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Plenty of Ugly as Bats Can’t Save Bobby Miller and Bullpen

While the relievers were not very good, we cannot blame this on them.  Although, Michael Grove did let a game that was getting close, get away from him.

This loss is on Bobby Miller.  Miller went to the bump in the bottom of the first with a 2-0 lead, thanks to Teoscar Hernández’ 2-out bases loaded single plated Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.

After striking out the side in the first inning, he could not get out of the 2nd inning.  He got Christopher Morel to ground out for the first out, but then Dansby Swanson slugged a solo HR, and that was like the beginning of the end.  He walked Michael Busch on a 3-2 pitch, and then gave up back to back singles to Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal.  Madrigal’s single scored Busch and the score was tied.

After he got Yan Gomes on the 2nd out, Ian Happ was at bat, and drew a walk to load the bases.  A wild pitch scored Hoerner and allowed Madrigal and Happ to move up.  Both Hoerner and Madrigal scored on a double by Seiya Suzuki.

Dinelson Lamet relieved Miller intentionally walked Cody Bellinger, and got Morel to fly out for the final out.  Miller went 1.2 IP, and allowed 5 runs, all earned.

Lamet gave up a solo HR to Busch in the 3rd.

In the 4th, with 2 outs, Teoscar Hernández singled and James Outman doubled.  After Chris Taylor lined out to Madrigal, Gavin Lux hit a ground ball up the middle that Nico Hoerner was able to dive, collect the ball, and fire to first for the third out.

The Dodgers got close in the 5th.  Mookie singled and Ohtani slugged a 2-run HR.  Freddie drew a BB, and Will Smith doubled him home.  With the tying run on 2nd and nobody out, LHRP Drew Smyly was summoned to replace Kyle Hendricks.  Smyly proceeds to strike out Muncy, Hernández, and Outman.

But the Dodgers were within 1 after 5, and with their offense, they were certainly not out of it.  Michael Grove issued a BB, allowed a single, threw a WP, gave up a triple, and a sac fly.  Grove did K Bellinger to end the inning.  But a 1-run deficit turned into 4.

In the 7th, Freddie drew his 3rd walk and Smith got his third hit.  After a WP put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, Max Muncy K for the third time.  But Teoscar singled both runners in and the Dodgers were back with two.

The Dodgers with Freddie and Smith getting on base yet again.  After Muncy flew out to Bellinger.  Hernández was ruled out on a play that was originally scored an infield single, but Freddie and Smith moved to 2nd and 3rd.  That brought up James Outman.  Outman has been hitting into a lot of bad luck, and did so again.  While not hit hard, his line drive was headed to right field when Michael Busch laid out to backhand the liner.

So yes, Miller was bad, and the game kind of got out of control in the Cubs 2nd.  Did the cold impact Miller in any way???  The Dodgers could have come out with a win with better hitting WRISP.  They were 3-16.  They also struck out 12 times.  But it was the Muncy/Outman duo that were the big strikeout victims.

  • 1st inning bases loaded – Muncy K; runners on 1st and 3rd, Outman K.
  • 5th inning runner on 2nd – Muncy, Hernández, and Outman K
  • 7th inning runners on 2nd and 3rd – Muncy K; runner on 2nd, Outman K

Muncy left 5 runners in scoring position after striking out, and Outman left 3 runners in scoring position after striking out.

  • Will Smith had 4 hits: 3 singles and 1 double.
  • Freddie Freeman reached base 4 times with a single and three walks.
  • Shohei Ohtani went 2-5 with a double and HR.
  • Teoscar Hernández went 3-5 and 4 RBIs.
  • Freddie scored 3 runs, and Ohtani scored 2 runs.
  • Teoscar Hernández now leads MLB with 14 RBIs.

While Dinelson Lamet did give up a HR, and Grove allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and a BB, Alex Vesia pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, even though he had 2 BBs.

This was a 2nd game that the starting pitcher got knocked out early but the bats put the Dodgers in a position to win, only for the relievers to let the game get out of hand (San Diego – Game 2).

The bullpen has not been good, but it is early, and three relievers that were considered to be in the pen (Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, and Emmet Sheehan) are on the IL.  In 4 games and 7.2 IP, Michael Grove has just about run out of rope.  He has allowed 10 runs on 13 hits, 2 HBP, 3 BB, and 6K.  He has given up at least 3 runs in 3 of his 4 games.  That is not MLB quality.

I guess one can get exasperated with a frustrating loss.  However, the Dodgers are 7-3 (113 win pace) and have no reason to panic in any way.  Hopefully Miller will let it go and get ready for his next start.  The Dodgers have Yamamoto and Stone for Saturday and Sunday.  The Cubs will counter with back to back LHSP against the Dodgers (Jordan Wicks and Shōta Imanaga).

 

 

MiLB GAME SUMMARIES

 

OKC Baseball Club 3 – Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies) 1

Eduardo Salazar was the star in this one.  He threw 75 pitches (43 strikes) and completed 6.0 IP.  It wasn’t perfect, but with the help of three double plays, Salazar got out of multiple jams.

After two batters, he was down 1-0.  A walk, SB, and double gave the Isotopes the lead.  But that was all Albuquerque would get.  Stephen Gonsalves, JP Feyereisen, and Kevin Gowdy pitched to one batter over the minimum for the final three innings.  Gonsalves hit a batter, but that was it.  Gonsalves got the win, Feyereisen got a hold, and Gowdy got his 2nd save.

Kevin Padlo opened the 2nd with a double and moved to 3rd on an Andre Lipcius single.  Padlo scored the tying run on a force out ground ball by Hunter Feduccia.

OKC takes the lead in the 7th on a double by Feduccia to open the inning.  He went to third on a Kody Hoese ground out, and scored on a wild pitch.

In the 8th, Andy Pages reached 2B on a throwing error, and scored on a Miguel Vargas single.

  • Kevin Padlo – 2-4, double (2)
  • Hunter Feduccia – 1-3, double (1), 1 RBI
  • Miguel Vargas – 1-4, 1 RBI, 13 RBIs this season (7 games)

 

Box Score

 

Tulsa Drillers 6 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 4

LHSP Justin Wrobleski was outstanding in his AA debut.  In 5.0 IP, his lone mistake was a HR to catcher Rodolfo Duran.  He allowed 3 hits and 1 BB, and struck out 6.  He threw 70 pitches (47 strikes).

Jack Dreyer pitched 2.0 perfect innings with 4 K.  Braydon Fisher pitched a scoreless 8th with 2 hits and 3 K.

Sauryn Lau had a tough 2024 debut in his 1.0 IP.  He entered the 9th with a 6-1 lead.  When he got out of the inning, the Drillers held on for a 6-4 win.  2 singles and 2 doubles plate 3 runs.  The game ended with a F-9 to Lolo Sanchez who threw out a runner trying to advance to 3rd for a 9-5 DP.

The Drillers got their initial run in 2024 after a BB, Diego Cartaya single, and Brendon Davis sac fly.  In the 4th, Yeiner Fernandez singled, Damon Keith walked for the 2nd time, José Ramos singled home Fernandez, and Cartaya doubled to score Keith.

Tulsa scored a pair of unearned runs in the 6th.  In the 8th, Austin Gauthier singled and scored on Dalton Rushing’s triple.

  • Diego Cartaya – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (1)
  • Dalton Rushing – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI, triple (1)
  • Damon Keith – 0-1, 2 BB
  • 3-14 WRISP
  • 10 LOB
  • Justin Wrobleski – W (1-0)

 

Box Score

 

 

Great Lakes Loons 3 – Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) 2

It took 11 innings, but the Loons got a 2-out walk off single by Noah Miller to get the win.

Jackson Ferris started and completed 3.0 innings, 67 pitches (37 strikes).  He allowed an unearned run on 3 hits, 3 BB, and 4 K.  The Loons turned it over to the bullpen and got excellent results.

Christian Suarez pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 BB and 2 K.  Kelvin Ramirez followed and also completed 2.0 scoreless innings with 0 baserunners and 3 K.  Lucas Wepf pitched the next 3.0 scoreless innings allowing a single that was erased by a DP.

In the 10th, GL nearly scored.  With Noah Miller starting at 2B, Thayron Liranzo was HBP.  After Chris Newell struck out, the pitcher balked and Miller and Liranzo moved up. Kyle Nevin was IBB to load the bases.  Dylan Campbell hit a line drive to LF who made a perfect throw home to nail Miller for the inning ending, game saving DP.

Joel Ibarra relieved Wepf.  The runner on 2nd moved up to 3rd on a F-7, and scored on a fielder’s choice.

In the bottom of the 11th, Dylan Campbell started at 2nd.  After Sam Mongelli struck out, Campbell moved to 3B on a WP.  Jake Vogel struck out for out #2.  But a 2nd WP and Campbell scores the tying run. Luis Rodriguez singled, Jordan Thompson drew a walk, and Noah Miller singled home Rodriguez.

  • Noah Miller 2-6, walk off RBI

 

Box Score

 

 

Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 11 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5

The Storm jumped all over three Quakes pitchers to take a 8-3 lead after 5.0 innings.  After RC scored two in the 6th, two Quakes pitchers teamed up to walk 4 batters in the 7th for one run and balk in a 2nd run for two more runs and a 10-5 lead.

In the 8th, a single, 2 walks, and a HBP scored another run.

In all, 5 Quakes pitchers allowed 11 runs (10 earned), 11 hits, 9 BB, 1 HBP, 1 balk, and 3 WP.

Josue De Paula and Jake Gelof had a pair of RBIs each and Zyhir Hope hit his first HR.

Zyhir Hope was the only RC batter to get 2 hits.  2-4 with a HR.

Wilman Diaz and Kendall George each scored 2 runs.

Kendall George, Josue De Paula, and Wilman Diaz each stole a base.  Zyhir Hope had an assist on a throw to the plate getting Jay Beshears who was trying to score on a single.

Hopefully the Quakes will just let this one go.  NEXT!!!

 

 

Box Score

 

 

 

 

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Jeff

Well, so much for Miller’s attempt at being the Dodger ace after those 11 SOs in his first start. We’ll have to reevaluate him after his 3rd start and hopefully a bounce back to his winning form. However, Grove is not looking rotation worthy at this time.

The bottom of our hitting rotation is also looking suspect. Outman, Taylor, and Lux, are not really making a difference offensively at this stage. Will the team turn to Pages in CF if Outman continues to wilt? Kike? Rojas and Mookie, SS and 2B?

Muncy vying for SO King status. Help me Lord, help me.

Duke Not Snider

While there may have been some ugly at-bats, the Dodgers still outhit the Cubs, 12-9.
Fully agree that Miller let this one get away. He still seems to struggle keeping his emotions in check when things go wrong.
On the plus side, the offense made a good comeback. It’s true that Outman and Lux have been struggling–but the Cubs turned two of their line drives into outs with impressive diving catches.
So they’ve a bit unlucky, at least on those plays and the extent to which luck factors into Batting Average on Balls In Play, or BABIP.
The unlucky hitter hammers 100-mph screamers into a defender’s glove, or gets robbed by a great play, while the lucky one gets to first on a bloop or infield dribbler.
Anyway, Lux’s BABIP is now .227 and Outman’s is .211. These are by far the lowest number among Dodgers regulars. The next closest is Shohei at .313, while Teoscar, Max, Mookie, Freddie and Will are all over .400. Will’s BABIP is a crazy .531!
Of course all of these numbers reflect a small sample size at this point, but over time the BABIP for Outman and Lux should rise while the others’ should come back to Earth.
I’m more worried about Outman than Lux, if only because Outman is tougher to replace. The defense is surely better if Rojas plays SS full-time. If Outman struggles, I doubt that Kike or Taylor would be much of an improvement. If he’s playing well, perhaps Pages will get a chance.
At this time last year, Outman was so hot he wound up winning Rookie of the Month. In addition to being a bit unlucky, he’s streaky. He may need a few weeks to get going.

Dave

Well said. That’s exactly how I see it.

Duke Not Snider

Pretty nice game for Zyhir Hope… two hits, including a homer, plus an outfield assist. Glad the Dodgers got that guy.

Badger

I read somewhere the Cubs defense was ranked 4th in MLB going into this season. They showed it yesterday.

So far Dodger pitching is ranked 18th in ERA. Still very early of course but it does appear the team has issues with the staff. They have already had a bullpen game and Grove as long relief looks shaky. Maybe he will figure it out The team could sure use those pitchers on the IL.

Dave

I’m still a little frustrated that even with an off day they still had a bullpen game which gave Glasnow an extra day and everyone else 2 extra days. Maybe it’s not about giving them rest as it is about slowly ramping them up and then getting them ready to pitch more often in the playoffs.

Dionysus

Zyhir Hope quietly planting his flag on the prospect map.

(Oops, just saw this was said below)

Well, we should’ve won that game. Weird pitching thing going on with staffing. We have the arms. Obviously, there is a long-term plan.

Last edited 8 months ago by Dionysus
Oldbear48

Ominous sign for the Braves. Strider needs an MRI for elbow discomfort. Luis Robert removed from the Sox game with a hip flexor. He lost more than 2 months to the same type of injury in 21. Sox already without Jimenez who was placed on the IL yesterday with an abductor strain. Trevor Story injured diving for a ball. Dodgers re-signed Matt Gage to a minor league deal.

Oldbear48

Here we should be enjoying Dodger baseball, and we have all this crap going on about Ohtani. It really puts a damper on the game.

Dionysus

Ignore it. It’s all noise. I haven’t read a word about it.

Bluto

This! There is a sector of the dodger fan base that just looks for stuff to get outraged over

Dionysus

Cheers, Bluto

Badger

I agree Bear. So far all we know is the IRS is looking into it. I doubt baseball will do a serious dig for obvious reasons. Some of what I’ve read says there will be a stain left no matter the outcome. Ohtani and the Dodgers didn’t vet this guy. And Ohtani and his people had no idea these wire transfers were happening? You give a gambler who makes around $80 grand a year access to your account? Come on man.

Last edited 8 months ago by Badger
Bumsrap
Badger

Mar 22, 2024 — The average pay for interpreters and translators in 2022 was $53,640 per yearor $25.79 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

I read somewhere the Angels paid him $80,000 which was one of the highest salaries in MLB. The fact that Mizuhara, an apparent liar, says he made that much doesn’t wash with me

RC Dodger

It sounds like Ippei made $300,000 to $500,000 per year as an interpreter. He is hired and paid by the MLB team. So apparently the Dodgers hired an employee who made close to $500,000 and did not do a simple background check on his college and previous work experience for accuracy?
Obviously Ohtani selected Ippei, but every large employer should run a simple background check to see if job applicants are lying to them. Especially ones making $500,000! And no background check or internal controls could find his ties to large gambling debts?

Now the Ohtani HR ball scandal with LA Dodger officials bullying fans into giving the ball to Ohtani for modest returns. Reportedly, team officials separated the wife from her husband to negotiate better terms. And team officials threatened not to authenticate the ball so it would have limited value unless they handed it over to the team. And then Ohtani and/or his interpreter claiming he met with the fans in person when he did not. Probably just a language mix up, but the Dodgers did not handle this situation well, especially since it was foreseeable that Ohtani would hit a HR at Dodger Stadium and the ball would have value. From just a PR and personal perspective, why not have Ohtani take a quick picture with the lifelong Dodger fans who offered to return the ball?

The Dodgers chose to spend $1.1 billion on two players this offseason after winning 100+ games 5 years in a row. They are going to be under a microscope and Ohtani brings special attention. National broadcasters like Mad Dog Russo are already focused on every Dodger mistake. After almost every at bat, we see Ohtani Exit velocity or something about him hitting the hardest ball in Dodger history. Dave Roberts tries to tell us that a routine fly out to CF by Ohtani really should have been a 420 foot HR.

Ohtani looks like he is getting comfortable and has HRs in his last two games. Hopefully, the Dodgers will do a better job of managing the nonstop scrutiny that they signed up for this year.

Last edited 8 months ago by RC Dodger
RC Dodger

Yes. Mad Dog definitely dislikes the Dodgers, and he is a Giants fan. At Least Alanna Rizzo balanced him out a little on his show.

OhioDodger

Alanna is the show. I tune in more to hear what she has to say than Russo. And MLB Central on MLB network is basically just a copy of Ridiculousness. Got a girl sitting on the couch laughing at everything the others say. Shehadi is just there for her legs. Roflo is a joke. Dero is OK. Al Leiter is good when he is a guest.

Bluto

I like Gowdy in a high leverage spot.

Cartaya at DH, Rushing behind the plate yesterday

Austin Gauthier can rake

Last edited 8 months ago by Bluto
Singing the Blue

Last night Rancho had George leading off and DePaula batting second. By the second inning they’d each had a walk, a single and a stolen base. Looking forward to seeing both of those guys at the top of our lineup in about 3 years. We can just move Mookie, Shoehei and Freddie each down by two spots when that happens.

Bluto

Good article on the Ringer on starting pitcher injuries.

https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2024/4/2/24118963/pitcher-injuries-crisis-mlb-study-tommy-john-ucl

In 2023, the league addressed its pace problem. Now it’s trying to address its ace problem.

….

According to an MLB source, the league is conducting a comprehensive study of pitcher injuries. This ongoing deep dive, which began last October, has consisted of data analysis and approximately 100 interviews with informed figures, including doctors, trainers, independent researchers, college coaches, amateur baseball coaches and stakeholders, former pitchers, front-office members, pitching coaches, and current players.

Singing the Blue

With Bieber now set for TJ and Strider possibly right behind him, I think we’re getting to the point where MLB will just do away with live pitching and have a pitching machine set up where the mound is now.

Managers or pitching coaches can call each pitch via remote control. No more need for trainers for the pitchers, just a good mechanic for when the machine breaks down.

I’m going to tell my 10-year old grandson, who has a spectacular arm, to learn a knuckleball unless he wants a very short career. Guys like Niekro pitched until they were 100.

Last edited 8 months ago by Singing the Blue
Bobby

Does Doc get to go out and change the pitching machine?

Bumsrap

Rojas would want visit the mound and oil the machine.

Bluto

There was recent reporting about the lack of knuckleball pitchers.

the author didn’t seem optimistic we would see a return

dodgerpatch

Yes!! This is the way!

We’re already clamoring for robo umps. Why not go to robo pitchers?

Hell! All sporting events will soon be an AI simulation we watch through our virtual reality helmets anyway.

Automatic balls and strikes is a slippery slope.

Last edited 8 months ago by dodgerpatch
Wally Moonshot

Don’t necessarily trust MLB to do a thorough job, but something’s obviously got to give with the way pitchers are going down every year. Clearly the approach of throwing 99 mph on every pitch is flawed. I’m really surprised that any team would offer a pitcher more than a one or two year contract based on the injury rate we’re seeing.

Phil Jones

Bluto, if my memory serves in Jeff Pessin’s book “The Arm”, published in 2017, he detailed previous efforts to establish a sort of clearinghouse of data complied on arm injuries, and specific medical data to come to sound medical theories. It was initially a galant effort and was data to be used by all of MLB. The only problem was teams didn’t want to share data. Instead they wanted to hoard what they knew and recruit the “experts” and their data into their own organizations. It was spy versus spy and the Dodgers were one of the organizations that wanted to use data exclusively for their own benefit. So the sharing of data took a big hit and never really materialized.
Now you are reporting that MLB wants to again to attempt to “study” and analyze data to come up with some legit science on arm injuries based of facts and not supposition, to be used by all of baseball.
We’ll see if they have better luck this time.

tedraymond

This is another failure by MLB and Boob Manfred not to have a program to share this info for the good of the game. It’s fairly obvious that throwing 98 to 100+ is not sustainable long term. Velo isn’t necessary to be successful. This starting pitcher for the Cubs today has a 93 fastball, but he knows how to pitch. Not just throw hard.

Oh no, Kelly just came into the game. Ok. Two quick outs. And another strikeout!
Got to give him credit when it’s due. Nicely done Mr Kelly.

Wally Moonshot

The problem with arm injuries is not just at the MLB level. High school and college pitchers are being coached to throw as hard as possible because that’s the direction of pitching thanks to MLB. When high school kids are having TJ surgeries there’s a big problem.

Bumsrap

I remain a Cloutman fan and supporter. Give Lux more than 10 games to reacquaint himself with MLB pitching. That said, I’ve always liked Nico Hoerner.

Oldbear48

Pat Zachry passed away at age 71. Pitched for the Dodgers in 83-84. 11-7 record with 2 saves. Also pitched in 2 games in the 83 playoffs against the Phils. Most noted for his time with the Reds.

Oldbear48

Dodgers face lefties the next two days. Trammell get his first game action as a Dodger? May as well give him a shot with Taylor playing like he doesn’t want to be here.

Dionysus

Why would you say that about Taylor? He’s 100% a gamer but he has his flaws/limits as an everyday player. Everybody knows this.

Oldbear48

He looks very uncomfortable at the plate. Haven’t seen that in quite a while. He did not look like the same player during spring training either.

Oldbear48

Damage control. Dodgers invited fan who caught Ohtani’s HR ball back to the Stadium. LA faces LHP the next two games. Does Trammell see his first action as a Dodger? Males sense with CT-3 struggling as bad as he is.

Singing the Blue

Explain please why Trammell, a lefty batter, would get his first action against a lefty pitcher.

As badly as CT3 is hitting right now, Trammell’s lifetime batting average against lefties is .092, not to be confused with his far superior average against righties, that being .193.

I guarantee you at least one hit from Taylor today, probably a double or a homer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hit for the cycle…………..well, maybe I would.

Bumsrap

Trammell is playing due to a suggestion submitted by the security guy that negotiated Ohtani’s home run doll.

Singing the Blue

They’ve removed that guy from security and promoted him to club president. They like the “feel” he has for public relations.

Duke Not Snider

I’d rather see Trammell than Taylor… Who knows what he might do with the new surroundings?

Oldbear48

Funeral is today. I am heading back to Colorado on Thursday morning EARLY. Like 2 AM.

Dionysus

Churn and burn

Duke Not Snider

I would like to see The Athletic or ??? do a deep dive into the “churn and burn” practice. Do any other teams do this as much as the Dodgers? I wonder what it costs to keep a stable of so many relievers. Certainly it seems like one way that the Dodgers leverage their financial advantage.

Singing the Blue

Jeff, what do you know about Connor Brogdon, as of today, our latest member of the “don’t bother to memorize my uni number, I’ll only be here for a few days and then be dfa” club?

Got him in a trade with the Phils for young lefty pitcher Benony Robles, who has spent time at Rancho and GL over the past couple of years. Robles is 6 years younger and strikes out a ton of guys but also walks too many. I guess the front office has decided he isn’t in their future plans.

Never mind. I swear your comment wasn’t showing when I posted mine. As Bluto likes to say, “Ignore this comment.”

Last edited 8 months ago by Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue

As Dionysus says above, “churn and burn”. This will apparently be AF’s strategy until he gets Treinen, Bazooka and/or Feyereisen back.

tedraymond

Austin Barnes can’t be stopped. You can only hope to contain him! Lol.
Good for him. He has a whole week to savior the day.

tedraymond

Good win for the Dodgers despite more lousy, inconsistent calls by the plate ump. Bottom of the ninth with Phillips balls are strikes, strikes are balls. Jesh.

RC Dodger

Umpire was very inconsistent today but it impacted both teams.
Definitely hurt Phillips, but Yamamoto benefitted from a couple of calls in the first inning. Just a lot of missed calls both ways.

Dionysus

When Buehler returns, Stone has to join the bullpen. We need our best pitchers on the staff.

Duke Not Snider

Stone replaces Grove?

OhioDodger

Guardians and the Braves take a big hit today. Sucks for the Guardians, but, screw the Braves.

Duke Not Snider

Sportsmanship!

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