Blog Kiosk: 7/28/2016 - Dodgers Links - Norris, Scully and AJ Ellis

Never mind the outcome of yesterday afternoons game (which we lost, BTW), I want to focus on an event that happened in the second inning of the game.

With two out and men at the corners, the Dodgers inexplicably tried to pull off a double steal.  I say it was unexpected because standing on first base was the slow-footed AJ Ellis.  During his nine year career, that includes 537 games played, Ellis has never stolen base.  Heck, he's only attempted it four times ever.

(pic via Alanna Rizzo on twitter)

So, when he headed for second base with two outs on the board it was a shocked everyone.  So shocking, in fact, that not only did he steal his very first base, but the runner on third, Joc Pederson, came home to score on an errant throw.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“It was fun to laugh and fun to look in the dugout and see my teammates going nuts,” Ellis said. “I called Marvin Hudson, the second-base umpire, over and asked him if I could have the bag right then. He said, ‘No — you have to wait until in between innings.’

“It’s just fun to have memories with a bunch of guys you have shared history with for so long, so when something like that happens, it’s fun.”

No worries AJ.  Kershaw's got your back.  As we learned, via a tweet from Ken Gurnick, Clayton got a hold of that base and had MLB authenticate it.  You can see it on the right, as tweeted by Alanna Rizzo.  BTW, Ellis did get a steal sign from Dave Roberts.  Via Ken Gurnick and Bill Chastain at MLB.com:

"It was one of those plays where maybe you steal a run, and fortunately it worked out." Per Dave Roberts

The photo at the very top of Ellis stealing second is via Violet Herzfeld/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Violet and Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1991 Expos hurler Dennis Martinez throws a perfect game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. It is only the 15th perfect game in Baseball history, and the first no-hitter thrown at the stadium by an opposing pitcher.
• Happy Birthday, Freddie Fitzsimmons!
• I thought I should make note of this.  Corey Seager will be having another public autograph signing next month.  It will be at Frank & Son in the City of Industry on Saturday, August 27th, and it will happen after that afternoons Baseball game.  Go here for more information.  Only 300 autographs will be sold.
• Via Tim Eckert-Fong at Beyond the Boxscore; "3 pitchers who could pull a Matt Shoemaker."  Tim mentions Dodger starter Bud Norris as a pitcher who could benefit by simply using a single pitch more often.

As Jeff Sullivan noted, Norris was able to quell his platoon problems in June by upping his cutter usage to nearly 30 percent. On the month, lefties hit a paltry .111 while slugging .167 against the offering. That resulted in the best month of his career and a resurgence that looked to be real.

For some reason, Norris just about halved his cutter usage in July. Lefties are once again demolishing him, doing most of their damage against other offerings as just five cutters have been put in play thus far this month. There's no telling exactly why he's cut the cutter usage, especially since he's been able to keep it in the zone, but he ought to take a chance on it again. 

• Via Jon Rosen at LA Kings Insider; "Video of Miller/Scully summit, plus AM 570 Miller audio."  There's a fun video of Vin meeting with LA Kings broadcaster Bob Miller at Dodger Stadium.  Bob presented Vin with his own personalized Kings jersey.
• Today's Baseball America Newsmaker email makes note of Dodgers outfield prospect Cody Thomas:

  The former backup Sooners quarterback turned back to baseball to this year and showed surprising power. He has carried that into a pro baseball career, slugging his sixth homer Wednesday in Rookie-level Ogden’s 6-5 loss to Helena. As good as teammate Mitch Hansen has been, Thomas has been even better, slashing .408/.470/.816 in the AZL and Pioneer League. 

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA; "Edwin Rios & Joey Curletta – The new ‘Bash Brothers’"

Since June 27 Rios has hit 13 home runs, including two home runs in a game four times. And though Curletta only hit seven home runs during that time frame, he was named the California League’s Player of the Week this past Monday. On the season Rios is tied with right fielder Johan Mieses for the team lead with 16 home runs and Curletta right behind them with 13.

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