Dodgers' Beachy goes 4 innings, takes loss in 1st start since 2013

Brandon Beachy wasn't great, but it was a start.

The Los Angeles Dodgers starter threw 78 pitches through four innings in his first start since August 2013. He gave up three runs on five hits, while striking out two batters in a 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Beachy left the game down 3-0, and although he hadn't pitched in a while, he still expected better from himself.

"I was really excited to get back out there and I'm really disappointed now," he told reporters. "That’s not the way you picture it for 23 months. But it is what it is."

Of course, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly made it clear well ahead of time that he didn't expect Beachy to be at his 2011 self, when he posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP for the Atlanta Braves.

Nevertheless, the club will give him a chance to regain that form over the course of his next few outings.

Beachy owns a 3.23 career ERA over 46 starts with a 9.2 K/9 rate and 1.13 WHIP. He's under contract for $2.75 million this season and carries a performance-based team option for 2016 that could be worth between $3 million and $6 million if exercised.