Rainy Day in LA: The D-backs Must Hate Dodger Stadium

After their 9-3 loss to the Dodgers on Monday night, the dejected D-backs have now lost their last 11 of 12 games played at Dodger Stadium. Scott, Adrian and myself were on hand at Dodger Stadium for Dodger Blogger Night, and we got a treat of a game complete with an excellent start from Mike Bolsinger and a big night from my favorite current Dodger Andre Ethier who went 2-for-4 with a big three-run homerun. Not even golden boy Paul Goldschmidt could help Arizona after former Dodger Rubby De La Rosa served up plenty of runs to his old team.

Carlos Frias (4-3, 4.25) vs. Robbie Ray (1-0, 0.82)

Andre Ethier has always played well in Arizona and against Arizona, and he continues to put that exclamation point next to his tenth season in Dodger Blue. I will have more about Ethier’s tenth career season in another post, but his beautiful homerun was the cherry on top of what was truly a special night for the Lasorda’s Lair crew.

The win was not only fun to watch in person, but it was a much needed morale boost after the disastrous series versus St. Louis when they lost three out of four at home. The only blemish on the night was the injury to Justin Turner who had to come out of the game after fouling a pitch off his leg, but hopefully JT will be back at third base soon without the need for a disabled list stint.

Lineup: 

Heisey CF

Puig RF

Gonzalez 1B

Kendrick 2B

Guerrero 3B

Grandal C

Hernandez SS

Callaspo 3B

Frias P

I continued to thank Arizona profusely for Mike Bolsinger throughout the game, and his admirable pitching thus far this season has been such a pleasant surprise. Carlos Frias, the other temp-to-hire starter will be going to the mound for the Dodgers on Tuesday. The 25-year old right-hander will be making his eighth start for the Dodgers. There has been some bumps in the road for Frias, but then again I never expected him to be slotted into the starting rotation when the season began.

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Frias picked up a victory against the D-backs in his first start of the season back on the first of May. He pitched 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Snakes in the 8-0 Dodger win. The righty is 1-0 in 2 career games (1 start) against Arizona, and he has yet to allow an earned run against the D-backs.

Last time out against St. Louis, Frias was tagged with the loss after allowing 5 runs on 10 hits with 3 strikeouts and 3 walks over 6 2/3 innings. It was the prettiest of starts for Frias, but his previous start against St. Louis at Busch Stadium was much better. These parallel games against the Red Birds reflect his inconsistencies still needing refinement in his young career.

Mike Bolsinger pitches against the D-backs at Dodger Stadium. June 8, 2015. Photo: Stacie Wheeler

Arizona is hoping that Robbie Ray will be a ray of light for them in a starting role. The 23-year old left-hander will be making his third start of the season for Arizona. He’s pitched well in his previous two starts against the Rockies and Mets. Last time out against New York, Ray pitched 5 shutout innings while allowing 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk in the no-decision. He will need to work on his efficiency, and he made 110 pitches in just 5 innings in the loss to the Mets.

None of the current Dodgers have ever faced Ray.

Since the Giants were off on Monday, the Dodgers gained a 1/2 game in the standings and are now one game ahead of San Francisco.

The Dodgers are 18th in the majors versus left-handed pitching with a .248 batting average. They have hit just 9 homeruns against southpaws this year.

It was extremely hot  in Southern California on Monday with some areas hitting triple digits, but rain was falling on Tuesday morning at my house. Hopefully the Dodgers hot hitting from Monday night won’t be put on ice for Tuesday’s game.

Go Blue!