Game 106, 2017

Dodgers at Braves, 4:35 PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSSE

The Dodgers send RHP Kenta Maeda (9-4, 4.09 ERA) to the mound in the Braves’ new ballpark. He’ll face a right-handed pitcher named Lucas Sims who’ll be making his MLB debut.

Maeda has had trouble getting past the fifth inning this season, doing so only three times in 16 starts. Sims had a 2.84 ERA in his last four starts at AAA Gwinnett.

This date in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1906 After pitching 10.2 innings of no-hit ball, Harry McIntire yields a single to Pirates second baseman Claude Ritchey. The Dodgers and McIntire lose the game in the 13th on an unearned run, 1-0.
  • 1924 Dazzy Vance strikes out seven consecutive batters to establish a major league record when the Brooklyn Robins defeat the Cubs at Ebbets Field, 4-0. The future Hall of Famer, who will compile a 28-6 record for the Brooks this season, will lead the National League in strikeouts with 262.
  • 1957 Gil Hodges, in a 12-3 win over the Cubs, hits his 13th and last career grand slam in Brooklyn Dodger history. The first baseman’s bases-loaded shot off Dick Littlefield establishes a new National League record, previously shared by Rogers Hornsby and Ralph Kiner.
  • 2011 After popping out in a pinch-hitting appearance, Craig Counsell remains without a hit in his last 45 at-bats, tying the longest single-season hitless streak by a position player in history, established by Brooklyn backstop Bill Bergen in 1909. The major league record is 0-for-70, established in 1970 by Bob Buhl, a pitcher who toiled with the Braves and Cubs that season.
  • 2015 Clayton Kershaw strikes out Mike Trout looking with a wicked curveball, marking the first time that reigning MVPs have faced one another in a major league game. The interleague contest between the two LA teams ends with Dodger southpaw keeping the Angel outfielder 0-for-3 while hurling eight innings in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Halos at Chavez Ravine.

In non-Dodgers’ history of note, on this day in 1978 Pete Rose, making the last out when he strikes out on a Gene Garber change-up, goes 0-for-4, ending his 44-game hitting streak, one contest shy of breaking the National League record. The Reds third baseman has tied Willie Keeler’s 1897 National League record last night with a hit off future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro. Rose was very angry about Garber’s pitch selection afterward, as I recall.

LHP Tony Watson has been activated. To make room on the active roster LHP Edward Paredes was sent to OKC.

Lineup:

77 thoughts on “Game 106, 2017

  1. Only 27 AB, but Maeda has yet to strike out this year, helping himself as best he can.

    Just as soon as I typed that Braves broadcasters mentioned it. ;/)

  2. Cycle alert: in Pittsburgh, Billy Hamilton has tripled in the first and homered in the second.

  3. Imagine a spirited Japanese reunion for Darvish and Maeda. Have to wonder who Darvish eventually bumps out of the rotation. Maeda has to wonder too. But both he and Ryu have done well lately while JMac has struggled a bit.

  4. Before leaving Birmingham yesterday, visited the Negro Southern League museum. Quite something. Charlie O. integrated the league and in 1964 with the Barons. That must have been something. Also took in a Montgomery Biscuits game against that Chattanooga Lookouts ( old Dodger affiliate). Tried to imagine Kershaw pitching in these parks.

  5. IIRC, K’s in a row record was broken by then Dodger Harang against the Pads. As well, IIRC, Gil holds the NL season record for sac flies at 19.

  6. Regarding Bob Buhl (see above), I recall an anecdote that he could do 45 one-armed pushups.

    • Luck had nothing to do with it. The media said it was because they knew how to win. Apparently they’ve lost the knack.