Nick Punto, SS
Mark Ellis, 2B
Matt Kemp, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Ramon Hernandez, C
Jerry Hairston Jr., LF
Luis Cruz, 3B
Zack Greinke, P
• Hairston was activated from the disabled list, with Dee Gordon going to Albuquerque.
• With a 7-15 record so far in May, the Dodgers need to go 4-1 in the month’s final five games to avoid their worst May in Los Angeles.
• The Dodgers have not won or lost two games in a row since May 18-19.
• Luis Cruz has played in 162 career games going into tonight’s start. His last appearance was May 17.
• According to Eric Stephen on Twitter, Josh Beckett experienced numbness in fingers and has had his throwing program temporarily shut down, and Scott Elbert’s “never-ending rehab assignment” moves to Albuquerque on Wednesday.
• Awaiting word on whether A.J. Ellis is just having a day off today, or whether Sunday’s hit-by-pitch will sideline him for any duration.
I’m never able to put this in the proper perspective, but my best wishes to you on this Memorial Day.
Jeffrey Thomas III
According to Eric Stephen, AJ was taking early BP today along with Dee. That would make me believe he must not be too badly injured. Though Dee was then sent down today so taking early BP may not be a positive sign.
Anonymous
Something should be said about tonight’s lineup. It has to be the worst lineup Donnie has put out yet. I think it is painfully obvious that its time for him to go.
Anonymous
If it is at all possible, it is certainly our “B” team
Anonymous
Not that the “A” team has been much to write home about . . . at least to write favorably.
KT
Maybe a little different spice to shake things up
Anonymous
Amazing how many combination of players can be used when you have a team that is the best money can buy
Anonymous
There are 4 choices in the line-up: Hairston for Crawford, SVS for Ethier, Cruz for Uribe, Hernandez for AJ Ellis. All are reasonable switches; the surprise is all 4 in one game. But AJ Ellis just had 2 possible injury causing plays and played in all 3 games vs the Cardinals; Crawford is 3 for 21 against Wilson with 7 K’s but also with a HR and 4 RBI’s. SVS for Ethier is due to Ethier’s poor hitting vs LHP for many years but admittedly this year he is about equal in his splits, Uribe is 4 for last 22 but likely Mattingly thought Cruz was leaving when Hairston came back since he stayed he needs to play esp if Uribe is slumping.
Anonymous
“Uribe is slumping” is a pretty amazing statement when you think about it.
Anonymous
Greinke will need to pitch a shutout
Anonymous
There goes that
Anonymous
Mattingley should have managed in the minors before the majors. No one cares who he plays. I know that if I didn’t get to see more than 1 or 2 games a year and that lineup was out for my game. I would not be happy.
KT
hit the palm of the glove…generous scoring
Anonymous
For the hitter
Anonymous
That official scorer should be relieved of duties.
Anonymous
Are the Keystone Kops playing?
Linkmeister
Good grief. I’m ready to give up.
Anonymous
Me too. This looks like a last place team.
Anonymous
Hernandez passed ball and throw wasn’t mattingly’s fault. Hernandez playing instead of Fedex is somebody’s fault however.
Mario Luevanos
Really embarrassing thus far.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Could this game have started much worse? Was hoping for a pleasing end to Memorial Day weekend…
Linkmeister
Well, if you really imagine hard . . . Greinke could have failed to get any outs at all, taken a line drive off his hand resulting in broken fingers, Kemp could have crashed into a wall, and so on. ;)
Jeffrey Thomas III
Well I guess they got pretty lucky considering…
Anonymous
5 outs. Going to be a long day
KT
Great Play Shredder!!
Linkmeister
Every ball hit was a rocket, too. This doesn’t bode well.
Anonymous
I was out of town over the holiday weekend and consciously decided not to pay any attention to the Dodgers-Cardinals series or learn of the results. Returned this afternoon and saw they had gone 1-2, sparing myself some aggravation. Just saw what is happening in the first inning tonight. No surprise there. About to take another hiatus from the Dodgers, not sure how long it will be. I highly recommended it.
Mario Luevanos
I was thinking of doing the same. Being a little superstitious myself, maybe a few days off will help the team win when I’m not watching.
Anonymous
What if we all lit a candle all at the same time?
Anonymous
Unlike the Dodgers, we would start a fire
Anonymous
Mary Hart smart to arrive in second inning, assuming she still comes to the games.
Anonymous
E2Brute?
Anonymous
Again?! Does this guy score little league games?
Anonymous
A minimum of 5 more outs this inning. Embarrassing.
Anonymous
Too hot to handle
Linkmeister
Man. I think I’ll look up start times for “Gatsby” this afternoon.
KT
Punto getting banged up in the legs twice that inning
Anonymous
Can’t even get an out right
Anonymous
Punto is RGIII
Anonymous
Sending a message to the Angels telling them who owns this town
Anonymous
Right now, I think they know
KT
Nice Gonzo!!
KT
SVS!!
Anonymous
Curious. Watching Dodger broadcast. Is Ethier in the dugout?
Anonymous
Ethier who?
Anonymous
Oh. He’s there behind Mattingly.
KT
Alright Zach!
Anonymous
Good start
KT
Matty should be batting 7th until his strength returns
Anonymous
Agreed. But even with this lineup?
KT
He needs to go for singles only…too much pressure in the 3 hole to try to hit the ball hard over someone’s head
Anonymous
Maybe he should grow his hair long like Sampson from the Bible. It gave him his strength!
Anonymous
looking at some minor league stuff on-line happened to be hit with Rubby starts tonight
Jeffrey Thomas III
Jerry has not looked good in the outfield. If he at least hits a cut off man there Trout is out at third.
Jeffrey Thomas III
My reverse jinx made that catch possible.
Anonymous
This could get ugly (or uglier)
Anonymous
Trying to follow this game with one ear. With a home game, crowd noise is usually a good indicator that somethng good is happening. Not so much today.
Anonymous
Let Ethier pitch.
Linkmeister
The way Gonzalez is hitting (this week; I know about his slump), we could play “if only” with Kemp and Ethier if they remembered how to hit above .250 with power.
Anonymous
I’ll pretend I didn’t notice Harang pitched a complete game shutout for the Mariners today
Anonymous
If Dodgers win tonight ice cream’s on me.
KT
My brother had a friend go to a special event at DS right after spring training. He had him bring a ball for signatures for a birthday present for my daughter this Friday. My dad said the ball has a lot of autographs but he could only make out 1. That 1 would be Yaisel Puig…Nice!!
Anonymous
The Cuban educational system demands excellent penmanship.
KT
That swing reminds me of someone I used to know
KT
Juanito!!
KT
MEllis!!
Anonymous
Matt Kemp’s problems: Not enough spitting and not enough pine tar.
KT
Come on Matty
Anonymous
I’m afraid the only 50/50 we’ll see from Matt this year is Ks from righties and lefties . . . and then some. :(
KT
Gonzo!!
Anonymous
MVP Agon!!!
KT
SVS!!
Anonymous
Angels in the outfield!
Anonymous
Inconceivable!!!!!
Anonymous
Forget the salaries, play the players who produce!
Mario Luevanos
Oh my… Van Slyke doing it well today.
Anonymous
Give me Slyke or give me death.
Anonymous
This year has sure seemed like the latter!
Anonymous
Sure has. If Don benches SVS now I’m going to freak.
El Cuero
Great inning, we got to enjoy the small victories….
Anonymous
Amen!
El Cuero
I read in a book about the development of baseball in Cuba and it mentioned that in the early 1900s the games were looked at as stand alone events. That is how I am looking at the 2013 Dodger season, one game at a time – if not I might go nuts…
Anonymous
Nice approach. I don’t even care how far back they are in the standings. While it’s nice that they aren’t as buried as the Angels were, that shouldn’t matter until they at least reach “the rarefied air of .500” (Vinny’s words from a pathetic season gone-by).
Anonymous
I actually rooted out loud!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Really glad I didn’t give up and shut it off. We’ve got a ball game now!
El Cuero
Until Belisario rears his head.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Yes, turning this game over to the bullpen is not a pleasing thought. Though Greinke didn’t fare much better.
Anonymous
Kemp needs to sit. He’s messed up. Why Dodger leadership doesn’t see this is a mystery to me.
El Cuero
If he is not injured, he has to figure it out… It will be interesting to watch it unfold. I was at the game Saturday and the boo birds were out for Matt.
Anonymous
Understand but disagree — he needs to sit.
Anonymous
At the VERY least, move him down in the order. I agree that there’s too much pressure on him in the 3 or 4 slot.
KT
6th or 7th depending on who is in the lineup
El Cuero
That would make sense… I would love to get a MLB scouts take on Kemp’s struggles… I can not guess as a fan.
El Cuero
I don’t remember a Dodger defense and bullpen being this poor in quite a few seasons.
Anonymous
They can’t stand success . . . even if that success means merely tying the game.
Anonymous
3 errors and that’s not even counting at least two more which could’ve been called that.
Anonymous
Lack of focus. Don’t understand why. Jon always says the game is difficult. Obviously it is. But this is crazy — 40 errors.
Anonymous
I’m sure it doesn’t help shuttling new people/new positions every day.
El Cuero
Nice inning by Javy…
Anonymous
Now let’s take the lead!!!!
KT
Javy looked good!!
Anonymous
Just got home. What the what? We’re tied at six after being down 6-1? Nice.
KT
Very!!
KT
Juanito!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Cruz and Uribe: Rally starters? Who woulda thunk?
El Cuero
Works for me… Actually fun watching the Dodgers tonight.
El Cuero
Hahah, we all get great joy from the once would be cast off Uribe…
Anonymous
pre-game story from dodgers web-site:
LOS ANGELES — Outfielder Matt Kemp returned to the Dodgers’ lineup
on Monday night as manager Don Mattingly stacked the order with
right-handed bats to counter Angels left-handed starter C.J. Wilson.
The right-handed-heavy lineup featured Jerry Hairston Jr., activated
from the disabled list, and Scott Van Slyke, feeling better from a stiff
neck, at the corner-outfield spots in place of left-handers Carl
Crawford and Andre Ethier. Crawford is 3-for-21 (.143) in his career
against Wilson.
“Carl has been getting after it pretty good for us,” Mattingly said.
“Dre is a little bit banged up, but it really didn’t have anything to do
with that. He was ready to play today.”
Mattingly said he especially wanted to get Van Slyke back in the
lineup. The rookie entered Monday hitting .261 with three homers, two
doubles and six RBIs in 10 games.
“I feel like he’s had good at-bats, been a little dangerous,” Mattingly said.
Ramon Hernandez started at catcher in place of A.J. Ellis, who has
struck out in seven of nine at-bats since he was involved in a collision
at home plate with the Cardinals’ Jon Jay on Friday. Ellis went 0-for-3
on Sunday, his third start in as many days.
“I felt like I went a day too long yesterday with [Ellis],” Mattingly said.
Luis Cruz, hitting .096, started at third base for the first time since May 17.
Jeffrey Thomas III
AJ with the pinch hit sac fly!
KT
AJ with the SAC!!
El Cuero
There we go, a sacrifice fly… Good to even see that!
Jeffrey Thomas III
AJ is staying in! Iron Man.
Linkmeister
Now we worry about the bullpen. (Yeah, yeah, glass half-empty. I know, I know.)
KT
Just got a call from my brother…That birthday present ball that I mentioned earlier is signed by the whole team
El Cuero
Well, maybe we will hit the 10 run mark tonight?
KT
probably will need to in order to win
Jeffrey Thomas III
Man I cringe when Belli turns to throw at second…
El Cuero
I cringe when he walks through the bullpen gates ont the field…
KT
Order up…who ordered the DP
El Cuero
Son has taken over the tube to watch Disney Jr, you guys and gals are now my eyes and ears…
KT
My son is upstairs watching the same channel
El Cuero
He likes baseball, but at 2 years old – Little Einstein wins every time.
KT
my son’s the same but he turns 3 in early july
El Cuero
3 in June here….
Anonymous
Angels’ pitcher played exclusively in independent ball in ’05, ’07, ’08, ’09 except for 1 game in Milw. org in ’08. no stats at all for ’06. That’s grit
last one not new one
Anonymous
Odd to be pessimistic about Kemp leading off. Looking for Gonzalez and Van Slyke to do some damage.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Tough to boo Kemp after that K, that pitch was nasty.
KT
Gonzo!
KT
Good eye Dre
Come on JH jr
KT
JH Jr!!!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Getting contributions from everywhere!
Except Kemp… :(
Anonymous
Coello, he with the nasty pitch to K Kemp looking, was drafted by the Reds in ’04 but has no stats until ’07 well after the Reds released him. I’ve never seen that before. Parts of 3 summers in organized ball with no minor league stats.
KT
DRE!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Wow what a play! Hard to tell if he actually tagged him. I’ll take it!
KT
I think he missed him
KT
No he actually got him…slowed it down
Jeffrey Thomas III
No DVR where I am, thanks for the affirmation.
KT
by the laces of the glove
Jeffrey Thomas III
I think we can say he was “in the area” ;)
Anonymous
I think you are correct now after they just showed it again but what I don’t understand is how Aybar was in any position to tell if Gonzo gently brushed his uniform or not
Anonymous
Andre to Adrian!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Uribear!
KT
Juanito 3-3
Anonymous
Hope Mattingly sticks with Jansen in the ninth.
Anonymous
Amen! This would be a tough one to lose by League . . . or anyone.
KT
If any time we need matty to come through…now would be good
Anonymous
Smart play by Juan!
Jeffrey Thomas III
League coming in to face Pujols, Trumbo, and Hamilton in a one run game…. I’m not nervous at all…
Anonymous
Does he look as bad as he sounds? Matt, that is.
KT
yes…totally demoralized
Anonymous
Keeping him 3 or 4 is not doing anyone any good, Matt included!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Maybe. And as much as he may deserve it, the boos can’t help.
Anonymous
I think he needs a few games to a week off, to clear his head
Jeffrey Thomas III
He looks clueless up there.
Anonymous
Did we expect anything else from Matt than a ‘struck out swinging’
KT
you know the saying blind squirrels….
Anonymous
I’m so feeling for Matty.
Mario Luevanos
Rough day for Kemp, I don’t expect anything from him anymore. At least he could try to make the pitcher work.
Jeffrey Thomas III
I’m not sure news of Kemp being able to start lifting more really matters if the guy isn’t even hitting singles. Or making contact for that matter.
KT
DP time
Jeffrey Thomas III
There ya go!
Anonymous
In a game where the offense overcame a 5-run lead, is it too much to ask for League to shut them down?
Mario Luevanos
Hoping Brandon “Minor” League gets the save.
Anonymous
Not sure I can watch. Wake me when it’s over?
KT
YES!!
KT
BALL GAME!!!!
Anonymous
YOu’re ahead of me but I’ll take your word for it . . . woohoo!
Jeffrey Thomas III
What a satisfying victory after such a terrible start!
Mario Luevanos
I’m surprised we won. damm!
Anonymous
Wow — to see Belli as the winning pitcher . . . and League with the save! We need everyone to contribute, so I’m glad!
KT
maybe the turning point…hanley’s due back soon.#Wins
Anonymous
Hope so — I just posted the same above. :)
Anonymous
Woot!!!!!!
Anonymous
I’ve thought this several times before, but maybe THIS is the turning point?
Jeffrey Thomas III
Besides Greinke getting hit pretty hard and Kemp looking lost at the plate, it did end up feeling pretty good.
Anonymous
They did it with the patchwork lineup . . . I said it earlier tonight, but play the players who produce, regardless of the salaries!
El Cuero
That’s the type of win that seems to have been missing for the Blue Crew, a good come for behind rally…
Anonymous
1st of its kind in the 7th or after, right?
El Cuero
From what I remember yes…
Anonymous
What a great way to end this extended weekend. The Dodgers make it interesting, don’t they? Well, just enough time for this old man to paddle out and get some waves. Aloha ahi’ahi.
Anonymous
Breaking the Angels’ 8 game winning streak feels pretty fine as well.
El Cuero
Been fun chatting with you all soon, hope to be back soon.
Anonymous
With the same result! :)
Jon Weisman
180-plus comments – for DT 2013, that’s high. People must have gotten into this one!
NPUT.
Anonymous
Almost certainly the season’s most interesting game, starting as farce but transforming itself into drama.