Postgame – Page 21 – Dodger Thoughts

Category: Postgame (Page 21 of 21)

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By Jon Weisman

Josh Beckett pitched three shutout innings today in the Dodgers’ 5-4 loss to the Cubs (recapped here by A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com), but instead of turning his frown upside down, his grin was turned outside in.

Beckett had to leave the game an inning before he planned, because of a right thumb as aggravated as Beckett’s patience. An excerpt from Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

“It’s not getting worse, but not getting better,” Beckett said. “I’ll probably see the doctor again, such as that on Daily Care Solutions. It’s frustrating, but it could have happened at a worse time. Just dealing with it the best I can. If I need a couple days off, maybe I will. I don’t want to fall too far behind.”

The injury is on the inside of the base of the thumb near the joint. Beckett said it bothers him mostly throwing breaking balls, but in his final inning on Friday, he also was uncomfortable with fastballs. The original plan was to pitch four innings Friday, but trainer Stan Conte and manager Don Mattingly decided to cut it short.

Beckett becomes a prime candidate to open the season on the disabled list. He was not going to be needed in Australia anyway, and as the fifth starter, Beckett would not make a start until mid-April.

Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. did record a silver lining from Beckett.

If there was a positive for Beckett, it was his five groundball outs in three innings.

“I always feel like if I’m getting ground balls I’m doing fine, even if they’re rolling in for hits during spring training,” he said. “Getting ground balls means you’re fingers are on top of the ball and you’re getting decent plane.”

Positive news came from two other Dodger starters on the mend, as Gurnick notes. Zack Greinke showed continued improvement in his right calf after completing a scheduled bullpen session, while Chad Billingsley is on target for minor-league rehabilitation assignment in April. J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News has more.

Also …

Dodger infielders Dee Gordon, Alex Guerrero and Miguel Rojas combined to go 5 for 7 with three doubles, a triple and a steal today.
Andre Ethier is 7 for 15 with two doubles and a homer in a five-game hitting streak.
Drew Butera hit one out today in the ninth inning.
Today’s game was played before a Cactus League record 15,191, according to Cassavell.
Yasiel Puig is frustrated, to sum up this Gurnick piece.

In case you missed it: Spring Training’s eternal mysteries

By Jon Weisman

On March 12, 2014

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Postgame

A look at Zach Lee and his phenomenal stirrup game: pic.twitter.com/VTFjDQ7GvP

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 12, 2014

By Jon Weisman

All that’s great and ugly about Spring Training, chapter whatever …

Zach Lee, looking stirrup-sharp, enters today’s Dodger game against the Diamondbacks in the top of the third inning and retires the first seven batters he faces. Five of the next six reach base, and what looks like a showcase outing turns into apparent mediocrity. But boy, he sure looked good before the roof (or, given the stakes, the pup tent) caved in.

This wasn’t the only classic Spring Training story of the day, which saw the Dodgers lose to Arizona, 9-2. (Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has the game recap.) We also saw and heard tale of multiple players trying to overcome injury.

Zack Greinke made it through two innings of his start today and threw 14 more pitches in the bullpen afterward, but acknowledged that he still has a corner or two left to turn in his recovery from a calf injury, according to Gurnick. A small excerpt:

“I’d thought I’d be fine that day (of the injury), like 100 percent in a day or two,” he said. “It just hasn’t gotten better, it’s a 10 percent pace from what I was expecting. You know it’s there. If I did more than I’m ready to do, I’d be right back where I started. But it’s getting better every day and that’s the key.”

Speaking of revelations: Josh Beckett revealed that he caught his right thumb in a clubhouse door 10 days ago and that it is sprained. Beckett, who threw mostly fastballs while giving up three home runs in his most recent Spring Training outing Sunday, might skip his next start. From Gurnick:

Beckett has had previous problems with the inside ligament of the thumb.

“I come back from thoracic outlet surgery and this happens,” he said in frustration.

Then there’s Matt Kemp. Weird, but in a good way? That seems to be how to interpret Kemp’s evaluation of his first action of any kind in center field this year, in today’s minor-league intrasquad game. Dylan Hernandez of the Times relays the quotes:

“I feel a little weird still being out there, but I’m having a lot of fun,” he said. “I’m excited to be back on the field, just playing. That’s the process. We’re taking our time.”

Kemp was in center field for two innings.

“I’m still trying to get my legs under me,” he said. “I just wanted to feel good. The legs feel a little heavy and tired at times, but that comes with getting back into shape. You can lift as many weights as you want, but nothing prepares for the game speed out there on the baseball field.

All part of another Spring Training day. Only four of them left before the big club leaves Arizona for Australia.

* * *

The Dodgers’ schedule of minor-league Spring Training games was conveniently posted by Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A.
I know I have no reason to be proud of this tweet — none — but I am.

Just saying: Devaris Strange-Gordon (L/L) anagrams to RARE GOLD/N GLOVED IN STARS #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/qmXF4FY7r6

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 12, 2014

In case you missed it: Guerrero’s near-home run

By Jon Weisman

On March 11, 2014

In In case you missed it, Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

For the second time in just a few days, a Dodger hit a long fly ball that sure looked like a home run but wasn’t.

Saturday, it was Joc Pederson. Today’s would-be homerer was Alex Guerrero, who to his credit ran his way to a triple on this ball that he absolutely crushed.

The hit for Guerrero started the Dodgers’ three-run ninth-inning rally, capped by Noel Cuevas’ game-winning home run, that led to a 7-5 victory over Kansas City. (Dick Kaegel of MLB.com has the game recap.)

We’re sad to relay from Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that Don Mattingly will miss the next two Dodger games because of a death in the family. Tim Wallach will manage in his absence.
Dan Haren talked to J.P. Hoonstra of the Daily News about his outing, in which he allowed a run, seven hits and a walk in four innings.
It’s been speculated that Haren will go to Australia as the Dodgers’ exhibition and/or alternate starter, but Cash Kruth of MLB.com notes that might not happen.
Playing shortstop, Chone Figgins made an error, his first of the spring, but went 2 for 4. He is only hitting .185, but he leads all of the Major Leagues in walks this exhibition season with eight. His on-base percentage is .371.
Dee Gordon, who leads the Majors with eight steals (in eight attempts), has an OBP of .267. Gordon has a groundouts-airouts ratio of 2.2 to 1.
Today in Jon SooHoo.

You’d think it was Father’s Day

By Jon Weisman

On March 10, 2014

In Postgame, Spring Training, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

Why yes, I have noticed that a certain Even Steven approach to the Dodger exhibition season. Cyndi Lauper is putting out her new single, “Tie After Tie,” as we speak.

Today’s 8-8 deadlock with Oakland widened the Dodgers’ Cactus League record to 4-6-4 and gave them ties in nearly 30 percent of their contests. In their past 10 games, the Dodgers are 2-4-4. Their past six games have been as easy as 1-2-3.

Last year, Los Angeles played 15 extra-inning games out of 162 in the regular season.

The Dodgers allowed a game-tying five runs in the eighth inning today, but it could have been worse. Brian Wilson, still mixing the occasional knuckleball, had a visit to the mound from an assistant trainer in the eighth inning (no, I’m not making a connection there), but the team reported no trouble to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

Wilson was charged with two runs, while Carlos Frias, who retired none of his four batters, was charged with three.

Los Angeles looked great at the outset, with Andre Ethier lovingly smashing a three-run home run in the first inning, Juan Uribe following with a solo shot, and Hyun-Jin Ryu scattering a run and four baserunners over five innings, striking out four.

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Miguel Olivo added a three-run double (not to mention a stolen base) in helping boost the Dodgers’ lead to 8-3. In addition, J.P. Howell and Dee Gordon each turned in fine defensive plays.

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Following the game today, the Dodgers optioned pitcher Matt Magill and reassigned Frias, J.C. Boscan, Brendan Harris and Clint Robinson to minor-league camp. Harris is the second of the pre-Spring Training infield candidates to miss the cut, following Justin Sellers, who was sent to Cleveland.

Magill has had a nice exhibition season, with six strikeouts against five baserunners in 5 2/3 innings.

And, a postscript: I know the story here is Zack Greinke and Matt Kemp progressing in their rehab, but what really tantalized me was the thought of seeing Kemp bat against Julio Urias. The 17-year-old gave up a sacrifice fly to Kemp in the intrasquad game, but also struck him out.

In short, call it Even Steven.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvm5ZFPIrE&w=550&h=413]

In case you missed it: Hanley and a hand for Lee

By Jon Weisman

On March 7, 2014

In In case you missed it, Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

It wasn’t as loud as Hanley Ramirez’s mammoth home run to dead center, accounting for the Dodgers’ only runs in a 2-1 victory over Texas today, but Zach Lee made a nice first impression in his Spring Training starting debut.

Lee allowed two hits in two shutout innings, walking none while striking out one. Bookending Lee was 2013 second-round draft pick Tom Windle, who closed out the final two shutout innings by also allowing two baserunners while striking out one.

Infield candidates Chone Figgins and Brendan Harris had the only other Dodger hits. Dee Gordon had one of five Dodger walks, stole his fifth base in five attempts this spring and made a fine defensive play diving to his right back of second base.

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com has more on Lee:

Despite the sore lat, Lee said he’s enjoying his first big league camp. He has been spending as much time as he can with Zack Greinke and Josh Beckett.

“I think I’m somewhat like [Greinke], although I don’t think I take it to the extent that he does,” Lee said. “Growing up, and the way I looked at pitching, I was always a cerebral and analytical person. I really thought more about game-planning and what [Greg] Maddux did back in the day, where he was able to pinpoint with location rather than overpower you.”

* * *

Several more fond remembrances of Dr. Frank Jobe emerged today, many of them captured by Sanchez. You also won’t read anything more powerful than what Dodger director of team travel Scott Akasaki or vice president of medical services Stan Conte shared with Kevin Baxter of the Times.

Cliff Corcoran of SI.com shared the five top Tommy John surgery success stories.

* * *

Finally, don’t miss today in Jon SooHoo.

In case you missed it: The curious case of Clayton Kershaw

By Jon Weisman

On March 3, 2014

In Pitching, Postgame, Spring Training, Technology

By Jon Weisman

The good news for Clayton Kershaw is, he’s healthy.

Not to mention that for the first two innings — six up, six down — of today’s 7-3 loss to Oakland, the Dodger ace made last week’s start look like every bit the aberration we thought it was. Six up, six down.

Then came a third inning which, as much as anything, was reminiscent of the third inning of Game 6 of the 2013 National League Championship Series.

Kershaw allowed two walks, an RBI single and another walk that loaded the bases. Then former Dodger Nick Punto came up, got ahead in the count and began fouling off pitches, just like Matt Carpenter did in his 11-pitch NLCS at-bat against Kershaw.

Punto won this marathon, singling to right field to drive in two more runs, and Kershaw was pulled mid-inning, ultimately charged with five runs.

And by the sounds of it, he was ready to sentence himself to pitcher jail. From Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

… “It’s not fun to deal with,” said Kershaw, who has an 18.00 ERA. “Physically, I feel great. I don’t have any excuses. I don’t know, searching for answers right now. I know it’s Spring Training, it doesn’t matter, but it matters to me.”

Mattingly said he wasn’t panicking.

“The first two innings were really good, then he got out of rhythm and couldn’t find it,” Mattingly said. “Good thing is, it’s Spring Training, that’s why we’re here. He had the same kind of spring last year. He has a level of expectation of always being good. I don’t have a problem with that. He expects to be in midseason form, and we keep working toward that. He gets frustrated. That’s why we love him.” …

On the opposite end of the spectrum was Seth Rosin, who followed his two-inning, five-strikeout outing Wednesday by tossing three shutout innings with three strikeouts today. That included pitching out of a second-and-third, none-out jam in the fourth inning, thanks to an Adrian Gonzalez throwing error.

“This outing is actually more impressive to me than his first outing,” SportsNet LA analyst Orel Hershiser said on the air. “Today, he’s facing some adversity, against a team swinging the bat really well, and he’s still able to get them out.”

Rosin, by the way, was born in 1988, 7 1/2 months after Kershaw and a couple weeks after the Dodgers won the World Series.

Coming in behind Rosin on the highlight reel was Dee Gordon, who had an RBI triple for the second consecutive game, and Andre Ethier and Miguel Olivo, who each had two hits.

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The Dodgers still haven’t given up a Cactus League homer in 51 innings.
MLB’s new instant replay system made its debut. Paul Hagen of MLB.com describes how it went.
Ah, Jim Gilliam.
Today in Jon SooHoo.

Clint Robinson on a five-hit roll

By Jon Weisman

On March 1, 2014

In Postgame

By Jon Weisman

However low the stakes might have been, today’s Dodgers-Brewers game was high on the entertainment side.

And since the stakes were low, Dodger fans didn’t have to feel so bad about the loss.

Despite scoring two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth, the Dodgers fell a tally short against Milwaukee today, dropping a 6-5 decision that evened their Cactus League record at 2-2. (Adam McCalvy has the MLB.com recap.)

Clint Robinson, the brilliantly named combination of Clint Eastwood and Cliff Robertson, continues to be the early belle of the ball at Spring Training for the Dodgers, going 3 for 3 to give him hits in five consecutive at-bats. The 29-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman has a career .884 OPS in the minors but all of four career plate appearances in the Majors, with Kansas City in 2012. (Below is video from Robinson’s home run on Friday.)

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One-time Dodger utilityman Elian Herrera matched Robinson with three hits of his own for the Brewers. Another old friend, Brent Leach, got the win for Milwaukee.

Chris Reed took the brunt of the Brewers’ punishment, allowing four runs in the first of his two innings on five hits. In his second inning of work, Reed retired Milwaukee in order.

The biggest triumph of all for the Dodgers might just have been that they were able to play today’s game, on a day that several exhibition games were rained out. In particular, it was good for Dan Haren to get his first start of Spring Training in, with Josh Beckett scheduled to go on Sunday. Haren allowed a run in two innings, then threw a simulated third inning in the bullpen.

Joc Pederson goes opposite field to lift Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On February 28, 2014

In Postgame, Spring Training

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By Jon Weisman

It was a feel-good day for the pitchers on both the Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox … and then Joc Pederson came to the plate.

Pederson, understudying for Scott Van Slyke in right field today, followed a Clint Robinson single by slicing a ball the opposite way over the left-field fence, breaking a seventh-inning scoreless tie and lifting the Dodgers on their way to a 5-0 victory over Chicago.

Robinson himself hit a homer in the eighth inning that capped a three-run rally and gave him three hits in six Cactus League at-bats so far. Robinson’s pull shot to right field followed a walk and stolen base by Dee Gordon, a double by Mike Baxter and a sacrifice fly by Brendan Harris.

While the good times ended abruptly for the White Sox hurlers, they rolled right on for the home-clad Dodgers.

Hyun-Jin Ryu became the first Dodger starting pitcher at Spring Training this year to complete two scoreless innings, allowing two hits with no strikeouts. Brian Wilson, Kenley Jansen, Chris Perez, J.P. Howell and Jamey Wright each followed with scoreless innings, with Matt Magill throwing 38 pitches in two frames to wrap things up.

Los Angeles lowered its Cactus League ERA through three games to 2.33. The Dodgers have yet to allow a home run in 27 innings of Cactus League play. A total of 13 Dodger pitchers have combined to allow one run in their past 16 innings.

Juan Uribe homers as Dodgers rally to first exhibition victory

By Jon Weisman

On February 27, 2014

In Postgame, Spring Training

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By Jon Weisman

He hit the Dodgers’ most dramatic home run of 2013, and now he has the Dodgers’ first home run of Spring Training 2014.

Juan Uribe’s high, high fly ball to left field pierced the sky before just clearing the left-field fence in the fourth inning of the Dodgers’ 4-3 victory over Arizona at Camelback Ranch. The homer by the famed Uribear tied the game at 2, two innings after Uribe’s soft bloop single scored Adrian Gonzalez with the Dodgers’ first run.

Miguel Rojas spearheaded the Dodgers’ go-ahead rally in the bottom of the seventh, leading off with a sharp single to center and going to second on a wild pitch. After Nick Buss was hit by a pitch, fellow reserve candidate Brendan Harris singled home Rojas.

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Alex Guerrero then hit a blooper to short left-center (ruled a single and an error) with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning to bring home one more run.

For the second day in a row, a Dodger reliever with an outside chance of making the active roster struck out the side. Today, it was Daniel Moskos, who fanned Mike Jacobs, Matt Tuiasosopo and Jake Lamb. But the top relief performance of the day came from Red Patterson, who retired all seven batters he faced, striking out two.

Sam Demel, converted third baseman Pedro Baez and Jarret Martin also pitched shutout innings. Carlos Frias would have as well, but with two out and a runner on third in the bottom of the ninth, Buss lost his grip at the last moment of a diving catch attempt that would have ended the game, but instead went for an RBI double.

Scott Van Slyke then succeeded with a diving catch in right field to prevent the tying run from scoring and wrap things up.

Chris Withrow, pressed into early action thanks to the calfinated Zack Greinke, allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one. He ended up throwing 42 pitches in his 1 1/3 innings.

Andre Ethier joined Uribe and Guerrero in the two-hit club.

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Category: Postgame (Page 21 of 21)

Beckett thumbs nose at hitters, noses thumb at fates

In case you missed it: Spring Training’s eternal mysteries

In case you missed it: Guerrero’s near-home run

You’d think it was Father’s Day

In case you missed it: Hanley and a hand for Lee

In case you missed it: The curious case of Clayton Kershaw

Clint Robinson on a five-hit roll

Joc Pederson goes opposite field to lift Dodgers

Juan Uribe homers as Dodgers rally to first exhibition victory

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