True Blue LA - April 30: Padres 5, Dodgers 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2016-04-30T23:16:45-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/113306072016-04-30T23:16:45-07:002016-04-30T23:16:45-07:00Dave Roberts is preaching patience
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>"Can't hit, sucks. Lose 6 in a row, sucks. Still in 1st place, priceless. Perspective. Win tomorrow!"</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> wrote this on the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> clubhouse white board the second they walked in from tonight's loss <a href="https://t.co/C62ziJ2pAm">pic.twitter.com/C62ziJ2pAm</a></p>
— Ryan Walton (@RyanWaltonSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanWaltonSBN/status/726631786680180736">May 1, 2016</a>
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<p>That is the veteran leadership that Adrian Gonzalez is projecting in the clubhouse after the Dodgers have lost six straight games.</p>
<p>It's tough to be positive when the team can't seem to find any runs to support the pitching staff. It's even harder when the wheels are coming off in front of the home crowd and relievers are hearing boos before they even throw a pitch. But that's just the kind of attitude that manager Dave Roberts consistently preaches -- and practices -- to his team.</p>
<p>"You look at tonight, and you don't see a whole lot of signs that it's going to turn," said manager <span>Dave Roberts</span>. "But you know what? They're still confident. It might not seem like it. But they're still working their tails off.</p>
<p>"When you don't get guys on base and things aren't going on out there it looks lackluster and low-energy. That just comes with not hitting. Any team that's struggling offensively, that's the perception. But it's not like guys are trying any less."</p>
<p><span>Ross Stripling</span> struggled on the mound Saturday night and hasn't had consistent efficiency to this point, but the signs are there that he is figuring it out.</p>
<p>Just ask the manager if Stripling has plateaued or if he is regressing.</p>
<p>"I think that he is continuing to learn," Roberts said. "He is very good with the information. I thought his breaking ball was really good tonight. It's a different question if he gets Upton."</p>
<p>Roberts has stressed patience and staying the course to his ball club, pointing out that dwelling on the negative gets you nowhere.</p>
<p>"In baseball you can't beat someone over the head. You can't yell at them," said Roberts. "As a hitter, you can't get 'more mad' and do better. That doesn't equate to being better. It actually works against you. For us, we've talked about routine, consistency, and that's what the guys are doing."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/30/11548464/dave-roberts-continues-to-stay-the-course-preaches-patience-for-DodgersRyan Walton2016-04-30T21:29:54-07:002016-04-30T21:29:54-07:00Dodgers just keep losing
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<figcaption>Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Everything unraveled for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> after <span>Ross Stripling</span> struck out the first two hitters he faced in the top of the fifth inning. Stripling lost control of the strike zone and the next four hitters as the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Padres</a> scored three times, beating the Dodgers by the score of 5-2.</p>
<p>With the score tied at two apiece, Stripling walked <span>Wil Myers</span> and <span>Matt Kemp</span> to bring Melvin Upton Jr. to the plate. The Padre left-fielder smacked a double -- the Padres' fourth double in the game -- to bring Myers and Kemp around to score. Four pitches later, <span>Alexei Ramirez</span> took a 3-0 pitch to left field for an RBI-single.</p>
<p>The loss for the Dodgers means a sixth consecutive defeat for the first time since May 1-10, 2013 when they lost eight straight. The 2016 Dodgers are hoping the losing streak doesn't go that far, but they're going to have to hit eventually.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are 2-for-36 (.056) with runners in scoring position during the six-game slide, including 0-for-3 on Saturday night. Only 11 runs have come across for the Dodgers on this homestand.</p>
<p>Stripling was in control of the game until the Padres strung three doubles together in a row to score a pair in the third. Even after that it looked like the right-hander was throwing well as he retired the next seven batters, four by strikeout. That is, until he walked Myers and the wheels came off the wagon.</p>
<p>"It's really frustrating," said Stripling. "One of the things I wanted to do was be efficient and even though I gave up the two runs in the third, I was still keeping my team in it."</p>
<p>"I was keeping my pitch count down, but then I walked two guys and Upton has a good at-bat, all the sudden I'm at 80 pitches. It's frustrating. Tonight could've been a lot different if I had thrown some more competitive pitches."</p>
<p>The 26-year old Stripling would be charged with all five runs in four and two-thirds innings of work, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out six.</p>
<p>The only offense for the home team, like last night, came by way of the home run. <span>Chase Utley</span> followed a Stripling leadoff walk in the third inning with a two-run homer to right field.</p>
<h4>Up Next</h4>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> will take his shot at ending the losing streak when he faces the Padres at 1:10 p.m. PT, facing <span>Drew Pomeranz</span>.</p>
<h4>Saturday Particulars</h4>
<p>Home Runs: Chase Utley (1)</p>
<p>WP: - <span>Colin Rea</span> (2-1): 6 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts</p>
<p>LP: - <span>Ross Stripling</span> (0-2): 4.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 6 strikouts</p>
<p>S: - <span>Fernando Rodney</span> (4), 1 IP, 1 walk</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/30/11548218/dodgers-cant-get-off-the-mat-lose-sixth-straightRyan Walton2016-04-30T18:10:02-07:002016-04-30T18:10:02-07:00Dodgers vs. Padres Game V Chat
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<div class="read-more">
<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#996600" width="125"><font color="#ffff33"><b>Padres</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#1e90ff" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Jay (L)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Utley (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Myers</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Seager (L)</td>
</tr>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Kemp</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
</tr>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Upton</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
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<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Grandal (S)</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Norris</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Hernandez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Weeks (S)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Rosales</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Pederson (L)</td>
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<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Rea</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Stripling</td>
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</tbody>
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<span><b>Location</b>: Dodger Stadium<br><b>Time</b>: 6:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA<br><b>Radio</b>: 570 AM</span>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/30/11546600/dodgers-vs-padres-game-v-chatRyan Walton2016-04-30T18:06:00-07:002016-04-30T18:06:00-07:00Dodgers shuffle rotation order
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will get two days off on the upcoming road trip against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a>. The team will use the flexibility to shuffle the rotation based on matchups.</p>
<p><span>Alex Wood</span> and <span>Kenta Maeda</span> will switch spots in the order so that Maeda can face the right-handed monsters in the Blue Jays lineup on Friday. Wood will now move up to face the Rays Wednesday and pitch on normal rest.</p>
<p>Maeda will now get eight days rest between starts, which is closer to what the right-hander is used to in Japan, where they pitch only once a week. Manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> insists the switch has everything to do with matchups and nothing to do with scheduling for Maeda.</p>
<p>"For us, it’s just more matchup-based," manager Dave Roberts said. "You see these [right-handed hitters] in Toronto where I think Kenta matches up well with those guys."</p>
<p><span>Josh Donaldson</span> (.998), <span>Troy Tulowitzki</span> (.977) and <span>Jose Bautista</span> (.953) all rank in the top 10 in OPS against lefties in all of baseball since 2010 (min. 300 AB). <span>Edwin Encarnacion</span> (.906) isn't too far behind, making the Jays lineup dangerous if they were to face Wood.</p>
<p>Wood has given up 31 homers to right-handers over his short career as compared to only four to lefties.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/30/11547244/dodgers-shake-up-rotation-order-for-upcoming-road-tripRyan Walton2016-04-30T16:26:15-07:002016-04-30T16:26:15-07:00Puig gets the night off
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><span>Yasiel Puig</span> will get the night off for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Saturday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>. Manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said he wants Puig to take a break from the slump he is currently in.</p>
<p>"It's more about getting Yasiel a day," said Roberts. "I thought he needed a night to clear his mind."</p>
<p>Since starting the season on a tear, Puig has cooled off considerably at the plate. Over the last 14 games, the 25-year-old is only 7-for-51 (.137) with one home run and 15 strikeouts. Puig started 22 of the Dodgers' first 24 games and had been hitting .405 (15-for-37) through the team's first 10 games.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are trying to avoid their first six-game losing streak since May 1-10, 2013 when they lost eight straight. A loss would also mean the Dodgers' first losing month since May of 2013.</p>
<p><span>Kiké Hernandez</span> will patrol right field in his fifth start in 2016 against a right-handed starter. While Hernandez crushes left-handers, the super sub is only 5-for-31 (.161) against right-handers in 2016.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="0" align="center" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="125" bgcolor="#996600" align="center" colspan="2"><font color="#ffff33"><b>Padres</b></font></td>
<td width="125" bgcolor="#1e90ff" align="center" colspan="2"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Jay (L)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Utley (L)</td>
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<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Myers</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Seager (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Kemp</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Upton</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
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<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Grandal (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Norris</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Hernandez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Weeks (S)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Rosales</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Pederson (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Rea</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Stripling</td>
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<span><b>Location</b>: Dodger Stadium<br><b>Time</b>: 6:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA<br><b>Radio</b>: 570 AM</span>
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<p> </p>
<p><span>Corey Seager</span> has hit safely in nine of his 10 career games against the Padres, going 15-for-39 (.385) with five doubles, a homer and seven RBI. Overall, the 22-year-old is batting .306 (11-for-36) with two doubles, a triple, a homer and five RBI since April 21, hitting safely in eight of nine games in that span.</p>
<p><span>Ross Stripling</span> will make his fifth career start tonight in search of his first big league win. The 26-year-old has allowed three or fewer runs in all four of his starts, while limiting opponents to a .229 batting average (19-for-83).</p>
<p><span>Chase Utley</span> entered 2016 having made just 11 starts at the leadoff spot in his first 13 big league seasons, but Saturday will be the veteran's 19th start there this season. Utley is hitting .291 (23-for-79) and has one of the Majors’ best on-base percentages (.378) from the top spot, which is good for sixth best in the league.</p>
<p><span><span>Colin Rea</span> has started one game in his career against the Dodgers, limiting them to two runs while striking out six in a no-decision in September 2015. The right-hander also allowed a run in an inning of relief in the Dodgers 15-0 win opening day this season at Petco Park.</span></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/30/11543454/yasiel-puig-gets-the-night-off-to-clear-his-mindRyan Walton2016-04-30T13:32:38-07:002016-04-30T13:32:38-07:00Dodgers looking to snap the skid
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will be looking to snap their five-game losing streak on Saturday night when they send <span>Ross Stripling</span> to the mound in search of his first career victory. The team will be trying to avoid their first losing streak of six games or more since May 1-10, 2013 when they lost eight straight.</p>
<p>Stripling has pitched into the sixth inning in three of his four starts this year, including two quality starts. The 26-year-old has been hittable since not allowing a hit in his major league debut but has limited the opposition to three or less runs in all four games, giving the Dodgers a fighting chance.</p>
<p>Stripling has thrown at least five pitches in nearly half the batters he has faced thus far and been working on attacking hitters before going deep into the count.</p>
<p><span>"I have to find a way to start pitching more efficiently, and start getting guys out earlier in counts," Stripling said after his Monday start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>.</span></p>
<p><span>Colin Rea</span> will take the ball for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> having pitched well over his last three starts. Since allowing five runs to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> in 3 1/3 innings at Coors in his first start of the year, the right-hander has allowed three or less runs in 17 innings of work.</p>
<p>Rea has started one game in his career against the Dodgers, limiting them to two runs while striking out six in a no-decision. The right-hander also allowed a run in an inning of relief in the Dodgers 15-0 win opening day at Petco Park.</p>
<p>Dodger starting pitching has been fantastic against the Padres in 2016, allowing just one run in 26 innings while striking out 27 and walking only two.</p>
<p>The Dodger offense will look to get back on track after scoring just nine runs in the first five games on the homestand.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/4/30/11545388/dodgers-looking-to-avoid-a-sixth-straight-lossRyan Walton