Tag Archives: Andrew Heaney

May 22

Game 40, 2022

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Dodgers at Phillies, 10:35 AM PDT, TV: MLBN (out-of-market only), NBCSP, SPNLA

RHP Tony Gonsolin (4-0, 1.64 ERA) pitches for the Dodgers as they try to win their eighth straight. The Phillies counter with RHP Zach Eflin (1-3, 3.90 ERA) and hope to avoid their sixth loss in seven games.

Injury report: LHP Clayton Kershaw’s probably out till mid-June, as is LHP Andrew Heaney. RHP Tommy Kahnle’s return date is uncertain. RHP Blake Treinen is out at least until the All Star break; LHP Victor González won’t be back until late August. LHP Danny Duffy may be back by late June or early July, and RHP Dustin May isn’t expected back until late in the season.

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.

Lineups when available.

Apr 29

Game 19, 2022

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Tigers at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: BS Detroit, SPNLA

Today is a battle of the grad students: two guys whose initials are TA face one another. The Tigers send out LHP Tyler Alexander (0-2, 7.20 ERA); he’ll face the Dodgers’ Tyler Anderson (1-0, 2.84 ERA). So far this year Alexander has pitched ten innings and given up 10 runs on fourteen hits. If there’s a bright side, it’s that he’s struck out eight while walking none in those ten innings. The Dodgers’ Anderson started the season in the bullpen but with Andrew Heaney’s trip to the IL he’s been asked to start. He has yet to go longer than 4 2/3 innings, but he got a win in relief of Tony Gonsolin on April 15.

The biggest news of the day is that MLB suspended former Dodger pitcher Trevor Bauer for two full seasons “for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.” The Dodgers issued the following statement:

“Today, we were informed that MLB has concluded its investigation into allegations that have been made against Trevor Bauer, and the Commissioner has issued his decision regarding discipline. The Dodgers organization takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and does not condone or excuse any acts of domestic violence or sexual assault. We’ve cooperated fully with MLB’s investigation since it began, and we fully support MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, and the Commissioner’s enforcement of the Policy. We understand that Trevor has the right to appeal the Commissioner’s decision. Therefore, we will not comment further until the process is complete.”

As could be expected, Bauer subsequently announced that he will appeal. The MLBPA (the Player’s Union) hasn’t yet issued a statement.

On this day in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1978 The Cardinals tie a franchise record for the quickest nine-inning game played in their history, taking only one-hour and thirty-three minutes to beat the Dodgers at Busch Stadium, 1-0. The contest marks the managerial debut of Ken Boyer, replacing Vern Rapp, the Redbird skipper fired four days ago.
  • 1994 Kirk Rueter becomes the first pitcher in 13 seasons to begin his major league career with a 10-0 record when the Expos beat San Diego at Olympic Stadium, 3-2. In 1981, Dodgers southpaw Fernando Valenzuela started the year with eight victories to improve his overall record to 10-0 for the Dodgers, somewhat similar to the Montreal left-hander, who started his streak last season with an 8-0 mark before winning his first two decisions this year.
  • 2005 Although Eric Gagne is on the disabled list and hasn’t thrown a pitch this season, he is suspended for two games and fined. The action is taken because after being ejected on April 6 for heckling home plate umpire Bill Hohn, MLB warned the Dodgers closer he was in violation of Rule 3.17, which states players on the disabled list may not take part in any activity during the game, the former Cy Young winner continued to dress and participate in game activities.

Here’s a terrifying note: on this day in 1930 (which should be called the Year of the Hitter — look it up) an average of 17+ runs a game is scored in the seven major league games played today. After the dust settles, players from 14 teams will cross the plate 123 times. On a sadder note, on this day in 1939 on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, Lou Gehrig comes to the plate in the fourth inning and singles off Washington hurler Ken Chase for his 2,721st and last hit, the most ever in franchise history. The ‘Iron Horse’s’ record will stand for over 70 years until Derek Jeter, another 35 year-old team captain, surpasses the mark in 2009.

Lineups when available.

Apr 23

Game 14, 2022

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Dodgers at Padres, 5:40 PM PDT, TV: BS San Diego, MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA

Lefty Tyler Anderson (1-0, 2.25 ERA) pitches for the Dodgers; he’ll face old friend RHP Yu Darvish (1-1, 6.28 ERA) of the Padres. Anderson has pitched four innings in each of his two games this season, both in relief of Tony Gonsolin. Today, with Andrew Heaney on the IL, he gets his first start of the year. Darvish has been up and down, as his W-L record and ERA show. In his first start he had a six-inning no-decision; in his next he got hammered and went only 1 2/3 innings, giving up nine runs on eight hits (leading me to ask why he was left in so long). Then in his third start he went 6 2/3 innings in which he gave up just one run on four hits.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1958 In a 7-6 loss to Chicago at the LA Coliseum, two Dodger mainstays from Brooklyn reach career milestones. First baseman Gil Hodges, who will finish his 18-year major league tenure with 370 home runs on his way to the Hall of Fame, hits his 300th career round-tripper, and Captain Pee Wee Reese, a future Hall of Fame shortstop himself, plays in his 2000th game.
  • 1999 Fernando Tatis becomes the only player in baseball history to hit two grand slams in one inning when he collects eight RBIs in one frame to breaks the old record of six. The Cardinal third baseman hits both off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park in an 11-run third of the team’s 12-5 victory at Chavez Ravine.
  • 2000 The Dodgers complete a sweep of the Reds to notch their 1,000th win over baseball’s oldest professional franchise. Since 1970, Los Angeles is the only National League franchise to play over .500 ball (120-115) in Cincinnati (Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field).

Lineups when available.

Apr 17

Game Nine, 2022

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Reds at Dodgers, 1:10 PM PDT, TV: BS Ohio, SPNLA

The Dodgers give LHP Andrew Heaney the ball for the second time this season. The Reds counter with RHP Tyler Mahle (1-0, 1.00 ERA). Heaney’s first start was successful: he gave up one unearned run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings of work while striking out five. He trotted out a new pitch he’d never used in a game situation, a sweeping curve with side-to-side movement, and it worked very well. Both he and his manager were pleased with its results. Mahle started on Opening Day and beat the Braves handily, giving up three hits and one run in five innings while striking out seven. He followed that up with a four-inning stint against the Guardians in which he gave up four hits and one run while striking out four.

Today in Dodgers history:

  • 1904 By not charging admission but requiring fans to buy a scorecard, the Superbas find a way to play their first Sunday game at home, beating the Beaneaters, 9-1, at Brooklyn’s Washington Park. The strategy attempts to circumvent legislation, known as the Blue Laws, designed to enforce religious edicts, including the observance of Sunday as a day of worship.
  • 1955 In his first major league at-bat, Roberto Clemente singles off Dodger pitcher Johnny Podres. The Pirates’ rookie, who will die in a plane crash attempting to bring relief aid to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua in 1972, will collect precisely 3,000 hits during his 18-year major league career, all with Pittsburgh.
  • 1956 White Sox shortstop Luis Aparicio, Dodger right-hander Don Drysdale, and Reds outfielder Frank Robinson play in their first major league games. The trio’s debut marks the first time three future Hall of Famers have made their initial appearance on the same day.

  • 1988 The Braves beat the Dodgers, 3-1, after breaking the National League record with ten losses to start the season. The team will drop 27 of its first 39 decisions, costing Chuck Tanner his job as the Atlanta manager.
  • 2013 Clayton Kershaw becomes the second-fastest Dodger to strike out 1,000 batters when he throws a second-inning 93-mph fastball past San Diego first baseman’s Yonder Alonso. The 25-year-old southpaw reaches the milestone in 970 career innings, 15 2/3 more than needed by Hideo Nomo, who established the team mark in 2003.

Lineups:

Apr 12

Game Four, 2022

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Dodgers at Twins, 4:40 PM PDT, TV: BSN, SPNLA

The Dodgers’ LHP Andrew Heaney makes his first start of the year. He’ll face RHP Chris Archer, who’s doing the same. Heaney was a Dodger in 2014, coming to them with Chris Hatcher, Austin Barnes, and Enrique Hernández from the Marlins in exchange for Dan Haren, Dee Gordon, and Miguel Rojas. Five hours later the Dodgers traded him to the Angels, receiving Howie Kendrick in return. This is Archer’s first season with the Twins; he was 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in 19 innings with the Rays last year.

On this day in Dodgers history:

  • 1906 At Brooklyn’s Washington Park, Boston Beaneater rookie Johnny Bates becomes the first modern player to homer in his first major league at-bat. The 23 year-old outfielder connects off Harry McIntire in the top of the second inning in the team’s 2-0 Opening Day victory over the Superbas.
  • 1962 Pete Richert, making his major league debut, comes out of the bullpen and strikes out the first six batter he faces, a major league record. The rookie southpaw fans four in the third inning in LA’s 11-7 comeback victory over the Reds at Dodger Stadium.
  • 1976 The game against the Padres is rained out at Dodger Stadium for only the second time in the 14-year history of the ballpark. The washout ends a streak started in April 1967, covering a span of 724 straight contests, with subsequent postponements coming much sooner when inclement weather cancels two consecutive home dates in September.

Lineups when available.

Dec 03

Open Thread #3, 2021

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As it stands, Max Scherzer and Corey Seager have left the Dodgers for greener pastures. Kenley Jansen may have found several teams willing to give him a longer term contract than the Dodgers are. They did re-sign Chris Taylor. Trea Turner can slide from second base to shortstop, where he’s played most of his MLB career. They’re hoping Max Muncy returns to full health, but he admitted earlier in the week that he’d torn his UCL in that last game and he wasn’t healing as quickly as he’d like.

They need starting pitching; right now they have Walker Buehler and Julio Urías. They need to re-sign Clayton Kershaw not just for sentimental reasons but because he’s still a very good starter. Their other starters include David Price and Tony Gonsolin and possibly newly-signed Andrew Heaney, whom they believe they can help improve and reduce his tendency to give up home runs.

Heaney has allowed home runs at a higher-than-average clip in three of the past four years, and he was among the game’s most homer-prone arms this past season. The former first-round pick allowed 2.01 HR per nine innings in 2021, a rate eclipsed by just five other hurlers (minimum 100 IP).

On the free agent market, the best starting pitching remaining includes Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Carlos Rodón. Trading for starters is another option, of course. And they’re waiting for Dustin May to rehabilitate from Tommy John surgery.

The lockout precludes any activities by teams or players until a new collective bargaining agreement is completed, so we may be in limbo for a while.

Sep 25

Game 58, 2020

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Angels at Dodgers, 6:40 PM PDT, TV: FS-W, MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA

The visiting Angels send out old acquaintance (he was a Dodger for about three hours before they traded him to the Angels for Howie Kendrick on December 11, 2014)) Andrew Heaney (4-3, 4.02 ERA) to face the Dodgers’ LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-2, 2.15 ERA). In Heaney’s last start he gave up three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Rangers. Kershaw’s probably not going to win a Cy Young Award this year (he’s got the fewest starts and innings of the top ten contenders) but his credentials are pretty darned good nonetheless.

Here’s Seager’s oh-so-close-to-a-grand slam sacrifice fly from yesterday’s game:

This day in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1941 Combined with a Cardinal defeat, the Dodgers win their first pennant in 21 years when they beat Boston at Braves Field, 6-0. Whitlow Wyatt throws a five-hitter and Pete Reiser hits a homer in the winning cause.
  • 1956 Dodger right-hander Sal Maglie no-hits the Phillies at Ebbets Field, 5-0. The ‘Barber’s’ gem helps second-place Brooklyn to keep pace in the pennant race with Milwaukee and Cincinnati.

  • 1962 After appearing in 60 games over a two-year span, Dodger reliever Ed Roebuck suffers his first loss. The LA right-hander gives up a 10th inning home run to Houston’s Al Spangler, breaking the 2-2 deadlock at Chavez Ravine.
  • 1974 In the first-of-its-kind operation, Dr. Frank Jobe transplants a tendon from Tommy John’s right wrist to the Dodger pitcher’s left elbow. The revolutionary ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, which will become a standard surgical procedure better known as Tommy John surgery, enables the southpaw to win an additional 164 games, more than half of his career total of 288 victories.
  • 1996 Giants slugger Barry Bonds draws an intentional walk which gives him the National League record with 149 bases-on-balls in a season. The free pass is issued in the seventh inning by LA’s Mark Guthrie with two outs and a runner on third base in the team’s 7-5 loss at Dodger Stadium. (Note: Bonds wasn’t done. He now holds down the top three spots in Most Walks, Hitter, Season).
  • 2008 The Diamondbacks, defending division champions, lose to St. Louis, 12-3, allowing the Dodgers to clinch the NL West. Los Angeles first-year skipper Joe Torre’s 13-year postseason streak continues, unlike the Yankees, his former team.

Lineup when available.

Aug 15

Game 22, 2020

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Dodgers at Angels, 6:40 PM PDT, TV: FS-W, SPNLA

The visiting Dodgers send RHP Walker Buehler (0-0, 4.40 ERA) to the mound tonight in Anaheim. He’ll face the Angels’ LHP Andrew Heaney (1-1, 4.26 ERA). Buehler’s “Summer Camp” was too short and he’s working his way into shape. In his last start he got into the sixth inning, an improvement over his first two games. He gave up two runs on just one hit while walking four and striking out six.

You may remember Heaney as the guy who was a Dodger for five hours before being traded to the Angels for Howie Kendrick. That was six years ago, and if that seems impossible to you you’re not alone. He missed half of the 2016 season and most of 2017 as well after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2016. He was the Angels’ Opening Day starter this season, going 4 2/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out six and walking none.

MLB’s Mark Feinsand has selected one guy each team could trade at the trade deadline, which is August 31 in this topsy-turvy year. He asks, “If Joc Pederson was tradeable in the off-season, why would he not still be tradeable this month? He would be.”

Here are Cody’s two homers from last night’s game:

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1914 Brooklyn’s Jake Daubert sets a National League record with four sacrifices in one game. The first baseman’s efforts aren’t enough when the Dodgers drop an 8-7 decision to Philadelphia at Ebbets Field.
  • 1926 When Babe Herman doubles with the bases loaded, three Dodgers wind up on third base. The runner on second rounds third but decides to go back as the runner from first reaches the same base, and a few seconds later Herman slides in to join his two teammates.
  • 1951 With one out in the top of the eighth inning and a runner on third base in a 1-1 tied game, Willie Mays, running at full speed, makes an incredible catch of Carl Furillo’s drive to deep centerfield. After grabbing the ball, the rookie outfielder turns counterclockwise and throws a perfect strike to home to nail a surprised Billy Cox at home to complete the double play. Some believe the catch, in the Giants’ eventual 3-1 Polo Grounds victory over the Dodgers, is the impetus for the beginning of the team’s incredible comeback from an 11.5 game deficit to win the National League pennant.
  • 2006 The Dodgers, with their 4-0 blanking of the Marlins, win their sixth consecutive game and 17th in the last 18 contests. The stretch is the team’s best run since the Brooklyn Superbas went 20-1 in 1899.

Lineup when available.

Jul 14

Game 95, 2019

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Dodgers at Red Sox, 4:00 PM PDT, TV: ESPN

The Dodgers’ Cy Young candidate LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (10-2, 1.73 ERA) faces off against the Red Sox’ LHP David Price (7-2, 3.24 ERA). If not for a seven-run debacle against the Rockies on July 28, Ryu’s ERA would be 1.20. Price, who was initially drafted by the Dodgers out of high school but who went to Vanderbilt instead, beat the Dodgers twice in the World Series last fall.

Here are the Dodgers’ four dingers in Saturday’s game:

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1968 In the nightcap of a twin bill, Don Wilson strikes out eighteen batters in a nine-inning game to tie the then major league record, shared by Bob Feller (Indians, 1938) and Sandy Koufax (Dodgers, 1959 and 1962). The Astros right-hander fans future Hall of Famer Johnny Bench for the last out of his 6-1 victory over the Reds on a wind-swept night at Crosley Field.


    Courtesy of the Houston Astros network
    via Astrosdaily.com

  • 1995 Ramon Martinez throws the 22nd no-hitter in franchise history when he beats the Marlins at Dodger Stadium, 7-0. The Dodger right-hander, who was booed by the home crowd in his last outing, was perfect before walking Tommy Gregg on a 3-2 pitch after getting the first out in the seventh inning.
  • 2005 Defeating their historical arch rivals, the Giants become the first team to win 10,000 games as a franchise by edging the Dodgers in LA, 4-3. The Giants, who started as the New York Gothams in 1899, have posted a 10,000-8,511 record during the club’s 123 seasons in the National League.

Lineup when available.


Jul 14

Game 95, 2018

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Angels at Dodgers, 4:15 PM PDT, TV: FOX

LHP Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.84 ERA) pitches for the Angels this afternoon while LHP Alex Wood (5-5, 3.88 ERA) goes for the Dodgers. These two guys faced each other last Sunday. Heaney gave up three runs to the Dodgers over the course of seven innings and got the win, while Wood went six innings, also surrendering three runs but not figuring in the decision. Shohei Ohtani hit a pinch-hit HR off JT Chargois in the seventh to win it for the Angels. This was also the game in which Puig hurt his oblique after hitting a three-run home run off Heaney in the second inning.

The Dodgers optioned Walker Buehler to AAA OKC and activated LHP Zac Rosscup, who was just claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1968 In the nightcap of a twin bill, Don Wilson strikes out eighteen batters in a nine-inning game to tie the then major league record, shared by Bob Feller (Indians, 1938) and Sandy Koufax (Dodgers, 1959 and 1962). The Astros right-hander fans future Hall of Famer Johnny Bench for the last out of his 6-1 victory over the Reds on a wind-swept night at Crosley Field.

    Courtesy of the Houston Astros network
    via Astrosdaily.com

  • 1995 Ramon Martinez throws the 22nd no-hitter in franchise history when he beats the Marlins at Dodger Stadium, 7-0. The Dodger right-hander, who was booed by the home crowd in his last outing, was perfect before walking Tommy Gregg on a 3-2 pitch after getting the first out in the seventh inning.
  • 2005 Defeating their historical arch rivals, the Giants become the first team to win 10,000 games as a franchise by edging the Dodgers in LA, 4-3. The Giants, who started as the New York Gothams in 1899, have posted a 10,000-8,511 record during the club’s 123 seasons in the National League.

Lineup: