Home / Sports / Rookie Reliever's Homecoming Heroics: Dodgers Pitcher Shines in Boston
Rookie Reliever's Homecoming Heroics: Dodgers Pitcher Shines in Boston
26 Jul
Summary
- Dodgers pitcher Ben Casparius avoids injured list, records first career save
- Casparius grew up rooting for Red Sox, gets save in front of friends and family
- Casparius bounces back from rough outing, fulfills childhood dream at Fenway

Last Friday, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ben Casparius stepped up to the mound at Fenway Park and delivered a memorable performance, recording his first career save against the Boston Red Sox.
Just days earlier, Casparius had strained his right calf, but managed to avoid the injured list. With the Dodgers' bullpen already banged up, the 26-year-old rookie reliever was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a 5-2 lead.
Casparius, who grew up in New England rooting for the Red Sox, acknowledged the special moment, saying, "It was pretty cool. It was special. And a great way to start the road trip." The young pitcher even kept the game ball, planning to have it framed as a keepsake.
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Despite a shaky start to the inning, Casparius ultimately induced a game-ending ground out, securing the victory for the Dodgers. The outing marked a significant turnaround for the right-hander, who had allowed three earned runs in his previous appearance against the Minnesota Twins before exiting with the calf injury.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Casparius, saying the team's fluid bullpen means "it could be anybody" called upon to close out a game. The rookie reliever proved he was ready for the challenge, fulfilling a childhood dream by taking the mound at the iconic Fenway Park.