The second game of the season at Chavez Ravine saw old friend Rubby De La Rosa on the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Howie Kendrick starting in left field for the Dodgers, Alex Wood looking for redemption, and Dodger fans looking dapper in their new giveaway, Dodger blue and white hoodies.
Not much happened in the first two innings, so we’ll leap to the third.
3rd inning: No score
D-backs
Nick Ahmed led off with a home run to put Arizona ahead.
Dodgers
Nothing much.
4th inning: Ariz 1-0
D-backs
At this point Alex Wood had given up 4 walks and one run, and was “in constant trouble” per Vin Scully.
He immediately gave up a single. Wood struck out the next batter to register his first K of the night.
The inning saw replay challenges by the Dodgers ( who won for the first out at first base) and the D-backs (who lost a strike em out – throw em out play at third base). The old Trolley Dodgers dodged a bullet on that one, as Justin Turner actually applied the tagged late. The runner should have been safe, but he was ruled out.
Dodgers
Adrian Gonzalez hammered his first home run of the year to tie the game at one.
5th inning Dodgers -1 Diamondbacks – 1
D-backs
Wood turned in a 1,2,3 inning. Had he settled down?
Dodgers
Howie Kendrick started things off with a single.
Joc Pederson sent Kendrick to third with a single.
Chase Utley hit a DP ball that was botched by Nick Ahmed and Kendrick scored.
Corey Seager hit another DP ball that Ahmed threw correctly this time, but Paul Goldschmit bobbled and dropped at first.
On the bobble Joc scored the third Dodgers run, with Seager safe at first.
JT was then hit by a pitch to send him limping to first, Seager to second, and De La Rosa to the showers.
Andrew Chafin came in to pitch for Ariz and struck out A-Gon to end the inning.
6th inning Dodgers 3-1
D-backs
Another 1,2,3 inning for Wood, who has quietly retired eight in a row.
Dodgers
Left two on.
7th inning Dodgers 3-1
D-backs
11 outs in a row for Wood!
Dodgers
Lead off double for Utley.
JT hit for the second time tonight. This time on the hand. a slight scare, but he was apparently OK.
That made three Dodgers HBP tonight. Joc Pederson had also been hit. Cameras showed D-back manager Chip Hale shouting at the Dodgers’ dugout. He seemed to be angrily saying, “Come on! Come on!” to whomever that was.
The umpires talked to the managers and nothing more came of the Dodgers at bat.
8th inning Dodger 3-1
D-backs
Wood went back out and faced one batter, who was safe on a close play at first and his night was done at 105 pitches.
Manager Dave Roberts brought in Pedro Baez to face Jean Segura. He promptly walked him, and the tying runs were aboard.
Apparently tired of using the stiffs in the bullpen, the skipper went right to Kenley Jansen for a 5-out save.
Jansen quickly dispatched the Diamondbacks and ended the threat on five pitches. That said, Paul Goldschmidt took Jansen deep, almost hitting it out.
Dodgers
They went quietly.
9th inning Dodgers 3-1
Kenley vs Arizona
Jansen struck out he first snake, got a fly out for the second out, and a gift strike three call for the final out as Yasmani pulled in and framed a pitch that was 4 inches off the plate to end the game.
Alex Wood went 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 5 hits, 3 walks and 3 strike outs. His ERA is now 4.5
Adrian Gonzalez – 1 Home run
Dodgers 8 LOB
Tomorrow night is the rubber match of the series.
Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
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I’d say Roberts pretty much made it clear if you’re gonna screw up all the hard play the rest of the team displayed then you’re not pitching. The Dodgers have a one man bullpen and the others are calves. They should be collecting pay from the opposing teams as it seems they insist on throwing away leads. Those who argued with me when I said Jansen could handle a bigger workload than his usual 10 pitch closing, I now ask, did he look over worked? I know I’m happy with Jansen stepping in early and I’m sure the team was as well. I’d bet even Jansen was happy to do it and I’m sure even those who said it would be a bad idea are happy too. Perhaps it’s true that these guys can’t step in during an inning with runners on as somebody stated. Huh? That’s what being a relief pitcher is all about and foremost. Any bullpen I’d assemble would be cocksure and have a strong desire to step up. Ryu said he’s more comfortable with runners on and his performance is actually improved when runners are on. There’s our long reliever! So FAZ, find a couple more of the likes of Ryu and you may just figure out how to construct a bullpen. You’ve already got the one and only Kenly Jansen. Do this and we won’t be knocked out early in the playoffs. Easy-peasy-computers are cheesy.
Good job Kenley. Roberts made a statement to the bull pen. Do your job or you are coming out. Sending Wood out to pitch the 8th also sent a meassage. I do not trust you. Wood looked good. Had some issues with control. All five starters have pitched at least one good game. This should give them confidence going forward.
Maybe so Al but another thought is that Roberts likes to let a starter that has pitched well to continue pitching until he gives up a runner whether by walk, hit, or error. If Wood in this case was able to get quick outs he gets to notch another inning. Roberts did that with Stripling as well. Maybe its Roberts M.O. and not a statement to FAZ about the bullpen.
I think it’s clear now that Kenley should have been signed to a new contract before the season started and ownership may have to pay extra to keep him. He’s the only consistent arm we have in the bull pen. The starters need to figure out a way to go more innings use less relievers and rely on the one arm we can count on!
But let’s not assume Kenley is Mariano Rivera… We wont see one of him for awhile
And what it is??? 9th game – 2nd week… Really??? Yesterday was Honeycutt, tomorrow, hitting with RISP…
I’m glad that the Dodgers brought Jansen in early to save Wood’s game last night but Roberts’ decision to do so reveals his justified lack of confidence in the rest of the bullpen.
Jansen is only going to be available for 5 out saves half as often as he would be available for the more traditional 3 out variety, so unless they go out and get a co-closer, this is not a real alternative.
Baez came in last night, gave up a line drive out and a walk, putting 2 on and one out. Hatcher is “El Gasolino” right now. Garcia has not pitched well, neither has Howell. That leaves Blanton and Coleman. Roberts has no alternative but to pitch Jansen early under the circumstances.
If the ‘pen doesn’t turn around quickly, the OKC to LA shuttle will be heating up. Baez and Garcia are the only relievers on the 25 man roster with options remaining…
You got it DRick and I’m watching those guys close at AA & AAA… Soon, if you fart your gone to OKC or parts unknown…
I watched Wood find himself as the game went on. Very encouraging! Even his demeanor improved as the game went on. Roberts signal for Baez and I started feeling sick! At that point I needed to get some sleep anyway. I was delighted to wake up and find the Dodgers held the lead. Didn’t know it took a 5 out save from Jansen to seal the deal. Mark used to talk about the eye test. Well the eye test tells me whatever “it” is you need to be a successful reliever, Baez just doesn’t have it. I can’t remember the last time I saw him come out on top of a big situation.
Wood pitched well at Dodger Stadium last year and was horrid on the road if I remember correctly.
Odd home/away splits:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=woodal02&year=2015&t=p
Similar sOPS+ numbers.