Blog Kiosk: 5/23/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

There was never anything to worry about. This team is better than their record suggest. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

The victory pulled the fourth-place Dodgers to within 4 1/2 games of the first-place Rockies, their smallest deficit in the National League West since April 23. The Dodgers have won five of their last six games. 

"The series sweep in D.C. was huge for our confidence, and now we know we're a good team," Taylor said, referring to the weekend sweep of the Nationals. "We're going to turn things around eventually, and now we can go out there and play free and easy, the way we're capable of playing."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1944 the Dodgers and Giants play the first night time game in metro New York since 1941 at the Polo Grounds due to the easing of wartime restrictions. Brooklyn defeated Bill Voiselle and the Giants, 3-2. In 1981 Ron Cey hit his 200th career home run. It was against the Reds in Cincinnati. In 2002 Shawn Green hit four home runs in one game against the Brewers in Milwaukee, and set a major league record for total bases at 19. Overall, Green went 6-for-6 with a single, double, six runs scored and seven RBI's. Watch highlights of his day here.
• Happy Birthday, Zach Wheat, Augie Galan, Clyde King & Ramon Ortiz!
• Check out pics from Tuesday's game from Cat Loves the Dodgers, here.
• Via Ryan Walton at True Blue LA; "KTLA reporter makes mistake on live television."
• They are leading the way. Via Phil Gurnee at Dodgers, Yesterday and Today; "Puig and Kemp dominate Fangraphs May wRC+ leaderboard for NL outfielders."

It is no surprise the Yasiel Puig is number one on the leaderboard with his 214 wRC+ as he is as hot as any hitter in baseball.  Last night Puig showed off his best stuff, drawing a walk in a fantastic at-bat with the bases loaded, and slamming a big home run later in the game, his fifth of the month.

Much was made about how the Dodgers needed the return of Justin Turner, but it has really been the return of Yasiel Puig that has reignited the offense.  

Matt Kemp struggled early in May but is back in a groove and is also in the May top ten wRC+ NL outfielder leaderboard.  Matt Kemp has only hit one home run this month but is collecting lots of doubles and big hits.

• This is one of the best Dodger stories of the year. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider; "Turner brings young fan out for his 2018 debut at Dodger Stadium." The young tyke who expressed worry over Turner's injury got to meet him.
• Best Headline ever. Via Shawn Cooke at Deadspin; "Rich Hill Wants To Pitch With Tape On His Finger So He Doesn't Have To Pee On It."
• Per the LA Daily News; "Dodgers to recognize LA sanitation workers who helped find boy trapped in Griffith Park sewer." This happened before yesterdays game.

Los Angeles city sanitation workers Michael Adams and Kurt Boyer will be recognized before tonight’s Los Angeles Dodgers-Colorado Rockies game at Dodger Stadium for their role in the rescue of a 13-year-old boy who spent about 12 hours lost in the sewer system.

• This mornings Baseball America Prospect Report makes note of Dodger shortstop Errol Robinson:

The 2016 draft class was not a particularly good class for college shortstops, but Robinson, a sixth-round pick that year, has moved relatively quickly. Robinson hit a pair of home runs and doubled for Double-A Tulsa yesterday. He's hitting .271/.336/.411.

• Congrats! Per Lisa Johnson at Beyond the Bricks; "Santana and DeFratus Garner PCL Weekly Honors -- Dodgers Duo Named Consecutive PCL Pitchers of the Week."
• Has the worst sports union in America finally grown a backbone? 

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