Gavin Williams starting for the Guardians. Ohtani hit’s his 19th homer off of the first pitch, Betts out on a great play by Ramirez at third. Freddie fly’s out to deep center and the CF; Angel Martinez makes a great catch. Teo flied out to center. Yoshi set down Cleveland in order. In the top of the 2nd, Smith walked. He went to second on a balk. Muncy grounded out to 2nd and Smith advanced to 3rd. Pages singled to left, scoring Smith. Conforto walked. Kim hit into a force play, Pages advancing to 3rd. Ohtani struck out.
Bottom of the 2nd. Manzardo struck out. The 3rd K for Yoshi. Thomas struck out. Schneemann flied out to Conforto, who made a nice catch against the wall. Bottom of the 3rd. Betts led off and grounded out to 3rd. Freeman singled to left. Teo flied out to center. Smith flied out to right. Bottom of the 3rd, Arias walked. Martinez singled to right. Wilson sacrificed to Yamamoto; runners moved to 2nd and 3rd. Kwan reached on a fielder’s choice, Betts to Muncy for the out at 3rd. Naylor struck out.
Top of the 4th. Muncy lined out to left. Pages walked. Conforto struck out. Kim struck out swinging. Bottom of the 4th. Ramirez flied out to center. Manzardo reached 1st on an error by Kim. Wild pitch by Yoshi moves Manzardo to 2nd. Thomas walks. Schneemann grounded into a DP, Betts, to Freeman. Top of the 5th: Ohtani walked. Betts flied out to center. Freeman walked. Teo singled to left scoring Ohtani, Freeman stopped at second. Smith walked loading the bases. Muncy hit a sac-fly scoring Freeman. Teo moved to 3rd. Williams lifted, Festa new pitcher for Cleveland. Pages at bat, Smith picked off of first trying to steal.
Bottom of the 5th: Arias grounded out, Betts to Freeman. Martinez lined out to Pages. Wilson flied out to Teo. Top of the 6th: Pages grounded out to 3rd. Conforto walked. The 7th walk issued to the Dodgers. Kim hit into a force out, Kim safe at 1st. Ohtani walked, 8th walk of the game for the Dodgers. Betts singles to right scoring Kim. Ohtani to 2nd. Freeman singled to right, Ohtani scores, Betts to 3rd. Dodgers 6, Cleveland 1. Teo struck out.
Bottom of the 6th: Kwan struck out. Naylor struck out #7 for Yoshi. Ramirez doubled to right field. Manzardo singled to right scoring Ramirez. Thomas flied out to Pages. Top of the 7th: Cantillo in to pitch for the Guardians. Smith singled to center. Muncy struck out. Pages flied out to right. Conforto pinch hit for by Kike. Kike struck out. Bottom of the 7th: Vesia in to pitch for the Dodgers, Kike now in left. Schneemann flied out to Teo. Arias doubles off of the left field wall. Martinez hit a bunt pop up to Vesia. Wilson walked. Kwan grounded out Freeman to Vesia covering 1st.
Top of the 8th: Rojas pinch hits for Kim. Rojas flies out to center. Ohtani popped out to the catcher, Naylor. Betts flied out to left. Bottom of the 8th: Scott in to pitch for the Dodgers. Naylor grounded out to Rojas, now playing 2nd base. Ramirez doubled to left. Manzardo popped out to Muncy. Thomas struck out, but it took 11 pitches. Top of the 9th: Freeman lined out to 1st. Teo struck out. Smith homered, his 5th, to left field. Muncy struck out. Bottom of the 9th: Garcia now pitching for the Dodgers. Schneemann lined out to Betts. Arias singles on a ground ball Betts could not handle. Martinez popped out to Rojas. Nolan Jones pinch hit for Wilson. Arias to second on defensive indifference. Jones grounded out, Muncy to Freeman, game over.
Summary
Yamamoto went 6 innings allowing 3 hits, 2 earned runs, walking 2 and striking out 7. Vesia, Scott and Garcia followed with 3 scoreless innings allowing 3 hit and just 1 walk. Yoshi won his 6th. Ohtani and Smith hit homers. The first 5 hitters in the lineup had 7 of the teams 8 hits with Smith and Freeman having 2 apiece. Pages had the other. They drew a season high 8 walks, while striking out 8 times. The team is now 33-21, picking up a full game on the Giants who lost earlier in the day, now lead them by 2.
Around the league
The Giants lost 3-1 to Detroit. Chris Taylor signed a major-league contract with the Angels and started in center field for them against the Yankees. Shades of Arizona, a swarm of bees took over a camera behind home plate prior to the game. A beekeeper removed the swarm just prior to the Marlins taking batting practice. Freddie Freeman donated 1 million dollars to the hospital that cared for his son Max last year. Marlins placed Derek Hill on the 10-day IL and recalled Victor Mesa Jr. Pirates called up pitching prospect, Braxton Ashcroft. Mariners outrighted Jesse Hahn and Austin Shenton. Orioles selected Chadwick Tromp and DFAd Cooper Hummel. Athletics outrighted Seth Brown. After sending Cavan Biggio to AAA, the Royals called up John Rave. The Padres, after placing Jason Heyward on the IL, are searching for left-handed hitting outfield help. There were no games for the Dodgers affiliates today. Taylor 0-3 with 2 Ks in his Halo debut. Angels lost 5-1. Padres won, keeping pace with LA.
2-game skid over, good.
Yep, they played well, and the top of the lineup hit great.
Max still not hitting well enough to make up for his bad D.
Conforto looks like a lost cause. I don´t know how much longer you can trot him out there every game.
Yoshi with 6 very good innings. Scott looked better too sans that ringing double . Vesia always with lots of runners on .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muncy should sit agains lefties. Play Kike at 3B against the lefties.
Until there’s a better option. He limits the ability to swap out Keekay for Teo late in games. Between LF & 3B, Keekay should be playing almost everyday.
Maybe it is Muncy that needs swapping out late in games.
Clearly, Kike needs to be playing against lefties- be it at 3B or LF. That is not a hard thing to do.
Chris Taylor batting 8th and playing CF went 0 for 3 with 2 SO and 3 LOB.
The Dodgers ruined Taylor trying to turn him into a home run hitter.
Taylor was not a good hitter when he came to LA. But Taylor is still a .250 career hitter, 12 points higher than Kike. And Kike has always tried to hit the ball out of the park. Taylor occasionally hit homers. LA did not try to turn him into a home run hitter, they did what they have done with all of their hitters, taught launch angle. His injuries have led more to his lack of hitting the last couple of years than any other factor.
Taylor has not hit .250 since he signed his new contract. Whether it was the Dodgers or Taylor himself, somewhere along the way he got too home run happy.
Horse manure. He was never going to be a power guy. And injuries are as much to blame as anything else. He hasn’t played more than 118 games since he signed his contract. And a guy with 108 career homers in 10 seasons is not trying to be homer happy. And I said he is a .250 career hitter. The first 5 years he was with LA he hit over .250 every year. It is easy to torch the guy when he is down. Before injuries, he was better than some, worse than most, but a valuable piece. They signed him to that deal because they needed him. Kike had left. And what proof do you have that the Dodgers tried to turn him into a power hitter? He had the same hitting coaches as every player on the team. Von Scoyoc and Bates, and before that, Brown, all teach the same style of hitting. It worked great for JT. But Taylor isn’t that kind of hitter. JT never was a homer guy until LA got him.
I got your horse manure. And you know what you can do with it. Taylor on his new contract was a bust. If we got the 2017-2021 Taylor it would have been a good deal. But, we didn’t. It was a calculated risk and I understand why they did it. It just didn’t work out. He should have modeled his game after Brett Butler and not try to be a power hitter swinging for the fence every AB no matter the situation or count. I know you are a staunch Taylor advocate and that is fine. But, sometime, you have to admit that he has been abysmal the last 4 seasons and did not live up to the contract he got.
You know why I respect and defend Taylor, it is simple, the guy did EVERYTHING THE TEAM ASKED and never complained. How do you know who he modeled his game after. He did what the team wanted him to do, and it worked until he started getting injured. Just check his stat page on baseball reference. He missed a ton of games, because he was injured. So yeah, Horse Manure.
Still can’t admit that he has been a huge bust since 2022. So you play the injury card. Horse Shit.
BS, I know as well as anyone that he did not live up to the goals they felt he could reach. Injury card? It is a fact he was injured; how can anyone downplay that as a factor in his statistics? Look how many games he missed over those 3 years. I don’t judge players performances when injuries do not allow them to play their best. Felt the same way about Matt Kemp after 2012.My reason for supporting him was simple, and I stated that. He did whatever the team asked from his first day on the team to his last without complaint. If that isn’t enough to buy him a little respect, well, I do not know what is.
LOL. I would do whatever was asked of me and not complain if my employer was overpaying me and I sucked at my job.
Nice difference of opinions on what was wrong with CT3. Whether it was due to injuries or hitting philosophy; it doesn’t matter.
The fact is he can’t hit and I’m glad the Dodger Brass decided to finally cut bait. I wish him well with the Angels but his time was up with LA.
Do you think the Angels have an interest in a left fielder?
He asked for his release. He wanted a chance to see more playing time, and he wasn’t going to get that with the Dodgers.
I think it’s funny that you guys are arguing about horseshit.
Isn’t that kind of bullshit?
Ok, I’ll stop now….😆🐴
Sarcasm?
Somewhat.
Time for Kike to start at 3rd against lefties and more time for Kim and less for Conforto. Pages back on the down elevator. What floor will he finally end up on?
Kim does not play left. Pages was pretty hot and has cooled off, it happens. Betts is in a power slump.
Kim at 2nd, Edman in CF and Pages in left. No Conforto
Too early to give up on Conforto….his resume means something to me.
Emmet Sheehan’s first game of ACL rehab:
2.0 IP
Zero hits, runs, walks.
5 Ks
Retired all 6 batters faced.
He’ll be needed.
Yes yes yes……keep it up Emmett….we desperately need you back starting.
Excellent news!
Decent
Were replies to comments rolled up on purpose or by accident?
I don’t know but this new system is kinda annoying.
I am sorry that you are not getting your paid subscriptions worth.
Howdy Jeff. See you are back.
That started after the maintenance was done on the site last week. Jeff will be back Wednesday; you can ask him about it.
May Vs Bibee tonight.
I think this marks the first season with 10 starts for May.
Maybe bibee, find somebody new!!!
How long are the Dodgers going to go with Conforto? How much longer is he going to keep stinking up the lineup? I think we’ve seen enough of him. We’ve had enough Plate appearances to know what’s there, which is nothing.
It’s time for the club to make a move and get him off the roster. They can easily (please don’t tell me that they can’t release players when they just released Taylor who was earning 13M) grant him his immediate release and call up anyone from OKC or Tulsa.
Just make the move Dodgers. Stop torturing us by making us watch his ABs anymore.
They should have cut Conforto and kept Taylor. Same money. And Taylor at least can play multiple positions at an average or better level. Conforto is a liability on defense and is slow.
I was thinking the same thing. Anyone is better than Concrappo
I absolutely agree with you
100%. I posted the same about Muncy the other day and was chided by one poster and was questioned that if I did t have a replacement player in mind or how a new 3B might be acquired just to suggest a replacement was a waste of time.
At this point I could care less who they replace Conforto or Muncy with but both need to be replaced.
That was me, and it is an honest question. Make a suggestion on who you think is available RIGHT NOW. Because if there is no one, replacing Max is a moot point.
Not sure you have to have a replacement in mind. As a fan, and not privy to who might be available and who isn’t, shouldn’t prevent a casual, but fervent fan, from wishing someone else could play 3B.
It’s a freaking baseball blog.
I don’ know of anyone better who is available. As far as I can see, the Dodgers are not even looking. Not questioning you fervor for the team, just the fact that fans beating the drum for the removal of two players without even a hint of suggestions as to who replaces them. I know it would not be Kike on a full-time basis. He has been an everyday player just once in his career, back when he left for Boston.
For those who are complaining about the replies rolling up, it was not requested by me. I have no idea why they did that. But all you have to do is hit the toggle next to view replies and they all pop up. Each original reply has this option. Some people want the replies hidden; some do not. This gives the reader the choice.
Thus, readers who think my site is annoying, I am doing the best I can with limited IT knowledge and limited budget. If you do not like it, please start your own, otherwise I am doing the best I can.
For the last week I have not been able to have access to my dashboard to draft and publish posts. So, if you are annoyed because you have to hit a toggle to unhide replies, I do not have a lot of sympathy. I do not have access to my site for which I pay handsomely for.
I am trying my best to make this site functional. If you do not like it, there are dozens of other Dodger sites available. I cannot make everyone happy.
I hope to have access sometime today.
I actually like it. This is just me, but it makes the comment section cleaner and a little easier to navigate, without having to scroll through 80-100 comments and posts.
I like this “new” way…..so now, if the original thought written is not important to me, I don’t have to scroll down below all the responses.
Progress mates…embrace it while you can.
Jeff, first of all, thanks for all you and Bear do and this great Dodger blog. It is the best Dodger blog out there. I am neither annoyed or delighted by the new format. It is what it is.
Damn, did you edit this to sound nicer or meaner?
Take it any way you want.
Thanks for the explanation Jeff. Since it was new, I for one found it a small annoyance. But it was a question and nothing personal. I love this site and will work around it now that I know the skinny. I appreciate what you do.
Phil, I empathize with the annoyance. I am annoyed that the maintenance people do not fix what they were asked to do and fix something that was not asked for and was not needed.
I have been away from the site for three days, and was not aware of the problem. Bums asked a legit question and that did prompt my query with the site maintenance, for which I pay for. What I did not appreciate was the flip comment from Johnny gentle.
Noted
So I know Orel pitched in the bigs for 18 seasons and was and is a pitching coach, but I thought he blew the explanation on Gavin Williams’ balk in the top of the 2nd and two or three subsequent balks that weren’t called.
Orel explained that that ”jump / spin move” by Williams was illegal on the first one and therefore a balk. Maybe I misunderstood him.
The “jump / spin” move is absolutely legal in MLB and every level of baseball that I’m aware of.
The rule book states “a jump pivot to first base by a right-handed pitcher is legal in MLB. The pitcher is allowed to use a jump pivot, which involves both feet leaving the ground simultaneously and then pivoting, to “gain ground” towards first base before throwing to first. This move is considered legal as long as the pitcher maintains a continuous and uninterrupted motion towards first base”.
Williams did all these things.
What Orel failed to point out was Williams quick front knee buckle, prior to the jump pivot to first. Now that is clearly illegal and deceptive to the runner at first.
That’s an “A” move and is hard to pick up at lower levels with 2 man umpiring mechanics because thew base ump is lined up in front of 2nd base and he may not have the best view of the pitcher. But with 4-man mechanics, this should never be missed by at least one umpire.
In fact, all 4 umpires called the first balk on Williams. Apparently, that was his first balk of the season.
But a least two more times, Williams did the same thing, buckle that front knee slightly, before the move to first. I replayed it frame by frame and he absolutely buckled that from knee without lifting his left heal. It’s a balk and should never be missed.
Back before the 3 disengagement rule, you might see 3 different moves to first commonly used:
moves to first usually came in 3 varieties . A “C’ move – that’s where the pitcher disengages from the rubber and tosses to first (or not). He just wants the runner to know he’s paying attention with no intent to pick the runner off. It’s also frequently used in a bunt situation to see if the hitter “tips” bunt early. “B” move – the pitchers best LEGAL move with intent for a pick-off. For a RHP that could be a legal “jump – pivot” move or for a LHP a legal pick with a step to first within the 45 degree allowable angle, or a quick step-off while throwing to first simultaneously.
The “A” move – is a balk move that the pitcher usually springs infrequently to deceive the runner and pick him off with hope the umpires miss it. Pitchers like Andy Petite pushed these limits often and “had a great move”. I thought it was a balk about half the time and his “A” move was seldom called a balk. For a RHP like Williams, his “A” move is buckling that front knee is an act to deceive the runner.
Many coaches teach a baserunner to watch RHP’s heels in his stretch. If the right heel lifts first, he has to move to the base. If the left heel lifts first or if that front knee buckles, the pitcher has to throw to home. If you are stealing you focus on the left heel and knee to get a jump.
And that is why buckling that left knee is deceiving the runner and SHOULD be called a balk.
They missed that 2 or 3 times last night. And so did Orel.
Is it physically possible to jump without bending a knee?
All the timing of the move Bum. Yes, I suppose a jump pivot requires bending BOTH knees at the same time; but not bending the left knee first, before the jump.
“The pitcher is allowed to use a jump pivot, which involves both feet leaving the ground simultaneously”.
“When a pitcher throws to first base, they must step directly towards it and then throw”
How is the jump pivot a step directly toward first base?
Badger, you umpired. You know rule and his casebook interpretation:
By rule on the “jump-pivot”, the RHP must “gain ground” toward first base.
“Gaining Ground”: The step towards first must be a clear and direct movement, not a deceptive or deceptive movement that could mislead the runner.
During the “jump pivot”. the RHP must then take a small jump with both feet at the same time using the right foot to step TOWARDS first base.
For LHP, stepping less a 45 degree angle toward home plate is considered as stepping towards first. That 45 degrees is about as clear as a HPU’s individual strike zone.
But the point of last night was the buckled front knee prior to the jump-pivot.
I cannot believe a balk has produced this much dialogue.
I can. It’s important.
As Bum said, you can’t jump without bending the knee.
Phil, to be honest I never saw a jump pivot when I umpired. The first time I saw it, in the 80s I believe, I didn’t like it because the act involves movement toward home. You didn’t use to be allowed to disengage your foot from the rubber with a move toward home. Now you can. Things change. As for where his left foot was landing, yeah I guess it was a few inches toward first.
Matt Thaiss traded to the Rays. Some teams have an interest in former Rockies closer, Daniel Bard after he threw a recent showcase.
Former OKC stalwart Drew Avans has been called up by the Sacramento Athletics. Leaving the Dodgers paid off.
The same will happen with Ryan Ward next year.
Probably others too.
I read somewhere that the Dodgers have by far produced the most MLB players.
Another nice tip of the cap to the development and drafting system.
This Ohtani guy is pretty good.
Almost as good as Conforto and Muncy tonight!
No way Dodgers lose when Conforto AND Muncy go yard! Impressive. One bad grooved fastball and May would have been golden.
Goodwin
Conforto 2 hits! Let’s keep this going
Muncy absolutely crushed that ball on his HR swing.
Muncy has the most beautiful and powerful homerun swing in baseball when he connects on a letter high fastball.
Just heard a Dodger YouTuber refer to Max Muncy as “struggling”….
With the glove, perhaps. But the corrective lenses have really helped.
Over the last 30 days, Max has hit to an .829 OPS.
Over the past 15 days, his OPS has been .942.
Over the past seven days, .847.
Those are really good numbers. That “struggling” label seems hard to shake. And as with Kike last season, the new spectacles seem to have really made a difference.
Perhaps Max’s eyesight is back to where it was when he was hitting 35 HRs per season.
Perhaps, I hope so.
I don’t like the hidden replies format, because too often the “View Replies” stops working when I click on it, and whole page freezes up. So then I’m stuck wasting time refreshing the page to get everything working again.
Sounds like more of a computer problem than something wrong with the site. It works every time I do it.
Ex-OKC lead-off batter Drew Avans singled in his first AB for the Athletics, thus providing hope for Ryan Ward, Austin Gauthier, Kody Hoese and other Comets who seem blocked from an MLB opportunity.
I really hope AF makes a deal or two that upgrades the LA roster and moves players like Ward and Gauthier. Several teams should be sellers.
What would Orioles CF Cedric Mullins cost?
A few seasons ago, he was emerging as the face of the Orioles’ franchise. But then came Rutschman, Henderson and others. The O’s never signed Mullins to a long-term deal.
Right now, Mullins is hitting to a .713 OPS with 8 HRs–not outstanding, but a lot better than Conforto. Mullins would play CF, pushing Pages to LF.
Some contender will deal for him.
Mullins has been mentioned as a trade target several times on yahoo sports. One of the Dodgers mid-level pitching prospects as a possible return.
IF Conforto can find his mean production level, which be an OPS+ level near 115, there would be no need for a move. A 4 man outfield of Pages, Edman, Teo and Conforto, with Kiké as a 5th, would suffice. In fact, it could be awesome.
The offense shouldn’t be a problem. As it stands now, the move would be for pitching. But even that could work itself out.
So good to see MM and Conforto getting big knocks today. Keep em crushing , guys.
DePaula with a 3-3, BB, HR, day at GL.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally agree with you. Freeland hit 2 homers tonight for OKC. Outman had one and Senzel hit 2. Hoese is down to .219. Freeland and Outman had 3 hits, Berroa, Senzel and Feduccia had 2 each.
Love that Max and Michael had good games. They both needed it if only to boost their confidence. Conforto getting 2 hits was huge for him. Max getting much needed insurance was also key. May looked good and made 1 bad pitch. Casparius should get some ROY votes.
Agree. I’ve been outspoken on both, now lets see if they can hit with more consistency. Hope so!
Go Dpdgers.
Chris Taylor went 0-3 again with 2 Ks, but he made a great diving catch to rob Goldschmidt of a hit in the first inning.
Even though the Angels reside close to where I lived in my youth I’ve never developed a real interest in them. My buddies and I used to go to Angel Stadium when you could sit with the seagulls for a few bucks, but for me that was mostly to see American League stars. The Angels had theirs of course, Jim Fregosi, Sandy Alomar, Frank Robinson, Andy Messersmith, a neighbor of mine, was fun to go see pitch. There were a few others, but not many in the 60’s and early 70s. Grich and Abbot came later.
I wish Taylor the best, but I won’t pay much attention to his numbers.
eduardo quintero is on a 29 game on-base streak.