Game 28, 2023

Cardinals at Dodgers , 6:10 PM PDT, TV: Bally Sports Midwest, FS1, SPNLA

Two lefties have at one another today in this nationally televised contest, as Jordan Montgomery (2-3, 3.81 ERA) of the Cardinals takes the mound against the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw (4-1, 2.32 ERA).

Pacific Northwesterners can now boo or cheer for the latest City Connect uniforms: the Mariners just unveiled theirs.

Today 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.

62 thoughts on “Game 28, 2023

  1. 68 (77%) of Kershaw’s 88 pitches were strikes. That’s the second-best pctg he’s had in 404 career starts. He’s doing it at age 35.

  2. Manny was my all-time favorite Tacoma Giant (at risk of repeating myself, there were gno Gnats in the Pacific Northwest).