Dodgers at Pirates, 4:05 PM PT, TV: SPNLA, ATT SportsNet Pit
The Dodgers will start LHP Alex Wood (14-1, 2.30 ERA) in the fourth game of their seven-game road trip. He and the Dodgers will face RHP Gerrit Cole (10-8, 4.04 ERA).
The Dodgers won the first three games of the season series by a combined total of 21 runs to six. Wood has made seven appearances against the Buccos, six of them starts, and he’s held them to a .227 BA while putting up a 2.61 ERA. Cole had a good June and July going 7-2, but he’s been up and down the rest of the season and he’s given up more than twice as many HRs (26) as he ever has before. His ERA is half-a-run higher than his career average to this point, too.
On this date in Dodgers’ history:
- 1975 The Reuschel brothers of the Cubs join forces to blank the Dodgers, 6-0. Rick goes 6.1 innings, and Paul finishes the game for the first shutout thrown by siblings.
- 1990 The Phillies overcome an eight-run deficit, scoring nine runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Dodgers, 12-11. John Kruk’s pinch-hit three-run homer ties the game, and two batters later, Carmelo Martinez’s double plates Rod Booker with the eventual winning run in the Chavez Ravine contest.
- 2005 Florida suspends their bat boy for six games after the 11 year-old accepts former Marlin and current Dodger hurler Brad Penny’s $500 dare to drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour without throwing up. The Milk Processor Education Program will promise to pay off the dare and to cover the lost wages resulting from the suspension if the sixth grader, who is able to drink the quantity in the allotted time but cannot keep it down, agrees to drink three glasses every 24 hours.
Here’s a bit of trivia I’d never heard before: in 1951 Major General Emmett O’Donnell is selected by the owners to be the new commissioner. President Harry Truman overrules the decision, stating the officer is needed in Korea in his post as commander of bombers.
Bellinger improving but ankle still swollen. Won’t start tomorrow either, Roberts said.
Lineup when available.
Today's Dodger lineup at Pirates:
Taylor CF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Granderson LF
Grandal C
Puig RF
González 1B
Utley 2B
Wood P pic.twitter.com/4mgcpaZONi— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2017
NPUT
World Champ Cubbies are projected to win 87 games. The Dodgers have already won 88.
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20405348/73-61-37-real-home-run-record-anyway The case for Kingman being the king of home runs (Lasorda has yet to voice his opinion)..
I’d give the record to Victor Conte…
Yasiel and JT re-enact the eclipse.
Belated Woo-Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!
At the risk of being presumptuous . . . Woo-Hoo! (first time I have ever posted that).
Great stand-in.
A 20-game lead in August and yet we’re all hanging on every pitch.
Can you imagine what we will be like in October? 🙂
On edge to be sure.
October – the best of times and the worst of times.
For which we have Great Expectations
It will be a Tale of Two Cities for sure.
Fagin versus Oliver
I may have to disappear to keep my sanity.
I think RBI does that as well!
Great strategy for us all!
I’m sure she’ll be happy with the result of this game and hopefully she had a great view of the eclipse as well.
Last year’s NLCS vs. the Cubs was truly stressful.
So was the World Series for me, when I was rooting for the Cubs. I can only imagine what it will be like if the Dodgers are in the Series! Luckily there’s this site and all of you!
Dodgers’ lead is now 20-1/2 games over the idle Rox, 21 over the Snakes (who edged the Mutts 3-2).
Puig in the field and at the plate!
This was a sweeeeeeeeeet win. In games like this I forget we are 20 games ahead.
It’s good for the Dodgers to be challenged. It’s even better when they overcome the challenge like they did tonight.
And to get the lousy innings out of the way!
The losing streak is over!
Time to win about 8 or so in a row.
I like the “Or so” part, because that would include when I’m seeing them next week!
Where are you seeing them? I will be at the game Saturday night with my daughter and my sister.
Unfortunately for meeting you, Scoop, it’ll be in San Diego. Friday night and the Saturday day game.
Maybe, Kersh will be pitching one of them!
Shucks.
I will post my seat location later this week in case any of you are at the game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night, 8-26.
Hopefully there can be a great Elysian get-together at a postseason home game!
That would be great.
Have tix for the Dodger-Nats series here in DC, if anyone is going to be around.
My class of 1968 is talking up a 50th reunion next fall there, but it may be out in Chantilly or other parts of Va. wine country.
There we go!
Phew! That one scared me off the bat!
Yes!
When I heard it was hit to Puig, I felt good!
We win!
Putting the potential winning run on,
Walking the potential winning run is a bold move, but Bell’s a much better hitter.
It worked.
2 on, 2 outs.
Turn two and end this, Strip!
The prevent defense gave McCutch a single there with Taylor playing so deep.
That ball did look catchable.
Stripling. 1 pitch, 1 out.
Stripling, Cingrani or Paredes now. I am nervous.
Ross is not a bad pitcher.
You’re right, but I am still nervous.
So nervous that your avatar appears blank on this comment!
Maeda has struck out only once in 32 ABs this season.
Feel like a homer coming in at this point in the game.
But go Maeda!
Dovydas Neverauska, the first native of Lithuania ever to play in the majors, just became the first native of Lithuania against whom Yasiel Puig ever homered.
May he make a habit of hitting around the world for the Dodgers!
How long did it take you to spell his name (correctly)?
I cheated. I picked it up from the Yahoo site. (But my grandfather immigrated from Ukraine about 110 years ago.)
PUIG!!!!
Puig-o-matic!
Dodgers: no hits since the 7th inning.
🙁
Pick him up, Yasmani!
How about some friendly competition to see who’s “grandest” of them all between Yasmani and Curtis?
KK-enley!
C’mon, bats, I’ve got things to do! (Should’ve gone out an hour ago, but they still had a lead then and it was theoretically gonna be over soon.)
Is anyone watching SPNLA? Mom missed who that “married in a coffee shop” story was about.
Just saw Puig’s catch — wow!
Even tho he wouldn’tve gone the extra inning, does Baez get shackled with a “blown save”?
Why Kenley now and not the 8th?
Taylor is 0-for-6. Probably first time as a Dodger, if not ever.
Shoot — 9 LOB in three of those innings.
Alas, alack!
Lacked middle bullpen.
And bats but for the 7th.
4th time another charm?
WP, HBP, walk, ANYthing to bring in the run!
Or a walk, considering Taylor’s on deck.
Ask and receive . . .
We’ll take a wild pitch here.
Okay, AB, get a hit.
Can Bellinger pinch hit?
Maybe, but they don’t want him running, I read.
And Barnes is pinch-hitting. Bellinger is the only other position player on the bench.
Come on, Yasiel, hit a triple.
All right, Yasmani — good start!
Watson and Baez, THAT’s how to do it.
C’mon, bats, get the W . . . and end this AGONIZING losing streak! (Okay, now I’m making fun of myself.)
Gotta a bad feeling about this streak.
We can’t lose two in a row! 🙂
Like I said yesterday, we ARE spoiled!
Now to score again, please…
What a mess.
But at least it’s still tied.
Slooooooooooooooow
That’s enough Báez for tonight.
3 walks and HBP . . . that’s a run right there with the ball in play.
Get Baez outta there. He doesn’t have it tonight.
He is missing by a lot
No W for Wood . . . hopefully Dodgers still get it, tho.
Throw a change
C;mon, Pedro — get the K or double play!
(I’ll settle for any out, no run scoring.)
Surprised Kenley wasn’t up — not for multi innings, but to step in during the crucial moment.
Kennedy just said he figures the huge divisional lead takes away urgency.
Five out save for Kenley?
Is he warming up?
Apparently no one is.
Doesn’t even have to be that — just get out of the crucible.
Oh foo. Walk to load the bases. Not what we wanted.
More molasses
I thought Freese swung at the 1-2 pitch.
C’mon, Pedro!
Get the K or double play!
Turn two and get out of this!
HBP and walks . . . unimpressive, Bullpen.
C’mon, Pedro — get it to Kenley (next inning) with a lead!
Ack! Now a one-run game!
I was supposed to be in San Diego next week — in one day, out the next.
Then I realized the Dodgers will be in town that weekend — and I haven’t seen them live in this magical year. I was making plans to try for postseason games, but the cost is prohibitive if I don’t win the ticket lottery for face value.
Thanks to the flexibility with my work (and Southwest Airlines), I’ll be at Friday night’s game, as well as Saturday’s makeup daytime game.
I have a friend who is VERY angry with Southwest right now because due to overbooking they bumped him and a bunch of other people from flights to eclipse-watching country, thereby ruining their plans for this major event.
Which is not to say “Don’t enjoy those games!” 🙂
I’m surprised to hear that.
I was told that after the United problems, SWA stopped overbooking — I always hope to take a voluntary bump and get all the benefits that go with that. (Happened to me once.)
Southwest is usually my airline of choice, but I don’t fly much domestically.
Linked to another hotel below.
With the Rox idle, Dodgers could increase their lead to 20-1/2.
More important, break their losing streak.
Verlander is probably still available
If he goes anywhere, it’s Astros or Cubbies, but I don’t think he will.
Nice job — shutting down after taking the lead.
Down 3-0 to get the K — nice job, Fields.
Bob H. — or anyone — how do the Dodgers stack up vs. other teams scoring in innings 7, 8, 9?
If they’re not tops, they have to be up there.
Their top scoring innings are 9,6,1,4.
The NL 1,6,4,7.
Puig keeping it going.
This Granderson kid may have potential…
Grandy with the grand!
The diamond ring has flashed again and the sun is shining once more in Dodger bats!
Clint’s 3-game debut HAS to be amongst the Dodger bests.
We won the trade!
3rd time IS the charm!
Granderson Slam!!!!!
JT! — but no run . . . 🙁
Third time’s the charm with loaded bases? Gotta get SOMEthing!
No pressure Curtis.
Either he doesn’t feel it or he thrives on it.
Either way, glad he’s in Dodger Blue!
Wow! We finally broke through for a run!
Corey!
Link, I will be in Honolulu on Wednesday, October 11, before we head to the Big Island the next day. Perhaps we could meet up for lunch (I get in just before midday).
First time ever, I think it’ll be my 44th state.
(Madly checks calendar…) Looks clear to me! I’d love to. If you’re staying overnight then there’s no mad rush to get back to the airport, which is a plus. When the plans are firm email me at linkmeister@gmail.com
My wife arrives a few days earlier for work, but can’t extend her stay at the same hotel without paying a fortune. We’ll be looking for something moderately priced.
Lemme think on that.
Hotels.com has served me well in many cities.
We looked at it online, and it seemed OK. My main point of interest in Honolulu, though I’m not a war buff, is Pearl Harbor.
The Best Western Plaza is closer to Pearl Harbor and relatively inexpensive.
Great D, Blue . . . now get some O!
Puig — at least D is still strong!
Had followed the results and just heard that AGon just missed a Slam . . . but looks like the eclipse on Dodger bats is into Game 2. Hope they start shining again!
Taylor and Turner just missed homers in the first.
AGon barely misses it.
Tease
Hit it hard Puig
Alex 3 IP, 3 ER, 3 HR, 3 SO. How ’bout stopping all that except the Ks, dude?
Three HRs in one game? After fewer than ten all year? Hmm.
Edited: Seven HRs allowed all season before today.
Bellinger story from the Insider magazine.
Starting to think AW could use a phantom DL stretch to rest up.
Drat. Turned on the tube just in time to see Chase strike out and Wood ground out.
Wood on Wood
That’s wasn’t optimal on back to back hitters.
The Freeze on second.
And surrounded in molasses.
Butter and eggs! But with molasses on second.
First and third now.
1999 hits for A-gon.
In a sim game, such as the four innings Kershaw pitched today, do the batters swing at pitches or just stand in the box?
Dunno. Tweet at the Dodgers and ask. 😉
I’m pretty certain they’re hitting.
I don’t think it is always the same. Earlier in the year Utley hit against McCarthy in a sim game and turned his season around. Just saw a clip of Kershaw pitching and he didn’t have a screen up so I would assume hitter was not swinging.
So does Turner.
Puig knows the benefit of eclipse glasses. Check out that guy’s biceps!
Wood needs to go 5.2 innings to be eligible for the ERA NL leaderboard for at least a day. If he blanks the Filibusteros over those innings he would rank second behind Klayton and ahead of Max.
Pederson, in his first game since returning to OKC, went 1-for-4 last night, a single, and struck out once. His team lost 12-2 at Colorado Springs.
His OPS not all that much lower than Grandy’s. I have to believe this is just a thing to get him straightened out, maybe tweak a couple mechanical things, without ML fan pressure.
While SF may have been the first team eliminated from division championship contention, in the so-called “wild card” the Gnats (magic No. 20) are ahead of the Fillies (magic No. 19) in that regard. The Fillies don’t play tonight, but the Gnats host the contending Cerveceros.
Glad I wasn’t watching that Fillies game at the time.
I was. I won’t forget it.
I was watching on TV. It was brutal. The Dodgers had actually led 11-1 after 7. As the 9th inning began, many Dodgers were sitting near Lasorda in the dugout. As the inning got worse and worse, Lasorda became increasingly isolated as the Phillies piled on the runs and his rage grew and grew. At the end of the top of the 9th he was by himself. The Dodgers had won the night before on a walkoff and did the same thing the following night, both also against the Phillies.
In case anyone wonders, I saw the last inning or so on TV after getting home from work.. I was in disbelief.
True. It was beyond comprehension.
I believe I was listening on the radio and, if I recall correctly, Kal Daniels messed something up.
I think your memory is faulty this time. Daniels was out of the game after the fifth inning when the Dodgers took the lead 11-1.
Jose Offerman made two errors at shortstop in the fatal 9th inning. He was a late replacement in the game.
Admittedly, the first time ever.
Not a good day in Dodger history apparently.
Actually Cole has been best in July and August, so we are facing a relatively hot pitcher with an ERA of 3.12 over his last eight starts
I went by his game logs. August he’s 1-1.
His June ERA in 6 games was 6.17.