his role in trying to preserve the bullpen. The Padres’ ace, Dylan Cease, dominated the Dodgers, yielding only three hits and striking out 11 batters over seven innings.

Looking Ahead

The Dodgers (40-28) set their sights on winning Wednesday’s matchup to maintain their position atop the National League West. Key players like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts were removed early, as the Dodgers aimed to conserve their resources for the next game.

A Rare Tactic

Hernández’s pitching stint represented a rare use of this tactic in MLB, one that has become more common in recent years, prompting the league to restrict when position players can pitch. In history, similar instances have occurred, but none quite like this in Dodgers lore.