Pirates at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: SPNLA, ATTSportsNet-PIT
The visiting Buccos send RHP Chris Archer (1-1, 2.74 ERA) to the Dodger Stadium mound to face the Dodgers’ LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (2-1, 3.10 ERA). Archer says the seven days rest he had before his last start was too much and his “stuff” wasn’t sharp, which cost him the game. Ryu made two mistakes in his last start and they both resulted in Christian Yelich home runs. The Dodgers were shut out in that game and Ryu was a hard-luck loser.
Remember the Dodgers’ four 30-HR guys in 1977? Remember that Dusty Baker had to homer on the last day of the season to reach that mark? Here’s a tidbit about that which I’d never heard before.
Entering the final weekend, Dusty Baker needed one more to join Reggie Smith, Ron Cey and Steve Garvey as the first foursome from one team to clout 30 in the same season. Houston was the opponent at Dodger Stadium. On Friday night before the first game, Reggie used the clubhouse phone, called the Astros dressing room, and asked to speak with James Rodney Richard. The 6-feet-8 Richard dominated the Dodgers more than any pitcher in the National League, beating them 13 straight times over the final 4½ years of his career. When J.R. got on the phone, Smith told him a lie, “Dusty is over here saying he’s going to hit his 30th off you Sunday.” When Reggie hung up, he went to Baker and told him what he had done, and a terrified Dusty replied, “Reggie, you are going to get me killed.”
Today in Dodgers’ history:
- 2001 After two and a half years in the post, Kevin Malone resigns as the general manager of the Dodgers. Despite having the league’s largest payroll, Los Angeles has failed to make the playoffs during his tenure.
- 2008 Brad Penny’s 96-mph fastball is missed by Dodger batterymate Russell Martin and knocks out umpire Kerwin Danley. After the players are asked to leave the field, the home plate arbitrator, who lost consciousness briefly, is placed on a stretcher and leaves the Dodgers-Rockies game in an ambulance.
- 2008 “We can’t tell you to survive the storms of life, we can tell you to dance in the rain, and you can do it. You really can do it. Very difficult, but possible.” – VIN SCULLY, delivering the commencement address at Pepperdine University. (Take note of the graduates’ headgear.)
Vin Scully receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, the institution’s highest honor. The Dodgers’ Hall of Fame broadcaster delivers a stirring commencement address to the 2008 Class of Seaver College, telling the graduates that achieving dreams may be “very difficult, but possible”.
Lineup when available.
Tonight’s Dodger lineup vs. Pirates:
Pederson LF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Bellinger RF
Pollock CF
Muncy 1B
Hernández 2B
Barnes C
Ryu P#Dodgers | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/IqKNypm4y4— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 26, 2019
NPUT
Not this season, fortunately. https://twitter.com/simongerman600/status/1122177341206204416
But not far off, either.
I used to want a rotation filled with Kershaws. Now I want a lineup filled with Bellingers.
And out in the field as well obviously.
Nice quick half inning for Ryu.
Of course, for the record it is counted as an inning.
Belli at twelve. Errr, thirteen. Dodger record for most consecutive home runs. I’m at the game for fireworks of all sorts.
13, no?
Now tied with Yelich, who’s playing on the road where he has zero dingers.
Ah! Even better! I will correct.
Bellinger is amazing! It’s going to be sad when he slows off a little. Maybe he should just stay hot all year.
Hush.
Which part are you hushing? The slowing down or the staying hot?
Well, not the amazing part.
Not one of his longest shots.
Yimi with 6th good outing in a row.
Dodgers win!
Woo-HOO!!!
That Pirate dude can throw heat.
Who pitches in the ninth?
I’d stick with Floro, who’s thrown only one pitch. It’s Yimi, though.
Glad to get Bell out there.
https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/1121992165452910592?s=20
Good show Ryu!
Except for the Gnats, everyone else in the division is refusing to lose.
Good inning so far.
Austin w the double!
Good future person!
Stay hot Barnesy.
At least until Sunday.
My so-called Smart TV is acting stupid tonight.
Ryu, grinder.
Bell is mini Bellinger right now. And it’s not helping the Dodgers.
That was not an easy pitch to homer on…
Mini in height only.
Ooph.
Only because he was holding Justin at first. That ball was smoked.
I just realized I’ll be blacked out when the Dodgers visit Software Stadium Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Do you subscribe to MLB.com? If so, you can always use Hide My Ass or other location change sites.
In the post-season, I’ve used a Danish service, but I don’t want to pay during the regular season.
JT hitting very solidly tonight. Right handed pitcher?
Splits are not all that great. Has normally hit righties a bit better, though.
The clock is about to strike May and that is when he has heated up in a few prior years.
AJ showing off his wheels.
Probably looked even better in person. A long run.
He’s a really good CF.
I had a “wait what?” moment.
I know. Sad.
A. J. vs AJ.
I haven’t forgiven the Dodgers for that trade.
For the beloved Carlos Ruiz, no less.
Barnesburner!
Martin almost ready to return and Barnes finds his bat
Austin turns over the lineup.
Barnes!
Are you a Clippers fan?
Not really. But I like how they have not rolled over vs GSW. They could grow on me! Right now, as much as I don’t usually like Toronto teams, I am cheering for the Raptors. Mostly because my son is so enamoured with them.
That was a great comeback from 30 points down in 3rd quarter.
That and Damion Lillard’s 3 have been the highlights of the first round so far.
Curious if any of you LA cats are Clipper fans at all?
Previous owner was such a turn off but he is gone so I need to be more open. They are going to be good next year.
Elgin Baylor was a better player than a GM.
He was my guy when I was young. He and Duke Snider.
My guy as well. Loved his game.
Originator of hang time
I was a Seattle Sonics fan. Now, I simply don’t care.
They had a great backcourt back in the day. (Thinking late 70s)
They also had Spencer Haywood.
Another great one.
Mind you, I was something of a Lakers fan until the Sonics joined the NBA as an expansion team. I loved Walt Hazzard and Tom Meschery, but before that it was Baylor and West.
I liked it when the Lakers could claim UCLA players.
All glove Turner saved a run.
I find his lack of power disturbing.
Puig just dingered against the Redbirds.
Love it!
He dung good.
I recall that Chicken Strip for Cervelli was one of the trade rumors to fill catcher spot.
Glad only talk
Cameron Maybin, whom the Gnats cut after a spring DUI, just singled in a run off BadGums.
Belli was the logical hitter to get the Dodgers to 33 consecutive home games with a home run.
¡Simplemente increíble!
Hello, hello, hello sez Belli!
Nice play by Muncy, partly erasing Ryu’s bad luck with first two batters.
https://twitter.com/DodgerInsider/status/1121950038232449024
1. Adam Frazier (L) 2B
2. Melky Cabrera (S) LF
3. Gregory Polanco (L) RF
4. Josh Bell (S) 1B
5. Jung Ho Kang (R) 3B
6. Francisco Cervelli (R) C
7. Bryan Reynolds (S) CF
8. Cole Tucker (S) SS
9. Chris Archer (R) P
1. Joc Pederson (L) LF
2. Corey Seager (L) SS
3. Justin Turner (R) 3B
4. Cody Bellinger (L) RF
5. A.J. Pollock (R) CF
6. Max Muncy (L) 1B
7. Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B
8. Austin Barnes (R) C
9. Hyun-Jin Ryu (R) P
Odd that Verdugo isn’t starting.
Maybe the skipper wants to see if Muncy (0-for-13 with 7 Ks) can work his way out of his slump. Otherwise, Bellinger could play first and Verdugo right.
He sure is knocking on the door, but not as if he is glued to the bench. He has made an appearance in all but one of the games this year. Hopefully tonight as a PH with runners on, his forte.