Andre Ethier hit his 41st double yesterday, the most by a Dodger since Shawn Green hit 49 in 2003. Unfortunately for Ethier, Pablo Sandoval of the Giants also doubled, giving him a league-leading 42 on the season. Here is the National League doubles leaderboard heading into play Sunday:
Player | 2B |
Pablo Sandoval | 42 |
Andre Ethier | 41 |
Miguel Tejada | 40 |
Hanley Ramirez | 39 |
Albert Pujols | 39 |
Brad Hawpe | 39 |
The only Los Angeles Dodger to ever lead the league in doubles was Wes Parker, who cycled his way to 47 two-baggers in 1970. Counting Brooklyn, here are the Dodgers who have led the league in doubles:
Player | Year | Doubles |
Wes Parker | 1970 | 47 |
Pete Reiser | 1941 | 39 |
Johnny Frederick | 1929 | 52 |
Red Smith | 1913 | 40 |
Tom Daly | 1901 | 38 |
Mike Griffin | 1891 | 36 |
Ethier, who Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times tabbed as General Manager Ned Colletti's best move, has 24 doubles since the All-Star break.
The Dodgers have five players with 25 doubles (Ethier, Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal, Orlando Hudson, and Casey Blake). With 13 games left to play, James Loney has 24 doubles, and Manny Ramirez has 22. No Dodger team has ever had seven players with 25 doubles.
Randy Wolf is making his third start against the Giants this season. In his previous two starts, he has allowed one earned run in 14 innings. If Randy Wolf pitches at least three innings today (AKA longer than Brad Penny), he will not only trigger the final $500,000 incentive bonus clause in his contract, but he will also reach the 200-inning plateau for the first time since 2003.
Tim Lincecum, starting today for San Francisco, has 509 strikeouts over the last two seasons, the most in any two-season period by any pitcher in Giants' history.
I'm at Dodger Stadium today, and will have pregame news and notes over the next couple of hours. Overheard on the elevator was that Comcast in the Bay Area won't allow their on-air talent to wear anything blue, lest they be associated with the colors of the Giants' biggest rival.
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Check out Xeifrank's simulation of today's game here.
Don't forget to RSVP for True Blue LA Day at Dodger Stadium, on the next-to-last day of the regular season, October 3 against the Rockies.
Get your guesses in for our today's "One, Two, Three Strikes, You're Out," here.
Game Time: 1:10pm
TV: Prime Ticket