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Dee Gordon steals 3 bases, keeps pace with Maury Wills

The Dodgers speedster went five games without a steal but made up for lost time on Friday night.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Dee Gordon came back refreshed after sitting on Thursday and got back into the swing of things in Friday's win over the Phillies. He was 1-for-4 with a walk and stole three bases, the fourth time this season he has stolen at least three bases in a game.

Two of those stolen bases came in the first inning, with Gordon stealing second and third base after a single before scoring the Dodgers' first run. Gordon has stolen third base six times this season, tied with Jonathan Villar of the Astros for the most in the majors.

Gordon has 28 steals on the season, 10 more than his nearest competitor, Billy Hamilton of the Reds. Gordon has 15 stolen bases in May alone, a total surpassed on the season by only Hamilton, Houston's Jose Altuve (17) and Eric Young (16) of the Mets.

The only Dodger since 1914 with more steals in May than Gordon's 15 is Maury Wills, who stole 21 bases in May 1965 and 19 in May 1962. Gordon has eight more games to catch him.

Wills finished with 94 steals in 1965 and 104 in 1962, the latter a Dodgers franchise record. Wills led the majors in stolen bases in those two years and led the National League in six straight years (1960-65). Gordon, with 28 steals through 49 team games, is on pace for 93 stolen bases this year.

Here's a look at Gordon and Wills through similar points in the season.

Scenario Wills 1962 Wills 1965 Gordon 2014
SB/CS through 49 team games 27/3 33/8 28/3
SB/CS rest of the season 77/10 61/23 TBD
Game No. 50 2-for-4, 0 SB 1-for-5, SB vs. RHP Buchanan

Wills didn't steal a base in the Dodgers' 50th game in 1962, but he did in 1965. Down 9-1 in the ninth inning, Wills stole third base in a double steal with Jim Gilliam against Milwaukee Braves pitcher Tony Cloninger and catcher Joe Torre.

Up next

The Dodgers send Dan Haren to the mound on Saturday afternoon, a 12:05 p.m. PT start in the middle game of the series. Philadelphia will call upon right-hander David Buchanan to make his major league debut.