May 17

Game 47, 2021

Dodgers at Giants, 1:10 PM PDT, TV: NBCS BA, SPNLA

The visiting Dodgers send LHP Julio Urias (6-1, 3.04 ERA) to the mound to face the Giants’ RHP Anthony DeSclafani (4-1, 2.03 ERA). Urias has had great success against the Giants in his young career: in fifteen appearances (nine starts) against them he’s got an ERA of 2.12 and has held them to a .231 BA.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 2002 Shawn Green hits four home runs in one game to become the 14th player in major league history, the second this month, to accomplish the feat. The Dodger right fielder’s 6-for-6 performance in Milwaukee’s Miller Park, which also includes a single and double, breaks Joe Adcock’s 1954 mark for total bases by one, with a total of 19. In the same game the Dodgers set a franchise mark when the team hits eight homers in one contest, bashing the Brewers, 16-3. Shawn Green’s four round-trippers accounts for half of the record-breaking barrage with Brian Jordan, Hiram Bocachica, Adrian Beltre, and Dave Hansen also contributing four-baggers in the Miller Park contest.

Lineup:

May 17

Game 46, 2021

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

RHP Walker Buehler (2-0, 2.98 ERA) pitches for the Dodgers. He’ll face old friend LHP Scott Kazmir (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who’s replacing the injured Logan Webb.

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:

May 17

Game 45, 2021

In case anyone is curious about radiation, here’s how mine’s going. It’s a fascinating process. Because the cancer is in my throat, while I was in the hospital they built a plastic mesh mask form-fitted to my face and head. They place the mask over my face when I lie down on the standard narrow table, clamp it to the table to immobilize my head, and then start the radiation process, which typically lasts no more than 15 minutes.

I asked. Apparently about half the patients take their plastic thingie home as a souvenir when their treatment is completed.

Dodgers at Giants, 6:45 PM PDT, TV: NBCS BA, SPNLA

The visiting Dodgers send RHP Trevor Bauer (4-2, 2.20 ERA) to the hill to face the Giants’ LHP Alex Wood (5-0, 1.75 ERA). Obviously Wood knows the Dodgers well and vice versa since he spent nearly five years with the team from Southern California.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1927 For the second consecutive day, an umpire at Ebbets Field is the target of fan abuse. Arbiter Frank Wilson needs a police escort after the Robins (Dodgers) drop a twin bill to the Cubs.
  • 1952 The Dodgers score a major league record fifteen first-inning runs en route to a 19-1 rout over the Reds at Ebbets Field. After Ewell Blackwell retires the first batter, the next 19 Brooklyn batters reached base (10 hits, 7 walks, and 2 HBP), including Pee Wee Reese getting to first base three times during the frame.
  • 1963 Jim Maloney ties a major league record shared by Max Surkont (1953 Braves) and Johnny Podres (1962 Dodgers) when he strikes out eight consecutive batters, beginning with the last out in the first inning, in the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Milwaukee at County Stadium. The Cincinnati right-hander also equals the franchise mark with 16 strikeouts in one game, established by Noodles Hahn in 1901.
  • 2000 Major League Baseball has its first six grand-slam day less than one year after establishing the mark with five, with Garret Anderson (Angels), J.T. Snow (Giants), Brian Hunter (Phillies), Jason Giambi (A’s), and Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green (Dodgers) all contributing to the record. The NL also set a league record, blasting four of the six base-loaded homers.

Lineup:

May 17

Game 44, 2021

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: Bally Sports Arizona, MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA

RHP Merrill Kelly (2-4, 5.24 ERA) pitches for the D-Backs and the Dodgers send LHP David Price (1-0, 5.06 ERA) to make his first start after eight appearances out of the bullpen.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1979 Don Sutton becomes the franchise’s winningest pitcher when he is credited with the victory, tossing eight innings in the Dodgers 6-4 victory over the Reds at Riverfront Stadium. The 34 year-old right-hander’s 210th win surpasses the team mark established in 1969 by Don Drysdale.

Lineup: