Monthly Archives: May 2017

Dodgers Lose Turner But Beat Marlins

May 18, 2017

Yasiel Puig hit a 2-run homer and Hyun-Jin Ryu picked up his 2nd win of the season as the Dodgers defeated the Marlins 7-2 on Tuesday night at the Ravine. The win came with some bad news for LA, which lost 3rd baseman Justin Turner to a hamstring injury.

Ryu (2-5) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Dodgers, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits. He struck out 3, walked 1, and departed after throwing 79 pitches. Kenley Jansen recorded the last four outs of the game for his 8th save of the season.

With the score tied 1-1 in the 2nd, Puig connected on an 0-1 pitch, driving it into the left center field pavilion, with Joc Pederson aboard. Chase Utley would add an RBI single, making it 4-1 Dodgers.

The Marlins only offense came courtesy of a pair of solo home runs. Justin Bour hit one in the 2nd and Christian Yelich in the 3rd.

Adrian Gonzales came off the disabled listed and delivered and RBI single in the 3rd inning, scoring Turner.

Edinson Volquez (0-6) took the loss for Miami. He gave up 5 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings of work.

Turner was injured in the 7th inning trying to score on a single by Yasmani Grandal. He was thrown out and came up limping on the play.

The Dodgers would add two more in the 8th inning on a sacrifice fly by Chase Utley, and a bases loaded walk by Chris Taylor, who came into the game for Turner.

Chris Hatcher, Luis Avilan, and Josh Fields pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. They did not allow a hit.

Game 2 of the series will be on Friday night at the Ravine. Alex Wood (4-0, 2.27 ERA) goes for the Dodgers, while the Marlins counter with Justin Nicolino (0-0, 1.50 ERA)

Ducks Beat Preds In OT To Tie Series

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May 18, 2017

Corey Perry scored the game-winning goal with 10:25 remaining in OT, and the Ducks defeated the Predators 3-2 in game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Anaheim has now tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2 after Thursday night’s game at Bridgestone Arena.

Perry sent the puck towards the net, from near the goal line, which initially appeared to bounce off of Nate Thompson and into the net. The goal was initially credited to Thompson. However, upon further review, the puck bounced off of P.K. Subban’s stick and past Pekka Rinne for the game-winning goal.

The Ducks got the win despite a nightmare 3rd period. Trailing 2-1 with 1:51 remaining, Rinne went to the bench in favor of an extra attacker, giving the Predators a 6-on-5 advantage. With 36 seconds left, Filip Forsberg knocked in a rebound past John Gibson to tie the game, ultimately sending the game into OT.

Anaheim began to melt down late in the 3rd period. With a little over 5 minutes left, Kevin Bieska took a high sticking penalty, giving the Predators a power play. With 4:38 left, Josh Manson took a slashing penalty, which gave Nashville a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:31. The Ducks managed to kill off the two-man disadvantage, but they weren’t out of the woods yet.

With 13:33 left Subban drilled a slap shot past Gibson, cutting the Anaheim lead in 2-1. The Ducks had managed to kill off an Ondrej Kase penalty moments earlier, but Nashville continued to gain momentum and eventually tie the game.

Gibson made 32 saves for the Ducks, who snapped the Predators’ 10-game home playoff winning streak.

The Ducks built a 2-0 lead on goals from Rickard Rakell and Nick Ritchie in each of the 1st two periods.

Rakell took a long pass from Cam Fowler while Nashville was in the middle of a line change. Before any of the Predators could get close enough to Rakell, he fired a slap shot by Rinne with 11:30 left in the 1st.

Ritchie beat Rinne with a wrist shot from the right circle that got past the Predators’ goalie, who was screened by his own defender on the play at the 10:22 mark.

With the series tied, this is essentially a best-of-three series. Game 5 will be back at the Honda Center on Saturday afternoon.

Angels Outslug White Sox

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May 17, 2017

Mike Trout homered for the 5th time in 6 games, as the Angels rallied from a 4-run deficit to beat the White Sox 12-8. The Halos completed a 3-game sweep with the win, and moved one game over .500.

The Sox jumped out to a quick lead on a 2-run homer by Jose Abreu, and by the 2nd inning they held what appeared to be a comfortable 4-0 lead.

The Halos got the four runs right back in the bottom half of the 2nd, capped off by a 2-run single by Albert Pujols.

in the 6th, the Angels would get four more runs. Martin Maldonado delivered an RBI single, followed by Trout’s 3-run homer.

Another four-run Angel explosion took place in the 7th. RBI singles by CJ Cron, Danny Espinosa, and Maldonado accounted for 3 of the runs.

Matt Shoemaker (3-2) picked up the win after pitching 6 1/3 innings. He gave up 4 runs (3 of them earned) on 9 hits. He struck out 9 and walked 1.

The Sox got 3 runs in the 8th against Jose Alvarez, and 1 in the 9th against Keynan Middleton, but it wasn’t enough.

Miguel Gonzales (3-4) took the loss for the Sox. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits.

The Angels will now travel to New York for a 3-game series with the Mets beginning Friday. Ricky Nolasco (2-2; 4.34 ERA) takes the mound for the Halos in game 1, and Jacob DeGrom (2-1; 4.07 ERA) goes for New York.

Tempers Are Hot But Kershaw Is Cool

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May 17, 2017

Clayton Kershaw pitched 7 shutout innings on Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Park, and the Dodgers avoided getting swept with a 6-1 victory. The game featured a heated exchange between Yasmani Grandal and Johnny Cueto, resulting in both benches emptying in the 3rd inning.

Kershaw (7-2) allowed just 3 hits while throwing 89 pitches. It was his 9th career scoreless start against San Francisco,. The Dodgers snapped a 3-game losing skid, while their ace struck out five and walked none for his seventh win of the season, and third straight.

LA started quickly with a 2-run double from Grandal in the 1st inning. While the Dodger catcher was standing at 2nd base, he and Cueto exchanged words.

In the 3rd, Chase Utley and Corey Seager started things off with back-to-back singles. Justin Turner sacrificed to move Utley and Seager into scoring position. After Cody Bellinger lined out, Grandal came to the plate. On a 1-0 pitch, Cueto tried to pitch up and in to Grandal, but the ball sailed to the backstop. Utley scored on the play with Seager moving to 3rd, and it was 3-0 LA. However, the drama continued just after Grandal flied out to end the inning.

While Grandal was running back to the dugout and Cueto was coming off the mound, both continued their heated exchange. That prompted both benches to clear, although no physical altercation occurred between either side. Later, Cueto reveled that he was upset that Grandal was relaying signs to hitters when he was on base after his 1st inning double.

Afterwards, Turner explained that stealing signs happens all the time. “Their guys try to get pitches, the Rockies try to get pitches, every team does it,” he said.

Despite Cueto’s anger, the Dodgers apparently didn’t know what the Giants’ signs were. “We didn’t actually have the pitches,” Turner said. “We had no idea what his cadence was.”

LA would add to the lead in the 6th, when Yasiel Puig came through with a 2-run single, scoring Turner and Cody Bellinger.

In the 7th, Bellinger joined the party, driving in Seager with an RBI double. That made it 6-0, which was plenty of run support for Kershaw.

Kershaw improved to 20-9 in his career against the Giants with a 1.62 ERA. He is now tied for the MLB lead in wins with 7.

Pedro Baez pitched a scoreless 8th inning. Despite giving up a solo homer to Eduardo Nunez in the 9th, former Giant Sergio Romo recorded the final 3 outs of the game to secure the victory.

The Dodgers now leave San Francisco trailing the 1st place Rockies by 2.5 games in the NL West. Up next will be a four-game series with the Miami Marlins beginning Thursday night at Chavez Ravine. Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-5; 4.99 ERA) goes to the mound for LA, while the Edinson Volquez gets the ball for the Marlins.

Pujols Gives Angels Walk-Off Win

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May 16, 2017

Albert Pujols singled in the 11th inning, scoring Ben Revere, and the Angels beat the White Sox 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Pujols had a pair of hits and had 3 RBI on the night. The win moved the Angels back to .500 on the season at 21-21.

The Halos trailed 6-5 after Tim Anderson hit a solo home run in the 11th inning. However, Cameron Maybin delivered an RBI double, scoring Danny Espinosa to tie the game. After Mike Trout was intentionally walked, Pujols came through with the walk-off winner.

Yusmeiro Petit (1-0) got credit for the win, despite giving up the home run to Anderson. David Robertson (2-1) took the loss for the White Sox.

It was a rough night for the Angels bullpen, which had been fairly effective thus far this season. Bud Norris was unavailable to pitch after pitching for 3 straight days. The Angels took a 5-2 lead into the 9th inning and that’s when the collapse began.

David Hernandez came into the game, trying to close it out, but he gave up an RBI double to Leury Garcia, scoring Melky Cabrera. That made it 5-3. Todd Frazier’s infield single scored Jose Abreu and Garcia, and the game was tied 5-5.

Hernandez was charged with was charged with 3 earned runs, giving up 4 hits. He did not record an out, and was replaced by Petit.

JC Ramirez started for the Angels, and pitched well. He went 7 innings, giving just 2 earned runs on 5 hits.

White Sox starter Derek Holland also fared well. He went 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. He was removed from the game trailing 3-2.

The Angels and White Sox will do it again on Wednesday, with the Halos going for the sweep. Matt Shoemaker (2-2; 4.50 ERA) is on the mound for the Angels. Miguel Gonzales (3-3; 3.83 ERA) will get the ball for the Sox.

Giants Take Down Dodgers Again

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May 16, 2017

Brandon Crawford singled in the 6th inning, scoring Brandon Belt, and the Giants defeated the Dodgers 2-1 on Tuesday night at AT&T Park.

Brandon Belt also homered for the 4th time in 6 games, and San Francisco won their 5th straight game. After a brutal 9-game trip, Giants are now 5-1 on this homestand.

Rich Hill returned from the disabled list to pitch 5 innings, giving up just 1 run on 6 hits. He struck out 6 and didn’t walk any. Belt hit his 8th homer of the season off of Hill to lead off the 4th inning.

The Dodgers tied the game at 1-1 in the 6th inning on a home run by Chris Taylor. Taylor crushed a 2-0 pitch into the centerfield bleachers, his 4th off the season. It came off of Giants Starter Ty Blach.

Belt lead off the 6th inning with a single against Dodger reliever Luis Avilan. He advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch, then scored on Crawford’s single to right-center, giving the Giants a 2-1 lead.

Blach (1-2) picked up his first win of the season. He went 7 strong innings, giving up only the home run to Taylor, and allowing five hits.

Derek Law pitched the 9th for his 4th save of the season. Hunter Strickland allowed a pair of hits, but pitched the seventh inning unscathed for the Giants.

Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager were given the day off by Dave Roberts. However, Bellinger entered the game in the 6th inning, playing left field. He lined out in his only at bat. Seager pinch-hit in the 8th inning, grounding into a double-play.

The Dodgers will try to avoid getting swept on Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Park. The boys in blue will look to their ace, Clayton Kershaw (6-2; 2.43 ERA) to stop the bleeding. The Giants will go with Johnny Cueto (4-2; 4.15 ERA).

Preds Score Late to Beat Ducks in Game 3

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May 16, 2017

Roman Josi scored late in the 3rd period on a power play goal, and the Predators defeated the Ducks 2-1 in game 3 of the Western Conference Finals at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Josi put home a rebound from the right circle after John Gibson made the initial save on a shot by Viktor Arvidsson from the blue line. Gibson could not find the rebound, which allowed Josi to take advantage of an open corner of the net. It was the Predators’ first power play goal of the series.

The Ducks held a 1-0 lead heading into the 3rd period, but Filip Forsberg tied the game nearly 4 minutes into the period. Forsberg beat Sami Vatanen to a lose puck behind the Anaheim goal, then centered the puck to Ryan Ellis, whose shot was stopped by Gibson. However, the rebound bounced back to Forsberg who was standing off to the side of the net, allowing him to put the puck past Gibson for his 6th goal of the season. Gibson made 38 saves on the night.

The Predators had two goals that were waived off after Forsberg’s goal. Officials waived off first a would-be goal by Colton Sissons at 6:25 and then Ryan Johansen’s goal at 6:33.

After a scoreless 1st period, the Ducks took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal from Corey Perry. Perry fired the puck from a sharp angle near the goal line, which bounced off Pekka Rinne’s leg and into the net. It was his 3rd goal of the season.

The Ducks got off to a fast start, outshooting Nashville 8-4 to open the game. However, the Predators took the next 11 shots and outshot Anaheim 40-20 for the game.

Anaheim had their own goal disallowed in the 2nd period. Brandon Montour’s backhander got by Rinne, and it appeared the puck had cross the goal line. However, the net came off its moorings at the same time with Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm crashing into it. The goal was disallowed immediately.

Keith Urban sang the national anthem, and his wife, Nicole Kidman was in attendance. Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was in attendance as well.

Game 4 of the series will be on Thursday night Nashville.

Lakers Get #2 Pick In NBA Lottery

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May 16, 2017

The Lakers learned they will receive the #2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft after the league held the draft lottery on Tuesday night in New York.

LA can now breathe a deep sigh of relief since their 1st round pick in June’s draft was top 3 protected. Had the Lakers pick fallen out of the top 3, it would have been sent to Philadelphia as part of the Steve Nash trade from 2012. The Suns received the draft pick from the Lakers, then traded the pick to Philadelphia later on.

The Boston Celtics received the #1 pick in the draft. The Celtics received that draft pick from the Brooklyn Nets, as part of the trade that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets in 2013.

The 76ers will be picking 3rd, their third straight year in the top 3. Following the 76ers will be the Suns, Kings, Magic, Timberwolves, Knicks, Mavericks, Kings, Hornets, Pistons, Nuggets, and Heat.

The Lakers had the most at stake of any team on Tuesday night. By keeping their 2017 1st round pick, LA will also be keeping their 2019 1st round pick as well. Had they lost this year’s pick, they would have had to to sent the 2019 1st round pick to Orlando to satisfy the Dwight Howard trade. Instead, the Lakers’ 1st round pick in 2018 will go to the 76ers unprotected, and in 2019, they will send Orlando a pair of 2nd round picks.

As for who the Lakers might select with the #2 pick, many of the top players in this year’s draft are point guards. Washington’s Markelle Fultz, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, Kansas’ Josh Jackson, and Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox are all candidates.

Expect all four to workout for the Lakers over the few weeks. At this point, draft experts expect Fultz to go #1, which makes Ball a strong candidate to go #2.

Trout Goes Deep Again in Angel Win

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May 15, 2017

Mike Trout homered for the 4th straight game, and the Angels rallied to beat the White Sox 5-3 on Monday night in Anaheim.

The Halos trailed 3-0 in the 5th inning, but Kole Calhoun connected on a 3-run homer to tie the game. The next batter was Mike Trout, who drilled a solo blast over the left field wall, and the Angels suddenly had a 4-3 lead. Martin Maldonado added another solo homer in the 7th inning for the Angels.

Jesse Chavez (3-5) picked up the win for the Angels. He pitched 7 strong innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. Bud Norris got the final four outs for his 8th save of the season.

The White Sox got on the board in the 4th inning on a 2-run homer from Jose Abreu. An RBI triple from Tyler Saladino made it 3-0. in the 5th.

Mike Pelfrey (0-4) took the loss for the Sox. He gave up 4 earned runs on 3 hits.

The White Sox put runners on first and second with two out in the ninth, but Kevan Smith struck out looking to end the game.

Game 2 of the 3-game set will be on Tuesday night at the Big A. JC Ramirez (3-3, 4.20 ERA) will be on the mound for the Halos, while the White Sox counter with Derek Holland (3-3, 2.43 ERA).

Giants Continue Giving Dodgers Trouble

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May 15, 2017

Brandon McCarthy came off the disabled list on Tuesday for the Dodgers, but he endured a rough start as the Giants defeated LA 8-4 at AT&T Park on Monday night.

McCarthy (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season, pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up 6 earned runs on 8 hits. That included a four-run fourth inning, when McCarthy allowed a 2-run infield single by Eduardo Nunez, and lost track of a base runner.

With the score tied 1-1 and runners on second and third, Nunez hit a broken-bat grounder up the middle, which Corey Seager fielded. Buster Posey scored from third on the play, but Brandon Crawford appeared in trouble when he didn’t stop at third and Seager hurried the ball to McCarthy on the mound.

However with his back to the plate, McCarthy didn’t see Crawford caught between third and home and instead focused on Nunez, who took a wide turn around first and didn’t stop. McCarthy had to wait to throw to second until Seager got back there and Nunez slid in safely, while Crawford easily scored the third run of the inning. Crawford began the inning with an RBI double as well.

Nunez then stole third when McCarthy failed to keep him close and scored on a sacrifice fly. The Giants would go on to add two more runs in the 7th inning on a solo blast from Buster Posey, off of Grant Dayton, and then an RBI double from Nunez.

The Dodger offense came very early and very late. Yasmani Grandal knocked in an RBI double to give LA a 1-0 lead, but the Dodgers wouldn’t score again until the 9th inning, when they were already down 8-1. Chris Taylor had an RBI double and Franklin Gutierrez added an RBI single, but the rally wasn’t nearly enough.

LA lost for the 5th time in 8 games against the Giants this season. Matt Cain (3-1) picked up his 2nd win of the season against the Dodgers. He gave up only 1 run on 5 hits in 6 2/3 innings. Cain also became the 12th Giants pitcher to reach the 2,000-innings mark with the franchise.

Game 2 of the series will be on Tuesday night at AT&T Park. Rich Hill (1-1) is set to come off the DL because of a blister to make the start for the Dodgers against Ty Blach (0-2).