Game 124, 2019

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Dodgers at Braves, 4:20 PM PDT, TV: FSSO, MLBN (out-of-market only), SPNLA

The Dodgers’ RHP Kenta Maeda (8-8, 4.12 ERA) takes the mound at Sun Trust Park against RHP Mike Soroka (10-2, 2.32 ERA). Maeda’s last start was arguably his best of the year: he pitched seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball against the D-Backs, striking out six and walking none. Soroka is a rookie with the second-best ERA in MLB behind the Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu and this is the first time I’ve heard or read his name. He’s gone at least seven innings in each of his last three starts and four of his last six.

Yesterday’s game was mostly forgettable, but here’s Cody Bellinger’s 40th HR of the season. It’s a career high for him.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1950 At the Polo Grounds, Hank Thompson’s two inside-the-park home runs off Don Bankhead and Carl Erskine contribute to the Giants’ 16-7 drubbing of the Dodgers. The 24 year-old third baseman will hit 129 round-trippers in his 9-year career, three of which will be of the IPHR variety.
  • 1964 St. Louis outfielder Curt Flood collects eight consecutive hits during a doubleheader against Dodgers pitching. The Cardinals split the twin bill in Los Angeles, losing the opener to Sandy Koufax, 3-0, but take the nightcap when Curt Simmons tosses a six hitter to give the Redbirds a 4-0 victory.

Babe Ruth died in New York City on this day in 1948.

Lineup:

I wonder if Bellinger has a bonus clause in his contract for winning a Gold Glove award and that’s why they’ve started playing him in positions other than right field.

100 thoughts on “Game 124, 2019”

  2. Saturday Summary – Gnats have taken over second place, but still trail by 19.5, Snakes by 20.5, Pads by 24.5 and Rox 26. FanGraphs projections, though, still give the Snakes a better shot at the mild card. For best in NL, Dodgers lead Barves by ten but the Nats (gnot the Gnats) are creeping up on Atlanta.

    For best in baseball, Dodgers remain tied with Yanquis, while the Minute Maids bullpen gave away another one and they now trail by 3-1/2. Projections say the Dodgers finish with 104.8 wins, Yanquis with 103.9, and Minute Maids with 103.6.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/604bed0ae334b192d1c4f50aba1e2375c94e2d4ce3e038da04129d2a89d037a0.png

  5. The Barfpen has been pretty shaky lately. They were so desperate they acquired Melancon from the Gnats, and he’s been awful.

  6. I wasn’t aware that Soroka is Canadian, probably Ukrainian descent. “Ukrainian and Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): from the nickname Soroka ‘magpie’, denoting a garrulous or thievish person, or someone with a streak of white among black hair. In the case of the Jewish surname it is normally an ornamental name, one of the many taken from bird names.”

  8. A Major League second baseman has to take a cut off throw and relay it home and get it within 20 feet of home plate.

  14. The Barves have lotsa young talent but, in a short series, the Nats (gnot the Gnats) can put out a rotation of Scherzer, Strasburg and Corbin. That’s a tougher challenge.

  16. I was at that 1964 doubleheader referenced above, sitting in box seats between the plate and first base as a guess of my closest friend and his dad. I remember it well because I got a foul ball in the second game, the only one I have ever gotten in hundreds of MLB games that I have attended. The batter was Charlie James; the pitcher was Larry Miller, who was known for carrying a big red bandana in his back pocket and taking it out to wipe the sweat of his brow. Koufax’ first game shutout was his final appearance of the season, which he ended at 19-5. Here’s why he pitched no more that year (from Wikipedia): “Koufax jammed his pitching arm in August while diving back to second base to beat a pick-off throw. He managed to pitch and win two more games. However, the morning after his 19th win, a shutout in which he struck out 13 batters, he could not straighten his arm. He was diagnosed by Dodgers’ team physician Robert Kerlan with traumatic arthritis. With the Dodgers out of the pennant race, the book was closed on Koufax and his 19–5 record.” Miller went 4-8 (4.18 ERA) with the Dodgers that year, his only season with the club. His career mark was 5-14 in three MLB seasons. He died in March of 2018 at the age of 80. James is 81, Koufax 83. Tempus fugit.

  17. “The Dodgers’ summer tryout camp continues…”

    [on Sunday] Dustin May is scheduled to make his MLB relief debut and the starter might be Tony Gonsolin, manager Dave Roberts said on Friday.

    The two rookies are under consideration for spots on the postseason pitching staff. Gonsolin, currently with Triple-A Oklahoma City, was a reliever until last season. The 21-year-old May has been a starter.

  20. So Kenta struck out 7 in a row? That is now 2 games out of 3 that a Dodger pitcher has struck out 7 in a row!

  23. The Dodgers have now hit 21 home runs in their last five games, with two innings remaining tonight.

  25. I think that there may be fewer people on this site now than at a Marlins home game.

    • Minor leaguers are generally not financially treated well by baseball. I covered a little minor league ball many years ago. The players really had to stretch their dollars.

  36. So, the failed bunt doesn’t matter (though Soroka could always have thrown it away).

  43. Three walks, two singles and a double in the inning. We’re fortunate, thus far, that it is only three runs.

  50. Turner leads the Dodgers in GIDP, now with 10. Machado leads MLB with 18. The Dodgers have the fewest in the NL, now with 69.

  51. Soroka, a righty, has a great ERA. We have many excellent left-handed batters. Should be an interesting test.