True Blue LA - July 3: Dodgers 4, Rockies 1Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2016-07-03T18:09:08-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/118549012016-07-03T18:09:08-07:002016-07-03T18:09:08-07:00Brandon McCarthy settles in quickly in first start
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<figcaption>Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LOS ANGELES ---- <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> felt a little surprised at how he didn't feel different about today's start since it was his first one back from Tommy John surgery.</p>
<p>"I felt normal, I didn't feel too nervous, there wasn't anything going on that maybe I was expecting," said McCarthy, "I just kind of settled in.</p>
<p>"Because I've rehabbed enough, and done enough of this that, I know not to put too much stock in that first start back and not to get too high, unfortunately I've been able to train for this during the course of my career and tried not to get too high or too low and that's helped me."</p>
<p>Manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> thought this was as good as he has seen McCarthy pitch.</p>
<p>"It was great, this is as good as I've seen him, you know, in years past, this was, rivaled it really" Roberts said. "Fastball had live late, thrown the breaking ball when he needed to, mix in a couple of change ups.</p>
<p>"He just kind of continued what are starters did this entire series so it was, really excited for him, drove in a run today too, it was good to see."</p>
<p>Roberts had been asked a couple times in the last two days if McCarthy had a pitch limit and after the game, he would not concede there was a set number he was willing to give, he felt good about the decision to take McCarthy out when did.</p>
<p>"We had an idea where we wanted him to be," Roberts said. "To go back out there in the sixth, I just felt that we pass it on to the bullpen."</p>
<p>"It was more of you still got to be mindful of him coming back," said Roberts, "but there is no sense in me of throwing a hard number out there, a little strategy."</p>
<p>McCarthy said there wasn't too much discussion about him being taken out after five innings.</p>
<p>"We're still monitoring pitch count, we're making sure we're conservative with things," McCarthy said, "I had not built up too far in my rehab outings, I think we got into a good place where it was two times through the lineup., we weren't getting into a third time, and pitch count was manageable so [Roberts] said 'good job' and that was enough."</p>
<p>McCarthy praised catcher <span>Yasmani Grandal</span> and the overall game plan the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> had against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> this weekend.</p>
<p>The Dodgers gave up only two runs on two solo home runs in their three-game sweep of the Rockies. The entire staff scattered 12 hits and five walks while striking out 41 in 27 innings.</p>
<p>Yasmani Grandal thought for the last week, the pitching, especially the bullpen, had been very good, but in this series, the entire staff did a great job executing their game plan.</p>
<p>"You look back at the history of Colorado and they play us pretty good," Grandal said. "They can hit with the best of them but you know, it seemed like, our game plan was that good and we executed. I feel like execution was key to actually kind of, make those bats go cold almost."</p>
<p>Finally, when asked if he had a moment during today's game where he could reflect on his comeback, McCarthy said no but he did say he had this thought after he struck out <span>Charlie Blackmon</span> to start the game.</p>
<p>"The first strikeout, okay, at least if nothing else, I didn't end my career with a home run to <span>Justin Upton</span>."</p>
<h4>Up next</h4>
<p>The Dodgers welcome the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a> to Dodger Stadium for an interleague three-game series. <span>Julio Urias</span> will start for the Dodgers and <span>Yovani Gallardo</span> will pitch for the Orioles.</p>
<p>First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. PT.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/3/12091656/Brandon-McCarthy-postgame-reaction-roberts-grandalCraig Minami2016-07-03T16:03:55-07:002016-07-03T16:03:55-07:00McCarthy spotless to finish off sweep
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<p>The Dodgers have won 17 of their last 20 games at home.</p> <p><span>Brandon McCarthy</span> welcomed himself back to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in fine fashion, joining the starting pitchers' weekend bagel brigade in a 4-1 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> and a three-game sweep.</p>
<p>The nine-game home winning streak is the longest by the Dodgers since setting a Los Angeles franchise record with 13 consecutive wins at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p>It was 435 days ago that McCarthy last pitched in a major league game, on April 25, 2015 in San Diego, and six days after throwing 72 pitches in five innings in his final rehab start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.</p>
<p>McCarthy also threw 72 pitches in his five innings on Sunday against Colorado, and he was very effective. McCarthy struck out eight and walked one, allowing only two singles. He picked up where <span>Bud Norris</span> and <span>Scott Kazmir</span> left off, combining with the other two Dodgers starters during this series to pitch 17 scoreless innings, allowing only seven hits and two walks, with 26 strikeouts.</p>
<p>McCarthy left with a 3-0 lead thanks to a second-inning rally, to which he contributed. <span>Trayce Thompson</span> started the scoring with a solo home run, then Rockies starter <span>Jon Gray</span> lost his control, hitting <span>Howie Kendrick</span> then walking three straight batters, the final one McCarthy in his first plate appearance of the season.</p>
<p>McCarthy also had a bases-loaded walk in 2015 with the Dodgers, also in his first plate appearance of the season, on April 8, 2015 against <span>Andrew Cashner</span>.</p>
<p><span>Daniel Descalso</span> homered off <span>Casey Fien</span> in the seventh inning to give the Rockies their run, but <span>Yasmani Grandal</span> answered with a home run to left center field in the bottom of the inning. It was Grandal's third home run in his last eight games.</p>
<p><span>Adam Liberatore</span> struck out one in his scoreless sixth inning, and <span>Joe Blanton</span> struck out all three batters he faced in the eighth. <span>Kenley Jansen</span> stuck out three in the ninth in earning his 24th save of the year, giving the Dodgers 41 strikeouts in 27 innings against the Rockies in the series.</p>
<p>In six home games against the Rockies this season, Dodgers pitchers have 76 strikeouts, at least 10 in each game, and a 35.8-percent strikeout rate.</p>
<h4>Sunday particulars</h4>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: Trayce Thompson (13), Yasmani Grandal (8); Daniel Descalso (2)</p>
<p><b>WP - Brandon McCarthy (1-0)</b>: 5 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - Jon Gray (5-4)</b>: 6 IP, 6 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - Kenley Jansen (25)</b>: 1 IP, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/3/12091698/brandon-mccarthy-dodgers-strikeouts-rockies-recap-sweepEric Stephen2016-07-03T14:50:04-07:002016-07-03T14:50:04-07:00Sierra outrighted off 40-man roster
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<figcaption>Yaisel Sierra has not looked like a wise investment to date. | <a href='http://dodgers.mlb.com'>Photo: Jon SooHoo | LA Dodgers</a></figcaption>
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<p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Sunday sent pitcher <span>Yaisel Sierra</span> outright to the minors, removing him from the 40-man roster to make room for <span>Brandon McCarthy</span>'s return from the 60-day disabled list.</p>
<p>Sierra, now 25, was signed in February out of Cuba to <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4861112/los-angeles-dodgers-payroll#sierra" target="_blank">a six-year, $30 million contract</a>, which was the reason no other team claimed the right-handed pitcher on waivers. Sierra received $6 million as a signing bonus, and has roughly half of his $1 million 2016 salary remaining, so any team claiming him on waivers would have been responsible for roughly $23.5 million in remaining salary.</p>
<p>In 11 starts with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, Sierra has a 7.16 ERA, with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks in 49 innings. Sierra has been a colossal bust to date. But, should Sierra turn things around one day, either as a starter or reliever, the Dodgers still get to keep him. Just off the 40-man roster, for now.</p>
<p>In other moves, the Dodgers released <span>Ian Thomas</span>, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, and sent <span>Layne Somsen</span> outright to the minors as well, after he cleared waivers. Somsen was designated for assignment on Friday. Both were with Triple-A Oklahoma City.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/3/12091586/yaisel-sierra-outright-dodgers-minors-bustEric Stephen2016-07-03T12:33:02-07:002016-07-03T12:33:02-07:00Dave Roberts is excited to see McCarthy's return
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><span>LOS</span> <span>ANGELES</span> ---- Manager Dave Roberts didn't think he was nervous about the return of <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> to the mound today until he was asked about that during his pregame interview with the media.</p>
<p>"I think for me, now that you say it, I do have some nerves," said Roberts. "I think for me it is more of excitement, it's been a long road back and anytime anyone has to go through Tommy John, what 14, 15 months, to me it is just more excitement."</p>
<p>Roberts maintained there were no limitations and is looking forward to seeing what McCarthy does today.</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 colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000000" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Rockies</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>Blackmon(L)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Utley(L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>LeMahieu</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Seager (L)</td>
</tr>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
</tr>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Arenado</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
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<td>1B</td>
<td>Descalso(L)</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Thompson</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Hundley</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Kendrick</td>
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<td>SS</td>
<td>Adames (S)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Barnes</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Grandal (S)</td>
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<td>P</td>
<td>Gray</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>McCarthy</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
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<div class="sidebar"><span><b>Location</b>: Dodger Stadium<br><b>Time</b>: 1:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA<br><b>Radio</b>: AM 570</span></div>
<div class="sidebar"><br></div>
<p>"I think he is going to go out there and compete, whether the pitch execution consistently is there where he wants it to be, we'll find out but I know he is going to go after hitters and compete, and we expect him to give us a chance to win," Roberts said.</p>
<p>Roberts said that you have to balance the game plan you have that day with what the pitcher is able to do on the mound.</p>
<p><span>"It is kind of one of those things, you know the pitch mix, but you know he has not pitched in a major league game in a while," Roberts said, "so I think that for us and for <span>Yasmani</span> [<span>Grandal</span>] to figure out, you know you take one side of a scouting report and how you are going to attack those hitters but then on the other side, you got to see what is working that day.</span></p>
<p>While this is something that has to be adjusted for in every game, Roberts said you have to take into account that McCarthy is coming back from major surgery.</p>
<p>"I think that is true with any pitcher but for Mac coming here in this situation," Roberts said. "It is one of those things you have got to get a good feel of, is the fastball working, can he can throw the breaking ball for a strike, is his cutter doing anything, how's his change, and so that is kind of the navigating between the pitching coach and catcher with Mac, especially a pitcher coming back with an injury like this."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/3/12090174/Dave-Roberts-Brandon-McCarthy-Starting-lineups-Dodgers-RockiesCraig Minami2016-07-03T11:14:43-07:002016-07-03T11:14:43-07:00Stewart optioned to OKC
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<p>LOS ANGELES -- To make room for pitcher <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> on the active roster, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> on Sunday optioned <span>Brock Stewart</span> to Triple-A Oklahoma City before the series finale against the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a> at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p>The move to make room for McCarthy on the 40-man roster hasn't yet been announced.</p>
<p>McCarthy on Sunday makes his first major league start since April 25, 2015. He had Tommy John surgery five days later.</p>
<p>The Dodgers plan to start <span>Julio Urias</span> against the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orioles</a> Monday, on five days rest, followed by <span>Kenta Maeda</span> and <span>Bud Norris</span> on regular rest, leaving Stewart the odd man out.</p>
<p>Stewart made his major league debut on Wednesday in Milwaukee, allowing five runs in five innings in a loss to the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Brewers</a>. Stewart was victimized by a pair of big hits in a five-run second inning, allowing a three-run home run to <span>Kirk Nieuwenhuis</span> and a two-run double to Ryan Braun. But he also struck out seven and walked two, and didn't allow a run in his other four innings.</p>
<p>It was the culmination of an amazing rapid rise for Stewart, who started the year in Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and was promoted twice in the minors before getting the major league call. The 24-year-old right-hander, drafted by the Dodgers in the sixth round in 2014, is 8-3 with a 1.47 ERA in 14 minor league starts this season, including 3-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three starts with Oklahoma City, with 27 strikeouts and two walks.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/3/12090654/brock-stewart-optioned-triple-a-dodgers-brandon-mccarthyEric Stephen2016-07-03T09:00:03-07:002016-07-03T09:00:03-07:00Brandon McCarthy starts first game post TJ surgery
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<p>LOS ANGELES --- Today will mark something that has not happened since 2003 when Darren Dreifort came back from Tommy John surgery to start 10 games for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>.</p>
<p>Since then, no Dodger starting pitcher who had Tommy John surgery during his major league Dodger career has made his return as a starter. <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> will be the fourth Dodger pitcher to make his return at the major league level: the others are Tommy John, John Tudor and Dreifort.</p>
<p>Brandon McCarthy will become the 22nd pitcher to take the mound for the Dodgers and the 11th starting pitcher this season. Last season, the Dodgers had 31 pitchers and 16 of them made at least one start for the Dodgers.</p>
<p>After last night's game, manager Dave Roberts said there were no set pitch limit or other limitation on McCarthy. Roberts also said <span>Julio Urias</span> will start on Monday against the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a> but they are not ready to announce Tuesday's starter.</p>
<p>The Dodgers will attempt to end this series and this week on a winning note. The Dodgers have won eight straight at home, they have not won more than eight in a row at home since a 13-game streak in April/May 2009.</p>
<p>One thing the Dodgers will have to do in the second half of the season is play better against National League West division teams. Until this series against the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a>, the Dodgers were just 16-15 against the West.</p>
<p><span>Corey Seager</span> has a 15-game hitting streak, two Los Angeles Dodger rookies had 16-game hitting streaks, Steve Sax in 1982 and <span>Andre Ethier</span> in 2006. Tommy Davis had the longest Los Angeles Dodger rookie hitting streak at 20 games in 1960.</p>
<h4>Game info</h4>
<p>Time: 1:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/3/12089984/Brandon-McCarthy-return-Tommy-John-surgery-Dodger-previewCraig Minami2016-07-01T11:30:03-07:002016-07-01T11:30:03-07:00Dodgers-Rockies probable starters
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back home with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> in town for a weekend of divisional play at Dodger Stadium. The rapidly-changing Dodgers rotation features a newcomer in the opener. Here is a look at the probable starting pitchers this weekend in Los Angeles.</p>
<h4>Friday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p><span>Bud Norris</span> makes his Dodgers debut, the 10th starting pitcher used by the team in 2016. <span>Norris</span> allowed just one run in five innings at Dodger Stadium on June 4, though he had more walks (four) than strikeouts (two). Since that start, Norris walked four total batters in four starts, with 27 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA during that span.</p>
<p>Jorge De La Rosa has had a terrible year so far with a 6.47 ERA, but he has been much better of late. In his last four games, including three starts, De La Rosa is 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 22 innings. The left-hander is the Rockies all-time franchise leader in wins (83) and strikeouts (926). Friday will be his 186th start for Colorado, passing <span>Jeff Francis</span> for second place on the franchise list, 20 shy of leader <span>Aaron Cook</span>.</p>
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<h4>Saturday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p><span>Scott Kazmir</span> has a 3.97 ERA in eight starts at home this season, with 51 strikeouts and 16 walks in 45⅓ innings <span>Chad Bettis</span> has a 5.84 ERA on the season, and has allowed nine home runs in nine road starts, compared to only three home runs in seven stars at Coors Field in 2016.</p>
<h4>Sunday, 1:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p>Dodgers manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> after Thursday's game in Milwaukee would only commit to Norris and Kazmir in his weekend rotation, with Sunday still TBA. But unless the club makes another acquisition or calls someone up, this start will likely go to <span>Julio Urias</span>, though perhaps the issue is trying to find him extra rest after setting a professional high with 100 pitches thrown in six innings on Tuesday.</p>
<p><span>Jon Gray</span> has had a solid rookie season in his own right, and the future ace has lasted seven innings in six of his last 10 starts. He has a 3.45 ERA in his last seven starts, with 44 strikeouts in 44⅓ innings, but he has also allowed at least one home run in each of those games, nine in all, after giving up only two long balls in his first six starts of the year.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/1/12077376/dodgers-rockies-schedule-starting-pitchersEric Stephen