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Andrew Heaney throws six shutout innings as Dodgers sweep Reds

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LOS ANGELES ― At some point, some team will score a run against Dodgers pitcher Andrew Heaney without the benefit of a fielding error. It just hasn’t happened in either of Heaney’s first two starts of 2022.

Heaney, who was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees last October, has looked nothing like the pitcher who went 32-38 in his first eight seasons. He threw six shutout innings Sunday in the Dodgers’ 9-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds and allowed only one runner to reach second base.

The Dodgers scored seven runs in the fourth inning against Reds starter Tyler Mahle (1-1) to break open a scoreless game. After sweeping the four-game series against Cincinnati, the Dodgers (7-2) are unbeaten at home with the defending champion Atlanta Braves coming to town Monday.

No pitcher has thrown more innings without allowing an earned run (10 ⅓) this season than Heaney, whom the Dodgers signed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract last November.

“Every start that he makes, he’s building more and more confidence,” manager Dave Roberts said.

As a Dodger, Heaney has modified his curveball into something called a “sweeper” ― a pitch that combines a slider and a curve to effect more movement. He workshopped the pitch during a bullpen session in Denver during the Dodgers’ season-opening road trip. He debuted the pitch days later in Minnesota and used it to finish off two strikeouts in 4 ⅓ innings.

Heaney threw the pitch 39 times Sunday. Batters swung at 22 of them and missed 14 times, a phenomenal 64 percent whiff rate.

“First time throwing it was in Minnesota,” Heaney said. “It was kind of hard to feel the ball, feel your hand a little bit, so I think coming here on a warm day, feeling a little bit better with it ― it felt good today.”

Heaney effectively threw just one other pitch, a fastball, yet managed to get through the Reds’ lineup twice with ease. He struck out Joey Votto, the veteran first baseman, three times. He walked three batters and allowed only one hit while striking out 11.

The Dodgers have come to expect great things from their starting pitchers. Walker Buehler, who allowed two runs in Thursday’s victory over Cincinnati, was the only one to allow an earned run this week. Clayton Kershaw, who threw seven perfect innings in his debut, starts Monday. The Dodgers’ 2.28 team ERA is the second-lowest in MLB.

“All we ask of them is to give us a chance to win a ballgame,” said Justin Turner, who went 2 for 3 as the Dodgers’ designated hitter. “They’ve been doing that.”

Freddie Freeman went 4 for 5 with three RBIs for the Dodgers. The first baseman also threw out a runner at home plate to complete a double play in the eighth inning. Every Dodger starter reached base except for center fielder Cody Bellinger.

Trea Turner went 0 for 4 with a walk, ending his hitting streak at 27 games. It was the longest active streak in the majors, and the third-longest in franchise history. A 105-mph line drive in Turner’s final at-bat landed in the glove of Reds shortstop Kyle Farmer.

Heaney (1-0) and Mahle traded zeroes for three innings before the announced crowd of 41,167 at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers sent 11 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs and knocking Mahle out of the game. Chris Taylor and Will Smith each hit a two-run double in the inning.

Left-handers Alex Vesia and Justin Bruihl closed out the win. Bruihl was charged with a run when Tyler Naquin singled home Jake Fraley in the eighth inning.

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Heaney was considered a prized prospect when the Dodgers acquired him from the Miami Marlins in December 2014, only to flip him to the Angels in exchange for Howie Kendrick the same day. Now, eight years later and in his second tour of duty with the Dodgers, Heaney is tapping into the potential teams coveted early in his career.

Asked if he’s ever had two pitches that complement each other as well as his fastball and curve, Heaney paused to think.

“Not like this,” he said. “No.”

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