Pitching his fifth major-league game Sunday, 24-year-old right-hander Carlos Frias gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Carlos Gomez, then retired the next 12 Milwaukee Brewers in order.

“That was the first time I’d seen him relax and take a breath, let the ball work,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “After he gives up the home run to Carlos, I talked to him between innings. I wanted to challenge him that he was in a nothing-nothing game and pitch. I wanted to see him pitch. We saw three innings of zeroes where he used the sinker, used the ball down where he should be. When kids come up, everything’s hard-hard-hard-hard-hard, instead of pitch. These guys can hit.

“You can’t just keep firing these balls in waist-high. If you’re a sinker-ball pitcher, you’ve got to sink the ball, you’ve got to change speeds a little bit. The last three innings were real good.”

Frias gave one interview after the game (to LosDodgers.com) and it was in Spanish. Hat tip to Daniel Arreola for the translation:

Q: Talk about the opportunity to reach the Dodgers.

A: I feel very thankful to God first of all, for this opportunity because you know that this is huge. It’s a big opportunity that I’ll take full advantage of and will try to help the team however I can and give my best.

Q: What type of advice have you received from the veterans?

A: Everybody has treated me very well and they have to told me to try to calm down on the mound during the game and keep pitching and always give my best, work hard and not to be negligent.

Q: How are you mentally preparing yourself for the postseason in case you’re included on the team roster for that part of the season?

A: It’s all mental. You have to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the opportunity. I’m ready in case they give the opportunity.