True Blue LA - Sept. 3: Dodgers 7, Rockies 4Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2013-09-03T21:48:30-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/44554692013-09-03T21:48:30-07:002013-09-03T21:48:30-07:00Dodgers 7, Rockies 4: Nolasco wins again
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<figcaption>Doug Pensinger</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers are 17-1-2 in their last 20 series, thanks in large part to Ricky Nolasco continuing his 1987 Doyle Alexander impression.</p> <p><span>Ricky Nolasco</span> gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> another solid start on the mound, while <span>Carl Crawford</span> and <span>Nick Punto</span> gave the lineup a good start. But it was a big assist by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> infielder turned outfielder <span>Charlie Culberson</span> that allowed the Dodgers to finish their 7-4 win on Tuesday night at Coors Field.</p>
<p>Up 4-3 with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, <span>Mark Ellis</span> drove a ball to deep left center field. Culberson ran the ball down but failed to catch it, allowing three insurance runs to score.</p>
<p>The Dodgers built a 4-0 lead thanks to Crawford and Punto at the top of the order. Each had hits in their first three at-bats, including a two-run single by Crawford in the second inning. Crawford has four straight multi-hit games, hitting .556 (10-for-18) during that span.</p>
<p>Nick Punto stared at shortstop in place of a resting <span>Hanley Ramirez</span>, and finished 4-for-5 on the night, his first four-hit game <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU201109270.shtml">since Sept. 27, 2011</a> when he was with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>. Since Aug. 1 Punto is hitting .340/.433/.500 in 20 games.</p>
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<h2>Magic number</h2>
<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18944869/gyi0064536271.0.jpg" width="300"><span>Coupled with Arizona's 10-4 loss to Toronto, the Dodgers' magic number to clinch the NL West is down to 12.</span>
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<p>Nolasco didn't allow a run in his first four innings, extending his scoreless streak to a career-high 20 innings. His previous best was 15 consecutive scoreless innings, done twice with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>, the last time in 2011.</p>
<p>Single runs allowed to the Rockies in the fifth and sixth innings ended his night, but not before Nolasco had his fifth straight quality start. Nolasco won his sixth straight decision and improved to 7-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 11 starts as a Dodger. The most runs he has allowed in any start since joining the team is three.</p>
<p>The Rockies continued to chip away in the eighth, when <span>Josh Rutledge</span> homered off <span>Paco Rodriguez</span> to cut the Dodgers' lead to 4-3.</p>
<p><span>Ronald Belisario</span> got the final three outs of the eighth inning and remained in the game in the ninth, with closer <span>Kenley Jansen</span> unavailable after pitching three straight days. But the Rockies got to Belisario for a run before he could complete his six-out save.</p>
<p>With a three-run lead, <span>Nolan Arenado</span> on first base and two outs, <span>Chris Withrow</span> entered in the ninth in relief of Belisario. With the tying run technically on deck, this was a save opportunity for Withrow, who struck out <span>Chris Dickerson</span> for his first major league save.</p>
<p>Everything seems to be going the Dodgers' way right now. They were able to rest Ramirez and <span>Yasiel Puig</span> on Tuesday and still got the win, their sixth straight.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are 36-8 since the All-Star break, and 53-13 since June 22.</p>
<h3>Up next</h3>
<p>The Dodgers go for the sweep and a seventh straight win on Wednesday night in Denver, with <span>Edinson Volquez</span> making his starting debut for the team in the series finale. Left-handed starter Jorge De Rosa gets the start for the Rockies, and likely won't have to face <span>Andre Ethier</span>, Carl Crawford or possibly even <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>, all expected to get the day off <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/375026967734546432">per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p>
<h3>Tuesday particulars</h3>
<p><b>Home run</b>: Josh Rutledge (7)</p>
<p><b>WP - Ricky Nolasco (12-9)</b>: 6 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> (13-8)</b>: 7 IP, 9 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - Chris Withrow (1)</b>: 1 batter, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/3/4692212/dodgers-7-rockies-4-ricky-nolasco-starts-charlie-culberson-finishesEric Stephen2013-09-03T15:16:55-07:002013-09-03T15:16:55-07:00Kemp to continue rehab in Arizona
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<figcaption>Craig Minami | True Blue LA</figcaption>
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<p>Tuesday will mark the 41st game missed by Kemp on his current disabled list stint with a sprained left ankle. He will not continue his rehab assignment in the California League playoffs.</p> <p><span>Matt Kemp</span> struggled mightily on his minor league rehab assignment in five games with Class-A Rancho Cuamonga, but now that the Quakes' regular season has ended Kemp will not stay in southern California. Kemp will continue his rehab at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' complex at Camelback Ranch in Arizona, the team announced on Tuesday.</p>
<p>He is expected to travel to Arizona on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Kemp hasn't played for the Dodgers since July 21, suffering a left ankle sprain in the series finale against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>. In five minor league games with Rancho Cucamonga beginning last Thursday, Kemp was 0-for-18 with seven strikeouts and one walk.</p>
<p>"The results don't mean much [in minor league rehab assignments]. It's all about getting ready," manager Don Mattingly said over the weekend. "We both want him to be ready. I want to make sure he's feeling good, and is comfortable out there."</p>
<p>While the results may not matter much, Kemp still needs to get his timing at the plate back, which obviously hasn't happened yet. Kemp will continue his search for comfort at the plate in Arizona, though it's not certain just how long until he returns to the Dodgers.</p>
<p>"It's not quite the same but it's a little like spring training," Mattingly said Saturday. "It's hard to jump in there against 94-95 mph if you haven't seen it regularly."</p>
<p>The Dodgers game notes on Tuesday mention <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197509030.shtml">Sept. 3, 1975</a> as the start of first baseman Steve Garvey's National League record of 1,207 consecutive games played. The notes mention that while no current Dodger has a streak close to that, Kemp did play in 399 consecutive games through May 13, 2012.</p>
<p>But since that iron man streak for Kemp, which was the longest active streak in MLB at the time, the center fielder will have missed 132 of 266 games for the Dodgers, including Tuesday night, with five separate stints on the disabled list.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/3/4691452/matt-kemp-injury-dodgers-rehab-arizona-camelback-ranchEric Stephen2013-09-03T14:37:36-07:002013-09-03T14:37:36-07:00Withrow recalled from Triple-A
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<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Withrow is back four days after getting optioned, giving the Dodgers 16 pitchers currently on the active roster.</p> <p>With the season over for Triple-A Albuquerque, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> added to their roster on Tuesday with the recall of relief pitcher <span>Chris Withrow</span> from the Isotopes.</p>
<p>Withrow was optioned back to Triple-A on Friday to make room for <span>Edinson Volquez</span>, and normally wouldn't be eligible to return for 10 days without replacing a player on the disabled list but since Albuquerque's season is over that rule goes by the wayside.</p>
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<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
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<th colspan="4">Highest K/BB ratio, 2013 Dodgers </th>
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<td><u><b>Pitcher</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>Strikeouts</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>Walks</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>K/BB</b></u></td>
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<td><span>Kenley Jansen</span></td>
<td align="center">100</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">7.69</td>
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<td><span>Brian Wilson</span></td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">5.00</td>
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<td><span>Paco Rodriguez</span></td>
<td align="center">57</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">4.38</td>
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<td><span>Clayton Kershaw</span></td>
<td align="center">201</td>
<td align="center">47</td>
<td align="center">4.28</td>
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<td>Chris Withrow</td>
<td align="center">28</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">3.50</td>
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<td><span>Ricky Nolasco</span></td>
<td align="center">51</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">3.40</td>
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<td><span>Chris Capuano</span></td>
<td align="center">76</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">3.30</td>
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<td><span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span></td>
<td align="center">139</td>
<td align="center">46</td>
<td align="center">3.02</td>
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</tbody></table>
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<p>But Withrow is alone among Dodgers call-ups on Tuesday, as pitcher <span>Javy Guerra</span>, infielders <span>Elian Herrera</span> and <span>Justin Sellers</span>, and outfielder <span>Alex Castellanos</span> were all left behind even though they are on the 40-man roster.</p>
<p>Withrow has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers this season, putting up a 3.38 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings, with just eight walks, including 17 strikeouts against just three walks in 15 innings since the All-Star break.</p>
<p>Walks have always been an issue for Withrow, the Dodgers' 2007 first round pick who transitioned from starting to relief midway through 2012 in Double-A Chattanoga. But the stuff as always been there, as his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7161&position=P#pitchtype">average fastball of 96.4 mph</a> and devastating slider have shown. Withrow's slider, per FanGraphs, has been over four runs better than average per 100 pitchers, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=20&type=7&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=11,d">the seventh best slider among MLB relievers with at least 20 innings this season</a>.</p>
<p>Withrow, 24, was 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 25 games with Albuquerque this season, with 33 strikeouts and 13 walks in 26⅓ innings in his first stint in Triple-A. He has pitched just once in the last eight days, throwing a scoreless inning for the Isotopes on Sunday in New Orleans with one walk and one strikeout.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/3/4690586/chris-withrow-dodgers-roster-septemberEric Stephen2013-09-03T13:45:01-07:002013-09-03T13:45:01-07:00Puig, Hanley sit for Dodgers, with Young cleanup
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers' lineup on Tuesday looks quite a bit different than it did on Monday.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will go for their sixth straight win on Tuesday night, but will do so without <span>Yasiel Puig</span> in the starting lineup against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>. Puig suffered <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/2/4687834/yasiel-puig-injury-dodgers-left-knee">a mild right knee strain in Monday's series opener</a>, and manager Don Mattingly said after the game he planned to hold Puig out on Tuesday.</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="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000000" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Rockies</b></font></td>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Fowler (S)</td>
</tr>
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<td>SS</td>
<td>Punto (S)<br>
</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>LeMahieu</td>
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<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Tulowitzki</td>
</tr>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Young</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Cuddyer</td>
</tr>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Roasrio</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Helton (L)</td>
</tr>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Schumaker (L)<br>
</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Arenado</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Federowicz</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Blackmon (L)</td>
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<td>P</td>
<td>Nolasco</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Chacin</td>
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</tbody></table>
<span>Lineup per <a href="https://twitter.com/ROOTSPORTS_TR/status/374990403218718720" target="new">Tracy Ringolsby of Root Sports</a>.</span>
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<p><span>Hanley Ramirez</span> also sits for the Dodgers, just two days after also sitting in Sunday's win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p><span>Michael Young</span> makes his first Dodgers start, which was expected as third baseman <span>Juan Uribe</span> is 0-for-15 with six strikeouts against Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin. Young is 0-for-1 against Chacin. But what wasn't expected is Young batting cleanup, as he is in the middle game of the series.</p>
<p>Young is the ninth different player to bat cleanup for the Dodgers, joining Ramirez (57 starts), <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> (26), <span>Matt Kemp</span> (18), Puig (16), <span>Andre Ethier</span> (12), <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> (five), <span>Ramon Hernandez</span> (two) and <span>Jerry Hairston</span> (one).</p>
<p><span>Skip Schumaker</span>, 3-for-7 (.429) against Chacin, starts for Puig in right field, while <span>Nick Punto</span>, 4-for-10 (.400) against Chacin, starts at shortstop, batting second.</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>Time: 5:40 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: KCAL</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_09_03_lanmlb_colmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/3/4691018/yasiel-puig-hanley-ramirez-michael-young-dodgers-rockies-previewEric Stephen2013-09-02T10:00:08-07:002013-09-02T10:00:08-07:00Dodgers-Rockies pitching matchups
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers are 6-7 against the Rockies this season, including 3-3 at Coors Field.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are 17-4 in their last 21 games against the National League West, but three of those four losses have come to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> (in seven games). The Dodgers try to make up for that beginning Monday in Denver at Coors Field. Here is a look at the television schedule and starting pitchers for the three-game series.</p>
<h3>Monday, 1:10 p.m. PT (KCAL)</h3>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> a needs three strikeouts to join Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale as the only Dodgers with 200 strikeouts in at least four consecutive seasons. Rookie pitcher <span>Chad Bettis</span> is 0-3 in his six major league starts, all this year, and he has allowed 22 runs in 30 innings to go with 14 walks and 15 strikeouts.</p>
<h3>Tuesday, 5:40 p.m. (KCAL)</h3>
<p><span>Ricky Nolasco</span> takes his streak of 16 consecutive scoreless innings into the middle game of the series. He allowed three runs in five innings to the Rockies at Dodger Stadium on July 14 for his only loss since joining the Dodgers. <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> is 1-1 with a 5.09 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers this season.</p>
<h3>Wednesday, 5:40 p.m. (KCAL)</h3>
<p><span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> struck out a career-high 12 against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium on April 30, his only start against Colorado. Ryu has quality starts in five of his last seven outings. Jorge De La Rosa leads the National League with 15 wins and has won each of his last five starts. At Coors Field this season, the southpaw is 9-1 with a 2.74 ERA and has allowed only three home runs in 75⅔ innings.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/2/4686234/dodgers-vs-rockies-tv-schedule-starting-pitchersEric Stephen