True Blue LA - August 29: Diamondbacks 7, Dodgers 6Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2017-08-29T21:56:55-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/159929092017-08-29T21:56:55-07:002017-08-29T21:56:55-07:00Pollock, Drury have key hits as Diamondbacks win 7-6
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A.J. Pollock’s two-run homer ignites a five run first inning </p> <p id="qOPDMc">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> were beaten 7-6 by the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> at Chase Field on Tuesday night. Fernando Rodney got the save when Yasmani Grandal grounded out with tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth.</p>
<p id="2ZZNiG"><span>Rich Hill </span>was perfect for eight innings in his last start, in this one he faced nine hitters in the first inning and gave up five runs. A.J. Pollock hit a two-run homer and then <span>Brandon Drury</span> hit a two-run double to highlight that inning.</p>
<p id="bnCjx1">Trailing by five, the Dodgers mounted a comeback. <span>Yasiel Puig</span> hit a solo home run in the second inning. And in the third, <span>Chris Taylor</span> celebrated his birthday with a two-run home run. The Dodgers would score one more when <span>Yasmani Grandal</span> singled home <span>Justin Turner</span>.</p>
<p id="ahHdnC">But then Rich Hill gave up a booming RBI triple to <span>David Peralta</span>, which ended his night. Overall, Hill pitched 3⅔ innings and gave up 6 runs. Hill struck out four and walked one.</p>
<p id="6KT9vE">Later, <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> would hit a solo home run off <span>Ross Stripling</span> to make it a three-run game.</p>
<p id="QV6bE6"><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> made it a little closer when he doubled home Puig in the eighth to make it a two-run game.</p>
<p id="tH1aBk">In the ninth, <span>Chase Utley</span> led off with a double and he would score on Taylor’s infield single. With two out, Rodney hit Turner with a pitch to put two runners on base. But after Grandal fouled off some tough pitches, he would ground out to give the Diamondbacks the first game of the series.</p>
<h3 id="Ub54Hw">Fourth three-game losing streak</h3>
<p id="OXENKA">This loss extended their losing streak to three games. That matches their season long losing streak, which they had done three other times. </p>
<p id="eG11LE">The last time they lost three straight was June 4th through June 6th, when they lost their last game in Milwaukee and then the first two games to the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<h3 id="bgZvAH">And another streak ends, score four but no more winning streak</h3>
<p id="d1tPqx">The Dodgers had won 40 straight games where they scored four or more runs. According Stats LLC, there were only two longer streaks in Major League Baseball history, the 1954 <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> had a 42-game streak and the 1906 New York <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> had a 41-game streak.</p>
<h3 id="ivdbFo">Up next</h3>
<p id="2uKLSN">The Dodgers will try to win and keep hope alive for a series win. Two lefthanders, Hyun-jin Ryu and Robbie Ray will match up in the middle game of this series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PT.</p>
<h3 id="ZAsQTP">Tuesday particulars</h3>
<p id="sF75Gs"><strong>Home runs</strong>: <span>A.J. Pollock</span><strong> </strong>(8), Yasiel Puig (24), Chris Taylor (18), Paul Goldschmidt (32)</p>
<p id="FaOfi3"><strong>WP - </strong><span><strong>Zack Godley</strong></span><strong> (6-7)</strong>: 6 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts</p>
<p id="jITck4"><strong>LP - Rich Hill (9-6)</strong>: 3⅔ IP, 8 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts</p>
<p id="bTwjau"><strong>Sv - </strong><span><strong>Fernando Rodney</strong></span><strong> (33)</strong>: 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/29/16224336/diamondbacks-five-run-first-rich-hill-loses-dodgers-three-game-losing-streak-recapCraig Minami2017-08-29T17:16:32-07:002017-08-29T17:16:32-07:00Seager sits with sore elbow, Kiké starts at SS
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<figcaption>Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Iws4li">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> open a three-game series in Phoenix against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> tonight that does not include <span>Corey Seager</span> who is resting a sore right elbow per reports from Chase Field.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said Corey Seager has been dealing with sore left elbow. In Detroit noticed he was working with trainers on it on field.</p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/902678653795835904">August 29, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seager is day to day. Bothers him throwing, not hitting, for a couple of weeks.</p>— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/902678912701931520">August 29, 2017</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seager is available to hit, but bothers him when throwing. Symptoms will dictate when returns at SS</p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/902679028477313024">August 29, 2017</a>
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<p id="XnKs3K"><em>(Vassegh later tweeted a correction to “right elbow”.)</em></p>
<p id="KL5tDV">The Dodgers shortstop has a currently active 15-game hitting streak during which he has collected exactly one extra-base hit, a double, leading to a slash line of .348/.362/.364.</p>
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<p id="hprbC6">Seager’s last hitless game was on <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI201708090.shtml">August 9 in Chase Field</a>.</p>
<p id="kip417">In the reigning National League Rookie of the Year’s place, <span>Kiké Hernández</span> gets the call at shortstop, making his 13th start of the year at that position.</p>
<p id="QURITc">Hernández is currently batting .173/.258/.278 against right-handed pitching this season and has never faced Diamondbacks starter <span>Zack Godley</span> before in his career.</p>
<h3 id="arGPxC">Notes</h3>
<p id="dRHjrR">While the Dodgers take on the Diamondbacks in Chase Field, <span>Cody Bellinger</span> will be playing a rehab game at nearby Camelback Ranch.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bellinger plays in an Arizona League game tonight, will be activated tomorrow.</p>— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/902679199390957569">August 29, 2017</a>
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<p id="fFan9t">For at least the first game back, <span>Bellinger</span> will play first base rather than <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gonzalez back improved from Sunday. Roberts said Bellinger will return to first, Gonzalez will face RHP,</p>— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/902679681010253824">August 29, 2017</a>
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<p id="w38BlH">Manager Dave Roberts disclosed the upcoming planned starting pitchers through the weekend with one exception:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a> pitching in SD:<br>Friday -- Clayton Kershaw<br>Saturday day game -- TBA<br>Saturday night game -- Yu Darvish<br>Sunday -- Alex Wood</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/902686655844302848">August 30, 2017</a>
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<p id="ulKLW8">Saturday is September 2, after the active roster can be expanded to include anyone on the 40-man roster, so there may be several potential candidates for that start.</p>
<p id="oUf0xD">Catcher Chris Iannetta starts in the second spot of the Arizona batting order for only the 11th time in his career, and the eighth time this season. Five of those those previous times occurred in August. The Diamondbacks must be catching lightning in a bottle because Iannetta’s slash line as a number-two hitter this year is .345/.387/.621 in 31 PA.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/29/16223220/dodgers-diamondbacks-corey-seager-injury-lineupsDavid Young2017-08-29T12:28:01-07:002017-08-29T12:28:01-07:00Hill versus Godley looks like a pitchers’ duel
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<figcaption>Rich Hill wants to look just as daunting to the Diamondbacks | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="7FaiAg">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> open their seven-game road trip with a midweek series in Phoenix against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> tonight, looking to rebound from two consecutive losses for the first time since July 22 - when they dropped two in a row in Atlanta - and for only the second time since June 8.</p>
<p id="lGyFia">June 8 was also the last time they were licking their wounds from a three-game skid, having lost two consecutive home games to the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> after being shutout in a road trip finale at Milwaukee.</p>
<p id="MejJWo">Three games remains the longest losing streak of the year for the Dodgers. This also occurred on May 16 - at Colorado and two in San Francisco - and April 18 in three home games, two with Arizona, then one against Colorado. All three of those slides were snapped with a win by <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>.</p>
<p id="j5ZiFS">But Kershaw’s not yet back on the active roster so <span>Rich Hill</span> toes the rubber for the Blue, while <span>Zack Godley</span> deals the cards for the Snakes. It’s hard to go into a game at offense-friendly Chase Field predicting a pitching duel, but this game could be it. </p>
<p id="Gno2iv">The Diamondbacks currently on the active roster have a combined .552 OPS (.140/.232/.320) in their careers against Hill, striking out an unsightly 36.8% of the time.</p>
<p id="zYM7yy">Their Dodgers counterparts fare even worse with the right-handed Godley, tallying a mere .520 OPS (.176/.211/.309), although they flail at a somewhat lower but still impressive 27.8% rate.</p>
<p id="biSOzJ">This is Hill’s first appearance since spinning a near-perfect game in Pittsburgh. <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/28/16211148/dodgers-diamondbacks-probable-pitchers-game-times-tv-schedule">As Eric Stephen pointed out earlier</a> this isn’t exactly a unique experience for the portsider:</p>
<blockquote><p id="tlCqs4">Rich Hill faces the Diamondbacks in Arizona in his first start after a near-perfect game for the second time in 11 months. In 2016, five days after his seven-inning masterpiece in Miami, Hill struck out eight in 5⅓ innings in Phoenix, but allowed four runs to suffer the loss.</p></blockquote>
<p id="j4KhN7">Hill has faced the Diamondbacks twice previously this season, with both starts in Los Angeles. <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201707060.shtml">In the most recent of those</a>, the southpaw tossed seven innings of two-hit baseball, allowing a solo home run to <span>Jake Lamb</span> while striking out nine batters. Hill didn’t figure in the decision, a victory for the Dodgers when Arizona closer <span>Fernando Rodney</span> failed to convert a three-run lead into a save by allowing his first six batters to reach base, including four via the base on balls.</p>
<p id="Yb6lHY">No Diamondback currently on the active roster has faced Hill more than ten times. Noted Dodgers nemesis <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> has been held by Hill to two singles in eight plate appearances, but the left-handed hitting Lamb has two walks to go with his aforementioned homer in only four PA.</p>
<p id="YEOz8F"><span>Justin Turner</span> has enjoyed extra-base hit success against Godley - his only three hits are a double and two home runs - and his twelve PA vs the Arizona starter are tops among the Dodgers on today’s 25-man roster.</p>
<h3 id="nfEqfv">Game info</h3>
<p id="LDZ7eM">Time: 6:40 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="OCqHpC">TV: SportsNet LA. KTLA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/29/16218612/rich-hill-zack-godley-pitchers-duel-dodgers-diamondbacks-game-previewDavid Young2017-08-28T15:00:01-07:002017-08-28T15:00:01-07:00Dodgers-Diamondbacks probable pitchers
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/diaeAV4jfZaJMU9kmTzam6AoHAE=/0x0:2988x1992/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56384809/469586496.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LA is 8-5 against Arizona in 2017, including 3-3 in Phoenix</p> <p id="UBQMsS">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> get familiar with the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> — a potential NLDS opponent — with six games in a nine-day span beginning Tuesday night in Phoenix. Here is a look at the probable starting pitchers lined up for the three-game series this week at Chase Field.</p>
<h3 id="jIYied">Tuesday, 6:40 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, KTLA)</h3>
<p id="7TNOZJ"><span><strong>Rich Hill</strong></span> faces the Diamondbacks in Arizona in his first start after a near-perfect game for the second time in 11 months. In 2016, five days after his seven-inning masterpiece in Miami, Hill struck out eight in 5⅓ innings in Phoenix, but allowed four runs to suffer the loss. Hill has allowed three runs and 10 innings this season against Arizona, with 11 strikeouts and two walks.</p>
<p id="FOkSmj">Among the 112 major league pitchers with at least 100 innings in 2017, <span><strong>Zack Godley</strong></span> ranks <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=100&type=1&season=2017&month=0&season1=2017&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=7,d">17th with a 26.4-percent strikeout rate</a>. That’s the lowest K-rate the Dodgers will face among D-backs starters in this series. The right-hander has allowed four runs in 12⅓ innings in a pair of starts against the Dodgers this season, with 11 strikeouts and two walks.</p>
<h3 id="kngKOv">Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="TgBpnL">The Dodgers have won <strong>Hyun-jin Ryu’s</strong> last six starts, with the left-hander posting a 1.54 ERA in those games, with 31 strikeouts and 12 walks in 35 innings. Ryu has allowed just one home run to 135 batters during that span.</p>
<aside id="qMnweh"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers-Diamondbacks series snapshot","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/28/16211488/dodgers-diamondbacks-series-statistics-schedule"}]}'></div></aside><p id="QSU4of"><span><strong>Robbie Ray</strong></span> snaps an 11-game streak of right-handed starting pitchers faced by the Dodgers. Ray is back after taking a line drive off his head on July 24. In one start back from the disabled list, the left-hander struck out nine in five innings, allowing a run on two hits and two walks to the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. </p>
<h3 id="VOgznL">Thursday, 12:40 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="NxoGjM"><span><strong>Kenta Maeda</strong></span> allowed 10 runs in nine innings in back-to-back starts against the Diamondbacks in April, including four home runs in five innings in a loss at Chase Field on Apr. 22. Since then, the right-hander is 11-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 19 games, including 17 starts, with 99 strikeouts and 24 walks in 98⅓ innings. That includes allowing one run in five innings in a no-decision in Phoenix on Aug. 8.</p>
<p id="u7hYwV">The Dodgers scratched together two seventh-inning runs to beat <span><strong>Zack Greinke</strong></span> on Aug. 9 in Phoenix, his fourth consecutive loss to his former team. Since signing with Arizona after the 2015 season, Greinke is 1-4 against the Dodgers with a 5.83 ERA in five starts, including seven home runs allowed. In three starts against the Dodgers at Chase Field, Greinke has been much better, with a 2.75 ERA, three quality starts, 18 strikeouts and 10 walks in 19⅔ innings. </p>
<p id="Cp0r59">Including Mr. Zero <span>Zach Davies</span> on Saturday vs. Milwaukee, the Dodgers will have faced three Zacks/Zachs in a five-game span.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/28/16211148/dodgers-diamondbacks-probable-pitchers-game-times-tv-scheduleEric Stephen2017-08-28T14:59:01-07:002017-08-28T14:59:01-07:00Dodgers-Diamondbacks series snapshot
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YHbomXVOL23Kp5s2v5njdsXCQmM=/0x0:3140x2093/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56396575/829733800.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="yNPJJK">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> make their final regular season trip to Chase Field beginning Tuesday night for three games against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>, the start of a nine-day stretch that will see these two teams play six times. Here is an overview look at both teams before their matchup in Phoenix.</p>
<p id="hWdnR0">Teams: Dodgers (91-38) vs. Diamondbacks (73-58)</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="xvCU2H"><div data-anthem-component="table:618680"></div></div></div>
<p id="UnqoJM">Split records: Dodgers 39-22 on the road, D-backs 42-23 at home</p>
<p id="rdEjzE">Run differential: Dodgers +219 (1st in NL), D-backs +102 (3rd in NL)</p>
<p id="sJapKI">Runs scored: Dodgers 5.00 per game (3rd), D-backs 4.84 (5th)</p>
<p id="ps7oUh">OPS+: Dodgers 105 (1st), D-backs 91 (10th)</p>
<p id="TiHBXi">wRC+: Dodgers 109 (1st), D-backs 92 (8th)</p>
<p id="af8OfR">Runs allowed: Dodgers 3.30 (1st), D-backs 4.06 (2nd)</p>
<p id="BKqXf1">ERA+: Dodgers 136 (1st), D-backs 129 (2nd)</p>
<p id="emNSnK">Last 10 games: Dodgers 6-4, D-backs 6-4</p>
<p id="RTHrnk">2017 head-to-head record: 8-5 Dodgers (3-3 in Arizona)</p>
<p id="xXqiza">2016 head-to-head: 12-7 Dodgers (5-5 in AZ)</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, 6:40 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, KTLA)<br>Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. (SportsNet LA)<br>Thursday, 12:40 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</p>
<h3 id="DHQifQ">Pitching matchups</h3>
<p id="E8RSdZ"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/28/16211148/dodgers-diamondbacks-probable-pitchers-game-times-tv-schedule"><em>More details</em></a></p>
<p id="J1hRx5">Tuesday: <span>Rich Hill</span> vs. <span>Zack Godley</span><br>Wednesday: Hyun-jin Ryu vs. <span>Robbie Ray</span> (L)<br>Thursday: <span>Kenta Maeda</span> vs. <span>Zack Greinke</span></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2017/8/28/16211488/dodgers-diamondbacks-series-statistics-scheduleEric Stephen