True Blue LA - June 23: Dodgers 8, Mets 3Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2018-06-23T19:21:17-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/172621212018-06-23T19:21:17-07:002018-06-23T19:21:17-07:00Dodgers continue their grand weekend in New York
<figure>
<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XCAOe_hzfDaizOslGEKxVUjpocg=/0x0:3204x2136/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60163381/usa_today_10906710.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="TqCzBf">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> busted out with five runs in the eighth inning, including a grand slam from <span>Matt Kemp</span>, to continue their dominance over the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> in an 8-3 win at Citi Field.</p>
<p id="2JTjrR">This is the 13th win for the Dodgers in the last 15 games against the Mets, winning the last seven of eight in New York and have an 11-game winning streak overall dating back to 2016.</p>
<p id="Tujxpr">In a 3-2 game, the Dodgers jumped all over <span>Robert Gsellman</span> in the eighth to break the game wide open. With runners on first and third, Kiké Hernandez laid down a bunt to successfully execute the squeeze play, scoring <span>Cody Bellinger</span> from third. It was two batters later when Kemp came up to pinch-hit with the bases full. </p>
<p id="5FXp17"><span>Gsellman</span> left a 94-mph fastball over the heart of the plate that Kemp deposited in the seats down the left field line, putting the game out of reach.</p>
<p id="RgxdSG"><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> lasted three innings in his <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/6/23/17498006/clayton-kershaw-dodgers-mets-return-from-dl-three-innings">first start back from the disabled list</a>, allowing two runs on five hits. The 30-year-old struck out four and walked one on 55-pitches in what was essentially a major league rehab start.</p>
<p id="F6fXTb">With uncertainty of how the weather conditions might affect the game, the Dodgers kept <span>Caleb Ferguson</span> on the roster to follow Kershaw out of the bullpen. Ferguson would go on to give his team a solid effort with four scoreless innings to earn his first career win.</p>
<p id="GgC3fa">Another positive to come out of the win was <span>Chris Taylor</span> making an appearance off the bench while he nurses a hamstring injury. Taylor pinch-hit for Kershaw in the fourth, coming through with a two-run double to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead over <span>Jacob deGrom</span> at that point in the game.</p>
<p id="QkJOL8"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Flos-angeles-dodgers-tickets%2Fperformer%2F1061%2F%3Fgcid%3DchDIG-_-geoUS-_-genAllTix-_-dt170314-_-cmpEvergreenVoxOrganic-_-mktgrBRAND-_-partVox&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2018%2F6%2F23%2F17498096%2Fdodgers-grand-slam-matt-kemp-max-muncy-clayton-kershaw-mets-are-not-good" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Dodgers are back home Monday for a four-game series with the Cubs. If you plan on getting out to Dodger Stadium, let our friends at StubHub get you there.</strong></em></a></p>
<h3 id="T64KEd">Muncymania continues</h3>
<p id="N31hAf"><span>Max Muncy</span> hit his 14th homer of the year in the first inning to retake the team lead from <span>Bellinger</span>. </p>
<h3 id="nXWxgA">Up next</h3>
<p id="E09irH">The Dodgers go for the sweep over the Mets when a pair of lefties matchup on the mound. <span>Rich Hill</span> (1-2, 4.99) gets the start for Los Angeles. <span>Jason Vargas</span> (2-6, 8.60) was going to start for the Mets, but not any more.</p>
<div id="4Rg5PD">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">News: Jason Vargas to the DL with a calf strain. Mickey Callaway says they're not sure who will start tomorrow for the Mets.</p>— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1010712684273299456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h3 id="NLEoXB">Saturday particulars</h3>
<p id="VnXMWm"><strong>Home runs:</strong> Max Muncy (14) Matt Kemp (13)</p>
<p id="MbRNmO"><strong>WP - Caleb Ferguson (1-1)</strong>: 4 IP, 3 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts</p>
<p id="oo65WU"><strong>LP - Jacob deGrom (5-3)</strong>: 6 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 walk, 6 strikeouts</p>
<p id="ImokhM"></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/6/23/17498096/dodgers-grand-slam-matt-kemp-max-muncy-clayton-kershaw-mets-are-not-goodRyan Walton2018-06-23T18:19:06-07:002018-06-23T18:19:06-07:00Clayton Kershaw lasts three innings in first start back
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KRc_Lo58wC02hG9hj_UODWviByo=/0x0:3697x2465/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60163179/982321258.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="kJM7hT"><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> was a little rusty in his first start in a little over three weeks, lasting three innings while allowing two runs on five hits to the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> Saturday night.</p>
<p id="1ruouo">After throwing a three-inning simulated game in Chicago Monday, this was essentially a major league rehab start for Kershaw, with <span>Caleb Ferguson</span> behind him in the bullpen.</p>
<p id="5RL7N1">The plan had been for around 60 pitches and four innings but manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> was going to make that decision in-game. Kershaw was at 55 pitches through three innings so there was no sense in throwing him out there for another inning when he wasn’t going to finish it.</p>
<p id="OBatse">Kershaw looked good out of the gate, striking out two in a 12-pitch first inning. Back-to-back doubles in the second to score a run and a 10-pitch walk to catcher <span>Devin Mesoraco</span> brought the pitch count to 30 after the second.</p>
<p id="OMOqEw">The Mets put together three singles in the third inning to score another run, sealing the end of Kershaw’s night with another 25 pitches.</p>
<p id="GsI9Qn"><span>Chris Taylor</span> pinch-hit for Kershaw in the fourth and came through with a two-run double to give the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> a 3-2 lead.</p>
<p id="qCo6Bk">27 of the 55 pitches for Kershaw were fastballs, with 17 at 91 and 92-mph. That’s an improvement from the last time out when the Dodger lefty was sitting in the high-80s, topping out at 90.</p>
<p id="Yz1IMW">Roberts revealed after the game that Ferguson will stay with the team at least through Kershaw’s next start.</p>
<div id="MQCRPF">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said Caleb Ferguson will stay on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> roster for another possible 'piggy-back' situation again when Kershaw starts next week.</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1010717176548995072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="VS8vYw">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> Clayton Kershaw: "Good to be back. Now I can focus on getting better. Health-wise it’s there. Now it’s just a matter of performance. It’s a good first step."</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1010718458609270784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="5oEr8x">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kershaw threw another simulated inning in the batting cages underneath after coming out of the game.</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1010718936210595840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="Fi4ZRl"></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/6/23/17498006/clayton-kershaw-dodgers-mets-return-from-dl-three-inningsRyan Walton2018-06-23T14:29:40-07:002018-06-23T14:29:40-07:00Liberatore optioned to Triple-A
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/guoDFEQK0Vo_VVyb4GfrMwxPnc8=/0x0:3053x2035/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60162435/955155210.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="ETmfSD">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> needed to make room for <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> on the active roster for Saturday’s game against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>, and the odd man out was <span>Adam Liberatore</span>, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><div id="EevanJ"><div data-anthem-component="table:1232922"></div></div></div>
<p id="soPuJl">Kershaw is <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/6/23/17496720/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-rehab-assignment-mets-healthy-rotation">making his first start since May 31</a>, missing the last three weeks with a lower back strain. Coupled with his earlier stint on the DL with left biceps tendonitis Saturday is Kershaw’s second start in 53 days.</p>
<p id="kw2hxs">Liberatore has a 2.77 ERA in 17 appearances in his two major league stints this year, with 12 strikeouts and eight walks in 13 innings.</p>
<h3 id="HNaWQK">Taylor sits again</h3>
<p id="zEwMYh"><span>Chris Taylor</span> is out of the starting lineup for a second straight day, after leaving Wednesday’s game in Chicago with hamstring tightness. Taylor <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/1010618460576116736">told reporters he doesn’t think he’ll go on the disabled list</a>, and that he’ll be available to pinch hit if needed on Saturday.</p>
<p id="YI4sJo"><span>Kiké Hernandez</span> starts at shortstop on Saturday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/6/23/17497572/adam-liberatore-dodgers-roster-clayton-kershawEric Stephen2018-06-23T10:00:01-07:002018-06-23T10:00:01-07:00Dodgers rotation is finally getting healthy
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zWZ3wCBXAvlCJbA17y84ZqlT7do=/0x0:4572x3048/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60160611/953568056.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="OPq27F">It’s not often a pitcher who has started just one game in nearly two months would go without a start in the minor leagues before returning to a Major League mound. But that's just what’s happening for <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> when he takes the mound in New York Saturday.</p>
<p id="I4MBvU">The lefty will still be held to around sixty pitches and four innings so long as the plan didn’t change with the venue. But manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> <a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23878013/clayton-kershaw-return-los-angeles-dodgers-saturday">told media Friday</a>, he would figure out how long Kershaw goes as the game unfolds.</p>
<p id="9kw8LP">“We don’t know how much he’s going to pitch,” said Roberts. “I don’t want to put a limit on him. Obviously, there is a limitation with Clayton, and I’ll make that decision.”</p>
<p id="g2FXQa">There is a 70-percent chance of rain at Citi Field for a three hour window starting about an hour before the anticipated first pitch at 7:15 p.m eastern. The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will have <span>Caleb Ferguson</span> — the scheduled starter before the Kershaw decision — ready to step in should the weather mess with the plan.</p>
<p id="xUcy6y">“From what I understand it’s going to be early, and if there’s a delay, we have ample time to get him ready. But obviously, we’re not going to do anything to put him in harm’s way,” Roberts said. “If there is something where we are shut down, having Caleb behind him, we have that coverage. So we can kind of combat that.”</p>
<p id="7GO0di">A rehab assignment of sorts at the big league level for Kershaw against a struggling Mets team, means the Dodgers will soon have a healthy rotation for the first time since April.</p>
<p id="391ZVm">The next five days will be started by Kershaw, <span>Rich Hill</span>, <span>Kenta Maeda</span>, <span>Ross Stripling</span> and Alex Wood. Walker Buehler and Hyun-jin Ryu could both be ready to go in July which would give the Dodgers a decision on who starts and who heads to the bullpen. A luxury they haven’t had this season.</p>
<p id="KqaP4W">The obvious goal is to keep Kershaw completely healthy as the team vies for a spot in the playoffs. But what can be expected from the 30-year-old as he makes his way back from another back injury?</p>
<p id="xK4HVK">After missing two months in 2016 with a herniated disk, Kershaw was spectacular, giving up just six runs (four earned) over five starts to end the season. When he returned in September last season after missing August with a similar back strain to this year, Kershaw had a 3.48 ERA with 34 strikeouts and six walks in six starts.</p>
<p id="M5JNwa">On a positive note about 2018, there is a much longer lead time for the lefty to get healthy. And if the Dodgers plan on making noise in October, they’re going to need him.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/6/23/17496720/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-rehab-assignment-mets-healthy-rotationRyan Walton