True Blue LA - September 2: Padres 4, Dodgers 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2016-09-02T22:44:35-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/125286192016-09-02T22:44:35-07:002016-09-02T22:44:35-07:00Just out of reach
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<img alt="San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/doiyG1glinpP-jXxKMqEDuoXS-0=/19x0:3000x1987/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50650145/598842598.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yangervis Solarte’s home run gives the Padres the lead in the 8th. | Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Solarte home run broke a 2-2 tie</p> <p id="7nAipk">The Padres rallied for two runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by a go-ahead home run by Yangervis Solarte in a 4-2 win over the Dodgers in the opener of a weekend series on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="oj3oBO">The loss dropped the Dodgers back to two games ahead of San Francisco in the National League West.</p>
<p id="8Agea3">Adam Liberatore was greeted by Solarte with a solo home run to start the eighth inning, over the outstretched glove of a leaping Joc Pederson in left center field, breaking a 2-2 tie. Liberatore walked Alex Dickerson, who would come around to score four batters and two relief pitchers later, on a single to left field by Brett Wallace against J.P. Howell.</p>
<p id="AJiDiZ">Both runs in the eighth inning were charged to Liberatore, who has hit a rough patch of late. The left-hander, who did not allow a run in 45 of his first 48 appearances of 2016, has allowed runs in three of his last four games, eight runs in all while recording just six outs.</p>
<p id="gpWRu1">During that span Liberatore has allowed both of his home runs this season, including Solarte’s on Friday.</p>
<h4 id="QhmRqG">Both ends of the spectrum</h4>
<p id="YUjDq5">Friday was the 35th game in which the Dodgers faced a left-handed starter in 2016, and the 28th start in those games for Kiké Hernandez, a career .284/.381/.505 hitter against southpaws.</p>
<p id="cpzBst">It was just the sixth start against a lefty this year for Pederson, who entered Friday a career .173/.263/.321 hitter against lefties, including 4-for-47 in 2016.</p>
<p id="14hwhk">In the fourth inning Hernandez, starting in left field on Friday, hit a double to left field with one out in a scoreless tie. That brought up Pederson, who struck out looking against Clayton Richard to end the second inning.</p>
<p id="ewqDiW">But Pederson this time was able to line a single into right field to score Hernandez for the game’s first run. It snapped an 0-for-24 skid for Pederson against lefties, with 12 strikeouts and four walks during that span. It was his first hit against a lefty since a single against Will Smith on June 16.</p>
<p id="mPvd4D">It was the only run the Dodgers scored against Richard, despite totaling nine hits in his five innings.</p>
<p id="e5qrD5">Then in the sixth inning, facing the right-handed Brandon Morrow, Pederson unloaded for a solo shot into the right field bullpen for his 19th home run of the season, tying the game at 2-2.</p>
<p id="6xeM2I">With the loss, the Dodgers fell to 16-19 in games against left-handed starting pitchers this season.</p>
<h4 id="H1Ib5O">Quartet offensive</h4>
<p id="JMR9y3">Howie Kendrick had three singles in three at-bats against Richard, then singled again in the sixth inning against reliever Brandon Morrow. It was the fifth four-hit game of the season for Kendrick, tied with Miguel Cabrera for the <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/WJBYA">third-most in the majors this season</a>.</p>
<p id="5FYSRf">The <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/MHTYy">rest of the Dodgers have six total four-hit games</a> — three by Corey Seager, and one each by Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Utley.</p>
<h4 id="Uqc3ZQ">Rare plunks</h4>
<p id="Ks2hGO">After hitting none of his first 276 batters faced in his first 63 major league innings, Urias hit two batters in the first inning on Friday, grazing the jersey of Wil Myers and nicking the hand of Alex Dickerson. Both men also stole second base against Urias, building a mini rally of sorts, but Urias was able to escape without any damage.</p>
<p id="T0qNti">Urias hit Dickerson <em>again</em> in the sixth inning, which led to his removal with two on and one out in inning, up 1-0. Both inherited runners scored. He is the first Dodgers pitcher with three hit batsmen in a game <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/hzXOS">since Carlos Monasterios on Aug. 26, 2010</a>.</p>
<p id="g7vH2e">Urias had a total of only two HBP since the start of 2015 in the minors, in 498 total batters faced.</p>
<p id="p2bC2X">The third hit by pitch ended what might have been another promising start for Urias, who held San Diego scoreless for the first five innings. He came within two outs of becoming the first Dodgers pitcher in over two months <a href="https://twitter.com/truebluela/status/771922448694452224">with three straight starts of six or more innings</a>.</p>
<p id="6PHyyI">Urias was hit <em>himself</em> on the index and middle fingers of his throwing hand on a bunt attempt, manager Dave Roberts said after the game. X-rays were negative.</p>
<p id="4jNwfZ"><strong>Up next</strong></p>
<p id="iyz3Xv">Rich Hill makes his second start for the Dodgers on Saturday night, a 6:10 p.m. PT start. The Padres will counter with rookie right-hander Luis Perdomo, a Rule 5 draft pick who has stuck with the Padres all season.</p>
<h4 id="dRHeiq">Friday particulars</h4>
<p id="DskhqS"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Joc Pederson (19); Yangervis Solarte (14) </p>
<p id="dBuSDU"><strong>WP - Brad Hand (4-3)</strong>: 1⅔ IP, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts</p>
<p id="e4eVvj"><strong>LP - Adam Liberatore (2-2)</strong>: ⅓ IP, 1 hit, 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout </p>
<p id="c5kp7O"><strong>Sv - Brandon Maurer (7)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/2/12779526/padres-rally-dodgers-loss-adam-liberatore-recapEric Stephen2016-09-02T15:40:20-07:002016-09-02T15:40:20-07:00De Leon debuts Sunday for Dodgers
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<img alt="Jose De Leon and pitching coach Matt Herges with Triple-A Oklahoma City." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dRlkQyUb_hruloJoi3SFcjq1gHw=/330x0:2571x1494/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50646679/jose-deleon-matt-herges-2016-okc-tony-capobianco.0.JPG" />
<figcaption>Photo: Tony Capobianco</figcaption>
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<p>Rookie will be 15th starting pitcher for LA in 2016</p> <p id="xMqzSw">LOS ANGELES — For the many wondering when Jose De Leon might finally get his chance in the major leagues, the answer has finally come. The right-hander will be called up on Sunday to start against the Padres.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a> have called up Jose De Leon. He is expected to arrive tomorrow.</p>— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/771837680288043009">September 2, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jose De Leon will start Sunday for the dodgers.</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/771838490019495936">September 2, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source confirms <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman">@JonHeyman</a> tweet: Jose De Leon starts Sunday for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a>.</p>— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) <a href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/771839406151917568">September 2, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rich Hill, scratched from yesterday's start because of blister, is expected to start tomorrow for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a>.</p>— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/771838666989723648">September 2, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts confirms that <a href="https://twitter.com/JDL_87">@JDL_87</a> will start for Dodgers on Sunday.</p>— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/DodgerInsider/status/771848238408183809">September 2, 2016</a>
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<p id="ifwTQ4">De Leon has a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts this season for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 111 strikeouts and 20 walks in 86⅓ innings. The right-hander struck out 13 in 7⅔ scoreless innings against Colorado Springs on Sunday to clinch the American North Division in the Pacific Coast League for Oklahoma City, and has three straight starts of double-digit strikeouts.</p>
<p id="s9ESKn">De Leon has lasted seven innings or longer in five of his last six and six of his last eight starts. He has an active 17⅔-inning scoreless streak, and 40 strikeouts since his last walk.</p>
<p id="5Hk5rn">He was originally scheduled to start Friday for Oklahoma City, which opens their postseason on Wednesday against Nashville.</p>
<p id="0F5oeK">The Dodgers right-hander, who turned 24 on Aug. 7, was rated the No. 25 prospect in baseball <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/midseason-top-100-prospects/#dRhj69wHYiu6HX7z.97">in Baseball America’s midseason rankings</a>, ranked 38th at midseason <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=29756">by Baseball Prospectus</a>, and rated No. 39 by <a href="http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016">MLB.com</a>.</p>
<p id="Y0cwxI">De Leon will be the 31st different pitcher used by the Dodgers this season, tying the franchise mark set in 2015, and he will be the club’s 15th different starting pitcher.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/2/12569188/jose-deleon-major-league-debut-dodgersEric Stephen2016-09-02T15:04:26-07:002016-09-02T15:04:26-07:00Puig returns to lineup, batting 5th
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xrjGOkbHl5S6RibBjIUbDLmWjiE=/270x0:3324x2036/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50646329/usa-today-9412137.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Friday marks Puig’s 27th start batting 5th in 2016, most on the team</p> <p id="PhxbRm">Yasiel Puig is back in the lineup in his first game back with the Dodgers, starting in right field and batting fifth in the series opener against the Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="q6HgEd">It is Puig’s 27th start batting fifth this season, most on the team.</p>
<p id="aZXJBY">The Dodgers are just 16-18 in games against left-handed starting pitchers this season, and the club is at the bottom of the National League, hitting .218/.297/.340 against southpaws.</p>
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<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>SS</td>
<td>Sardinas (S)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Kendrick</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Myers</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Seager (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Solarte (S)</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Dickerson (L)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Norris</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Grandal (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Rosales</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Hernandez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Richard (L)</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Pederson (L)</td>
</tr>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Jankowski (L)</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Urias (L)</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Dodger Stadium<br><b>Time</b>: 7:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA<br><b>Radio</b>: AM 570</span>
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<p id="uC9wKT">Puig is hitting just .231/.294/.359 against left-handed pitchers this season in the majors, right in line with the overall team disappointment against southpaws, though in his career he has hit .279/.372/.454 against portsiders.</p>
<p id="u68fmm">Left-handed hitting Joc Pederson gets his sixth start of the season against left-handers, batting eighth against San Diego.</p>
<h4 id="hAEgL6">Padres moves</h4>
<p id="Hqn8DU">San Diego made some September roster additions as well. They activated utility man Alexi Amarista off the disabled list and recalled right-handed pitcher Leonel Campos from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.</p>
<p id="viLlfL">On Thursday they recalled left-handed pitcher and old friend Ryan Buchter from Triple-A.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/2/12777790/yasiel-puig-5th-dodgers-lineup-padresEric Stephen2016-09-02T14:07:29-07:002016-09-02T14:07:29-07:00Barnes, Coleman, Fields, Ravin join expanded roster
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ljbIxj0rjkr1Sm8qdKAK-kJUiB4=/0x0:3194x2129/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50645689/usa-today-9244134.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Austin Barnes joins the Dodgers for a fourth time this season. | Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="ett1UG">LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers made their first wave of September additions on Friday before their weekend series against the Padres at Dodger Stadium, activating pitchers Louis Coleman and Josh Ravin from the disabled list and recalling Austin Barnes and Josh Fields from Triple-A Oklahoma City, in addition to the <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/1/12761722/yasiel-puig-back-soon-dodgers-rumors">previously-reported recall of Yasiel Puig</a>.</p>
<p id="DMnyGT">Barnes is the third catcher on the 40-man roster along with Yasmani Grandal and Carlos Ruiz, and this is his fourth stint with the major league team this season. Barnes is 3-for-23 (.130) with a double and three walks in 14 games with the Dodgers this season, including three starts at catcher and two at second base.</p>
<p id="nk1HN7">The 26-year-old Barnes hit .295/.380/.443 with 22 doubles, six home runs and five triples in 85 games for Oklahoma City, and stole 18 bases in 21 attempts.</p>
<p id="bO04qh">Coleman missed 27 games with right shoulder fatigue. He pitched in four games on a minor league rehab assignment, one in the Arizona rookie league and three with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing only an unearned run with six strikeouts and no walks.</p>
<p id="KnOTTt">The 30-year-old right-hander has a 3.70 ERA in a career-high 50 games — Coleman is one of six Dodgers pitchers to appear in 50 games in 2016 — with 37 strikeouts and 16 walks in 41⅓ innings.</p>
<p id="hpfCSA">Ravin was placed on the DL on Aug. 14 with right triceps soreness and missed 17 games. He pitched in one minor league rehab game, on Tuesday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, allowing a run in one inning, with one strikeout. Ravin has pitched three games in relief for the Dodgers this season, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and two walks.</p>
<p id="BLC65p">Fields, who was acquired from the Astros on Aug. 1, has a 4.66 ERA in 11 relief appearances so far with the Dodgers, with 11 strikeouts and three walks in 9⅔ innings. The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 23, and Friday marked the first day he was eligible to return to the majors. He pitched in two games for Oklahoma City, allowing a pair of runs in two innings.</p>
<p id="oDNZRT">Luis Avilan, who was <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/8/31/12733186/luis-avilan-26th-man-dodgers-doubleheader">the Dodgers’ 26th man for the second game of their doubleheader</a> on Wednesday in Colorado, was returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after the game. He will be eligible to return to the majors on Sunday, after his Aug. 25 optional assignment lasts 10 days.</p>
<p id="3doG84">With these moves, the Dodgers have 30 players on their active roster — 15 position players and 15 pitchers.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/2/12761066/austin-barnes-yasiel-puig-louis-coleman-josh-fields-josh-ravin-dodgers-september-rosterEric Stephen2016-09-02T12:00:03-07:002016-09-02T12:00:03-07:00Urias faces Padres for first time
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<img alt="Chicago Cubs v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7CxnEAB1hVSiWsFb9oUeONkcdhI=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50629853/596727450.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Dodgers have won 23 of past 32 home games against San Diego</p> <p id="UsD47I">LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers welcome the Padres to town for the final time in 2016, and have a chance to clinch their season series against San Diego for a sixth consecutive season.</p>
<p id="4OU2np">2010 was the last season that saw the Padres beat the Dodgers in their season series, with San Diego winning 10 of 18 games, including five of nine games at both Dodger Stadium and Petco Park.</p>
<p id="0jNZou">Since then, the Dodgers are 69-37 (.651) against the Padres, including 8-5 in 2016. These two teams play again for three games in San Diego during the final week of the regular season, from Sept. 27-29.</p>
<p id="xYxqbS">The Dodgers are 4-3 at home against the Padres in 2016, and 8-5 against them overall. In dropping two of three games to the Padres at Dodger Stadium from April 29 to May 1, the Dodgers suffered their only home series loss to the Padres in their last 10 series, dating back to June 3-5, 2013.</p>
<p id="9sGboT">That series also happened to coincide with the major league debut of Yasiel Puig, who took the world by storm. Puig will <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/1/12761722/yasiel-puig-back-soon-dodgers-rumors">reportedly be back again</a>, for his reintroduction to the majors after a month of banishment to Triple-A Oklahoma City.</p>
<p id="j8qgja">San Diego even tapped into central casting and brought back one of the actors of that 2013 drama. Starter Clayton Richard, who <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/6/4/4397722/yasiel-puig-home-runs-dodgers-padres">pitched the middle game of that June 2013 series</a>, allowing a home run and a double to Puig, is now back in San Diego, and gets the start in the series opener on Friday. Richard is making his fourth start after some mediocre work in the bullpen for most of the year with the Cubs and Padres.</p>
<p id="90NQ95">As a starter, Richard so far has a 1.00 ERA, allowing four runs (two earned) in 18 innings.</p>
<p id="5jaauI">Julio Urias has faced 10 different opponents in his 14 major league games, though Friday will mark his first game against San Diego. The left-hander has a 2.90 ERA in his seven games, including six starts, at Dodger Stadium in 2016, with no home runs allowed in 31 innings.</p>
<p id="SfmRyr">The Dodgers are 23-9 in their last 32 home games against the Padres, in those last 10 home series.</p>
<h4 id="lU0pfk">Game info</h4>
<p id="QzoD3p">Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="sbPpb5">TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/2/12767772/dodgers-home-success-padres-preview-season-seriesEric Stephen2016-09-01T20:21:23-07:002016-09-01T20:21:23-07:00Puig rejoining Dodgers this weekend
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<img alt="Arizona Diamondbacks v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IoK7rEF9_lBuhvBGErj0kdlratU=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50620541/584906556.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Puig hit .348 with four home runs in 19 games for Oklahoma City</p> <p id="TgXuOz">The Dodgers’ September call ups figure to include a hot-hitting outfielder from Triple-A Oklahoma City, only this one is not a prospect. Yasiel Puig is expected to return to the major leagues this weekend, <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughTimes/status/771538484033036289">reports Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times</a>, and later <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/771598568578686976">confirmed by Buster Olney of ESPN</a>.</p>
<p id="y8864g">Puig hit .348/.400/.594 with four home runs in 19 games for Oklahoma City, though his demotion to the minors had to do with far more than numbers.</p>
<p id="6iMq5X">Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com reported on Wednesday that before any decision was made to promote Puig the front office would have a closed-door meeting with him, and that the club <a href="http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/198849242/yasiel-puigs-future-with-dodgers-is-unclear/">was pleased with his progress during his month in the minors</a>:</p>
<blockquote id="o8Ku9L">
<p>"The conversations we had with him at the beginning of August really resonated with him,'' said Friedman. "I think there's been a very conscious effort to listen to what was said, and apply it to his daily work. The reports from [Oklahoma City manager Bill] Haselman have been really good.</p>
<p>"I was there a couple weeks ago, and it's obviously a short blip of time, but he's done everything we've asked in this process."</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="JgQgCp">Puig was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 2, one day after the Dodgers acquired outfielder Josh Reddick from the A’s.</p>
<p id="gMm7GJ">Reddick started 21 of 28 games in right field during August, hitting just .161/.223/.172, going 14-for-87 with one extra-base hit, a double. Reddick has driven in one run since joining the Dodgers, and that RBI came in his last at-bat of August, a ninth-inning single just before Andrew Toles hit the game-winning grand slam.</p>
<p id="e9Ooni">In 81 games with the Dodgers this season, Puig hit .260/.320/.386 with seven home runs and 10 doubles. He did not play on Thursday night for Oklahoma City.</p>
<p id="QXZKdy">Puig was <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2016/8/30/12716688/yasiel-puig-claimed-waivers-dodgers">reportedly placed on waivers earlier this week</a>, and was claimed — reportedly <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/771400632557338624">by multiple teams</a>, per Jon Heyman — but not traded.</p>
<p id="Zkblyy">In <a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17418425/los-angeles-dodgers-outfielder-yasiel-puig-talks-humility-struggles-demotion-minors">an interview with Marly Rivera of ESPN last weekend</a>, Puig lamented his time in the minors, and what got him there:</p>
<blockquote id="shwqKA">
<p>"I keep hitting. I'm behaving. I'm doing the work I have to do," Puig said. "What I did wrong before and I have been doing better the last two or three weeks that I've been here. [Being called up] does not depend on me. All I can do is try to improve what I did wrong, the things that got me sent me here. The rest does not depend on me, that's [a decision for] the GM, the president. Only God knows where I will end up."</p>
<p>Puig said that adapting to the rules of a major league clubhouse since his breakout season in 2013 contributed to his struggles both on and off the field.</p>
<p>"It is the same rules whether [you're] in Cuba or in the U.S.," Puig said. "If you don't train, if you don't respect your coaches, whether you are amateur or professional, you will have the same problems."</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="dag7av">The Dodgers play their first game of September on Friday night against the Padres at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="dRPaxa">If we’re playing the wild speculation game, Puig is 2-for-3 with a home run and a double against Friday’s Padres starter Clayton Richard, though their lone encounter came on June 4, 2013, Puig’s second major league game.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/1/12761722/yasiel-puig-back-soon-dodgers-rumorsEric Stephen2016-09-01T16:00:07-07:002016-09-01T16:00:07-07:00Dodgers-Padres probable pitchers
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<img alt="MLB: San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zv4L4ZMPQH_91x42FPuZY1dHkYo=/1x0:3973x2648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50616835/usa-today-9499126.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Hill was scratched on Wednesday as a precaution, but might he slot in this weekend at home? | Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dodgers are 8-5 vs. San Diego in 2016</p> <p id="oOGNyF">The Dodgers welcome the Padres to town to open a homestand beginning Friday night, and as usual TBD fights it out with TBA for prominence in the LA starting rotation. Here is a look at the probable, <em>or possible</em>, starting pitchers for the three-game series.</p>
<h4 id="6z0iJp">Friday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p id="yWx4yz">Julio Urias is the one pitcher we know will pitch for the Dodgers this weekend against the Padres, nearing ever closer to his innings limit, which will either end his season or necessitate a shift to the bullpen very soon. The left-hander has pitched six innings in back-to-back starts and is 4-0 in his last four games with a 0.92 ERA, 19⅔ strikeouts and seven walks in 19 innings.</p>
<p id="WIbHUz">Clayton Richard started the year in relief and with the Cubs, but got traded to San Diego last month. Richaed had a 6.46 ERA in 27 relief appearances, with nearly as many walks (9) as strikeouts (10). Since moving back into starting duty with the Padres, Richard has allowed four runs, two earned, in 18 innings.</p>
<p id="GpfsTm">Richard also is an ambulatory human who throws with his left hand, which has usually meant good things in 2016 against the Dodgers.</p>
<h4 id="nhv2E9">Saturday, 6:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p id="8WaadB">Luis Perdomo starts the middle game for the Padres, and has by most accounts been pretty bad all year, with a 5.84 ERA and 4.62 FIP. But in his last seven starts he has a 3.52 ERA, including one earned run in 16 innings in his last two starts. The Dodgers have tagged him for 15 runs and 25 hits in 13 innings this season, and are hitting .410/.479/.541 in 71 plate appearances against the rookie.</p>
<p id="X45YsV">Might this be where Rich Hill slots back into the rotation, after being held out Wednesday following a Tuesday rainout that saw him throw 41 pitches in preparing for the game.</p>
<p id="7lNive">This is also the obligatory spot where it must be mentioned that Jose De Leon is scheduled to start on Friday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, and that Saturday would be five days rest after his 13-strikeout, 7⅔-scoreless-inning performance last Sunday.</p>
<h4 id="jn5D5A">Sunday, 1:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA) </h4>
<p id="CjDVGX">Christian Friedrich, another left-hander, has a 5.36 ERA since the All-Star break, with just 17 strikeouts in 40⅓ innings, and 14 walks.</p>
<p id="hIhiyz">It stands to reason that since Kenta Maeda pitched on Monday that he would be in line to pitch one of these weekend games, and Sunday would be on five days rest, something the Dodgers have tried to do with him whenever possible.</p>
<p id="2XMzxm">It also could be a day of multitasking, depending on which day Clayton Kershaw throws next, and whether that is (the much more likely option) in a minor league rehab game after his Tuesday simulated game or thrown straight into the major league rotation for his first game in 10 weeks.</p>
<p id="EFvJNw">The Dodgers weekend pitching scenarios will probably be made more clear on Friday afternoon, before the series opener, but for now this is where we are at.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2016/9/1/12759220/dodgers-padres-schedule-starting-pitchersEric Stephen