True Blue LA - June 1: Dodgers 11, Rockies 4Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2015-06-01T21:55:41-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/84650242015-06-01T21:55:41-07:002015-06-01T21:55:41-07:00Nicasio gets the call on Tuesday
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<figcaption>Doug Pensinger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><span>Juan Nicasio</span> will start for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in the first game of their doubleheader against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> on Tuesday, the team announced after Monday night's 11-4 win over Colorado.</p>
<p>Both the Dodgers and Rockies are allowed to utilize an extra roster spot for Tuesday's doubleheader per MLB rules, giving each a 26th man on the active roster for one day, but Nicasio is already on the active roster.</p>
<p>The 26th man will reportedly be left-hander <span>Ian Thomas</span>, acquired last Wednesday in the six-player trade with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, per <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/605586426646818816">multiple</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/605586471894941696">reports</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/605586528035733504">after</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/THEREAL_DV/status/605586541168033792">Monday's</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/markasaxon/status/605586870420959234">game</a> at Coors Field.</p>
<p>The first game, a 12:10 p.m. PT start, will essentially be a bullpen game for the Dodgers, as Nicasio has pitched in relief all season. He has pitched three innings once all season, the only time he pitched longer than two innings. His season high is 43 pitches. He last pitched 1⅓ innings on Friday, throwing 17 pitches in St. Louis.</p>
<p>Nicasio has been very good out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this season, with a 1.29 ERA and 2.00 FIP, striking out 28 batters in 21 innings, with 11 walks.</p>
<p>Most of the first four years of his major league career was as a starter, making 69 starts for the Rockies. But poor performance led to him getting designated for assignment in November, and the Dodgers seized the opportunity to pick him up off the scrap heap, acquiring him for minor league outfielder <span>Noel Cuevas</span>.</p>
<p>Nicasio is 13-9 with a 5.24 ERA in 37 career games at Coors Field, including 26 starts, with 163 strikeouts and 67 walks in 199⅓ innings.</p>
<p>Thomas has been mostly a reliever as well, though the Dodgers plan to stretch him out as a starting pitcher in Triple-A. His longest outing this season in the majors or minors was three innings, and he has lasted at least two innings in six other appearances.</p>
<p>The left-handed Thomas made his debut with Oklahoma City in relief on Thursday, allowing six runs on eight hits in 2⅓ innings, including two home runs.</p>
<p>The 26th man can be used in both games if needed.</p>
<p>It is a bit puzzling that the Dodgers passed over both <span>Joe Wieland</span>, who could have started on Tuesday on regular rest, and <span>Zach Lee</span>, who was removed from his start on Friday after just three innings and 40 pitches. Either could have been called up to start, but neither were.</p>
<p><span>Zack Greinke</span> starts the second game for the Dodgers on Tuesday, a 5:40 p.m. PT start.</p>
<p><span>David Hale</span>, who started Thursday for Triple-A Albuquerque, will be called up by Colorado to start the second game of the doubleheader Tuesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/psaundersdp/status/605597623894966272">per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post</a>. Jorge De La Rosa starts the first game for the Rockies on Tuesday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/1/8700251/juan-nicasio-ian-thomas-dodgers-rockies-doubleheaderEric Stephen2015-06-01T20:49:31-07:002015-06-01T20:49:31-07:00Dodgers take out frustration on Rockies
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<figcaption>Doug Pensinger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers are 8-2 against the Rockies in 2015, including 3-0 at Coors Field.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> offense broke out in a big way in the series opener against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>. Even pitcher <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> joined in the fun, both at the plate and on the mound in an 11-4 win over Colorado on Monday night at Coors Field.</p>
<p>The Dodgers tied a season high with four home runs, and had their second-best outputs with 11 runs and 18 hits.</p>
<p>Four home runs get the headlines for the Dodgers offense on Monday, with solo shots by <span>Andre Ethier</span> and <span>Jimmy Rollins</span> in the second inning; and three-run shots by <span>Joc Pederson</span> in the sixth and <span>Howie Kendrick</span> in the eighth. But it was a sustained rally in that sixth inning, with seven hits and two walks leading to a season-high-tying six runs in the frame, that separated Los Angeles from Colorado in the series opener.</p>
<p>The six runs by the Dodgers in the sixth inning on Monday matched the total of their previous six road games.</p>
<p>Kershaw joined in the fun with an RBI single in the sixth, but also singled in the second and doubles in the fifth, for the first three-hit game of his career. It was <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/0MVMd">the first three-hit game by a Dodgers pitcher</a> since <span>Zack Greinke</span> on July 8, 2013.</p>
<p>On the mound, Kershaw was pretty good, too.</p>
<p>He left a 3-1 fastball over the plate that <span>Nolan Arenado</span> crushed into the center field seats for a two-run shot in the fourth inning that tied the game at 2-2. But other than that Kershaw barely allowed a thing, striking out seven in his seven innings, his third consecutive start lasting at least that long.</p>
<p>Ethier homered and tripled, continuing his fine renaissance season. It was the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/shareit/wOxLA">sixth career game for Ethier with a triple and a home run</a>.</p>
<p>Pederson's home run was hit against reliever <span>Christian Friedrich</span> in the sixth inning, the second home run against a left-handed pitcher in two days, the first two such home runs in his career. It was also the first home run ever allowed by Friedrich in relief, after 33⅔ innings of solid relief since converting from starting.</p>
<p>In addition to making at least three highlight-worthy plays at second base, Kendrick had two hits and drove in four runs, matching his home run and RBI totals on the road coming into Monday night, in 20 games.</p>
<p>Gonzalez managed to quietly mix in a 4-for-4 night with two doubles and a walk, the first time this season he reached base at least five times, and <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/Jn2SF">14th time in his career</a>. Gonzalez leads the major leagues with 19 doubles.</p>
<p>Every Dodger starter reached base at least twice except <span>A.J. Ellis</span>, who singled and scored in five at-bats.</p>
<p><span>David Huff</span> relieved Kershaw for the eight inning, ending any speculation Huff might start on Tuesday in the first game of the doubleheader. Huff allowed two runs on four hits in his inning of work.</p>
<h4>Monday particulars</h4>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: Andre Ethier (7), Jimmy Rollins (6), Joc Pederson (14), Howie Kendrick (5); Nolan Arenado (13)</p>
<p><b>WP - Clayton Kershaw (4-3)</b>: 7 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - <span>Kyle Kendrick</span> (2-7)</b>: 5⅓ IP, 10 hits, 6 runs (5 earned runs), 2 walks, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/1/8703357/clayton-kershaw-home-runs-dodgers-rockies-recapEric Stephen2015-06-01T15:18:03-07:002015-06-01T15:18:03-07:00Dodgers add Huff in bullpen shuffle
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<img alt="David Huff starts his second stint with the Dodgers on Monday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LNHxFo4r-HdlsaMYuvRwURkDmcA=/0x238:2223x1720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46445082/usa-today-8519742.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Huff starts his second stint with the Dodgers on Monday night. | Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The earliest date Crawford can return to the Dodgers is June 27.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> made a bullpen shuffle for a second straight day, calling up <span>David Huff</span> before Monday night's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>. The team optioned relief pitcher <span>Matt West</span> back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, one day after he was recalled.</p>
<p>The left-handed Huff made one spot start with the Dodgers this year on April 14, allowing four runs and seven hits in four innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>, including two home runs allowed. He was designated for assignment after that start, removing him from the 40-man roster, and after clearing waivers Huff accepted a minor league assignment.</p>
<p>To make room for Huff on the 40-man roster, outfielder <span>Carl Crawford</span> was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.</p>
<p>Crawford, who last played on April 27, is now ineligible to return to the Dodgers before June 27. He has been working out for a few weeks at Camelback Ranch in Arizona, but has been limited in baseball activities because he still feels tightness in his strained right oblique.</p>
<p>Huff made two starts for OKC after getting sent down, but then missed 15 days on the disabled list in May with an elbow injury. Since his return, Huff has pitched in three games, all in relief for a total of 7⅓ innings, maxing out at three innings and 41 pitches on Friday.</p>
<p>Calling up Huff on Monday doesn't necessarily mean he'll start for the Dodgers in the opener of their split doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. The Dodgers and Rockies will each add a 26th man to their roster for use on Tuesday only, so the Dodgers could still recall either <span>Joe Wieland</span> or <span>Zach Lee</span> for Tuesday's start.</p>
<p>On the season, Huff is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA in Triple-A, with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 23 innings.</p>
<p>West was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/31/8694347/paco-rodriguez-elbow-disabled-list-dodgers-matt-west">just recalled by the Dodgers on Sunday</a>, but did not appear in a game.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/1/8701631/david-huff-dodgers-matt-westEric Stephen2015-06-01T13:57:30-07:002015-06-01T13:57:30-07:00Dodgers-Rockies Monday lineups
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<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> open their series at Coors Field against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> with <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> on the mound, and <span>A.J. Ellis</span> catching him behind the plate.</p>
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<h4>Starting Lineups<br>
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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>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Pederson (L)</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Blackmon (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>LeMahieu</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Tulowitzki</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Kendrick</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Arenado</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF<br>
</td>
<td>Ethier (L)<br>
</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Rosario</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Hernandez<br>
</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Hundley</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Rollins (S)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Barnes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis<br>
</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Ynoa (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Kershaw (L)</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Kendrick</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Coors Field<br> <b>Time</b>: 5:40 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA</span>
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<p>This is the eighth time in 11 Kershaw starts with Ellis behind the plate.</p>
<p><span>Kiké Hernandez</span> gets the call in the very spacious left field at Coors Field, his second start in left field and fifth start in the outfield this season. Hernandez has also started four times at shortstop.</p>
<p>Hernandez and his rally banana are featured <a target="_blank" href="http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2015/06/01/inside-the-rallybanana-a-dodger-insider-special/">by Matthew Mesa for Dodger Insider</a>.</p>
<p><span>Carlos Gonzalez</span>, 6-for-33 (.182) with two home runs and 17 strikeouts in his career against Kershaw, gets the night off on Monday. Old friend <span>Rafael Ynoa</span> starts in left field, and <span>Brandon Barnes</span> in right field for the Rockies.</p>
<h4>Rockies roster move</h4>
<p>Colorado before the game placed pitcher <span>Jordan Lyles</span> on the 15-day disabled list with an injured toe, and recalled relief pitcher <span>Tommy Kahnle</span> from Triple-A Albuquerque. In addition, <span>David Hale</span> will be called up Tuesday as the 26th man to start in the second game of the doubleheader, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/psaundersdp/status/605479621681766400">per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/1/8701001/dodgers-rockies-lineups-aj-ellis-kike-hernandez-carlos-gonzalezEric Stephen2015-06-01T12:30:02-07:002015-06-01T12:30:02-07:00Dodgers hope to find runs at Coors
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With an offense in a funk, nothing can look more inviting than four games at Coors Field. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> get their second crack at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> in Denver this season beginning Monday night, looking for some rare success on the road this season.</p>
<p>The Dodgers have won both of their games at Coors Field this season, but even with those wins the club is just 8-13 on the road. The Dodgers have won two away series this season, lost four, and tied one four-game set.</p>
<p>Contrast that to Dodger Stadium, where the Dodgers have won all nine of their three-game series and split a four-game set, and are 21-7 at home.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="6">2015 Dodgers </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><u><b>Location</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>W-L</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>RS/gm</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>HR/gm</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>RA/gm</b></u></td>
<td align="center"><u><b>HRa/gm</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Home</td>
<td align="center">21-7</td>
<td align="center">4.96</td>
<td align="center">1.39</td>
<td align="center">3.11</td>
<td align="center">0.96</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Away</td>
<td align="center">8-13</td>
<td align="center">3.62</td>
<td align="center">1.19</td>
<td align="center">3.62</td>
<td align="center">0.71</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>The Dodgers have been held to two or fewer runs in 10 of their last 14 games, going 6-8 during that span.</p>
<p>Since the beginning of 2013, the Dodgers have averaged 6.29 runs per game at Coors Field, scoring five or more runs in 15 of those 21 games.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are 13-8, the inverse of their current road record, at Coors Field during that span.</p>
<p>The offense gets a shot at <span>Kyle Kendrick</span>, who allowed one run in seven innings at Dodger Stadium on May 17, the second game of the Dodgers' current 14-game funk, which has averaged just 2.21 runs per game for over two weeks.</p>
<p>Only three of his 10 starts this year have come at Coors Field, and Kendrick has allowed 16 runs and 20 hits in 18⅓ innings, including six home runs, with nine walks and 10 strikeouts.</p>
<p>The Dodgers also tagged Kendrick for six runs in 4⅔ innings at Dodger Stadium on April 17.</p>
<p>In his career, Kendrick is 5-8 with a 6.28 ERA in 18 games against the Dodgers in his career, including 15 starts. Since the start of 2012 is 0-5 with a 5.14 ERA in six starts against them.</p>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> starts for the Dodgers, who hasn't lost to the Rockies since July 12, 2013. Kershaw is 7-0 in his last eight starts against Colorado, with a 2.62 ERA, 71 strikeouts and 10 walks in 51⅓ innings during that span.</p>
<p>The Rockies are 8-13 at home this season, though they return to Denver on a hot streak. They swept the Phillies in Philadelphia over the weekend for the first time in franchise history and have won four straight and seven of their last eight games overall.</p>
<h4>Game info</h4>
<p>Time: 5:40 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/1/8696331/dodgers-offense-coors-field-rockies-previewEric Stephen2015-06-01T11:30:02-07:002015-06-01T11:30:02-07:00Dodgers-Rockies pitching matchups
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<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> return to Denver for the second time this season, this time presumably with better weather than their May trip, which saw a rain-shortened game, one postponement, with the only full game played on a morning that began with Coors Field covered in snow. Here is a look at the probable pitching matchups and the schedule for these four games against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>.</p>
<h4>Monday, 5:40 p.m. PT (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> allowed five runs and 12 runners to reach base in 5⅔ innings in a no-decision in his only start this season at Coors Field, on May 10, including a season-high four walks. <span>Kyle Kendrick</span> has nine walks and seven strikeouts in two starts against the Dodgers this season, both at Dodger Stadium, both losses, with a 5.40 ERA.</p>
<h4>Tuesday, 12:10 p.m. Game 1 (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p>The Dodgers haven't announced their starter let for Tuesday's first game, making up a rainout from May 9 in Denver. It will either be <span>Zach Lee</span>, who was pulled after three innings and 40 pitches on Friday, or <span>Joe Wieland</span>, who pitched Thursday and would be on regular rest.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City manager Damon Berryhill gave the standard misdirection answer when it comes to unannounced transactions, per <a target="_blank" href="http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-dodgers-brian-wards-walk-off-hit-propels-dodgers-past-fresno/article/5423851">Jacob Unruh of the Oklahoman</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Berryhill said it was just getting Lee extra rest and not the looming doubleheader for Los Angeles at Colorado on Tuesday that led to the decision.</p>
<p>Lee allowed just the one hit and hit a batter. He also struck out two and threw just 40 pitches.</p>
<p>"I just do what they tell me to do," Lee said. "I felt fine. I haven’t heard anything (about the doubleheader)."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Jorge De La Rosa started the Dodgers on their May offensive malaise by shutting them down at Dodger Stadium on May 16, starting a stretch of two runs or fewer in 10 of their last 14 games. The Dodgers got to De La Rosa for five runs in four innings on May 10 at Coors Field, where the left-hander has a 9.98 ERA in four starts this season. In his career he is 45-15 with a 4.18 ERA at Coors Field.</p>
<p>De La Rosa last started on May 21, and was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/2015/5/26/8662083/jorge-de-la-rosa-injury-cut-left-hand-colorado-rockies-chris-rusin">scratched from his last scheduled start with a cut on his throwing hand</a>.</p>
<h4>Tuesday, 5:40 p.m. Game 2 (SportsNet LA)</h4>
<p><span>Zack Greinke</span> has allowed exactly one run in five straight starts, including a loss to the Rockies on May 16 at Dodger Stadium. He is 6-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 10 starts against the Rockies since joining the Dodgers, his only two losses during that time against the NL West.</p>
<p>Colorado hasn't announced their starter for the nightcap on Tuesday, but <span>David Hale</span> is in line, having started on Thursday for Triple-A Albuquerque. Hale made one start for the Rockies this season, also in a doubleheader on May 23 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>, allowing three runs (two earned) in 6⅔ innings in a win. For what it's worth, Nick Groke of the Denver Post on Sunday <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/nickgroke/status/605078260628647936">speculated that Hale would get this start for the Rockies</a>.</p>
<h4>Wednesday, 5:10 p.m. (SportsNet LA, ESPN2)</h4>
<p><span>Mike Bolsinger</span> struck out six in six scoreless innings against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 17. This will be his first career start at Coors Field. <span>Chad Bettis</span> took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in Philadelphia in his last start, and has 14 strikeouts and just two runs allowed in 16⅓ innings in his last two starts.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/1/8696669/dodgers-rockies-schedule-pitching-matchupsEric Stephen