Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 1:10 PM PDT, TV: FS-A, SPNLA
RHP Ross Stripling (4-4, 3.64 ERA) is back from the IL and expected to pitch only two or three innings, after which he’ll give way to RHP Dustin May (1-3, 4.07 ERA). The Diamondbacks send rookie LHP Alex Young (6-3, 3.81 ERA) out to face them. Opponents are hitting a meager .217 against Young in his 11 appearances this season.
The Dodgers have reinstated right-handed reliever Dylan Floro, IF David Freese and RHP Ross Stripling from the 10-day injured list.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 1, 2019
Here’s Smitty’s 13th HR of his rookie season, which gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead:
Today in Dodgers’ history:
- 1890 On Labor Day at Brooklyn’s Washington Park, the Bridegrooms, later to be known as the Dodgers, win all three games against Pittsburgh in the first tripleheader ever played. The home team sweeps the visiting Alleghenys, who will be renamed the Pirates next season, 10-9, 3-2, and 8-4.
- 1953 The Cardinals tie a major league mark, hitting five homers in a 12-5 loss to Brooklyn at Ebbets Field. The solo shots hit by Stan Musial, Harry Elliot, Rip Repulski, and Steve Bilko (2), all off starter Preacher Roe, aren’t enough to offset the Dodgers’ 17-hit attack, which includes six doubles but no round-trippers.
- 1969 At Dodger Stadium, Willie Davis ties the franchise record by hitting in 29 consecutive games with his second-inning single in LA’s 10-6 victory over New York. The mark was established by Zack Wheat in 1916.
Lineup when available.
Today’s Dodger lineup at D-backs:
Pollock CF
Freese 1B
Turner 3B
Bellinger RF
Hernández LF
Taylor SS
Gyorko 2B
Martin C
Stripling P#Dodgers | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/FvNiYuXuXV— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 1, 2019
NPUT
One final thought about Sunday’s game. On the play where May was struck, a better throw by Hernández would have nailed the runner at home, as the throw arrived before the runner, but was way off line.
September Song – As a freelancer, I’ve always worked on Labor Day (which should be May 1st here as everywhere else in the world), so I’ll post my brief commentary that Sunday was better than Saturday, but not overwhelmingly so. Both the Yanquis and Minute Maids won, so Dodgers remain 1-1/2 behind NYY and 1/2 behind Houston. Latest FanGraphs projections give the ex-Enrons 104.7 wins, the Evil Empire 104.5, and Dodgers 103.4.
In the NL, Dodgers remain 4-1/2 games better than the Barves (projected win total 97). In the division, they are 18 better than Snakes (magic number 7), 21.5 ahead of Gnats (magic number 4), and 23.5 up on Pads (magic number 2). Today’s opponent, the pulverized Rox, are 29.5 games out.
Lux fiat… https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1168354404954595328?s=20
In the first three-and-a-half games of this thus far frustrating series, we have scored 13 runs in innings one through five, and three runs in innings six through nine. Let’s hope we can show some later innings scoring today.
Freese today became the 10th Dodger with 10 or more homers this season, the same number that reached that mark last year. Taylor is hovering with 9; Beaty has 7. Looking backwards through 2000, no Dodger team has had more than 10 players with at least 10 homers since.
Disturbing formula: Build a lead against the Diamondbacks and watch it vanish.
I missed the play. What happened?
Liner thru the box, hit May either in head or on glove which was then pushed back into his head. Two runs scored, May departed for concussion protocols.
I hadn’t seen it either; i’m taping the game and I just looked. Line drive right at him. He appeared to deflect it slightly with his glove and it then hit his head and caromed into left field. He stayed on the ground for a minor or more, looked shaken when he got up, and was removed from the game.
It pains me to say that my hometown Atléticos have blown it big time against the Yanquis today – leading 4-0, bullpen gave up three in the eighth and then “closer” surrendered back-to-back dingers in the ninth, with nobody out.
Any May updates?
I expect they’ll do some imaging, but the fact that he walked off under his own power was good. I’d expect he’d be under the one-week concussion protocol.
They’ll give him a thorough check when they get back to LA, Roberts said.
Thanks!
The latest? https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1168317671915454465?s=20
The magic number is https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ef1babfb6f54bb70e30fb7f7d5e9247d6fcb8db5989c87c5adb16a08db016ac3.png
That was a BIG win.
Psychologically for fans, perhaps, but it doesn’t mean a lot in the long run.
I disagree. The Dodgers would not have felt very good about themselves following a four-game sweep by the Diamondbacks. It would have tied their second longest losing streak of the season. That would not have made the plane ride back to L.A., albeit a short one, very pleasant. Moreover, the game would have given the Diamondbacks greater confidence that, if they gain a Wild Card spot, still doubtful, that they can beat the Dodgers. The season series between the two clubs ended with the Dodgers winning it, 11-8. Even though the Dodgers have a huge lead, unchecked losing streaks can mean a lot, both in the short and long runs. And it was a big win psychologically for the fans, yes, rather than perhaps, in my opinion.
I agree. Also that Cody ended his HR drought.
Two years ago, the Dodgers lost six straight to the Snakes in September, in the course of losing 16 of 17 games. They then swept the division series against Phoenix, outscoring them 20-11.
Fair enough. I will let you have the last word.
Baez with a no drama save!
Woo-HOO!!!!!
Outstanding future person!
Finally!!!!
One to go!
Joc!!!!
110 mph and 454 feet for that dinger.
JOC!
https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1168309647842758661?s=20
Risky IBB with Dyson’s speed.
Steiner keeps reminding me that the D-Backs have never swept a four-game series from the Dodgers. Ever.
You need to tune out Steiner.
Heckuva catch by JT.
That’s why I loved playing 3B.
Hot corner!
Solid contact, but Quique hits it to deepest part of the park.
Now get about three more runs, Dodgers.
Belli!
In non-sports news, September begins with another mass shooting: eight dead (including the gunman), 22 wounded in and around Odessa, Texas.
https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1167974903061999617?s=20
Why is Caleb Ferguson on the team while Scott Alexander won’t even be called up with the rosters being expanded?
See below:
http://linkmeister.com/dodgers/2019/09/game-139-2019/#comment-4600235205
Link: Thanks.
Sure.
Two perfect innings for Fergy.
He was on the DL, and may not have recovered.
In the end, got out of it pretty cheaply.
Just one ball hit hard.
Using May as a reliever is just not working.
That’s for sure. By the way, In 20 games with Tulsa and OKC this season he never was used in relief.
SSS. He has great stuff and, in the long run, he’s a starter.
I am not sure that we want to give May a BSS as a reliever.
It’s an audition, and I’d say he’s a longshot for the post-season. Maeda will move to the pen, where he’s been effective.
Just going by gut feeling, but it seems like Locastro hits well against his old team.
He’s a pest, but I’d say a bench player only.
Counting today, he is 6-for-34 (.176) in his career vs. the Dodgers, 7 strikeouts, no walks, 3 HBP
HBP is his specialty.
Strip goes just three innings, and now it’s May Day.
Dodger offense is out of synch.
https://twitter.com/truebluela/status/1168264708723363840?s=20
All I can hope is that the Yankees and Astros are peaking early, and we are slumping right at the correct time before surging through to the end…
You misspelled “Yanquis” and “Minute Maids.”
Freese frame! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHo43B6nu60
Hah!
https://twitter.com/ClaytonKersh22/status/1168243405744291840
https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/1168246688365989889?s=20
Looking forward to seeing Lux in action.
I wouldn’t expect too much too soon.
As Lux bats left and as the Rockies are throwing three right-handers with very high ERAs against us, Monday through Wednesday, I expect that Lux will get one or more starts in that series.
And more… https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1168231375050174464?s=20
Er, who?
“Alexander, who is 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 28 games”
He went on the injured list June 12 because of left forearm inflammation.
White 28, was acquired by the Dodgers just before the trade deadline. His slash line rests at a weak .045/.192/.045 with the Dodgers.
Also, https://twitter.com/DodgerBlue1958/status/1168225491037245440?s=20
Strip’s not the only reinforcement. https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1168219573788692480?s=20