Monthly Archives: June 2017

Dodgers Make it Nine In A Row

June 24, 2017

Clayton Kershaw pitched six strong innings and Joc Pederson hit another home run as the Dodgers shutout the Rockies 4-0 on Saturday night at Chavez Ravine.

Kershaw improved his record to 11-2 on the season, giving up just four hits, striking out eight, and walking one.  He lowered his ERA to 2.47.

Brandon Morrow, Pedro Baez, and Sergio Romo combined for three shutout innings out of the Dodger pen to finish things off.  They gave up just one hit over that stretch.

All the Dodger offense came in the 2nd and 3rd inning.  Kike Hernandez start things off with an RBI single in the 2nd.  Pederson’s homer made it 2-0.  Grandal delivered an RBI single that scored Justin Turner from 1st base after an error from right fielder Raimel Tapia.  The Dodgers would load the bases later in the inning, and Kershaw drew a walk to force in a run.

Tyler Chatwood (6-8) got the start for the Rockies and took the loss.  He went 3 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on three hits.  He walked eight and struck out three.

The Dodgers have won nine in a row and 15 of their last 16 games.  They are the first team in the NL to reach the 50-win mark this season.

Pederson’s solo blast made it 16 games in a row that the Dodgers have hit a home run.  It’s the first time the Dodgers have reach that mark since 1960.

Corey Seager sat this one out for the Dodgers after injuring his hamstring on Friday night.  LA is hoping to avoid putting him on the DL, but he is expected to miss 3-4 starts.

The Dodgers will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon.  Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 2.87 ERA) is on the hill for The Boys In Blue.  Tyler Anderson (3-5, 5.75 ERA) gets the start for the Rockies.

Kings Draft Vilardi & Ducks Re-Sign Eaves

June 23, 2017

The Kings took steps toward helping their offensive woes on Friday by drafting Gabe Vilardi with the #11 pick in the NHL Draft.

Vilardi is a 6’3, 203 LB center from Kingston, Canada.  Last season he scored 29 goals and 61 points in 49 games for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League.

The 17-year-old was rated as high as the fourth best player in the draft according to some publications, but fell out of the top 10 due to some of his perceived skating deficiencies.  However, the Kings were impressed with Vilardi’s big game abilities.  He impressed them with seven assists in Windsor’s four-game victory over Erie in the Memorial Cup final.

“We found that on the biggest stage, he took it to another level,” Kings assistant general manager Michael Futa said of Vilardi. “We were looking to upgrade our skill, and it’s a package of a big kid with just incredible skill set and he’s a winner.”

Vilardi will attend the Kings development came in El Segundo next week.  Although he will likely not be a part of the Kings roster this upcoming season, some are projecting him to be a part of the Kings team by the 2018-2019 season.

Meanwhile, the Ducks did not have a 1st round pick in Friday’s 1st round.  However, they re-signed winger Patrick Eaves, who they acquired from the Dallas Stars for what turned into this year’s first round pick after advancing to the Western Conference Finals.

Eaves signed a 3-year $9.45 million contract with Anaheim.  He scored 11 goals in 20 regular season games following the trade to Anaheim.  He also added two goals in seven playoff games.  However, he suffered an ankle injury during the 2nd round against Edmonton, knocking him out of the remainder of playoff action.

His contract includes a no-movement clause as well.  Eaves would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, but liked what he saw in Anaheim.

“Being in that locker room is something special. I noticed that on day one,” said Eaves.   “I’ve played with great players, great people …There was something different.”

Rounds 2 through 7 of the NHL draft will commence on Saturday at the United Center in Chicago.

Red Sox Rough Up Angels

June 23, 2017

Hanley Ramirez and Sandy Leon each hit two-run homers, as the Red Sox crushed the Angels 9-4 on Friday night at Fenway Park.  The Red Sox honored legend David Ortiz before the game, retiring Big Papi’s number 34.

It was a rough night for Angel starter Alex Meyer (3-4), who took the loss.  Meyer lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on five hits.

The Angel bullpen didn’t fare much better.  Eduardo Paredes gave up two runs in a little more than two innings of work.  Jose Alvarez also gave up two runs.

Boston jumped in front 3-0 in the 1st inning, highlighted by a Xander Bogaerts RBI double,  Meyer uncorked a pair of wild pitches after that, allowing the Sox two add two more runs.

After Ramirez two-run blast in the 4th inning, the Red Sox had built a 5-1 lead.  Meyer was critical of his own performance afterward.

“It’s unacceptable,” he said.  “You can’t go out there and put two guys on basically before the game starts.”

After Leon made it 7-1, the Angels got three runs back in the 7th.  Martin Maldonado sparked the rally with an RBI triple, followed by RBI doubles from Cliff Pennington and Kole Calhoun.  That’s all the Halos would though.

Leon capped the scoring for the Sox with an RBI double in the 8th inning.  That was all Red Sox starter Rick Porcello needed.

Porcello (4-9) got the win and pitched 6 1/3 innings.  His final line was four runs on eight hits, while striking out eight.

The Angels and Red Sox will be back at it on Saturday night at Fenway.  JC Ramirez (6-5, 4.59 ERA) goes for the Halos.  David Price (2-1, 5.14 ERA) will be on the mound for Boston.

Dodgers Handle Rockies

June 23, 2017

Alex Wood pitched another six solid innings to improve to 8-0 on the season, as the Dodgers beat up the Rockies 6-1 on Friday night at the Ravine.

Wood allowed just one run on three hits, while striking out seven batters.  He walked just two in his 98-pitch outing.

“We’re really rolling right now,” Wood said.  “It’s going to be tough for anyone to come in here right now.”

Wood did not allow a hit after the 2nd inning.  He retired the last ten batters he faced while lowering his ERA to 1.86.

Yasiel Puig his a solo homer off of Rockies’ starter Kyle Freeland in the 4th inning.  That gave LA home runs in 15 consecutive games, which is the fourth-longest streak in club history.  Their record is 24 from the 1977 season.

The Dodgers did most of their damage during the first two innings.  Cody Bellinger’s sacrifice fly and Corey Seager’s RBI single gave the Dodgers their first two runs.  Justin Turner delivered a run-scoring single, and Bellinger added an RBI double in the 2nd, and it was 4-1 LA.

The only bad news for LA was that Seager left the game after scoring in the second inning with a right hamstring injury.  The Dodgers are hoping it was just a cramp, however, skipper Dave Roberts said Seager was unlikely to play on Saturday.

The Rockies only run of the game came on an RBI double from Tom Murphy in the 1st inning.  Left-fielder Franklin Gutierrez reacted slowly trying to cut off Murphy’s hit, allowing the ball to roll by him for the double, which scored Raimel Tapia from first base.

Freeland (8-5) took the loss after giving up 5 runs on 10 hits on the night.  He pitched six innings and made 110 pitches.

The Dodgers have won 14 of their last 15 games, and have opened up a 2.5 game lead on the Rockies and D’Backs in the NL West.

The Dodgers and Rockies will do it again on Saturday night at the Ravine.  Clayton Kershaw (10-2, 2.61 ERA) is on the mound for LA. The Rockies counter with Tyler Chatwood (6-7, 4.08 ERA).

Lakers Ready To Ball

June 22, 2017

The Lakers drafted UCLA and former Chino Hills High School point guard Lonzo Ball on Thursday night with the 2nd pick in the NBA draft.

Since the Lakers are run by the greatest point guard of all-time, Ball gave respect to the Laker legend after being selected.

“He’s one of the best to ever do it, and I can’t — there’s never going to be another Magic Johnson,” Ball said. “So I’m trying to be myself, but if I can come halfway short of him, you know it’s going to be good.”

Ball, 19, was one of three UCLA players drafted on Thursday night.  The others were TJ Leaf, who was selected 18th overall by Indiana.  Ike Anigbogu also went to the Pacers with the 47th pick.

Ball is known for his unselfishness and playmaking ability.  Those intangibles are what coach Luke Walton really liked.

“When he’s on the floor, all four guys out there with him become better instantly,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “That’s a quality trait that not many people have. The great ones all have it. I hope by the way he plays, everyone else on our team becomes better.’’

The Lakers also selected I selected Utah forward Kyle Kuzma with the 27th pick, which they received  earlier in the week from Brooklyn.

LA then traded the 28th pick, which they originally received from Houston, to Utah.  In exchange, the Lakers received the 30th and 42nd pick.  They took Villanova guard Josh Hart with the 30th pick and Indiana center Thomas Bryant with the 42nd pick.

And so the Ball era begins in LA…….

 

Dodgers Sweep Mets

June 22, 2017

The Dodgers hit three more home runs on Thursday night, defeating the Mets 6-3 at Chavez Ravine.  The win completed a four-game sweep over New York.

Justin Turner, Kike Hernandez, and Joc Pederson all hit homers.  Pederson’s homer was the go-ahead blow in the 7th inning.

The Dodgers hit a club-record 15 homers in the series.   It was also the most the Mets have allowed in a four-game series.

Curtis Granderson and Travis d’Arnaud homered for the Mets, who have lost seven of their last eight games.

The Dodgers have won seven consecutive games and 13 of their last 14. Kenley Jansen pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and got the final four outs for his 16th save. It was his sixth four-out save of the season.

Pedro Baez (1-0) got credit for the win.  He had just his third career plate appearance, and drew a bases-loaded walk that gave LA a 5-3 lead.

LA improved to 48-26 on the season, the best record in the NL, and 1.5 games ahead of Arizona and Colorado in the NL West.

The Dodgers will now host the Rockies for a big 3-game series at the Ravine beginning Friday night. Alex Wood (7-0, 1.90 ERA) will be on the mound for LA.  Kyle Freeland (8-4, 3.42 ERA) is scheduled to go for Colorado.

Angels Outslug Yankees 10-5

June 22, 2017

The Angels rallied for four runs in the 7th inning on Thursday night, defeating the Yankees 10-5 at Yankee Stadium.  The Halos took two out of three games from New York.

That 7th inning featured three errors and two wild pitches by the Yankees.  Albert Pujols delivered a run-scoring single that gave the Angels the lead for good, scoring Cameron Maybin.

Maybin also lead off the game with a home run against Luis Severino, who took the loss and fell to 5-3 on the season.  Maybin stole his AL-high 22nd base, and scored three times.  He has safely reached in a career-high 26 straight games.

Yusmeiro Petit (2-0) threw two perfect innings in relief of starter Jesse Chavez to get the win.  The Angels trailed 5-1 before scoring nine unanswered runs.

“You get knocked down,” Maybin said, “but we don’t get knocked out.”

Aaron Judge connected on a three-run homer that was his major league-leading 25th home run of the season.

The Angels are back at .500 with a record of 38-38.  They are 1.5 games out of the 2nd and final AL Wild Card spot.

Alex Meyer (3-3, 3.52 ERA) will get the start on Friday as the Angels open up a 3-game series with the Red Sox at Fenway Park.  Rick Porcello (3-9, 5.05 ERA) gets the ball for the Sox.

 

 

 

Kings & Ducks Lose D-Men in Expansion Draft

June 21, 2017

The Kings and Ducks both lost defenseman in the NHL Expansion Draft on Wednesday night.  The Las Vegas Golden Knights selected Brayden McNabb from the Kings, and Clayton Stoner from the Ducks.

In addition, the Ducks traded defenseman Shea Theodore to Las Vegas, and in exchange, the Golden Knights agreed not to select Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen or Josh Manson.

Under the Expansion Draft rules, Las Vegas was required to select at least one player from each of the 32 NHL clubs.  However, since some teams had trouble deciding which players they wanted to protect from selection, they made trades with Vegas, like the Ducks did, sending them additional players so other unprotected players could not be selected.

In the case of the Ducks, they were forced to leave talented defenseman Vatanen and Manson unprotected, caused by having several players on their team with no-movement clauses, which forced them to protect those players.

Stoner was injured for much of last season, and carried a cap hit of $3.25 million.  That’s a big win for Anaheim.  However, Theodore was a promising young defenseman that needed to be traded in order to prevent the loss of two very talented young defenseman.

In the case of the Kings, there were several players who were candidates to be selected by Vegas such as forward Trevor Lewis, Kyle Clifford, Nic Dowd, and possibly even Dustin Brown.  However, the Golden Knights chose the young, hard-hitting defenseman McNabb.

The loss of McNabb gives the Kings an additional $1.8 million under the salary cap.  Although the Kings can bear the loss of McNabb’s talent, they were likely hoping a higher salaried player like Brown would be taken.

Dodgers Stay Hot & Beat Mets

June 21, 2017

Yasiel Puig hit a three-run homer and Yasmani Grandal hit a pair of homers as the Dodgers crushed the Mets 8-2 on Wednesday night at Chavez Ravine.

Rich Hill (4-3) got the win after pitching five strong innings.  Hill gave up just one run on four hits, while striking out eight Mets.  His 98-pitch performance was one of his best of the season.

The Dodgers have won six in a row, and twelve of their last thirteen games.  They also moved into 1st place by .5 games over Colorado, who lost to Arizona.

Puig’s 4th inning homer came off of Tyler Pill.  When Puig rounded first base, he angered Mets 1st baseman Wilmer Flores,  The two exchanged words, and Puig looked back at him while heading toward second base, continuing the verbal exchange.

“I don’t think he knows what having respect for the game is,” Flores said. “We’re playing horrible right now. He disrespected us.”

Hill’s only blemish was a leadoff solo homer by Curtis Granderson.  The Mets loaded the based on the 4th inning with nobody out, but Hill struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam.

The Dodgers have hit 12 home runs in the first three games of this four-game series.  They’ve also outscored the Mets 30-8 over that three-game stretch.

Pill (0-3) yielded six runs and five hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out six in his third career start.

The Dodgers will go for the sweep tomorrow night at the Ravine.  Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-6, 4.35 ERA) will be on the mound for LA looking for his 2nd straight win.  Steve Matz (1-1, 3.21 ERA) makes this third start of the season for New York.

Yankees Double Up Angels 8-4

June 21, 2017

Didi Gregorius and Matt Holiday each hit home runs, as the Yankees beat the Angels 8-4 on Wednesday night in Yankee Stadium.  The Yankees snapped a 7-game losing skid.

Angel starter Ricky Nolasco was roughed up again, falling to 2-9 on the season.  Nolasco went 5 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits, including two home runs.

After the Angels fell behind 2-0, Martin Maldonado tied the game with a 2-run shot in the 2nd inning, with Andrelton Simmons aboard.  That came off of Yankee starter Jordan Montgomery.

Montgomery improved to 5-4 on the season, giving up two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Maldonado tacked on another meaningless two-run homer in the 9th inning, pulling the Halos within 8-4, but that’s as close as they would come.

After Holiday’s home run gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead, New York would add two more runs in the sixth, and two more in the 7th to put the game out of reach.

Angels reliever Mike Morin came out of the bullpen to pitch 1 2/3 innings.  He gave up three runs on five hits during that stretch.

The Angels and Yankees will do it again on Thursday, in the rubber game of the three-game set.   Jesse Chavez (5-7, 4.85 ERA) is on the hill for the Halos.  Luis Severino (5-2, 2.99 ERA) goes for New York.