Blog Kiosk: 5/19/2016 - Dodgers Links - Yadier Alvarez, Mike Bolsinger and Louis Coleman

Mike Bolsinger returned to the Dodgers rotation and did the best he could.  He scattered six hits and gave up only a lone home run to Mike Trout before the dreaded fifth inning came around.  That's when the wheels fell off.  Bolinger got into another jam, and what could only be called 'bad luck' then sunk the team.  Per Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"I thought Mike had did what we had hoped," Roberts said. "There were 60 pitches that he threw in that last rehab start ... and where he was at with the third time through, I thought he gave us a chance to win."

(Coleman via Jon SooHoo/Dodgers)

In that fifth inning, Bolsinger left the game with two men on and one out when Louis Coleman was called in.  As you may know, Coleman has been one of the more effective relievers on the Dodgers staff.  Since April 25th he had not given up an earned run and allowed just one inherited runner to score in 10.1 innings pitched.  Over that span he has recorded 12 strike outs, walked only two and the opposition was slashing .088/.139/.118/.257.  Of course, this is a small sample size, but you had to like the results so far, and you had to figure he was the right man for the job.  Unfortunately, sometimes a version of Keystone Cops erupts on the field.

First he walked Pujols to load them up.  Then the next batter, CJ Cron, hit a infield single between Seager and Turner to score a run.  Following that was a little dribbler that was mishandled by Kendrick, the evenings 1st baseman, to score another.  Then, Rafael Ortega hit a 'Texas Leaguer' to left that Thompson dove for and missed.  Another fly ball to right scored the last run of the inning.  Overall, four balls where hit with Coleman on the mound, and only one was hit hard - the sacrifice fly.  Nevertheless, five runs crossed the plate to seal the game for the Angels.

Photo at the very top via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Go here to check out more pic from yesterdays game by Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1988 Tim Leary threw his second shutout of the season against the Montreal Expos.  He had been winless in his past five starts.
• Mike Piazza has a new website.  Check it out here: Piazza31.com 
• BTW, to make room for Mike Bolsinger on the 24-man roster, Charlie Culberson was optioned to AAA Oklahoma City.  Via Jack Baer at MLB.com:

"It was a tough decision. The number one component was to get Mike up here," manager Dave Roberts said. "Culberson did a lot of good things for us, but that was the move that made the most sense."

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Scott Van Slyke nearing rehab assignment."
• Via Eric Longenhagen at FanGraphs, "Scouting the Dodgers’ Electric Cuban Righty, Yadier Alvarez."

Alvarez was electric. After opening his start with a few fringe fastballs, he began to loosen up and was sitting 92-97 before long. He has been up to 100 this spring, which is especially notable given that there were rumors over the offseason that his velocity had been down. Mixed in along with the fastball was an 82-86 mph slider with late, two-plane bite. It flashed plus, but the line between that pitch and his 76-82 mph curveball was sometimes blurry. The curveball is a bit more vertically oriented than the slider and Alvarez decelerates his arm a bit to throw it, but it flashed average and it should solidify there once he becomes more comfortable with its release. 

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Independent leaguer crashes through bullpen door after great catch."  Check out the link to watch a video.
• Via Shawn Anderson at the Hall of Very Good, "FOR SALE: Brad Ausmus’ Sweatshirt."

The Detroit Tigers manager was arguing a strike call when he disrobed and, for whatever reason, tossed his cap and used his sweatshirt to cover up home plate. He’d end up getting ejected and suspended one game.

Because this is how things work, now you can buy that sweatshirt.

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