True Blue LA - July 4: Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 3Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2017-07-04T21:38:15-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/156841912017-07-04T21:38:15-07:002017-07-04T21:38:15-07:00Kershaw flirts with no-no, strikes out 11
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gRfciJlOgFePj-jH77-2y_yuyN8=/0x0:4320x2880/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55572643/usa_today_10144957.1499229495.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dodgers survive Arizona comeback effort in 9th</p> <p id="akpPiw"><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, helping the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> draw first blood with a 4-3 win over the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> in the opener of their three-game showdown series on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="gDdGQZ">Kershaw was on top of his game on Tuesday, striking out 11, including six straight outs by strikeout at one point. The only one who gave Kershaw trouble was catcher <span>Chris Iannetta</span>, who walked in his first two at-bats.</p>
<p id="UIrKSG">There was an interesting battle in the middle innings because even though Kershaw was racking up the outs he was also running his pitch count up, and threw 92 pitches through six frames.</p>
<p id="6JQHai">But before we even had a chance to visualize how Kershaw might grind <span>Dave Roberts</span> to dust in an attempt to pull him from the game, <span>Chris Owings</span> grounded a ball in between first and second base. <span>Cody Bellinger</span> ranged far to his right trying to field the ball, leaving Kershaw to race Owings to the bag. Once second baseman <span>Logan Forsythe</span> fielded the ball and threw to first, Owings won the race, just barely.</p>
<p id="2mAUOP">The no-hitter over, <span>Iannetta</span> delivered a more traditional single to the outfield, his third time reaching base, and getting the tying run to the plate in a 3-0 game.</p>
<p id="1eEgOL">But Kershaw got a ground ball out to end the threat, and his night. He didn’t get the no-hitter, but settled for another brilliant start, his third consecutive game allowing zero earned runs, the first time he’s done that since Sept. 14-24, 2016.</p>
<p id="lIbRGp">By allowing just four runners to reach base in his start, Kershaw <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/5/23/15683752/clayton-kershaw-dominant-career-whip-one">once again lowered his career WHIP below one</a>. He’s at 0.99929 in 1,883⅓ innings, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/whip_career.shtml">good for second place all-time among pitchers with 1,000 innings</a>, behind only Hall of Fame Ed Walsh.</p>
<p id="iCddNe">Kershaw is the first pitcher in baseball to 13 wins this season, and he lowered his ERA to 2.19. At the moment, he leads MLB with 123⅓ innings pitched.</p>
<h3 id="oenNZi">Election season</h3>
<p id="qmcirL">With the Dodgers in full campaign mode for the Final Vote, including carving out a special section of Dodger Stadium where Pantone 294 folks were constantly voting, <span>Justin Turner</span> made his subjects proud immediately on Tuesday.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is where the Magic is happening with <a href="https://twitter.com/Pantone294">@Pantone294</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoteJT?src=hash">#VoteJT</a> <a href="https://t.co/1QDpUllgdC">pic.twitter.com/1QDpUllgdC</a></p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/882373586618470401">July 4, 2017</a>
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<p id="JGU8xh">In the first inning against <span>Patrick Corbin</span>, Turner drove a ball on a line toward left field, where it hit the top of the wall and stayed in the park. Turner settled for a 395-foot single, but one that brought Logan Forsythe home for the game’s first run.</p>
<p id="L7yX7T">In the third inning, Turner one-upped himself, this time driving a ball to center field, and over the wall for the second run of the game.</p>
<p id="1bkLBA">Turner, who through the first voting update revealed by MLB earlier on Tuesday was leading <span>Kris Bryant</span> and others in the Final Vote, is now hitting .384/.472/.569.</p>
<p id="1QrIXR">Voting <a href="https://www.mlb.com/all-star/final-vote?tcid=LAD_final">runs through Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. PT</a>.</p>
<h3 id="eR6gJ7">Heating up</h3>
<p id="6cX06J"><span>Yasmani Grandal</span> doubled in the second inning, then delivered RBI singles in the third and eighth, for his eighth three-hit game of the season.</p>
<p id="WUOEjg">Grandal has seven extra-base hits — two doubles and five home runs -- in his last nine games, hitting .361 (13-for-36) during that span.</p>
<p id="W0I4CH">That last run was very much needed, because the D-backs put two runners on base against <span>Brandon Morrow</span> in the ninth in a 4-0 game, prompting Roberts to bring in <span>Kenley Jansen</span> with one out. Jansen got the second out of the inning with a pop up, but then <span>Daniel Descalso</span> stunned him with a three-run home run to right field.</p>
<p id="sgq0TB">It was the second home run of the season allowed by Jansen, and just the second and third inherited runs — out of 17 — that he allowed to score this season.</p>
<p id="LdYZHi">Then Jansen walked <span>Jake Lamb</span>, just the second walk of the season for Jansen. But he was able to recover, striking out <span>Chris Herrmann</span> to end the game. </p>
<h3 id="d2v7W7">Tuesday particulars</h3>
<p id="Ccdbij"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Justin Turner (8); Daniel Descalso (6)</p>
<p id="dGkvLI"><strong>WP - Clayton Kershaw (13-2)</strong>: 7 IP, 2 hits, 2 walks, 11 strikeouts</p>
<p id="ZKEx1q"><strong>LP - Patrick Corbin (6-8)</strong>: 4⅔ IP, 7 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts</p>
<p id="mRXfi1"><strong>Sv - Kenley Jansen (19)</strong>: ⅔ IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15920600/clayton-kershaw-near-no-hitter-dodgers-justin-turner-home-run-kenley-jansen-blip-diamondbacks-recapEric Stephen2017-07-04T17:05:35-07:002017-07-04T17:05:35-07:00Foot pain lands Ryu on DL, Stripling recalled
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/r0z2BWDTxa5oE8lW8xPR9zI4ccM=/175x0:3946x2514/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55571103/usa_today_10136138.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="P4RsAo">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Monday placed pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu on the disabled list with left foot contusion, shutting him down through the All-Star break, and recalled pitcher <span>Ross Stripling</span> from Triple-A Oklahoma City before the series opener against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="JUrip8">Ryu was hit by a line drive in the fourth inning of his last start, on Wednesday against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in Anaheim, though he stayed in the game into the sixth. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/HyunJinRyu99">@HyunJinRyu99</a> x-rays were negative but he still has soreness. 10-day DL. <a href="https://twitter.com/RossStripling">@RossStripling</a> is activated.</p>— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) <a href="https://twitter.com/alannarizzo/status/882364938072739840">July 4, 2017</a>
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<p id="wDz49y">Ryu is 3-6 with a 4.21 ERA in 14 games, including 13 starts, with 69 strikeouts and 22 walks in 72⅔ innings.</p>
<p id="2bzNPp">This is Ryu’s second stint on the DL this season.</p>
<p id="r6H4Lo">Stripling was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/6/26/15875108/trayce-thompson-brock-stewart-recalled-dodgers-ross-stripling">optioned to Triple-A on June 26</a>, and normally would have to remain in the minors for 10 days (through Wednesday), but is allowed to return earlier because he is replacing someone on the disabled list.</p>
<p id="3Un9E2">Stripling has a 4.03 ERA in 22 relief appearances in 2017 and leads the Dodgers bullpen with 38 innings. He has 40 strikeouts and 10 walks, with opposing batters hitting .299/.338/.415.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15920294/hyun-jin-ryu-disabled-list-foot-dodgers-ross-striplingEric Stephen2017-07-04T15:17:54-07:002017-07-04T15:17:54-07:00Bellinger gets first crack at D-backs
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oa1j4Kw3Reul5b-Za27axp5rKbI=/61x0:2239x1452/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55570399/usa_today_10143993.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Gzuqz4">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back home, where they are an astonishing 33-11 in 2017, to host the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> for three games beginning Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="mDlOVm">This is the 15th different opponent for <span>Cody Bellinger</span> this season. The Dodgers and D-backs played seven times in April, but all before Bellinger was called up to the majors.</p>
<p id="I9trsD">In his first game against a new team, Bellinger is 14-for-50 with three doubles, six home runs and nine walks, hitting .280/.390/.700 with 10 runs scored and 14 RBI in 14 games.</p>
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<p id="j17DPg">Bellinger, who as usual bats cleanup on Tuesday for the Dodgers at first base, is hitting .269/.324/.612 with six home runs in 74 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.</p>
<p id="fP1E2n">Bellinger, named to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb-home-run-derby">Home Run Derby</a> on Monday, has gone seven games and 31 plate appearances without a home run, the longest drought of his young career. He is 4-for-27 (.148) with a double and four walks during that span.</p>
<h3 id="aNFBgA">Arizona move</h3>
<p id="fMnWS7">The Diamondbacks got a boost back for their offense and defense, activating outfielder <span>A.J. Pollock</span> from the disabled list. He missed 44 games with a right groin strain.</p>
<p id="S4HnRV">Pollock, who only played 12 games in a lost 2016 for Arizona, is hitting .299/.337/.455 with 17 extra-base hits and 11 steals in 37 games this season.</p>
<p id="ritaxJ">Pollock is leading off and in center field for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15920212/cody-bellinger-dodgers-lineup-diamondbacks-aj-pollockEric Stephen2017-07-04T13:33:51-07:002017-07-04T13:33:51-07:00Kershaw starts showdown series vs. D-backs
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CpmPOQVQGY1n9noco_W2OVmNhVo=/0x0:4236x2824/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55569747/usa_today_10143976.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="OYchI5">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back home, where they have another showdown series against a surprisingly strong contender in the National League West.</p>
<p id="WYlszK">The <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> come to Los Angeles on pace for 101 wins, yet 2½ games behind the Dodgers in the National League West. These two teams have played seven times already this season, but last played each other 72 days ago.</p>
<p id="g9RC6Y"><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> gets the start in the opener, as the Dodgers <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15912856/dodgers-diamondbacks-starting-pitchers-schedule">lined up their best three pitchers going against the division rivals</a>. Should Kershaw record at least five outs on Tuesday night, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/dJmmE">he will be the sixth pitcher to pitch 1,000 innings at Dodger Stadium</a>.</p>
<p id="CTSCIi">The calendar has turned to July, which has been the best month of Kershaw’s career. He owns a 1.78 ERA in 40 career starts during the month. A herniated disc in his back sidelined him for all of July in 2016, but in four of the previous five Julys Kershaw won National League Pitcher of the Month (2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015).</p>
<aside id="ZU21gm"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers-Diamondbacks series snapshot","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15919846/dodgers-diamondbacks-series-statistics"}]}'></div></aside><p id="NvmXXi">Kershaw has won his last eight decisions this season, and the Dodgers are undefeated in his last 11 starts.</p>
<p id="QFzwBR">The Dodgers have also won six straight games and 13 of their last 15 against left-handed starting pitchers, with Arizona starting <span>Patrick Corbin</span> in the opener. Believe it or not, the Dodgers’ 16-9 record against southpaw starters is the best mark in the majors, after LA was just 22-24 against lefties in 2016.</p>
<p id="ZNdWm7">Right-handed batters are hitting .310/.361/.505 against Corbin this season.</p>
<p id="KZArNK">Corbin has three consecutive quality starts entering Tuesday night. He also had a quality start at Dodger Stadium on Apr. 15, but still lost because in addition to his three earned runs allowed in six innings, he also allowed two unearned runs, with the Dodgers putting 13 runners on base against him.</p>
<p id="IPSpGR">Even with their loss on Sunday, the Dodgers are hot, winning 20 of their last 24 games. The second-best record during that span belongs to Arizona, at 17-6.</p>
<h3 id="ooq0kw">Game info</h3>
<p id="gJFSeo">Time: 6:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="Kg9BTJ">TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15919978/clayton-kershaw-dodgers-diamondbacks-nl-west-showdown-previewEric Stephen2017-07-04T12:23:17-07:002017-07-04T12:23:17-07:00Dodgers-Diamondbacks probable pitchers
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VYC1V3SRDnvH0FGuybNWFBJTvCM=/0x0:3185x2123/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55569367/usa_today_9250224.1499196196.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Best ERA+ in majors: 1) Arizona 139, 2) Los Angeles 131</p> <p id="oegP6K">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are back home for another showdown series against a juggernaut National League West foe, and pitching will be the story as the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> coming to town. Here is a look at the pitching matchups and the schedule for this three-game series at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<h3 id="KMFXqQ">Tuesday, 6:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="amUcs9"><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> gets the call in the series opener, an early start on the July 4 holiday. He is 8-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 10 starts against the NL West the season, including 1.83 in five such home starts with 39 strikeouts and three walks.</p>
<p id="Kt5Ip1">We talk a lot about pitching the the third time through the order -- and specifically how the Dodgers mostly avoid it — but Arizona lefty <span>Patrick Corbin</span> seems to be the opposite this season. He gets better as the game goes on, but mostly because he’s got nowhere to go but up. First time through the batting order, Corbin this season is getting torched to the tune of .290/.347/.573. </p>
<p id="5fKRfe">Separately, batters leading off an inning in 2017 against Corbin are hitting .315/.344/.522.</p>
<aside id="0o544Y"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers-Diamondbacks series snapshot","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15919846/dodgers-diamondbacks-series-statistics"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="obQIZF">Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="1OIr6F"><span>Alex Wood</span> started each of the last two springs in the bullpen, and was starting no later than the second week of the season, so waiting around for his All-Star nod should be nothing new. Wood has allowed zero or one run in seven of his last eight starts.</p>
<p id="kgkSvb"><span>Zack Godley</span> hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his 10 starts this season. He has 59 strikeouts in 64 innings to go with his career-best 59-percent ground ball rate.</p>
<h3 id="YSBelE">Thursday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="yCO00T"><span>Rich Hill</span> is looking like his old new self with back-to-back seven-inning starts, and struck out a career-high 11 on Saturday in San Diego.</p>
<p id="wB3Wky"><strong>Correction</strong>: Arizona’s Sunday game notes listed <span>Zack Greinke</span> as the Thursday starter, but it will be in fact left-hander <span>Robbie Ray</span>, which makes more sense because otherwise Ray would have been skipped.</p>
<p id="8sgxry">Ray, who like Greinke made the NL All-Star team, has a 1.81 ERA and 69 strikeouts in his last eight starts.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15912856/dodgers-diamondbacks-starting-pitchers-scheduleEric Stephen2017-07-04T12:23:09-07:002017-07-04T12:23:09-07:00Dodgers-Diamondbacks series snapshot
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<img alt="Arizona Diamondbacks v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qlaGPzEmJ_rl0yCa3DtnFzuvJ7M=/0x37:3000x2037/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55569363/584793346.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="oRdrX2">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> get together for the third time in 2017, but their first meeting since April. Here is an overview look at the top two teams in the National League West before their three-game series at Dodger Stadium.</p>
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<p id="hWdnR0">Teams: Dodgers (55-29) vs. Diamondbacks (52-31)</p>
<p id="UnqoJM">Split records: Dodgers 33-11 at home, D-backs 20-18 on road</p>
<p id="rdEjzE">Run differential: Dodgers +153 (1st in NL), D-backs +110 (2nd in NL)</p>
<p id="sJapKI">Runs scored: Dodgers 5.23 per game (2nd), D-backs 5.20 (3rd)</p>
<p id="ps7oUh">OPS+: Dodgers 108 (2nd), D-backs 96 (8th)</p>
<p id="TiHBXi">wRC+: Dodgers 111 (1st), D-backs 98 (5th)</p>
<p id="af8OfR">Runs allowed: Dodgers 3.40 (1st), D-backs 3.88 (2nd)</p>
<p id="BKqXf1">ERA+: Dodgers 131 (2nd), D-backs 139 (1st)</p>
<p id="emNSnK">Last 10 games: Dodgers 7-3, D-backs 6-4</p>
<p id="RTHrnk">2017 head-to-head record: 4-3 D-backs (2-2 in LA)</p>
<p id="xXqiza">2016 head-to-head: 12-7 Dodgers (7-2 LA in LA)</p>
<p id="OIlmm5">Diamondbacks SB Nation site: <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com">AZ Snake Pit</a></p>
<h3 id="wqUHBJ">Series schedule</h3>
<p id="MzrcSb">Tuesday, 6:10 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)<br>Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)<br>Thursday, 7:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</p>
<h3 id="DHQifQ">Pitching matchups</h3>
<p id="k7Ad2g"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15912856/dodgers-diamondbacks-starting-pitchers-schedule"><em>More details</em></a></p>
<p id="J1hRx5">Tuesday: <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> vs. <span>Patrick Corbin</span> (L)<br>Wednesday: <span>Alex Wood</span> vs. <span>Zack Godley</span><br>Thursday: <span>Rich Hill</span> vs. <span>Robbie Ray</span></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/7/4/15919846/dodgers-diamondbacks-series-statisticsEric Stephen