Losing and Winning
It was an interesting two days. Tuesday’s was a forgettable game and Wednesday’s was one that everyone will remember.
Tuesday was Jake Arrieta day. The fans knew that he had a no-hitter against the Dodgers and that he was a tough pitcher to face. Tuesday was no different. To add to the adversity, Kenta Maeda was taken out in the 2nd inning with a hip strain.
This homestand has been absolutely wonderful as far as weather. It was cool and clear.
Batting practice is always fun to watch. Some fans ruin it by pestering the players constantly for balls and autographs. Note that Kike is wearing Justin’s socks.
It was exciting to see Clayton on the field with Ross Stripling.
So typically Kershaw. Note in passing…Cody is wearing Clayton’s socks and if he does well, guess who’s not getting his socks back.
Hmmm, those are definitely Justin’s socks.
New kid on the block Breyvic Valera was happy to sign some autographs. He had just been called up from Triple A on Tuesday. Exciting times!
Walker and Kike also signed for the fans
Always good to see 3rd base coach Chris
Time to eat. Since it wasn’t an exciting game to write about, let me focus on something I love as much as baseball….food. Even the fruit looked good.
Everything was wonderful. The char siu bao sliders were delicious.
I miss the Dodgers when they’re on the road but I also miss the food in the club.
Did I forget to tell you that I got Austin’s Memorial Day hat? It actually fit. My project: to get it signed.
Back to the field.
Kenta working out. Is it my imagination or is Kenta favoring his hip?
A few warm up pitches.
Austin was already on the field warming up. He was catching for Kenta.
Chris
Logan
Logan and Chris
Matt
Here comes Cody. Wait a minute…he’s signing right next to me. That’s different.
Thank you Cody. I had a nice conversation with Cody while he signed.
National Anthem
Yasiel
Sue
Kenta and Austin on their way to the dugout
First pitch. It went downhill from there.
The first Phillie got a hit. Cesar Hernandez doubled, Carlos Santana walked. They were left on base.
Arrieta was able to get the Dodgers out in order.
It was a game where Jake Arrieta was near perfect. Those games aren’t fun to watch for the opposing team.
In the top of the 2nd, the damage began with Nick Williams hitting a solo homerun. 0-1. Jorge Alfaro doubled.
Kenta left the game at that point being replaced by the bullpen. I covered my eyes and started to feel sick.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning Logan singled
Austin was in a ground out with Logan out at 2nd.
With Muncy batting, Arrieta actually threw a wild pitch and Austin went to 2nd. But Max ground out so Austin was left on base.
Justin singled in the bottom of the 4th
Matt singled but was left on base when Puig struck out.
In the bottom of the 6th inning Max Muncy singled
Cody walked but both were left on base. Nothing went right for the Dodgers this game.
Yasiel walked
Austin singled after Puig was out at 2nd on a ground out by Logan. Austin was left on base.
Max doubled and then Justin singled, scoring Max. It was the only Dodger score on Tuesday night 1-4.
Matt singled to left field. Even when no other Dodger is hitting, Matt still is able to get some hits off. Matt was left on base.
The Jake Arrieta showcase was not over quick enough. I left before the 9th inning. I wasn’t feeling that well and wanted the horrible game to end. Wednesday would be a better day except that it was a bobblehead day. Super bummed.
Sure enough on Wednesday there were all the bobblehead fans lined up to get in. I’ll say it again…I HATE BOBBLEHEAD DAYS!
It’s was another cool beautiful day. It was Chris Taylor bobblehead day. Would quiet Chris sign his bobblehead that day?
The answer was yes he did. He even signed early.
It was batting practice as usual. The Dodgers must still have Tuesday night’s game on their minds. No one looked particularly happy.
We fans are always happy though. We’re in Blue Heaven on Earth as Tommy would say.
The bobblehead kind of looks like Chris. They have the eyes right. Piercing blue.
A Phillie spotted his Dad. I love those moments. Think of everything the parents gave up for their sons!
Time to eat!!
The coconut tilapia had an interesting flavor. It had a sprinkling of bok choy mixed in. The chicken as usual was delicious. It was served with a luscious asparagus.
Back to the field.
Yasmani.
Ross Stripling. He started out the season as a reliever but now has proved himself to be more than capable of starting. He has an ERA of 1.68.
Austin was catching for one of the bachelorettes. At least I think that’s what she was. Austin looks happy. Kike definitely wondered about the number on her back.
Chris signed more bobbleheads.
National Anthem.
The first pitch was thrown out by Chris’s sister. So sweet!
The players love their trainer.
And then Matt signed. Matt is a man of the people as Alanna Rizzo would say.
Ross and Yasmani on their way to the dugout
First pitch
In the 1st inning, the first Phillie walked. Santana singled with Hernandez to 2nd. Both were left on base.
Joc singled to right field.
Matt hit a double to left field scoring Joc. 1-0. The Dodgers were on the board.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Kingery walked but was left on base.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Dodgers were out in order.
In the top of the 3rd inning, the Phillies also were out in order.
In the bottom of the 3rd dinning Max hit a solo homerun to center field 2-0.
Yasmani walked
And then Matt came to the plate and did what he does best!! He hit a homerun scoring Yasmani. The score was now 4-0.
Cody singled to right field.
Chris tapped his heels with the bat a few times while Cody stole 2nd base.
In the top of the 4th inning, the Phillies were again out in order.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, new guy Breyvic singled.
Logan singled to shortstop
Valera scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ross and a sacrifice fly by Joc. 5-0.
In the top of the 5th inning Valentin singled but was left on base.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, Cody singled.
Chris Taylor also singled scoring Cody 6-0
Logan was intentionally walked.
Ross singled scoring Chris. 7-0. WOW!! A hit and an RBI for Stripling besides outstanding pitching!
In the top of the 6th inning the Phillies were out in order.
In the bottom of the 6th inning Yasmani singled but was left on base.
In the top of the 7th inning Nick Williams hit a solo homerun, the only run by the Phillies. 7-1. Alfaro doubled but was left on base.
In the bottom of the 7th inning the Dodgers were out in order.
In the top of the 8th inning, Yimi Garcia replaced Ross. Santana singled, Altherr singled but both were left on base.
Kike singled as a pinch-hitter.
Joc singled with Kiki’s going to 3rd base. The dugout was watching with interest. There’s Corey!!
Yasmani walked
Matt hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Kike. 8-1.
Cody walked but was left on base.
In the top of the 9th inning Pat Venditte came out to close the game. Venditte pitches both right and left handed and he did so this inning.
The Dodgers watched this unusual pitching
It was a little unnerving because we’re used to Kenley getting 3 outs quickly but Pat did the job with the Dodgers beating the Phillies with a score of 8-1.
Thursday is an early game beginning at 4:35. It will be a light crowd (Yaaaay). Nice after a crowded bobblehead day.
Our Clayton Kershaw returns from DL. He will face Aaron Nola 6-2 ERA 2.27. He should be an interesting adversary for Clayton’s welcome back.
Thanks for stopping by. Hoping for a Dodger win today, the last game of this long homestand. On Friday the Dodgers go to Colorado to face the #1 Rockies. The Dodgers are creeping up to 1st place, only 3 1/2 games back. GO DODGERS!!!
cat loves the dodgers 