True Blue LA - All Posts

Mattingly wants to activate Mark Ellis today

2013-05-19T15:30:19Z

LA Times Dylan Hernandez reports this morning that Luis Cruz may have an injury and that Don Mattingly wants to activate Mark Ellis today; OC Register's Bill Plunkett tweets medical staff cleared Ellis, move likely to come soon.

Don Mattingly wants to activate Mark Ellis today.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) May 19, 2013

Luis Cruz has elbow inflammation. Mattingly said he feels better today.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) May 19, 2013

#Dodgers Mattingly said Mark Ellis has been cleared to play. Wants him to start today. Roster move coming
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) May 19, 2013

Dodgers 5/18/13 minor league report - Songco plates 4 in Quakes' win

2013-05-19T12:00:09Z

Minor League Player of the Day – Angelo Songco (HiA) - 3 for 4, 1 3B, 4 RBI's. It's tough to get excited about Songco since he already dominated the California League back in 2011, but after a rough April it is nice to see Angelo hitting well for the Quakes over the last few weeks. Given his age and overall lack of production it's going to be tough for Songco to ever make it to the big leagues, but he does have a ton of raw power so he's worth keeping around in case he figures something out and/or hits a hot streak that could help the Dodgers.

AAA – The Isotopes dropped their third straight game on Saturday as Albuquerque fell to Reno (Dbacks) 5 to 1. Starter Matt Palmer got touched up for all 5 of the runs in his 4 innings of work, allowing 8 hits and 2 runs in the process. The Topes' bullpen was great as Red Patterson, Peter Moylan, and Kelvin De La Cruz held the Aces scoreless over the final 5 frames, but it didn't matter as the offense wasn't able to mount a comeback. In fact all 6 of Albuquerque's hits were singles, with Rusty Ryal having the only multi-hit game as he went 2 for 4.

AA – The Lookouts were reinforced by a couple of rehabbing big leaguers on Saturday, but that didn't help them record the win as Chattanooga fell to Tennessee (Cubs) 7 to 5. Scott Elbert actually got the start in this game, and while he only threw 1 innings ended up allowing a run on two hits. Chris Reed followed Elbert and tossed the next 5 frames, but he struggled a bit as he matched a season high with 9 hits permitted and in total gave up 5 runs (3 earned). On offense Mark Ellis got 4 at bats and played 7 innings in the field, but unfortunately he went 0 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Yasiel Puig and a double and a single in 5 at bats to raise his batting average above .300, while Joc Pederson managed to extend his hitting streak with a single.

HiA – A pair of 1st baseman helped the Quakes record a 8 to 3 win over the Giants on Saturday. O'Koyea Dickson, who usually plays 1st base but was the Rancho DH in this game, went 3 for 4 with an RBI and 3 runs scored, while Angelo Songo, the true 1st baseman in this contest, drove in 4 with a triple and two singles. Ryan Mount also continued his hot streak at the plate as he went 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs batted in. On the mound Lindsey Caughel allowed just 5 hits and 1 run over 6 innings in his second California League start, striking out 4 in the process. A couple of relievers got through the next few innings without issue, and while Owen Jones gave up 2 runs in the 9th, it didn't matter as the Quakes' lead was big enough to absorb the late runs.

LoA – The Loons captured sole possession of last place on Saturday with a 9 - 2 loss to the Lugnuts (Blue Jays). The Great Lakes offense did not have an extra base hit in this game, and while Robbie Garvey went 2 for 3, he was also caught stealing twice. Nobody else did anything of note at the plate. Starter Ralston Cash lasted just 2 innings in this one as he walked 4 batters and allowed 5 runs on 3 hits during that time frame. Geoff Brown and Zach Bird were great in relief as they combined for 4 scoreless frames, but Joel Lima did not fare as well as he gave up 5 hits (including 2 homers) in his inning of work.

Coming up – There will be a handful of late morning/early afternoon games on Sunday, starting with Jharel Cotton and the Loons taking on the Lugnuts. Andres Santiago will throw for the Lookouts, Angel Castro will get the ball for the Isotopes, and the Quakes starter is TBD.

Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)

Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)

Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)

Minor League Central - Daily Dodger Recap

Waiting for Matt Kemp & Andre Ethier

2013-05-19T04:34:41Z

There are 78 players in the National League in 2013 with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title.

Matt Kemp ranks 67th with a .335 slugging percentage. Andre Ethier is 59th with a .371 slugging percentage.

Among Los Angeles Dodgers with 1,000 plate appearances in their careers, Kemp ranks ninth with a .494 SLG, and Ethier is 11th at .473.

In May there are 78 players in the NL with 50 plate appearances. Kemp, who is hitting .293 this month, is 67th with a .345 SLG. Ethier, who is hitting .304, is 60th with a .388 SLG in May. Even team home run leader Carl Crawford, who is hitting .306 in May, is 53rd with a .388 SLG.

The trio was 0-for-12 on Saturday night in their 3-1 loss to the Braves.

Such is the story of the 2013 Dodgers. Second in the league in on-base percentage, but because of the lack of power they are second to last in runs scored.

What would Earl Weaver say about such a lack of power? Skip to the one-minute mark:

Braves 3, Dodgers 1: Kenley Jansen, offense waste Chris Capuano gem

2013-05-19T02:02:43Z

Kenley Jansen allowed back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning to Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons, combining with the Dodgers offense to waste a magnificent outing by Chris Capuano. The Braves won 3-1 for their second straight win over the Dodgers.

Capuano allowed just five singles while pitching into the eighth inning with a 1-0 lead. Three of the hits were by third baseman Chris Johnson, and another came off the bat of pitcher Kris Medlen, but it was a one-out single by slumping B.J. Upton in the eighth that ended Capuano's night.

Jansen was brought in to face the pinch hitter Gattis, who hit the eighth pitch from Jansen into the left field seats to turn a Dodgers advantage into a Braves lead. Jansen's next pitch was also hit out, this time by the fellow Curacao native Simmons.

Adrian Gonzalez walked with one out in the fourth inning, though given his current neck injury that hurts when he runs and that Gonzalez is one of the slowest Dodgers, he was seemingly far from scoring position. But one out later when Skip Schumaker doubled and Justin Upton booted the ball in left field, Gonzalez was waved home and made it easily. Entering pay Saturday, Gonzalez had taken the extra base on a play just six percent of the time this season, down from 27% in his career.

Medlen didn't allow the Dodgers many more opportunities, as he only allowed two hits and three walks in his seven innings.

Up next

Matt Magill gets the call in the finale on Sunday as the Dodgers try avoid the sweep. Left-handed pitcher Mike Minor gets the call for the Braves on Sunday morning in a game that will be televised by both Prime Ticket and TBS.

Saturday's particulars

Home runs: Evan Gattis (8), Andrelton Simmons (5)

WP - Cory Gearrin (1-0): 3 up, 3 down

LP - Kenley Jansen (1-2): ⅔ IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 strikeout

Sv - Craig Kimbrel (13): 1 IP, 2 strikeouts

Dodgers vs. Braves starting lineups: Tim Federowicz starts behind the plate

2013-05-18T21:36:25Z

The Dodgers look to rebound from Friday's loss in the middle game of their series against the Braves at Turner Field. Andre Ethier, who was held out of the starting lineup as a day or rest on Friday, is back in the lineup on Saturday night. He is 4-for-6 with two doubles in his career against Atlanta starter Kris Medlen.

Scott Van Slyke, who homered twice on Friday, sits on Saturday.

Chris Capuano gets the start for the Dodgers, and will pitch to Tim Federowicz, as catcher A.J. Ellis gets a game off.

Ramon Hernandez has played just one of the last 16 games, while Federowicz is making his second start since getting recalled on May 8, and he has also been used as a pinch hitter five times during that span. Either Hernandez or Luis Cruz are candidates to be designated for assignment when Mark Ellis returns from the disabled list. But that might not come on Sunday, as previously thought, per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.

Mark Ellis is unlikely to be activated tomorrow, according to Don Mattingly. Ellis scheduled to play 6 innings in AA today.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) May 18, 2013

Hernandez also reported that Ted Lilly will be activated on this road trip, and that it "could be in a bullpen role." Considering Lilly's inability to hold runners, it would be hard to see him in anything other than a mop-up, long man role if in the bullpen. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register was more specific:

#Dodgers mgr Don Mattingly said Ted Lilly will be activated from DL on Monday. Doesn't sound like he knows what to do with him though
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) May 18, 2013

Game info

Time: 4:10 p.m.

TV: KCAL

MLB Gameday

Dodgers vs. Brewers pitching matchups: Zack Greinke returns to Milwaukee

2013-05-18T19:41:54Z

After their series in Atlanta, the Dodgers will head to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers beginning Monday night at Miller Park. It marks the first time Zack Greinke will face his old team since getting traded last July. Here are the pitching matchups and television schedule for the weekday series.

Monday, 5:10 p.m. (KCAL)

The Dodgers are sending their three best pitchers at the Brewers, beginning with ace of aces Clayton Kershaw in the opener. Kershaw gets five days rest after throwing a career-high 132 pitches in his near shutout of the Nationals on Tuesday. Yovani Gallardo gets the call for the Brewers, making this a matchup of opening day starters.

Tuesday, 5:10 p.m. (KCAL)

Zack Greinke never lost at home as a Brewer, as he was 15-0 in 24 games, including 23 starts with a 2.89 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 149⅔ innings. The rookie Hiram Burgos has a 6.58 ERA in five starts, but he pitched a quality start in a no-decision at Dodger Stadium on Apr. 26.

Wednesday, 10:10 a.m. (Prime Ticket)

Hyun-jin Ryu looks to rebound from the shortest outing of his career, as he starts in the finale in Milwaukee. Wily Peralta has allowed 20 runs in 21⅓ innings over his last four starts and has a 5.94 ERA on the season.

The Dodgers have lost each of their last two road series in Milwaukee the last two seasons, going 2-5 at Miller Park during that span.

May 18: Braves 3, Dodgers 1

2013-05-18T19:11:09Z

Chris Capuano pitched a gem, but a pair of home runs off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning turned a 1-0 lead into a 3-1 Dodgers loss to the Braves on Saturday night at Turner Field.

The Dodgers look to get back into the win column on Saturday night against the Braves, and one way to do it might be an extended outing from Chris Capuano. Outside of Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers starting pitchers have been lacking this month.

Capuano pitched well in his last start, on Monday against the Marlins, pitching into the seventh inning with seven strikeouts and just one run allowed. But it was just one of four games out of 11 in May that a non-Kershaw Dodgers starting pitcher has lasted at least six innings.

Kershaw has allowed three runs in his three starts in May, but the rest of the starters have a 5.30 ERA while averaging just 4.79 innings per start.

The Dodgers began the year with 11 quality starts in 13 games. But they have just 10 quality starts in the 27 games since, including six in 21 games from the non-Kershaw contingent.

With Zack Greinke now back and Hyun-jin Ryu proving to be an effective third starter, Friday notwithstanding, the Dodgers' starting pitching should be in better shape going forward. But they still need contributions from the others. That means Capuano on Saturday and Matt Magill on Sunday.

Capuano in his career is 5-3 with a 2.75 ERA against the Braves in 12 games, including 10 starts, his best mark against any club with at least four starts against.

Would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that Medlen kid

The Dodgers haven't faced Braves starter Kris Medlen all that much. Andre Ethier is 4-for-6 with two doubles, while Matt Kemp is 1-for-7 with a double and four strikeouts. Juan Uribe is 0-for-6. Ramon Hernandez is 1-for-2 with a walk, though he has played once in the last 16 games. A.J. Ellis is 1-for-1 against Medlen.

Friday a rarity

Scott Van Slyke hit two home runs Friday night, the first multi-homer game and third multi-hit game of his career. But that it came in a loss was most surprising. The Dodgers had won their last 27 games in which a player hit at least two home runs. The last loss came on June 5, 2008, when the Cubs prevailed 5-4 at Dodger Stadium despite two home runs from Jeff Kent.

Rehab Saturday

Mark Ellis was 0-for-1 on Friday night in his first rehab game with Double-A Chattanooga, and is expected to play six innings at second base for the Lookouts again on Saturday night. Ellis could be activated as soon as Sunday.

Scott Elbert is scheduled to pitch an inning on Saturday for Chattanooga, in the fourth game of his minor league rehab assignment. It is unclear what lies ahead next for Elbert, who had two offseason elbow surgeries and hasn't pitched since August. His previous three games on the rehab assignment were with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. His minor league outings will have come with either one or two days rest in between, and he has yet to pitch on back-to-back days, something the Dodgers generally like to see, especially out of a lefty specialist. That they moved his rehab to Chattanooga while the club is merely an hour away in Atlanta suggests a possible activation from the disabled list is imminent. But it could also simply mean a step up in competition for Elbert.

Game info

Time: 4:10 p.m.

TV: KCAL

Dodgers in need of quality, quantity from starting pitchers

2013-05-18T19:05:40Z

Kershaw has allowed three runs in his three starts in May, but the rest of the starters have a 5.30 ERA while averaging just 4.79 innings per start.

The Dodgers began the year with 11 quality starts in 13 games. But they have just 10 quality starts in the 27 games since, including six in 21 games from the non-Kershaw contingent.

Capuano in his career is 5-3 with a 2.75 ERA against the Braves in 12 games, including 10 starts, his best mark against any club with at least four starts against.

Dodgers		Braves
LF	Crawford (L)	SS	Simmons
CF	Kemp	RF	Heyward (L)
1B	Gonzalez (L)	LF	Upton, J
RF	Ethier (L)	1B	Freeman (L)
2B	Schumaker (L)	3B	Johnson
C	Federowicz	C	McCann (L)
3B	Punto (S)	2B	Uggla
SS	Gordon (L)	CF	Upton, M
P	Capuano (L)	P	Medlen (S)

True Blue LA - All Posts

Mattingly wants to activate Mark Ellis today

Dodgers 5/18/13 minor league report - Songco plates 4 in Quakes' win

Waiting for Matt Kemp & Andre Ethier

Braves 3, Dodgers 1: Kenley Jansen, offense waste Chris Capuano gem

Up next

Saturday's particulars

Dodgers vs. Braves starting lineups: Tim Federowicz starts behind the plate

Starting Lineups

Game info

Dodgers vs. Brewers pitching matchups: Zack Greinke returns to Milwaukee

Monday, 5:10 p.m. (KCAL)

Tuesday, 5:10 p.m. (KCAL)

Wednesday, 10:10 a.m. (Prime Ticket)

May 18: Braves 3, Dodgers 1

Would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that Medlen kid

Friday a rarity

Rehab Saturday

Game info

Dodgers in need of quality, quantity from starting pitchers

Would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that Medlen kid

Friday a rarity

Rehab Saturday

Game info