The Dodgers came in to Saturday’s game with the Giants riding a 7-game losing streak. It is their longest losing streak since 2017 when they lost 11 in a row. Shohei Ohtani got the start and went 3 innings allowing no run, 1 hit, a walk and striking out 4. He made 36 pitches, 25 of them strikes. Pitching for the Giants was Landen Roupp. Roupp allowed just a double to Freeman in the first inning. In the bottom of the first, Ohtani struck out the side.
In the top of the second, Conforto and Pages singled, Conforto advanced when Adames made a throwing error. Kim struck out. Edman grounded out to second with Conforto scoring and Pages taking second. 1-0 LA. Rushing then flied out to left. Chapman grounded out to short leading off the bottom of the 2nd and Adames popped out to Edman playing third. Lee walked. Schmitt popped out to Betts ending the 2nd inning.
Ohtani grounded out, then Betts and Freeman struck out. Ohtani went back out to pitch the third. Smith popped out to Edman in foul territory. Bailey struck out. Yastrzemski singled and Ramos flied out to Pages. Top of the 4th, Teo and Conforto singled. Pages and Kim struck out and Edman grounded out to end the inning. Emmet Sheehan took over on the mound in the bottom of the 4th.
Devers walked and Chapman hit into a force out. Adames walked moving Chapman to second. Lee flied out to Pages and Schmitt lined out to Teo in right. In the top of the 5th, Rushing and Ohtani struck out. Betts grounded out, Chapman to Smith. Smith and Bailey struck out in the bottom of the 5th, then Yaz popped out to Freeman. Top of the 6th, Freeman and Teo grounded out. Conforto singled, Pages walked. Kim singled to left scoring Conforto, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch hit into a double, 2-0 LA.
Bottom of the 6th, Ramos flied out to Pages. Devers grounded out, Freeman to Sheehan. Chapman grounded out to short, Betts to Freeman. Top of the 7th. Lucchesi replaced Roupp. Edman grounded out to the pitcher, Rushing and Ohtani struck out. Bottom of the 7th, Adames struck out. Lee and Schmitt flied out to Pages. Top of the 8th. Walker in to pitch for SF. Betts flew out to center, Freeman grounded out to third. Teo grounded out to shortstop.
In the bottom of the 8th, Outman took over in center and Pages moved to right. Smith popped out. Bailey singled to right and Yaz walked. Ramos then singled to left but Williams held Bailey at third. That loaded the bases. Vesia in to replace Sheehan. Devers hit a sac-fly to right scoring Bailey. 2-1 LA. Chapman hit into a force play, Edman to Kim ending the inning.
9th inning: Rogers pitching for the Giants. Conforto grounded out Rogers to Smith. Pages singled to right. Kim hit into a force play. Edman grounded out to third. Bottom of the 9th. Scott in to pitch for LA and Ruiz now in LF, replacing Conforto. Adames popped out to Edman. Lee called out on strikes. Schmitt struck out swinging ending the game and the losing streak. LA picks up a game on the Giants and now are 5 games in front of the Giants who dropped to second with the Padres win over the Phillies. Padres are 4.5 back. With 3 hits in this game, Conforto raised his BA to .185. His OPS is now over .600.
Sheehan got his first win of the season and Scott his 19th save. LA had 8 hits, but they also struck out 10 times. Giants managed just 3 hits. Robbie Ray pitching against LA tomorrow. He is 9-3 with a sub 3 ERA.
Minor League Scores
Sugarland 7, OKC 5. Matt Sauer allowed 5 runs in his 5 innings pitched along with 8 hits and 2 walks. 2 of the hits were homers. Meanwhile OKC was stifled by Sugarland’s Jason Alexander who improved to 5-0 on the season. He allowed 5 hits and 3 walks, allowing just 2 runs. The Comets only extra base hit was a double by Okey. Blake Treinen pitched the 6th inning, allowing an unearned run, but giving up no hits and just a walk. Diaz got aboard on an error moving to second. He stole third. Treinen struck out the hitter, then the next batter walked. A force out scored the run before Treinen got the next hitter. No Comet had more than 1 hit, Feduccia and Ward each drove in 2 runs.
Tulsa 4 Arkansas 2. Tulsa scored 1 in the 2nd, 1 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th to overcome the 2 scored by the Travelers in the 4th. The Drillers managed 5 hits; the only extra base hit was a double by Pagan. Nevill had 2 RBI’s, Pagan and Fernandez had the others. Ortiz got the win, striking out four of the five batters he faced. Save went to Knowles; it was his 7th.
Lansing 9 Great Lakes 2. Great Lakes was never in this game. Lansing scored 9 unanswered runs by the top of the 8th inning. Great Lakes scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th for the final score. Hainline was the only Loon with 2 hits. He had a double and a triple and drove in 1 of the runs. Decker drove in the other run with a double. Ruebeck was the only pitcher unscathed. Auger, 5, and Swan, 4, gave up all of the runs.
Inland Empire 7 Rancho 6. This game was basically over by the sixth inning because all 13 runs had been scored by then. Inland took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second off of Sterling Patrick. Rancho came back in the bottom of the inning on a homer by Perez, Martinus and Osorio singled. A ground out moved them to second and third. Nicklaus doubled them both home. After a groundout, Elkins doubled Nicklaus home. 4-3. Inland tied the game in the top of the 4th and then scored 3 in the top of the 5th. Patrick gave up 6 of the runs, the other was charged to Jiminez.
Ranch came back and scored 2 in the bottom of the fifth, Elkins was hit by a pitch and scored on Meza’s 6th homer. Neither team scored after that. Jiminez, Chambers and Morse shut Inland down over the last 4 inning. Hewlett and Redner did the same for Inland.
Around the League
Multiple teams have shown an interest in recently released infielder, DJ Lemahieu according to MLBTR. Rafael Devers might have an excuse for his lackluster play for the Giants since his trade. He is suffering from a disc injury in his lower back. Another pitcher bites the dust as the Mets Dedniel Nunez is going to have to have TJ surgery. Reds activated Jake Fraley and optioned Encarnacion-Strand to AAA. Hunter Dobbins of the Red Sox to the IL because of a torn ACL. Out for the year. Cubs selected Brooks Kriske and optioned Jordan Wicks to AAA. Braves placed Austin Riley on the 10-day IL with a strained abdomen. D-Backs placed Jordan Beeks on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his back.
Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear
Looks like Don Sutton in that card photo.
Sutton’s hair was a lot curlier. But there is some resemblance.
Reminded me more of Jerry Reuss.
Yeah, Reuss had those flowing blonde locks.
It’d be very ace-like of Yamamoto to go out and dominate today and win us the series. Clearly he’s rested up well, so go get it!
I wonder/hope if post All Star break, dePaula/Hope get moved up to Tulsa?
Ray is a tough customer. Have to have their hitting shoes on against that guy. He strikes out a ton of hitters. Two Dodgers have homered off of Ray, Rojas and Smith. Betts has oddly only batted against him twice and is 1-2. Ohtani is 4-12 with 0 RBIs. Freeman and Smith with 2 driven in each are the only players with more than 1 driven in against Ray. On the other side, 3 Giants have homers off of Yoshi, Schmitt, Matos and Adames. Matos 3 and Schmitt 4, with the most driven in.
Per Keith Law:
I have heard the Los Angeles Dodgers particularly want Louisville right-hander Patrick Forbes, if he should get to their picks at 40-41.
If they are available, I am going with Forbes and Quentin Young. And I will never complain about those picks.
FWIW: Law had/has Young going at 30
Then both Mayo and Callis (MLB Pipeline) had him going to LAD at #40. The MLB draft is more of a crapshoot than the NFL or NBA. Mayo predicts that both Forbes and Bauer will be gone and predicts the Dodgers will select Tennessee RHP Marcus Phillips. Callis did not predict Forbes or Bauer going in the 1st round and instead predicted the Dodgers would select Universuity oTexas OF, Max Belyeu.
Starts in an hour.
Longenhagen will be conducting a concurrent chat:
final BA mock had Dodgers taking Forbes and Gamble
Just in awe of Ohtani! His stuff is just electric with command.To both pitch and hit at the major league average would be incredible, but to do both at his elite level is mind blowing. An MVP bat and if he spent a year concentrated just on pitching I believe he could be a Cy Young winner. What a privilege it is to watch him play and for our home team.
He’s ridiculous.
Yes, he has done both well. But FYI, since he started pitching, his BA has dipped more than 20 points, and he is striking out more. Freddies BA has dipped over 80 points in this slump.
Very enjoyable win and a well pitched game. Holding the Giants to 3 hits was outstanding.
Kim has been a breath of fresh air and had a big hit. But what the hell did he learn in So. Korea? He had blunders the last 2 games. The first was not taking the 4-6-3 double play Friday night and last night he foolishly tried to stretch his nice RBI single into a double and was thrown out by a mile. He foolishly wasted a first and third at bat for Edman.
I like yesterday’s line up with Edman at 3rd and Kim at 2nd. And Pages has improved in center and is more than serviceable, especially his arm and bat. He lacks the jumps and speed of an elite defensive centerfielder like Pete Crow-Armstrong or Byron Buxton but I like the lineup with him out there.
The Ohtani and Sheehan piggyback combo was great. I like Sheehan as regular part of a 6 man rotation down the road, maybe May would be better piggybacking with Ohtani as he gets stretched out. Snell, Glasnow, Kershaw, Yamamoto, Sheehan and Ohtani / May look like a formidable rotation, if they can all stay health.
I enjoyed the Giant’s broadcast yesterday with Kruk and Kuipe. There also some magnificent drone-shots from all around the ballpark, McCovey Cove and the waterfront. Beautiful picture of a beautiful day in San Fran. There was even a decent interview with Barry Bonds who amazingly wasn’t a prick.
I like Sheehan’s outing except for the 3 walks. I hate walks that put a close game in jeopardy too often.
But we needed that win and another today with a rebound performance from Yamamoto.
I am sure that I have said this story before. When my son’s college team was in the San Jose Airport after a weekend series with Santa Cruz, the team spotted Barry Bonds waiting at the airport. The team dared my son to go talk to him, knowing his reputation. He did and they specnt 30-45 minutes together just talking. He said it was a great conversation.
I am not a big fan of Kuiper and Krukow. I agree they are not overly homer and are fair to the Dodgers, but I hate it when SF hits a HR and I have to suffer through that Bye Bye Birdie bit at the end of the inning.
I have been on the Sheehan bandwagon since he first pitched in the organization. He belongs in the rotation, IMO should stay in for the 6 man when Snell returns. The problem is not every pitcher likes the 6 man. Kershaw hates it. I have heard Glasnow feels better in a 5 man. Snell said he likes more work than less but will do whatever is asked. So we will see if they go six or not.
After being drafted in 2021, Sheehan went from Rookie League, to Full Season A League, to A+ in the short time from draft date to the end of the season. He reached AA the next year, and MLB in 2023. He has always been a big K pitcher with moderate BB risk. His K rate is down this year, but that is more likely due to command issues being out for a year. But that one game at OKC where he struck out 13 in 6.0 perfect innings. Only 5 batted ball outs.
I wouldn’t blame Kim’s base running on being in the KBO. Betts trying to stretch a double into a triple this past week was equally bad.
Whatever. It’s bad baseball.
Conforto keeps extending his expiration date a couple of days at a time. He probably returns after the all star break after producing a 0.176 BA in the first half.
I agree Bum. Conforto has played well lately in left field. He’s made nice catches and good throws. He’s been solid there despite being replaced for defensive purposes in the late innings. 316..907 the last 6 games and raised his average 20 points. I’m good with him out there if he keeps this up.
Yesterday he had a nice line drive hit to left field. That was a pretty swing taking the ball the other way.
If he’s finally regained his stroke, he could be in for a nice 2nd half. I wanted him benched as well, but I realized I have zero say so. However, if he’s beginning to find it, then keep him in there.
Plus, with Ohtani, Betts, Freeman acting like they should be batting 7,8,9 instead of 1, 2, 3, we need all the help we can get.
Conforto has one of the prettiest swings on the team. Short and compact to the ball. Unfortunately the to the ball part has been missing. Outman has a very similar swing, and too often forgets bat to ball.
Apparently the Giants think he is going to have a very good 2nd half
Outman had to face Peralta and Miseroski upon returning to the Dodgers. He fit right in with the Dodger offense against those two.
Pretty swings work well in pinch hitting opportunities.
Today’s line up, Yamamoto Vs Ray. Ohtani DH, Betts SS, Smith C, Freeman 1B, Teo RF, Pages CF, Edman 2B, Rojas 3B, Ruiz LF.
Is anyone watching this game on Roku?
In between innings the picture freezes. Sometimes it goes live when and inning starts again. Other time it freezes and doesn’t go back to live and you have to go to the Roku channel lineup and reload Just now it played a couple of commercials and then froze.
Steve Nelson and former Giant Hunter Pence are doing the broadcast. Pence is doing a nice job.
Yamamoto looking good. Minimal offense from the Dodgers so far. Inning over with a DP and another frozen screen. If they wanted to run commercials they are losing a fortune.
Did not have any trouble at all, but I have a ROKU Ultra. It is faster than most of the Roku devices.
That’s odd. I’ve not experienced that freezing.
Does anyone recall the last time Tommy Edman hit a HR?? I recall he had 10 within the first 6 weeks and then he went ice cold.
I thought it might be Spectrum. But, I think you’re in Santa Clarita too. So, that’s on them. It’s just annoying. The game time was fine.
Edman last HR? Hell, when was his last hit?
Along with everyone else! Who knew that we need Rojas in the lineup for his bat!
It’s just sad to watch Mookie hit now. Just weak and slow.
A familiar game. Little or no run support for Yamamoto. And, of course, another blown save via the home run by Scott. A sad way to go into the All Star break.
Well, thanks to the Outman catch and some luck with three soft contact hits in the 11th they did end the first half with a couple of wins.
Nice.
Let’s keep it up when the break is over.
Is there any reason why Outman does not finish the season in LA as a 4th OF?
I would much rather have Outman than Conforto. He doesn’t need to be a superstar on offense. If he can just OPS .720 or better he would be a huge plus.
I am fed up with the use of Tanner Scott in save opportunities. He has now blown 7 saves at the proverbial half way point in the season. Where are all of the fans who thought he was a must sign? A total waste of $$$ and years control for him and Teoscar Hernandez. I would rather take the risk of Ben Casparius in that role. Scott should not pitch past the 7th inning.
Casparius just showed Scott how to close out a game. Shame on Doc if he allowe Scott another shot at closing a game.
You mean for OKC?
Doc has to announce that he’s lost the closer role. 7 blown saves is unbelievable. I think AF fell in love with his dominance over Shohei last year and had to have him.
Why does t Doc have Edman bunt Pages to 3B to start the extra frame? Mind boggling
Right now I’d rather have Rojas hitting 2nd and playing short.
I’d rather be lucky than good! Can we bring Scott back in for the 11th just to make it more interesting?
Huge win! Takes a little bit of the bad taste out of my mouth from the last 2 weeks. Jeff, you’re on to something with Casparius. He’s much better in short relief than long.
The only issue with Casparius closing is that you don’t have him for bulk innings; but yeah.
As horribly as it seems we’ve played the first half, we are 1 game from having the best record in baseball.
We should be significantly better the 2nd half as guys return and certain guys wake up from the month long sleep
Time to move Scott out of the closer spot. 7 blown saves now. Unacceptable.
They need to trade for another solid closer.
With Henrique’s coming up and Treinen returning, whose slot are you giving up?
Rockies took Matt Holliday’s son at #4. Still 10 more picks before the Dodgers get theirs. Nice 11th inning rally. Outman had a brain fart not moving up on Betts fly out. Smith had one of his worst games at the plate. But he gets a pass because he is usually great.
Sasaki threw the other day and will throw again tomorrow. It looks like he possibly could return in August.
Thanks to a pair of reaches by Washington and especially LAA, the pitching rich Seattle Mariners picked up prize pitcher LHP Kade Anderson. The draft is heavy SS, and especially high school SS.
· 6 of top 10 SS; 5 HS
· 9 of top 15 SS; 7 HS
· 11 of top 20 SS; 8 HS
#21 was also a HS SS
there goes Gamble.
Young is still there
schoolkraft too.
Longenhagen adds: Myles Upchurch buzz for Dodgers later, probably not at 40.
Forbes gone
We’re getting close!!
Here we go. Boom boom! Just please not another fast “athlete” who can’t hit!
Does AF have relatives in Arkansas?
Wooooo, pig sewy!!! or whatever they say in Arkansas
The Dodgers are selecting Arkansas LHP Zach Root and Arkansas OF Charles Davalan at 40 and 41.
On Root:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/mlb-draft-2025-live-updates-pick-by-pick-tracker/LxcVX3nybPKn/ehToTRr9CFT2/
sounds promising
on the other guy:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/mlb-draft-2025-live-updates-pick-by-pick-tracker/LxcVX3nybPKn/FY3drN5f2W7L/
sounds like value
That said, Longenhagen much more bearish on both
Avery9:12Any reason you know why the Dodgers would prefer Davalan to Cannarella? Seems like Cannarella is just the better prospect
Eric A Longenhagen9:12Better contact hitter
did we select two future hall of famers?
No
obviously , I have no idea. But optimistically, yes!!
I am Root.
3.62 ERA in a good conference. A lot of strikeouts. . Davalan 5’9” 190 pound gap to gap 60 hitter with 55 speed.
Root, a good name for a Razorback.
Can’t use Scott as a closer, and he’s even iffy in high-leverage situations. Jeff is right to say he can’t be relied upon beyond the 7th inning. Dodgers should trade for one or possibly 2 bullpen arms.
And Mookie’s substantial season-long offensive decline is too big to ignore now, and has nothing to do with either injuries or “shortstop play”..so it’s officially a concern the team must deal with soon.
The Dodgers post-season SP is coming into focus. It should be Ohtani, Snell, Yamamoto, and Glasnow.
As Jeff called it (kind of) Dodgers take Cam Leiter in Round 2
I thought he would go round 2. I did say I would not be upset if he did go #41. I like him a lot at #65.
Seattle and LHP Kade Anderson have already agreed to a deal at $8.8MM, slightly beow slot value of $9.5MM
per Baseball America:
Landyn Vidourek is selected at No. 104 by the Dodgers.
The sleeper pick is coming off a career year, posting an average exit velocity of nearly 93 mph 😳
Optimistically? another HOFer!