Dodger Thoughts

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

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A.J. Ellis ties obscure, quirky MLB record

Ellis x 3By Jon Weisman

In the bottom of the fourth inning of tonight’s 2-0 victory over Philadelphia, the Dodgers recorded all three outs on Clayton Kershaw strikeouts in the dirt that required A.J. Ellis to throw out the runner at first base.

Ellis became the second Dodger catcher and first since Bruce Edwards on August 15, 1946 to rack up three assists in one inning. And according to Baseball Almanac (though I don’t know how up to date that site is), Ellis is the seventh MLB catcher and first since 1976 to do so.

Update:

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Timmermann found at least two other instances of catchers getting three assists in an inning, including Drew Butera’s father Sal on September 7, 1981.

Update No. 2: Having gone through the records with Timmermann, I’m confident, if not completely sure, that Ellis is the first catcher ever to get three assists in one inning on strikeouts that required throws to first.

Speaking of threes: Kershaw pitched three innings before a 43-minute rain delay and three innings after, and his strikeout total for the game was 3×3. Dee Gordon stole three bases in three tries. Yasiel Puig raised his batting average to .343 with a rhyming 3-for-3.

And Brandon League put three runners on base in the seventh inning, before J.P. Howell got three consecutive outs to end the threat, the start of three shutout innings by the Dodger bullpen, to complete the combined three-hit shutout.

Arrueready for Arruebarrena?

LOS ANGELES DODGERS VS NEW YORK METS
Jon SooHoo was all over the Yasiel Puig catch Friday. Check out his photos at LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m.
Kershaw CLXXXVII: Kershawue Detective
Dee Gordon, 2B
Chone Figgins, 3B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Andre Ethier, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Erisbel Arruebarrena, SS
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Erisbel Arruebarrena gets his first Major League start tonight, as Hanley Ramirez takes a day off.

Andre Ethier is starting in center field, and there are hints that we might see more of him out there, as concern over Matt Kemp’s defensive performance has become more explicit. From Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

“We continue to look at it and give Matt the opportunity to keep working and get better,” Mattingly said. “He doesn’t look the same. The burst, the outrun-the-ball thing. We’ve talked to Matt and don’t hear anything medically that he’s not feeling good. We just want to see the same burst. We don’t know if it’s a matter of him being out a few years. He’s trying, been working and we’ll continue to go from there.”

Four extra-base hits cleared Kemp’s head, contributing to all four Mets runs, one of them scoring because Kemp dropped a ball he picked up off the warning track.

“I just need to play better defense,” said Kemp. “Burst or anything, I’m not getting as good a jump as I need to. I cost us one run bobbling the ball, and it’s nobody’s fault but mine. No excuses. I’ve made a couple bad plays in the outfield. It happens.”

Either’s on-base percentage fell to .247 on April 24. Since then, in 62 plate appearances, he has a .419 on-base percentage and .455 slugging, with no home runs but six doubles and six walks. He has started 12 of the Dodgers’ 23 games in that stretch.

Dodger fan donations received by San Fernando Valley Mission

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By Jon Weisman

More than 80 boxes of clothing, bedding, toiletries, toys and food donated by Dodger fans were received today by the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, which was devastated by a fire earlier this month.

These items will be used either by shelter guests or sold at the Mission’s Super Thrift Store, which provides financial support for the Mission.

“The Mission does such great work to help those in need, the Dodgers were happy to be able to do our part to help in the rebuilding process,” Dodger senior vice president of external affairs Renata Simril said.

The Clayton Kershaw no no-no list

LOS ANGELES DODGERS AT ATLANTA BRAVES

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw has been many things so far in his young career, but a no-hit pitcher isn’t one of them.

In fact, given his dazzling stuff, it’s remarkable how rarely he has threatened to throw a no-no, and how rapidly he usually loses them.

In 192 career starts, including the postseason, Kershaw has taken a no-hitter past the sixth inning only once. Nolan Ryan finished nine innings without allowing a hit more times than Kershaw has finished five innings.

The breakdown to date of when Kershaw has lost his no-hit bids:

  • First inning: 102 times
  • Second inning: 45 times
  • Third inning: 23 times
  • Fourth inning: 17 times
  • Fifth inning: three times
  • Sixth inning: once
  • Seventh inning: none
  • Eighth inning: once

What follows is a brief history of Kershaw’s hitful wonders …

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Double-doubled Dodgers go in and out of victory

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By Jon Weisman

Not since that sunny day in San Francisco have we taken such a big bite out of the entire Yasiel Puig experience, but my takeaway from tonight’s 5-by-3 loss is that Puig’s experience is just a drive-thru of everyone’s experience.

Puig comboed his great catch with a double, but was twice grilled onions on the bases. Justin Turner made a cheesy error and hit a two-run home run. Zack Greinke was left unbunned by the Dodgers’ protein-style defense for two unearned runs, but was also served by Puig’s second-inning spread. Daniel Murphy of the Mets had his own glop of animal-style fielding and went 0 for 4, but by July, he could be going to the All-Star Game.

Nobody’s perfect, nobody’s worthless. It’s not chocolate or vanilla – it’s a black-and-white. What matters is whether we taste the good or the bad in the end. For the Dodgers, the good has had the edge, but not enough to satisfy even themselves.

That’s what baseball is all about.

Video: Yasiel Puig’s magnificent catch

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By Jon Weisman

In the bottom of the second inning, Yasiel Puig made a catch he had no business making. And he comes oh-so-close to a double play in the process.

Puig’s not even in the picture at first.

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And as the ball is coming down, it still doesn’t seem possible he’ll get there …

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A.J. Ellis kills it on ‘Intentional Talk’

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Here it is, the latest, greatest appearance by A.J. Ellis on MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk.” It’s got … a little bit of everything.

— Jon Weisman

It’s a bright, bright Chone Chiny day

LOS ANGELES DODGERS AT ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Dodgers at Mets, 4:10 p.m.
Chone Figgins, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Zack Greinke, P

By Jon Weisman

There was some scoffing when Chone Figgins signed on to reboot his Major League career with the Dodgers, but so far, so good.

Figgins has developed a fairly specific role with the Dodgers: Come off the bench to lead off an inning and, without any seeming threat of power, get on base.

In his 27 plate appearances so far this season, 16 of them have been as the first batter of an inning, and he has a .500 on-base percentage (and .455 slugging percentage) in those situations. He also has a .474 OBP as a pinch-hitter.

Tonight, in the Dodgers’ 48th game, Figgins makes only his third start of the year, though his rate should increase now that Juan Uribe is on the disabled list and Justin Turner will be needed over there. Dee Gordon still hasn’t been a convincing hitter against left-handed pitchers, registering a .200 on-base percentage (8 for 40 with no walks) and .250 slugging percentage this year. It would be going too far to say he can’t improve those numbers, but against Mets lefty Jonathon Niese (2.54 ERA, .446 right-handed opponents’ OPS), it’s a sensible enough time to let Gordon come off the bench.

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For second time in 2014, Dodgers win without a single

By Jon Weisman

It had happened only five times in the past 30 years, but now it has happened twice in two months. As they did on April 6 against the Giants, the Dodgers won tonight without a single one-base hit.

Los Angeles defeated New York, 4-3, on the strength of solo homers by Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez (the latter two back to back) and doubles by Matt Kemp and Chone Figgins (the latter coming home on an eighth-inning fielder’s choice).

The April 6 game is the only time the Dodgers have had more than five hits in a game without a single. Of course, it was only six years ago that the Dodgers won with no hits at all.

Other tidbits from tonight:

  • Hyun-Jin Ryu, who came off the disabled list with a season and career ERA of 3.00, maintained that by allowing two runs in six innings. Ryu struck out eight in his first four innings and nine overall, but his road scoreless streak ended at 33 innings when Eric “Don’t call me Earl” Campbell hit a two-run, sixth-inning home run.
  • The maligned Dodger bullpen had thrown eight consecutive shutout innings, before a one-out triple by Juan Lagares in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen led to a run. Jansen fanned David Wright to end the game.
  • Brandon League escaped the seventh inning despite runners on second and third and two out, extending his personal streak without an earned run to 21 1/3 innings.
  • Figgins’ double raised his season on-base percentage to .444. As a pinch-hitter, Figgins has reached base in 9 of 19 plate appearances.
  • Puig pushed his slugging percentage past .600, while Gonzalez has homered in three straight games.

Miguel Olivo placed on suspended list

From the Dodgers:

Today, the Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, placed catcher Miguel Olivo on the suspended list.  Olivo, who is on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, will remain suspended pending the completion of an investigation into the dugout altercation during yesterday’s game at Salt Lake.

— Jon Weisman

Uribe heads to disabled list, Arruebarrena called up

Los Angeles Dodgers Erisbel Arruebarrena

Dodgers at Mets, 4:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

There will be no wait and see with Juan Uribe’s right hamstring strain. The Dodger third baseman is going on the disabled list, with defensive whiz Erisbel Arruebarrena (above left, with Yasiel Puig in Spring Training) coming up to fortify the infield in his absence.

The Dodgers are also expected to activate starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu from the disabled list. A corresponding roster move has yet to be announced. Update: Chris Withrow has been optioned to make room for Ryu.

Uribe injured himself in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game while running out his 11th double of the 2014 season. It was his fourth start and fifth appearance since missing five games with the original hamstring injury.

Arruebarrena1Following his redemptive 2013 season, Uribe was off to another strong start in 2014. According to Fangraphs, Uribe has been the fourth most valuable third baseman in baseball this year. His .785 OPS and 119 OPS+ are even higher than his totals from last season. Uribe has already reached base more times seven more times in 2014 than he did in all of 2012.

Arruebarrena, whom the Dodgers signed to a five-year contract February 22, has a sterling defensive reputation at shortstop. His bat could be a liability, as illustrated by a .252 on-base percentage and .302 slugging percentage at Double-A Chattanooga, though he is 12 for 37 with a walk, a double and a home run in his last nine games.

At least initially, Justin Turner and Chone Figgins figure to take the bulk of Uribe’s missing innings.

Ryu, who has a 3.00 ERA in seven starts this year, hasn’t allowed a run on the road in 28 innings dating back to last year and has a 0.98 ERA on the road dating back to August 8, with 45 strikeouts against 38 baserunners in 55 1/3 innings.

Withrow has a 2.95 ERA in 21 1/3 innings with the Dodgers, extending his career-long streak of allowing no inherited runners to score to 16.

Filipino Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium, June 13

filipino_tshirt275x397Filipino Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium will be on June 13, when the Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a 7:10 p.m. game.

The Filipino Ticket package includes:

  • A commemorative Dodger Filipino Heritage Night T-shirt
  • Ticket to the All You Can Eat Pavilion
  • Unlimited Dodger Dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and soda

Stay after the game for Friday Night Fireworks!

A portion of the proceeds from this event will directly support the American Red Cross in their Philippine Typhoon Relief efforts.

To purchase tickets, visit: dodgers.com/filipino. For information on other Dodger Stadium theme nights and special events, click here.

Britni Howze

Video: ‘Dodgers Roadshow’ highlights rare goodies

Dodgers Roadshow

By Jon Weisman

The centerpiece of the May issue of Dodger Insider magazine is our Dodgers Roadshow (excerpted above, click to enlarge). Team historian Mark Langill discussed the history behind 20 pieces of Dodger memorabilia, few if any of which you’ve ever seen before.

In the videos that follow, Langill devotes even more time to these strange and wonderful artifacts. Enjoy!

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Dodgers win one but lose two

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By Jon Weisman

Led by four times on base apiece by Yasiel Puig and Adrian Gonalez, the Dodgers survived two sixth-inning home runs by the Mets to win going away in New York tonight, 9-4. But it was a costly day.

First was the news of the altercation between Miguel Olivo and Alex Guerrero during their Triple-A game today, a fight that left Guerrero in surgery to repair his ear, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

Then came Juan Uribe’s ninth-inning re-injury of his hamstring while running out a double.

It’s a painful turn of events for several reasons, only one of them being that Guerrero was on fire with Albuquerque, leading the Pacific Coast League with a 1.152 OPS, and was beginning to be tested out at other positions besides second base.

A.J. Ellis’ curveball to Josh Beckett is a strike

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Dodgers at Mets, 4:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Josh Beckett, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Beckett’s resurgence is rightfully getting attention, and the best piece about it came from the Register’s Pedro Moura, who chronicled how Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis urged Beckett to use his curveball more.

… And on April 11 in the Chase Field visitors’ locker room, four hours before the Dodgers played the Diamondbacks and two days after Beckett had been lit up in his 2014 debut, the catcher approached the pitcher with an urgent message.

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