Hyun-jin Ryu-6-2 vs. Phil Hughes-3-5

The Dodgers return to New York to play the Yankees for a two game interleague series which begins tonight. The Dodgers haven’t played the Yankees in New York since game 6 of the 1981 World Series. The Dodgers have played the Yankees twice since, taking two of three at Dodger Stadium in 2004, and losing two of three in Los Angeles in 2010.

If you remember the last game against the Yankees back in 2010, was the infamous 48 pitch Jonathan Broxton implosion game where the Dodgers blew a three run lead in the top of the ninth, to eventually lose in extras. Then manager Joe Torre, of course another former Yankee, was unable to see his own reckless use of his bullpen. Now his protégé another former Yankee who can’t use a bullpen properly either, Don Mattingly returns to his old stomping grounds. Mattingly of course played for the Yankees from 1982-1995.

Ryu and A.J.-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees have been able to do something that the Dodgers haven’t, overcome all of their injuries. Now here’s an example of a team not using injuries as an excuse, and winning anyways. The Yankees have had a ton of injuries this season, mostly to their lineup. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Curtis Granderson are all injured. Also injured is Mark Teixeira, who is battling a wrist injury. There’s like half of their lineup. The Yankees have been winning with a solid pitching staff and a good defensive position player roster. The Yankees rank ninth in the majors in pitching, (staff ERA of 3.71), and they rank third in overall team defense. The Yankees have only made 25 errors all season. In comparison, the Dodgers have made 48 errors. The Yankees issues are on offense in which they are only hitting .240 as a team, but they have hit 72 home runs, compared to the Dodgers 50.

The Yankees had had to pick up and use guys like Lyle Overbay, and Vernon Wells, so I am not exactly sure what kind of lineup we will see from them. They still have second baseman Robinson Cano, Closer Mariano Rivera who is supposedly in his swan song season, and old friend Hiroki Kuroda, who we will see tomorrow.

The Yankees come into the series with a 38-31 record in third place in the A.L. East three and a half games out of first place. While the Dodgers come in still sunk in last place with a 29-39 record, seven games out of first place. Of course the Dodgers still haven’t announced who will start against Kuroda tomorrow night. They have three options. Chris Capuano is one. If he isn’t healthy, then they could call up Matt Magill, or they could use Jonathon Sanchez. None of those are great options.

For tonight’s game, they will give the ball to Ryu, who is having a solid season. He received a no-decision in his last start against Arizona, when he pitched six frames, allowed three runs on eleven hits and whiffed two. Ryu is 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA this season and 75 whiffs against only 25 walks in 85 innings pitched. Ryu is 2-1 with a 4.10 ERA away from Dodger Stadium.

The Yankees will counter with Phil Hughes. The 26 year old Mission Viejeo California native has had an up and down year. The right hander is 3-5 with a 4.89 ERA. He has 65 whiffs and 22 walks in 70 innings. Hughes is 28-14 with a 4.60 ERA lifetime at Yankee Stadium. In 307 innings there, Hughes has whiffed 268. Believe it or not but five Dodgers have faced Hughes before. Probably from their American League days. The Dodgers are hitting .375 ( 9 for 24) against Hughes. Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .357 ( 5 for 14) with a double. Nick Punto is 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI. No home runs though.

Hi Phil. We have never seen you before-Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Gonzalez of course has five home runs in 15 career games at Yankee Stadium. Andre Ethier is heating up to, and is 10 for his last 24. The Yankee fans will get their first looks at Yasiel Puig, who is now hitting .479. it remains to be seen how sore Hanley will be after fouling a ball off of hi snards on Sunday. With the games in the A.L. park there will be use of the DH in both games. Perhaps Hanley can DH and get some extra rest for little Hanley.

This should be interesting. It would be nice to see the Dodgers beat the Yankees in New York, but you know I have little confidence in this year’s squad to do anything other than find some way to lose. It’s just what they do in 2013.

I know these two games aren’t going to turn the season around, but can we just win for pride? Look Dodgers, you can go back to losing as soon as you leave New York. Until then you better win these two games, otherwise it will be mighty embarrassing on a national forum.

You can catch the game on KCAL 9 at 4:05 PM. Don’t forget to watch some Think Blue t.v. before the game, but afterwards hop over here to check out our recap of the game. Go Blue!

The Dodgers lost again in Pittsburgh today, dropping the rubber game in a 6-3 loss to the Pirates. No surprise there. The game was originally delayed about an hour because of heavy rain. Both teams had late scratches because of injuries. The Dodgers scratched Juan Uribe because of a sore back. While the Bucs scratched old friend Russell Martin as well. Injuries are just par for the course this season for this pathetic club.

Zack Greinke was ineffective and lost to rookie Gerrit Cole. Greinke allowed five runs on eight hits in five frames. He walked two, and whiffed only three while making 104 pitches. The rookie, Cole, pitched well enough, and with the Dodger’s pop-gun offense that was plenty. The top draft pick allowed three runs on seven hits through 5.2 innings and whiffed only one, but did not issue a walk.

Cole picked up his second win-Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The big blow was Pedro Alvarez’s three-run home run in the top of the fifth, which broke a 2-2 tie. The big man knocked in three of the six Pittsburgh runs. Alex Presley had a great game going 3 for 4 with a home run, and Garrett Jones had two hits and two runs driven in.

Yasiel Puig had another big game going 3 for 4 with his first stolen base of his career. He scored a run, and raised his average to .479. Andre Ethier went 2 for 4 with two RBI singles, which accounted for just about the entire Dodger offense.

The Dodgers fell behind right away as Greinke allowed two deflating first inning runs in the bottom of the first. The Bucs used consecutive singles from Alex Presley, and Jordy Mercer. A double from Garrett Jones scored both runners to put the Pirates up 2-0. The inning could have even been worse had Luis Cruz not thrown out Alex Presley at home on an Andrew McCutchen fielder’s choice grounder.

Ethier knocked in two of the three Dodger runs today-Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers got on the board in the top of the second, but they can rarely ever score more than a single run in any inning. Yasiel Puig singles, and steals second, and advances to third on a grounder. He scores on a Tim Federowicz grounder to make it a 2-1 game.

The Dodgers tied it up in the top of the fourth. Nick Punto with a lead-off single. After Adrian Gonzalez lines out, Puig a ground ball single puts runners at first and second. Ethier’s single to left scores Punto to tie the game at 2-2.

The tie was pretty short lived, as the Bucs would just easily score three more huge runs in the bottom of the fifth all with two outs, to knock Greinke out of the game. After Mercer grounds out, and McCutchen whiffs, Jones singles. Walker walks. Then Pedro Alvarez blasts a huge three-run shot to center and the Bucs take a 5-2 lead.

Pedro Alvarez trots around the bases after hitting hit three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth-Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers scored their third run in the top of the sixth, but that was all they could muster. This inning was a crucial point in the game and of course Don Mattingly was asleep at the wheel. The Dodgers had a two out rally of their own. With two gone, Gonzo doubles. Puig’s single is unable to score Gonzo because he is so unbelievably slow. So he has to stop at third. Ethier’s second RBI single of the day does score Gonzo and the Dodgers are down 5-3. The Pirates double-switch Cole out of the game and bring in Justin Wilson. Fedex draws a walk to load the bases. Remember the game is on the line here, so with the .132 punch and Judy hitting Luis Cruz up you would expect a competent manager to pinch-hit with anybody. But nope, Mattingly has checked out, and allowed Cruz to bat. Of course he predictably whiffed and the inning ended with the Dodgers only being able to score once. In usual fashion, Mattingly double-switched Cruz out of the game the very next frame. Typical Donnie Baseball, a day late and a dollar short.

That’s really the story of the Dodger’s pathetic 2013 season. A day late and a dollar short. The Pirates added one more on a solo home run from Presely off of Matt Guerrier, but that didn’t matter as the Dodgers never scored again.

The Dodgers had one last chance in the top of the ninth. The Pirates were 30-1 when leading after seven innings this season, thanks to something the Dodgers don’t have, a dominant bullpen. With two outs, A.J. Ellis walks, and pinch-hitter Hanley Ramirez hobbled to the plate. Hanley is just a very expensive pinch-hitter now. Buc’s closer Jason Grilli closes the door and whiffs Hanley, and the Dodgers lose again 6-3.

Not much else to say today, other than the Dodgers suck major balls. This lousy team is nowhere near being a playoff-contender and is in desperate need of change. It’s time. The Dodgers fall to ten games under .500 again with a 29-39 record. The next loss will be the Dodger’s 40 of the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Alex Presley (7) is greeted by shortstop Jordy Mercer (10) after Presley hit a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 6-3.-Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow the Dodgers are off and then the Boys in Blue will travel to Yankee Stadium for the big two-game series against the Yanks, kicking off on Tuesday night. The Dodgers haven’t played there since the 1981 World Series. Perhaps the Dodgers can just leave Donnie Baseball behind in the Bronx before they come home? A guy can dream can’t he?

Speaking of the Yankees, you can catch me tonight as a guest on the Yanks Go Yard preview show podcast. The show starts at 7 PM pacific time. Myself and the YGY crew will discuss the upcoming New York series, Yasiel Puig, the brawls and much more. You can catch the show at the link here.

That’s about it for now. I want to wish my father and all of the father’s out there a very happy father’s day from everyone at Lasorda’s Lair.