LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPS SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2012 Dodgers

LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPS
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2012
Dodgers.com
Kemp, Kershaw on NL All-Star team
By Ken Gurnick/MLB.com
LOS ANGELES -- Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw will represent the Dodgers at this year's All-Star Game, to be played on
July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. It is the second All-Star selection for both.
The announcements were made Sunday on the MLB All-Star Selection Show presented by Taco Bell.
National League roster
Starters
C
Buster Posey, SF
1B
Joey Votto, CIN
2B
Dan Uggla, ATL
SS
Rafael Furcal, STL
3B
Pablo Sandoval, SF
OF
Melky Cabrera, SF
OF
Carlos Beltran, STL
OF
Matt Kemp, LAD
Pitchers
RHP
Matt Cain, SF
LHP
Aroldis Chapman, CIN
RHP
R.A. Dickey, NYM
LHP
Gio Gonzalez, WAS
LHP
Cole Hamels, PHI
RHP
Joel Hanrahan, PIT
LHP
Clayton Kershaw, LAD
RHP
Craig Kimbrel, ATL
RHP
Lance Lynn, STL
LHP
Wade Miley, ARI
RHP
Jonathan Papelbon, PHI
RHP
Stephen Strasburg, WAS
RHP
Huston Street, SD
Reserves
C
Yadier Molina, STL
C
Carlos Ruiz, PHI
1B
Bryan LaHair, CHC
2B
Jose Altuve, HOU
SS
Starlin Castro, CHC
SS
Ian Desmond, WAS
3B
David Wright, NYM
OF
Ryan Braun, MIL
OF
Jay Bruce, CIN
OF
Carlos Gonzalez, COL
OF
Andrew McCutchen, PIT
OF
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA
The 83rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet
and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. Pregame
ceremonies begin at 4:30 p.m. PT. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage.
MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.
Fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player
presented by Chevrolet via the 2012 MLB.com All-Star Game MVP Vote during the All-Star Game on MLB.com.
The 27-year-old Kemp, the leading vote-getter in the NL until last week, edged Milwaukee's Ryan Braun in fan balloting
for the third starting outfielder spot, although Kemp is not expected to play in the game because he's on the disabled list
with a strained left hamstring and not expected back until after the All-Star break.
Kemp is the first Dodgers position player to be voted onto the starting lineup in back-to-back seasons since Mike Piazza
in 1996-97. The Dodgers have had outfielders voted into the All-Star Game starting lineup for three consecutive years.
He's also captain of the NL team for the State Farm Home Run Derby, and has said the leg injury will not stop him from
participating in that contest on July 9.
Kemp was headed for a repeat of last year's record-breaking season until he was injured. He was named player of the
month for April, when he batted .417 with a franchise-record 12 homers and 25 RBIs in 23 games. At the time of his
injury, he led the league in just about every offensive category except stolen bases, and was hitting .486 against lefthanded pitchers.
But he injured his left hamstring on May 4 in Chicago, missed his first start on May 6 and went on the disabled list on
May 14 after trying to play through the injury for a week. He was activated on May 29, only to re-injure the hamstring in
the first inning on May 30 while scoring from first base on a double by Andre Ethier and immediately returned to the
disabled list.
Kershaw made the team as manager Tony La Russa's choice despite a 5-4 record, in part because he has pitched better
than that record shows, and because he's coming off his spectacular Cy Young season of 2011 when he won the pitching
Triple Crown. The Dodgers have scored five runs total in his four losses.
He's still among league leaders in ERA, strikeouts, innings pitched and opponents' batting average. Of his 16 starts, 11
have been quality starts, including a May 19 shutout of the Cardinals.
Kershaw, scheduled to start on Sunday, will also start Friday night, so he expects to pitch in the All-Star Game. Pitchers
who start next Sunday can petition to pitch two days later in the All-Star Game under a fixed pitch count.
Last year, the Dodgers had three All-Stars -- Kemp, Ethier and Kershaw. Kemp was voted onto the starting lineup,
Kershaw was named on the players' list and Ethier made the team as an injury replacement.
Ethier, Chris Capuano and A.J. Ellis, each having quality seasons, were not included among the five finalists for the Final
Vote spot.
With runs at premium, LA's skid hits seven
By Alex Angert / MLB.com | 6/30/2012 11:55 PM ET
LOS ANGELES -- Don Mattingly parked his car head on when he arrived at Dodger Stadium on Saturday instead of
backing in as he usually does. The manager wore his socks up high and he didn't shave.
But not even superstitions could help resurrect his team's offense as Los Angeles lost, 5-0, to the Mets for its seasonhigh seventh straight loss and fifth shutout defeat in six games.
The team has recorded a run in only one of its last 57 innings, and the six games before the stretch weren't much better
as the team went 1-5. The Dodgers are in the midst of their worst losing streak since August 2008 after Johan Santana
allowed only three hits in eight innings Saturday.
After the last two losses to the Mets, Mattingly talked about remaining optimistic and keeping perspective. On Saturday,
a melancholy manager sat at his desk at a loss for words.
"I don't have a lot of answers," he said. "We're going to keep going, but it's some really tough days right now."
The players still aren't hanging their heads, but its been a limp to the All-Star break lately for the Dodgers. Fortunately
for the team, A.J. Ellis said Mattingly and the coaching staff have great short-term memory.
"I wouldn't use the word frustration," Ellis said, trying to describe the mood. "I'd probably use more discouragement. It's
kind of tough. But we have a lot of positive guys who can see the big picture really well."
Rookie Nathan Eovaldi came into the game receiving the worst run support in the league, having only gotten a meager
three runs of backing in his six starts, and that number remained the same after this one.
While Eovaldi was sharp in his first five starts, his last two appearances haven't helped the Dodgers' missing offense. He
gave up eight runs against San Francisco in his previous start and things didn't get much better against the Mets as
Eovaldi (0-5) was tagged for five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
For a brief moment, it looked promising when Dee Gordon singled to lead off the bottom of the first and stole second.
But that moment was short-lived as the Dodgers failed to record another hit until the eighth, when Scott Van Slyke and
Tony Gwynn hit a pair of singles.
Before this 1-11 stretch began, the Dodgers had built up the best record in baseball thanks to comeback victories and
gritty play late in games. Back then, one- and two-run deficits didn't seem like much to overcome. But now, a one-run
hole feels more like a mountain than a molehill, and by the second inning the Dodgers were already trailing and on their
way to their seventh straight loss.
"They weigh you down," Mattingly said about the losses piling up. "It makes it hard to recover and come back and get
ready to go again tomorrow. We really don't have a choice. I think everybody right now would like to take the weekend
off and take a couple days off and not show up tomorrow, but that's not a choice for us. We're going to have to come
back and get ready to play."
Ike Davis started things off in the second for the Mets with a double to right, and he eventually scored on a sacrifice fly
by Daniel Murphy. Three innings later, Murphy did the scoring when he doubled to lead off the fifth and came home on
a Josh Thole sacrifice fly.
For the second night in a row, the Mets added insult to injury with a three-run home run, this time off the bat of Davis in
the sixth to put the game out of reach for the slumping Dodgers.
Santana (6-4), who came into the game 4-0 with a 0.65 ERA lifetime against the Dodgers, did the rest of the work.
"I'll tell you what, after the second inning he got better and better and better," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "When
he went along, he got much better command of his fastball and his changeup. This might be, since the no-hitter, his best
outing so far."
Prior to the game, the Dodgers' organization made another big splash with the announcement that it signed first-round
pick Corey Seager. But like Friday's signing of Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig, that was a long-term move by a team in need
of short-term help.
Maybe that will be Astros first baseman Carlos Lee, who said he will decide in the next day whether he wants to accept a
trade to the Dodgers.
If there is any silver lining to Saturday's loss, it's that the Giants lost to keep the Dodgers only one game out of first in the
National League West.
"Fortunately, the last couple of days we haven't lost some ground, so we keep biding time to get to where we're going,"
Mattingly said.
Wherever that is, it can't come soon enough for a Dodgers team running out of answers and positive ways to spin the
mounting losses.
Dodgers sign first-round pick Seager to deal
By Alex Angert
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers announced Saturday they have signed their first-round pick Corey Seager, the No. 18
overall selection in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.
Seager is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound infielder out of Northwest Cabarrus High School in North Carolina. He was committed to
play at the University of South Carolina, but he opted to sign with the Dodgers instead.
The infielder, who is the younger brother of Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, was named the Gatorade North
Carolina Baseball Player of the Year. He is going to take batting practice before Saturday's game with manager Don
Mattingly and then he will be introduced to the Dodger Stadium crowd.
The Dodgers have now signed 15 of their top 16 picks and 30 of their 41 overall from this year's Draft.
Mattingly not letting Dodgers' slide alter demeanor
By Alex Angert/MLB.com
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers clubhouse was a lot quieter than usual on Saturday, which was picture day on the field.
But players still aren't hanging their heads despite a season-high six-game losing streak. However, that doesn't mean
they are content with how things are playing out on the field.
"We saw more frustration out of our club last night," manager Don Mattingly said.
Although the team continues to struggle, Mattingly isn't changing his approach. The even-keeled manager said he never
gets too up or down when it comes to dealing with his players.
Mattingly lets his players know how he is feeling, but he isn't one to yell at a player -- an umpire or two, maybe, but not
his players.
"That maybe works for a day, but then you have another 90 games," he said. "You can't sustain that in baseball. You
can't sustain the screaming and yelling and being fired up."
He said the team held a meeting at the start of the Angels series last weekend after being swept in Oakland, but things
still haven't improved. However, Mattingly said he still feels like he is getting the right amount of effort from his players.
Frustrated, but not panicking, he said the team needs to simply stay the course and realize help is on the way with
players returning from injuries.
Regardless, Mattingly knows things need to change, even if his even-keeled approach remains the same.
"At the end of the day, guys aren't happy they are losing," he said.
Amid Lee trade talks, Dodgers 'have to get better'
LOS ANGELES -- Manager Don Mattingly said Saturday a deal involving Carlos Lee isn't dead yet to his knowledge,
despite reports the Astros first baseman will veto a trade to the Dodgers.
However, Mattingly made a point to say he only wants players who want to be in Los Angeles.
"If they don't want to be here, then I don't want them," Mattingly said.
The manager wasn't spiteful toward the 13-year veteran Lee, who has a limited no-trade clause. He was understanding
of a player not wanting to be moved if he is comfortable in a situation because of kids or family -- or a cattle ranch in
Lee's case. But Mattingly was insistent that he only wanted players who were determined to come and help the Dodgers
make the playoffs and win the World Series.
Lee said earlier on Saturday that he was mulling over a deal that would send him to Los Angeles in a trade that could
include Dodgers pitching prospect Garrett Gould.
Gould, who is ranked by MLB.com as the team's No. 10 prospect, was scratched from his Friday start for Class A Rancho
Cucamonga.
Mattingly said the team's pursuit of a first baseman like Lee isn't about a lack of patience regarding James Loney but
rather a realization the team needs to get better in certain spots.
"You have to realistically look at production we're getting and how do we improve that," Mattingly said. "If anything,
you try to improve your club as much as you can and I think as we look at our club, you look at areas where we need to
improve."
"There are positions we're not happy with. For us to get where we want to go, we have to get better."
Loney entered Saturday hitting .236 with two home runs and 21 RBIS in 74 games this season. He is 1-for-27 in his last
10 games and has been replaced by Juan Rivera at first base often. He wasn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against
the Mets.
Mattingly said positions like center field, right field and second base are areas where the team is stable. But he said
general manager Ned Colletti is working tirelessly to improve the club at other positions for both the short and long
term.
Worth noting
• Andre Ethier remained out of the lineup for the third straight game because of a strained left oblique. Manager Don
Mattingly said it sounded like the right fielder was feeling better Saturday, but he's still day to day. He added Ethier was
not swinging a bat yet, but he was throwing.
Mets eye sweep in LA as Kershaw stands in way
By Chelsea Janes / MLB.com | 6/30/2012 11:20 PM ET
When looking to snap a seven-game losing streak, you could do worse than sending a reigning Cy Young Award winner
to the hill.
So the Dodgers might consider themselves lucky that Sunday is Clayton Kershaw's turn to pitch, just in time for a series
finale with the Mets and a chance to avoid an eighth straight loss.
Kershaw is 5-4 with a 2.74 ERA, though he has looked a bit more vulnerable than in his award-winning 2011 campaign.
Still, with the Mets in town, the lefty is the perfect man to stop the Dodgers' bleeding: The 24-year-old is 4-0 with a 1.39
ERA and 29 strikeouts in 32 1/3 career innings against New York.
His task is nevertheless formidable. The Mets, who have won four straight, have the National League's third-most
productive offense with 362 runs scored, as well as the league's second-leading hitter in third baseman David Wright
(.355). They also have Dillon Gee headed to the mound for the finale with a 5-6 record and a 4.42 ERA in 15 starts this
year. Gee had a streak of seven straight quality starts snapped Tuesday against the Cubs, as he yielded four runs in five
innings, his shortest outing of the year.
Gee is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers, both of which came last season. But the Los Angeles
lineup he'll face Sunday is struggling mightily. Admittedly, the prolonged absence of Matt Kemp hasn't helped, and a
recent oblique strain has kept the NL's third-leading RBI man Andre Ethier out of the lineup of late, as well. Even so, the
Dodgers' inability to score during this streak has been almost inconceivable, as they have posted just five total runs in
their last seven contests.
Manager Don Mattingly is trying to find the best way to help his players dig out of those struggles, and certainly doesn't
think getting in their faces is the way to go.
"That maybe works for a day, but then you have another 90 games," he said. "You can't sustain that in baseball. You
can't sustain the screaming and yelling and being fired up."
What might work to stem his team's descent is, quite simply, Kershaw being Kershaw. If history is any indication, it may
just take that one win to get Los Angeles going again: The last time the Dodgers lost seven straight was August 2008.
They won 12 of their next 13 games.
The Dodgers are one game back of the Giants in the NL West.
Dodgers: Lee LA bound?
The Dodgers reportedly have a deal in place that would bring Astros first baseman Carlos Lee to Los Angeles and are
awaiting word from Lee if he will waive his no-trade clause.
The 36-year-old Lee is in the final year of a six-year, $100 million dollar deal, but owns and operates a ranch outside
Houston. Though his 2013 status is not necessarily dependent on whether he accepts the trade, Lee may also be
considering Houston's impending move to the American League, a shift that could potentially allow "El Caballo" to do
most of his work as the designated hitter, perhaps prolonging his career.
Lee is hitting .285 with five homers and 29 RBIs and told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that the potential to finish the
season with a squad in contention is "one of the things I have to think about."
Mets: Shutout success
The 5-0 shutout of the Dodgers on Saturday was the Mets' 10th of the season, tied for the Major League lead with the
Angels and Giants. Winning pitcher Johan Santana has accounted for four of those shutout victories, while R.A. Dickey
has three.
Worth noting
• Dodgers outfielder Ethier is still day to day with a strained left oblique muscle. Ethier and Mattingly have both
expressed a desire to be cautious with the injury, given Ethier's importance to the lineup down the stretch.
Ethier is hitting .291 with 10 homers. He didn't swing before Saturday's game, but did throw.
• The Dodgers signed first-round Draft pick Corey Seager (18th overall) on Saturday. The infielder from North Carolina
was committed to play at South Carolina, but was lured by a $2.35 million signing bonus (his slotted value was $1.95
million). Seager took batting practice with the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine before preparing to report to Ogden, Utah, for
rookie ball. Seager is the brother of Mariners' infielder Kyle Seager.
L.A. Times
Dodgers' Kemp, Angels' Trout among players in MLB All-Star game
Also on the rosters are pitchers Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson of the Angels and Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers as well
as young slugger Mark Trumbo of the Angels.
By Jim Peltz
July 1, 2012, 11:18 a.m.
Matt Kemp of the Dodgers and rookie sensation Mike Trout of the Angels were among the players named Sunday to
baseball's All-Star game.
Trout, tied for the American League batting lead with a .336 average, became only the 20th player in history to earn a
roster spot in the "Midsummer Classic" before age 21.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, also was named to the NL
squad. But Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier, who ended up ninth in the NL voting for outfielders, was not.
Other Angels making the AL team were slugger Mark Trumbo and starting pitchers Jered Weaver, who threw a no-hitter
against the Minnesota Twins on May 2, and C.J. Wilson, who is 9-4 so far this season.
In making his second consecutive All-Star team, Kemp drew the third-highest number of fan votes among NL outfielders
with 5.46 million. But Kemp is not expected to play in the game because he's on the disabled list with a sore left
hamstring.
Slugger Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers received the most votes of any player in either league, a record 11.1 million.
Fans also will vote to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster. Angels closer Ernesto Frieri is among the
candidates for the AL spot.
The game is July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
The Rangers and New York Yankees each have three AL starters while the San Francisco Giants will have three starters in
the National League lineup.
The AL starters will feature an outfield of Hamilton, Toronto's Jose Bautista and New York's Curtis Granderson, with an
infield of Detroit's Prince Fielder at first base, New York's Robinson Cano at second base and Derek Jeter at shortstop,
Texas' Adrian Beltre at third base and Mike Napoli at catcher plus Boston's David Ortiz at designated hitter.
The NL starters feature an outfield of Kemp, San Francisco's Melky Cabrera and St. Louis' Carlos Beltran, with an infield
of San Francisco's Buster Posey at catcher and Pablo Sandoval at catcher, Cincinnati's Joe Votto at first base, Atlanta's
Dan Uggla at second base and St. Louis' Rafael Furcal at shortstop. NL Manager Tony La Russa will select a designated
hitter.
Dodgers fall to Mets, 5-0; Loney's playing time is up in air
L.A. is shut out again and loses its seventh consecutive after agreeing on a trade for Houston's Carlos Lee, who is mauling
over whether to waive his no-trade clause. Loney likely would be relegated to the bench if Lee accepts trade.
By Dylan Hernandez
June 30, 2012, 9:30 p.m.
As the Dodgers remained in free fall, James Loney's future was in limbo.
Loney didn't play in the Dodgers' fifth shutout defeat in six games, this one 5-0 against the New York Mets on Saturday
that extended the team's season-worst losing streak to seven games.
Loney's fate was at the mercy of Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros, who was deciding whether he would accept a trade
to the Dodgers. Lee and Loney are first basemen and if Lee agrees to the deal, Loney will probably go from being a parttime player to a rarely used one on the Dodgers bench.
"I'm not going to talk about it until it happens," said Loney, who is hitless in his last 25 at-bats and has started only twice
in six games.
Lee told reporters in Chicago that he met with Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow, who informed him the Dodgers had
made a trade offer for him. The proposed trade could include Dodgers pitching prospect Garrett Gould and would offer
financial relief for the Astros, who still owe Lee about half of his $18.5-million salary.
But as part of the no-trade provision in his contract, Lee can veto trades to 14 teams. The Dodgers are on that list.
Lee, who owns a ranch in Houston, said he planned to talk to his wife Saturday night.
"I'll probably by tomorrow let you know because I don't want to go through this," Lee told the Houston Chronicle.
Lee is 36 and on the downside of his career. He is batting .285 with five home runs and 29 runs batted in. Lee has hit one
home run and driven in nine runs over his last 24 games.
But the Dodgers have lost 11 of their last 12 games. They haven't led a game in their last 61 innings. And Matt Kemp isn't
expected back until July 13, the day the Dodgers come out of the All-Star break.
Facing Johan Santana on Saturday, they were held to one hit over the first seven innings, and that hit came on their first
at-bat of the game, by Dee Gordon.
The offense has looked so hopeless that Manager Don Mattingly was at a loss for words.
"Umm .. kind of just … yeah, I don't have a lot of answers," Mattingly said. "Some really tough days right now."
The Dodgers' interest in Lee signifies management has given up on Loney, who is hitting .236 with two home runs and 21
RBIs.
The team's first-round pick in 2002, Loney broke into the majors four years later to great expectations. He was widely
considered the most advanced hitter in a group that included future All-Stars Kemp and Andre Ethier.
But Loney has never hit more than the 15 home runs he hit as a rookie and has regressed as a hitter over the last two
seasons.
His career is at a crossroads. Then again, as Loney pointed out, "It's always something."
Asked whether he feared he might not be able to find work next season, Loney replied, "I'm a .288 career average hitter
before this year. So if I have good at-bats the rest of the year, I should be good."
If he faced the prospect of playing only once or twice a week, would he prefer to be traded?
"Obviously, you want to play every day," Loney said. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Carlos Lee considering trade to Dodgers
Power-hitting first baseman has the right to veto a deal that would send him to L.A.
By Dylan Hernandez
June 30, 2012, 12:54 p.m.
Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee is deciding whether to accept a trade to the Dodgers.
Lee told the Houston Chronicle he met with Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow on Saturday morning and was told the
Dodgers have made an offer for him. The Dodgers are one of the teams to which Lee can veto a trade, as part of the
terms of his contract.
Lee will earn $18.5 million this season, the last in his six-year, $100-million contract. If a trade is executed soon, he
would be owed about $9 million for the rest of the season. The Dodgers are expected to pick up most, if not all, of Lee’s
remaining salary.
But Lee is believed to be reluctant to leave Houston, where he owns a ranch.
A deal for Lee figures to include pitching prospect Garrett Gould, who was scratched from his scheduled start for Class-A
Rancho Cucamonga on Friday.
Lee is hitting .290 with five home runs and 29 runs batted in.
The Dodgers' intent to acquire him indicates they have finally run out of patience with streaky James Loney, who is 0 for
his last 25 and is batting .236 with two home runs and 21 RBIs.
Matt Kemp expects to return to the Dodgers on July 13
By Dylan Hernandez
June 30, 2012, 6:20 p.m.
Matt Kemp said Saturday that he intends to return to the Dodgers lineup July 13 against the San Diego Padres at Dodger
Stadium, the first game after the All-Star break.
"I'll be ready," Kemp said.
Kemp has played in only two of the Dodgers' last 45 games because of a strained left hamstring.
He is planning to go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment in the coming week. The assignment could start as early
as Tuesday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. He is expecting to miss the All-Star gamebut will take part in the Home Run
Derby on July 9.
"I'm doing it," Kemp said of the derby.
Bullpen catcher Rob Flippo will pitch to Kemp in the home run-hitting exhibition, in which Kemp will captain the National
League team.
Kemp is expected to take part in a team workout at Dodger Stadium on July 12, the final day of the All-Star break.
Watching the Dodgers' recent tailspin from the bench has been difficult. But Kemp is trying to view his injury in a
positive light.
"I wish I could be out there helping out, but it is what it is," Kemp said. "It could be worse than what it is right now."
Kemp has been running bases at full speed in recent workouts, but said, "The real test is playing in games."
Seager visits stadium
First-round pick Corey Seager, who was signed to a $2.35-million bonus, will start his professional career with the
advanced rookie league team in Ogden, Utah.
The 18-year-old shortstop visited Dodger Stadium, accompanied by his parents and his agent, Scott Boras. He met
Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly, as well as some players, including Kemp.
"I'm on top of the world," Seager said. "I don't know how to explain it."
Seager's older brother, Kyle, is a third baseman for the Seattle Mariners.
"He didn't tell me it was going to be easy," said Seager, who passed on a scholarship to the University of South Carolina
in order to turn professional.
Of the decision to start Seager at Ogden instead of lower level Arizona, scouting director Logan White said, "I think he
can handle Ogden."
Boras compared Seager's bat to Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg's.
Seager came to Los Angeles on Thursday to undergo a physical examination that finalized his agreement with the
Dodgers. When Seager mentioned that he visited Boras' office in Newport Beach, White mentioned that he had never
been invited there.
"With the new ownership group, you could get the cab fare now," Boras said.
"No comment," White said.
Short hops
As a team captain for the Home Run Derby, Kemp will announce the NL team on ESPN at about 4:30 p.m. PDT.
The first 50,000 fans at Dodger Stadium on Sunday will receive miniature Hello Kitty bobblehead dolls.
Former 140-pound boxing champion Amir Khan will sign autographs starting at the Viva Los Dodgers event Sunday,
which will start at 3 p.m. in Parking Lot 6.
Letters: Dodgers' hitters held at bay
After a sunny start, all is gloomy with the Blue. Readers wonder what is to be done.
June 30, 2012
Watching the Dodgers' collapse on their latest trip left me searching for a one-word acronym that best describes their
current state of affairs:
B: Below Mendoza Line team batting average.
U: Uribe.
S: Suffering fan base.
T: Third place finish in NL West at best.
Adam Wayne
Los Angeles
::
After witnessing the Dodgers' historically dismal visit to the Bay Area, two runs in 54 innings, I am left wondering if I
missed the news that the Transportation Security Administration has prohibited major league bats from being carried on
intrastate flights.
Gregg Schoenberg
San Francisco
::
The Dodgers have finally settled into the team that they really are after playing two months far above what the team has
in talent. They have absolutely no offense; Uribe is an embarrassment; Kershaw obviously isn't what he was last year;
Ethier has tailed off; and their star attraction, who seems to be getting all the ink, Dee Gordon, is hitting 214, hardly an
offensive positive for the team. They'll need more than Matt Kemp to keep them from ending up in last place by the end
of the season.
Bob Murtha
Santa Maria, Calif.
::
Now that the euphoria of an ownership change and an incredible start out of the gate has faded, the cold, hard reality of
the middle of a grueling 162-game season is in full view. Not so pretty, is it? Without significant personnel changes, the
rest of the way could be ugly.
Ronald Peters
Thousand Oaks
::
Will someone please wake up Ned Colletti and tell him that if he waits till the trading deadline to make a deal, there's a
good chance the Dodgers will already have been mathematically eliminated.
Herb Schoenberg
Tarzana
::
The Dodgers' slide toward mediocrity was predictable and there is probably no quick fix. It will be interesting to see
what ownership will do about it.
D.G. Artis
Woodland Hills
My Dodger Blue blood has turned my face beet red, as going scoreless in San Francisco this week has to be one of if not
the most embarrassing on-field events in Dodgers history.
Mike Popov
San Clemente
::
The four biggest problems the Dodgers have are:
1. An inexperienced manager who pulls the lineup out of a hat, then bunts with two strikes and swings 3-0.
2. A lineup of retreads and benchwarmers.
3. An overrated ownership group no better than their predecessors.
4. Nobody knows what to get Jimmy and Millie for a wedding gift.
Craig Poletti
San Dimas
::
Watching the Dodgers blow a five-run lead to the Angels was no surprise at all. Just look at some of their infielders:
James Loney is better performing the hit-and-run from behind the wheel of his car than from the batter's box.
Dee Gordon is a weak leadoff man who can't bunt to save his life.
Juan Uribe is more valuable to the team on the disabled list than at the plate.
Adam Kennedy — Really?
Don't sneeze, because Mattingly's house of cards is on the verge of collapse.
Steve Carey
Burbank
::
What has T.J. been smoking? First he gets all lovey-dovey over the Dodgers shortstop who's hitting .228, because the
guy lost his mother at age 6. Next, he is buddying up to Matt Kemp, whose narcissistic ramblings seem incoherent.
What's next, candles and wine?
I'd hate to see the only Times columnist who isn't afraid to say the Dodgers are mediocre losers suddenly get star-struck
like a kid.
Ray Mungo
Signal Hill
::
Every so often, "Mr. Negativity" drops the sarcasm and comes through with a real gem.T.J. Simers' heartfelt interview
with Dee Gordon was not only informative and eye-opening, but truly touching.
Rick Solomon
Lake Balboa
::
Perhaps the Dodgers ought to spend more energy shopping for a hitter, rather than the marketing scam that gouges the
fans by requiring ticket purchases to 10 games, just to be able to obtain a Koufax or Scully bobblehead.
Ed Kaz
Oak Park
Carlos Lee, savior? Dodgers really have given up on James Loney
By Steve Dilbeck
July 1, 2012, 7:10 a.m.
If you don't think the Dodgers have given up on James Loney, witness their efforts to acquire Houston’s Carlos Lee.
That would be Carlos Lee, 36, without a home run outside Houston all season, with one home run in his last 25 games,
apparently without any particular hankering to be a Dodger.
Lee confirmed to reporters in Chicago the Dodgers had made an offer and he was mulling whether to waive his no-trade
clause and come to Los Angeles. Reportedly, he is not eager to leave his ranch outside Houston. You know, to come to
L.A. for three months of his life to try to win a World Series.
And you thought more than anything these guys cherished winning.
I didn’t get it when Hiroki Kuroda wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause last year and I don’t get Lee agonizing over it now. I
do get Rafael Furcal agreeing to be traded, and I understand that worked out pretty well for him last season.
The Dodgers should just rescind their offer right now. If Lee’s not jumping at the chance to be on a contending team,
with new ownership and a supposedly bright future, let him go. It’s not as if he’s in his prime.
“We have a good thing going on and we’re going to be a good club,” said Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly, talking
generally and not specifically about Lee.
“I think what Mark [Walter] and Guggenheim and Stan [Kasten] and we’re talking about is just getting better and better.
You know what? If a guy doesn’t want to be over here, then he don’t need to be here.”
Lee said he expected to make a decision by Sunday, so that’s the good news. Either way, it’s not good for Loney, who is
currently in a 0-for-25 skid and batting .236 for the season with .303 on-base and .323 slugging percentages.
Mattingly said the Dodgers haven’t run out of patience with the underperforming Loney; they’re just being pragmatic.
“It’s really been kind of going into the last two years now, we’re kinda looking at more of a backwards progression with a
little bit of a good second half [in 2010],” he said. “So now it’s starting to look like it’s getting in the opposite direction,
where you’re not getting as much production.
“Before we always complained about James when he wasn’t hitting home runs but was driving in 90 runs and hitting
.290. I’ll take that all day long. And that’s really what we talked about. I’m not worried about him getting home runs, I
need somebody to be that third wheel with Matt [Kemp] and Dre [Andre Ethier].”
And Lee is supposed to make some big difference in that regard? He would be an upgrade, certainly, but so would a lot
of guys right now. Guys who might buy their own ticket to leave one of the worst teams in baseball to join a contender.
Mattingly said he can understand how some players might be reluctant to leave a team. Anyway, that’s what he said.
“A guy is comfortable where he’s at and doesn’t want to leave home and has kids and has family,” he said. “If he doesn’t
want to take a chance at winning and getting to the playoffs and the World Series, if he doesn’t want that …”
Then you shouldn’t even want him.
It gets worse: Dodgers shut out for fifth time in six games, 5-0
By Steve Dilbeck
June 30, 2012, 7:02 p.m.
How long can the Dodgers talk the good talk? Put up the brave front, remind themselves it’s a long season?
It must feel miserably long right now, the Dodgers not having led a game in their last 61 consecutive innings.
They did Saturday what they’ve done a lot of lately — lose — this time falling, 5-0, to the Mets, as left-hander Johan
Santana gave up only three hits in throwing eight scoreless innings.
It was the Dodgers' season-high seventh consecutive loss, leaving them with their longest losing streak since 2008.
Worse, it was their 11th loss in the last 12 games.
That’s not just plummeting, that’s out of the plane without a parachute. That’s screaming without a sound coming out.
The Dodgers were shut out for the second consecutive game and a stunning fifth time in their last six games. They have
scored in one of their last 57 innings. They haven’t hit one home run in seven games.
Carlos Lee is supposed to turn this around? Babe Ruth couldn’t turn it around. The Dodgers are just trying to make it to
the July 10 All-Star break, but nothing seems assured right now.
The thing giving them a glimmer of hope is, with the Giants also losing Saturday, the Dodgers remain only one game
back in the National League West. That’s the end of the good stats.
The injured could begin returning next week, Andre Ethier and Mark Ellis on the mend, and Matt Kemp hoping to return
to the game after the All-Star break.
The Dodgers are just trying to hang on until then, but doing a miserable job of it. In a nationally televised game Saturday,
they went weakly against Santana. The left-hander, who threw a no-hitter against the Cardinals on June 1, gave up a
clean leadoff single to Dee Gordon in the first and did not give up another until Scott Van Slyke singled to open the
bottom of the eighth.
Tony Gwynn Jr. followed one out later with a base hit, but Adam Kennedy and Gordon bounced out, and there went the
closest thing the Dodgers had to a rally in days.
The Mets scored solo runs against Nathan Eovaldi in the second and fifth, and then put it out of reach on Ike Davis’
three-run homer in the sixth. Eovaldi fell to 0-5, though the Dodgers have now scored only three runs while he was in
the game in his seven starts.
New owners have not been approached by NFL about Dodger Stadium
By Steve Dilbeck
June 30, 2012, 9:20 a.m.
The Dodgers’ new owners have not spoken to the NFL about building a stadium next to Dodger Stadium and have no
immediate plans to do so but are open to the possibility.
Clarity can sometimes be derived from reading between the lines. Which might just be what’s required here.
Mark Walter, the Dodgers’ new controlling owner, was in attendance at Dodger Stadium on Friday, the same day The
Times’ Sam Farmer broke the story about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell setting guidelines for any teams interested
in moving to Los Angeles.
Goodell made specific mention of AEG’s design for a stadium downtown and Ed Roski’s plans for one in the City of
Industry, but also wrote: "We are also exploring the availability of other sites in the Los Angeles area."
Potential sites, according to Farmer, are believed to be Carson, Hollywood Park and Dodger Stadium.
“We haven’t talked about it or thought about it a lot,” Walter said. “It’s not on our radar screen. I mean, we’re trying to
fix this place and get our team running and make this the best experience possible for our fans.
“If that came on our radar screen, we’d deal with it. But it’s not right now. The NFL has not approached us with
anything.”
Walter said he was not particularly familiar with the NFL or its history about returning to Los Angeles since both the
Rams and Raiders left after the 1994 season.
“I just don’t know what’s going on there,” he said. “You do know we’ve only had the team for only two months? To buy
another one that quick would be kind of a lot.
“It’s not just money, there’s time and people and talent and other things. I’m not saying we have no interest in it, it’s
just not on our radar.
“We have a lot of work to do here and if that came up, I guess we’d listen to it or somebody would analyze it. I’m
certainly not an expert on any of this.”
Peter O’Malley first wanted to build an NFL stadium next to Dodger Stadium, but unfortunately when civic leaders asked
him to back down he did because they were supporting the Coliseum bid.
Frank McCourt also explored the possibility, but that was before he sold the team and became a billionaire. McCourt
does, of course, still own half of those parking lots.
ESPN.com
Johan Santana helps blank Dodgers for 5th time in 6 games
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Johan Santana is amply pleased with how his season is going. So are the New York Mets, who were
hoping for the best when their lefty ace returned after missing all of last year while recovering from shoulder surgery.
The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner didn't need the no-hitter he pitched against St. Louis on June 1 to demonstrate
how close to his old form he is. There have been several other examples, including Saturday, when Santana scattered
three hits over eight innings and sent the Los Angeles Dodgers to their seventh straight loss, 5-0.
"Coming into spring training, there were a lot of question marks. So I'm very happy to be at this point right now and very
happy the way everything has gone," Santana said. "There were a couple of tough games, but the good thing is that I
feel good and I'm still competing. That's the key for me. I'm just hoping that I stay consistent the whole year."
In his fifth start since pitching the first no-hitter in Mets' history, Santana (6-4) did not give up a hit between Dee
Gordon's leadoff single in the first inning and Scott Van Slyke's leadoff single in the eighth. Tony Gwynn Jr. singled two
batters later and both runners advanced on Adam Kennedy's groundout. But Gordon grounded out to third.
"After the second inning he got better and better and better, and he got much better command of his fastball and his
changeup," manager Terry Collins said. "This is his best outing since the no-hitter."
Santana struck out three and walked two while throwing 107 pitches, the sixth time he has reached triple digits -including the 134 he had in the no-no. The four-time All-Star finished June 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA in six starts.
"I had never seen Johan Santana throw a pitch live until this year, so I had no idea what to expect," said Collins, who is in
his second season as Mets' manager. "When I was sitting in the dugout watching him today, he was really starting to get
his stuff working. (Pitching coach) Dan Warthen said to me: `Can you imagine him when he was 95 and 96 miles an
hour?' And I couldn't. I can't even believe how good he was then -- because he's real good right now."
Santana is 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers, who were again missing Matt Kemp, Andre
Ethier and Mark Ellis. They haven't led at any point of a game since June 24.
Ike Davis hit a three-run homer, helping keep Los Angeles sputtering. The Dodgers are in a 1-11 freefall, going from five
games ahead in the NL West to a game behind the Giants. At one point, they led by as many as 7 1/2 games on May 27.
Nathan Eovaldi (0-5) gave up five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander has pitched 41
innings in his seven starts this season, and his teammates have totaled just three runs while he's been in the game -giving him the lowest run support in the majors.
The Dodgers have been on the losing end in every one of Eovaldi's outings, scoring fewer than three runs in six of them.
"I go out there not thinking about that," Eovaldi said. "I just try to compete, try not to let anybody score and give my
team the best chance to win. We all know that it's going to be a challenge and a battle. You just try to make the best of
it."
The Dodgers were shut out for the fifth time in six games -- including all three at San Francisco -- and have produced
only two runs in their last 57 innings.
"When you're not scoring runs, it's frustrating," Van Slyke said. "I mean, when you look at the Mets today, they got a
double, got him over and got him in in like three pitches. So when you're scoring runs, it looks easier than it actually is. I
think it's just going to take one game where everyone's swinging the bat well to just kind of relax everybody and get
things going."
David Murphy's sacrifice fly in the second inning drove in Davis with the first run after he led off with a double. The Mets
used the same formula to account for their second run -- a leadoff double by Murphy and a scoring flyball by Josh Thole.
Davis made it 5-0 in the sixth, chasing Eovaldi with his 11th homer, a towering drive to center field one pitch after an
intentional walk to David Wright with Andres Torres at third base.
"Yesterday, Murphy and (Lucas) Duda picked me up, but today I was able to get the job done," Davis said. "Just hitting a
home run is a great feeling. Hopefully I can continue to do some damage in situations like that, especially is other teams
are going to walk David. Maybe towards the second half of the season, they'll start having to pitch to him."
Game notes
In each of Santana's five starts since his no-hitter, he allowed a hit before recording his fourth out of the game. He gave
up a two-run homer to the Yankees' Robinson Cano in the second inning, a two-run double in the second by Tampa Bay's
Matt Joyce, a second-inning double by Baltimore's Matt Wieters, and a first-inning single by the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano. ...
Murphy has 10 RBIs in four games, equaling the total he had in his previous 25 games and 96 at-bats. ... Saturday was
the 50th anniversary of the first of Sandy Koufax's four career no-hitters, a 5-0 victory over the Mets at Dodger Stadium.
... The Dodgers signed 18-year-old SS Corey Seager, the 18th overall pick in the draft and the brother of Seattle Mariners
3B Kyle Seager.
3 up, 3 down: Mets 5, Dodgers 0
By Ramona Shelburne | ESPNLosAngeles.com
LOS ANGELES -- Photo Day at Dodger Stadium may have forced the scuffling Dodgers to smile for the cameras and put
on a happy face before the game, but the good cheer didn't last long as the club dropped its seventh straight, losing to
the Mets 5-0.
It was another ugly game for the Dodgers, filled with anemic offense, poor starting pitching and some shaky defense.
The Mets big blow came in the sixth as Ike Davis blasted a three-run shot off Dodgers starter Nathan Eovaldi to stake the
Mets to a 5-0 lead. It was Davis' 11th homer of the season.
The Dodgers managed just eight hits off Mets starter Johan Santana and were shut out for the fifth time in their last six
games.
In the end, the Dodgers lost at least seven straight games for the first time since August 2008 when they lost eight in a
row between Aug. 22-29. After that losing streak, the Dodgers won 12 of their next 13 games.
The Good:
The bullpen. After Eovaldi was chased with one out in the top of the sixth inning, Scott Elbert, Todd Coffey and Josh
Lindblom kept the Mets quiet, allowing just two hits and one walk over the final 3 2/3rds innings.
Ellis, Kemp nearing returns. Kind of telling when some of the most positive news of the day comes from the training
room where second baseman Mark Ellis and center fielder Matt Kemp are nearing returns from the disabled list. Ellis
(leg) played for the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Saturday on a rehab assignment and is expected back
toward the middle to end of next week. Kemp said he hoped to return to the lineup July 13, after the All-Star break.
Kemp said on Fox's broadcast of the game that he would DH for Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday.
The future? First-round draft pick Corey Seager signed Friday night and toured Dodger Stadium on Saturday. Seager is
the second Scott Boras client to sign with the Dodgers in the last two years, following Stanford pitcher Chris Reed, the
Dodgers first-round pick in 2011.
The Bad:
Oh-no, Eo! After getting ripped for 10 hits and eight runs in his last outing against the Giants, Eovaldi (0-5) was shaky
again against the Mets, losing for the third consecutive outing. He yielded seven hits and five earned runs and couldn't
make it out of the sixth inning, further taxing the Dodgers' bullpen. Incidentally, Eovaldi has received the lowest run
support of any major league pitcher with a minimum of five starts. The Dodgers have averaged just 0.66 runs in his
seven starts.
The future? The Dodgers were reportedly close on a deal for Houston first baseman Carlos Lee, but Lee doesn't seem all
that keen on coming over yet. He'd need to waive his no-trade clause to complete the deal and hasn't been inclined to
do so. In other words, there's no help on the way just yet.
Offense, offensive again. The Dodgers were shut out for the fifth time in their last six games and managed just three
hits. No amount of changing things up before the game could change things. Manager Don Mattingly joked that he wore
his socks higher, didn't shave and parked head-in to the Dodgers' parking lot to help change the mojo. But when things
are going badly, it takes a lot more than longer whiskers and higher socks to change things. "I keep banging that drum,
and I'm going to keep banging it," Mattingly said after the game. "We have to keep getting ready to play and knowing
that we're going to come out the other side. I think that's what good teams do. You get beat up like everybody else. It's
not an easy thing that we're going through, but that's where we're at. We don't want to lose seven in a row, we don't
want to get shutout, but we're not going anywhere."
Meet Corey Seager
By Ramona Shelburne | ESPNLosAngeles.com
LOS ANGELES -- And batting third for the Dodgers on Saturday against the New York Mets ... Corey Seager?
Just kidding. Even though with the way the Dodgers' offense has been sputtering of late, it's not all that far-fetched the
team could toss its first-round draft pick in there for a bit of a jolt. Particularly a first-round pick like Seager, a big,
brawny 6-foot-4 high school shortstop from North Carolina who can hit for power and average.
Seager, selected 18th overall, agreed to forgo a scholarship to South Carolina to sign a contract with a $2.35 million
signing bonus Friday. He took a tour of Dodger Stadium on Saturday, posing for pictures with Matt Kemp and Andre
Ethier and meeting with the Dodgers coaches and staff.
"I'm on top of the world, I don't even know how to explain it," said Seager, the younger brother of Seattle Mariners third
baseman Kyle Seager. "I've been ready to start but that stuff had to get sorted out. I was committed [to South Carolina]
but he [Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White] changed my mind."
Seager will begin his career at the Dodgers' rookie affiliate in Odgen, Utah sometime over the next few weeks. White
says for the time being, he plans to keep Seager as a shortstop.
"I know one thing, he can always play third base," White said. "But I want to see him stay in the middle of the diamond
for as long as he can. When you have a guy in the middle of the diamond who can swing the bat, that's valuable. Things
will dictate it as we go."
Seager is the second consecutive Scott Boras-repped client the Dodgers have selected in the first round and come to an
easy agreement with. Boras also represented last year's first-rounder, Stanford pitcher Chris Reed.
Does this mean the super agent and the Dodgers are now on good terms after the Luke Hochevar debacle of 2005?
It certainly sounds like it.
"Logan and I had no trouble reaching an accord for what was equitable for Corey and the Seager family," Boras said. "It
was one of those situations where everybody understood what he could mean. With where the Dodger farm system is,
this really is something where --even beyond the money-- there really is an opportunity for Corey, with his abilities, that
you always hope every young player has."
Here's a look at tonight's lineups:
METS
Andres Torres CF
Ruben Tejada SS
David Wright 3B
Ike Davis 1B
Lucas Duda RF
David Murphy 2B
Kirk Nieuwenhuis LF
Josh Thole C
Johan Santana P
DODGERS
Dee Gordon SS
Elian Herrera LF
Jerry Hairston Jr. 2B
Juan Rivera 1B
A.J. Ellis C
Scott Van Slyke RF
Juan Uribe 3B
Tony Gwynn Jr. CF
Nathan Eovaldi P
Matt Kemp wants to return July 13
ESPN.com news services
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp wants to return to the lineup for the team's first game after the All-Star
break.
The Dodgers face the San Diego Padres on July 13.
The slugging center fielder, who plans to begin a rehab assignment before the break, is recovering from a strained left
hamstring that landed him on the disabled list for a second time this season on May 31. The 2011 National League MVP
runner-up first missed time from May 14-29.
The Dodgers have all but ruled Kemp out for the All-Star Game in Kansas City, but he is expected to participate as the NL
captain for the Home Run Derby.
Kemp, who led the NL with 39 homers last season, said he already has his four-member team in place, although he
declined to name the players other than saying he'll be one of them.
Carlos Lee weighs options
ESPN.com news services
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for a bat to help their anemic offense, but Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Lee
doesn't think he wants to be that guy.
Lee told MLB.com that he has been informed by Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow that trade discussions with the
Dodgers have included the first baseman. Since he has a limited no-trade clause, Lee would have to approve the deal.
Lee has told the Astros, though, that he doesn't want to waive the no-trade clause, a source told ESPN The Magazine's
Buster Olney.
When Lee arrived at Wrigley Field for a game against the Cubs on Saturday, he said, according to MLB.com: "I met with
Jeff this morning and he told me what's going on and let's see what happens."
"I just told Jeff I want to see my options. I just want to wait and see what my options are," Lee added.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he'd heard the rumors about the his team pursuing Lee, but did not know the
status of the talks.
The Dodgers believe Lee is "still thinking about it," a source told ESPNLosAngeles.com.
When asked if he could understand a player deciding not to waive a no-trade clause despite an opportunity to play for a
contender -- as Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda did last season -- Mattingly said:
"Yeah, if a guy's comfortable where he's at and he doesn't want to leave home, he's got kids and a family and he says,
'You know what, I don't want to go out there...
"If the guy doesn't want to take a shot at winning and getting to the playoffs, maybe winning a World Series, if he
doesn't want that, then we probably don't ... "
One baseball official familiar with the discussions told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Dodgers and Astros agreed on
the framework of the trade before presenting it to Lee for approval. Although rumors have circulated about a 2-for-1
deal, the Astros would receive just one minor leaguer from the Dodgers. One name in play is right-handed pitching
prospect Garrett Gould, who abruptly was scratched from his start Friday for Class A Rancho Cucamonga.
The official also told Stark the Dodgers would pay a significant chunk of the more than $8 million remaining on Lee's
salary.
Lee is in the final year of a six-year, $100 million contract. He said he was not given a deadline to decide.
The 36-year-old is batting .290 with five homers and 29 RBIs this season.
Lee has deep roots in Houston and was asked if he would like to join a contender.
"That's one of the things I have to think about," he said, according to MLB.com. "There ain't much I can tell you right
now."
The injury-depleted Dodgers, missing Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Mark Ellis, were shut out for the fifth time in 11
games -- including all three at San Francisco -- on Friday against the Mets and have produced only two runs in their last
48 innings. They are in a 1-10 tailspin that has seen them go from five games ahead in the NL West to a game behind
surging San Francisco. Los Angeles led by 7 1/2 games on May 27.
What Dodgers' interest in Lee means
By Buster Olney
That the Dodgers have targeted Carlos Lee to plug a hole in their lineup -- and one official assesses the odds of a deal
happening at 50-50 -- tells you a couple of things:
1. The Dodgers are desperate to get help for their lineup -- any help. Because it's not a sure thing that Lee will help,
given the fact that his OPS is about 160 points higher at home in Houston than on the road, and given that his history
hitting in Dodger Stadium is somewhat mediocre. Lee is 36 years old, he's a defensive liability, and yet he represents an
upgrade over the lineup that Don Mattingly has been forced to play because of injuries. Jose Bautista has as many home
runs in June (14) as the combined season total for the eight position players who started for L.A. on Friday.
2. The trade market is woefully thin in options. "There is just not very much movement at all," one executive said the
other day. "I count only six teams that are ready to sell." He listed the Cubs, Astros, Rockies, Athletics, Mariners and
Twins.
Lee repeatedly has turned down overtures from the Astros about possible trades, exercising his right to veto deals,
because he's comfortable where he is. But the Astros do have some leverage: They could tell Lee they intend to go with
their young players, and that he won't have a lot of opportunities for at-bats the rest of the summer -- as he prepares for
free agency in the fall.
Flying to L.A. early this morning; we'll have a full blog on Sunday.
What the Los Angeles Dodgers need
By Buster Olney
LOS ANGELES -- Teammates say that Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis is very good at working with a computer in assessing
information. When the rest of them are playing cards or sleeping on a team flight, Ellis will be staring at a laptop screen,
preparing.
Not long ago, he made a printout for teammate Clayton Kershaw, of his starts in the first half of the 2011 season.
Kershaw is 5-4 this season and has been swimming upstream against the perception that he is having an off year after
winning the NL Cy Young Award last year with a 21-5 record. Kershaw has had his fill of the "what's wrong with you"
questions, but he also is hypercompetitive and tends to feel responsible when the Dodgers lose.
What Ellis showed Kershaw was that Kershaw actually is pitching better in the first half this season than he did last year.
After his first 15 starts of 2011, Kershaw had a 3.28 ERA with 76 hits allowed in 98.2 innings. When Kershaw takes the
mound tonight against the New York Mets on "Sunday Night Baseball," he will carry a 2.76 ERA; he's allowed 86 hits in
108.1 innings, with 103 strikeouts and 27 walks.
Sure, there are things he wants to do better. A lot of the damage against him this season has come against his slider, a
pitch he fully incorporated last year for the first time -- a pitch that has sometimes gotten away from him this season.
"It's a feel thing," Kershaw explained, talking about how he sometimes gets too much on the side of the ball, flattening
out the pitch.
But the only number that's down markedly is the number of wins he's gotten, and this is what Ellis was trying to get
across to him -- that there's only so much he can do, and right now, getting a win for the Dodgers would mean throwing
scoreless innings.
The Dodgers were shut out Saturday for the fifth time in their past six games. They were out-homered in June by Jose
Bautista, who had 14; in fact, there were 17 individual hitters who had more homers than the Dodgers, who generated
six.
In June, the Dodgers scored little more than half the runs put up by the Pittsburgh Pirates in this turn in the calendar.
Tony Gwynn, Jr. acknowledged that as the team's slump has deepened, some of the Dodgers have tried to do more than
they can do -- and in an ugly cycle, this urgency has prevented them from doing what they can do.
There is help on the way for the Dodgers. Mark Ellis, deeply respected by teammates for his presence and ability to run
an infield, is expected back on Thursday. Matt Kemp has been running, as part of his rehabilitation of his strained
hamstring, and is aiming to be back in the lineup in the first game after the All-Star break. There is trade talk, of course.
"What we need," said Kershaw, "is a win."
The Dodgers have simply stopped hitting; they were dominated by Johan Santana on Saturday. James Loney's playing
time is up in the air.
• Some members of the Dodgers organization had more questions than answers Saturday, wondering about who the
team might be bringing in with trades. They tried to trade for Carlos Lee, but so far, they've been rebuffed; Lee's initial
indication to the Astros on Saturday morning was that he was inclined to reject the trade, as is his right. Lee told
reporters that he intends to talk to his wife before making a final decision.
If Lee doesn't change his mind, the Dodgers will try somebody else, sources indicated Saturday. "There are always other
things you can try," said one source.
The Astros have other players to offer this summer, writes Zachary Levine.
• At the outset of spring, Jim Thome was completely invested in the possibility of serving as a pinch hitter and playing
games at first base, absorbing some of the at-bats left behind by the injured Ryan Howard. He would get his time-worn
back loose and then take some grounders on a back practice field, before getting some more back treatment.
But with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, we could probably look back and say it was probably wishful thinking to believe
that Thome could play first base, seven years removed from playing the position regularly. Thome started just four
games at first for the Phillies before that experiment was scrapped, and he was just not effective as a pinch hitter for the
Phillies, going 1-for-16 with 11 strikeouts, one walk and one home run, and that completely changed the equation. The
inflexibility that he brought to the roster became unworkable for the Phillies, so they moved him in a window-dressing
trade, which happens all the time in these situations: Philadelphia got a couple of low-level minor leaguers who are not
regarded as prospects from Baltimore.
Thome will deepen an already solid Baltimore lineup that has a chance to get better. The Orioles' foremost need is
pitching, but Baltimore will have to win its fair share of high-scoring games if it's going to continue to be a part of the
playoff race. This is a good move for them.
Thome is headed to Baltimore to play more regularly, Matt Gelb writes. He leaves a team that will flirt with 90 losses if it
continues on its current trajectory.
Ruben Amaro says this is not the beginning of a fire sale.
The Orioles haven't gotten a lot of production from their DH spot, Dan Connolly notes.
Thome would not have been a good fit for the Indians right now, writes Paul Hoynes.
• If I picked them, here's what the All-Star teams would look like:
American League
1B Paul Konerko
2B Robinson Cano
3B Miguel Cabrera
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
LF Josh Hamilton
CF Mike Trout
RF Jose Bautista
C A.J. Pierzynski
DH David Ortiz
P Justin Verlander
The toughest call was at third base, given how well Adrian Beltre has played, and how much better defensively he is than
Cabrera -- who is, nevertheless, a generational icon at the plate. Sale has been more efficient than Verlander this year,
but fans who vote for the All-Star Game aren't only picking based on 2012 performance -- and Verlander has clearly
been baseball's best pitcher over the past year and a half.
The National League
1B Joey Votto
2B Aaron Hill
3B David Wright
SS Jed Lowrie
LF Ryan Braun
CF Andrew McCutchen
RF Carlos Beltran
C Carlos Ruiz
P R.A. Dickey
Dickey's loose plans were to return to Nashville during the All-Star break to spend time with friends and family. But now,
if he's picked for the NL team -- and if he isn't, there should be some kind of player revolt -- his plan is to take a whole lot
of family to Kansas City, he said Saturday.
He's in the mix to start the All-Star Game, Anthony Riebert writes.
Manny Acta is hoping that the Indians get multiple All-Stars. Pierzynski doesn't think he'll win this popularity contest,
Darryl van Schouwen writes.
Aaron Crow isn't expecting a surprise this year. Hill is worthy of a pick, says a teammate.
• As Ellis chatted with a reporter Saturday, he noticed that Kershaw was walking into the conversation, and Ellis asked
the reporter, "Would you trade Kershaw for Mike Trout?"
Kershaw interjected: "I'd trade me for Trout."
In the Dodgers' games against the Angels and Trout this year, they found no discernible holes in Trout's swing.
Sometimes, Ellis noted, a rookie might have a difficult time with a particular pitch, or might have trouble covering a hole
in a particular spot of the strike zone. The Dodgers' excellent pitching staff couldn't find anything to exploit.
Ellis agreed with the assessment of Angels GM Jerry Dipoto that Trout has a unique ability to shrug off bad at-bats,
recalling a sequence of pitches that Trout had against Chad Billingsley on June 22. In the bottom of the second, the
Angels had a runner on base and Trout struck out. "In his next at-bat," Ellis said, "he hit the first pitch for a home run."
Trout has taken the Angels on a thrill ride.
• McCutchen got hurt during the Pirates' win Saturday, but his injury isn't thought to be serious.
• Daniel Bard's problems grew more acute on Friday night.
Dings and dents
1. Mike Morse is dealing with a hamstring issue; he hit cleanup.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford continue to go through their rehab games. The big question for Crawford is
whether he has any more pain in his elbow as he hits and throws; if he does, that would be a significant problem.
3. Edward Mujica suffered a broken toe.
4. Votto is dealing with some knee stiffness.
5. Within this notebook, there is word that Lorenzo Cain's rehab hit another pothole.
Moves, deals and decisions
1. The Cubs completed the signing of Jorge Soler.
2. The Dodgers will announce the signing of some more players from Latin America in the week ahead. The new
ownership has provided seed money into the organization, which is reinstalling itself into the international market.
3. The Cardinals are in need of some relief.
4. The Rays' injuries have greatly complicated their planning, Marc Topkin writes.
5. Yoenis Cespedes is a work in progress in left field.
6. Brad Penny threw well in his debut for the Giants, as mentioned within this Alex Pavlovic notebook.
By The Numbers
From ESPN Stats and Information
3: Players to hit at least 10 HRs in June, led by Jose Bautista's 14 (joined by Robinson Cano and the Twins' Trevor Plouffe,
each with 11)
4: Pitchers to go 5-0 in June (R.A. Dickey, Matt Harrison, Madison Bumgarner, A.J. Burnett) … Dickey was the most
dominant, posting a 0.93 June ERA
42: Hits by Angels OF Mike Trout in June, which led MLB for the month
63: Number of team shutouts in June, the most in a single month since August 2010 (64)
AL East
Dewayne Wise has helped out in all kinds of ways for the Yankees. Hiroki Kuroda has been excellent, John Harper writes.
The Red Sox lost in extra innings, writes Scott Lauber. Aaron Cook and Franklin Morales have improved the Red Sox.
Henderson Alvarez was excellent. No. 8 hitter Adam Lind had a good day.
Jeremy Hellickson took a shot off his shin, and the Rays lost.
AL Central
Jake Peavy is not a fan of Yankee Stadium.
Shin-Soo Choo and the Indians feasted, Paul Hoynes writes.
The Twins swept a doubleheader, writes Joe Christensen.
Rick Porcello was The Man for the Tigers.
Jonathan Sanchez and Luke Hochevar had no answers in a doubleheader.
AL West
Josh Hamilton gave a nice lift to Martin Perez, Jeff Wilson writes.
Chone Figgins generated a decisive RBI.
The Angels' starter got pounded, again.
NL East
This is fairly well established at this point: Stephen Strasburg does not like the heat. Can't blame him.
The Braves beat Strasburg, and the heat, Carroll Rogers writes.
As June came to an end, the Marlins are on a mini-streak, Craig Davis writes.
NL Central
The Astros lost again.
Mat Latos has been outstanding, and he shut down the Giants on Saturday.
From ESPN Stats and Info, how Latos won:
A. After throwing a career-high 43 sliders in his previous start, Latos threw 54 of them Saturday. He's thrown his slider
43 percent of the time over his past two starts; he threw it 20 percent of the time in his previous 14 starts this season.
B. Latos recorded a career-high 13 outs with his slider Saturday, including seven on the ground. Ten of the 13 outs he
recorded with the pitch were in the strike zone; he recorded 12 outs with his slider in his previous start, but only three
were in the zone.
C. Giants hitters were 0-for-8 with two strikeouts in two-strike at-bats ending with a Latos slider. Thirteen of the 16 twostrike sliders he threw were down or below the strike zone.
D. Latos tied a career best by going to just one three-ball count. He went to 11 two-ball counts, but he would retire all 11
hitters.
Anthony Rizzo hit his first homer with the Cubs.
Ryan Braun showed off his star power. He is having a Braun-like season, writes Tom Haudricourt.
From ESPN Stats and Info, how Braun has fared better and better with two strikes:
Braun reached base three times Saturday and all three came after he was down in the count 1-2. His two home runs
gives him nine with two strikes this season, equaling his total from all of last season. His three two-strike RBIs pushed his
total to 31 this season, six more than anyone else in baseball.
Braun's ability to hit with two strikes took a step forward last season and he's been even better in 2012, with an .845
OPS that's tied for fourth in MLB.
Lance Lynn and the Cardinals took a beatdown from the Pirates.
NL West
Wade Miley was hit hard.
Colorado's bullpen faltered.
The Giants lost to their nemesis.
Two rookies put a jolt into the Padres.
Other stuff
• Al Kaline remembers his first day on the job.
• The Rockies' rotation experiment is risky.
• The All-Star rosters should be built with an acknowledgement of entertainment value, writes Joel Sherman.
• Brian McCann's streak of All-Star appearances is probably over.
• Bob Cohn visits with the man behind Tommy John surgery.
• Tsuyoshi Nishioka is playing in the Twins' farm system.
• Peavy is going to continue to do work in support of a close friend and coach who passed away last week, writes Tyler
Kepner.
And today will be better than yesterday.
L.A. Daily News
N.Y. METS 5, DODGERS 0: L.A. shut out for fifth time in six games
By J.P. Hoornstra, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/30/2012 10:17:15 PM PDT
Updated: 06/30/2012 10:40:25 PM PDT
Manager Don Mattingly and the Dodgers coaches held a meeting after the latest loss, a game as anonymous and
forgettable as any this week.
For the Dodgers, the days have become interchangeable.
For as upbeat as he sounded after the game, catcher A.J. Ellis confessed he forgot it was a Saturday and today was the
first of July.
For the seventh consecutive game, the scoreboard was full of zeroes and the Dodgers dressing room was filled with
silence. The final score, almost a moot point, was 5-0 in favor of the New York Mets. The only difference was the
coaches held a meeting after the game.
"I wish I could come out of that with monumental news, but I don't have any answers," Mattingly said.
So what is there to say about a struggling squad whose stats are staggering?
The Dodgers have lost five of their past six games via shutout. They have not scored in 56 of their past 57 innings dating
to last Sunday. During that time, they've been outscored 32-2. Three position players (James Loney, Juan Uribe and
Bobby Abreu) don't have a hit this week.
There are eight games left until the All-Star break, when the Dodgers get a day off and Matt Kemp is expected to come
off the disabled list.
Inside the dressing room, they're calling it a "light at the end of the tunnel," but it's starting to feel like a very long
tunnel.
"I wouldn't use the word frustration," Ellis said. "I'd use the word discouraged. We've got a lot of positive guys in here,
guys who can see the big picture."
The most positive guy Saturday was not a veteran but a rookie, Nathan Eovaldi. He's 0-5 now after taking the loss but
might as well have been 5-0 with such relentless optimism - a defense mechanism, perhaps, for a pitcher who has
received less run support than any major-league pitcher.
"Everybody's a little down," he said, "but it'll turn around soon hopefully."
Eovaldi threw 5<MD+,%30,%55,%70>1/<MD-,%0,%55,%70>3 innings and allowed seven hits, five runs and walked one.
Ike Davis led off the second inning with a double and came around to score on a pair of sacrifice flies. Daniel Murphy
doubled to lead off the fourth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Thole to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.
The final blow came in the sixth inning, when Davis hit a three-run homer off Eovaldi to extend the lead to 5-0.
"Every mistake I made, they hit the ball," Eovaldi said.
Davis finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Murphy went 2 for 3 and Kirk Nieuwenhuis went 2 for 4 for the Mets, who can
complete a four-game sweep today.
Johan Santana allowed a single to the first batter he faced, Dee Gordon, then did not allow another hit until the eighth
inning.
In between, the veteran left-hander faced one batter above the minimum, when Juan Rivera walked in the fourth inning.
Santana allowed three hits, walked two and struck out three in eight innings, en route to his third win in his last four
starts. He is 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers.
Of course, every pitcher looks like a Santana against the Dodgers these days.
This is not lost on the players' sullen body language. In lieu of a healthy Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier - who missed his
third game in a row with a strained oblique - is it time for the players to hold a meeting of their own?
"I don't think so," Ellis said. "Until you start seeing guys who don't give their all maybe that's when players need to step
in.
"It's more about attitudes than anything else, and I think our attitudes are pretty good."
DODGERS NOTEBOOK: Houston's Carlos Lee may be giving L.A. the business
By J.P. Hoornstra, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/30/2012 10:08:09 PM PDT
Updated: 06/30/2012 10:31:58 PM PDT
Carlos Lee is 36 years old and a fairly serious businessman, and both of these factors seem to be working against the
Dodgers at the moment.
The Dodgers made an offer to the Houston Astros to acquire the slugging first baseman Lee, according to several reports
Saturday.
Minor-league pitcher Garrett Gould, scratched from his start Friday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, was among the
assets reported to be going to Houston.
Lee, however, has a clause in his contract that allows him to veto a trade to the Dodgers. His business aspirations may
entice him to do just that.
Lee, according to the Houston Chronicle, has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into breeding cattle and owns
several ranches. Many of his cattle live on a ranch about an hour southwest of Houston, and Lee lives between the ranch
and Minute Maid Park.
Since he's on the downside of a 14-year major-league career, Lee only figures to be more involved in the cattle business
in the near future.
Billionaire Drayton McLane, the former Astros owner, once told the Chronicle that Lee is "probably the most businesssavvy baseball player I've ever spoken to."
So what does that mean for the Dodgers?
The decision for Lee to waive his no-trade clause isn't clear-cut, even though the Dodgers have been in playoff position
all season and the Astros are 14 games below .500. He told the Chronicle he expects to decide by today.
Dodgers first baseman James Loney is on pace for career-low numbers across the board this season: a .236 batting
average, .303 on-base percentage and .323 slugging percentage. He wasn't in the starting lineup Saturday against the
New York Mets but hadn't been approached by management about any potential trades.
Loney, the Dodgers' starting first baseman since 2007, would be forced into a reserve role if Lee waives his no-trade
clause.
"Obviously I want to play," Loney said. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
If Lee doesn't waive his no-trade clause, it's unclear what the Dodgers consider Plan B at first base. Maybe it's Loney.
Maybe, as one report suggested, it's free-agent first baseman Derrek Lee, who finished strong last season with the
Pittsburgh Pirates but hasn't played in the majors since.
"We have to realistically look at the production," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said, "and ask how do we improve
that."
Seager signs
The Dodgers signed Corey Seager, whom they drafted 18 th overall out of Northwest Cabarrus High School in the firstyear player draft in June. The shortstop received a $2.35 million signing bonus.
"I was committed (to South Carolina)," Seager said, "but I changed my mind."
Seager will have a few days at home before reporting to the Ogden Raptors, the Dodgers' rookie league affiliate. He will
play shortstop even though it's been suggested the 18-year-old has a frame (6 feet 4) better suited for a corner position.
"A lot of things can change down the road," said Logan White, the Dodgers' director of amateur scouting. "Right now,
there's no question in my mind that he can handle shortstop.
"He's got great hands, a great arm and he can swing the bat."
Seager is the younger brother of Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, who's given his younger brother plenty of
advice along the way.
Still, on the day he was drafted, Seager was a little overwhelmed.
"I got ready and went and played my Legion game," he said. "It was a way to get away from all the phone calls and the
text messages from everybody. I got to relax and enjoy it.
"I was on-deck and the kid got a walk-off home run so I never got to hit. Which probably isn't a bad thing because I
probably would've struck out three times swinging."
Also ...
Center fielder Matt Kemp (strained left hamstring), who isn't expected back until after the All-Star Break, said in a
television interview during Saturday's game he'll be the designated hitter when his rehabilitation assignment begins
Tuesday at Rancho Cucamonga. ... Second baseman Mark Ellis was scheduled to play designated hitter for the Quakes on
Saturday in Lancaster. He is scheduled to play five innings at second base today. ... Right-hander Javy Guerra (knee
surgery) will pitch today and Tuesday in Rancho Cucamonga and, barring any setbacks, then return to the Dodgers.
True Blue LA
Dodgers 6/30/12 Minor League Report - Everyone Hits in Raptors' Win
by Brandon Lennox on Jul 1, 2012 5:00 AM PDT in Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Report
Minor League Player of the Day – Leon Landry - 4 for 5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 SB. Landry boosted his average to .326 on Saturday
thanks to a 4-hit game. The 22 year old has been consistent throughout the entire season as he has hit over .300 for in
each of the first 3 months of the year.
AAA – The Isotopes stopped scoring after the 4th inning and eventually lost to the Storm Chasers (Royals) 8 to 7. Luis
Cruz connected on his league leading 31st double of the year and drove in 2 in the loss, but that wasn't enough for an
Albuquerque win. Jerry Sands went 2 for 4 with a double while Trent Oeltjen also had two hits including a two-bagger
and 3 RBI's, but that was the extent of the Isotope offense. On the mound Will Savage gave up a season high 12 hits over
4 innings and allowed 7 runs, although only 4 of those runs were earned. Bret Montgomery gave up just 1 hit in 3 innings
of relief, but he was still saddled with the loss thanks to an unearned run.
AA – The Lookouts won their 6th straight game on Saturday in a 8 to 5 defeat over the Braves. Aaron Miller gave up just
1 hit over 5 frames and struck out 6, but he also walked 4 also allowed 3 runs. Five different bullpen arms threw in this
game and most had success for Chattanooga as Luis Vasquez recorded his second win of the year and Logan Bawcom
collected his 10th save with a perfect 9th. At the plate Blake Smith went deep for the 9th time this year with a solo shot,
while Miller helped his own cause with a triple and a run scored. Nick Buss went 2 for 2 with a double and 2 RBI's, while
Pedro Baez also drove in run with a two-bagger.
HiA – Angel Sanchez and the Quakes got behind early and despite a late comeback were unable to climb out of their
hole as Rancho lost to Lancaster (Astros) 8 to 7. Sanchez got knocked out after just 2.2 frames after allowing 6 hits, 4
walks, and 8 runs (5 earned), and although the JetHawks didn't score again after the 3rd it didn't matter as the Rancho
offense was unable to make up the difference. Ryan Acosta did not allow a run over 2.1 innings and Freddie Cabrera was
solid over 3 frames, but again their success didn't matter since the Quakes were too far behind. At the plate Mark Ellis
made his rehab debut as the #2 hitter in the lineup, but he went 0 for 4 as the DH. Leon Landry had a huge game as he
went 4 for 5 with a double and 2 runs scored, while C.J. Retherford connected on 2 doubles and a homer which led to 4
RBI's. Joc Pederson also took one deep, his 3rd of the season, while Steve Domecus went 2 for 3 with a double in the
loss.
LoA – The Loons were ahead for most of the game, but a 3-run 7th by the TinCaps (Padres) resulted in a 4 - 3 loss for
Great Lakes. Starter Arismendy Ozoria was great over 6 frames, but in the 7th he allowed back to back singles and those
runs eventually came in to score which stopped him from getting the win. Michael Thomas actually allowed the 4th run
to score and took the loss, while Yimi Garcia pitched the final 1.1 frames of the game and did not allow a base runner. At
the plate Pratt Maynard finally hit his first homer of the year, while James Baldwin went 2 for 3 with a double and a long
ball of his own. Angelo Songco also doubled, but that was the extent of the Loons' offense.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors and Chukars matched 5-spots in the 1st inning, but in the end it was Ogden who came away
with a 10 - 5 win over Idaho Falls (Royals). The Raptors singled the Chukars to death in this contest as none of the 15 hits
by Ogden went for extra bases. Jeremy Rathjen led the way as he went 3 for 4 with a walk and 2 RBI's, and lead-off man
Darnell Sweeney had the only other 3-hit night. Alex Santana had 2 more hits to raise his average to .370, while Jesus
Valdez boosted his average to .447 with a pair of base knocks. Starter Carlos Frias had a rough outing as he allowed 9
hits and 5 runs over 5.1 frames, but it was enough for the win as the Raptors scored 7 runs before he left the game.
Craig Stem fired 2.2 innings of no-hit ball, while Gregg Downing finished off the win with a scoreless 9th.
Rookie Arizona – Off day
DSL – The Dominican Dodgers picked up another win, this time a 3 - 1 victory over the Mariners. In what has become a
redundant story Josmar Cordero extended his hit streak with a single, but he didn't have anything to do with the victory
as he had no RBI's or runs. Fellow catcher Jonathan Linares went 3 for 3 with a double and a RBI, while Jose Luis Javier
had the only other multi-hit game in the win. Mario Querales threw the first 5 innings of this game and allowed just 1
run, although he did give up 7 hits and a walk. Luis Silverio recorded the win with 3 innings of relief, while Ricardo De La
Rosa picked up his 4th save of the year.
Coming up – With everyone in action besides the Dominican Dodgers, one could argue that the highlight of the day
would be starter Stephen Fife for the Isotopes. Jon Michael Redding will take the mound for the Quakes, while Gustavo
Gomez will start for the Loons. The Lookouts starters is TBD, but Carlos De Aza will take the ball for the Raptors.
Five Shutouts In Six Games, Seven Straight Losses For Dodgers
by Eric Stephen on Jun 30, 2012 7:04 PM PDT in Dodgers Game Recaps
This is becoming tragic. The Dodgers continued their epic run of offensive ineptitude on Saturday with a 5-0 loss to the
New York Mets. The Dodgers have lost 11 of their last 12 games, including their last seven in a row.
It is the longest losing streak for the Dodgers since losing eight straight games from August 22-29, 2008. That team, with
a healthy Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier and a fully functional Manny Ramirez, immediately followed that losing streak by
winning their next eight games.
The Dodgers managed just one hit off Johan Santana, who pitched eight scoreless innings and is now 5-0 with an 0.50
ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers. But scoreless innings are nothing new for the Dodgers, as they were
shutout for the fifth time in six games.
The Dodgers have not scored in their last 23 innings, dating back to Thursday, and have been held scoreless in 56 of their
last 57 innings. During that span, the Dodgers have had just six runners reach as far as third base, and they have been
outscored 32-2.
The Dodgers did get one runner to third base on Sunday. In the eighth inning.
Nathan Eovaldi continued to get no run support, but it really didn't matter on Saturday as Eovaldi had his second poor
start in a row. Eovaldi allowed five runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, with the crushing blow coming on a three-run
home run by Ike Davis in the sixth inning to widen the Mets' lead.
Eovaldi joined Aaron Harang (June 24) as the only Dodgers starters to have no strikeouts in a game this season.
Today's Particulars
Home Runs: Ike Davis (11)
WP - Johan Santana (6-4): 8 IP, 3 hits, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
LP - Nathan Eovaldi (0-5): 5 1/3 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts
Dodgers Host Mets While Waiting On Carlos Lee
by Eric Stephen on Jun 30, 2012 3:51 PM PDT in Dodgers Pregame Notes
While the Dodgers await the decision of whether or not Carlos Lee will waive his no-trade clause to join Los Angeles,
there is a game to play at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers hope the third time is the charm against the Mets, who have
won the first two games of this four-game weekend series.
As for Lee, Buster Olney of ESPN reported the (former) slugger doesn't want to waive his no trade clause, but that
doesn't necessarily mean he won't waive it. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi reported that the Dodgers are still waiting
from a decision from Lee, and that Garrett Gould would be traded to Houston in the deal. ESPN's Jayson Stark says the
Dodgers would be paying "a significant portion" of Lee's remaining salary.
Manager Don Mattingly couldn't address Lee specifically since that would technically be tampering, which is against MLB
rules. But when asked about a player potentially not wanting to waive a no-trade clause to come to the Dodgers,
Mattingly was blunt.
"If they don't want to be here, I don't want them here," he said.
Mattingly did say he has heard Lee's name in rumors, and that a trade or two is something that has been discussed.
"We have to realistically look at the production we're getting and how do we improve that? We'll try to improve our club
any way we can," Mattingly said. "To us to get where we want to go, we have to get better."
Notes
Javy Guerra will pitch Sunday and Tuesday on a rehab assignment with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, with
hopes of getting activated for the Dodgers' series in Arizona, which begins Thursday.
Matt Kemp is targeting a return date of July 13, the first game after the All-Star break, per Dylan Hernandez
of the Los Angeles Times.
The Dodgers signed first-round pick Corey Seager on Saturday, and he will be introduced before the game
today at Dodger Stadium. Seager will report to the rookie league Ogden Raptors next week.
When I told Don Mattingly that his club has scored the fewest runs (17) in their last 12 games than any
other 12-game stretch in L.A. Dodger history, another reporter asked how long it took me to find that stat. I
estimated roughly an hour, using the Baseball-Reference.com Play-Index, to which Mattingly laughed and
said, "Eric, get a life."
Starting Lineups
Mets
Dodgers
CF Torres (S)
SS
Gordon (L)
SS Tejada
LF
Herrera (S)
3B Wright
2B Hairston
1B Davis (L)
1B Rivera
RF Duda (L)
C
2B Murphy (L)
RF Van Slyke
LF Niewenhuis (L)
3B Uribe
C Thole (L)
CF Gwynn (L)
P Santana (L)
P
Ellis
Eovaldi
Game Time: 4:15 p.m.
TV: Fox
MLB Gameday
Dodgers Dirty Dozen
by Eric Stephen on Jun 30, 2012 12:30 PM PDT in Dodgers Game Previews
The Dodgers will look to score runs anyway they can on Saturday afternoon against the Mets, hoping to snap their sixgame losing streak. The Dodgers have been shutout in four of their last five games, but have also scored just 17 runs in
their last 12 games, the lowest scoring 12-game stretch since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.
Fewest Runs Scored In 12-Game Span, LA Dodgers
Dates
Runs Scored
Record
June 17-29, 2012
17
2-10
May 10-20, 1968
18
4-8
July 1-15, 1968
19
1-11
July 25 - August 6, 1984
19
5-7
July 26 - August 7, 1984
19
5-7
That's right. This current run of offensive futility is even worse than The Year of the Pitcher.
But lack of runs is not news to Nathan Eovaldi, who has had five runs of support in his six starts this season. Eovaldi, 0-4
with a 4.04 ERA, looks for his first win of the season on Saturday, facing Johan Santana of the Mets.
Puig Deal Finalized
The Dodgers on Friday finalized their seven-year, $42 million contract with 21-year old Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig, who
will report to Camelback Ranch in Arizona once he enters the United States. Dodgers assistant general manager Logan
White called Puig a five-tool player and compared him to Sammy Sosa.
"This represents for us the first piece of many. We're going to continue to look forward, continue to look to sign players
after July 2," said general manager Ned Colletti. "It's a long-term play for us, to continue to build the farm system from
every place we can."
Puig is 6'3" and 230 pounds, and hasn't played competitive baseball in over a year. He defected to Mexico City, where
the Dodgers were very impressed by his workouts, despite not having picked up a bat in five months.
"We certainly scouted him when he was younger, all of the avenues that we could see him. We had a lot of information
and was prepared," White said. "My staff has done a great job in always being prepared, and now that we have an
ownership group that wants to go after it we were more than ready."
White said Puig will spend some time in Arizona to get into playing shape, then his next location will depend on how he
plays. "Once he gets into playing shape, he'll tell us where he goes from there," said White.
Per Ronald Blum and Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, Puig will get a $12 million signing bonus payable half within
30 days and half next January 15. Puig will be paid $2 million in each of his first three years, followed by salaries of $4.5
million, $5.5 million, $6.5 million, and $7.5 million.
"It's a great feeling to be able to compete at the highest levels for the best players," Colletti said.
Game Time: 4:15 p.m.
TV: Fox
MLB Gameday
Dodgers Make Desperation Play For Carlos Lee
by Eric Stephen on Jun 30, 2012 10:04 AM PDT in Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
The Dodgers are in free fall mode right now, unable to stay above water without several missing starters. They were able
to whether the storm the first time Matt Kemp was on the disabled list, but their June swoon without the superstar has
pushed them to 20-22 without Kemp.
The team has been especially bad of late, without Mark Ellis and with a slumping Andre Ethier before he missed a few
games with a strained left oblique. The Dodgers aren't out of the woods yet with Ethier, who is day-to-day but a disabled
list trip is not out of the question.
But the Dodgers expect Ellis back next weekend, will get Kemp back just after the All-Star break, and should have Ethier
back at full strength by the break if not sooner. But for the Dodgers, who have lost six straight and 10 of their last 11
games, there is still the matter of getting to the All-Star break.
"I'm talking about nine games," manager Don Mattingly said after Friday's loss. "I'm not planning on losing nine games."
But even when Kemp, Ethier, and Ellis back, the Dodgers are still facing a problem at the corner infield positions.
Dodgers third basemen are hitting .229/.291/.330, last in the National League in OPS and next-to-last in adjusted OPS+
(71). Dodgers first basemen are hitting .241/.299/.336, next-to-last in OPS and OPS+ (69).
With Ellis back at second base, it allows Jerry Hairston Jr. and Elian Herrera to play more third base, meaning more
barricades keeping Juan Uribe from the lineup.
But at first base, the Dodgers have James Loney, who is hitting .236/.303/.323, and Juan Rivera, who is hitting
.267/.301/.360. Rivera was hitting .243/.305/.360 last year for the Toronto Blue Jays when they designated him for
assignment just before the All-Star break.
Much like last year when a pedestrian Rivera (.274/.333/.406) was a big improvement over the zero production they got
out of left field and first base prior to the All-Star break, the Dodgers would take pedestrian at first base this season.
Enter Carlos Lee.
The Dodgers reportedly have a deal in place for El Caballo, who would fit the description of a marginal upgrade. Lee is
hitting .290/.342/.412 and even though he has just five home runs in 61 games that is one more home run than the
Dodgers have from the position all year.
"L.A. has made an offer. I just told Jeff (Luhnow, Astros GM) I want to see my options. I just want to wait and see what
my options are," Lee told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Lee has a no-trade clause.
Lee is making $18.5 million this season, meaning there is just over $9.5 million left on his deal between now and the end
of the season. Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, and Jon Heyman of CBS Sports have more
details on the neogtiations, but it is presumed that the Astros would pay a portion of the remaining salary depending on
the prospect(s) they receive.
Garrett Gould, who was named the No. 5 prospect in the system by Brandon Lennox before this season, was scratched
from his Friday start with Class A Rancho Cucamonga and is presumed to be a part of the deal.
The ball is in Lee's court now, but this is a move of desperation for the Dodgers. Desperate times call for desperate
measures, I guess.
What Dodgers' interest in Lee means
By Buster Olney
That the Dodgers have targeted Carlos Lee to plug a hole in their lineup -- and one official assesses the odds of a deal
happening at 50-50 -- tells you a couple of things:
1. The Dodgers are desperate to get help for their lineup -- any help. Because it's not a sure thing that Lee will help,
given the fact that his OPS is about 160 points higher at home in Houston than on the road, and given that his history
hitting in Dodger Stadium is somewhat mediocre. Lee is 36 years old, he's a defensive liability, and yet he represents an
upgrade over the lineup that Don Mattingly has been forced to play because of injuries. Jose Bautista has as many home
runs in June (14) as the combined season total for the eight position players who started for L.A. on Friday.
2. The trade market is woefully thin in options. "There is just not very much movement at all," one executive said the
other day. "I count only six teams that are ready to sell." He listed the Cubs, Astros, Rockies, Athletics, Mariners and
Twins.
Lee repeatedly has turned down overtures from the Astros about possible trades, exercising his right to veto deals,
because he's comfortable where he is. But the Astros do have some leverage: They could tell Lee they intend to go with
their young players, and that he won't have a lot of opportunities for at-bats the rest of the summer -- as he prepares for
free agency in the fall.
Flying to L.A. early this morning; we'll have a full blog on Sunday.
FOX Sports
Trade to Dodgers needs Lee's approval
By Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi
The Dodgers, trying to add a big bat, have agreed to a deal with the Astros to acquire first baseman Carlos Lee. Now it is
up to Lee whether it will happen.
Lee told reporters in Houston on Saturday that he is deciding whether to accept the trade. The Dodgers are one of 14
teams that cannot acquire Lee, 36, without his permission, according to sources with knowledge of his contract.
Sources said the Dodgers would send the Astros minor league right-hander Garrett Gould in return for Lee and cash.
Gould was the Dodgers' No. 6 prospect entering the season, according to Baseball America. Gould, a Kansas native, is 1-6
with 5.13 ERA in 72 innings this year for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A California League.
The Dodgers, who are using Juan Rivera and James Loney at first base, rank next-to-last in the National League in OPS at
the position. They currently are playing without their 2-3-4 hitters — second baseman Mark Ellis, center fielder Matt
Kemp and right fielder Andre Ethier — and fell out of first place Thursday for the first time since April 11.
Lee is owed just under $9 million for the rest of the season, after which he will become a free agent. Players normally
require a financial inducement to waive no-trade protection, which could be the case with Lee. But Lee could also raise
his value on the open market this offseason by playing in a pennant race. The Astros could also place pressure on Lee to
accept by threatening to send him to one of the 15 teams to which he cannot block a trade.
The Dodgers, under new ownership, prefer to take on expensive contracts in trades rather than part with top prospects,
sources say. The Astros, in exchange for financial relief, would accept lesser players in such a deal. But if the Astros pay a
substantial portion of Lee’s salary, they could effectively buy a prospect of Gould’s caliber.
Lee is batting .290/.342/.412 this season, with five home runs and 29 RBI in 257 plate appearances.
MLB.com
Lee could give Dodgers much-needed boost
By Richard Justice
Carlos Lee is a shadow of the player he once was. He's 36 years old, and on his way to career lows in home runs and
doubles. His slugging and on-base percentages have also dropped in recent years.
It's an indication of how badly the Dodgers are struggling that even a diminished Carlos Lee would be a nice addition to
their lineup. During this 1-10 free fall that has cost them first place in the National League West, the Dodgers have
scored a total of 15 runs.
Yes, you read that correctly. That's 1.4 runs per game, and while the Dodgers desperately need Matt Kemp and Andre
Ethier back in their lineup to be whole again, Carlos Lee would make them better.
Even without the solid offensive numbers he once had, he's still capable of getting on base. His .342 on-base percentage
is third-best among the nine National League qualifying first basemen. So is his .290 batting average.
Meanwhile, James Loney is hitting .236 with two home runs in 220 at-bats. His OBP is 39 points lower than Carlos Lee's.
At a time when the Giants and Diamondbacks have both gotten hot, the Dodgers can't wait any longer.
Lee probably wasn't their first choice, but given that he's an experienced hitter, a decent defensive first baseman and is
in the final year of his contract, he made sense.
In the past, Lee has resisted overtures to waive his no-trade protection, and indication from several former teammates
are that he will do so again. He has a ranch in South Texas, and seems comfortable playing out the string on his six-year,
$100-million contract.
The Dodgers are hoping this time will be different, that he might be intrigued by the chance to finish the season in a
pennant race.
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow met with Lee on Saturday morning to gauge his interest on approving a trade to the
Dodgers, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Lee confirmed the meeting, but was noncommital about whether or
not he'd agree to go.
The Dodgers also asked about Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie, who is putting together a very nice season. But Luhnow
would want at least a couple of top prospects to make that deal while the market for him is playing out.
Lee would cost the Dodgers more money, but less in terms of young talent that management is reluctant to part with.
He has had an interesting six seasons with the Astros. He joined them in 2006, a year after they were unable to sign Jeff
Kent and Carlos Beltran. The Astros were a year removed from the World Series and believed that they were one or two
players from getting back.
To Astros fans, Lee came to symbolize the organization's fall from contention. He actually was the same player he'd
always been, but perception is what it is. The Astros were done in by the retirements of Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell and
the decline of a once productive farm system.
Lee accepted the criticism with grace and a sense of humor. Even some of his teammates resented his big salary and
seemingly carefree approach. If any of this bothered Lee, he never showed it.
The Astros got their money's worth during the first four seasons of the contract. Lee averaged 28 home runs and 102
RBIs, and had a respectable .833 OPS. Production became tougher with an increasingly depleted amount of talent
around him.
His production has declined as he has aged. The Dodgers will find that he's still a tough out and that his easygoing
personality plays well during the stress of a long season.
Whether a change of scenery energizes his production can only be answered if he agrees to join the Dodgers and be in a
position where every game matters. His decision will come down to whether any of this interests him.
CBS Sports
Astros 'will do cartwheels' if Carlos Lee deal to Dodgers is completed
By Jon Heyman | Baseball Insider
The Astros "will do cartwheels'' if Carlos Lee accepts a trade to the Dodgers, one person familiar with their thinking said.
It isn't known whether an exchange of players has been agreed upon yet, but that shouldn't be the hard part since the
Astros want to deal Lee, who's worth far less than his $18.5 million contract now. The difficult part, folks agree, will be
getting the approval of Lee, who has the right to veto trades to 14 of 29 other teams, including the Dodgers.
Lee was said to be reluctant to waive his veto power this winter when the Astros were shopping him. He has a profitable
cattle farm in the Houston area, which is one of the reasons he rebuffed a bigger deal from the Giants to sign a $100
million, six-year Astros contract.
In any deal, the Astros would be expected to pay the majority of the $10 million or so that remains on Lee's $18.5 million
salary. The Dodgers, under new rich ownership, would prefer to pay money than surrender prospects.
Lee doesn't appear ready to make a major impact, as he has only five home runs (none on the road) to go with 29 RBI
and a .290 batting average. But it's clear the Dodgers are ready to move on from first baseman James Loney, who only
has two home runs (both on the road).
The Dodgers are desperate for offense at this point with Matt Kemp still out, Andre Ethier ailing and most of the rest of
the lineup struggling, so a deal for Lee makes some sense.
The Astros are willing to trade just about anyone on their roster, but it would take a haul for them to consider moving
shortstop Jed Lowrie, who's having a terrific year there, makes a reasonable salary and is under team control for a while.
Goose eggs, losses stacking up as bewildered Dodgers await Lee decision
By Scott Miller | Senior Baseball Columnist
LOS ANGELES -- This is how bad things are going for the formerly first-place Dodgers: At this point, Carlos Lee is looking
like the potential second coming of Duke Snider.
Oh ... my ... g00000000000000000000000dness.
That's 23 O's -- or zeros -- one for each of the consecutive scoreless innings the Dodgers now have racked up.
It's remarkable. The Dead Ball Era has re-entered the game, right here at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers have failed to score in 56 of their past 57 innings. With Saturday's 5-0 loss to Johan Santana and the New
York Mets, they now have been shut out in four of their past five games, and in six of 12.
They've now lost seven in a row, and 11 of their past 12.
Doubtful that Lee, even if he waives his no-trade clause, can ride in and fix everything with a home run or two.
But a dinger or a tater or a longball, jack, bomb, blast, shot, round-tripper ... SOMETHING wouldn't be a bad thing.
The Dodgers now have just one homer in their past 16 games (take a bow, Bobby Abreu).
The postgame clubhouse was closed for an extraordinarily long time following Saturday's game. It turned out, there was
no Lee acquisition (yet) and no fire-and-brimstone team meeting.
Simply, increasingly desperate manager Don Mattingly and his coaches started talking, and the skipper became lost in
the conversation.
"I wish I could come out of that with some monumental news," Mattingly said. "I really don't have any different answers
than I've had in the last 10, 12 days."
The worst possible combination has struck them at a most inopportune time: Injuries (Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Mark
Ellis) and ineptitude (Juan Uribe, James Loney, Dee Gordon).
"Some really tough days right now," Mattingly said. "But at the end of the day, you've got to recover and come back and,
unfortunately, that's where we're at."
The Dodgers have lost 8 1/2 games in the standings since May 27 to slip one game behind the Giants in the NL West.
They're waiting for Kemp to return from his second stint on the disabled list (likely to start the second half of the season
after the All-Star break). They're waiting for Ellis to return (likely in Arizona next weekend).
And they're waiting for Lee to decide whether to waive his no-trade clause over there in Houston. Or, actually, Chicago,
where the Astros were 3-2 losers to the Cubs on Saturday.
Lee went 0 for 4 to drop his batting average to .285, along with five homers and 29 RBI in 61 games. Afterward, he told
reporters he would talk with his wife and hope to have an answer for the Dodgers by Sunday.
Though he is nowhere close to the slugger he once was (37 homers, 116 RBI for the Brewers and Rangers combined in
2006), Lee at this point qualifies as a veritable Carl Furillo, or Raul Mondesi, to the Dodgers.
Uribe now is 0 for his past 20. Loney, who did not play Saturday, is 0 for his last 25. Elian Herrera was 0 for 19 before
banging a triple the other night.
Loney and Juan Rivera, the tag-team first base combo while the Dodgers await Lee's decision, are mostly responsible for
the Dodgers' first basemen ranking 15th in the NL in slugging percentage (.638), 11th in on-base percentage (.299), 14th
in RBI (33) and 15th in home runs (4).
It's ugly.
And the flip side of this proposed Lee deal is this:
If an aging slugger who has played in a grand total of just three playoff games in a 14-year career that includes more
than 2,000 regular season games has to agonize over whether he even wants to accept a trade that would plop him into
a pennant race ... is that the kind of character guy the Dodgers should even take on?
Uncertainties are everywhere at the moment at the foot of the Hollywood Hills.
"I think everybody would like to say, 'Hey, can we take the weekend off? Maybe take a couple of days off?'" Mattingly
said. "That's not a choice for us."
Across the clubhouse, catcher A.J. Ellis echoed his manager.
"It's tough," Ellis said. "But it's not like they're going to stop the schedule, stop playing games.
"We have to keep fighting and grinding until we get our boys back.
"We showed that when we had everybody together, we were one of the best teams in baseball. We have to remember
that."
Carlos Lee deciding whether to accept trade to Dodgers
By Dayn Perry | Baseball Blogger
CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers have a deal in place for Astros first baseman Carlos Lee;
however, the deal hinges on whether Lee will waive his no-trade clause and accept the move to L.A. Our own Scott
Miller recently reported that the two sides were in deep discussions.
As Heyman has already written, Lee has strong business ties to the Houston area, which explains his possible reluctance.
On the season, Lee is hitting .290/.342/.412, which is none too impressive given his defensive limitations. He could,
however, be platooned with the unproductive James Loney at first base or even take over on a full-time basis. Still, Lee
would at best a glancing upgrade and would likely not move the needle for the struggling Dodger offense.
Lee is owed the balance of an $18.5-million salary for 2012. That means the Astros would likely be sending cash along
with Lee and getting little in return in the way of prospects.
Carlos Lee still undecided on trade to the Dodgers
By C. Trent Rosecrans | Baseball Blogger
Carlos Lee has yet to make a decision on whether he'll accept a trade to the Dodgers, he told MLB.com's Brian
McTaggert (via Twitter). Lee said he's in Sunday's lineup against the Cubs.
Houston and Los Angeles agreed to a deal that would send Lee to the Dodgers while the Astros would receive minorleague right-hander Garrett Gould, but Lee had a partial no-trade clause with a list of teams, including the Dodgers. The
Dodgers agreed to pay the rest of Lee's 2012 salary, a total of nearly $9 million.
Lee, 36, is a free agent following the season. He is hitting .285/.337/.405 with five home runs this season. His average is
about the same at home as it is on the road, but the rest of his slash line is vastly different. At Minute Maid Park, he's
hitting .286/.362/.459 and .284/.304/.339 on the road. All five of his home runs are at home this season. In 32 career
games and 136 plate appearances at Dodger Stadium, Lee has hit .270/.331/.451 and five home runs.
The Astros could also deal starter Wandy Rodriguez and closer Brett Myers. The left-handed Rodriguez (6-5, 3.52 ERA) is
owed $3.5 million after July 31 and $13 million in 2013. If he is traded, his $13 million club option for 2014 becomes a
player option. Myers (17 saves, 3.71 ERA) is owed $3.8 million after July 31 and there is a $10 million club option for
2013 with vesting options.
AM 570 FOX Sports
Dodgers Shut Out Again By Santana, Mets
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Johan Santana gave up just three hits in eight innings Saturday night and the New
York Mets shut out the reeling Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-0.
The Dodgers have been shut out in five of their last six games and have lost seven in a row for the first time in almost
four years.
Santana (6-4) was unhittable for much of the game and improved to 5-0 lifetime against the Dodgers. He didn't allow a
hit between leadoff singles in the first and eighth innings, closing June with another gem after beginning the month with
the franchise's first no-hitter.
Ike Davis hit a three-run homer for the Mets, who have won the first three games of this four-game set -- the last two by
shutouts -- and four in a row overall.
The Dodgers are just 1-11 in their last 12 and have been held scoreless in 56 of their last 57 innings. They have dropped
seven in a row for the first time since an eight-game slide from Aug. 22-29, 2008.
LA starter Nathan Eovaldi (0-5) gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings to remain winless in seven
starts this season.
"It's really tough days right now (but) we know we're going to get out of this," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.
"We have to put runs on the board. When you're not putting up runs you look bad. Right now it's a rough time."
Santana finished 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA in June, including his no-no against the Cardinals on the first day of the month. He
was bested by knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who won Friday's game to go 5-0 in the month with a 0.93 ERA.
Dee Gordon's third-pitch single on an 0-2 count leading off the first inning was the only hit Santana gave up until Scott
Van Slyke led off the eighth with a single.
Gordon stole second base, the only Dodger to make it that far until the eighth as Santana allowed just three baserunners
in the first seven innings, two on walks.
"I felt good. I threw my fastball inside and they were swinging right away," said Santana. "I threw some sliders and my
changeup was good. I just tried to get ahead in the count. We continue to have fun and play good baseball."
Meanwhile, the Mets took a 1-0 lead in the second inning after Davis led off with a double and scored on back-to-back
fly outs by Lucas Duda and Daniel Murphy.
Murphy hit a leadoff double in the fifth, went to third on Kirk Nieuwenhuis' ground out and scored on Josh Thole's
sacrifice fly.
In the sixth, Davis' 11th homer of the season scored Andres Torres and David Wright for a 5-0 lead. Eovaldi was then
relieved by Scott Elbert after giving up a single to Duda.
Santana escaped trouble in the eighth after Van Slyke's leadoff single and Tony Gwynn's one-out base hit. The runners
were stranded after ground outs by Adam Kennedy and Gordon and Bobby Parnell pitched a perfect ninth in relief.
Game Notes: The Mets are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between the teams. They are 4-2 on a seven-game road
trip...Eovaldi earned his only win last season...Santana had a single.
LAist
Scoreless in Los Angeles
By Jimmy Bramlett
With a 5-0 loss to Johan Santana and the New York Mets, the Dodgers have now been shutout in five of their last six
games and scored in only one inning of their last 57 innings. This is an offensive futility of dead-ball era proportions.
"I don't have a lot of answers," Dodger manager Don Mattingly conceded after the game. "We're going to keep going.
It's some really tough days right now, obviously. But at the end of the day you've got to recover and you've to come
back. That's really where we're at."
That's what Mattingly has to say, the optimism he's been spouting throughout this homestand. The lighthouses, the light
at the end of the tunnel and what not. Mattingly noted that they haven't lost ground to the first place San Francisco
Giants, still trailing by one game.
Despite the abyss the Dodgers find themselves in, the players haven't shown it getting to them at least to the media.
They even carried on with the scheduled picture day before the game, taking pictures with the fans in the outfield
before the game.
Mattingly did acknowledge breaking the small habits when in a rut admitting that he parked his car head-in instead of
backing into his parking space. But he also touched on the reality of the situation.
"No matter what you say, you've got to play. It really gets down to fundamentally can we move runners, get guys on
base, give ourselves a chance to drive in runs, make pitches, execute. It's really getting back to the same stuff.
"We can do all the stuff around it, but you get right down to it we've got to play good enough to win the game."
Getting one hit in the first seven innings against Johan Santana is not good enough. The hit belonged to Dee Gordon who
hit Santana's third pitch of the game into shallow right field for a single.
Gordon stole his 25th base as Jerry Hairston took a 2-0 pitch for a strike, but Hairston grounded back to the box and Juan
Rivera grounded to second to end the threat. Between then and the eighth inning, there were only two walks.
It's just not going to cut it. Mattingly acknowledged that merely than relying on hope, the Dodgers need contributions
from everyone right away.
"We're going to have to get contributions from everybody," Mattingly said. "I know we talk about guys we're going to
get back, and that's our hope and that's our thought of looking forward. But at the end of the day a lot of guys that are
in this room are going to have to give us contributions for us to be a successful team."
Minutes after the Dodgers first inning threat subsided, Ike Davis led off the second inning with a double. At 4:44 p.m.
Davis came home on Daniel Murphy's sacrifice fly to give the Mets the 1-0 lead.
Dodger starter Nathan Eovaldi tried his best to keep the Dodgers in the game, but his fastball in the sixth inning to Davis
that landed in the right-centerfield seats for a three-run homer effectively sealed the game shut.
"The Ike Davis home run was a back breaker," catcher A.J. Ellis admitted. "That's when you do start getting feelings
when it's 5-0. 1-0 or 2-0, you still know you have a shot. A basehit and a home run and you're back in it."
Half a century ago, Sandy Koufax tossed the first of his four no-hitters — a 5-0 shutout of the Mets coincidentally
enough. As great as Koufax was, he actually had the offense to back him up with five runs.
After the game and a day after Mormon night, several hundred fans stuck around to hear Ellis, Josh Lindblom and
Clayton Kershaw testify to their faith. Perhaps the Protestants can pray the offense back into the Dodgers.
Sporting News
Matt Kemp injury update: Dodger slugger plans to return July 13
Injured Los Angeles Dodgers star Matt Kemp plans to start a minor league rehab stint soon and rejoin the team for its
July 13 game against the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Times reports.
That will be the Dodgers' first game after the All-Star break.
“I’ll be ready,” Kemp said.
The slugging center fielder is recovering from a strained left hamstring that landed him on the disabled list for a second
time this season May 31. The 2011 NL MVP runner-up first missed time from May 14-29.
Kemp will miss the July 10 All-Star Game, but he still plans to participate in the Home Run Derby on July 9.
“I’m doing it,” he said.
Kemp, who predicted in spring training he might just become the first player to ever hit 50 home runs and steal 50
bases, is batting .355 with 12 homers and 28 RBIs in 36 games and has two stolen bases.
In his absence, the Dodgers' offense has been terrible and the team has dropped out of first place in the National League
West.
“I wish I could be out there helping out, but it is what it is," Kemp said. "It could be worse than what it is right now.”
Yahoo! Sports
Astros' Carlos Lee mulling trade to Dodgers
By Tim Brown
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers are nearing an agreement to acquire first baseman Carlos Lee from the
Houston Astros and await Lee’s decision on whether to accept the trade.
Lee has partial no-trade protection and must waive it in order for the trade to be completed. He told reporters in
Houston he is considering his options.
Lee told the Houston Chronicle on Saturday he’d met with Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow that morning, when he
was told about the Dodgers’ offer.
The Dodgers were held scoreless Friday night for the fourth time in five games and for the sixth time in June. While Lee
would only be a marginal upgrade over James Loney at first base, an ineffective offense has been the primary culprit in a
potentially disastrous month. The Dodgers have been without Matt Kemp for all but 1½ games since May 13. Andre
Ethier is nursing an oblique injury, but could return in the next day or two. The club has batted .216 with six home runs –
both worst in the National League – since June 1.
Once one of the premier power hitters in the league, Lee, 36, has just five home runs for the Astros and ranks 48th in
the league with a .754 OPS.
Lee is in the final guaranteed season of a six-year, $100-million contract. The Astros are rebuilding as they prepare to
enter the American League next season and could use either the prospects or the salary relief – Lee is due about $9
million over the remainder of the season – toward that end.
NBC Sports
Matt Kemp aiming to return to the Dodgers’ starting lineup for first game after All-Star break
Drew Silva
Jul 1, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT
Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp has been on the shelf for close to five weeks with a left hamstring strain that dates
back to the middle of May. But he is making progress and already charting his return.
Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that Kemp is planning to embark on a minor league rehab assignment
next week and hopes to rejoin the Dodgers for their first scheduled game after the All-Star break (July 13 against the
Padres).
Kemp will compete in the Home Run Derby on July 9 at Kauffman Stadium but will skip the All-Star Game.
The 27-year-old is batting .355/.444/.719 with 12 home runs and 28 RBI in 36 games played this season. The Dodgers
have taken a sharp dip in the standings while he’s been sidelined and currently trail the Giants by one game in the
National League West.
Carlos Lee hasn’t made decision on trade to Dodgers
Drew Silva
Jul 1, 2012, 11:51 AM EDT
The Dodgers and Astros have agreed to a trade that would send Carlos Lee to Los Angeles in exchange for pitching
prospect Garrett Gould. But Lee has a no-trade clause and isn’t quite sure he wants to go.
The 36-year-old slugger told reporters after Saturday night’s 3-2 loss that he was planning to announce a decision at
some point Sunday.
He had not made up his mind by the time he arrived at Wrigley Field for this afternoon’s series-finale with the Cubs.
Lee is hitting .285/.337/.405 with five home runs and 29 RBI in 62 games this season for 32-46 Houston. The Dodgers are
one game back of the Giants in the National League West and hurting badly for offense.
CBS Los Angeles
Kemp To Play DH With Rancho Cucamonga Quakes On Tuesday, July 3rd
LOS ANGELES (CBS) The only good news coming from the slumping Dodgers is slugger Matt Kemp is expected to return
July 13th from his hamstring injury.
Before his return to the majors, Kemp said during Saturday’s game on FOX, that he will start a rehab assignment by
playing DH on Tuesday, July 3rd with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Kemp has been out since May 30th when he re-aggravated his left hamstring against the Milwaukee Brewers — putting
him out for close to 5 weeks.
“I feel the same,” Kemp said to the LA Times. “I wish I could be out there helping out, but it is what it is. It could be
worse than what it is right now.”
Dodgers are slumping with an 11-16 record since his absence and have lost 11 of the last 12.
Kemp plans to play in the Home Run Derby, but will sit the All-Star game, despite leading all outfielders in National
League voting.
The Dodgers are still just one game behind the division leading San Francisco Giants.
Andre Ethier is day-to-day with an injured oblique he suffered on June 27th.
Newsday
New ownership group intent on upgrading Dodger Stadium
Originally published: June 30, 2012 8:53 PM
Updated: June 30, 2012 9:12 PM
By ANTHONY RIEBER
LOS ANGELES
On May 2, a breath of fresh air began blowing over the nearby San Gabriel Mountains and into Dodger Stadium as a new
ownership group took over from the divisive regime of Frank McCourt.
NBA legend Magic Johnson was the face of the ownership group, but the money man was Chicago-based financier Mark
Walter. His group paid $2.15 billion, the most ever for a sports franchise, and has committed to $300 million to upgrade
venerable Dodger Stadium.
The stadium, which opened in 1962, is the third-oldest in Major League Baseball, behind Fenway Park (1912) and
Wrigley Field (1914). While the views of the mountains and downtown Los Angeles are unparalleled, the ballpark itself -like the Dodgers' reputation after the McCourt years -- is in need of a remodeling.
"We bought that," team president Stan Kasten said the other day, his hand sweeping toward the mountains beyond the
outfield walls. "That classic vista. The bleachers, the palm trees, the San Gabriel Mountains. We'll never screw with that.
"But we want to add the things that modern fans want and make them feel better about the ballpark. Like kids' areas,
real active areas. A bar and hangout restaurant area. History. There's no history in this place -- at Dodger Stadium! When
you think about it, it's hard to believe. We can do these things easy; we can do most of it in one offseason. Those kinds
of things and more."
On the field, the Dodgers got off to a super-hot start this season under manager Don Mattingly. But they went into
Saturday night's game against the Mets having lost 10 of their last 11 to fall out of first place in the NL West. They were
averaging 40,383 fans at home compared to a full-season average of 36,236 in 2011.
"We've gotten a tremendous reception from our fans, who I think are giving us a break and giving us some time to put a
plan in place," said Kasten, the former president of the Braves and Nationals. "All of us who are involved coming in the
door new are just so thrilled to be a part of this. It's the coolest thing I've ever been able to do."
The ownership group hit the ground running by lowering parking prices from $15 to $10 on their first day. Kasten said
they have worked to decrease the lines at concession stands and have held focus groups and a town hall meeting to
figure out what their customers want -- besides the obvious, which is a winning team. Dodger Stadium always enters the
discussion, he said.
"Most fans want to know what you're doing with the ballpark," Kasten said. "Although beautiful, it still needs to be
brought into the 21st century."
If they keep the current stadium -- Kasten said there is "no real thought" of building a new one, but he didn't rule it out - the Dodgers know there's only so much they can do.
Dodger Stadium, though it sits in the middle of the glitziest town in America, is as simple and elegant as can be. And the
new owners plan to keep it that way.
"This might be as glitz-free a stadium as we have in Major League Baseball because it's 50 years old," Kasten said. "Even
Fenway has been upgraded with some modern things that this ballpark doesn't have. And yet 40,000 people find their
way down here in a relatively glitz-free stadium. I would like to keep it glitz-free, but I would like to add the things, the
appeal items, that give fans an even better time."
As for the Dodgers' reputation, that improved the minute McCourt walked out. One of baseball's grand old franchises
had been rescued from bankruptcy court and a lot of bad feelings. A new wind blew in.
"We have great ownership providing us the resources to make it what it should be," Kasten said. "To make it THE
DODGERS again. All caps. THE DODGERS. That's how you should print that. It hasn't recently been perceived as THE
DODGERS. We intend to make it THE DODGERS again."
Los Dodgers.com
Kemp y Kershaw elegidos para el Juego de Estrellas
Matt Kemp y Clayton Kershaw fueron elegidos para participar en el Juego de Estrellas del 2012. El Clásico de Media
Temporada se realizará el martes, 10 de julio en el Kauffman Stadium de Kansas City.
El jardinero Kemp tiene promedio de .355 con 12 jonrones y 28 carreras empujadas en 36 juegos con los Dodgers.
En 16 aperturas, el as de los Dodgers Kershaw tiene marca de 5-4 con efectividad de 2.74.
Dodgers se volvieron a ir en blanco vs. Mets
Associated Press
06/30/12 11:34 PM ET
LOS ANGELES -- El venezolano Johan Santana recibió sólo tres imparables en ocho entradas, Ike Davis conectó un jonrón
de tres carreras y los Mets de Nueva York barrieron el sábado por 5-0 a los Dodgers de Los Angeles.
El triunfo de los Mets constituyó la séptima derrota consecutiva de los Dodgers y la peor racha de este equipo en la
campaña.
En su quinta apertura desde que Santana (6-4) lograra el 1 de junio el primer partido sin hit en la historia de los Mets, el
lanzador no aceptó indiscutibles entre el sencillo de Dee Gordon, primer bateador del encuentro, y el sencillo de Scott
Van Slyke, quien abrió al bate la octava entrada.
Dos bateadores después, Tony Gwynn pegó sencillo y ambos corredores avanzaron con un rodado de Adam Kennedy.
Los Dodgers sufrieron su quinta blanqueada en seis encuentros, incluidos los tres disputados en San Francisco, y sólo
han producido dos carreras en sus últimos 57 capítulos.
Nathan Eovaldi (0-5) recibió cinco carreras y siete imparables en cinco entradas un tercio.
Por los Mets, el puertorriqueño Andrés Torres de 4-1, una anotada. El panameño Rubén Tejada de 4-0. El venezolano
Santana de 3-1.
Por los Dodgers, los dominicanos Juan Uribe de 2-0 y Elián Herrera de 4-0. Los venezolanos Juan Rivera de 3-0 y Bobby
Abreu de 1-0.
ESPN Deportes
Dodgers buscan confianza y respuestas
Por Rodrigo Azurmendi
Especial para ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Dodgers volvieron a ser su peor enemigo y cayeron sin atenuantes ante los Mets de Nueva
York por 5-0 el sábado en el Chávez Ravine. La derrota fue la séptima consecutiva y marcó la quinta vez en seis
presentaciones que se fueron con el marcador en blanco.
Tanto dirigentes como jugadores continúan buscando respuestas y soluciones a la peor racha negativa de la temporada,
y los culpables principales parecen ser las lesiones y la falta de confianza normal en un momento así de nefasto.
"No tengo muchas respuestas distintas a las que he venido dando en las últimas semanas", se sinceró Don Mattingly.
"Son días duros pero tenemos que recuperarnos".
El timonel angelino informó que aún no han sido capaces de dar en la tecla en cuanto a identificar la razón de la
catastrófica decaída en nivel de juego.
"Estamos constantemente buscando respuestas", dijo. "Analizamos si nuestros jugadores están jugando demasiado
duro, si los estamos presionando o si están intentando hacer demasiado. Lamentablemente no las hemos encontrado.
Lo que sé es que no es una cuestión de falta de esfuerzo".
A.J. Ellis negó que haya enojo en el camerino pero si confesó algo de desilusión. Sin embargo, halagó la performance del
cuerpo técnico en cuanto a mantener la moral de las tropas lo más alta posible.
"Más que frustración es desazón", aclaró. "Tenemos mucha gente positiva aquí y quienes pueden poner las cosas en
contexto. Lo que hacen Donny [Mattingly] y el resto de los entrenadores es espectacular. Tienen la mejor amnesia
temporal y todos los días es una nueva oportunidad".
Mattingly se explayó sobre la influencia negativa de las repetidas derrotas pero indicó que no hay escapatoria a la
situación actual. "Periodos extendidos de derrotas te desgastan", dijo. "Además lo hace más difícil para prepararse para
el siguiente juego. Pero no tenemos otra opción. No está la posibilidad de tomarse una semana libre".
El piloto se explayó sobre el proceso psicológico que sufren cuando tienen que voltear el tanteador.
"En una racha monumental como esta se nota que nos falta confianza", apuntó. "Cada vez que caemos en desventaja se
siente como se nos va la energía".
El juego se había mantenido parejo gracias a la buena performance hasta el momento del abridor Nathan Eovaldi. Sin
embargo, un cuadrangular de tres carreras en la alta de la sexta entrada acabó con los sueños locales.
"Tuvimos algunas chances al principio con corredores en base", señaló Ellis. "Sentimos que teníamos chances pero el
jonrón de Ike Davis nos mató. Un par de carreras [de desventaja] son aceptables pero cuando son cinco se complica".
El serpentinero describió el fatídico suceso.
"Traté de mantener la bola lejos pero salió al medio", ilustró. "Fue solamente un error y ellos le sacaron mucho
provecho".
A pesar de haber perdido 11 de los últimos 12, Jerry Hairston Jr. no cree que la delicada situación sea tan preocupante,
comparándola con cualquier equipo forzado a competir sin sus estrellas.
"No creo que estemos en una mala racha", avisó. "Si les sacas a Kobe Bryant y a Pau Gasol a los Lakers les va a costar
también. Así es la realidad cuando te faltan los jugadores en el tercer y cuarto lugar del orden de bateo".
El pelotero de descendencia mexicano-americana descartó que tengan un problema de moral y se ilusionó con el
regreso de sus torpederos.
"No creo que sea una cuestión de confianza", aseveró. "Kemp y Ethier son jugadores de gran impacto. Son demasiado
importantes y ojalá que vuelvan pronto".
Ellis se unió a dicha expectativa y también declaró que la peor parte está por pasar.
"Vemos la luz al final del túnel", reveló. "Estamos ilusionados con la manera que [Kemp] ha progresado. Aprendimos
mucho sobre nosotros y sobre el equipo en su ausencia".
Hairston Jr. cree que con el regreso de los guardabosques y de Mark Ellis hay buenas chances de que las cosas vuelvan a
la normalidad.
"Esperemos que sí", comentó. "Pero no hay garantías porque es un deporte muy competitivo".
El dirigente angelino pidió para dejar atrás el mal trago que todos los miembros de la novena ayuden con su grano de
arena.
"Necesitamos contribuciones de todos para ser exitosos", concluyó. "Estamos en un momento malo pero necesitamos
que otra gente aporte".
Finalmente, al ser preguntado de cómo reagruparse para el juego del domingo, el receptor de los Dodgers fue tajante.
"La manera de superarlo es olvidarlo", remató Ellis. "Ya es parte del pasado y no podemos vivir ahí".
Los Dodgers intentarán torcer el rumbo de este barco a la deriva el domingo cuando cierren la serie ante los Mets. La
duela se realizará en el Chávez Ravine a las 4:15 p.m. (PT).
Los Dodgers no perderán la calma
Por Rodrigo Azurmendi
Especial para ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com
LOS ANGELES Don Mattingly y su tropa no dan muestras de desesperación a pesar del mal momento que atraviesan los
Dodgers de Los Ángeles durante las últimas semanas.
Los Dodgers han perdido 11 de sus últimos 12 juegos y además fueron blanqueados en cinco de sus últimos seis
encuentros, luego de que el venezolano Johan Santana lanzara para tres hits el sábado en el Chávez Ravine. Los Mets de
Nueva York derrotaron a los locales por 5-0.
El dirigente angelino no cree que la presente racha los haya afectado y contó que no ha cambiado su discurso.
"Estamos bien", indicó. "Las cosas que les digo a los muchachos son las mismas que les vengo diciendo desde el primer
día. Que estén listos para jugar".
Las lesiones de los guardabosques Matt Kemp y Andre Ethier, sumada a la del segunda base Mark Ellis han conspirado
contra la eficiencia ofensiva.
"Necesitamos a u nuestros bates grandes en la alineación definitivamente", dijo Bobby Abreu. "Cuando ellos regresen
vamos a estar mejor".
Elián Herrera descartó la necesidad de reforzar la plantilla.
"Tenemos un buen equipo y lo hemos demostrado", recalcó. "Sé que cuando los lesionados regresen el equipo se puede
acoplar otra vez. Cuando vuelva la química no creo que necesitemos otros jugadores".
A pesar de los recientes traspiés, el dirigente angelino no cree que haya razones para caer en pánico.
"Vamos a mantener el mismo curso", avisó. "Los peloteros se frustran pero no hace falta gritar para conseguir lo que
queremos. Si fuera necesario lo haría pero no ha sido necesario desde que soy manager".
Mattingly explicó que la estrategia de levantar la voz con sus dirigidos no es la más apropiada.
"Honestamente no entiendo cómo nos puede ayudar", se sinceró. "Quizás funcione un día pero luego restan 90 juegos y
es imposible sostenerlo".
Para Abreu, las derrotas son solo un mal pasaje aislado en la temporada.
"Es una mala racha que estamos pasando ahora", aseveró. "No solamente esos cuatro juegos si no la gira fuera de casa.
No estamos jugando bien y no producimos carreras que es una de las partes efectivas de este equipo".
El dominicano Herrara aseguró la clave está en coordinar la defensa con el ataque. "A veces el picheo viene bien y
nosotros no bateamos", ilustró. "A veces nosotros bateamos y ellos no están bien. Es un conjunto y las dos cosas
deben estar unidas porque si no las cosas se nos ponen muy difíciles".
El poli funcional torpedero agregó que de este pozo se sale manteniendo la actitud. "[Se revierte] no perdiendo la fe",
aseguró. "Tuvimos muy buenos momentos durante casi dos meses de la temporada. No podemos dejarnos caer y
debemos seguir haciendo las pequeñas cosas".
Mattingly se mostró solamente molesto por la actuación demostrada ante los Atléticos de Oakland.
"No me gustaron los turnos al bate en Oakland", remarcó. "Me parecieron malos y eso es lo que hablamos en Anaheim.
Quiero que mantengamos nuestra identidad como equipo y que no pensemos que podemos ir y pasar por arriba a los
otros equipos. Parecía que fuimos un poco perezosos".
Sin embargo, el timonel de los Dodgers dijo que se concentra más en los rituales que en las posiciones.
"Estoy más preocupado por el proceso que por los resultados", dijo. "Me interesa más si A.J. [Ellis] está estudiando y si
los lanzadores están haciendo su tarea. Si seguimos ese proceso y tenemos el talento necesario entonces ganaremos
juegos".
Tanto Herrera como Abreu coincidieron en que es crucial no cambiar la rutina a pesar del mal momento.
"No hay cambios de rutina, ni de picheo ni de bateo", insistió el dominicano. "Solo no rendirse y seguir jugando fuerte
todos los días".
Para el venezolano Abreu, la constancia pagará sus dividendos y compartió que es precisamente lo que están haciendo.
"No desequilibrarse en ningún momento y no decaer", resaltó como importante. "Hay que estar positivos. Hemos
mantenido nuestra alegría y nuestra química y las cosas que hacíamos cuando ganábamos".
Pese a todo, Mattingly no pierde la fe ya que ve que sus muchachos no lo han hecho. "No estamos contentos con las
derrotas", remató. "Pero los jugadores no han dejado de trabajar. Siento que el esfuerzo sigue ahí. Si no fuera así se los
dejaría saber".
Firman el infielder Corey Seager
por Rigo Cervantez
LOS ÁNGELES -- Los Dodgers de Los Angeles anunciaron este sábado la firma del prospecto jugador de cuadro, Corey
Seager, seleccionado en la primera ronda, turno 18, durante el pasado Draft de Grandes Ligas.
Corey, de 18 años, quien se desempeña como parador en corto o cubriendo la tercera almohadilla, es nativo de
Kannapolis, en Carolina del Norte y se espera que en las próximas semanas sea asignado a una de las sucursales del
equipo, en la categoría de novatos, de Ogden, Utah.
Seager estuvo presente en Dodger Stadium, durante el juego del sábado frente a los Mets, para tener ya un probadita
de lo que son las Grandes Ligas, y se le vió muy bien acompañado por Matt Kemp y hasta tomó una práctica de bateo
junto al manager Don Mattingly.
De acuerdo a MLB.com, Seager firmó por un bono equivalente a 2.35 millones de dólares.
Angelinos y Dodgers en Juego Estrellas
Por Redacción
ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com
LOS ANGELES -- Los equipos angelinos tendrán su manojo de representantes en el Juego de las Estrellas, que se llevará a
cabo el 10 de julio en Kansas City.
Los planteles fueron anunciados este domingo, y mientras los Dodgers tendrán a dos jugadores allí, los Angelinos
contarán con cuatro.
Los Dodgers han perdido siete partidos de forma consecutiva, pero el inicio al rojo vivo de temporada de Kemp, fue más
que suficiente para que se ganara un lugar en el plantel titular de la Liga Nacional.
No obstante, una lesión le impediría jugar en el partido que definirá la localía para la Serie Mundial.
Quién sí podrá participar será su compañero de equipo Clayton Kershaw, quien curiosamente tomará la lomita esta
noche ante los Mets de Nueva York.
A diferencia de los Dodgers, los Angelinos están por un gran momento, y tendrán a cuatro representantes en Kansas
City.
El abridor Jered Weaver se ha confirmado con un pitcher de elite tras otro sólido comienzo de campaña, mientras que
C.J. Wilson lo acompañará tras otra buena temporada regular; su cuenta pendiente son los playoffs.
El novato sensación Mike Trout se ganó su lugar merecidamente, y seguramente veremos mucho de él durante varios
años más. De hecho es uno de los máximos candidatos a quedarse con el premio de Novato del Año en la Liga
Americana.
Y finalmente Mark Trumbo también estará representando a los Angelinos.
Su combinación de poder y buen promedio fueron imposibles de dejar de lado.
Lo que sí sorprende, por su pasado y no por su actual temporada aunque parece ir tomando ritmo, es la ausencia de
Albert Pujols.