Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ross Stripling has risen to the occasion. Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“When a guy like Kershaw goes down, and Rich Hill, and Kenta gets hurt and Hyun- Jin (Ryu), it’s the next one up (mentality). It’s been great that they’ve trusted me to keep filling that role every five days. I just focus on what I’m doing, my scouting report, Rick Honeycutt prepares me, and just going out when they hand me the ball and get outs till they take the ball from me.”

The right-hander ended the month with a 1.20 ERA — fifth best in the Majors in May by a pitcher who tossed t least 25 innings. In 30 innings, he struck out 41 batters and walked four.

Not only has Matt Kemp surprised us all by leading the Dodger offense, but Ross Stripling has been ace-like. He went seven inning of four hit ball last night to record his third win of the season -- recording nine strike outs and allowing just one run.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 the Brooklyn Dodgers ended Carl Hubbell's consecutive-game winning streak at 24 (over two season) at the Polo Grounds by defeating the Giants, 10-3. In 1948 Tommy Lasorda, as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays in the Phillies system, struck out 25 batters in a 15 inning game to defeat the Amsterdam Rugmakers.  Lasorda has said that he likely threw more than 300 pitches that day. In 1965 the Dodgers, for the first time in history, field an all switch-hitting infield in the second game of a doubleheader against the Reds.  The players were Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam.  In 1968 Don Drysdale pitched his fifth consecutive shutout -- while on his way to breaking the scoreless innings streak. This is the game where a Giants batter was called out on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch since he was ruled to have not made an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
• Happy Birthday, George Smith, Kenny Lofton & Dave Roberts!
• Go here to check out pics from yesterdays game from Cat Loves the Dodgers.
• Joc Pederson just shared his a baby reveal photo on Instagram. See it here. Congrats!
• ICYMI: Chase Utley has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left thumb sprain. Ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte has been called up to bolster the bullpen.
• Old Friend Alert: Per Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors; "Red Sox Request Release Waivers On Hanley Ramirez." He'll likely be a free agent.
• FYI: Per Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors; "Dodgers Release Danny Espinosa."
• Via Craig Shultz at the OC Register; "First pitch caps Dodgers journey for bullied special-needs man from Riverside."

The ceremonial first pitch Tuesday, May 29, before the Dodgers played the Philadelphia Phillies put a nice bow on an ugly incident in which Cadena, a 27-year-old Riverside man with special needs, was bullied and had his Dodgers hat stolen at a Riverside store last month.

“He made out like a champ,” his father, Joe Cadena, said in a phone call Tuesday evening from the seats the Dodgers provided the family. “He’s on cloud 9 right now. He’s beyond words.”

• A Good Drei With Kid N Drei shares a brief interview with Dodger legend Steve Garvey while hanging out at the Kings Hawaiian Grill stand at Dodger Stadium.

GDWKND: When you we’re being groomed in Albuquerque you had Tommy Lasorda as your manager. When you came up to The Blue you we’re under the guidance of Walter Alston. How was the transition like from Lasorda in Albuquerque, to Alston and then eventually back to Lasorda?

Garvey: It was night and day, it was a 180. Walter Alston was very stoic and quiet, very strong man, Hall of Fame quality. Tommy was gregarious, outgoing, became really the heart and soul of Los Angeles Dodger Baseball by the way he talked about the team and got the fans involved. There’s more than one way to manage success. I was blessed to have Walter Alston to teach me certain things and Tommy Lasorda to teach me the rest. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *