True Blue LA - July 8: Angels 4, Dodgers 3Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2018-07-08T20:25:46-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/173117452018-07-08T20:25:46-07:002018-07-08T20:25:46-07:00Ohtani’s blast sinks Dodgers in the series finale
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B7Cy-xMZpa0nttoUp9bXrjjukjU=/0x0:2682x1788/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60303165/usa_today_10928476.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="9Vj2l5">With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, <span>Shohei Ohtani</span> came off the bench for the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> to pinch-hit against reliever J.T. Chargois. On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, <span>Ohtani</span> hit a ball 443-feet out to center field for a solo homer that would stand as the winning run. </p>
<p id="Lzvquc">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> dropped the series finale to the Angels by the score of 4-3 remaining a game behind the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> in the NL West.</p>
<p id="rvV5ve"><span>Ohtani</span>’s homer, the third hit in six tries this season as a pinch-hitter, followed an <span>Albert Pujols</span> solo homer off <span>Alex Wood</span> in the sixth that tied the game. <span>Pujols</span> was hitting .145 (10-for-69) against left-handers before going deep off Wood.</p>
<p id="nraSBU">Angels’ starter <span>Andrew Heaney</span> held the Dodgers to three hits over seven innings, striking out 10 against three walks. One of those hits was a three-run homer for <span>Yasiel Puig</span> in the second inning.</p>
<p id="M8qwd9">Puig would leave the game during his next at-bat after fouling off a pitch in the fifth inning. The Dodgers announced the injury as a right intercostal oblique strain and the team expects him to miss some time.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Puig will get an MRI in Los Angeles tomorrow and Dave Roberts believes it will be a DL stint. <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/1016154968531689478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="qBGf2v">The Dodgers hit the ball hard early on with nothing to show for it and <span>Heaney</span> retired 12 straight after Puig’s smash. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases in the sixth but <span>Cody Bellinger</span> would ground out to end the threat.</p>
<p id="UPRrvU">Down 3-0 after Puig’s homer, the Angels climbed back into the game in the third inning when they loaded the bases for Justin Upton. Following an intentional walk to <span>Mike Trout</span>, Upton smacked a two-run single to center.</p>
<p id="T0UpTJ">Wood went on to allow five hits and two walks over six innings, striking out four.</p>
<h3 id="yvMONS">Up Next</h3>
<p id="sp1DyC">The Dodgers head to San Diego for a four-game series with the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>, starting with <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> (2-4, 2.86) on the mound against <span>Luis Perdomo</span> (1-2, 6.86).</p>
<h3 id="NLEoXB">Sunday particulars</h3>
<p id="uu3Jli">Home runs: Puig (11), <span>Pujols</span> (13), Ohtani (7)</p>
<p id="MbRNmO"><strong>WP - </strong><span><strong>Andrew Heaney</strong></span><strong> (5-6)</strong>: 7 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts</p>
<p id="SP9THX"><strong>LP - Chargois (2-2)</strong>: <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 strikeout</p>
<p id="j4zXVr"><strong>SV - </strong><span><strong>Justin Anderson</strong></span><strong> (4)</strong>: 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/8/17547416/dodgers-angels-shohei-ohtani-series-finale-homer-lossRyan Walton2018-07-08T19:15:35-07:002018-07-08T19:15:35-07:00Dodgers send two to Washington, Muncy in Final Vote
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<img alt="San Francisco Giants v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m3Ephx6SGiBdQNm2_aqytvmtk0A=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60302715/975937444.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>No Ross Stripling....yet.</p> <p id="HvMAHK">Rosters for the 2018 All-Star Game were announced Sunday afternoon, and the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are sending two players for the time being. </p>
<p id="EwMpr6">Representing the Dodgers in Miami will be outfielder <span>Matt Kemp</span> and closer <span>Kenley Jansen</span>, while infielder <span>Max Muncy</span> is one of the five candidates in the National League Final Vote.</p>
<p id="Xz7KcK">Kemp adds another notch to the surprising season he has put together this season after he was practically left for dead money during the winter. The 33-year-old will get the start in the outfield for the National League team, receiving 2,930,353 fan votes to join <span>Nick Markakis</span> of the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> (3,556,469) and <span>Bryce Harper</span> (2,335,733).</p>
<p id="P3LlrX">This will be the third All-Star selection for Kemp (2011, 2012) who is hitting .317/.355/.550 this year, with 18 doubles, 15 homers and 57 RBI. This is also the first Dodger to start since <span>Yasiel Puig</span> in 2014.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">One more thing to note: Matt Kemp received the most votes among NL outfielders from the players. <a href="https://t.co/NM4sLEsjZp">pic.twitter.com/NM4sLEsjZp</a></p>— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) <a href="https://twitter.com/ericstephen/status/1016125039182151680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="PzCnhL">Jansen will be making his third straight All-Star appearance, despite giving up more runs (14, 11 earned) to this point than he did all of last season (11, 10 earned). But Jansen has still nailed down 24 saves with a 1.26 ERA since April 21.</p>
<p id="EsRTq7">The big right-hander <a href="https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/matt-kemp-kenley-jansen-are-dodgers-all-stars/c-284881334">spoke to media</a> about how he was unsure he would make it because he has struggled at times this year.</p>
<blockquote><p id="34BJzM">“It feels more special than the first two. Those I pretty much knew I’d be an All-Star, but this one, very slow April, I took all the criticism and put it on my shoulder and motivated me,” said Jansen. “This is special, to hear the players voted for you. I turned my season around, and it means a lot.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="a51eBO">The most unlikely of All-Star selections could belong to Max Muncy, that is, if he is successful in the Final Vote. Fans can <a href="https://www.mlb.com/all-star/final-vote">cast their votes</a> for Muncy from a field of five players from each League over the balloting period, which concludes on Wednesday, July 11 at 1:00 p.m. PT.</p>
<p id="rA02dr">Muncy is up against <span>Jesus Aguilar</span> (Milwaukee), <span>Brandon Belt</span> (<a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>), <span>Matt Carpenter</span> (<a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>) and <span>Trea Turner</span> (<a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>).</p>
<p id="687rrT">Virtually unknown on a national level, Muncy has turned into one of the better hitters in all of baseball in 2018, and one of the keys that helped the Dodgers dig out of their 16-26 hole. It would be Muncy’s first career trip to the midsummer classic. </p>
<p id="n7lvvk">Drafted in the fifth round back in 2012 by the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a>, Muncy had only 245 plate appearances in the big leagues prior to this year. Now the patient lefty is leading the Dodgers in homers (20) and walks (45), hitting .270/.410/.617 as the only player in the National League with an OPS higher than 1.000 with a minimum of 200 plate appearances.</p>
<p id="0CMUkk"><span>Ross Stripling</span> didn’t hear his name called Sunday when the selections were announced. But that doesn’t mean “Chicken Strip” won’t be headed to Nationals Park.</p>
<p id="SBbF9g">The right-hander is deserving of a spot on the All-Star team after taking advantage of the opportunity in the Dodger rotation due to necessity. Stripling is 7-1 with a 2.19 ERA, striking out 84 in 70 innings while only giving up six walks since permanently jumping into a starting spot back on May 6.</p>
<p id="8TUvYh">If Stripling finds his way on the roster as a substitute, it would also be his first time receiving the honor.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/8/17545446/all-star-game-rosters-2018-dodgers-matt-kemp-kenley-jansen-max-muncyRyan Walton2018-07-08T16:01:43-07:002018-07-08T16:01:43-07:00Yasiel Puig has been great since returning from DL
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Pittsburgh Pirates" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/J-Ts8cFzfq94PKCfWGCm9WkUt4E=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60301003/968033302.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="e4shyT">There is almost nothing more entertaining in the game of baseball then <span>Yasiel Puig</span> when he is consistently hitting the ball and is focused at the plate. Over the past two months since making his return from the disabled list, Puig has been playing well in all aspects.</p>
<p id="LY8Luf">The 27-year-old — yes, he is still only 27 — hit his 10th homer of the year in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game, improving to .301/.363/.558 with 22 extra-base hits and 25 RBI since May 9. Puig has a hit in 30 of his 45 starts over that time and has 12 multi-hit games.</p>
<p id="UE2AG9">This is the Puig that the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> needed last year and one they would be happy to rely on to bolster the bottom half of the lineup again this season. </p>
<p id="RE3ftC">Sure, the inexplicable TOOTBLAN still happens but his aggressive nature has also proven to work out for the Dodgers.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don’t sleep at the wildhorse <a href="https://t.co/PYwhibpkBv">pic.twitter.com/PYwhibpkBv</a></p>— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) <a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig/status/1013568529113571328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a>
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<p id="XcWFks"> And his defense never fails to amaze, even when the team is up by 16 runs.</p>
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<cite>MLB Cut4</cite>
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<h3 id="TyuRoS">Buehler is back?</h3>
<p id="V4ozkM"><span>Walker Buehler</span> started a simulated game Sunday at Angel Stadium, throwing five innings in what could be his final tune-up before returning to a major league mound.</p>
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<cite>David Vassegh ~ AM 570</cite>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The infield alignment behind Buehler -- 1B Jose Vizcaino, age 50; SS Chris Woodward, age 42; 3B Kenley Jansen!</p>— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/1016061780458520576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="YsEhRr">Manager Dave Roberts didn’t mention the day Buehler might be back but did say the young right-hander <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/1016087271504674816">will start a game</a> before the All-Star break. There are only seven more games before that occurs so Buehler will pitch next weekend against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<h3 id="NRwnks">Heating up</h3>
<p id="VcXctd">Kiké Hernandez is hitting second in the lineup for the Dodgers Sunday in the finale with the Angels. The most super of utility players has hit .301/.386/.658 over his last 23 games, with eight homers, two doubles and 10 walks in 84 plate appearances.</p>
<p id="NpGbSt">Hernandez has raised his OPS by 126 points over that timeframe, responding well to the more consistent playing time over the last two months.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/8/17545528/yasiel-puig-dodgers-complete-player-since-return-from-disabled-list-defense-wild-horseRyan Walton2018-07-08T06:00:03-07:002018-07-08T06:00:03-07:00Dustin May goes seven innings in 14 -6 win
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<img alt="Dustin May" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v64swtSZvq4x4QUBJF1LT7ZH6Ts=/0x0:1965x1310/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60297569/May_061018_7518.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dustin May | Steve Saenz ~ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes</figcaption>
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<p>Dustin May strikes out 5 in 14-6 win over Giants</p> <p id="EBPu9P">All four full-season Dodger affiliates won on Saturday. The AZL Dodgers were the only winners of the four Rookie-League teams.</p>
<h3 id="mMw0S6">Player of the day</h3>
<p id="nvsp0y">Dustin May and the rest of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes who just won their 12th straight game take today’s honor. The Quakes have won 21 of their last 25 games, going 15-2 in the second half of the season. </p>
<h3 id="tGWpl5">Triple-A Oklahoma City</h3>
<p id="pc6HMI">The Dodgers scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to come back and win 6-5 over the Round Rock Express (Rangers). The win ended a three-game losing streak.</p>
<p id="S1m0fw">Manny Bañuelos started and he gave up four runs in five innings pitched. He gave up nine hits and walked four. Bañuelos also struck out seven. </p>
<p id="1ywDg5"><span>Zach Neal</span> made his first appearance with Oklahoma City since being acquired last week. <span>Neal</span> pitched three innings and got the win. <span>Brian Schlitter</span> picked up his 11th save.</p>
<p id="TPpTUL">In the eighth inning, with one out, the Dodgers loaded the bases. Edwin Rios then walked to drive in the first run. One out later, <span>Travis Taijeron</span> walked to score the second run. Then Angelo Mora singled in two runs to give the Dodgers the lead and eventually the win.</p>
<h3 id="WnwCOO">Double-A Tulsa</h3>
<p id="player_name">The Drillers and the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers) went back and forth before the Drillers held on for the 7-6 win on Saturday. Tied 5-5 in the sixth, Drew Jackson hit a solo home run to give the Drillers a lead they wouldn’t lose.</p>
<p id="3nDGdW"><span>Will Smith</span>, who has been hot in July, hit a solo home run in seventh to give the Drillers a two-run lead. The RoughRiders would score a run in the ninth but they fell one-run short.</p>
<p id="xDuFNg">Andrew Sopko started and pitched four innings. Sopko gave up five runs and eight hits. <span>Stetson Allie</span> got the win, Allie pitched two scoreless innings. <span>Dylan Baker</span> got the final out for the save.</p>
<p id="KeY6KX">Errol Robinson, Jackson and Smith each had two hits to lead the Drillers. </p>
<h3 id="4AZHAO">Class-A Rancho Cucamonga</h3>
<p id="7fVKsm">The Quakes kept on winning as they beat the San Jose Giants 14-6. The win made it twelve in a row for the Quakes which set a new Rancho Cucamonga franchise record.</p>
<p id="26jPI5">The Quakes would lead 12-0 before the Giants scored. Dustin May did his job, pitching seven innings and giving up two runs and six hits. May struck out five and walked one. Orlandy Navarro pitched the final two innings for the Quakes. </p>
<p id="P8He3L">The Quakes had eighteen hits and six walks. Gavin Lux, Rylan Bannon, and Jared Walker each had three hits. Omar Estevez, Cristian Santana and Zack McKinstry each had two hits.</p>
<h3 id="Dn21M7">Class-A Great Lakes</h3>
<p id="QO7lXp">The Loons beat the Dayton Dragons (<a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>) 7-1 with Max Gamboa getting the win for pitching five innings and giving up a run. Melvin Jiminez struck out four in three innings. Connor Strain pitched the ninth to sew up the game.</p>
<p id="m5muQT">The Loons hit three home runs in this game, Brandon Montgomery hit a three-run home run, and solo home runs for Eric Petersen and Brock Carpenter.</p>
<h3 id="gGX4cE">Rookie - Pioneer</h3>
<p id="qt8SEu">The Raptors dropped their game as the Grand Junction Rockies won 5-4. Caleb Sampen pitched 2⅓ innings and gave up four runs and five hits. Justin Hagenman gave up the other run in his 1⅔ innings.</p>
<p id="wF0qu1">Miguel Vargas and Niko Hulsizer each had two hits.</p>
<h3 id="qvORvz">Rookie - Arizona League</h3>
<p id="vxKvjV">The AZL Dodgers won 10-3 over the AZL <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>. Frank Sanchez had three hits and Kenneth Betancourt had two hits and three runs driven in. </p>
<p id="GQFlFP">Gerardo Carrillo pitched three innings and struck out five. In four appearances, Carrillo has pitched 11 innings and struck out 13. Carrillo has given up a run and six hits in those 11 innings.</p>
<h3 id="Olu8Zo">Transactions</h3>
<p id="ibJkSP">Triple-A: Los Angeles recalled switch-handed pitcher <span>Pat Venditte</span> from Oklahoma City; Los Angeles sent right-handed pitcher <span>Daniel Corcino</span> outright to Oklahoma City; left-handed pitcher <span>Brian Moran</span> assigned to Oklahoma City from Tulsa.</p>
<p id="FdmES7">Rookie: Right-handed pitcher Joe Mortillaro assigned to AZL Dodgers from Great Lakes; right-handed pitcher Nathan Witt assigned to AZL Dodgers from Rancho Cucamonga.</p>
<h3 id="VvAEwY">Saturday’s scores</h3>
<p id="cKG63a"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_rreaaa_okcaaa_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Oklahoma City 6, Round Rock 5</a></p>
<p id="KxNZzu"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_friaax_tulaax_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Tulsa 7, Midland 6</a></p>
<p id="joaj4A"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_rcqafa_sjgafa_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Rancho Cucamonga 14, San Jose 6</a></p>
<p id="qrmvGL"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_dayafx_swmafx_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Great Lakes 7, Dayton 1</a></p>
<p id="wU19qR"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_ogdrok_gjrrok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Grand Junction 5, Ogden 4</a></p>
<p id="A5DlyL"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_dodrok_diarok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">AZL Dodgers 10, AZL Diamondbacks 3</a></p>
<p id="iBLc8I"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_dmlrok_ddorok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">DSL Marlins 7, DSL Dodgers Robinson 5</a></p>
<p id="Z5AM3A"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_07_ddgrok_drgrok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">DSL RangersOne 10, DSL Dodgers Guerrero 7</a></p>
<h3 id="C7iGti">Sunday’s schedule</h3>
<p id="kEd6Pm">11:05 a.m. PT: Oklahoma City (<span>Drew Hutchison</span>) vs. Round Rock (David Hurlbut)</p>
<p id="RApU86">11:05 a.m.: Great Lakes (Victor Gonzalez) vs. Dayton (Tyler Mondile)</p>
<p id="2N9WAE">4:00 p.m.: Ogden (Brett De Geus) at Grand Junction (TBD)</p>
<p id="SVIRfE">5:00 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Parker Curry) at San Jose (Raffi Vizcaino)</p>
<p id="g00SXM">5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (TBD) vs. Frisco (Pedro Payano)</p>
<p id="T11SlV">7:00 p.m.: AZL Dodgers vs. AZL <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a></p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/8/17545286/rancho-cucamonga-franchise-record-twelve-straight-wins-dodgers-minors-wrapCraig Minami