July 2015 – Page 4 – Dodger Thoughts

On July 15, 2015

In Pitching

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Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Following through on their plan to separate Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in the starting rotation, the Dodgers will kick off the Second Half of the 2015 Major League Baseball Championship Season with Kershaw on the mound Friday at Washington, followed by Mike Bolsinger on Saturday and Greinke on Sunday.

Separating the two top starters is designed to even out the workload on the bullpen. Though it hasn’t been announced, expect Brett Anderson to take the mound for the start of the Dodgers’ series Monday at Atlanta, followed by the No. 5 starter, which could be Brandon Beachy.

Kershaw’s Friday start will come on eight days’ rest, following his season-high 123-pitch shutout of the Phillies July 8. His 22 pitches at Tuesday’s All-Star Game can be considered the equivalent of a bullpen session.

It’s looking like Greinke will face Max Scherzer on Sunday in a showdown of this year’s two top pitchers to date. A year and a week ago, Scherzer bested Greinke in a 4-1 Detroit Tigers victory over the Dodgers, in which the only Dodger run came on Miguel Rojas’ only career MLB home run.

Here’s MLB.com’s second-half outlook for the Nationals, and likewise for the Dodgers.

Once the Dodgers complete this 10-game roadtrip with four games against the New York Mets, they will have played 100 games on the season: 50 at home, 50 on the road.

Remembering ’65: After tense week for Dodgers, Koufax survives rough All-Star outing

On July 15, 2015

In Remembering '65

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By Jon Weisman

Fifty years ago at the All-Star Game, Willie Mays (not Mike Trout) dominated from the plate, and Sandy Koufax (not Clayton Kershaw) had his struggles in his fifth consecutive All-Star year.

The difference: Koufax sneaked away with the victory.

As John Hall of the Times reported, when Koufax entered the game in the bottom of the sixth with the score tied, 5-5, his first seven pitches missed the strike zone. He needed to strike out Jimmie Hall with two on and two out to escape his only inning of work.

In the top of the seventh, Mays led off with a walk, went to third on a Hank Aaron single and scored the winning run on Ron Santo’s infield hit, all off “Sudden” Sam McDowell. That made Koufax the winning pitcher.

“Sandy looked a little sheepish when he was congratulated,” Hall wrote.

Koufax, however, was proud of one thing at the All-Star Break.

Dodgers acquire reliever Grant Dayton from Marlins for Chris Reed

On July 15, 2015

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Chris Reed, the 2011 Dodger first-round draft choice who was designated for assignment July 10, has been traded to the Miami Marlins for left-handed pitcher Grant Dayton.

Dayton has a 2.83 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans, with 35 strikeouts in his 35 innings against only five walks. His WHIP is 0.86, which would lead the Pacific Coast League if he had enough innings to qualify.

The 27-year-old has always been a strikeout pitcher in the minors, but this is the first season in which he has harnessed his walks. In his minor-league career, he has a 1.16 WHIP and 3.7 strikeout-walk ratio. Left-handed batters have gone 6 for 33 (.182) against him this year.

Dayton, who is not on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, will be assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was originally drafted in the 11th round of the 2010 draft out of Auburn.

Dodger hitters go hitless in NL All-Star loss

The 2015 Dodger All-Stars (Ben Platt/MLB.com)

By Jon Weisman

Yasmani Grandal saved Dodger hitters from a quadruple-whiffing at tonight’s All-Star Game.

On a 1-2 pitch from Kansas City reliever extraordinaire Wade Davis with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Grandal’s bid for an RBI single was flagged down deep in the hole at shortstop by Jose Iglesias, who threw Grandal out.

Davis struck out the previous batter, Adrian Gonzalez, on four pitches. Earlier in the game, Joc Pederson was fanned twice, by Dallas Keuchel in the second inning and Chris Archer in the fifth.

The three Dodgers combined for nine innings in the field: Pederson for the first five innings in left, Gonzalez the last three at first base and Grandal the ninth inning at catcher. Grandal might have had it the hardest, with Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman throwing 12 of his 14 pitches at 100 mph or more.

Clayton Kershaw took the loss for the National League, which was trailing 3-1 when the Dodger lefty left the game before losing, 6-3. And yes, that means the American League will have home-field advantage in a potential Game 7 of the World Series.

AL 100 020 210 — 6 7 2
NL 010 001 001 — 3 6 0

In fifth All-Star Game, Kershaw shutout streak ends

In All-Star Game, Midgame

Clayton Kershaw reacts in the fifth inning tonight. (Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Having gradually whittled down his 2015 detractors with a 1.53 ERA over his past nine starts, Clayton Kershaw was back on the defensive at tonight’s All-Star Game.

Kershaw came within a hair of a scoreless inning before giving up two runs, allowing the American League to take a 3-1 lead at the Midsummer Classic’s halfway point.

Kershaw, who had pitched shutout innings in each of his four previous All-Star Games, retiring 12 of 15 batters, began by surrendering a leadoff single to Alcides Escobar just under the glove of a drawn-in Todd Frazier.

Mike Trout then hit what looked like a double-play grounder to second baseman DJ LeMahieu near second base, but a slow turn allowed a fast Trout to reach first on a force play. Manny Machado flied out to Kershaw teammate Joc Pederson on the warning track for the second out.

After appearing to have Albert Pujols whiffed on a 2-2 pitch that was ruled just off, Kershaw smiled as he walked back to the rubber. But that was it for the fun.

Pujols walked, and then, left-handed Prince Fielder hit an 0-2 fastball that missed its spot for a tiebreaking RBI single the opposite way, scoring Trout ahead of Pederson’s throw home. Kershaw’s next pitch was hit sharply down the left-field line by Lorenzo Cain for an RBI double that gave the AL a 3-1 lead.

Kershaw ended his inning, and his night, by striking out Brett Gardner. He threw 22 pitches (15 for strikes) to his seven batters.

“It was fun until I started giving up runs,” Kershaw told reporters afterward.

The inning left Kershaw with a 3.60 career All-Star ERA, with five hits, two walks and three strikeouts in five innings.

In All-Star start, Greinke allows Trout homer but fans ‘tastic four

By Jon Weisman

Like Eric Gagne with his streak of consecutive saves heading into the 2003 All-Star Game, Zack Greinke brought a streak of scoreless innings into the 2015 All-Star Game. And like Gagne, Greinke’s streak will continue despite an exhibition interruption.

Leadoff batter Mike Trout lined Greinke’s 1-2 fastball the opposite way into the right-field seats tonight, scoring the first run off Greinke in any setting since June 13.

Greinke walked the next batter, Josh Donaldson, on a full-count fastball. But he retired the next six batters he faced, striking out four (Albert Pujols, Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones and Salvador Perez), with Lorenzo Cain popping out to end the first inning and Jose Altuve grounding out to end the second.

According to Fox Sports, he is the first All-Star pitcher to strike out four since Pedro Martinez in 1999, and the first NL pitcher to do it since Lee Smith in 1987. The Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela, of course, famously struck out five in a row in 1986.

Zack Greinke, moments before the All-Star Game (Getty Images)

The right-hander finished with 39 pitches, 25 for strikes. He will likely take four days off before returning Sunday, if the Dodgers follow through on their plan to separate Greinke and Clayton Kershaw in the starting rotation. (Pending what happens tonight, Kershaw — who hasn’t made a start since his July 8 shutout — is likely to pitch Friday in the opening of the second half at Washington.)

In two previous All-Star appearances, Greinke retired all six batters he faced, so for his All-Star career, he has now retired 12 of 14 batters, striking out eight.

Funnily enough, Greinke allowed a run in his first inning of the 2015 regular season, April 7 against San Diego. He allowed no other runs in that game, and only 18 earned runs in his next 17 starts.

Trout entered the game with a single, double and triple in seven career at-bats, so the home run gave the young outfielder a theoretical career cycle against Greinke, as well as an All-Star career cycle.

Mike Trout led off his first ASG with a single, second with a double, third with a triple and fourth with a homer. The natural ASG cycle.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 15, 2015

Koufax voted into Greatest Living Player foursome, throws out first pitch

In History

Dodger legend Sandy Koufax joined Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench and Willie Mays in being introduced before tonight’s All-Star Game as MLB’s Greatest Living Players.

Koufax punctuated the honor by throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the All-Star Game to Bench.

— Jon Weisman

Of course, a strike right down the middle. #SandyKoufax #ASG

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 15, 2015

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Dodgers Franchise Four: Drysdale, Koufax, Robinson, Snider

In History

Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider were announced during tonight’s All-Star pregame as the winners of MLB’s Franchise Four balloting, which basically picks the equivalent of the franchise’s Mount Rushmore from its history of players.

Among those with Dodger ties, Mike Piazza was chosen for the New York Mets, Pedro Martinez for the Boston Red Sox, Frank Robinson for the Baltimore Orioles, Paul Konerko for the Chicago White Sox, Jim Thome for the Cleveland Indians, Rickey Henderson for the Oakland A’s, Adrian Beltre for the Texas Rangers, Luis Gonzalez for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Greg Maddux for the Atlanta Braves, Gary Sheffield for the Miami Marlins and Gary Carter for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals.

— Jon Weisman

Zack Greinke, shape-shifter

In Profiles

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Though he never seems to change, Zack Greinke is actually changing all the time.

For one thing, it used to be that finding a smile on Greinke’s face in public was as rare as spotting Bigfoot. But the reality is that Greinke smiles pretty often these days. In Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo’s photos this year, there has been a steady stream of shots of a grinning Greinke.

And you know those smiles aren’t phony, because the one constant with Greinke is that nothing is.

Kershaws’ Ping Pong 4 Purpose set for July 30

In Community

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Jimmy Kimmel will host the third annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose fundraiser for Kershaw’s Challenge at Dodger Stadium on July 30.

Proceeds will benefit Kershaw’s Challenge, the nonprofit foundation founded by Clayton and Ellen Kershaw that works to transform at-risk communities and the lives of children in Los Angeles, Dallas, Zambia and starting this year, the Dominican Republic.

Among those scheduled to take part in the event, which features a single-elimination ping-pong tournament, include Orel Hershiser, Eric Stonestreet, George Lopez, Kevin Frazier, Jenna FIscher, Josh Henderson, Marcellus Wiley, Alan Thicke, Jaleel White, Tyler Toffoli and Lamorne Morris.

“Our PingPong4Purpose event on the field at Dodger Stadium has become a fun tradition and we are excited to host it for the third year,” Kershaw said for today’s press release. “This event combines two things: our passion for making a difference through Kershaw’s Challenge and a favorite clubhouse activity. We’re looking forward to a great night for a great cause.”

Limited tickets and sponsorship packages still remain. Visit Kershaw’s Challenge for more information.

August 2 game offer: $15 off selected seats, thanks to Joc Pederson

On July 13, 2015

In Promotions, Tickets

By getting to the finals, @yungjoc650 earned you $15 off 8/2 game vs. Angels! Buy tickets now: http://t.co/eq6Lhft7Cx pic.twitter.com/W54F7YneDc

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 14, 2015

By advancing to the Home Run Derby final, Joc Pederson gave Dodger fans a $15 discount on selected seats for the Dodgers’ August 2 game against the Angels.

The August 2 game is also Cap Day, when the first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a cap presented by Security Benefit.

The sale will run through 5 p.m. Wednesday or while supplies last. Visit dodgers.com/HRJoc for more information.

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Joc Pederson edged by Todd Frazier in thrilling Home Run Derby final

On July 13, 2015

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By Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson was an absolute smash at the first round of this year’s Home Run Derby in Cincinnati, before falling by the slimmest of margins.

Hometown hero Todd Frazier of Cincinnati went all the way to bonus time to edge Pederson in the final round tonight, 15-14, though Pederson — blasting distance-shattering homers to all fields — dazzled the nationwide audience like none other, and muted a history of Dodger disappointments at the event.

Zack Greinke to start All-Star Game, Joc Pederson in left

On July 13, 2015

By Jon Weisman

Thanks to the best first-half ERA by a starting pitcher in decades, Zack Greinke will be the Dodgers’ first All-Star Game starting pitcher since Brad Penny in 2006, MLB announced today.

Greinke has two previous innings of All-Star experience, both perfect. In 2009, representing Kansas City, he got Raul Ibanez to pop out, then struck out David Wright and Shane Victorino, using a total of 10 pitches in the inning. Last year, it was a virtual repeat on 12 pitches: a Jose Bautista groundout, followed by Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones strikeouts.

To sum up, that’s six All-Stars faced and six All-Stars retired on 22 pitches, 17 for strikes.

Matt Vasgersian to Zack Greinke at press conference: "Zack, you want to say a few words?"

Zack: "Nah …"

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 13, 2015

Greinke, whose 1.39 ERA before the All-Star Break is the lowest for a pitcher with at least 100 innings since 1968, will combine with Joc Pederson to give the Dodgers two All-Star starters for the first time since Hideo Nomo and Mike Piazza in 1995 — also the most recent year the Dodgers had five players on the roster.

Pederson is playing left field and batting eighth, manager Bruce Bochy announced today.

Pederson’s All-Star week is scheduled to begin with tonight’s Home Run Derby at 5 p.m. Pacific. However, as of this writing, there is a thunderstorm watch for this evening in Cincinnati.

Greinke will face Mike Trout, Josh Donaldson and Albert Pujols in the first inning Tuesday. Here are those batters histories with Greinke:

Trout: 3 for 7 (double, triple), one strikeout, 1.286 OPS
Donaldson: 1 for 3, .667 OPS
Pujols: 10 for 29 (five doubles, four walks), three strikeouts, .929 OPS

Adrian Gonzalez leaves Dodgers break-dancing