Jul 03

Game 84, 2023

Pirates at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: ATTSportsNet-PIT, SPNLA

RHP Mitch Keller (9-3, 3.34 ERA) takes the mound for the Pirates and the Dodgers will send an as-yet unnamed pitcher RHP Michael Grove (0-2, 7.54 ERA) to the hill.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1925 Milt Stock sets a National League mark by having his fourth consecutive four-hit game, going 16-for-23 during the span to compile a .696 batting average. The 31 year-old second baseman’s offensive output, which includes three singles and a triple, helps the Robins beat the Giants at Ebbets Field, 6-3.
  • 1949 En route to a 16-0 shutout of the Dodgers at the Polo Grounds, starting pitcher Monte Kennedy hits a grand slam. Another 51 seasons will pass by before another Giants hurler hits a four-run homer when Shawn Estes accomplishes the feat in 2000.
  • 1958 In their 35th home date in L.A., the transplanted Dodgers reach the one million mark in attendance. Last season, the team drew only 1,028,258 fans, playing in Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field.
  • 2013 Yasiel Puig becomes the first player to be named Player of the Month for the first month he plays in the major leagues in the 55-year history of the award. The Dodger outfielder played in 26 games in June, compiling a .436 batting average, with his 44 base hits being the second-most ever by a first-month player, only behind Joe DiMaggio’s total of 48 in 1936.

Lineups when available.

Jun 27

Game 78, 2023

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 PM PDT, TV: ATTSportsNet-RM, SPNLA

LHP Clayton Kershaw (9-4, 2.72 ERA) pitches for the visiting Dodgers and RHP Connor Seabold (1-3, 5.88 ERA) pitches for the home team.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1939 In front of 2,457 fans at Braves Field, the Dodgers, with Whit Wyatt pitching the first 16 frames, and Boston plays 23 innings in a game that ends in a 2-2 tie when plate umpire Babe Pinelli called the five-hour and 15-minute contest at 8:15 pm due to darkness. The same teams at the same field played 26 innings to a 1-1 tie in 1920.
  • 1940 To honor the lyricist of Take Me Out to the Ballgame, the Dodgers celebrate Jack Norworth Day at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field. The songwriter and his partner Albert Von Tilzer, who wrote the music, had never seen a game when they created the song in 1908.
    Carly Simon’s Take Me Out to the Ball Game illustrated by Amiko Hirao

  • 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.

Lineups when available.

Jun 20

Game 73, 2023

Dodgers at Angels, 7:07 PM PDT, TV: Bally Sports West, SPNLA, TBS

LHP Clayton Kershaw (8-4, 2.95 ERA) takes the mound at the Big A for the Dodgers and LHP Reid Detmers (1-5, 4.48 ERA) does so for the hometown Angels.

MLB.com speculates that the Dodgers may be in the market for starting pitching at the trade deadline.

the club’s pitching staff has uncharacteristically struggled in 2023. Los Angeles has given up 4.82 runs per game, tied for the seventh most in MLB.

[snip]

Los Angeles could look to add a starting pitcher in a trade this summer.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman indicated as much while talking to The Athletic (subscription required) on Monday.

“In Spring Training, I did not expect that in July we would aggressively be looking for pitching,” Friedman said. “With the injuries and where we are, I think that focus has shifted. There’s no question that [targeting pitching] is more likely than it was in March.”

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand looked at potential fits for some of MLB’s top trade candidates on Monday and listed the Dodgers among the possible suitors for starting pitchers Shane Bieber, Eduardo Rodriguez, Marcus Stroman and Lucas Giolito.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 2008 In recognition of their significant contributions to the community, the Dodgers become the first sports franchise to be honored by the Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The team receives an Award of Excellence star, which is placed in the Walk of Fame, which includes a constellation of celebrities, real and fictional, who have had a major impact on the entertainment industry.
  • 2009 Jeff Weaver beats his kid brother Jered when the visiting Dodgers best the Halos, 6-5, at Angel Stadium. The Northridge, California natives become the eighth set of siblings in major league history to start against one another.

Lineups when available.

Jun 14

Game 68, 2023

White Sox at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: ESPN

RHP Mike Clevinger (3-4, 4.19 ERA) takes the hill for the White Sox and LHP Clayton Kershaw (8-4, 2.95 ERA) does so for the Dodgers.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1948 In front of a crowd of 12,622 at Ebbets Field, Jackie Robinson, who hits a third-inning two-run homer, and Cleveland’s Larry Doby, the only two African-Americans big leaguers, play against each other for the first time. In the Sunday evening charity exhibition game, the Dodgers best the first-place Indians, 6-2, raising $15,000 for the Brooklyn Amateur Baseball Federation, which benefits sandlot ballplayers in Flatbush.
  • 2003 After being activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, first baseman Fred McGriff bats cleanup and goes 2-for-4 in his return against the Padres. It was the Crime Dog’s first trip to the DL during his 18-year career.
  • 2010 After just seven days in the major leagues, Stephen Strasburg is named National League Player of the Week. The Nationals’ right-handed flamethrower starts his career 2-0 with 22 strikeouts, second to only Karl Spooner, who fanned five more batters in his first two major league starts with the Dodgers in 1954.

Lineups when available.

Jun 08

Game 63, 2023

Dodgers at Reds, 9:35 AM PDT, TV: BS Ohio, SPNLA

LHP Clayton Kershaw (7-4, 3.29 ERA) goes for the Dodgers and RHP Graham Ashcraft (3-4, 6.64 ERA) takes the ball for the Reds.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1952 Prior to the start of a twin bill against the Reds, Dodger manager Chuck Dressen tells Cal Abrams if he wants to stay with the team that the benchwarmer will need to verbally taunt the skipper of the opposing club. Much to his chagrin, the spare outfielder, who spends the entire first game of a double-header severely heckling his opponents and their leader, is informed between games he has been traded to Cincinnati, effective tomorrow, and will need to report to his new field boss, one very angry Roger Hornsby.
  • 1955 After only eight games and 13 innings of work, the Dodgers option rookie left-handed pitcher Tom Lasorda to Montreal to make room for a bonus baby who is also a southpaw. Sandy Koufax, who had injured his ankle, comes off the 30-day disabled list.
  • 1968 Dodger right-hander Don Drysdale’s scoreless streak ends at a record 58 2/3 consecutive innings when Tony Taylor is driven in by Howie Bedell’s sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. It will be the Phillies outfielder’s only RBI for the season.
  • 2007 With their 3-0 victory over Detroit at Comerica Park, the Mets begin a span of 18 games to become the first team in baseball history to play six consecutive series against six different clubs that all participated in the playoffs the previous season. New York will compile an 8-10 record during the stretch playing against the Tigers, Dodgers, Yankees, Twins, A’s, and the Cardinals.
  • 2012 Six Mariners pitchers combine to hurl the franchise’s third no-hitter when starter Kevin Millwood leaves the game with an injury and five relievers, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, and Tom Wilhelmsen, keep the Dodgers hitless in the team’s 1-0 victory at Safeco Field. Brian Runge, the home plate umpire, was also behind the dish for Philip Humber’s perfect game, making him the first ump to call balls and strikes for two no-hitters in one season since Drew Coble accomplished the feat in 1990.

Lineups when available.

Jun 02

Game 58, 2023

Yankees at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA, YES

RHP Luis Severino (0-0, 1.59 ERA) goes for the Yankees and LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-4, 3.32 ERA) goes for the Dodgers. This is just the third appearance for Severino this year; he’s had a lat strain since spring training. Kershaw’s had three uncharacteristically poor starts in a row.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1995 Hideo Nomo, limiting the Mets to one run on two hits in 8+ innings of work, picks up his first major league win, a 2-1 decision at Dodger Stadium. L.A. signed the 26 year-old former Japanese All-Star in the off-season.
  • 2021 On the date that marked the beginning of his streak in 1925 and his death of ALS 16 years later in 1941, MLB celebrates the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day, continuing a tradition that began a few seasons ago with the reading of his “I am the luckiest person on Earth” speech. In addition to raising money to find a cure for the dreaded disease, every team will display “4-ALS” logos highlighting the Hall of Famer’s jersey number with players, managers, and coaches wearing a special commemorative patch on their uniforms.

In another game of note, in 2010 after retiring 26 consecutive Cleveland batters, Tigers starter Armando Galarraga appears to have hurled the season’s third perfect game when the throw from the first baseman to the pitcher, covering the bag, clearly beats the batter-runner for the final out. Umpire Jim Joyce emphatically calls Jason Donald safe. After seeing the replay, the first base arbiter tearfully admits his error, apologizing to the 28 year-old Venezuelan pitcher for his blown call.

Lineups when available.

May 27

Game 53, 2023

Dodgers at Rays, 1:10 PM PDT, TV: BS Sun, SPNLA

LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-4, 2.98 ERA) pitches for the Dodgers and RHP Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his season debut for the Rays. Interestingly, these two paired off against one another twice in the 2020 World Series, and Kershaw and the Dodgers defeated Glasnow and the Rays twice. He’s been recovering from a left oblique strain.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1904 In the team’s 3-1 victory over the Superbas at the Polo Grounds, Giants first baseman Dan McGann steals five bases to establish a major league record. The 32-year-old Kentucky native’s mark will be surpassed in 1912 by A’s second baseman Eddie Collins who will swipe six bags in a game twice during the season.

Pop culture history: In 2017

“We are honored to pay tribute to the 25th anniversary of “Homer at the Bat.” The Simpsons has left an impressive imprint on our culture as the longest-running American sitcom, and ‘Homer at the Bat’ remains as popular today as when the episode aired in 1992.” – Hall of Fame President JEFF IDELSON, commenting about the Cooperstown celebration of the animated series.

The Baseball Hall of Fame inducts the fictional cartoon character Homer Simpson as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Simpsons episode ‘Homer at the Bat.’ A discussion of the much-beloved episode includes comments by real Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Ozzie Smith, who played themselves on the animated show, as well as executive producers Al Jean and Mike Reiss, director Jim Reardon, and executive story editor Jeff Martin.

Lineups when available.

May 26

Game 52, 2023

Dodgers at Rays, 3:40 PM PDT, TV: Bally Sports Sun, SPNLA

The Dodgers’ RHP Noah Syndergaard (1-3, 5.88 ERA) hopes to win a second consecutive game for the first time this season. In his way is the Rays’ LHP Jalen Beeks (1-2, 4.68 ERA), who’s been in the big leagues since 2018 and has a career record of 15-10 and a 4.15 ERA.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 2015 Clayton Kershaw pitched seven innings of four-hit ball and the Dodgers scored six runs in the fourth inning on doubles by Howie Kendrick, Andre Ethier and A.J. Ellis and went on to beat the Atlanta Braves 8-0.
  • 2019 Kenta Maeda got his sixth win of the season in a slugfest at PNC Park which the Dodgers won 11-7 over the Pirates.

Also, a very famous game took place on this date in 1959: Pirates’ hurler Harvey Haddix pitches 12 perfect innings but loses 1-0 to the Braves in the 13th inning. The heart-breaking winning run scores on a Don Hoak error, a sacrifice, a walk, and a two-bagger by Joe Adcock. To add insult to injury,

In 1991, the Committee for Statistical Accuracy in Baseball announced that a no-hitter would be redefined as “a game in which a pitcher or pitchers complete a game of nine innings or more without allowing a hit,” meaning Haddix’s gem no longer qualified. When he was made aware that one of the greatest games ever pitched no longer had a place in the record books, his response was simple: “It’s OK. I know what I did.”

Lineups when available.

May 21

Game 48, 2023

Dodgers at Cardinals, 11:15 AM PDT, TV: BS Midwest, SPNLA

It’s the Dodgers’ LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-3, 2.52 ERA) versus the Cardinals’ RHP Jack Flaherty (3-4, 5.24 ERA).

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.

Lineups when available.

May 18

Game 45, 2023

Dodgers at Cardinals, 4:45 PM PDT, TV: Bally Sports Midwest, MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA

LHP Julio Urías (5-3, 3.61 ERA) pitches for the visiting Dodgers and RHP Adam Wainwright (0-0, 7.20 ERA) goes for the Cardinals. This is just Wainwright’s third appearance of the year; he missed all of April with a groin strain he suffered in a workout prior to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic. He went 2-0 over eight innings in the WBC, so he’s apparently still got some skill at age 41. He’s got 195 career wins, right behind Clayton Kershaw.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1929 In the doubleheader played at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl, the teams combine to score a record fifty runs when the Dodgers outlast the Phillies, 20-16, before dropping the nightcap to the home team 8-6. In the opener, Brooklyn’s Johnny Frederick crosses the plate five times, giving him the major league mark of scoring eight runs in two consecutive games.
  • 1931 Dodgers’ outfielder Babe Herman hits for the cycle for the first of two times this season. In 1933, as a member of the Cubs, he will again hit for the cycle, making him and Bob Meusel the only major leaguers to have accomplished the feat three times since 1900.
  • 1942 Night games in New York are banned for the duration of WW II, leaving fans in the dark about the status of the All-Star Game scheduled to be played at the Polo Grounds on the evening of Monday, July 6. The prohibition of nighttime tilts, announced by NYC Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine, will change the starting times for 28 contests involving the Dodgers and Giants. (The first night game at Yankee Stadium will be played in 1946.)
  • 1998 With a 6-3 victory over the Orioles, the Devil Rays become only the second expansion team in major league history to sweep an away four-game series. The 1993 Colorado Rockies, who did it against the Dodgers, is the other team to accomplish this feat.

Another historical note: In 2004 At the age of 40, southpaw Randy Johnson becomes the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game when the Diamondbacks beat the Braves, 2-0. The ‘Big Unit’ joins Cy Young, Jim Bunning, Hideo Nomo, and Nolan Ryan as the only hurlers to throw no-hitters in both leagues and creates the longest time span between no-no’s, having first accomplished the feat against the Tigers in June of 1990.

Lineups when available.