In the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers, there have been a total of 13 no-hitters. There were a total of 13 when the team was in Brooklyn. Koufax, Erskine, and Adonis Terry, are the only pitchers with more than one.
Terry pitched his in 1886 and 1888. Before Brooklyn joined the National League in 1890. Brooklyn pitchers threw 9 from 1900 to 1957 when the team left Brooklyn. Mal Eason, Nap Rucker, Dazzy Vance, Tex Carleton, Ed Head, Rex Barney, Erskine, (2) and then Maglie.
Koufax threw the first four in LA Dodger history, 62-63-64-65. To make the list fair, we have to include the ones thrown in Brooklyn. Not an easy task. I will take into consideration the number of base runners and the opponent. Also, if the game was pitched during a tight pennant race. One and two are fairly easy. The eight leading up to the top, that is a little tougher.
Ten
This one makes the list because it was played in Mexico, and because it is the only combined no-hitter in Dodger history. On May 4, 2018, the Dodgers were playing the Padres at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey. Walker Buehler got the start. Joey Lucchesi started for the Padres. The Dodgers scored a run in the first, two in the second on a pair of homers by Taylor and Kike. They would score another in the 6th when Utley was driven home by Alex Verdugo. Kemp drove in the other run in the first.
The Dodger starting lineup was Taylor SS, Kike 1B, Kemp RF, Grandal C, Barnes 2B, Farmer 3B, Verdugo LF, Locastro CF and Buehler.
Buehler went 6 innings, walking 3 and striking out 8. Cingrani came in and walked 2 and struck out 1. Yimi Garcia pitched a clean 8th inning, striking out 2. Adam Liberatore then pitched a clean 9th and secured the win and the no-hitter. It should be noted that after this game, they lost the next two in Mexico and headed home with a 15-19 record, 8 games out of first place. They trailed all year, caught the Rockies at the end of the season and won game 163 behind Buehler to head to the playoffs. They would go to the World Series, but they would be beaten by Mookie Betts and the Red Sox.
Nine
This no-hitter is on the list because it was the first one in Los Angeles. Koufax would allow 5 baserunners, the most in any Dodger no-hitter, but it set the tone for the Dodgers in 1962. It was June 30, 1962. The Dodgers were playing the expansion New York Mets, who were in their second season of existence. It was the 80th game of the year.
The Dodgers at that point were 51-29, 1/2 game out of first place. The Mets had some decent players, Richie Ashburn, Rod Kanehl, Frank Thomas and Jim Hickman. Bob Miller, who would later become a Dodger, was the starting pitcher. The Dodgers scored 4 runs off of Miller in the bottom of the first. That was pretty much the ballgame right there. Miller lasted 2/3rds of an inning and was replaced by Ray Daviault. Daviault would only allow Frank Howards HR in the 7th inning. Koufax won, 5-0.
Meanwhile Koufax carved up the Mets hitters, striking out 13 and walking 4. It was Sandy’s 11th win of the year. Due to problems with the circulation in one of his fingers, he went on the DL in mid-July, and would not be back until late September, and he was ineffective when he did return. But he won 14 games in spite of missing more than 2 months.
Eight
On September 9th, 1948, Rex Barney would no-hit the Giants. It was an important win for Brooklyn since it kept them within striking distance of the Braves in the NL. They were in 3rd, four games out with 22 games left to play. Barney would allow only 2 baserunners that day. Both on walks.
Brooklyn would score only two runs, one driven in by Furillo and the other by Hodges. The Giants had some very good hitters in their lineup that day including, Johnny Mize, Whitey Lockman, Don Mueller, and Walker Cooper. Barney only struck out four.
Seven
On June 19, 1952, Carl Erskine would no-hit the Cubs at Ebbets Field. He would allow one baserunner on a walk, but this game he only struck out one batter. Chicago had some pretty good hitters in the lineup with Hank Sauer, Dee Fondy, Bob Addis, and Gene Hermanski. Brooklyn scored early on a couple of home runs from Campy and Furillo.
Erskine kept the Cubs off balance with his curveball. Andy Pafko hit the third HR of the game for the Dodgers in the second inning, and they scored another in the 8th on a single by Campanella.
Six
Friday, June 27th, 1980, Candlestick Park, San Francisco. Dodger left hander, Jerry Reuss, tossed a 8-0 no-hitter at the Giants. Jerry allowed only one baserunner, and like Kershaw in 2014, his perfecto was ruined by an error by an infielder. Bill Russell’s errant throw in the first inning allowed the Giant’s only runner of the game.
The Dodgers jumped all over Giant’s starter, Vida Blue, for seven runs, six of which were earned. Ron Cey hit two homers off of Blue and Rudy Law hit one off of Blue also. Steve Yeager would club one later in the game off of Gary Lavelle. Reuss walked none and struck out only two. The win was his 9th of the year against one loss.
Five
May 11, 1963, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles. Dodger ace Sandy Koufax threw the second no-hitter of his career against the Giants. It came when the Dodgers were trying to erase the bad taste the ending of the 1962 season had left.
It was doubly sweet simply because it was against the Giants, and their starting pitcher, Juan Marichal. But unlike many of Koufax’s best games, he only struck out four. The two runners he allowed were both on walks.
One was erased on a double play, and the other was pinch hitter, Willie McCovey, in the top of the 9th inning. The Dodgers scored one in the bottom of the second on a Wally Moon homer. That was all they had until the bottom of the sixth when Marichal was touched up for three more, and replaced with one out by John Pregenzer.
The Dodgers would score four more off of Pregenzer in the bottom of the 8th. Koufax finished off the Giants in the top of the 9th. Dodgers win, 8-0. The win was Koufax’s fourth of the year and brought the Dodgers to three games back of the league leading Giants.
Four
September 25, 1956. Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York. The Dodgers were in a tight race with the Milwaukee Braves with just four games left on the schedule. Sal “The Barber” Maglie started the game for the Dodgers against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phils at the time were a fifth place team.
They did have some pretty good hitters in their lineup, and Ebbets was a great hitter’s park. But this day, Maglie kept the Phillie hitters at bay. He walked two and hit one batter, Ashburn. Meanwhile, the Dodgers got to Jack Meyers for five runs, three of them earned. The big blow was Campanella’s two run homer, his 19th of the year.
Meyer lasted 2 1/3rds of an inning and the Dodgers stayed one-half game back. They would win three of their last four and win the pennant by one game. The last game was won by Cy Young, the first ever, and MVP winner, Don Newcombe. His best season ever.
Three
September 17, 1996, Coors Field, Denver Colorado. Some might argue this choice, but simply because of where it was thrown and the conditions it was played under, it makes my list.
Hideo Nomo was the starting pitcher for the Dodgers. There was a two-hour rain delay before the game started. The temperature was down to 46 degrees, but the umpires decided despite a slow sprinkle that the field was in good enough condition to play.
Bill Swift started the game for the Rockies. He went five innings and allowed five earned runs. Meanwhile Nomo was keeping the Rockies off of the scoreboard while walking four and striking out eight.
The Dodgers scored one more in the eighth and three in the ninth, two of them coming on a homer by Tim Wallach. Nomo struck out to end the Dodger ninth and then went to the mound to finish the game.
He had to face Eric Young, .330 at the time, Quentin McCraken, .286 and Ellis Burks, .342. He got Young then McCraken out on infield grounders to second baseman, Delino DeShields. Burks stepped to the plate. He was the Rockies hottest hitter. He worked a 2-2 count and then Nomo threw him his signature forkball, Ellis swung and missed. The win kept the Dodgers alive in the pennant race. They would finish second to the Padres and lose in the playoffs to Atlanta.
It was the first, and still the only no-hitter thrown at Coors Field. It is notable for that fact, and the fact that the conditions were so bad, and Nomo did it against the Rockies’ powerful lineup. He kept the so-called Blake Street Bombers, Bichette, Galarraga, Castilla, and Burks from scoring. Nomo would pitch another no-hitter when he was a member of the Red Sox. In his Red Sox debut, he no-hit the Orioles at Camden Yards. Still the only no-hitter thrown there.
Two
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, June 18th, 2014. This was the Dodgers second no-hitter of the year following Josh Beckett’s no-hitter in Philadelphia on the 25th of May.
L.A. at the time was in second place, five and a half games back with a 39-34 record. Clayton Kershaw got the start against the Rockies Jorge De La Rosa.
De La Rosa would go 3.1 innings and was tagged for 8 runs, 7 of them earned. Meanwhile, Kershaw was carving up the Rockie bats. He was perfect through six innings.
In the top of the seventh, the first batter hit a grounder to Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez made an errant throw to first base, and Colorado had their first and only baserunner.
Kershaw kept on rolling, striking out fifteen Rockies and not walking a man. He also was saved in the late innings by a great play made by third baseman, Miguel Rojas.
One
September 9, 1965, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles. The Dodgers were locked in a tight pennant race with the Giants and they were 1/2 game back. The Cubs were in town for what was a makeup game. Bob Hendley was the starter for Chicago, who had some pretty good hitters on their team, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ernie Banks.
They also had a rookie, Don Young, leading off and playing center field, and another rookie, Byron Browne, playing left and batting sixth. Glen Becket, the second baseman, was also a rookie.
As remembered by some, it seemed like Koufax had some problems getting loose. But he still was using his fastball to get the hitters to swing and miss. Meanwhile, Hendley was doing the same to the Dodgers. Going into the bottom of the fifth inning, both pitchers were perfect.
Hendley walked Lou Johnson, ending his bid for a perfecto. Fairly then laid down a bunt that Hendley bobbled, and his only play was to first. Johnson then took off for third, and scored when the catcher’s throw sailed into left field. Johnson would later single, the only hit in the game. Koufax kept on retiring the Cubs and struck out the last six hitters he faced to get his perfect game. His fourth and final no-hitter.
Well, there they are. Great games all of them. Some are impactful, and others no so much. But they are part of the Dodgers long history.
MiLB Game Summary Reports
Salt Lake City Bees 3 – OKC Baseball Club 2
In what could be Walker Buehler’s final rehab assignment, this was Buehler’s best rehab game thus far. He got through 5 complete innings. He allowed 1 run on 7 hits, 0 BB, 5 K. He threw 75 pitches (54 strikes). His velo was way down. His 4-seamer never reached 94, while his sinker hit 94.3 and 94.6. By design?
The Salt Lake Bees scored two runs in the seventh inning to take the lead as they sent the Oklahoma City Baseball Club to a 3-2 loss Tuesday night in the series opener. Chad Wallach hit a RBI double in the fourth inning to put Salt Lake ahead, 1-0. Oklahoma City tied the score, 1-1, on a solo home run by Ryan Ward in the bottom of the inning. The Bees scored two runs in the seventh inning on a RBI double by Elliot Soto followed by a RBI groundout for a 3-2 lead. Hunter Feduccia connected on a RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to trim the lead to one run.
Reigning PCL Player of the Week Ryan Ward hit his third home run in two games and sixth home run in six games. He leads OKC with 11 home runs and 30 RBI this season. Eighteen of his 25 hits this season have gone for extra bases.
No OKC hitter had more than 1 hit, and only Ward had an XBH.
Springfield Cardinals 6 – Tulsa Drillers 2
Tulsa had three hits on the night. No Driller had more than 1 hit.
Justin Wrobleski had his second consecutive rough outing. He allowed a single, double and sac fly in the 1st inning. He was brilliant after the sac fly through the 4th, allowing 1 base runner. He lost control in the 5th. He walked the first batter, HBP the second batter, and the third batter had a bunt single.
Logan Boyer relieved Wrobleski with the bases full and nobody out. After a double and two singles, all three of the inherited runners scored and one more on Boyer.
Jack Dreyer continued his mastery in the Texas League with 2 more scoreless and hitless innings. He walked 1 and struck out 2. For the season, Dreyer has now appeared in 8 games, 12.2 IP, 0 runs, 5 hits, 2 BB, and 17 K.
A walk, a single with runner moving to 3rd, and a sac fly got one Drillers run in the 3rd. A single, throwing error and sac fly got a 2nd run in the 8th.
That was the Tulsa offense.
Great Lakes Loons 6 – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee) 4
Jackson Ferris is having a rough start as a Dodger prospect. In the first inning, Ferris allowed a single, 2 wild pitches, a BB and SB, and with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Ferris allowed a single and two scored with an E7. He issued a second BB, and all with no outs. 2 more SB and a fielders choice for the 3rd run. All in all in the 1st inning, 2 singles, 2 WP, 2 BB, and 4 SB produced 3 runs (2 earned).
In the 2nd, the first batter reached on a fielding E5. 2 singles later, and the 4th Timber Rattler run came across. He got out of the 3rd inning without a run, but his night was done. He threw 71 pitches (44 strikes).
Noah Miller hit a solo HR in the 2nd inning, his 3rd on the season.
The Loons scored a pair in the 4th. Thayron Liranzo hit a one out double, and scored on a 2 out Noah Miller single. Miller took 2nd on a WP, and scored on a Sam Mongelli single.
In the 5th, Nick Biddison led off with a HBP and came home on a 2-run Jake Vogel HR (2).
In the 8th, Chris Newell led off with a double, and came home on Noah Miller’s single, his 3rd run scoring hit of the game.
In the meantime, the Loons relievers shut down Wisconsin after the 3rd inning. Jonathan Edwards (1.0 inning), Chris Campos (3.0 innings), and Kelvin Ramirez (2.0 innings), combined for no runs, on 2 hits, 1 BB, and 7 K in their 6.0 IP.
- Noah Miller – 3-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI, HR (3)
- Sam Mongelli – 4-4, 1 RBI
- Jake Vogel – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (2)
- Thayron Liranzo – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, double (5)
- Chris Newell – 1-3, 2 BB, 1 run, double (5)
Modesto Nuts (Seattle) 14 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6
The pitching disappeared in this game. Carlos Duran and Gabe Emmett both of whom have had great starts, were not good at all in this one. It was ugly, let’s just leave it at that. And the other two relievers did not shine either.
Jefferson Valladares was an IFA signed by LAD in April 2019 from Barquisimeto, Venezuela had a big night with his first A League double and triple.
- Jeral Perez – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (7)
- Jefferson Valladares – 2-5, 1 RBI, double (1), triple (1)
- Jesus Galiz – 2-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI
- Kendall George – 2-6, 1 RBI
- Jordan Thompson – 1-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (4)
A bee delay? Well, that is what happened, and it must have put the Dodger offense to sleep because they did nothing. Knack pitched ok, the homer to Walker being his only big mistake. They had to use Crismatt in the 9th and 10th because Hudson gave up the lead in the 8th. Phillips was not available. You have to feel bad for Mike Trout, hurt again with a torn meniscus. Out for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Ohtani may be one of the best hitters in the game, but with RISP as a Dodger, so far, he sucks. Bad loss.
Actually I think Knack pitched better than okay. 5.0 IP, 4 hits, 1 BB and 64 pitches. If we are going to critcise for the Walker HR, Knack has a loooong way to go before he catches HRs by Walker off Kershaw; 8-34 with 5 HR in 36 PA. Christian Walker has 64 hits, 20 home runs, 48 RBIs and 36 runs scored in 83 games against the Dodgers in his career. Knack is just one of many who Walker has feasted on against the Dodgers. He will be a free agent this winter. I hope he finds a home in the AL next yer.
Seems like Noah Miller is hitting pretty well for a “glove-first” SS. And Sweeney and Lipscius are playing well at OKC. And I’ve always like Gauthier, now in Tulsa.
But that new SS in LA is playing better than all of them.
It’s been reported that Mookie is +1 in defensive runs saved. I’m not sure whether to trust various fielding metrics, but that’s a good sign.
The Mookie-Lux-Rojas mashup seems to be working, but perhaps the brass should give both Lux and Outman the opportunity to work through their problems against lefties. Seems to me that both have greater upside than the veterans who’ve been taking those ABs.
If you were listening to the broadcast tonight, it looks like Mookie will only be playing SS from now on. Rojas will be the SS only if Mookie gets a day off. Lux has not hit more than one ball hard in the last several games. He is rolling over on pitches and hitting the ball to the right side of the infield. Both Muncy and Ohtani should take lessons from Freeman about how to approach an at bat with runners in scoring positions. Once more with the bases loaded, they failed to deliver a big hit. They should have scored more than one run in the 10th. They put the pitcher in a bad spot in the bottom of the inning by only scoring one. Two games were won tonight on 2 run walk off homers, this one, and Houston’s win over the Guardians.
The Dodger brass apparently have read what I have said about Betts only playing SS. It’s nice to know they read this blog. Congrats Jeff.
Sometimes we have to hold our noses when the longer term benefit justifies keeping Lux and Outman in the lineup as regulars.
Time to switch Betts and Ohtani in the batting order for a week.
Rojas should play third against lefties.
Pederson is having a good April and his double led to AZ tying the game and forcing it to extra innings.
As far as I am concerned, the Dodgers have a shortstop and a second baseman for the next 3 years at least and middle infield trade talk fails to realize a strength that is already in place.
This season, Lux and Outman have problems batting against all pitchers–not just lefties. And I doubt their “upside” is really that much better than the vets taking their AB’s. So besides all the pitching injuries, what to do about Lux and Outman are the chief concerns facing Friedman this year.
I think they’ve already found a solution to Lux and Outman. Pages has replaced Outman in CF and Rojas has found his bat and seems to be a better choice at 2B than Lux. At this point, Lux would have to go on a tear at the plate to own 2B. The odds are that he is traded at some point in the not too distant future.
I have to agree with Old Bear about Ohtani’s inability to hit with RISP. It’s perplexing.
Yes, Pages replaces Outman in CF, Teoscar plays either corner, but they still need another corner outfielder who can HIT! Rojas’s bat has life so far, but his age renders him less dependable as an everyday player. So they also need another (younger) middle infielder who can hit well — which Lux was expected to do this season.
I too agree with Bear on Ohtani’s struggles with men on base. BUT, Ohtani’s too talented, prideful, and smart to let this problem go on much longer …at least I hope that’s the case.
Someone said it yesterday, Jeff maybe, Pages is less than in center field. I agree. Put him in a platoon with Heyward in right. Actually don’t L/R platoon them, just split time with Heyward out there. Outman, just a sophomore, needs at bats.
Never saw a no-hitter in person but came close when Randy Johnson lost a no hitter with 1 out in the 9th against Oakland.
Last night. Every team does this now and again. No big deal. Maybe whatever was used to sedate the bees got into the Dodgers bat rack. If they wipe down the bats they should be fine.
Outman, Lux and Taylor. I remember Karros one year after a slow Dodgers start telling an anxious media “relax, it’s only May”. Well, it’s now May and I think maybe the Karros May Writ should be observed. Keep putting them out there and trust they will get it together. Outman is the starting centerfielder so I leave him there all season. Lux is coming off that injury so I give him to July. Taylor is, well, Taylor is as lost as any player I can remember. 3 for 49. Do we “relax, it’s only May” him? Give him 100 at bats to show up? Yeah, I’m good with that I think. Start over with 50 more at bats and if he doesn’t hit .250 with him give him an obliquitous injury report and 60 Day his fundament.
Sounds rationale, I’m sure someone will counter it.
I always make that mistake, thank you for the correction
The beekeeper dude was comedy last night.
Reminded me of Lt. Frank Drebin in Naked Gun as the umpire, when he was all fired up by the crowd cheering for him.
The thing about Taylor is that his funk at the plate isn’t only this year. Last year he hit .237/.327/.420/.746 with 125 K in 338 AB (37% K rate). In 2022, he hit .221/.304/.373/.677 with 160 K in 402 AB (40% K rate).
He hasn’t had a good season since 2021. While this year is even worse than previous years, he simply hasn’t been a good hitter for a while.
Taylor is sadly beyond done. The fork would bend if you tried to stick him with it.
“He hasn’t had a good season since 2021.”
So you’re saying he’s due.
You didn’t like my plan for him? Another month. Get him some hypnosis therapy, and a PhD in biomechanics counsel to analyze his swing.
And here’s some progressive ideas that I think have merit. First, change his #. CT3 just screams Chris Taylor Strike 3. And, get him some contacts. (think about it).
So, if Buehler returns to the rotation next week, which starter draws the short straw, or do they go to a 6-man rotation?
Knack has pitched very well in his three starts.
Stone’s last start was his best of the year.
YY has been very good after Korea
Glasnow has been excellent except for the start where he was under the weather.
Paxton has been decent but his last start was his worst.
I don’t see any scenario in which they remove Paxton at this point in the season. I’m thinking Knack is pulled from the rotation if they go with 5 starters and that would be a shame considering how he’s pitched.
If it were me, I’d give Buehler another start at OKC, but I don’t make those decisions and that would probably piss him off.
How does everyone else feel about this conundrum?
6 man the rest of the way. And I too would give Buehler more time.
You are probably right. Glasnow, Yamamoto, Stone are in the rotation for now. AF did not sign Paxton to relieve. He has done nothing wrong to eliminate him from the #5 spot. So Buehler would necessarily replace Knack, and I think that would be a shame. 6-man rotation? Ryan Yarbrough has basically filled that role as the bulk inning reliever after an opener. So does it make sense to take Yarbrough out of that role and make him a 1-2 inning reliever, and make Knack the 6th man in the rotation? I say why not. I have no idea when Bobby Miller will be back, but it does not look like anytime soon. But when he does, then someone will have to be pushed out at that time, and if it makes sense for a 6-man now, then it definitely would make sense at that time. I think the only person this would impact is Tyler Glasnow, who like Clayton Kershaw loves routine and a 5-man rotation.
We will know more if Buehler is going to get another OKC start after the Roberts/Buehler discussion last night.
My one objection to Paxton is his efficiency and BB rate. I’ve never seen a Dodger pitcher give up so many walks. Very uncharacteristic for our pitching staff.
The walks are frustrating. But all in all, he is a #5 pitcher with 5 starts and 25.2 IP. He is 3-0, while the team is 4-1 in his 5 starts. His ERA is 3.51, so while there is a lot of traffic, he is getting the outs. Really what is there to complain about? Other than he is not Glasnow or Yamamoto. Of course it could better with another CY candidate, but he really is better than Lance Lynn.
Not a convincing comparison to me. Lynn is gone. He seems like a placeholder and that is fine as long as he holds up.
*I missed the pre-game stuff last night. Did Rod Serling do the opening right before the Bee delay?
Like Ricky Ricardo, I need some splainin, as I’m full of questions after this one. And likely full of something else too.
*So suddenly Mookie is the permanent shortstop again (for now) with Miggy Ro at 2nd and I assume Lux vs RHP. After all , we wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to bat Lux against RHP, where he’s hitting .188. Of course Lux came in as a pinch hitter in the 9th against a RHP, replacing Rojas hitting .267.
*Nothing against Mookie but Rojas is the better defender. What’s the explanation on this new plan?
*Again, Kike and CT3 both in the lineup back to back at .242 and .061, because of the LHP, who pitched one inning. The D-Backs threw the LHP for one inning to mess up Doc lefty- righty platoon. Again
*Is Muncy going to see more platooning against LHP?
Muncy’s getting a steady diet of hard stuff away as he seldom gets out of his pull mode.
*I guess Knack hit his goal of 5 innings and 64 pitches so we could get to Grove?
*Crismatt is the new 2 inning guy at the back end with Phillips unavailable?
I obviously have lots of questions after this one. There seems too be a new plan daily.
Maybe Rod Serling can provide the answers from “The Twilight Zone”.
I’m totally lost at this post, Phil.
Are the questions jokes? Rhetorical? What does this have to do with the Twilight Zone? What plans are you seeing implemented daily? I think most of the criticism is that the Dodgers aren’t doing anything “new”, especially with regard to load management, Chris Taylor and platoons.
As far as the questions, I don’t think any of them were a joke, and all were necessarily rhetorical. Since nobody outside of the LAD hierarchy has the answers to those questions, they have to be rhetorical for this crowd, right? Opinions? Sure. BTW, which of the questions did you consider a joke? Sincerely asking. I think every one of those questions have been raised multiple times.
That’s exactly it!
None of this is “from the Twilight Zone”, they are very much the normal run-of-the-mill stuff.
“So suddenly Mookie is the permanent shortstop again (for now) with Miggy Ro at 2nd”.
I did my doctorate on the Dave Roberts Theory of Temporary Permanence. Some day, if you behave yourself Phil, I’ll attempt to explain it to you. Some people think it’s even harder to understand than that theory of Einstein’s, you know the one which says no pitcher shall throw more than 64 pitches if his initials are LK and his last name is a noun.
You’re the guy who actually played ball so I ask you, is it that hard to smack a ball to the oppo field if you have two strikes on you? Freddie can do it, but obviously Max can’t……………….or chooses not to. Drives me crazy, because I happen to be a Muncy fan. His home run swing is a thing of beauty but I could get to like a line drive to left almost as much if he would ever decide to do that.
It also drives Eric Karros crazy. He makes the same comment on Muncy (and Taylor) whenever they come up with RISP. I get in trouble with my wife when I complain that Outman does not take that outside pitch into LF.
In this world of illusion everything is temporary. Roberts knows this. He’s a man of depth.
My philosophy on hitting with two strikes is simple: you were given 2 strikes to launch it. It didn’t happen. Now you must protect the plate, shorten your swing (we used to choke up back in the dead ball era) and “go with the pitch”, another term lost to history. It means don’t try to pull everything, go oppo if it’s outside, hit center cut back through the middle, and barrel inside to 4 hole. Nobody I’ve seen recently does this better than Freeman but Ohtani’s close.
STB – want to versus can’t. Big difference huh? Stubborn is an operative word in a lot of our players approaches and management decisions.
I’m looking to get a copy of your thesis on Doc. I’ve kinda been behaving myself. By the way, is it in comic book form or hardbound?
Anything I write would only be in comic book form.
Don’t you mean graphic novel?
I think they are auditioning Crismatt to see what he can give late in games. So far, I’m not really impressed with him.
Any else feeling uneasy with the way Lux is swinging the bat?
He looks terrible, and his best chance of a hit appears to be an infield dribbler. He’s not even walking and getting on base like he was in ST, allowing Mookie to hit with someone on.
To his credit, it’s not effecting his play at 2B, but I think most agree he is a Bat First position player, and his bat is not firing.
He worries me more than CT3 because I think AF had him down as an everyday hitter against L or RHP! He is already being platooned.CT3 was already on a downward spiral.
Miggy Rojas is playing well, let him handle 2B and get Lux of to Camelback with a phantom injury. Maybe share a Cab with CT3.
I agree that Lux doesn’t look good out there right now, but we need to remember that he’s coming back from a serious leg injury after not playing for a year. We’re winning most of our games and have a decent lead in the division so I would definitely give him more time. If it were left to me, I’d let him keep going until the deadline and if he still looks like this it might be best for all concerned to send him somewhere else. His trade value isn’t going to change measurably between now and then.
I’m pleased with the way he looks at second base and that he hasn’t let his hitting slump affect his fielding. Everything I read says that he’s a hard worker and is trying to get back to where he was before the injury.
My feeling is that if by end July AF can’t say definitively that Gavin Lux is the Dodger second baseman, it would then be time to trade him. But he should be given until then to adjust to his long layoff.
The big question is what to do with KT3.
Valenzuela. June 29, 1990 should be in the top ten. JMO. I am biased, as I was there. What a night.
Didn’t make the cut for a couple of reasons. One, they were 10 games back of the first-place team at the time. Two, the Cardinals were not a very good team in 1990. They had a couple of good players, but the game in and of itself was not a crucial win for the team. Valenzuela got to .500 with the win, his sixth. He would finish the year 13-13.
A lot of good ideas in here today. I like mine the best only because they make it easier to live with myself.
Lux is making contact. Give him some time.
CT25. As in CT 2 for 5.
And CONTACTS. Come on, that’s a good one.
Lux is making contact, but not consistent hard contact. He is rolling over on most of his batted balls. Taylor misses’ way too much.
Obviously the Dodgers need a different approach with RISP.
Most fans have been saying that for years. Their approach with men on base is not very good. Too many are trying to knock the ball out of the park instead of just driving in runs. Smith, Betts and Freeman have the best approaches with men on base. Pages has also been pretty impressive that way. Scary moment when he was hit on the wrist.
He never flinched after being hit.
Blake Treinen is getting closer to a return. Treinen made his fourth rehab appearance today with Triple-A Oklahoma City, and this was his best rehab outing. While the results haven’t been the best, all that matters is he gets game reps and feels healthy.
Per Juan Toribio, Bobby Miller hasn’t progressed past playing catch, according to Roberts. The Dodgers will take it slow with Miller given his importance, and Jason
Heyward suffered another setback in his recovery from a lower back issue that has been affecting him since Spring Training. Heyward had an issue earlier this month as he inched closer to a return. With another setback, it’s fair to assume Heyward will be sidelined for at least a few more weeks.
Back problems usually turn into long-term issues. Heyward probably struggles just to get back to playing this year.
I’ve been struggling with my own back problem after a week. Tweaked it with a kettlebell routine. Arnica and Tens treatment every day. I still struggle to get out of bed.
I’m so sorry to hear that. I too have tweaked my back many times in my life. It’s no fun when it happens. I hope you soon recover from your injuries and can eventually get out of bed pain-free.
Usually I have no problem and it is rare to tweak this so badly. I finally took 600mg of Ibuprofen as the Arnica, ice, warm packs, were not working. I hate taking meds. Let’s see how the next few days go. I really want to tackle that kettlebell.
A lot of right handed hitters to start. I expect a few left handers to get a handful of at bats in opportune moments.
I keep reading how we need to remember that Lux hasn’t played in a year. Isn’t that the same case for Pages? I know they’re different injuries but how is it Pages is doing ok but Lux isn’t? And if it’s because of his legs why is he having no issues running? Didn’t Lux have a good spring?
I’m not trying to bash Lux. I just think he’s having issues at the plate. He has hit in the past so I have no problem with the idea of giving him a long runway. The Dodgers would be far better if he can round out to form.
Two minor league pitching performances of note:
Payton Martin made his 2024 season debut ! For Rancho, where he got 5ks over 47 pitches.
The short outing had this line:
2.2 IP
1 hit
1 run (earned)
2 BBs
5 Ks
Ben Casparius 5th rounder in the epic 2021 draft from UConn was sharp and got his 2nd win:
5.1 IP
3 hits
0 runs
2 BBs
7 Ks
Casparius has always had a ++ slider, but he was known at the draft for being an athlete and Dodgers development has got his FB up to a high of 99!