Emmet Sheehan shows growth as pitcher and leader in Dodgers win

In a 5-2 victory over the Giants at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium, Sheehan delivered his most complete outing of the season while quietly showing another layer of growth inside the dugout with rookie catcher Dalton Rushing. The box score will say six innings, two runs, two hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Dave Roberts called it “his best outing” of the year.

But the most impressive part of Sheehan’s night may have come between innings rather than between pitches. Because while the Dodgers salvaged a split of a frustrating four-game series, Thursday also became a small snapshot of how much responsibility is beginning to settle onto Sheehan’s shoulders. The Dodgers’ lineup already looked unconventional before first pitch.

Shohei Ohtani had a scheduled day off after throwing seven shutout innings Wednesday night. Mookie Betts was also out after playing three straight games since returning from the injured list. So Dave Roberts improvised.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) hits a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) hits a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Will Smith led off as the designated hitter, “America’s catcher” stepping into the Ohtani role for a night, and immediately looked comfortable there.