Walker Buehler Wows in First Career MLB Start as Dodgers Drown the Fish, 2-1

Auston Matthews. LeBron James. The Beastie Boys.

These are just some of the best debut performances in history and now you can add a new name to that list:

Walker Buehler.

The Dodgers No. 1 rookie prospect pitched five scoreless innings and the Los Angeles hung on to defeat the Miami Marlins, 2-1, on Monday night for their third consecutive win. 

Buehler was recalled prior to the game from Triple-A Oklahoma City where he was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA with 16 strikeouts in three starts for the minor league club.

The Kentucky native lived up to the hype, allowing just four hits with three walks and five strikeouts in five shutout innings.

"Being able to throw the first pitch of the game is nice," said Buehler of his start. "I felt a little bit calmer than normal. I felt good."

Buehler left with the lead, but did not factor in the decision after the Marlins tied the game late. 

"In a situation like this it'd be great to go and dominate," said Buehler of his start. "But to put up zeroes and come out of this game unscatched is the biggest thing."

Enrique Hernandez provided the offensive punch for the Dodgers with a solo shot off Jarlin Garcia in the bottom of the fourth.

"In the top of the fourth I saw we didn't have any hits," Hernandez said. "We were aware he [Garcia] had only given up one hit in his last two starts. I saw he didn't have many pitches thrown so I wanted to see as many pitches as I can. I got deep in the count, got two strikes, and then he threw a fastball in. With two strikes, you're not looking fastball in so you just react to it. That's what I did."

At the time, the home run was the Dodgers first hit and run of the game off Garcia.

"He was hitting corners,"said Hernandez who had a season-high three hits. "He wasn't throwing anything over the fat part of the plate. All of his strikes were on the black. He had us trapped. He was establishing that fastball inside and he was locking us up. He did a good job tonight. There's a reason why he has that ERA.

Garcia was equally as good as Buehler, allowing one run on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in six strong innings.

"He's been pretty good every time," said Marlins' manager Don Mattingly. "He's faced some tough lineups. Jarlin has been impressive for us."

Garcia has 1.00 ERA in five games (three starts) for the Fish this season.

Hernandez not only carried a big stick, but he flashed the leather as well in a rare start at shortstop.

"I take a lot of pride in my defense," said Hernandez of the plays. "I have a lot of fun playing up the middle in the infield. Those are probably my two favorite positions. If the ball gets near me, I expect to make a play. I made two good plays. The first one was a sliding play, but it was routine. The second one, don't ask me how I made it. I have no idea. I just threw it. I didn't even know where I threw it. I just heard the crowd."

Buehler was five outs away from his first Major League win as a starter, but the Marlins scratched a run across against J.T. Chargois in the top of the 8^th.

Chargois hit Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto to start the inning, and then an error on a forceout by Austin Barnes allowed him to advance to second. Two pitches later, Brian Anderson singled up the middle to tie the game at 1-1.

Chris Taylor led off the 8^th inning with a double down the left field line and scored three batters later on a sacrifice fly from Cody Bellinger to recapture the lead.

Josh Fields entered the game in the ninth for his first save of the season. Kenley Jansen was not available after pitching on Saturday and Sunday.

The Dodgers have defeated the Fish five straight times dating back to last season, their longest winning streak against the Marlins since 2006.

Up Next:

LHP Dillon Peters is projected to start on Tuesday against RHP Kenta Maeda for the Dodgers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10PM PST. 

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