LOS ANGELES -- Alex Vesia made his 58th appearance in Sunday's eighth inning, retired the two batters he faced, then walked into the dugout and delivered a message to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
"If we're up in the ninth," Vesia recalled saying, "I want it."
Vesia had been relied upon heavily all season, but a sweep against the San Diego Padres -- the team that shockingly pulled ahead in the division earlier this week -- was in play. The top of the lineup was due up, the bullpen was shorthanded, and so Vesia wanted the ball again.