Blog Kiosk: 9/6/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ryu was good last night. Unfortunately, Dodger bats continue to struggle -- and also Pedro Baez... Ugh! Per Steve Gilbert and Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"I thought Ryu came out and pitched really well for us," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Zack matched him pitch for pitch, we really couldn't muster anything outside that home run ball from Yasmani. The scoring opportunities really are not presenting themselves. You just got to continue to grind and make our own breaks."

Baez, on the other hand, has been terrible his last three outings -- all of which were in September. During his past three games he has faced ten batters, given up seven hits (including three homers), two walks and struck out one. Also, he's allowed five runs to cross the plate, and it can be argued that we was the principal reason for the Dodger loses during those three games. Nevertheless, I still believe Baez is a better option out of the pen than most of our other relievers.

Photo above of Hyun-Jin Ryu via @Dodgers on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1943 the Dodgers signed 19-year old amateur free agent Gil Hodges out of  St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, IN. In 1950 Don Newcombe started both ends of a doubleheader against the Phillies at Shibe Park. In Game 1 he threw a complete game three-hit shutout. In Game 2 he left the game behind by two runs in the seventh inning. The Dodgers would eventually win that game, as well, on a three-run single in the ninth inning by Gil Hodges. In 1953 Giants manager and Dodger-traitor Leo Durocher is heard yelling "stick it in his ear" before pitcher Ruben Gomez struck Dodger Carl Furillo on the wrist with a pitch. As Furillo took first base he suddenly sprinted to the dugout to get at Durocher. In the subsequent melee Furillo fractures a finger -- ending his season. In 1976 catcher Steve Yeager is injured in the on-deck circle when a jagged end of Bill Russell's broken bat struck him in the throat. It pierced his esophagus, necessitating surgery. Soon thereafter, Dodger trainer Bill Buhler invented a device that hung down from a catchers mask to protect a players throat. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela threw his seventh shutout as a rookie -- tying a National League record. In 1996 the ever popular Brett Butler defied the odds to return on the field for the first time after being diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils, having surgery and intensive radiation therapy earlier in the year.
• Happy Birthday, Oyster Burns, Pete Gilbert, George Hildebrand & Del Bissonette!
• Video: Dave Roberts addresses the media after the Dodgers fall to the Arizona Diamondbacks after 10-innings, 3-1. (video link)
• ICYMI: Justin Turner was named the Dodgers’ 2017 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award -- an annual recognition of a player from each MLB Club who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. 

"I'm incredibly honored to be the Dodgers' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, and be in the company of so many others around the league doing great work in their communities," said Dodger All-Star third baseman Justin Turner. "I'm grateful for all the support we've received for the Justin Turner Foundation, and hope to continue to expand our reach with veterans, military-family youth sports leagues and bettering the lives of pediatric patients and their families."

• Per Lindsey Thiry at the LA Times; "Ellen Kershaw, family life keep Dodgers' ace grounded during trials of season."

“That’s something I really want to instill in our kids, is family comes first,” Ellen said. “So while they’re not in school we are going to travel with Dad, and you are all going to learn how to be on plane flights and in different stadiums and in different time zones.”

Before Cali’s birth, Ellen said Clayton woke up focused, quiet and pensive on the days he pitched. 

“Man, that had to change,” she said. “He has to wake up and be Dad. The kids don’t care if it’s game day or not, so they expect him to be all there and he’s really been great.”

• Per Paolo Uggetti at The Ringer; "The Redemption of Yasiel Puig."

“He's not trying to help out his personal gain anymore,” Mota says. “He knows now that there’s so many ways in which he can help this team. Running, throwing, and playing defense, aside from his hitting. He’s now trying to add anything that will be beneficial to this team.”

• Per Hugh Bernreuter at MLive; "Dodgers prospect Jared Walker perseveres through family hardships."

"If I could have my family back and have to give up baseball, I'd give up baseball in a second," Walker said. "But that's not an option."

• Per Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com; "Dodgers win Dominican Summer League: Organization puts two squads in championship game." 

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