LOS ANGELES -- For the first time in 10 days, a Dodgers starter not named Clayton Kershaw earned a win.
That starter was Mike Bolsinger, a new addition to the Dodgers' rotation. Pitching in place of rookie Ross Stripling -- who tossed three innings in Sunday's 17-inning marathon in San Diego and then was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City -- Bolsinger limited the Reds to two runs over 5 2/3 innings as the Dodgers won, 8-2, at Chavez Ravine.
Kershaw has been dominant this season, and it's resulted in the Dodgers going 9-1 when he's on the mound. With any other starter pitching, however, they're 15-22. Kershaw's seven wins this season are just three fewer than the rest of Los Angeles' starters combined, including Stripling's win for his extra-innings relief appearance Sunday.
But Bolsinger's outing Tuesday was a step in the right direction. The left-hander improved upon his season debut last week against the Angels to allow just three hits and struck out six against one walk. He made just one costly mistake, surrendering a two-run homer to Adam Duvall in the fourth inning.
"I didn't feel too confident the last time I was pitching," Bolsinger said. "But tonight everything was working -- breaking ball, changeup. Definitely a confidence booster."
While no decision has been made yet, manager Dave Roberts spoke highly of Bolsinger and suggested his performance Tuesday could lead to a longer stint in the Dodgers' rotation.
"I thought he threw the ball really well, and as we look at the next four or five days, we'll make that decision," Roberts said. "He did a lot to give him that opportunity."
After beginning the year on the disabled list with an oblique injury, Bolsinger equated Tuesday's outing to a final Spring Training start.
"I felt like I got over the hump, and I'm ready to go," he said.