SB Nation Los Angeles - Lilly, Kemp Lead Dodgers To 8-2 Rout Of Rockies, Third Straight Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2011-05-31T22:18:43-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19636712011-05-31T22:18:43-07:002011-05-31T22:18:43-07:00Ted Lilly, Matt Kemp Lead Dodgers Over Rockies, 8-2
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<p><span>Ted Lilly</span> pitched seven strong innings, and <span>Matt Kemp</span> homered and drove in four runs, leading the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> to an 8-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>, the third straight win for the Dodgers. Lilly allowed just two runs on four hits in his seven innings, walking none and striking out eight. He has pitched quality starts in each of his last three starts, allowing a total of six runs in 20 innings (a 2.70 ERA) during that span.</p>
<p>Kemp opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the first inning, his 13th of the season. Then in the third inning, Colorado manager Jim Tracy opted to walk <span>Andre Ethier</span> with first base open to face Kemp, who drove in two more runs with a single. Kemp is on pace of 38 home runs and 41 stolen bases this season.</p>
<p><span>Casey Blake</span> hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning for the Dodgers, who scored seven runs for their third straight game. The Dodgers' top four hitters -- <span>Jamey Carroll</span>, Blake, Ethier, and Kemp -- reached base nine times in 16 plate appearances tonight. <span>Clayton Mortensen</span> took the loss for the Rockies, who were a dismal 8-21 during May.</p>
<p><span>Jon Garland</span> pitches for the Dodgers Wednesday night, as they go for the sweep against <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> and the Rockies.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-dodgers/2011/5/31/2200367/dodgers-game-score-rockies-ted-lilly-matt-kempEric Stephen2011-05-31T20:16:51-07:002011-05-31T20:16:51-07:00With Vicente Padilla Close To Returning, Might The Dodgers Go To A Six-Man Bullpen?
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have been no stranger to the disabled list this season, as 13 different players have been placed on the DL this season. Five members of the bullpen are currently on the disabled list, including <span>Vicente Padilla</span>, who is on a rehab assignment with the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Padilla threw two scoreless innings tonight in his second rehab game, and appears likely to rejoin the Dodgers when they begin their road trip in Cincinnati this weekend.</p>
<p>The way Padilla was used during the rehab assignment has me wondering just what the Dodgers' roster plans are going forward. Padilla threw two innings tonight, and threw two innings Monday night. The bullpen also features top prospect Rubby De La Rosa, a future starter who will also pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen whenever possible. With a pair of multi-inning relievers at his disposal, might the Dodgers elect to only use a six-man bullpen?</p>
<p>The Dodgers have had a seven-man bullpen all season, but reducing to six relievers would give the Dodgers more room on the bench, which is what they might need soon. Infielder <span>Juan Uribe</span> and outfielder / pinch hitter <span>Marcus Thames</span> are also due back as soon as this weekend, and the spots on the bench are few and far between. <span>Juan Castro</span> is the likely candidate to go when Uribe returns to the starting lineup, with <span>Jamey Carroll</span> shifting to more of a reserve role. The Dodger bench could soon be:</p>
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<span>Dioner Navarro</span>, catcher (switch-hitter)</li>
<li>Carroll, infielder (R)<br>
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<span>Aaron Miles</span>, infielder (S)<br>
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<li>Tony Gwynn Jr., outfielder (L)<br>
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<li>Thames, outfielder (R)<br>
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<span>Jay Gibbons</span>, outfielder (L)<br>
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<p>This is assuming rookie <span>Jerry Sands</span> continues to get at least semi-regular playing time in left field with some first base mixed in. Carrying seven relievers would mean one of the outfielders has to go when Thames comes back, and since Sands has options he would likely be the odd man out, as Mike Petriello of <a target="_blank" href="http://mikesciosciastragicillness.com/2011/05/31/whos-going-to-lose-their-job-when-marcus-thames-returns/">Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness </a>outlined on Tuesday.</p>
<p>However, manager Don Mattingly is fond of Sands, and it's not exactly clear that Sands will be optioned so soon. Sands has started three of the last four games against right-handed pitchers. Whatever the Dodgers decide, we will likely know by the end of the weekend.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on the Dodgers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-dodgers/2011/5/31/2200203/vicente-padilla-dodgers-bullpen-jerry-sandsEric Stephen2011-05-31T18:19:05-07:002011-05-31T18:19:05-07:00Dodgers Vs. Rockies Starting Lineups: A Good Sign For Jerry Sands
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are in search of their third straight win Tuesday night as they host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> in the second of three games at Dodger Stadium. <span>Ted Lilly</span> faces <span>Clayton Mortensen</span> in tonight's ballgame. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/108017/jerry-sands">Jerry Sands</a> gets his third start against a right-handed pitcher in the last four games, a good sign for him since a roster decision will have to be made once fellow right-handed batter <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/309/marcus-thames">Marcus Thames</a> is ready to be activated from the disabled list some time soon, perhaps as soon as this weekend.</p>
<p>Here are tonight's starting lineups.</p>
<h3>Rockies (25-28)</h3>
<p>Young 2B<br> Fowler CF<br> Gonzalez LF<br> Tulowitzki SS<br> Helton 1B<br> Wigginton RF<br> Nelson 3B <br> Iannetta C<br> Mortensen P</p>
<h3>Dodgers (25-30)</h3>
<p>Carroll SS<br> Blake 3B<br> Ethier RF<br> Kemp CF<br> Loney 1B<br> Sands LF<br> Navarro C<br> Miles 2B<br> Lilly P</p>
<p><i><b>Tonight's 7:10 p.m. PDT game will be televised by KCAL. For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-dodgers/2011/5/31/2200034/dodgers-vs-rockies-starting-lineups-jerry-sandsEric Stephen2011-05-31T15:33:47-07:002011-05-31T15:33:47-07:00Dodgers Vs. Rockies: L.A. In Search Of Third Straight Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> look for their first three-game winning streak in nearly three weeks as they host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game set at Dodger Stadium. <span>Ted Lilly</span> gets the start for the Dodgers, who have won their last two games by a combined score of 15-1. The offensive outburst has been a welcome surprise for a club that was averaging under three runs per contest in May.</p>
<p>Lilly is 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 11 starts this season, and is coming off back-to-back quality starts for the first time this season. Lilly shutout the Rockies at Dodger Stadium last August 19. The Rockies have lost nine of their last 11 games, and are 8-20 in May. <span>Clayton Mortensen</span> gets the call for Colorado.</p>
<p>For the Dodgers, <span>Rafael Furcal</span> has had three straight games of at least two hits, and is 7-for-13 with a home run and a walk in his last three games. <span>Andre Ethier</span> has reached base in 14 of his last 20 plate appearances, dating back to last Monday in Houston.</p>
<p><i><b>Tonight's 7:10 p.m. PDT game will be televised by KCAL. For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/5/31/2335964/dodgers-vs-rockies-l-a-in-search-of-third-straight-winEric Stephen