True Blue LA - April 16: Diamondbacks 3, Dodgers 1Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2017-04-16T16:39:35-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/150830912017-04-16T16:39:35-07:002017-04-16T16:39:35-07:00Dodgers unable to mount any offense in 3-1 loss
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OxI1BzuWKggKQ8b7n8ygnmDPXUk=/0x0:3308x2205/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54286609/usa_today_10016310.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rich Hill re-aggravates blister, Dodger bullpen shines again</p> <p id="1Apj6A">LOS ANGELES — The concern about <span>Rich Hill</span> will linger on longer than the sting of losing 3-1 to the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> on Sunday afternoon. Rich Hill pitched three innings before <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2017/4/16/15320902/rich-hill-blister-injury-aggravates-dodgers#comments">he was removed after re-aggravating the blister </a>on his left middle finger.</p>
<p id="KNF3IE">The Diamondbacks took the lead in the third when <span>Chris Iannetta</span> hit a solo home run, his first home run of the season. Then, with the bases-loaded, Hill walked <span>Jake Lamb</span> to make it 2-0. </p>
<p id="6XjgDm">When Hill returned to the mound and made his warmup pitches but then after a meeting on the mound with manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> and trainer Neil Rampe, Hill was removed before the fourth inning began. Hill pitched three innings, gave up two runs and five hits.</p>
<p id="vvUhW6">After the game, Roberts said “In the middle of the game, [the skin] started cracking a little bit so that brought a red flag to our head trainer and so, it just made sense to get [Hill] out of the game.”</p>
<p id="hve8Mn">“How bad is it? Better than we expected,” Roberts said, “but there is some irritation to the new skin, we don’t know right now what the situation is as far as DL or not, I think we’ll make that decision tomorrow.”</p>
<p id="n28YSe">Rich Hill said, “Everything appeared to be healed, it felt healed. I threw the bullpen, everything was fine, played catch, everything was fine. Yesterday, the day before that, there were no issues, I really don’t have answers, I wish I did. I don’t.”</p>
<p id="Qe2iwN">Hill first noticed the problem earlier in the game.</p>
<p id="AweVOV">“Actually during my at-bat, right before I was going up, I took a swing, and looked down and noticed on deck, it had opened up,” Hill said. “I was pretty disappointed, at that point but I was able to go out to third inning and pitch.”</p>
<p id="vCiWjj">The Dodger bullpen continued their fine work today as they pitched six innings and gave up a run and four hits. The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are currently carrying eight relievers because <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2017/4/16/15317846/trayce-thompson-optioned-dodgers-rich-hill#comments">they optioned outfielder Trayce Thompson</a> before the game</p>
<p id="fMEiGz"><span>Ross Stripling</span> relieved Hill and pitched 2⅓ scoreless innings. <span>Sergio Romo</span> replaced <span>Stripling</span> with with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth and got a double play to get out of the inning.</p>
<p id="9mCBBW">But in the seventh, Romo walked <span>A.J. Pollock</span> and with one out, <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> singled in Pollock to make it 3-1. <span>Luis Avilan</span> relieved Romo and got out of the inning. <span>Pedro Baez</span> and <span>Grant Dayton</span> combined to pitch the eighth and ninth innings.</p>
<p id="9JIMKH">The Dodgers scored in the fourth inning, with two out, <span>Yasiel Puig</span> doubled in <span>Yasmani Grandal</span>.</p>
<p id="UUMXCQ"><span>Taijuan Walker</span> gave up a run, four hits, one walk and struck out seven in five innings. <span>Archie Bradley</span>, Jorge De La Rosa and <span>Fernando Rodney</span> kept the Dodgers off the scoreboard to finish the win for the Diamondbacks.</p>
<h3 id="x93lFo">Injury update</h3>
<p id="6TspYP">Outfielder Franklin Gutiérrez is going to travel with the team when they go to Arizona this weekend. The team is encouraged by Gutiérrez’s progress and they will know more after Gutiérrez takes some at bats at Camelback Ranch. </p>
<h3 id="ofMoor">Up next</h3>
<p id="v30ehZ">The Dodgers will go for a series win on Monday night . <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> will make his third start and will go against left-handed pitcher <span>Robbie Ray</span>.</p>
<h3 id="RlxmMZ">Sunday particulars</h3>
<p id="PzHqII"><strong>Home runs</strong>: <span>Chris Iannetta</span> (1)</p>
<p id="949OYj"><strong>WP - Taijuan Walker (2-1)</strong>: 5 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts</p>
<p id="Xtog08"><strong>LP - Rich Hill (1-1)</strong>: 3 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts</p>
<p id="9BDzsG"><strong>Sv - Fernando Rodney (4)</strong>: 1 IP, 1 walk, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/4/16/15320176/dodgers-rich-hill-blister-no-offenseCraig Minami2017-04-16T14:51:41-07:002017-04-16T14:51:41-07:00Rich Hill leaves after re-aggravating his blister
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2AEERmdFh5_V9icHyhE1GbLW0Lo=/0x0:3032x2021/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54285747/usa_today_10016311.1492379500.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rich Hill lasted three innings in his return from disabled list</p> <p id="InaXm0">LOS ANGELES —- After being activated from the disabled list just before the game, pitcher <span>Rich Hill</span> was taken out after he re-aggravated the blister on his left middle finger. </p>
<p id="AwndXZ">Hill had warmed up to begin the fourth inning but then walked off the field. He had made 54 pitches in his three innings of work against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> and gave up two runs, five hits, walked two and struck out two.</p>
<p id="ESNSel">Dodger manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said before the game that they would be watching Hill’s blister issue during the game.</p>
<p id="yOUxFh">“Neil Rampe, our head trainer, is on it, and Rick [Honeycutt] will be on it as well,” Roberts said, “Each inning it is going to be something we are going to kind of monitor and if it starts to get soft or flare up a little bit, I’ll make a change.”</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2017/4/16/15320902/rich-hill-blister-injury-aggravates-dodgersCraig Minami2017-04-16T11:27:30-07:002017-04-16T11:27:30-07:00Thompson optioned to Triple-A to make room for Hill
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<img alt="Arizona Diamondbacks v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zzAKzp10Bkf4x48G2B4bpcGxBJ4=/0x505:2575x2222/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54284293/668645856.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Move leaves Dodgers with 13 pitchers and 12 position players</p> <p id="Bbulmj">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> activated <span>Rich Hill</span> off the disabled list to start Sunday’s game against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> at Dodger Stadium, and to make room on the active roster the club optioned <span>Trayce Thompson</span> to Triple-A Oklahoma City.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="oZpOxu"><div data-anthem-component="table:404626"></div></div></div>
<p id="VNzPBS">The move is a little odd since it leaves the Dodgers with just 12 position players and 13 pitchers at the moment, but manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said on Saturday night this was one of the choices being discussed for when Hill was activated.</p>
<p id="zvinks">It also postpones having to make a tough decision regarding the pitching staff.</p>
<p id="xpC2hL"><span>Thompson</span> was recalled on Wednesday when <span>Franklin Gutierrez</span> went on the disabled list, and played in three of the five games when he was with the team, starting twice.</p>
<p id="7tMdnm">It has been a rough start so far in 2017 for Thompson, who is 0-for-8 in the majors, and in the minors is 0-for-13 with two walks.</p>
<p id="aSoD72">Because of the Dodgers’ off day last Tuesday, Hill ended up missing just one start while on the new 10-day DL with a blister on his middle finger. The left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his one start this season, with five strikeouts and three walks in five innings.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/4/16/15317846/trayce-thompson-optioned-dodgers-rich-hillEric Stephen2017-04-16T08:30:02-07:002017-04-16T08:30:02-07:00Dodgers using all of their roster
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<img alt="San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h4OAdLsTk4CGjAOiCkUVUmr-uYw=/0x424:4269x3270/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54281323/665454552.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="efhiF1">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> go for a third consecutive win on Sunday, with pretty much all hands on deck contributing to their first two wins over the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>.</p>
<p id="G0W2dt"><span>Austin Barnes</span> started for the third time in 12 games this season on Saturday, and hit his first major league home run.</p>
<p id="ToHb2Q">"It’s important for <span>Yasmani Grandal</span> to get days [off]," manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said. "It’s important for Austin to stay relevant, stay current. I like his receiving back there. His at-bat quality is good. He’s real green, but we’re going to keep running him out there, and I feel good when he is behind the plate."</p>
<p id="9N7Xln">But like most days when a regular doesn’t start, that doesn’t necessarily mean a full day off. Grandal, for instance, entered in a double switch in the eighth inning when closer <span>Kenley Jansen</span> came in, and caught the final four outs.</p>
<p id="6ZgltH"><span>Yasiel Puig</span> is the only Dodger to start all 12 games this season, but three others have played in all 12.</p>
<p id="8KBuMi"><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> was out of the lineup twice so far, but ended up playing in both games. <span>Corey Seager</span> and <span>Logan Forsythe</span> both played in the one game they didn’t start.</p>
<p id="Skgjs4">Forsythe, who felt tightness in his right hamstring and left on Saturday after just four innings, won’t be in the lineup tomorrow and likely won’t play, which probably means a start for <span>Chase Utley</span>.</p>
<p id="7bx0dm">On average, the Dodgers use just over 11 position players per game, which means three of their five bench players, on average, see action every game. The Dodgers used all 13 position players in two games against the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, and in three other games they have used 12.</p>
<p id="p3xEiP">Friday’s win over the Diamondbacks was the only game this season that saw the Dodgers not use a single position player sub.</p>
<p id="bQJTYw">It’s a delicate balance between trying to get regular rest for the mostly everyday players, keeping them fresh for later in the season and into October, while also trying to make sure the reserves get enough playing time to remain productive.</p>
<p id="17oRxV"><span>Scott Van Slyke</span> has started just twice — though he has played in 11 of 12 games — and is 2-for-13 (.154) with a double and three walks. He walked and scored Saturday night. Utley has started only three games and played in eight, and he’s 1-for-17 (.059) with a walk.</p>
<p id="ijw3AH">It helps that several Dodgers play multiple positions. Forsythe has started at second and third, Van Slyke has played first base, left field and center field, <span>Andrew Toles</span> has played left and center, and <span>Barnes</span> has even seen time at third base.</p>
<p id="HANp8Y">But the utility man who stands out for his versatility is <span>Kiké Hernandez</span>, who has started at shortstop, center field and left field, and on Saturday night added second base to his 2017 ledger, making two stellar defensive plays to help the Dodgers preserve their lead.</p>
<p id="j1GI2w">"It’s just something people take for granted, that versatility and that unselfishness to move all over the diamond, to come off the bench, and get a spot start," Roberts said. "I don’t take it for granted. He had a huge night."</p>
<p id="YCCwkA">Hernandez also doubled and scored on Saturday.</p>
<p id="MiGvZ3">The mixing and matching of Dodgers lineups isn’t going away anytime soon. Just know that no matter who starts, just about everyone will get a chance to still play.</p>
<h3 id="miWrym">Game info</h3>
<p id="IdTxWv">Time: 1:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="4NWCIT">TV: SportsNet LA, KTLA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/4/16/15316584/dodgers-position-player-depth-diamondbacks-previewEric Stephen2017-04-13T16:00:02-07:002017-04-13T16:00:02-07:00Dodgers-Diamondbacks pitching probables
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h8Tp0bFMRiFRqk24TqUP_2AW7sM=/0x0:4252x2835/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54207825/usa_today_8674320.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>4-game series starts with a marquee matchup of aces on Friday night</p> <p id="lqcLXT">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> return home for a weekend series against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>, but this is no ordinary get together at Dodger Stadium. The two teams will actually play a four-game wraparound series that begins Friday and ends Monday night in Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="NtfHJn">Here is a look at the probable pitching matchups plus the schedule and television information for these four games between National League West division rivals.</p>
<h3 id="uycvrX">Friday, 7:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="dU8ag0">The series begins with one of the most attractive pitching matchups of the season, and the first time that former teammates <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> and <span>Zack Greinke</span> will face each other.</p>
<p id="tJ83oj">It is the highest-priced pitching matchup of all-time, with Greinke (<a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/arizona-diamondbacks/">$34 million in 2017</a>, including his $31 million salary and $3 million of his signing bonus) the only pitcher in baseball making more than Kershaw ($33 million).</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="jAmIQB"><div data-anthem-component="table:398483"></div></div></div>
<p id="KoAt35">Kershaw (1.98) and Greinke (2.19) have the second and fourth-best ERA, respectively, in Dodger Stadium history, with a minimum of 30 starts.</p>
<p id="FL62y8">"I want to face him," <a href="http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/223978974/ex-teammates-greinke-kershaw-set-to-clash/?topicId=26688836">Greinke told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com</a>, "just to see how nasty he is."</p>
<h3 id="VcpkdC">Saturday, 6:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="hM7RUT">Jackie Robinson Day is always special, and this year is even more intriguing with the unveiling of the new Jackie Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium before the game.</p>
<p id="zf8joB">During the game, with the preferred Saturday start time of an hour earlier than normal, <span>Kenta Maeda</span> makes his third start of the season for the Dodgers, while left-hander <span>Patrick Corbin</span> starts for Arizona.</p>
<h3 id="ZWORDi">Sunday, 1:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, KTLA)</h3>
<p id="KaawLO"><span>Rich Hill</span> is eligible to be activated off the disabled list on Sunday, but that requires the blister on his middle finger to cooperate. If he isn’t ready yet to be activated, <span>Alex Wood</span> will get another start.</p>
<p id="tu7pSi"><span>Taijuan Walker</span> is a product of Yucaipa High School, about 71 miles east of Dodger Stadium. This is his second career start at Chavez Ravine. He lost here with the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> on Apr. 15, 2015, allowing five runs in four innings.</p>
<h3 id="TOCNac">Monday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="GixXtC"><span>Brandon McCarthy</span> starts on Monday night against one of his former teams. The Diamondbacks in the series finale will counter with <span>Robbie Ray</span>, the seventh left-hander the Dodgers will face in their first 14 games of the season.</p>
<p id="sQ7kty">In 2016, the Dodgers faced their seventh southpaw starter on May 1, in their 26th game.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/4/13/15268458/dodgers-diamondbacks-schedule-game-times-starting-pitchers-tvEric Stephen