Reds at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Elian Herrera, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B
Juan Rivera, RF
James Loney, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Luis Cruz, SS
Chad Billingsley, P
Dee Gordon is getting a day off after suffering a cramp in his leg late in Sunday’s game. Given that the Dodgers don’t really have a backup shortstop and were contemplating adding a player to the bench, it comes as little surprise that they have brought up Luis Cruz to the big-league roster, with Shawn Tolleson returning to the minors.
Cruz has been viewed by some as, if not a savior, at least a viable improvement over the oft-struggling Gordon. Without ruling out an Elian Herrera-like hot streak, it seems unlikely. The 28-year-old has a lifetime .275 on-base percentage and .260 slugging percentage in 169 major-league plate apperances, and while he is at .348 and .529 for Triple-A Albuquerque this year, keep in mind that OBP is lower than what Gordon had with the Isotopes in 2011. (In addition, as the man from Cat Hell, Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness, notes, Cruz’s minor-league OPS on the road this season is .672.) But, as a backup’s backup, we’ll hope for the best.
Gordon, by the way, had a .342 on-base percentage with seven steals in eight attempts in his past nine games. That’s not to say that his overall performance this year hasn’t been disappointing, but again, we went into 2012 knowing that he’d be a work in progress.
Ted Lilly, by the way, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Lilly last pitched May 23. On the bright side, Mark Ellis and Javy Guerra have begun their rehab assignments and could be activated this week.
* * *
The Dodgers announced the signings of four 16-year-olds from Latin America today: pitchers Lenix Osuna, Victor Gonzalez and William Soto and catcher Julian Leon. Osuna is the son of former Dodger pitcher Antonio Osuna.
underdog
At the very least, Cruz’s defense is supposed to be solid. Still, he may only be around for a few days. I hope Ethier is back soon, and we know Ellis will be. Dee could certainly use the night off.
—
Meanwhile:
Dylan Hernandez @dylanohernandez
#Dodgers spent about $1 million on the four international amateur players they signed today.
Dylan Hernandez @dylanohernandez: That figure is about five times what the #Dodgers spent internationally all of last year.
Anonymous
In all fairness, what’s being spent on the international market is a direct result of that July 2 deadline for changing the rules.
Jon Weisman
I honestly think there’s a case for batting Billingsley sixth tonight. And it would be all I could do not to bat him cleanup.
KT
^_^
Anonymous
This line up looks like a 5 Minute Dating roster at Shakey’s. It’s my Birthday guys – at least do something nice for me.
KT
^_^
Anonymous
Any Rubby news or will that come tomorrow?
Jon Weisman
Were we expecting any soon?
Anonymous
It being Tuesday and all…actually not sure when he had his surgery after the July 31 game last year, but one might imagine having a sighting sometime in July, no? Pitchers and organizations are different, but I believe that Strasburg had his first rehab start August 7, after being injured August 27 the year before.
Anonymous
he is said to be working out in Ariz.
some time ago he said he was feeling great and felt as if he could come back much earlier than expected but then dodgers.com threw cold water on that.
Anonymous
Thanks Mike.
Anonymous
At some point, we’re going to be bringing guys back from the 60-day DL, and we may regret putting some of these guys on the 40-man because we’ll lose them.
veryolddodgerfan
you mean people like kennedy and uribe?
Anonymous
don’t answer him, it only encourages him, like feeding pigeons
Jon Weisman
RT @truebluela: Mattingly on Loney: “James has just really been an enigma. Last night he came into my office & said he felt like he’s got it, so we’ll see.”
Adam Luther
Gordon’s 2012, a work in progress. Certainly, and he was booed big time after error #2 yesterday. Interesting to note that Maury Wills in his first full season (’60) had 40 errors and was in on 78 DP’s. In ’61 at age 28, he had reduced his errors to 29, and turned 104 DP’s. Of course in ’62 he went bonkers on the base paths and in nearly 100 or so more chances from the previous year he only had 36 errors. Hang in there C3PO…
Anonymous
Was the cheer after he stole his 3rd base of the day bigger than the boo after the second error?
We need an approval meter to measure I guess
Anonymous
I definitely see Tommy as Jabba the Hut.
Anonymous
I am somewhat excited by tonight’s Dodger line-up because it is full of RHH against a RHP. I have never seen Mattingly do this before. Bailey’s career splits almost perfectly even but the year-by-year splits are unusual.
2007 LHH beat him up, 9 games
2008 RHH beat him up, 8 games
2009 LHH sig. better than R, 20 gams
2010 RHH sig. better than L, 19 games
2011 LHH better but very close, 22 games
2012 RHH a good deal better, 15 games ytd
There have been more than a few games where Mattingly has clearly gone by handedness rather than by the pitcher’s 2012 splits even after taking pitcher-batter histories into account and making sure that this years splits were not an aberration.
Thus, this game is a first; doubt it will work our hitters are so poor, but I do have hope.
Anonymous
So he’s another guy doing an odd-year/even-year thing, but in this case with his RHB/LHB splits. :)
veryolddodgerfan
i think it was 1964 and i was sitting in the general admission section at dodger stadium with my dad. it was a night game and willie davis was playing center field. A lazy fly ball was hit out to Davis. As he was want to do during his career he got under it, put his glove out and preceded to drop the ball. my dad stood up and said if i had a gun i would shoot him. i knew then that being a dodger fan was going to be a tough business. and of course Willie went on to set the record for errors in an inning during Sandy Koufax’s very last game in the 1966 world series. I remember the final inning. I ran home from school to see the end of it. An Oriole hit a fly ball to left center. Willie got ready to catch it and all of a sudden sweet lou johnson darted in front of him grabbing the fly. as he ran by he looked back at Willie with disdain. I always wonder what would have happened if sweet lou had a gun.
Anonymous
You will love to hear this: in 1964 Three-Dog had a dWAR of 3.4. Matt Kemp won a GG in 2011 with a dWAR of -0.2.
veryolddodgerfan
Bob you are my hero.
Anonymous
in 36 games this year Kemp’s dWAR is -0.5
veryolddodgerfan
Tink you are not my hero
Anonymous
wont not want
veryolddodgerfan
thanks Mike the monitor. you do good work.
KT
Nice pitch Billz
underdog
Well done Bills! Nice stuff that inning.
KT
JERRY!!!!
underdog
What the… a home run? I don’t believe what I just saw.
Hairston Homer against Homer!
Anonymous
I missed it. Thanks for the update.
Anonymous
I saw it Artie and i didn’t believe it
Anonymous
Happy, happy, joy, joy!
KT
Homer and Billz with the same pitch count after 1 (16)…I like billz line score a little better ^_^
veryolddodgerfan
bills doesn’t look like bills. decisive , putting them to sleep
KT
Another nice inning…Billz @30 pitches after 2
KT
Good hit James
KT
For those of you without Vinny He just told us Uribe was in the batting cage today hitting off the tee trying to go to RF…will wonders never cease
Then he gets another walk…Wow, way to go Juan
Anonymous
2 walks in July versus zero in June!
KT
Nice hit SVS
Come on Juan pay attention on the basepaths
Blue-eyed Gal
Wow, PMS makes for exciting baseball viewing. Good thing I prize my iPad more than a TV remote.
JUAN URIBE, YOU ARE FIRED! (there, I feel a little better.)
*Loney scores* Okay, that helps, too.
KT
^_^
KT
Nice SAC Cruz…good hustle BGJ
Anonymous
DFA Uribe please.
veryolddodgerfan
what kind of hit did SVS get?. i was turned away
KT
short line drive to RCF
veryolddodgerfan
thanks. that’s encouraging. RC is better than right.
Anonymous
LD to RF.
Anonymous
texas leaguer.
KT
Homer @ 32 pitches, Billz @ 30…2 pitches more = 2 runs more for us
Anonymous
don’t want to say it because i don’t want to jinx ’em but his pitches look really sharp SO FAR.
veryolddodgerfan
yup i like this bills
KT
so you said it anyway and they promply single to RF…^_^
KT
eggshells…walking on eggshells until we get a couple more wins under the belt
Anonymous
So this is the first time the Dodgers have scored first in a game since… 2008? :)
veryolddodgerfan
don’t start with the hating nex. positive waves buddy. life is good
KT
Come on Elian start it off
Anonymous
beginning of a story at dodgers.com
Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon has been experiencing cramping in his left leg over the last couple of days and the shortstop was given the day off on Monday. Luis Cruiz, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Albuquerque, got the start in Monday night’s series opener against the Reds
KT
saw him cramping up in yesterday’s game…actually thought it was a hamstring injury until I saw him on the rail in the next inning and then confirmed earlier today
KT
just a little out of reach
KT
Come on Uribe that was easy to catch
KT
Billz @ 63 because of Uribe but still not too bad
KT
Homer @ 62…Vin said once he reaches 78 his era/ batting avg against (not sure which) really drops
KT
Come on juan start it off
Anonymous
Let’s not lose sight of what Billz did last inning — he got the 3rd out after Uribe’s miss AND the passed ball. He did NOT lose focus. That is just as encouraging as the fact the Blue are scoring!
Anonymous
So I guess Dusty ditched the toothpick but man, dude’s tongue is constantly in motion – he reminds me of either a lizard or a snake with that constant openning and closing of his mouth with his tongue darting all around. Hilarious.
Anonymous
He still (Stupidly) plays with that toothpick, I saw it several times tonight.
Anonymous
I like Juan Uribe…. (feels good to get that off my chest….)
:-)
…
Sure….
– He makes too much money for what he has delivered thus far…
– His contract makes it impossible to trade him…
– He looks lost at the plate much of the time….
…
However, from all that I’ve seen and read…
– He’s a dynamite teammate…
– He’s got a great attitude and loves playing this game…
– With as “cold” as he’s been….just think if he were to “thaw out” a bit, and heat up….
…
What I’m saying is… wierd as it may sound… Rather than looking at him with disdain when he blows a play at 3B or strikes out – flailing or as another one of Ned’s mistakes….
I prefer to look at him and smile… know that his teammates love him….so, why shouldn’t I?…
And, root for this guy to be the 2nd half “Turnaround” player of the 2012 season….
IMHO.
veryolddodgerfan
Jonny you’ve had an attitude change?
Anonymous
VODF…. Some guys just ‘ get to me’ , ya know?
I have a soft spot for Juan…. I just don’t know why…. :-)
veryolddodgerfan
well it’s quite a humanitarian gesture on your part considering who it is.
Anonymous
thanks….I realize that puts me in the minority… :-)
veryolddodgerfan
just don’t tell anyone at the tragic illness chatroom
Anonymous
Boy the win yesterday and the lead today sure puts everyone in a lovey-dovey mood.
Anonymous
Hugz…. :-)
veryolddodgerfan
well it’s the 9th inning and I have your lovey dovey right here pal!
Anonymous
You missed great baserunner. Sorry, Rule 7
Anonymous
That’s great stuff, Bruce.
Anonymous
He’s really been great defensively at third base.
Just sayin’…
Anonymous
Yeah… he made a real nice play yesterday on that rocket he fielded and threw an absolute bullet to Kennedy at 2B….
KT
much better Billz…73 after 5
KT
Nice hit Billz
Anonymous
Ok.
As competitive as I am….and, with as much baseball as I’ve played in my time… (collegiate)….
I have never understood why a pitcher just won’t actually go over to a guy they just drilled in the head and help him, pat him on the butt, and apologize….
…
Just makes sense to me.
He’s got nothing against that guy….
If I’m a Dodger hitter in the next inning, I’d REALLY like for Chad to show that guy some love…
Otherwise, I’ve got to “guard my earhole” ….
Anonymous
So Bills has the first hit after 10 Dodgers go down in a row. Shoulda batted sixth. :)
KT
Come on K then DP
Anonymous
Ivan De Jesus plays in first game since being sent to AAA last Thursday. He is 3 for 5 playing 3rd as game goes into the 11th.
Ely gave up 2 hits with 9 K in 7 but Wall gave up 2 runs in the 9th all with 2 outs for a 2-2 tie
KT
that works…Nice play Adam
Anonymous
Seemed to be positioned a bit far off the line on that one, but I guess he didn’t know it was going to be a change up.
KT
Come on guys let’s get those back
Jason Ungar
8 hole hitter hitting .204 drives drives in 2.
KT
Nice hit James
Come on Adam
KT
good bunt adam
Come on Cruz
KT
Good to see Loney smoking the ball again…Second half surge anyone
Anonymous
I’m in!
KT
Good catch by bruce keeps the lead
Landon Kelt
Jay Bruce – Giant’s fan.
Jason Ungar
Uribe is hurt again. Oh well Jonny.
Anonymous
I had to take the dog for a long walk….
Just got back to the game here….
Less than enthused about the score….
But, what happened to Juan?
Jason Ungar
sprained ankle.
Anonymous
ok… for Juan, no worries, that’s just 6 to 8 weeks…. and, he’ll be just fine…. :-)
KT
Herrera miss played that ball
Anonymous
Rally Caps time……..too soon? Six outs to get two measly runs…oops, three.
KT
that’s twice he’s bunded us
Anonymous
We only need two baserunners and a bomb. Or two bombs, a baserunner, a bunt, a wild pitch, and a balk..
KT
I guess that’s going to happen next inning
Anonymous
Should be a WILD 9th! :)
veryolddodgerfan
so craig what do they need now?
Anonymous
A white flag.
Anonymous
Hey, the Giants didn’t win tonight. So, there’s that!
Anonymous
Is Drew Stubbs related to Franklin?
Anonymous
We are sooooooooooooooooo in trouble.
Anonymous
That was a terrible throw but a GREAT idea.
Anonymous
Might as well walk Brandon and set up the triple play.
Anonymous
I guess it was Star Wars night out there at Chavez Ravine?
Did they show any Ewoks? Darth? Yoda? Jabba? ….
Anonymous
There were several sightings of Uribe the Hutt :)
Anonymous
Craig…. That comment made my night…. plain and simple….. LOL
….
So, it’s pretty safe to say that the ‘force was not with the Dodgers tonight?” :-)
Anonymous
COTM
Anonymous
A Texas Leaguer and some whatnots. And now we’ve been routed :(
Jon Weisman
I honestly didn’t realize until now it was going to be one of those games.
Anonymous
Refund! Refund! Refund!
Anonymous
.500 ball in July will keep us in the hunt while we wait for the trade deadline surprise(s).
Anonymous
Jon Weisman…
Speaking of Star Wars Night…
I think the most appropriate video clip to represent June’s futility at the plate would be that scene in Star Wars where Luke is trying to use his light saber to fight that little floating ball while his blast shield is over his face….
…
“Use the force Luke…”
Meanwhile…. whif, whif, whif….. Ha.
Anonymous
People would be more entertained if they showed Phantom Menace at Dodger games instead of their at-bats, yuck.
Anonymous
or Ishtar…. or Waterworld….. :-)
Anonymous
Swing the bat like Vader!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE1zYqtpTGA
Anonymous
Just as I’m about to log off…. I run across that cinematic gem….
Swing like Vader is right….
In fact, I’d like for the music from that video to be Juan Uribe’s new “walk up” music for each at-bat.
Anonymous
I think if they played that as Juan slowly approached the plate, the pitchers would be laughing so hard that they’d be thrown off their game.
Anonymous
Night, guys………………………
Anonymous
Good night, Jon…you may miss a run though.
Anonymous
Ahhhhh…didn’t miss anything. Cincy owns us lately at the Ravine.
Anonymous
Hey…. Just because I’m going to bed doesn’t mean that I don’t have my earphones in, listening to the game….
PS – Don’t tell my wife….
“Coming Dear……..”… ;-)
Anonymous
Night, sleep well and dream of large players.
KT
Night all
Anonymous
This team has managed to ruin the fun of watching baseball, congratulations guys.
Anonymous
Scoring runs is kinda like watching Laurel and Hardy move a piano. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRKdWD2sVGg
Anonymous
Come on, Kaston, no time to slack off now…. My main wants: K Morales, Victorino, Cody Ross or any good player. Try this with the Angels: Wells and Morales for Uribe, Guerra, Coffee, and a couple of prospects. They loose Wells who’s grossly overpaid, we loose Uribe who is also, we have deep pockets now, we can afford that. We get Morales, they get some nice players. This is a deal that both sides can afford to make.
Anonymous
nothing is worth taking on that wells contract
Anonymous
I intended that the Angels eat half the contract. How about no trade, we just take Morales and Wells and they pay half the contract ($20M?)?
Snake Smith
Fun with iphone autocorrect…Uribe continues to come up as “urine”.
Anonymous
So? I can agree with that. Caca wouldn’t surprise me either. That line drive he watched go over his shoulder last night would have been the last straw, I would have pulled him right then and DFAed him this morning. Maybe that’s why he keeps getting injured, the team can’t DFA him when he is…
Jon Weisman
NPUT
Anonymous
If you need five good innings, Chad’s our man.