Game 53, 2019

Dodgers vs. Pirates, 10:35 AM PDT, TV: ATT SportsNet-PIT, SPNLA

The Dodgers activate RHP Kenta Maeda (5-2, 3.51 ERA) from the IL where he’s been since May 15 with a left adductor occlusion AKA strained left thigh. He’ll face the Pirates’ RHP Chris Archer (1-4, 5.55 ERA), who’s gone 8 2/3 innings in his two starts since coming off the IL and been pretty unsuccessful. He’s given up 11 runs (nine earned) on 10 hits and six walks over that stretch.

Ryu missed a home run by about a foot in Saturday’s game:

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 2015 Clayton Kershaw pitched seven innings of four-hit ball and the Dodgers scored six runs in the fourth inning on doubles by Howie Kendrick, Andre Ethier and A.J. Ellis and went on to beat the Atlanta Braves 8-0.

Also, a very famous game took place on this date in 1959: Pirates’ hurler Harvey Haddix pitches 12 perfect innings but loses 1-0 to the Braves in the 13th inning. The heart-breaking winning run scores on a Don Hoak error, a sacrifice, a walk, and a two-bagger by Joe Adcock. To add insult to injury,

In 1991, the Committee for Statistical Accuracy in Baseball announced that a no-hitter would be redefined as “a game in which a pitcher or pitchers complete a game of nine innings or more without allowing a hit,” meaning Haddix’s gem no longer qualified. When he was made aware that one of the greatest games ever pitched no longer had a place in the record books, his response was simple: “It’s OK. I know what I did.”

Lineup when available.


100 thoughts on “Game 53, 2019

    • I always liked Buckner and, but for his ankle problems, he probably would’ve gotten 3000 hits and made the HOF.

      • Same for me, and I agree about the HoF. I was at my brother’s bachelor party that night in ’86, in the basement of a firehouse in New Jersey surrounded by Mets fans and one lone Sawx fan who was crowing about how his team was about to win the World Series. Then the wheels fell off.

        I always felt bad for Buckner for that play, because he really shouldn’t have been there at that point.

  1. Today I am in the awkward position of hoping the Yanquis win (because they’re playing the Pads).

  2. So, we’re probably going to see Rocky back with the team, right?

    Yesterday’s RBI not withstanding, Matt Beaty is hitting .240/.240/.240.

    • Small sample size, and he’s hit the ball hard. I suspect he could be trade bait at the deadline, since he has no clear path to a job with the Dodgers.

      • If Farhan would trade his top reliever to LA, we could see an all Will Smith battery for the Dodgers.

  3. With the Pads’ loss, lead is back to seven over them and the Snakes. O’s blow one to Rox (still 10 GB), and Gnats (now 13.5 GB) to Snakes.

  4. At this stage of the season I am certainly happy that we have the second best record in MLB, but certainly surprised that the team we are trailing are the Twins.
    Reminds me of the 90’s when they were really good and the epic battles they had with the Braves for the World Series in 91.

  5. The Scrub Jays clubbed the Pads 10-1, so Dodgers can restore their seven-game lead today. Games in Denver and SF close, but I wouldn’t count on the O’s or the Gnats to help out today.

  6. By the way, it became an official game after the 5th inning was completed…. Is it raining there?

    • My weather app says 30 percent chance of rain in around in about 20 minutes.

  7. The Scrub Jays have taken a 1-0 lead over the Pads after two. Craig Biggio’s kid got his first major league hit.

  8. After beating the Giants 18-2 Friday and 10-4 yesterday, the Diamondbacks lead 5-1 after an inning and a half today, aided by two wild pitches and an error. The Giants’ starting lineup had no one hitting above .245, except for the pitcher, Anderson, at .667 (2-for-3).

  9. How did Seager score on the popup by Maeda on the infield fly rule? Did he catch Polanco off guard?

  10. Aha! I just saw that pitcher’s first name is Montana. I was searching in vain for a clue to his last name in the Zappa song.

  11. Not to be picky but it would have been nice if Joc could have done more with two other at bats wRISP.

    • I just listened to all 4:48 of that song, and I didn’t hear/see the connection. I was taken, however, by how much Frank Zappa and Jim Croce resembled one another.

  12. This game’s a snoozer so far, but at least the Scrub Jays lead the Pads 7-1 in the sixth.

  13. What does PNC bank stand for?
    Pittsburgh National Corporation and Provident National Corporation merged in 1982. Technically it doesn’t stand for either of them anymore though… but being that its HQd in Pittsburgh a lot assume it still stands for Pittsburgh National Corporation.

  14. It’s a beautiful day in New Hampshire with a nice little breeze. Visualize me eating peanuts while watching the game with my wife saying no to tossing the shells on the floor.

  15. Strike zone:
    Skinny on the first base side of the plate, wide on the third base side of the plate.
    Skinny at the bottom of the strike zone and yet to be determined at the top of the strike zone.

  16. I used to want Archer to be a Dodger. Great personality and team player, not to mention he can pitch.

  17. These throwback unis are among the most hideous ever to appear between the lines.

    • Yeah, small window to start and then more rain forecasted. With 5pm game at DS on Monday, really wouldn’t be able to hang around long to try to finish.