True Blue LA - July 3: Dodgers 3, Rockies 2Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2014-07-03T20:25:39-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/56329642014-07-03T20:25:39-07:002014-07-03T20:25:39-07:00Greinke, Uribe lead Dodgers over Rockies
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<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers have beaten the Rockies five straight times, and seven out of 10 times in 2014.</p> <p><span>Juan Uribe</span> scalded a single past second base in the ninth inning to score <span>Matt Kemp</span> and give the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> a 3-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> on Thursday night at Coors Field. It made a winner out of <span>Zack Greinke</span>, who matched his season high with eight innings.</p>
<p>The win moved the Dodgers back into first place in the National League West, a half-game ahead of San Francisco.</p>
<p>The game nearly got away from Greinke and the Dodgers in the eighth inning, when Justin Morneau's double to right center field was pre-approved for a Dodgers outfield automatic upgrade™, making it an RBI triple to tie the score at 2-2 and put a runner on third base with only one out.</p>
<p>But Greinke, who was efficient most of the night, allowing him to pitch into the eighth inning for the fourth time this season, recovered to get <span>Troy Tulowitzki</span> to pop out, then after an intentional walk to <span>Corey Dickerson</span>, struck out <span>Nolan Arenado</span> to end the inning and preserve the tie.</p>
<p>After the Rockies tied it, Kemp led off the ninth with a walk against <span>LaTroy Hawkins</span>, then advanced to second on a groundout by <span>Scott Van Slyke</span>, who doubled earlier in the game, setting up Uribe's heroics.</p>
<p>Uribe was 3-for-4 with a double, and scored earlier in the game on a sacrifice fly from <span>A.J. Ellis</span>.</p>
<p>Greinke struck out eight on the night to earn his 11th win of the year, tying <span>Adam Wainwright</span> for the National League lead.</p>
<p>Greinke only walked two, giving the Dodgers a 37th straight game with two or fewer walks by their starting pitchers, surpassing the 2005 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> for the most since 1900, per Elias. Yet another way this pitching staff is better than <span>Johan Santana</span>, Brad Radke, <span>Carlos Silva</span>, et al.</p>
<h5>Up next</h5>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> takes the mound in search of his seventh straight win on Friday evening, while the newly acquired <span>Jair Jurrjens</span> will make his first start for Colorado.</p>
<h5>Thursday particulars</h5>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: none</p>
<p><b>WP - Zack Greinke (11-4)</b>: 8 IP, 9 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 2 walks, 8 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - LaTroy Hawkins (2-2)</b>: 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - <span>Kenley Jansen</span> (26)</b>: 1 IP, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/7/3/5869899/juan-uribe-zack-greinke-dodgers-rockies-recapEric Stephen2014-07-03T14:44:28-07:002014-07-03T14:44:28-07:00Hanley returns to starting lineup
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<figcaption>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>DENVER -- <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> could barely run the bases on Wednesday, but has been cleared to return to the starting lineup on Thursday, hitting third and playing shortstop for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in their series opener against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>.</p>
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<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center" border="0">
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<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#1e90ff" 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>2B</td>
<td>Gordon (L)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Blackmon (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Stubbs (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Morneau (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Tulowitzki</td>
</tr>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Kemp</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Dickerson (L)</td>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Van Slyke</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Arenado</td>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Rosario</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>LeMahieu</td>
</tr>
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<td>P</td>
<td>Greinke</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Morales (L)</td>
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<span><b>Location</b>: Coors Field<br><b>Time</b>: 5:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA, MLB Network<br></span>
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<p>It is just the second start in the field for Ramirez in the last 11 games. He was first limited by a sore shoulder that caused him to miss four games. Ramirez started Saturday but lasted just two innings, felled by left calf tightness that limited him to three pinch hit at-bats in the last four games.</p>
<p><span>Scott Van Slyke</span> gets the call in center field, his 22nd start in 22 games against left-handed pitchers this season. Van Slyke, who hit his first home run against a right-hander this season on Wednesday, is hitting .291/.451/.727 against southpaws this year, with six home runs, six doubles and 14 walks in 71 plate appearances.</p>
<p>Another lefty killer of late has been <span>Matt Kemp</span>, who has historically punished left-handed pitchers in his career (.332/.394/.551) but began the year just 8-for-62 (.129) with 18 strikeouts and just one walk against southpaws. But since June 7, Kemp is 10-for-22 (.455) against left-handers with three doubles, two triples, five walks and just two strikeouts.</p>
<p>Kemp is 3-for-9 (.333) with a home run against Rockies starter <span>Franklin Morales</span>, but that home run came <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200708180.shtml">in 2007 in a game</a> started by Olmedo Saez at first base and <span>Shea Hillenbrand</span> at third base for the Dodgers.</p>
<p><span>Nolan Arenado</span> is back for the Rockies, starting at third base and batting sixth. He missed 36 games with a fracture on the middle finger of his left hand.</p>
<p>The Rockies' corresponding move to add Arenado back to the active roster was to option <span>Christian Friedrich</span> to Triple-A, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/psaundersdp/status/484815187195617281">per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post</a>. Friedrich was scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/7/3/5868951/hanley-ramirez-starts-dodgers-rockiesEric Stephen2014-07-03T14:44:23-07:002014-07-03T14:44:23-07:00Arruebarrena recalled from AAA, Triunfel optioned
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>DENVER -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> made a roster move involving shortstops before their series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> on Thursday, but it didn't involve <span>Hanley Ramirez</span>, who is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/7/3/5868951/hanley-ramirez-starts-dodgers-rockies">starting the series opener</a>. The Dodgers recalled shortstop <span>Erisbel Arruebarrena</span> from Triple-A Albuquerque, and optioned <span>Carlos Triunfel</span> back to the Isotopes.</p>
<p>Arruebarrena, signed to a five-year, $25 million contract in February, played six games in May and June in his first major league stint. He was 4-for-13 (.308) with a double and a walk at the plate, and started four games at shortstop.</p>
<p>Arruebarrena hit .357/.410/.457 in 20 games in Triple-A Albuquerque, including a 12-game hitting streak. In addition to 16 starts at shortstop with the Isotopes, Arruebarrena started three games at second base and another at third.</p>
<p>"While he was here Ned [Colletti, general manager] wanted us to get him some work at second and get him some work at third. We feel pretty comfortable with him at short," manager Don Mattingly said on June 20. "It gives him some value to us at this point being able to play a couple other spots."</p>
<p>Triunfel started at shortstop yesterday but made an error and a few other misplays in the field. He was 2-for-13 with a home run in 10 games with the Dodgers.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/7/3/5868963/erisbel-arruebarrena-recalled-dodgers-carlos-triiunfelEric Stephen2014-07-03T12:38:06-07:002014-07-03T12:38:06-07:00Greinke starts opener at Coors
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<figcaption>Justin Edmonds</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers have won four straight series against their own division, including two straight series wins over the Rockies.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> were able to claw their way back into the National League West race thanks in large part to strong play against the division. They look for more of the same as they open a four-game series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> at Coors Field on Thursday night in Denver.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are 23-16 against National League West teams this season. Though they are just 3-7 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>, owners of a half-game lead over the Dodgers entering play on Thursday, the Dodgers have won at least two-thirds of their games against the other three teams in the division.</p>
<p>The Dodgers have won four straight series against the West, going 9-3 during that span, including four straight wins against Colorado. The Dodgers won two of three games in Denver four weeks ago, from June 6-8, and are 6-3 against the Rockies this season.</p>
<p>The Dodgers play eight of their 10 remaining games before the All-Star break against the Rockies and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>.</p>
<p><span>Zack Greinke</span> gets the call, looking for his 11th win of the season. At 10-4 he has matched his most wins before the All-Star break. he was 10-5 before the break in 2009, the year he won the American League Cy Young Award with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>. He has 111 strikeouts, and with at least one more strikeout on Thursday would have the second-most strikeouts before the break in his career, trailing only the 129 he tallied in 2009.</p>
<p>Since joining the Dodgers, Greinke is 12-1 with a 2.20 ERA against the National League West in 20 starts, with 121 strikeouts and 35 walks in 126⅔ innings.</p>
<p><span>Franklin Morales</span> is making his first start for Colorado since May 31. He had a 4.50 ERA in eight relief appearances in June, including nine strikeouts, five walks and four home runs allowed in 14 innings. Despite a month of not starting, Morales is still tied for second in the National League with 17 home runs allowed this year.</p>
<p><span>Matt Kemp</span> is the only Dodger to hit a home run off Morales, and that came in 2007. <span>Scott Van Slyke</span>, who has started every single game against left-handed starters this season for the Dodgers is 1-for-1 against Morales.</p>
<h5>Game info</h5>
<p>Time: 5:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/7/3/5868559/dodgers-national-league-westEric Stephen2014-07-03T09:28:54-07:002014-07-03T09:28:54-07:00Dodgers-Rockies scheduled starters
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> head into the nightmarish confines of Coors Field for a four-game weekend series, looking for their fourth straight series win in Denver. Here is a look at the pitching matchups against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>, which include four left-handers throwing for Colorado.</p>
<h5>Thursday, 5:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, MLB Network)</h5>
<p><span>Zack Greinke</span> gets his final chance to make an impression before All-Star rosters are announced on Sunday. He allowed four runs in seven innings in a no-decision in Colorado on June 7. <span>Franklin Morales</span> began the season in the rotation but a 6.03 ERA at the end of May meant a trip to the bullpen. Morales is back in the rotation starting today with <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.</p>
<h5>Friday, 5:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h5>
<p>In his last start in Coors Field, <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> struck out nine in a complete game win, but he only pitched five innings in a rain-shortened win on June 8. <span>Troy Tulowitzki</span> homered in the fourth inning, the last home run hit against Kershaw. Since that home run Kershaw has allowed only one run in 32 innings, including a 28-inning scoreless streak. Jorge De La Rosa has allowed 24 runs in 24⅔ innings in his last five starts, including five runs in a loss to Kershaw and the Dodgers on June 8.</p>
<h5>Saturday, 1:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h5>
<p><span>Dan Haren</span> provided some hope with seven scoreless innings in his last start after a downward spiral for two months. <span>Yohan Flande</span> is a 28-year-old nine-year minor league veteran making his third major league start.</p>
<h5>Sunday, 1:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA)</h5>
<p><span>Josh Beckett</span> showed he was human on Tuesday against Cleveland, allowing five runs in five innings in his first truly bad start in about three months. With <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/6/30/5859430/josh-beckett-general-soreness-red-patterson">his general soreness of late</a>, coupled with <span>Red Patterson</span> only pitching two innings on Wednesday in Albuquerque, don't be surprised if Beckett doesn't actually make this start. <span>Christian Friedrich</span> has in three starts this year allowed 19 runs in 13⅓ innings, with 14 strikeouts and eight walks. In 19 career major league starts, Friedrich owns a 6.61 ERA. His 69 ERA+ is <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/6Uvix">tied for 30th-worst since 1901 among all major leaguers with at least 19 starts</a>, just behind <span>John Ely</span> 's 68.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/7/3/5868047/dodgers-rockies-starting-pitchersEric Stephen