Monthly Archives: June 2019

Jun 30

Game 86, 2019

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Dodgers at Rockies, 12:10 PM PDT, TV: ATT SportsNet RM, SPNLA

RHP Kenta Maeda (7-4, 3.76 ERA) goes to the hill in Denver. He’ll face RHP Chi Chi González (0-1, 5.40 ERA). This is hard to believe, but Maeda is 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA against the Rockies at Coors Field in his career. González took the loss in his first start of the year last Tuesday, but it was the first time he’d been on a big league mound since 2016 thanks to extended recovery from Tommy John surgery, so he was probably just delighted to be back pitching whether he won, lost or got no decision.

Fox doesn’t offer a way to embed videos, but here’s a link to the clip of young Mr. Rios getting a triple for his first big league hit.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1962 Sandy Koufax becomes the first Dodger southpaw to throw a no-hitter since Nap Rucker accomplished the feat in 1908 when he keeps the expansion Mets hitless in the team’s 5-0 victory in Los Angeles. The 26 year-old left-hander, en route to fanning 13, strikes out the first three batters he faces – Richie Ashburn, Rod Kanehl, and Felix Mantilla, on nine pitches to start the game with an immaculate inning.
  • 1973 With an 8-7 extra-inning loss to L.A. at Riverfront Stadium, the Reds finish the day 11 games behind the first-place Dodgers. Led by the eventual National League MVP Pete Rose, who will win the batting title with a .338 average, Cincinnati will go on a 60-26 tear to capture the Western Division by 3.5 games.
  • 1985 Pedro Guerrero ties a major league record by hitting 15 home runs in June when he goes deep off Bruce Sutter in his final at bat of the month. The eighth inning two-run round-tripper will prove to be the difference in the Dodgers’ 4-3 victory over Atlanta at Chavez Ravine.
  • 1997 Rangers’ hurler Bobby Witt becomes the first American League pitcher to hit a home run in a regular-season game in nearly 25 years. His round-tripper off Ismael Valdes helps Texas to beat the Dodgers in interleague action, 3-2.
  • 2013 “When it comes to compassion, the Rays are batting .000.” – DELCIANNA WINDERS, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement at the PETA Foundation.

    Miguel Cabrera, joining Luis Gonzalez of the Dodgers, becomes only the second player to hit a homer into the 10,000-gallon touch tank at Tropicana Field. The Tigers slugger’s round-tripper draws the attention of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who, in a written letter to the Rays’ organization, requests the team to allow the 30 or more captive cownose rays be returned to their natural habitat because the animals are subject to harassment, loud crowds, and at the risk of being injured by baseballs.

Lineup when available.


Jun 29

Game 85, 2019

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Dodgers at Rockies, 5:15 PM PDT, TV: Fox

LHP Clayton Kershaw (7-1, 3.07 ERA) tries to hold the Rockies down in the third game of this four-game set while RHP Jon Gray (8-5, 3.92 ERA) attempts to do the same to the Dodgers. In his career Kershaw is 22-7 against the Rockies and 10-4 with a 4.57 ERA at Coors Field. Gray is 3-5 with a 4.98 ERA lifetime against the Dodgers, 2-1 at Coors Field.

There wasn’t much to cheer about in yesterday’s game, but here’s Muncy’s third homer in seven ABs in the series, which was also the longest HR any Dodger has hit this season at 464 feet:

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1923 Dodger first baseman Jacques Fournier goes 6-for 6, collecting a home run, two doubles, and three singles. The southpaw-swinging slugger’s 11 total bases contribute to Brooklyn’s 14-5 victory over the Phillies at the Baker Bowl.
  • 1960 The Phillies strike out a dozen times in each end of a doubleheader when they are swept by the Dodgers at Connie Mack Stadium, 6-3 and 5-2. The 24 Ks tie a major league record for strikeouts in a twin bill.
  • 1990 For the first time since 1917 (Hippo Vaughan and Fred Toney), two no-hitters are thrown on the same day when the A’s (and ex-Dodger) Dave Stewart shuts out the Jays 5-0 and the Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela blanks the Cardinals, 6-0.
  • 2012 In the Diamondbacks’ 9-3 victory over Milwaukee at Miller Park, Aaron Hill becomes the first modern-era player to hit for the cycle twice in one season since Babe Herman accomplished the feat with the Brooklyn Robins in 1931. Eleven days ago in Seattle, the Arizona second baseman also collected a single, double, triple, and home run in the game.
  • 2015 Joc Pederson becomes the third rookie in major league history to hit 20 home runs before July when he goes deep off Allen Webster in the Dodgers’ 10-6 loss to Arizona at Chase Field. The 23 year-old center fielder joins Wally Berger (Braves, 1930) and Albert Pujols (Cardinals, 2001) in accomplishing the feat as a freshman.

Lineup when available.


Jun 28

Game 84, 2019

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Dodgers at Rockies, 6:40 PM PDT, TV: ATT Sportsnet RM, SPNLA

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-1, 1.27 ERA) takes the mound for the Dodgers at Coors Field today. Like every other non-Colorado pitcher in the universe, his career record there is less than stellar: 1-3, 7.56 ERA in four starts. In his last start he gave up three runs (one earned) to the Rockies in six innings and got no decision. The Rockies counter with RHP Antonio Senzatela (6-5, 4.91 ERA), who’s 13-8 in his career with a 5.29 ERA at home. He’s 1-0 with a 4.73 ERA in four appearances against the Dodgers.

Here are the Dodgers’ six home runs in yesterday’s game:

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1969 After ending an 11-game losing streak in their previous contest, the expansion Padres are the victims of a 19-0 shutout for the second time this season when Dodgers right-hander Don Drysdale equals the National League-record for the largest margin of victory in a shutout. L.A. will score more than half of their runs when they tally ten times in the third inning.
  • 2000 The Rockies draw their 20 millionth fan to one ballpark faster than any other team in major league history. Taking less than six years, Colorado eclipses the Dodgers’ mark of taking nine years in two stadiums to reach the milestone.
  • 2008 In Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers, without the benefit of a hit for the entire game, defeat the Angels, 1-0. The combined losing effort of Halo hurlers Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo isn’t considered officially as a no-hitter because the home team didn’t have to bat in the ninth (a nitpick if I ever heard one).

Lineup when available.


Jun 27

Game 83, 2019

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Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 PM PDT, TV: ATT Sportsnet RM, MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA

RHP Walker Buehler (8-1, 2.96 ERA) takes the mound for the Dodgers, undoubtedly with an extra spring in his step after his alma mater’s College World Series win yesterday. He’ll face the Rockies’ RHP Peter Lambert (2-0, 5.85 ERA). Buehler is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA against the Rockies this season while Lambert got a no-decision in his one start against the Dodgers June 22 when he gave up three earned runs in five innings.

Houston Mitchell of the LA Times looks at which reliever might help the Dodgers.

Here’s Russell Martin’s 1-2-3 inning yesterday:

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1980 Dodger southpaw Jerry Reuss, facing only 28 batters, no-hits the Giants at Candlestick Park, 8-0. Shortstop Bill Russell’s errant throw on Jack Clark’s grounder with two outs in the first inning deprives the 31 year-old left-hander from tossing a perfect game.
  • 2011 Citing MLB refusal to sign off on a transaction that would provide the team with $385 million, the Dodgers file for bankruptcy protection in a Delaware court. Although there will be no disruption to the day-to-day status of the franchise, the Chapter 11 financing permits the Dodgers to use $150 million for daily operations and gives owner Frank McCourt time to seek a media deal that will ensure the club’s long-term financial stability.

Lineup when available.


Jun 26

Game 82, 2019

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Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 12:40 PM PDT, TV: FS-A, SPNLA

It’ll be the MLB debut for the Dodgers’ RHP Tony Gonsolin, who’s a graduate of St. Mary’s College in Northern California east of Oakland. He’s only been in eight games at the AAA level; he’s 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA. He’ll face the D-Backs’ RHP Taylor Clarke (1-3, 6.48 ERA), who started his big league career with two good starts this season but has gone 0-2 with a 10.00 ERA in his next five. Last Friday he lost to the Giants, giving up six runs in three innings.

Kenley is electioneering:


Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1944 At the Polo Grounds with over 50,000 fans looking on, the New York major league teams face each other in a six inning three-team game (a team played consecutive innings against the other two teams then sat out an inning) to raise money for war bonds. The charity contest, billed as the Tri-Cornered Baseball Game, ends with the final score of Dodgers 5, Yankees 1, Giants 0.

  • 1968 Cardinals right-hander Bob Gibson tosses his fifth consecutive shutout as he blanks the Pirates, 3-0, in the first game of a doubleheader played at Busch Stadium. The future Hall of Famer’s accomplishment is one shy of the major league mark, set earlier in the month by Don Drysdale of the Dodgers.
  • 1999 At Candlestick Park, Todd Hundley’s second homer of the day, a ninth inning three-run shot to deep right field off Giants’ closer Robb Nen, sparks the Dodgers’ 7-6 comeback win. Ellis Burks had put San Francisco ahead in the bottom of the eighth, 6-4, with a three-run homer off Alan Mills.
  • 2011 Three days after Jim Riggleman’s sudden resignation, the Nationals name senior advisor Davey Johnson as the team’s manager for the remainder of the season. The 68 year-old former skipper compiled an 1148-888 (.564) record during his 14 years in the dugout with the Mets, Dodgers, Reds, and Orioles, finishing lower than third place on only three occasions.

Things of no great import that are nonetheless interesting, Number 317: In 1995 Before rejoining the Yankees to make a start in Chicago, Columbus Clipper starter Mariano Rivera pitches a five-inning no-hitter against the International League’s Rochester Red Wings in Ohio’s Cooper Stadium. During his tenure in the minor leagues, Mo, the future major league leader in career saves, is used primarily as a starter, starting 68 games, including seven complete contests, en route to compiling a 27-18 record along with a 2.35 ERA.

I had no clue Rivera had been a starter and that he was that good at it.

Lineup:


Jun 25

Game 81, 2019

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Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 6:40 PM PDT, TV: FS-A, SPNLA

Manager Dave Roberts says the Dodgers will slot RHP Ross Stripling (3-2, 3.08 ERA) in Rich Hill’s spot in the rotation while Hill is out with a bad flexor tendon. Stripling has been better as a starter than a reliever when judged by ERA and WHIP (2.65/1.09 to 4.02/1.34). He’ll face the D-Backs’ LHP Robbie Ray (5-4, 3.87 ERA) who gave up just four hits in six innings in his last start but got no decision, as two of the hits were HRs by Ian Desmond and Charlie Blackmon.

I hope after this theft of a base hit that Will Smith doesn’t get discouraged and think the only place where he’s assured of hitting safely is over the wall.

Here’s some analysis of the Dodgers’ bullpen situation. It’s not pretty.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1968 Bobby Bonds hits a grand slam in his third at-bat of his first major league game, going deep off Dodger right-hander John Purdin in the Giants’ 9-0 victory at Candlestick Park. The 22 year-old Giant outfielder joins Philadelphia National pitcher Bill Duggelby (1898 – first at-bat) as the only other player to hit a base-loaded home run in his major league debut.
  • 1984 Dodger infielder Bill Russell plays his 1,953rd game to become the team’s leader in games played. The shortstop, who will extend the mark to 2181 during his 18-year tenure with the club, is hitless in three trips to the plate but will walk twice in LA’s 9-4 loss to San Diego at Chavez Ravine.

Lineup when available.


Jun 24

Game 80, 2019

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Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 6:40 PM PDT, TV: FS-A, SPNLA

Dodgers’ lefty Kershaw (7-1, 2.85 ERA) versus D-Backs’ righty Greinke (8-3, 2.91 ERA). Kershaw is 16-9 with a 2.59 ERA in his career against the Diamondbacks, 6-8 and 3.70 ERA at Chase Field. Greinke is 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA lifetime against the Dodgers.

Here’s young Mr Smith’s walk-off HR yesterday:

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1947 At Forbes Field, Jackie Robinson steals home in the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory over the Pirates. It is the Brooklyn infielder’s first theft of the dish, something the rookie will accomplish 19 times during his ten-year career.

Lineup when available.


Jun 23

Game 79, 2019

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Rockies at Dodgers, 1:15 PM PDT, TV: ATT SportsNet RM, SPNLA

RHP Antonio Senzatela (6-5, 5.09 ERA) is a third-year pitcher who’s having a pretty good June: he’s 3-1 with a 3.57 ERA for the month. He’ll face the Dodgers’ RHP Kenta Maeda (7-4, 3.87 ERA). Maeda won four games in May but has lost two in June, and the Dodgers seem to think he can’t face a lineup three times. His longest outing of the year is 6 2/3 innings, and he’s not gone past five this month.

Verdugo had a four-hit game on Saturday night; the walk-off HR wasn’t his only production. Here’s the recap:

Personnel move: Freese to the IL with a hamstring strain, Will Smith up from AAA to replace him.

On this date in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1930 The Dodgers get twelve consecutive hits in a 19-6 win over the Pirates at Forbes Field. Two of the dozen hits in the eight-run sixth inning include a pair of homers hit by Brooklyn outfielder Babe Herman.
  • 1986 The Braves strand 18 runners on base, establishing a National League record. Enough Atlanta players do score to give the team a 6-5 victory over L.A. at Dodger Stadium.

Other notable events in baseball on this date include Ernie Shore’s near-perfect game in 1917, when he relieved Babe Ruth (ejected for arguing balls and strikes and possibly punching the umpire) and retired 26 consecutive batters.

Lineup when available.


Jun 22

Game 78, 2019

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Rockies at Dodgers, 4:15 PM PDT, TV: Fox

The Rockies hand the ball to rookie RHP Peter Lambert (2-0, 6.00 ERA). He’ll face one of the Dodgers’ potential All-Star Game starting pitchers, Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-1, 1.26 ERA). This will be Lambert’s third big league start; his first two were impressive, but the Padres hammered him for nine hits and eight runs in three innings in his last one. Ryu has given up one earned run in 20 innings this month and has only walked five men all year.

Here’s Matt Beaty’s walk-off HR from Friday night’s game:

Take note of Alanna Rizzo’s speed as Beaty is about to be doused with something during his post-game interview.


Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1936 At Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, Ival Goodman hits an unusual home run when his fifth-inning fly ball lands and stays on top of the scoreboard in right field. With the perched ball considered in play, the three Dodger outfielders watch the Reds’ right fielder round the bases for an easy inside-the park round-tripper in their 7-2 loss to Cincinnati.

  • 1947 After pitching a no-hitter four days ago against the Braves, Reds hurler Ewell Blackwell loses his chance for a second consecutive no-hitter when Dodger second baseman Eddie Stanky singles with one out the ninth inning at Crosley Field.
  • 1959 Sandy Koufax goes the distance, beating Philadelphia at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, 6-2. The Dodger southpaw fans 16 Phillies to set a new record for strikeouts in a night game.
  • 1966 At the Astrodome, Houston sets a home attendance mark which will last for 22 years. Dodger southpaw Sandy Koufax, who tosses a complete game to improve his record to 13-2, beats the hometown team, 5-2, in front of the 50,908 fans attending the Wednesday contest.

Lineup when available.


Jun 21

Game 77, 2019

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Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: ATT SportsNet RM, SPNLA

RHP German Márquez (7-3, 4.57 ERA) goes for the Rockies and RHP Walker Buehler (7-1, 3.06 ERA) pitches for the Dodgers. Márquez is having a horrible June: he’s got a 10.06 ERA for the three starts he’s made thus far this month. Buehler has given up one run in the three starts he’s made in June.

Go Dieter! Dodgers Organist Has Fun With The Aquatic Feud Between Max Muncy And Madison Bumgarner.

A 10-day stay on the IL means two months away for Rich Hill.

Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with what doctors told him is a strained left flexor tendon and will be sidelined until at least August.

Hill, 39, said he won’t resume throwing for three to four weeks, then will probably need another month of build up toward competition. A free agent after this season, Hill said he expects to pitch again this year.

More personnel news: Beaty, sent down yesterday, was recalled today and starts tonight at first base. I suspect he didn’t leave LAX.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1957 In his first major league start, Von McDaniel‚ who graduated from Oklahoma’s Hollis High School last month, two-hits the Dodgers at Busch Stadium‚ 2-0. Brooklyn does not get a hit off the 18 year-old bonus baby until the sixth inning.
  • 1998 Bill Russell is released as Dodger manager and is replaced in the dugout by Glenn Hoffmann. In the front office, Tommy Lasorda assumes the general manager duties of the third-place club from Fred Claire.
  • 2016 Dean Kremer becomes the first-ever Israeli to sign a contract with a Major League baseball team when he comes to terms with the Dodgers, after being selected in the annual amateur draft earlier this month. The 20-year-old right-hander, who won Europe’s Most Valuable Pitcher award in both 2014 and 2015, has hurled for Israel’s national baseball team for the past three seasons. (Note: Kremer was traded to the Orioles in the Manny Machado deal in 2018)

Lineup when available.