True Blue LA - March 27: Dodgers 4, Angels 3 (5)Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2018-03-27T22:23:15-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/169348952018-03-27T22:23:15-07:002018-03-27T22:23:15-07:00Busted pipes end spring earlier than expected
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rPOx2h3Me7JLk_TFrS-otqfM89w=/57x0:2619x1708/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59184375/usa_today_10742470.1522214595.jpg" />
<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Freeway Series finale called in the bottom of fifth</p> <p id="AeAGw9">Los Angeles — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> accomplished what they needed to do in winning the Freeway Series with a 4-3 win over the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> at Dodger Stadium. While the game itself played out in a usual fashion, how it ended was unusual. </p>
<p id="BDY4kr">The game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning when water started flowing onto the warning track just past the Dodger dugout.</p>
<p id="RZJhyL">Dodger President Stan Kasten met with the media after the game with manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> and spoke about what happened.</p>
<p id="hRo2Yf">“Apparently in the middle of the of the fifth inning there was a pipe backup, in two different levels of the stadium,” Kasten said, “we don’t know exactly where the backup was or what caused it. It had something to do with a main pipe here as well as a main pipe outside.”</p>
<p id="sNMRgq">“The City is aware of it,” Kasten said, “The City is on the scene and they are trying to figure that out.”</p>
<p id="8Qiov9">After conferring with Angel manager Mike Scioscia and the umpires, a decision was made to call the game because they did not know how long it would take to take care of the issue.</p>
<p id="RyidYT">When asked about any concerns on Opening Day taking place on Thursday afternoon, Kasten said “no, no none whatsoever.”</p>
<p id="Aua13R">As to game itself, Hyun-jin Ryu made his final start of the spring and was able to reach his pitch limit before leaving the game in the top of the fifth. </p>
<p id="pXZfKU">While Ryu seemed to always have runners on base, he was able to navigate his final spring training start well enough, finishing his outing with 4⅔ innings pitched, he gave up three runs (two earned), nine hits and struck out three.</p>
<p id="UcQlRJ">Josh Sborz, a right-hander who pitched for the Dodgers AA affiliate, the Tulsa Drillers, last season, recorded the last out in the fifth</p>
<p id="UqIx1q">The Dodgers scored first when <span>Yasiel Puig</span> hit his fourth home run in the last week. Puig will be on a roll entering the regular season as he was 8-for-16 in his last six games with all four of his home runs being hit during that stretch.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> got on the board first courtesy of this <a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YasielPuig</a> . <a href="https://t.co/uqFiw8JE4v">pic.twitter.com/uqFiw8JE4v</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/978822437646159872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2018</a>
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<p id="mT3jHF">After the Angels scored two runs in the second, <span>Chris Taylor</span> hit a two-out two run double to put the Dodgers ahead again.</p>
<p id="BmykrE">The Angels would tie the score at 3-3 but then <span>Matt Kemp</span> hit his fifth home run in the fourth inning with a familiar looking shot to the right center field bleachers.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TIED N MORE! <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealMattKemp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealMattKemp</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> <a href="https://t.co/jzVTomiV0e">pic.twitter.com/jzVTomiV0e</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/978836188529225728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2018</a>
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<p id="uXYkMU">Roberts said that the Dodgers would be discussing the final roster moves after the game, he did not announce any during his post-game media conference.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/27/17170886/dodgers-angels-freeway-series-finale-pipes-backed-up-gameCraig Minami2018-03-27T15:09:23-07:002018-03-27T15:09:23-07:00Dodgers claim Mazzoni, DFA Thompson
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Texas Rangers at Chicago Cubs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OW2Xo3sEg7ANcgzu7GLkQCIsC8s=/0x0:3810x2540/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59180793/usa_today_10652360.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>RHP will be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City</p> <p id="P3aygt">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Tuesday claimed right-handed pitcher <span>Cory Mazzoni</span> from the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> and with the corresponding move of designating outfielder <span>Trayce Thompson</span> for assignment have moved one step closer to finalizing the opening day roster.</p>
<p id="c3PYX5">Mazzoni, 28, saw limited time in the majors in 2015 and 2017 with the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>, and the results were disastrous. In 14 major league relief appearances totaling 16⅔ innings the right-hander allowed 38 runs (32 earned) on 40 hits, including seven home runs, for a gaudy 17.28 ERA and 8.97 FIP, with 12 strikeouts and nine walks.</p>
<p id="4I2bJt">After missing the first three months of 2017 on the minor league disabled list with a shoulder injury, Mazzoni was lights out in Triple-A, posting a 0.89 ERA with 31 strikeouts and just three walks in 20⅓ innings for El Paso.</p>
<p id="atUNiT">Mazzoni, the former second-round pick of the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> in 2011, was claimed off waivers from the Padres by the Cubs in November. He posted a 9.72 ERA in eight Cactus League games with Chicago, with eight strikeouts and three walks in 8⅓ innings, with two home runs allowed. </p>
<p id="1kY8dP">Mazzoni used options in 2016 and 2017 and has one option year remaining. The Dodgers will option him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has 76 days of major league service time.</p>
<p id="rxWw53">The Dodgers will have seven days to trade or release Thompson, or if he clears waivers can send him outright to Triple-A. The move clears up the opening day roster a bit, with the only two real decisions remaining for the Dodgers the choice of left-handed left fielder (<span>Andrew Toles</span>, <span>Joc Pederson</span>) and the final bench spot, for which Thompson was battling <span>Kyle Farmer</span>.</p>
<p id="q0GkbQ">Thompson hit .255/.271/.362 (12-for-47) with two doubles, a home run, one walk and 16 strikeouts this spring.</p>
<div class="c-float-left"><aside id="kT2Pdl"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Trayce Thompson facing uphill battle this spring","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2018/2/24/17019912/trayce-thompson-dodgers-roster-options"},{"title":"Decision time nearing for Trayce Thompson & the Dodgers","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/25/17150578/trayce-thompson-out-of-options-dodgers-roster"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="JIgGSK">“The care, the compete is always there. When you’re not starting every day, it’s tough on anybody,” manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said of Thompson on Saturday. “He’s handled it as good as anyone could handle it. But to not have clarity on your fate, that’s tough for any player.”</p>
<p id="31QgY1">Thompson, who missed the final three months of 2016 with a broken back and spent all the next offseason unable to work his usual routine. A disastrous 2017 season followed, including a 6-for-49 (.122) stint in the majors, but he was upbeat heading into this spring after a fully healthy winter.</p>
<p id="yyLpYy">“I know when I’m healthy what I can do, and I think they know it. I just have to go out and prove it,” Thompson said at the beginning of spring camp. “It’s tough for a lot of us, but it’s a business.”</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/27/17170140/cory-mazzoni-waiver-claim-dodgers-cubs-trayce-thompsonEric Stephen2018-03-27T14:16:43-07:002018-03-27T14:16:43-07:00Some final thoughts on spring training
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_IT4kwpNJCxcvMZQ7ffB5JKTPmc=/0x0:2971x1981/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59180013/usa_today_10739165.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="gzqOw9">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> play their 33rd and final spring game on Tuesday night, finishing out the Freeway Series against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> at Dodger Stadium. Here are some thoughts after six weeks of camp.</p>
<p id="Ih7u6e">The blessing in disguise or silver lining if you will for <span>Justin Turner</span>‘s broken wrist is the opportunity it opens up for more playing time for <span>Kiké Hernandez</span>, who will probably see the bulk of the time at second base in the season’s first few weeks. Already a lefty killer, Hernandez <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/15/17124560/kike-hernandez-versatility-playing-time-right-handed-pitching">made adjustments to his swing and approach this offseason to help improve against righties</a>. So far in spring it has paid off, with all four home runs and seven of his nine extra-base hits against right-handers.</p>
<p id="flf58L"><span>Rich Hill</span> had a 7.30 ERA in his four Cactus League starts — he also pitched twice on the back fields — but most importantly he liked how the ball was coming out of his hand this spring relative to previous camps. Hill never does well in Arizona in the spring, posing a combined 8.36 ERA the last two years, but has been just fine during the regular season. The most telling spring stat for Hill, to me, is that he had no walks to go with his 13 strikeouts, after walking 30 in 28 innings the previous two springs.</p>
<p id="pbu688">I still can’t believe that (a) the Dodgers traded for <span>Matt Kemp</span>; (b) that they didn’t trade him again; and (c) that he will almost certainly be the opening day and regular left fielder to start the season. I feel like Clark Griswold after Cousin Eddie showed up on Christmas Eve:</p>
<div id="kCs44n"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2fQxzuaE2MA?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="6XaTGj">Don’t read much into spring stats but Kemp’s .255/.311/.509 spring can be split into two parts:</p>
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<li id="DXReZ5">First 10 games: 11-for-26 (.423), 4 home runs, 2 doubles</li>
<li id="D35Lec">Last 10 games: 3-for-29 (.103), no extra-base hits</li>
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<p id="y8v0gQ">Cause of concern? I don’t know, and given that the last four months have played out exactly the opposite of how I thought nothing would really surprise me about Kemp.</p>
<p id="tbG171"><span>J.T. Chargois</span> looks like quite a find. It seems like everyone wants to find the next <span>Brandon Morrow</span> for the Dodgers, and with his fastball and slider Chargois might be best suited to fit the bill. Chargois has an injury history but with his stuff I had to ask him a couple weeks ago just how in the hell did the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> place him on waivers?</p>
<p id="IIqnlW">“It was something that happened,” he said. “Those types of things are out of my control. It’s not going to interfere with what I do at the ballpark everyday.”</p>
<p id="4MwuC7">I have no idea when <span>Walker Buehler</span> will be called up, but given that none of the five Dodgers starters made more than 27 starts last year put me down for sooner rather than later. I think Buehler will make at least 18 major league starts in 2018.</p>
<h3 id="VKc0Ef">Pitching matchup</h3>
<p id="vCyF3M">Hyun-jin Ryu starts the spring finale for the Dodgers, with <span>JC Ramirez</span> on the mound for the Angels. The Halos broadcast will be on KCOP 13, their third network in three nights, for those in southern California without SportsNet LA.</p>
<h3 id="mgv4VG">Game info</h3>
<p id="ruNTRu">Dodgers vs. Angels</p>
<p id="aRPCch">Location: Dodger Stadium</p>
<p id="8S3ZMx">Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="UgoWG6">TV: SportsNet LA, KCOP 13</p>
<p id="m6VikM">Radio: 570 AM</p>
<p id="bpfDyr">Streaming: <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb">MLBtv</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/27/17162070/dodgers-spring-training-finale-thoughts-notesEric Stephen