True Blue LA - June 21: Padres 5, Dodgers 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2013-06-21T22:06:47-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/42174712013-06-21T22:06:47-07:002013-06-21T22:06:47-07:00Padres 5, Dodgers 2: SD has Kershaw's number
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers are 9-23 against the National League West this season, including 4-7 against the Padres.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> continued their death march through the National League West on Friday night, falling 5-2 to the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Padres</a> at Petco Park in San Diego. It wasn't so much the loss that was so deflating for the Dodgers, after all at a season-worst 12 games under .500 (30-42) defeats are almost expected at this point. But rather it was the manner in how the Dodgers lost their second straight game.</p>
<p><span>Clayton Richard</span> started for the Padres, but just two pitches into the game he had to leave with left shoulder pain, later diagnosed as pain in his left AC joint, the Padres announced during the game. Richard, who had season-ending left shoulder surgery in July 2011, will be further evaluated later.</p>
<p>This put the Padres in immediate disarray, as <span>Tim Stauffer</span> was forced to come in on a moment's notice. He allowed singles to <span>Mark Ellis</span> and <span>Yasiel Puig</span>, then one out later loaded the bases with a walk to <span>Hanley Ramirez</span>. But the Dodgers were only able to cash in one run from that golden opportunity against Stauffer, and for the rest of the game were most frozen in place.</p>
<p>But facing essentially a bullpen game, already with a 1-0 lead, and with ace Clayton Kershaw on the mound, that is as advantageous a spot these Dodgers could possibly find themselves in. Only it wasn't enough.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="1" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="3">Most home runs vs. Clayton Kershaw</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Player</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Home runs</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Plate appearances</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Dunn</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chris Denorfia</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">31</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p>The Padres erased that early deficit rather quickly as <span>Chris Denorfia</span>, the second batter of the game, drove a ball out to left field for his fifth home run of the season, and second off Kershaw. Denorfia this season is hitting .342/.409/.632 against the Dodgers, with three home runs, two doubles and eight RBI in 11 games.</p>
<p>San Diego tacked on three more runs in the third inning, thanks to a walk, two singles and a triple, with all three balls hit to the outfield a whimsical adventure for either <span>Elian Herrera</span> in left field (twice) or <span>Skip Schumaker</span> in center field.</p>
<p>Kershaw had a rare non-quality start, with four runs allowed in six innings, though it was far from bad as he also struck out seven and walked one. Kershaw this season has allowed three or more runs just six times in 16 starts, but three of those starts are against the Padres. In three starts against San Diego this season, Kershaw is 0-3 with a 4.67 ERA, with 21 strikeouts and eight walks. Against everyone else this season, Kershaw's ERA is 1.59, with 90 strikeouts and 24 walks.</p>
<p>So despite a 2.06 ERA that ranks third in the major leagues, Kershaw has watched the Dodgers go 8-8 in his 16 starts.</p>
<p>That is simply criminal.</p>
<h3>Notes</h3>
<ul>
<li>Yasiel Puig continued to put on a show. Aside from a strong throw from right field in the seventh inning that was relayed for an assist, Puig showed off his wheels in the eighth. He grounded to shortstop <span>Pedro Ciriaco</span>, who moved ever so slightly back while fielding the ball, but that was enough for Puig to beat the throw for an infield single. Then he tagged up on a fly ball to right filed and made it to second base standing up, and later scored.</li>
<li>Puig was 2-for-4 on the night, his 11th multi-hit contest in 17 games. He is hitting .455/.478/.773.</li>
<li>Hanley Ramirez walked twice and had an RBI double, and has reached base 11 times in 16 plate appearances in his last four games.</li>
<li>Kershaw has a 3.38 ERA in his last six outings, including four quality starts. He is 0-3 during that span.</li>
<li>The double by Ramirez in the eighth inning gave him seven extra-base hits in 50 plate appearances this season, one more than all other Dodgers shortstops combined this season in 247 PA.<br>
</li>
<li>Mark Ellis has two singles and a walk from the leadoff spot on Friday.<br>
</li>
<li> <span>Juan Uribe</span> had two hits and drove in a run. At Petco Park this season Uribe is hitting .364 (4-11) with 2 home runs.<br>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Up next</h3>
<p>The Dodgers try to snap their two-game spell on Saturday afternoon on big Fox, with <span>Zack Greinke</span> making his first appearance at Petco Park since breaking his collarbone on Apr. 11. <span>Edinson Volquez</span> starts for the Padres, who have won eight straight home games. Matt Vasgersian and Eric Karros are on the call for Saturday's 4:15 p.m. PT start.</p>
<h3>Friday particulars</h3>
<p><b>Home run</b>: Chris Denorfia (5)</p>
<p><b>WP - Tim Stauffer (1-0)</b>: 4 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - Clayton Kershaw (5-5)</b>: 6 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - <span>Huston Street</span> (15)</b>: 3 up, 3 down</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/6/21/4454080/chris-denorfia-clayton-kershaw-padres-dodgersEric Stephen2013-06-21T17:27:06-07:002013-06-21T17:27:06-07:00Matt Kemp begins rehab assignment Saturday in ABQ
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>Kemp, who last played on May 29, will serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday in the first game of his minor league rehab assignment.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> got some good news as center fielder <span>Matt Kemp</span> will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, the team announced before their second game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> at Petco Park on Friday.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2>Starting Lineups</h2>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#1C3465" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Padres</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Ellis<br>
</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Forsythe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Denorfia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Headley (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Blanks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Guzman<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis<br>
</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Hundley<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Schumaker (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ciriaco</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Herrera (S)<br>
</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Venable (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Kershaw (L)<br>
</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Richard (L)<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p>Kemp will serve as the designated hitter on Saturday for the Isotopes, who begin a four-game series at home against Round Rock. Manager Don Mattingly said Kemp will hopefully play two or three games in the field with Albuquerque before getting activated, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/348231113036144640">per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p>
<p>Friday marks the 21st consecutive game Kemp has missed while on the disabled list with a right hamstring strain. Kemp is hitting just .251/.305/.335 with two home runs in 51 games this season.</p>
<p>Kemp, who hadn't been able to run at full speed yet during his recovery, ran the bases on Friday, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/348191377332514816">per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com</a>, which as Gurnick noted was the final hurdle before Kemp could be cleared to begin his rehab assignment. Kemp, who is anxious to return to play, was understandably happy with the news.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p><span>Hanley Ramirez</span> just broke news that Matt Kemp will begin rehab tom. in Trip-A. In clubhouse, he’s pounding his chest: "I’m the new guy now!"</p>
— Pedro Moura (@PedroMoura) <a href="https://twitter.com/PedroMoura/statuses/348229207630938114">June 22, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>In Kemp's absence, <span>Andre Ethier</span> has started 15 games in center field. Ethier isn't in the lineup Friday night against left-handed pitcher <span>Clayton Richard</span> - against whom Ethier is hitting .194 (6-for-31) in his career - because of swollen left knee from Ethier's collision with <span>Yasiel Puig</span> in Pittsburgh over the weekend, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/348230857611427840">per Shaikin</a>.</p>
<p><span>Skip Schumaker</span> on Friday will make his sixth start in center field since Kemp went down.</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>TV: Prime Ticket</p>
<p>Time: 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_21_lanmlb_sdnmlb_1" target="_blank">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/6/21/4453658/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-rehab-assignmentEric Stephen2013-06-21T15:00:10-07:002013-06-21T15:00:10-07:00Dodgers vs. Padres, battle of Claytons
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<figcaption>Kent Horner</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers are 2-2 at Petco Park in 2013. Can Clayton Kershaw make it 3-2?</p> <p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> is undeniably the best and most skilled pitcher in baseball, yet he clearly isn't lucky. Despite possessing the National League's best ERA at 1.84, Kershaw has only collected five wins on the season.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2>Starting Lineups</h2>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#1C3465" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Padres</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Ellis<br>
</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Forsythe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Denorfia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Headley (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Blanks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Guzman<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis<br>
</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Hundley<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Schumaker (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ciriaco</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Herrera (S)<br>
</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Venable (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Kershaw (L)<br>
</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Richard (L)<br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> offensive struggles provide the easiest explanation, as Kershaw hasn't earned a victory since May 20 at Milwaukee. Therefore, Kershaw's current win-less streak is his longest drought since 2009.</p>
<p>Heading into Friday's game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> surprisingly have Kershaw's number. Kershaw comes into Petco park 0-2 against San Diego, while tossing 11&frac13; innings and giving up five earned runs. Before the season, Kershaw was on cruise control against the fellow Southern California foes, with a 8-3 record and a 2.28 ERA over 17 chances.</p>
<p>The hometown Padres send <span>Clayton Richard</span> to the mound, sporting an ERA of 7.01 and a record of 2-5. Although, in Richard's last outing, he got the win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> by pitching a masterful eight innings of one run ball. Richard has faced the Dodgers twice, and neither appearance went well. On June 6 against the boys in blue, Richard pitched 4&frac13; innings and got shelled for six earned runs.</p>
<p>Both starters could be grouped together for being lefties and sharing the name Clayton, but production wise, there really is no comparison.</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>TV: Prime Ticket</p>
<p>Time: 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_21_lanmlb_sdnmlb_1" target="_blank">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/6/21/4453064/dodgers-padres-clayton-richard-clayton-kershawBen Haber2013-06-20T13:00:05-07:002013-06-20T13:00:05-07:00Dodgers-Padres pitching matchups
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Dodgers are 4-5 against the Padres this season, including 2-3 in San Diego.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> conclude their nine-game road trip with a four-game weekend series in San Diego, battling the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> at Petco Park for the first time since <span>Carlos Quentin</span> broke <span>Zack Greinke's</span> collarbone. Here is a look at the television scheduled and pitching matchups for the National League West showdown.</p>
<h3>Thursday, 7:10 p.m. (KCAL)</h3>
<p>Since getting recalled <span>Stephen Fife</span> has posted a 2.65 ERA with 16 strikeouts and six walks in 17 innings, and in his 10th major league start he finally faces an opponent that he has seen before in the Padres. <span>Jason Marquis</span> has allowed five runs in three starts against the Dodgers this season and has generally owned them throughout his career.</p>
<h3>Friday, 7:10 p.m. (Prime Ticket)</h3>
<p>This is only the second battle of left-handed NL West Claytons despite both being in the same division since 2009. In their only previous meeting, <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> got the 2-1 win over <span>Clayton Richard</span> and San Diego, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201207130.shtml">last July 13</a>.</p>
<h3>Saturday, 4:15 p.m. (Fox)</h3>
<p>Greinke returns to the site of his Apr. 11 brawl, his first time facing Quentin and the Padres since the infamous hit by pitch. Greinke followed up two great starts with a dud in Pittsburgh in his last outing. <span>Edinson Volquez</span> has had a bizarre season; his ERA, by month, has been 6.39 in April, 4.02 in May and 7.91 in June.</p>
<h3>Sunday, 1:10 p.m. (KCAL)</h3>
<p>The Dodgers haven't announced anything yet, but with <span>Matt Magill</span> pulled after just two innings and 42 pitches on Wednesday, plus the fact that he's the only starting pitcher left on the 40-man roster, makes him the favorite to start on Sunday. <span>Andrew Cashner</span> get the call in the series finale for the Padres, looking for his ninth straight start of six innings or more..</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/6/20/4448774/dodgers-vs-padres-tv-schedule-startng-pitching-matchupsEric Stephen