Dodgers at Rays, 4:10 PM PDT, TV: Fox Sports Sun, SPNLA
The Dodgers send LHP Rich Hill (1-1, 3.00 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Ryne Stanek (0-1, 3.70 ERA). Hill’s last start was brilliant: he retired the first ten batters, gave up two hits over six innings and struck out ten. Stanek has filled the Rays new role of “Opener” to perfection, but it sure looks weird in the stats: 12 starts, 24 1/3 innings. His last outing wasn’t good, though: he gave up three runs in 1/3 of an inning against the Yankees.
Sports Illustrated’s Jon Tayler writes about Bellinger’s assault on .400.
In writing about the challenge of hitting .400, Miller noted that the ideal candidate would virtually never strike out, hit a ton of homers, and maintain a high BABIP. That’s a hard combo to find: Power hitters invariably strike out a lot, and high-contact/low-strikeout guys often don’t hit for much power. But in Bellinger, this mythical player actually exists—or at least has for the last two months.
Today in Dodgers’ history:
- 1998 The Mets trade Preston Wilson, Geoff Goetz, and Ed Yarnell to the Marlins for Mike Piazza. Florida had acquired the All-Star catcher last week from the Dodgers along with Todd Zeile in exchange for Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich, and Manuel Barrios.
- 1999 Mark McGwire becomes the third player to launch a ball out of Dodger Stadium when one of his two home runs travels 483 feet in the Cardinals’ 10-7 victory at Chavez Ravine. The slugging first baseman joins Willie Stargell, who accomplished the feat twice in 1969 and 1973, and Mike Piazza, whose Ruthian blast cleared the ballpark two seasons ago.
Lineup when available.
Today’s Dodger lineup at Rays:
Pederson LF
Muncy 1B
Turner 3B
Bellinger RF
Seager SS
Martin C
Verdugo CF
Beaty DH
Hernández 2B
(Hill P)#Dodgers | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/VbrSfER4Q8— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 22, 2019
NPUT
On the Schadenfreude side – Rox lose to Bucs and Gnats lose to Barves in 13 innings at Software Stadium. Gnats “prospect” Mac Williamson goes five for five – five K’s, that is – and is now hitting .128 in 47 ABs, with 15 K’s.
Dodgers now lead Rox by nine and Gnats by 10.5.
Another tribute to Jackie. https://twitter.com/scootermike1964/status/1131682692972580866?s=20
Waiting on RBI’s response. https://twitter.com/TheOnion/status/1131695068337844224?s=20
See also from the same source: Employee using up sick days before leaving company
The Athletic has more from Rich Hill as he amplified his opinion of defensive shifts in more detail after the game:
Tweet of the (off-) day. https://twitter.com/OTBaseballPhoto/status/1131570856180801536?s=20
Heh. To lighten the mood a little, here’s Rich Hill reacting to a bunt earlier in the game. The language is emphatically blue.
https://twitter.com/Jomboy_/status/1131354679135412224
So, Dick Mountain has a waiver from Rule No. 1.
Where’s Baez when you need him? (Did I ever think I would ask that question?)
There was a time when if anybody wanted to run an errand and didn’t want to miss too much of the game, they would want Baez to come in and slow down the game.
There goes Floro’s ERA…really sorry, WBB.
He didn;t even get an out.
Worst throw I’ve ever seen from Bellinger.
Not like that, Dylan!
Bad future person?
sorry
What are you watching? MLB.com seems to be close to real time.
MLBTV
Okay, Floro. Shut ‘er down now.
Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Josh Bell just hit one into the river.
The Monongahela River, the Allegheny River or the Ohio River?
Yes.
Did it land on the Atchison, the Topeka or the Santa Fé?
The Super Chief ran from LA to Chicago and then became the El Capitan when it returned from Chicago to LA. Train riders get to keep balls hit onto the train.
So I look away for a bit and wow.
Yep.
The Anaheimers have been rained out.
Whatever happens today, the Dodgers cannot increase their division lead. The Pads have beaten the Snakes, so we’ll have to hope for the status quo.
We need a YUUUGE 8th inning.
And if not, then Hernandez to pitch the bottom of 8th and 9th.
Start warming up Kike’
It could be Joe Kelly time.
Terrible inning for us. Man.
OY!
A long bottom of 7th and still no outs.
Beaty is ripping the ball, with nothing to show for it.
There are eyes on him and there are stats for hard hit balls regardless of outcome.
So far, he looks like a major leaguer – but maybe not with the Dodgers.
Score one for a Hill win this inning.
Your basic 1-2-3 play.
Very quick glove work by Hill.
Hill is taking a beating! Two comebackers in a row.
It was worth the attempt. Great throw.
Maybe the best defensive CF in baseball.
Do they not have any actual starters?
Three I think led by Snell, last year’s Cy Young winner.
Is the turf in Tampa soggy? Every time a ball lands in the outfield, there’s seems to be a splash.
I noticed that, too. Very weird.
Hit it on the button, Belli
Here comes Belli!
Mad Max!!!
To the Max.
I like solo home runs later in the game that ties it up.
I like ones that put the Dodgers ahead to stay.
Oh how I love Double Plays when we are the ones executing them.
Moving right along, this game, yes?
Moving wrong along, so far…
Here I am! Your Hollywood Imaginary Friend, Bumsrap.
Well, that stinks.
Down right disrespectful
Everybody knew Pham was caught looking. but the umpire granted him a fourth strike.
I might have to create an imaginary person to chat with if I stay on here until West Coasters free themselves with their daytime distractions.
I was bathing, dammit!
I didn’t mean to get you into a lather.
I’m watching, but there’s not a lot going on.
Pretty uneventful so far.
Darn, left two on.
Nice for me to get a 7:10 start time today.