Matthew Mesa/Los Angeles Dodgers
By Jon Weisman
Tie game, bases loaded, two out, full count.
Sometimes, the biggest moment of the game comes in the bottom of the ninth. For Ross Stripling and the Dodgers today, it was the top of the first.
Tag: Ross Stripling (Page 2 of 4)
Scott Kazmir allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings during the Dodgers’ 9-0 loss Friday to Boston.
Red Sox at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Kiké Hernández, CF
Josh Reddick, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Kiké Hernández, CF
Josh Reddick, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P
By Jon Weisman
Brandon McCarthy will start Sunday on four days’ rest after all, with the Dodgers postponing the anticipated activation of Rich Hill from the disabled list.
Dave Roberts told reporters today that Hill remains day to day because of remnants of a blister on a different part of his finger than the one that sent him to the DL in July.
McCarthy has thrown a total of seven innings over his past two starts, averaging 84 pitches.
Bud Norris was officially placed on the disabled list (retroactive to August 1), and Ross Stripling was officially promoted to start today’s game.
In 34 innings this month, the Dodgers have used 13 pitchers, with none pitching more than twice. Stripling will be their 14th pitcher in August, and Grant Dayton, recalled Thursday from Triple-A Oklahoma City, could soon be No. 15.
No reliever has thrown more than three innings in the past five days. Until things stabilize, Dodger pitching might continue to resemble a series of line changes that incorporate additions and subtractions from the minors and the DL.
Within the next two weeks, that could include the return of Brett Anderson, Louis Coleman, Casey Fien, Adam Liberatore, Hill and Norris from the disabled list. Jose De Leon, scheduled to pitch tonight for Triple-A Oklahoma City, is among those who continue to lurk in the minors. It’s not out of the question that the Dodgers will use 20 different pitchers in August alone.
By Jon Weisman
Ross Stripling is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Saturday against the Red Sox, with Rich Hill projected to make his Dodger debut Sunday, according to Dodger manager Dave Roberts.
Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Brandon McCarthy, P
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Brandon McCarthy, P
By Jon Weisman
Yasiel Puig has been sent to the minors, along with Ross Stripling, to make room on the 25-man roster for newly acquired outfielder Josh Reddick and reliever Jesse Chavez.
Rich Hill remains on the disabled list, which he is eligible to return from Thursday if he’s ready. (Technically, Hill is now the 23rd Dodger on the disabled list this year, setting a National League record.) Relief pitcher Josh Fields will also report to the minors.
The Dodgers are expected to comment later today about Puig, who is being optioned to the minors (as opposed to going on a rehab assignment) for the first time since March 26, 2013, when the team sent him to Double-A Chattanooga after his first Spring Training.
Puig’s transaction history appears below (click to enlarge):
Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
By Jon Weisman
Throughout July, Dodger bats and relievers had carried Los Angeles through their first full month without Clayton Kershaw. On the final day before August, they summed it up in one rollicking package.
Frankie Montas signed autographs with Yasiel Puig at FanFest in January. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
Right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, who seemed to moving fast toward at least a temporary spot in the Dodger starting rotation a week ago, has re-aggravated a stress reaction in his rib, the Dodgers said today.
The team added he will undergo further diagnostic testing, and no timeframe has yet been given for his return.
The 23-year-old Montas, who missed the start of the 2016 season because of surgery to remove a rib in February, has 22 strikeouts in 16 minor-league innings since his return, with a 2.25 ERA. He fanned 20 in 15 innings after making his MLB debut last year with the White Sox, before he came to Los Angeles in the trade that included Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson.
Side note: Ross Stripling is back in action, throwing three innings in an Arizona League game Thursday.
By Jon Weisman
In this video clip, Vin Scully talks about how new Dodger outfielder Will Venable is using an actual old glove of Dave Roberts from 2005, seen above.
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Here are some more notes and news from the past week …
- Cali Ann’s getting a sibling. Clayton and Ellen Kershaw have a second baby on the way, due in November. Andy McCullough of the Times has the news in this Father’s Day-themed interview with Kershaw, which talks at length about the softening effect parenthood has had on the Dodger ace.
- Monday’s nationally televised series-opener (ESPN) against the Washington Nationals figures to match Stephen Strasburg (2.90 ERA) against Clayton Kershaw (1.58 ERA). I’m not into win-loss records, but even a cynic like me about them finds it a little glamorous that the two pitchers are a combined 20-1. Reminder: Strasburg is four months and one day younger than Kershaw.
- The Dodgers officially announced the signing of the following draft picks: shortstop Errol Robinson (sixth round), right-hander Andre Scrubb (eighth round), right-hander Dean Kremer (14th round), outfielder Darien Tubbs (16th round), third basemen Brock Carpenter (20th round), right-hander Jeff Paschke (22nd round), second baseman Brandon Montgomery (26th round) and catcher Steve Berman (31st round).
- Ross Stripling gave a progress report to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com regarding his current hiatus from game action.
- Chad Billingsley said he hasn’t given up, but the former Dodger right-hander, who hasn’t thrown a competitive pitch in 11 months, told Bruce Hefflinger of the Defiance Crescent-News (his hometown newspaper) that it was “most likely” that his career was over.
- Scott Radinsky, the one-time Dodger reliever who is the Angels’ bullpen coach, is thankfully recovering from April open-heart surgery after a big scare.
- Former Dodger catcher Tim Federowicz was designated for assignment by the Cubs.
Trayce Thompson, preparing for his eight consecutive start, works in the indoor cage before tonight’s game. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
Reds at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCLII: Kershawnhattan
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
Kershaw CCLII: Kershawnhattan
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
By Jon Weisman
Here’s a quick update on some of the Dodger newsmakers over the past 24 hours …
Ross Stripling
Getting optioned to the minors after winning Sunday’s game didn’t shock Stripling, who told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo that it was always the plan that he would be optioned around this time — though certainly current circumstances made the decision more obvious.
Stripling added that the plan is for him to throw three innings when he starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to Andy McCullough of the Times.
Dave Roberts said that Stripling could be used in the rotation or out of the bullpen when he returns to Los Angeles.
Yasiel Puig points back to the dugout after hitting a tiebreaking two-run single in the 17th inning. (Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
By Jon Weisman
The Dodgers won.
They won, 9-5, over San Diego, in 17 innings, despite the albatross of a bad week and a rough season hanging over them. They won, despite the specter of a third consecutive walkoff loss howling all around them.
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Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
By Jon Weisman
Though he didn’t get the win, Ross Stripling’s six one-hit innings didn’t go for naught, as the Dodgers rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits Sunday to defeat Toronto, 4-2, and end their series and road trip on an upbeat note.
Stripling struck out six and walked none, throwing 85 pitches. Joc Pederson homered in the top of the seventh, and after Chris Hatcher allowed an unearned run, Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick drove in runs in the eighth to put the Dodgers ahead.
Feliz dia de las Madres!
Te amo Mama! pic.twitter.com/jcFB4jhXh1— Adrián González (@Adrian_ElTitan) May 8, 2016
Dodgers at Blue Jays, 10:07 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Trayce Thompson, RF
(Ross Stripling, P)
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Trayce Thompson, RF
(Ross Stripling, P)
By Jon Weisman
Mother’s Day brunch meets the Dodgers with this morning’s game at Toronto.
Howie Kendrick, who has already started at second base, third base, left field and designated hitter for the Dodgers this year, takes the field at first base today. Kendrick has 573 1/3 career innings at first base, though none since 2011. He started 44 games there during his rookie season in 2006.
Ross Stripling takes the mound for the Dodgers on seven days’ rest. After going a total of 13 1/3 innings in his first two starts, he has gone 13 2/3 in his past three.
Mike Bolsinger, whose slot Stripling took in the starting rotation, threw 46 pitches (30 strikes) in his first rehab start of the year Saturday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, walking none and striking out three. He pitched three shutout innings before surrendering two runs in his fourth.
And with that, Happy Mother’s Day! Start with this piece by Ken Gurnick of MLB.com on Corey Seager’s mom Jody, and go from there …
Scott Kazmir and Clayton Kershaw (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
Clayton Kershaw has thrown at least seven innings in each of his four starts this season, and the Dodgers would love for him to make it a fifth.
It would be going too far to say they need him to, but … it sure would be nice.
Of the Dodgers’ 20 games this season, starting pitchers have gone at least six innings 11 times — twice in the past seven games.
“I think those guys would be the first to tell you, we’ve got to get length,” Dave Roberts said. “Obviously, we came from (three games in) Denver, but I think to win a lot of games and to go deep in the postseason, we can’t beat up our pen, and so that starts with the starting pitching.
“Last night, I tried to get a little extra length with Ross (Stripling), and unfortunately in the sixth inning they scored a run, but I’ve kind of got to think about the pen usage as well as trying to win that night. There’s that fine balance, certainly.”
Kershaw is making his final start of April tonight. If he completes five innings, he would become the first Dodger starting pitcher to average at least seven innings per start in April since Derek Lowe in 2005. (He’s also on pace to post the highest April strikeout-walk ratio for a Dodger starting pitcher in history: 10.0.)
Next after Kershaw comes Scott Kazmir, who has been bothered somewhat by a sore left thumb and wrist. Kazmir through off flat ground today and is ready to make his scheduled start Wednesday.
“Kaz is a pro,” Roberts said. “He doesn’t want to use it as an excuse, but when you’ve got the wrist-thumb thing, it’s kind of hard for him to get on top of the baseball, so I think he was getting a little outside and under it. So just now even watching him play catch, he was kind of getting the extention he needed and the ball was coming out really well, so I do think it’ll make a big difference.”
“You did good man.”
“No, YOU did good.” pic.twitter.com/d31vVvITgu— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 26, 2016
By Jon Weisman
Yasiel Puig and Trayce Thompson homered in the fourth inning for the Dodgers, but it was not enough to withstand single runs by the Marlins in the three middle innings, and the Dodgers fell to Miami on Monday in their series opener, 3-2.
The Dodger bullpen pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings, but the difference-maker was Derek Dietrich’s RBI triple in the sixth inning off Ross Stripling, who lost his first MLB decision. Stripling allowed eight hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings, and his ERA is now 3.22.
By Jon Weisman
Frankly, I’m not convinced Ross Stripling didn’t do himself a solid by allowing a single to Arizona leadoff batter Jean Segura tonight.
If he weren’t going to have another no-hit performance to match his MLB debut a week ago, it was probably best to get the tension and suspense out of the way immediately. And with the next batter, Socrates Brito, grounding into a double play. Stripling got Segura out of the way nearly as fast.
Paul Goldschmidt then grounded out himself, and Stripling was on his way to another strong start.
The 26-year-old rookie pitched four shutout innings, gave up single runs in the fifth and sixth, and left with his head held high. He has a 2.03 ERA and 0.75 WHIP, 13 1/3 innings into his big-league career.
What Stripling doesn’t have is a win, though the night ended happily for Stripling and the Dodgers just the same.
Welcome to the world,
Jensen Thomas Hatcher 7 lb 5 oz, 20", 1:04 pm. Mom and baby are doing great. pic.twitter.com/cRMukv8e5p— Chris Hatcher (@handlebars41) April 14, 2016
Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Austin Barnes, 2B
Ross Stripling, P
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Trayce Thompson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Austin Barnes, 2B
Ross Stripling, P
By Jon Weisman
With Chris Hatcher going on paternity leave (Congrats!) shortly before or after 1:04 p.m. today, Adam Liberatore has been called up by the Dodgers from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The 28-year-old Liberatore, who most recently threw 33 pitches on Tuesday, walked two and struck out eight in four scoreless, hitless innings in the minors to start the season. He made his MLB debut for the Dodgers on April 17 last year, and allowed no runs or inherited runs in 13 of his first 15 appearances (0.71 WHIP) before finishing his rookie season with a 4.25 ERA.
