True Blue LA - Mar. 28: Dodgers (ss) 3, Angels 0Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2013-03-28T21:18:18-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/39232352013-03-28T21:18:18-07:002013-03-28T21:18:18-07:00Ryu perfect in final tuneup
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<p>The Korean import retired the final 23 batters he faced in spring training, and 29 of the last 30, including 12 straight Angels on Thursday night in the Freeway Series in Anaheim.</p> <p><span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> retired all 12 batters he faced on Thursday night, ending his spring on a high note for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in the first game of the Freeway Series in Anaheim.</p>
<p>Ryu was magnificent in his previous start, on Saturday night at Camelback Ranch, as he allowed just two runs on one hit. He retired 17 of the final 18 batters that night, including the final 11 he faced. Counting Thursday, Ryu retired the final 23 batters he faced and 29 of the last 30.</p>
<p>"After the last game, I told myself I don't want to let anyone score, so I'm happy I accomplished that," Ryu said. "Tonight was by far my best game of the spring."</p>
<p>Ryu's fastball reached 92 mph on Thursday, and he said his pitches working best were his fastball and change. He didn't throw many curve balls, but said he was slowly working that into his repertoire. He was originally slated to pitch three innings but was rewarded by his efficiency.</p>
<p>"For the first time, I didn't overthrow in the first inning. So after three innings I had a low pitch count and was able to go another inning," Ryu said.</p>
<p>Ryu ends his spring with a 3.29 ERA, with 27 strikeouts against just eight walks in 27⅓ innings, and looking very ready to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> on Apr. 2 in his first regular season start.</p>
<p>"There was a lot of talk in the very beginning (of spring training) about how I would perform. I was actually anxious and nervous at first, but after the games went on I got more comfortable," Ryu said. "I'm just happy to end camp on a good note."</p>
<p>Ryu was asked if his goals for the season remained the same from his introductory press conference in December.</p>
<p>"I still want to have an ERA in the 2.00s, but I also would like to win Rookie of the Year," he said.</p>
<p>If Ryu's regular season is anything like his spring training, he'll be hard to beat for that honor.</p>
<h3>Up next</h3>
<p>After six scheduled split squad days during the last 28 days - more than Don Mattingly could remember having during any one spring training - the Dodgers are back to one game per day beginning Friday. Hopefully the paint will dry on the finishing touches on all the renovations at Dodger Stadium in time for the 7:10 p.m. PT start, with <span>Josh Beckett</span> starting against Jason Vargas.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/28/4159274/hyun-jin-ryu-perfect-dodgers-angels-freeway-seriesEric Stephen2013-03-28T18:50:16-07:002013-03-28T18:50:16-07:00Filling out the bullpen
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<p>A look at filling the final few spots in the bullpen from a pair of different perspectives, one from a reliever and one about a possible starter moved to the bullpen.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> battle the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> on Thursday night in the opener of the Freeway Series in Anaheim, but most eyes are focused on Sunday, the day opening day rosters must be submitted to MLB. The Dodgers have two, maybe three bullpen spots open, and several pitchers vying to remain on the roster.</p>
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<h2>Starting Lineups</h2>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="left" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="left" bgcolor="#0000ff" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Quakes</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Sweeney (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Amezaga (S)</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Smith (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Hairston</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Seager (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Songco (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Cruz</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Garcia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Hoenecke (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Luna</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Rathjen</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Wallach (L)</td>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Schebler (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Franco</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Baldwin (L)</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span>Fife vs. Reed in Rancho</span>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="left" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="left" bgcolor="#ce1141" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Angels</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Schumaker (L)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Trout</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Aybar (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Kemp</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Pujols</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Hamilton (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Trumbo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Kendrick</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Van Slyke</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Callaspo (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Sellers</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Iannetta</td>
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<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Ryu</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Bourjos</td>
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<span>Ryu vs. Blanton in Anaheim</span>
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<p>Barring something unforeseen this weekend, <span>Chris Capuano</span>, <span>Ted Lilly</span> , and <span>Aaron Harang</span> will find themselves out of the starting rotation. It's just a matter of how many of them will be in the bullpen.</p>
<p>"We haven't announced any of it, so it's hard to say. But you'll find some of them out, pitching out of our bullpen," said manager Don Mattingly. "We haven't finalized that because you never know what's going to happen going forward."</p>
<p>One of the starters who could end up in the bullpen is Chris Capuano, who was talking to Mattingly one-on-one on the field during batting practice. Capuano last pitched a minor league game on Tuesday, and would be in line to pitch on Saturday. But that's when <span>Zack Greinke</span> starts, and he he is scheduled to throw 90 or so pitches.</p>
<p>"(Capuano is) going to pitch again before we leave, but how we use him, we'll see," Mattingly said</p>
<p>Another one fighting for a bullpen spot is <span>Josh Wall</span>, who has options. Wall has pitched well this spring with 12 strikeouts and two walks, but could find himself back in Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the year.</p>
<p>"I don't know where I stand. The fact that I'm still here is a good sign. I see the numbers and I don't know if there is anything else I could do that would help me," Wall said. "I'm just going to approach (this weekend) like I have all of spring training. I'm going to try to do the best I can, and hopefully it works out.</p>
<p>"Obviously the number one goal is to make the team. It's not going the way I play or pitch. If I have to start off in Triple-A, hopefully I can be the first one they call up."</p>
<h3>Notes</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Dodger Stadium Express shuttle, which runs between Union Station and Dodger Stadium before and after every home game, will begin service at 9:45 a.m. PT on Monday for opening day. Normally service begins 90 minutes prior to game time.</li>
<li>Mattingly said Ryu would likely throw a similar amount of pitches as <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, who threw 54 pitches in his final spring tuneup on Wednesday.</li>
<li>After old friend <span>Joe Blanton</span>, other Angels scheduled to pitch Thursday night include <span>Scott Downs</span>, <span>Sean Burnett</span>, <span>Mitch Stetter</span>, Ken Jepsen, and <span>Ernesto Frieri</span>.</li>
<li>The Dodgers listed everyone on the roster as available to pitch in relief Thursday. Matingly said the relievers will get their regular work somehow, but ideally he would like to use the relievers in as close to a role this weekend as he would during the regular season.<br>
</li>
<li>Greinke is expected to throw roughly 90 pitches on Saturday in his final spring start.<br>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Games info</h3>
<p>Time: 6:05 p.m. PT (Rancho) | 7:05 p.m. PT (Anaheim)</p>
<p>TV: none (Rancho) | Prime Ticket, Fox Sports West, MLB Network delayed (Anaheim)</p>
<p>Radio: <a target="_blank" href="http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v4/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KSPA">1510 AM</a> (Rancho) | 570 Fox Sports LA (Anaheim)</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t526&gid=2013_03_28_lanmlb_rcqafa_1&cid=526&t=g_box">Box Score (Rancho)</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_03_28_lanmlb_anamlb_1&mode=gameday">Gameday (Anaheim)</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/28/4158914/dodgers-spring-training-2013-bullpen-chris-capuano-josh-wallEric Stephen2013-03-28T14:00:03-07:002013-03-28T14:00:03-07:00Ryu ready for bright lights, big stage
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<figcaption>Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers paid $25.7 million just for the rights to negotiate with Ryu, then signed him to a six-year, $36 million contract. The left-hander gets the start in the opener of the Freeway Series against the Angels on Thursday night in Anaheim.</p> <p>Given that <span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> was a huge star in Korea for the last seven years, it is probably fitting that he will be on the mound Thursday night as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> get their first chance to play under the bright lights of a big league stadium, in Anaheim against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in the opening game of the Freeway Series.</p>
<p>Ryu has gotten better as the spring has progressed, and allowed just three runs on four hits combined in his last two starts.</p>
<p>"He's pitched good pretty much every time," said manger Don Mattingly. "He's gotten better and better as we've went along."</p>
<p>Ryu's solid pitching during the spring, coupled with <span>Chad Billingsley's</span> right index fingernail, helped Ryu land the start on Apr. 2, in the second game of the regular season against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>. But first, Ryu has a final tuneup in Anaheim.</p>
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<a href="LINK%20LINK%20LINK">
<h2>Freeway Series</h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10537735/20120402_ajl_al2_217.0.jpg"></a> <span>Game 1: Ryu vs. Joe Blanton<br>Location: Angel Stadium, Anaheim<br>Time: 7:05 p.m.<br>TV: Prime Ticket, Fox Sports West, MLB Network (delayed)</span>
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<p>"I feel a responsibility, knowing I have to pitch in that number two spot," Ryu said. "It will hit me more on April 2 or the day before, but right now my focus is on wrapping up camp (on Thursday) successfully."</p>
<p>The Dodgers have been patient with Ryu, letting him continue certain traditions he has used with success in the past, such as not throwing bullpen sessions in between starts. So far the trust has paid off with improvement each start. Ryu had a 3.86 ERA in the Cactus League with 23 strikeouts and eight walks in 23⅓ innings.</p>
<p>Ryu has also mixed in different pitches as spring training wore on, never in doubt he would secure a starting spot, and using the same preseason routine he did in Korea.</p>
<p>"I'm satisfied with my breaking pitches coming along, as well as the command. I should have a sharper command once the regular season hits, because I'll be more focused," Ryu said. "When the season starts in the past, I've always had that extra gear (on my fastball), including velocity and command. I expect that again this year."</p>
<p>To further help ease the transition, Ryu had his older brother and one of his agents stay with him in Phoenix during spring training. In Los Angeles, Ryu's mother and father will stay with him, as well as his brother.</p>
<p>There is a difference between spring success and winning in the major leagues, though Ryu remains confident in his ability to succeed, something he has displayed since the first day of camp. He said he will continue to study hitters to prepare for the regular season, and had already familiarized himself with several top hitters, including <span>Buster Posey</span> of the Giants, through video on the internet.</p>
<p>As that Apr. 2 start approaches, Ryu <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2011/3/21/2063026/2011-dodgers-player-profile-kenley-jansen#61920879">channeled his inner Rubby De La Rosa</a> when asked about San Francisco, winners of two of the last three World Series.</p>
<p>"They are the World Series champs, but at the same time they are last year's World Series champions and not this year's," Ryu said. "I am excited to face a top-caliber team but I don't think much beyond that."</p>
<p>Ryu will get a nice tuneup on Thursday night against <span>Mike Trout</span>, <span>Albert Pujols</span>, <span>Josh Hamilton</span> and another top team in the Angels.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/28/4155324/hyun-jin-ryu-dodgers-angels-freeway-seriesEric Stephen2013-03-28T12:30:07-07:002013-03-28T12:30:07-07:00Dodgers roster in Anaheim
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and the law firm of Ellis and Ellis highlight the Dodgers' split squad roster in Anaheim on Thursday night.</p> <p><span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> gets the call on the mound as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> return to southern California Thursday night to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in the annual Freeway Series exhibition. Thursday marks the sixth and final scheduled split squad day of the spring for the Dodgers, who are also playing Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in an exhibition 40 miles away at the Epicenter.</p>
<p>The travel roster for the Dodgers in Anaheim is everyone in big league camp not going to Rancho Cucamonga, plus several minor leaguers.</p>
<p>Starters in Anaheim for the Dodgers include <span>A.J. Ellis</span>, <span>Mark Ellis</span>, <span>Matt Kemp</span>, and <span>Andre Ethier</span>, as well as 25-man roster locks <span>Tim Federowicz</span>, <span>Juan Uribe</span>, <span>Nick Punto</span>, and <span>Skip Schumaker</span>. <span>Elian Herrera</span>, fighting with <span>Alfredo Amezaga</span> and <span>Alex Castellanos</span> for the final bench spot, is in Anaheim while his two competitors are in Rancho Cucamonga.</p>
<p><span>Stephen Fife</span> and <span>Peter Moylan</span> are the only two pitchers in big league camp in Rancho Cucamonga; every other pitcher is in Anaheim.</p>
<p>Minor leaguers suiting up for the Dodgers on Thursday in Anaheim include pitcher <span>Yimi Garcia</span> (No. 69), catcher <span>Griff Erickson</span> (No. 96), infielders <span>Scott Van Slyke</span>, <span>Justin Sellers</span> (No. 72), <span>Miguel Rojas</span> (who has been tabbed by multiple people in the organization this spring as the best defender at shortstop in the system, majors or minors, No. 81), <span>Rusty Ryal</span> (No. 84), and <span>Rafael Ynoa</span> (No. 83); and outfielders <span>Matt Angle</span> (No. 82), <span>Joc Pederson</span> (No. 91), and <span>Blake Smith</span> (No. 95).</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>Time: 7:05 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: Prime Ticket, Fox Sports West, MLB Network (delayed)</p>
<p>Radio: KLAC 570, KTNQ 1020</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_03_28_lanmlb_anamlb_1&mode=gameday">Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/28/4156314/matt-kemp-andre-ethier-hyun-jin-ryu-dodgers-roster-angelsEric Stephen2013-03-28T09:30:07-07:002013-03-28T09:30:07-07:00Freeway Series pitching matchups
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A look at the weekend schedule between the Dodgers and Angels, with two games in Anaheim and one at Dodger Stadium.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Thursday continue their annual exercise of beating their heads against the wall, as they open the Freeway Series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in Anaheim. The clubs play three games this weekend, with Thursday and Saturday's contests in Anaheim and Friday at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p>Not only have the Dodgers struggled in the regular season against the Angels, but have done so in preseason exhibitions as well. The last year the Dodgers won a regular season series from the Angels was 2006, and they have lost 26 of their last 38 games to the Angels overall. In the preseason it has been more of the same, as the Dodgers are 3-15-3 against the Angels in the spring Freeway Series dating back to 2004.</p>
<p>The last year the Dodgers won a preseason Freeway Series was in 2003 when they captured both games against their red nemesis from the south.</p>
<p>Here is a look at the pitching matchups this weekend:</p>
<p>Thursday, 7:05 p.m. (Anaheim): <span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> vs. <span>Joe Blanton</span></p>
<p>Friday, 7:10 p.m. (Dodger Stadium): <span>Josh Beckett</span> vs. Jason Vargas</p>
<p>Saturday, 6:05 p.m. (Anaheim): <span>Zack Greinke</span> vs. <span>Tommy Hanson</span></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/28/4155568/freeway-series-pitching-matchups-dodgers-angelsEric Stephen