True Blue LA - May 20: Dodgers 7, Nationals 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2018-05-20T13:46:08-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/171377632018-05-20T13:46:08-07:002018-05-20T13:46:08-07:00Crooked numbers set Dodgers straight to complete sweep
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ob0M0wNTZs2Epw_e3wOPjYApFsc=/0x0:3390x2260/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59793717/usa_today_10845696.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LA hits 3 home runs in series finale</p> <p id="DvhdH3">It took something the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> hadn’t done in 19 days to get <span>Alex Wood</span> his first win of the season, completing a weekend sweep of the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> with a 7-2 win on Sunday in Washington D.C., the fourth consecutive victory for Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="0b9tt2"><span>Kiké Hernandez</span> and <span>Yasiel Puig</span> each hit home runs with a runner on base, something the Dodgers hadn’t done even once in their last 16 games.</p>
<p id="6r0KHP"><span>Yasmani Grandal</span> homered in the second inning for the first run of the game, and the 17th consecutive solo home run by the Dodgers. But the streak was snapped <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/20/17373624/dodgers-streaks-home-runs-alex-wood-wins-nationals-preview">just four shy of a major league record</a> thanks to Hernandez taking <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> deep for the second time this season, in the fifth inning after a <span>Logan Forsythe</span> walk to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.</p>
<p id="zU7QuZ">“After my first at-bat my Dad Chase told me to use his bat, and I did, and first pitch I hit a homer,” Hernandez told Alanna Rizzo on the SportsNet LA broadcast. “It’s Dad’s bat.”</p>
<p id="PfJLSs">It was the first home run with a runner on base for the Dodgers since <span>Cody Bellinger</span> hit a two-run shot against Arizona on May 1. In between those two home runs the Dodgers had 290 plate appearances with runners on base and hit .210/.306/.263 with 13 doubles.</p>
<p id="09Z5bY">Puig added some insurance after a <span>Matt Kemp</span> walk in the eighth inning, taking <span>Wander Suero</span> over the left field wall for his fourth home run in his last six starts.</p>
<p id="UhMyFl">Wood was solid yet again, striking out four in his six innings, allowing only two runs on a home run by <span>Trea Turner</span> in the third inning. </p>
<p id="UDewZJ">Wood only threw 82 pitches through six innings and was out for the seventh inning but during his warmup pitches cramped up and was stretching his legs. After yet another Dodgers training visit to the mound in 2018, Wood was removed from the game.</p>
<p id="Vz2qH2">One day after pitching 12 innings in the doubleheader, including recording all 27 outs in the nightcap, the Dodgers bullpen was asked to pitch three innings on Sunday, and was up to the task.</p>
<p id="DB6fe5"><span>Tony Cingrani</span> had his best outing since his dead arm game three weeks ago, striking out all three batters he faced. <span>Erik Goeddel</span>, who got the win in his Dodgers debut on Saturday, got the first two outs in the eighth before allowing a single and a walk.</p>
<p id="mGPKnl">With closer <span>Kenley Jansen</span> unavailable after saving two games on Saturday, <span>Josh Fields</span> was brought in to face <span>Anthony Rendon</span>, representing the tying run. Rendon grounded a ball off Fields, but it caromed directly to <span>Max Muncy</span> at first for the very fortunate final out of the frame.</p>
<p id="4KUC1V">After two insurance runs in the ninth, including <span>Joc Pederson</span> driving home a run with a double and scoring on a ground out, Fields worked around a walk to finish the bottom of the frame and complete the sweep. </p>
<h3 id="558bRj">Rare runner</h3>
<p id="xyYmwc">At the plate Wood tried to sacrifice in the seventh inning, but instead bunted weakly into a force out at second base.</p>
<p id="eKOLbF">Wood then took off against Strasburg, getting a great jump to steal second base without a throw. It was the first stolen base of Wood’s career, and the first by any Dodgers pitcher since <span>Zack Greinke</span> on May 27, 2015.</p>
<p id="Z5zjfG">There have been <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/Df06d">three stolen bases by pitchers in the majors this season</a>, with Wood joining Greinke and <span>Max Scherzer</span>.</p>
<p id="T6j2U4">This stolen base for Wood was in the half inning before he cramped up on the mound.</p>
<h3 id="eM0kiA">Up next</h3>
<p id="CYvbmp">The Dodgers are back home beginning Monday night, starting a three game series with the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> at Dodger Stadium, a 7:10 p.m. PT start. <span>Walker Buehler</span> is on the mound in the opener, facing <span>German Marquez</span> for Colorado.</p>
<h3 id="nIyV0p">Sunday particulars</h3>
<p id="U5ND1k"><strong>Home runs</strong>: Yasmani Grandal (8), Kiké Hernandez (6), Yasiel Puig (4); <span>Trea Turner</span> (6)</p>
<p id="qPZZGB"><strong>WP - Alex Wood (1-4)</strong>: 6 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts</p>
<p id="iZ5Ftd"><strong>LP - </strong><span><strong>Stephen Strasburg</strong></span><strong> (5-4)</strong>: 6⅔ IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts</p>
<p id="ie71FJ"><strong>Sv - </strong><span><strong>Josh Fields</strong></span><strong> (2)</strong>: 1⅓ IP, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/20/17374000/dodgers-home-runs-people-on-base-alex-wood-run-support-an-actual-win-nationals-sweepEric Stephen2018-05-20T08:56:16-07:002018-05-20T08:56:16-07:00Dodgers rotation has a hole to fill with Hill on the DL
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<img alt="MLB: Game Two-Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KaVIo8Fjar8NlJUW7ChNhqSUsEI=/0x0:4064x2709/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59792203/usa_today_10844676.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Reliever Pat Venditte recalled from Triple-A Sunday.</p> <p id="2yygHQ">LOS ANGELES — The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Sunday placed <span>Rich Hill</span> on the 10-day disabled list with a blister in the middle finger on his left hand, adding another obstacle to an already depleted starting rotation.</p>
<p id="oF0fvB">Hill <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/19/17372908/rich-hill-injury-blister-again-dodgers">left after just two pitches</a> in his start on Saturday night in the second game of a doubleheader against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>. </p>
<p id="9GnpFw">“I don’t have any answers right now at this time for the blister issue,” <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/998052505266208768">Hill said Saturday night</a>. “The training staff is doing everything that they can to unturn every stone and try to find out answers.</p>
<p id="bqd5yl">“It’s as bad as it was two years ago, but it’s not as big. The skin did completely tear open.”</p>
<p id="u4Ek4N">Hill also missed extended time in each of the last two seasons with the same blister problems, including missing seven weeks in 2016 with Oakland and Los Angeles.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said it’s fair to expect Rich Hill to be out at least 4 weeks. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a></p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/998222474956496899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a>
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<p id="rT8Qvi">For now the Dodgers will use an extra relief pitcher for a few days, and recalled <span>Pat Venditte</span> from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Venditte was optioned in between games on Saturday to make room for newcomer <span>Erik Goeddel</span>, but can return within 10 days because he’s replacing an injured player.</p>
<p id="SJJu6V">But the club will likely need another starting pitcher by Wednesday at the latest, and not just because of Hill’s injury. Friday’s postponement and Saturday’s doubleheader mean that the Dodgers would have no starter on regular rest available from the major league roster to pitch on Wednesday. </p>
<p id="rdt4dv">After Alex Wood starts Sunday, <span>Walker Buehler</span> starts the series opener against the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> at Dodger Stadium. <span>Kenta Maeda</span> is next in line, but also pitched eight innings on Thursday in Miami, his second longest career start. Maeda threw 96 pitches against the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>, and has been given extra rest after the previous four times he threw 90 or more pitches this season.</p>
<p id="gGX2ja"><span>Brock Stewart</span> is on the 40-man roster and scheduled to start Thursday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, making him the most logical candidate to step in for the moment whether it is Tuesday or Wednesday. Stewart has been up with the Dodgers three different times this season, posting a 3.18 ERA in 5⅔ innings over his three appearances.</p>
<p id="AxFet8">Stewart last pitched on Thursday for Oklahoma City, throwing 63 pitches in three scoreless innings. He was optioned to the minors on May 12, and could be recalled as early as Tuesday if needed.</p>
<p id="wx0Hz1">After that, Thursday’s pending off day allows the Dodgers to kick the can down the road a little bit and not have to necessarily replace Hill in the rotation until Tuesday, May 29. Whether that leaves enough time for <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> to be ready remains to be seen, though he seemed generally optimistic on Saturday.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clayton Kershaw gave an update on his rehab today on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DodgersOnDeck?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DodgersOnDeck</a><br> "I don't think we're talking too much longer as as far as throwing the bullpen and whatever the next step is whether it's a rehab start or something like that."</p>— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) <a href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/997977152887894019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ross Stripling doesn't know how much longer he'll stay in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> rotation. But he's done the math: "I think Clayton’s set to throw a bullpen here pretty soon. I assume that means a rehab outing and then back. So maybe 10 days, I’m not really sure."</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/997962844502200320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2018</a>
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<p id="ZOWC0J">Kershaw, who last pitched on May 1, threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Sunday morning.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen session this morning. He will throw at least one more before making a start somewhere.</p>— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) <a href="https://twitter.com/pedromoura/status/998222702228975616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a>
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<p id="MQ8DUk">The Dodgers on Sunday also returned <span>Yimi Garcia</span> to Triple-A after he served as the 26th man in the nightcap on Saturday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/20/17373558/rich-hill-disabled-list-blister-dodgers-rotation-optionsEric Stephen2018-05-20T08:12:00-07:002018-05-20T08:12:00-07:00Going streaking
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Miami Marlins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7b0PeQrnnSTkPZ0s5qzUFPiv1cA=/0x0:2972x1981/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59791943/usa_today_10838088.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="xLjMyf">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> finish off their road trip on Sunday morning against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> with some streaks in play, both good and bad.</p>
<p id="giPBei"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/19/17372846/dodgers-accidential-bullpen-game-first-9th-inning-comeback-matt-kemp-max-scherzer">Saturday night’s ninth-inning comeback stunner</a> gave the Dodgers a three-game winning streak, the fourth time they have had a win streak at least that long this season. Their season best is four victories in a row, from Apr. 15-18.</p>
<p id="3Jbi8G"><span>Alex Wood</span> starts the series finale for Los Angeles, entering Sunday third in the National League in FIP (2.54), fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.88), ninth in WHIP (1.059) and 18th in ERA (3.35). But despite pitching well Wood is 0-4 in his nine starts.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="zb4DIJ"><div data-anthem-component="table:1083540"></div></div></div>
<p id="WiIRrA">The <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/OET9S">only Dodgers pitcher in the last 112 seasons to start the year with more starts without a win</a> was Fernando Valenzuela, who began his 1989 season 0-5 with a 4.22 through his first 10 starts.</p>
<p id="0MTGqI"><span>Max Muncy</span> and <span>Cody Bellinger</span> both homered on Saturday and as you might have guessed both were solo shots. The Dodgers last hit a home run with somebody on base on May 1. Their last 16 homers have all been solo shots, five shy of the major league record <a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/6861213/san-francisco-giants-streak-21-solo-home-runs-ends">set by the 2011 Giants</a>.</p>
<p id="ZsVnqK">The Dodgers have scored 56 runs on their 42 home runs in 2018, an average of 1.33 runs per home run. The major league average this season is 1.56 runs per homer.</p>
<h3 id="ZD7mE8">Washington roster move</h3>
<p id="7wRtqC">The Nationals on Sunday promoted one of their top prospects, calling up 19-year-old Juan Soto, who is now the youngest player in the majors. The outfielder started the season in A-ball but was quickly promoted to Double-A. He leads the minor leagues with 14 home runs, and in 39 games this season is hitting .362/.462/.757.</p>
<p id="RuW8V4">Right-handed pitcher <span>Jefry Rodriguez</span> was optioned to Double-A after he was recalled briefly for the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. He replaced old friend <span>Howie Kendrick</span>, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon late in the first game on Saturday. Kendrick <a href="http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2018/05/kendrick-out-for-year-with-ruptured-achilles-soto-to-be-promoted.html">will have surgery on Monday and is expected to miss the rest of the season</a>.</p>
<p id="86K3XP">The left-handed Soto is not starting in the series finale with the left-handed Wood starting for the Dodgers.</p>
<h3 id="nqgKbk">Game info</h3>
<p id="5hHKa9">Time: 10:35 a.m. PT</p>
<p id="w4atKJ">TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/20/17373624/dodgers-streaks-home-runs-alex-wood-wins-nationals-previewEric Stephen2018-05-17T16:00:01-07:002018-05-17T16:00:01-07:00Dodgers-Nationals scheduled starting pitchers
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<img alt="Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Washington Nationals - Game Five" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zBm0IZ0KuhjI_eYWbHxFb7212fE=/0x0:3204x2136/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59766853/614391340.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="vsbV6o">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> conclude their road trip with three games against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, their second and final meeting this season.</p>
<h3 id="0REeGR">Friday, 4:05 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="eZRu5y"><span>Ross Stripling</span> makes his fourth start of the season, having allowed two total runs in 9⅓ innings in his last two starts after giving up four in four innings in his first start.</p>
<p id="geiLU0"><span>Max Scherzer</span> was scheduled to start Wednesday’s interleague game against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> but rain washed that away and pushed Scherzer to Friday, giving <span>Dave Roberts</span> a second firsthand look at his starting pitcher for the All-Star Game in Washington D.C. on July 17.</p>
<h3 id="LEOScD">Saturday, 4:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h3>
<p id="roVCv4"><span>Rich Hill</span> allowed seven runs in his first start before hitting the disabled list, then five runs in his first start back, and three runs last Sunday. Welcome to one-run city on Saturday.</p>
<p id="4ggL5l"><span>Tanner Roark</span> has lasted seven innings in four of his eight starts and three other times he lasted at least six innings. The Dodgers as a team have five starts of at least seven innings in 2018.</p>
<aside id="9kvDlG"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers-Nationals series snapshot","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/17/17326022/dodgers-nationals-series-statistics-schedule"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="UKdmAv">Sunday, 10:35 a.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h3>
<p id="PglQPm"><span>Alex Wood</span> has eight walks in nine starts this season, one intentionally, to go with his 3.35 ERA. Daniel Brim at The Athletic <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F357381%2F2018%2F05%2F17%2Fhow-did-alex-wood-improve-his-command-and-compensate-for-a-loss-of-velocity-the-explanation-is-a-stretch%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2018%2F5%2F17%2F17326028%2Fdodgers-nationals-starting-pitchers-game-times-tv-schedule" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">took a look at Wood’s improved command this season and pitching exclusively out of the stretch</a>.</p>
<p id="VvfIli"><span>Stephen Strasburg</span> struck out 10 in his seven innings against the Dodgers on Apr. 21 at Dodger Stadium, but was hung with the loss after giving up a pair of solo home runs. Strasburg leads the National League averaging 6.70 innings per start, with teammates and weekend rotation mates Scherzer third (6.52) and Roark sixth (6.42).</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/17/17326028/dodgers-nationals-starting-pitchers-game-times-tv-scheduleEric Stephen2018-05-17T15:59:02-07:002018-05-17T15:59:02-07:00Dodgers-Nationals series snapshot
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NAfaSFDKxIwpNgMcNYfYOXXRrbA=/0x0:3804x2536/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59769161/usa_today_10303012.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="QSoRHu">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> take their talents to Washington D.C. for a weekend series against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> to complete their road trip. Here is a look at the two teams heading into the three-game set.</p>
<p id="tO1x3i">Teams: Dodgers (17-26) vs. Nationals (24-18)</p>
<p id="rdEjzE">Split records: Dodgers 9-13 on the road, Nationals 10-10 at home</p>
<p id="SUvT5k">Run differential: Dodgers +3 (9th in NL), Nationals +35 (4th in NL)</p>
<p id="sJapKI">Runs scored: Dodgers 4.30 per game (6th), Nationals 4.47 (5th)</p>
<p id="W9alNy">OPS+: Dodgers 97 (7th), Nationals 99 (6th)</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="tZ1WF4"><div data-anthem-component="table:1054348"></div></div></div>
<p id="TiHBXi">wRC+: Dodgers 95 (7th), Nationals 99 (6th)</p>
<p id="af8OfR">Runs allowed: Dodgers 4.23 (8th), Nationals 3.65 (2nd)</p>
<p id="BKqXf1">ERA+: Dodgers 99 (9th), Nationals 119 (2nd)</p>
<p id="emNSnK">Last 10 games: Dodgers 2-8, Nationals 6-4</p>
<p id="RTHrnk">2018 head-to-head record: 2-1 Dodgers</p>
<p id="xXqiza">2017 head-to-head: 3-3 (2-1 LA in DC)</p>
<p id="wMfvsd">Nationals SB Nation site: <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a></p>
<h3 id="GLdZxv">Series schedule</h3>
<p id="KtafLA">Friday, 4:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)<br>Saturday, 4:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA)<br>Sunday, 10:35 a.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</p>
<h3 id="U8Y9se">Pitching matchups</h3>
<p id="Hq3xPS"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/17/17326028/dodgers-nationals-starting-pitchers-game-times-tv-schedule"><em>More details</em></a></p>
<p id="NKTrrn">Friday: <span>Ross Stripling</span> vs. <span>Max Scherzer</span> <br>Saturday: <span>Rich Hill</span> vs. <span>Tanner Roark</span> <br>Sunday: <span>Alex Wood</span> vs. <span>Stephen Strasburg</span></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/17/17326022/dodgers-nationals-series-statistics-scheduleEric Stephen