Jake Dicker
The Dodgers have been nearly unbeatable at Chavez Ravine this year (40-14), but that did not stop the Angels from storming in and taking two of two from the boys in blue. After taking two games from the Dodgers in Anaheim in June, the Angels completed the four game season sweep of the Dodgers with two wins this week. Led by the blazing hot bat of Kole Calhoun and exceptional play of Mike Trout, the Angels looked like the more complete baseball team from the first pitch on Tuesday, until the last pitch on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Dodgers lost a heartbreaker 5-4 which saw the Dodgers run into three outs at home plate. Cody Bellinger was nailed at the plate by Calhoun to end the game attempting to score the tying run on a single to right field by Kike Hernández.
On Wednesday the Dodgers dropped another tight game 3-2, however, this one came with a price. Starting pitcher Ross Stripling made a strong start, going five innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out two and walking none. Stripling was lifted from the game after throwing only 62 pitches due to a stiff neck. This is an issue he has dealt with before, most recently in spring training. According to Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA, Stripling is already feeling better, but is “50-50” on if he will make his next scheduled start. Stripling’s health will be monitored very closely, as he will definitely be a large part of the pitching staff come playoff time. Rushing him back doesn’t do anybody any good, so the Dodgers will be rather cautious.
Dave Roberts said Ross Stripling’s neck feels considerably better and they believe they got ahead of it.
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) July 25, 2019
Kiké Hernandez left the game with a hand injury after an awkward swing. x-rays were negative. #Dodgers
Earlier in the game, in a 4th inning at bat, Kike Hernández took a very awkward swing in which he appeared to injure his hand. He finished the at bat, popping up to second base, and was then removed from the game. X-Rays on his hand came back negative.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, Cody Bellinger represented the go-ahead run at the plate. After jumping ahead in the count 1-0, he quickly fell behind 1-2 after taking two fastballs very clearly off the plate, but both were called strikes by home plate umpire Dan Iassogna. Throughout the at bat, Dave Roberts showed his frustration with the strike zone, which had been both wide and inconsistent all night. Bellinger proceeded to strike out looking, and after AJ Pollock grounded into a double play to end the inning, Bellinger was still very clearly upset and made sure Iassogna knew it. Iassogna decided he had enough and threw Bellinger out of the game. Bellinger came running out of the dugout, and spread his fingers out in front of him, to show Iassogna just how far outside he believed the pitches were.
The Dodgers will look to bounce back from this two game skid as they take on the Washington Nationals this weekend in a three game series starting on Friday. Ryu will take the mound, followed by Kershaw on Saturday, and Buehler on Sunday.
