Game 138, 2021

Dodgers at Cardinals, 1:10 PM PDT, TV: Bally Sports Midwest, SPNLA

RHP Max Scherzer (12-4, 2.40 ERA) takes the mound for the Dodgers. He’ll face RHP Miles Mikolas (0-1, 4.41 ERA) of the Cardinals.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1924 In a game that features a total of only six hits, the Brooklyn Robins beat Boston, 1-0, behind the strong two-hit performance of right-hander Bill Doak. The Braves Field victory is the team’s 15th consecutive win, establishing the longest winning streak in franchise history.
  • 1953 With Giants manager Leo Durocher yelling “stick it in his ear”, Ruben Gomez hits Carl Furillo, the National League’s leading hitter, on the wrist with a pitch. After taking first base, the Dodgers right fielder bolts into the opposing dugout to choke ‘Leo the Lip’, but in the melee, the knuckle on his little finger is fractured, putting an end to his season.
  • 1981 Fernando Valenzuela ties the National League’s rookie record for shutouts, blanking St. Louis, 5-0, for his seventh whitewash of the season. The Dodger lefty shares the mark with Irv Young (1905 Beaneaters), Grover Alexander (1911 Phillies), and Jerry Koosman (1968 Mets).
  • 1985 In a matchup of aces that lives up to its advanced billing, Dwight Gooden and Fernando Valenzuela hook up in one of the best pitchers’ duels in recent memory. New York beats Los Angeles at Chavez Ravine, 2-0, thanks to Darryl Strawberry’s two-run double on a day that the 20 year-old Mets right-hander strikes out 10 batters, throwing nine shutout innings, while the Dodgers southpaw pitches 11 innings without allowing a run.
  • 1996 Brett Butler returns to the Dodger lineup four months after having surgery for throat cancer. The 39 year-old center fielder scores the decisive run in the team’s 3-2 victory over the Bucs.

Also on this date in big league history, in 1995 Cal Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game record, playing in his 2,131st straight game. When the game becomes official in the middle of the fifth inning, the new ‘Iron Man’ takes a victory lap around Camden Yards during the 22-minute standing ovation from the sellout crowd, including President Bill Clinton.

Lineup:

89 thoughts on “Game 138, 2021

  1. Unless he pitches the 9th and gets another k or 3, Scherzer will (only) need 6 k’s in his next start to get to 3000.

    He has a chance to still pass Verlander this season for 18th place all time. (JV has 3,013k’s)

  2. This game is moving along smartly. Feels more like getaway day rather than arrival day.

    • Actually getting to experience a little bit of it, because the starting time here in Milano ain’t bad.

  3. Regarding the item on Carl Furillo above, that did end his regular season, but he played in all six games of the World Series vs. the Yankees, batting .333, but the Dodgers lost four games to two. Also, Furillo had enough at bats in the regular season to qualify for the batting title and won it at .344. Prior to the injury he was on a 23-for-41 streak.

  4. IMHO, McKinstry should be starting in right with Betts moving to center and Bellinger, 6-for-57, with 14 Ks and one BB since August 15, on the bench.

      • I think Mac would give us a bit more offense, but Bellinger is so lost at the plate. Still, he provides stellar defense. I expect that the Dodger batting coaches are working with him, but they apparently can’t solve it and/or Bellinger is stubborn. Who knows?

        • I prefer stellar defense in center to the idea that Mac might give us a little bit more offense, which is not assured. Long term investment in Belli as well. Hopefully he turns around offensively. Benching him would seem punitive.

  5. He looked out to me!
    Dodgers just can’t win a review these days. Still can’t believe that 2 of the 3 games in San Fran ended on lost reviews for the Dodgers.

    • Although I think the ball didn’t hit the screen last night, but I still say Smith got his foot back on the bag on Friday night.

  6. Goldy, glad he is not still in the West, is having a good season, but below career average.

  7. Hi all. Up in the Sierras- tomorrow we shoot a short film I wrote that my husband will direct. Everyone arrives mañana but I got here a few days early. Nice to check in and see this score!

  8. Interesting that the Dodgers brought up McKinstry rather than Beaty. In the old days, when the rosters could expand to 40 in September, they both would have been called up. Also, I wonder what the future holds for Lux. If the Dodgers don’t resign Seager, Trea Turner would move to short next season, opening up second base.

  9. I will try to make this my last Bellinger comment of the day: He would have to go 12-for-12 to reach .200.

  10. Regarding the item on Carl Furillo above, that did end his regular season, but he played in all six games of the World Series vs. the Yankees, batting .333, but the Dodgers lost in six games. Also, Furillo had enough at bats in the regular season to qualify for the batting title and won it at .344. Prior to the injury he was on a 23-for-41 streak.