True Blue LA - June 20: Dodgers 9, Diamondbacks 8Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2021-06-20T17:36:24-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/223067342021-06-20T17:36:24-07:002021-06-20T17:36:24-07:00Tony Gonsolin was dealing with shoulder soreness after his last start
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AufuGfGb7chcGhcH2CIGAw9B4Wg=/0x0:3318x2212/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69479525/1324582736.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>His velocity was down across the board today</p> <p id="gIzmcp">Following Sunday’s win over the D-Backs, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> manager Dave Roberts told the media that Tony Gonsolin dealt with shoulder soreness after his last start. Being cautious, he removed Gonsolin after only 46 pitches. </p>
<p id="vgbAyI">“I didn’t want to push him too much,” Roberts said. “So getting him into that fourth inning was a really nice job by him.”</p>
<p id="xL0Fjn">Prior to the game, Roberts said that he was expecting Gonsolin to throw between 45-60 pitches. He wanted to be careful with him, as he said Gonsolin had soreness in his shoulder following his previous outing. </p>
<p id="o21NjD">Gonsolin said following the game that he felt okay, but it took him a little more time to warm up and get ready ahead of the game. This news certainly isn’t what you’d like to hear, as Gonsolin missed the first two months of the season due to right shoulder inflammation. When he was asked following the game about it, he said it was similar to what he dealt with months ago. </p>
<p id="X0Nlvs">“It’s similar,” he said. “It’s probably more muscle fatigue this time than the last time. Throwing less will help. [It’s] not a high-level concern at all.”</p>
<p id="AWb7UF">Gonsolin’s <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=6/20/2021&gamePk=633582&chartType=pitch&legendType=pitchName&playerType=pitcher&inning=&count=&pitchHand=&batSide=&descFilter=&ptFilter=&resultFilter=&hf=playerBreakdown#633582">velocity was down across the board.</a> His 4-seamer was down 2.8 mph, his splitter was down 2.4 mph and his slider was down 2.0 mph. </p>
<p id="hpbDPa">“I felt like it wasn’t coming out as great today,” Gonsolin said. “I thought the movements looked similar.”</p>
<p id="cb6c8e">They did. Here’s how his spin rates and breaks looked, if you’re into that kind of thing. </p>
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<p id="mJNZCo">Both Gonsolin and Roberts said that he’ll be good to go for his next start. </p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/20/22542960/tony-gonsolin-los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-newsBlake Harris2021-06-20T16:57:00-07:002021-06-20T16:57:00-07:00Dodgers celebrate Father’s Day with sweep
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Jej9_s-IJbpdaoE_4l40JKDmzaU=/0x0:4383x2922/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69479455/1324586042.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Things got interesting late in the game </p> <p id="TcHPmD">This game got too close for comfort, as the Dodgers nearly blew an eight-run lead. Luckily they pulled through, pulling out the 9-8 victory to give LA the sweep over the D-Backs. </p>
<p id="VslfJc">It took a couple innings to heat things up, but the Dodgers piled on all nine of their runs over the course of innings 3-5. After a leadoff strikeout, Chris Taylor and AJ Pollock each reached base to start the rally. Justin Turner then singled in the first run of the game for the Dodgers. </p>
<p id="A4qrPH">Albert Pujols stepped up to the plate and crushed a three-run homer, giving the Dodgers the 4-0 lead. For Pujols, it’s his sixth home run already while with the Dodgers. Since he debuted with the Dodgers on May 17, his six homers are <a href="https://twitter.com/ericstephen/status/1406718579504926721?s=20">tied for the team lead. </a>Not a bad addition, I’d say. For those curious, he is now 27 home runs away from 700. </p>
<div id="J5UVaD"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/albert-pujols-homers-6-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field-aj-pollock-scores-just" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="1x4F5r">The runs wouldn’t stop there. After a walk from Andy Burns, Steven Souza Jr. tripled in a run. He had a fantastic series in Arizona, a place where he suffered a near career-ending injury two years ago. </p>
<p id="QeNMd8">LA added two more runs an inning later. After back-to-back hits to begin the inning, AJ Pollock doubled in two runs to give the Dodgers a 7-0 lead. Pollock had a great series in his former home ballpark, as he recorded five hits during the three-game series, including three on Sunday. </p>
<p id="w5408u">Tony Gonsolin got the start for the Dodgers and had another solid outing for LA. He gave them 3 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings, but threw only 46 pitches. Prior to the game, Dave Roberts said that Gonsolin would throw only 45-60 pitches. Gonsolin had two strikeouts and didn’t issue a walk. After he had a rough start to his season, he’s allowed only two runs in 7 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings since his 2021 debut. </p>
<p id="VepPJz">Well, this game looked to be in cruise control, but the D-Backs battled back into this game. Entering the eighth inning down 9-2, Arizona scored six runs to make it a one-run game. Edwin Uceta got roughed up, as he allowed five runs in his 1 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings of work. Victor Gonzalez relieved Uctea, but allowed three of four batters to reach base. </p>
<p id="3efuzD">With two outs, Arizona had runners on the corners and trailed by only one run. Luckily for Gonzalez, he was able to escape the jam by getting a groundout, sending the game to the ninth inning. </p>
<p id="EL6DsO">Kenley Jansen took over in the ninth with a one-run lead and shut things down, retiring the side in order to give the Dodgers the win. </p>
<h3 id="Dn5lYo">Sunday particulars</h3>
<p id="7xq5dv">WP: Garrett Cleavinger (2-3) 1 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> IP, 0 ER</p>
<p id="cp4wPm">LP: Alex Young (2-5) 3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H</p>
<p id="2Z1yAH">SV: Kenley Jansen (18) 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 SO</p>
<p id="zErWX0">HR: Albert Pujols (11) </p>
<p id="0iWVEZ"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/dodgers-vs-d-backs/2021/06/20/633582#game_state=live,game_tab=boxscore,game=633582">Box score: </a></p>
<h3 id="sD9d65">Up next</h3>
<p id="qrURUJ">The Dodgers will travel to San Diego where they’ll have a crucial three-game series against the Padres. They open the series on Monday night. </p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/20/22542875/los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-news-albert-pujolsBlake Harris2021-06-20T12:35:00-07:002021-06-20T12:35:00-07:00Game thread: Dodgers look to complete sweep in Arizona
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Happy Father’s Day, everyone!</p> <div id="oE2Zbs">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> lineup at D-backs: <a href="https://t.co/3UagrP4Stk">pic.twitter.com/3UagrP4Stk</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1406675034647654400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2021</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game 73. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RattleOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RattleOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/ijOBLxpcmQ">pic.twitter.com/ijOBLxpcmQ</a></p>— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/1406676482689171458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2021</a>
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<p id="yAJcvo">GAME INFO:</p>
<p id="5bJCHZ">First pitch: 1:10 pm PT</p>
<p id="NSBpn4">TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/20/22542618/game-thread-dodgers-look-to-complete-sweep-in-arizonaBlake Harris2021-06-20T12:31:16-07:002021-06-20T12:31:16-07:00Uceta recalled, White optioned to OKC
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<img alt="MLB: MAY 28 Giants at Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-AthRKHTAWEuYxmxMwzvT-r0HWA=/0x0:3757x2505/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69478819/1233179131.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John McCoy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A swap of right-handed arms in the bullpen</p> <p id="QMyC3V">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> swapped bullpen arms before Sunday’s series finale against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> at Chase Field in Phoenix, recalling Edwin Uceta from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning Mitch White to OKC.</p>
<p id="AYmpyo">White was sent down after allowing two hits and a run, plus two inherited runners that scored, in four batters faced on Saturday. It was White’s first appearance in eight days. </p>
<p id="HIhfHw">In 12 games in the majors this year, the right-hander has allowed 14 runs on 15 hits and eight walks in 14⅓ innings, with 14 strikeouts. Eight of his runs allowed are unearned. </p>
<p id="313ROd">Uceta has allowed eight runs on 11 hits in 12⅔ innings in the majors in his rookie season, striking out 13 and walking four. Three of his runs were unearned as well. Uceta last pitched last Sunday for Oklahoma City, where he was being stretched out more, pitching 2⅓ innings and three innings in his last two times out, throwing 63 and 59 pitches. </p>
<p id="OIf7La">Having someone able to go multiple innings if needed could be especially useful with Tony Gonsolin starting Sunday for the Dodgers. In his first two starts, the right-hander hasn’t been very effective, lasting only 1⅔ innings and 3⅔ innings, throwing a combined 147 pitches in those two games, with eight walks, one more than he had all last season.</p>
<p id="m4uGRL">Dave Roberts said it was unlikely Gonsolin would pitch five innings on Sunday.</p>
<p id="yy06k6">“Ultimately, that’s the goal,” Roberts said. “To whether bullpen games, like we did pretty admirably, was good. But it’s not a recipe going forward. So we need [Gonsolin] to be able to go deeper into games.”</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/20/22542677/dodgers-roster-edwin-uceta-mitch-whiteEric Stephen2021-06-20T07:07:00-07:002021-06-20T07:07:00-07:00Notes: Prior, Kershaw, Toles
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<img alt="Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G-uGD6Blc94x3RlPvFlz45vKEaU=/0x0:3135x2090/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69478061/1323779979.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>News and notes for a Sunday morning</p> <p id="15veBg">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Sunday will try for a second sweep of the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> in as many tries this season. They’ve won five straight series against Arizona, dating back to last season, including sweeps in two of their previous three meetings.</p>
<h3 id="nYb2r7">Links</h3>
<p id="f29zKd">Andrew Toles, who last played for the Dodgers in 2018 and is currently on the restricted list, suffers from schizophrenia. Bob Nightengale at USA Today <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fin-depth%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2Fcolumnist%2Fbob-nightengale%2F2021%2F06%2F20%2Fandrew-toles-father-homeless-mental-illness%2F7745985002%2F%3Fbuild%3Dnative-web_i_p&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2021%2F6%2F20%2F22541518%2Fdodgers-news-mark-prior-clayton-kershaw-max-muncy-cody-bellinger-corey-seager" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">caught up with the family</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="LN8cBj"><em>“People want to assume that we want Andrew to be who he was before,’’ Morgan Toles said. “That’s not true. We just want him to be happy and healthy. He could be a garbage man. He can be a yoga instructor. We just want him to be healthy.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="3koWqf">Among the headliners currently on the Dodgers injured list, Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy remain on track to potentially be activated Tuesday or Wednesday in San Diego, and Corey Seager could begin a rehab assignment within a few days, unless he accompanies the team to San Diego. Juan Toribio at MLB.com <a href="https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-injuries-and-roster-moves">has more details and notes on various Dodgers injuries</a>.</p>
<p id="AxIk3w">With MLB beginning to enforce its own rules on foreign substances on the baseball beginning Monday, Mark Prior <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2021/06/19/dodgers-coach-mark-prior-says-pitchers-will-adjust-to-mlb-crackdown/">talked to Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register</a>: “It’s not going to change how we go about preparing for Monday. And if things do change then we adjust. That’s part of the game anyway. We adapt.”</p>
<p id="7FtaJP">Clayton Kershaw reiterated this week how he wants to help fight racial injustice, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2021-06-19/clayton-kershaw-marks-juneteenth-reiterates-he-wants-to-help-fight-racial-injustice">Jorge Castillo at the Los Angeles Times writes</a>. Said teammate David Price: “It’s bigger than baseball. He can affect a lot of lives in a positive way. That’s the way to go about life, in general, just to be able to impact others.”</p>
<p id="l5qkRW">Gavin Lux, especially since the start of May, has helped keep the Dodgers afloat amid injuries, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F2661899%2F2021%2F06%2F19%2Fwith-dodgers-injuries-piling-up-gavin-lux-helps-keep-the-offense-afloat%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2021%2F6%2F20%2F22541518%2Fdodgers-news-mark-prior-clayton-kershaw-max-muncy-cody-bellinger-corey-seager" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">says Molly Knight at The Athletic</a>.</p>
<p id="bAdiF5">In <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/31651109/kiley-mcdaniel-2021-mlb-mock-draft-20-new-no-1-gets-jack-leiter-kumar-rocker">Kiley McDaniel’s latest mock draft at ESPN</a>, he projects the Dodgers to take <a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com">Wake Forest</a> right-hander Ryan Cusick at No. 29 overall. “The Dodgers have been tied to a number of upside types who could use a tweak or two to unlock their potential, since the Dodgers are arguably the best in baseball at that,” McDaniel wrote. We <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/28/22458680/mlb-draft-2021-dodgers-ryan-cusick-mock-draft-wake-forest">profiled Cusick in May</a> when he was linked to the Dodgers in a mock draft at The Athletic.</p>
<p id="heoWPD">Sara Sanchez at FanGraphs <a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/there-are-still-a-lot-of-home-runs/">looked at how home runs are still prevalent in historical terms despite being slightly down over the last two seasons</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/20/22541518/dodgers-news-mark-prior-clayton-kershaw-max-muncy-cody-bellinger-corey-seagerEric Stephen