Daily Clips

August 6, 2017

LOSANGELESDODGERSDAILYCLIPSSUNDAY,AUGUST6,2017

DODGERS.COMHistoryintheraking:LArunbestsince1912—KenGurnickandAnthonyDiComo

StatcastoftheDay:Bellinger'soffspeedsmash—MattKelly

GonzalezmightreturnbeforeendofAugust—DavidAlder

Grandalexitswithbackspasmsin8th—KenGurnick

MaturingPuigthrivingon,offfieldforDodgers—KenGurnick

YoungLAstarseagertofaceMatz,backRyu—ChrisBumbaca

LATIMESDodgerseraseearlythree-rundeficitwithfivehomersin7-4victoryoverMets-AndyMcCullough

DodgersshortstopCoreySeagerkeepsquiet,buthisexcellentplayspeaksforitself—DylanHernandez

YasielPuigheadstoJerseytopromotethegameonMLBNetwork—AndyMcCullough

OCREGISTERDodgershitfivehomerunstobeatMetsfor43rdwininlast50games—BillPlunkett

DodgersNotes:ImprovedclubhouseculturehashelpedYasielPuigmature—BillPlunkett

DodgersatMets:Sundaygametime,TVchannelandstartingpitchers-BillPlunkett

ESPNWhatadifferencetwoyearsmakesforDodgers,Mets—MarkSimonandSarahLangs

Dodgersjustranoffbest50-gamestretchinhistory—DavdSchoenfield

WingivesDodgersbest50-gamestretchsince1912Giants—ESPN.comNewsServices

TRUEBLUELAQuakeshitfourhomersintheir6-4win—CraigMinami

FiveDodgerhomerunsequal43-7-CraigMinami

Dodgerscouldshatterfranchisemarkforhomers-RyanWalton

DustinMayhasasolidouting,Loonswin4-2-CraigMinami

DODGERINSIDERTheDodgerwaytoa43–7,50-gamerun—CaryOsborne

TheresurgentYasielPuighasbeenamajorfactorfortheDodgers-CaryOsborne

NBCLADodgersHitFiveHomeRunsin7-4ComeFromBehindVictoryOverMets—MichaelDuarte

SPORTSILLUSTRATEDDodgersContinuetoRackUpAccomplishments,IncludingOwningtheBest50-GameStretchin100Years—

GabrielBaumgaertner

LOSANGELESDODGERSDAILYCLIPS

SUNDAY,AUGUST6,2017

DODGERS.COMHistoryintheraking:LArunbestsince1912ByAnthonyDiComoandKenGurnickDENVER--ChaseUtleytripledintworuns,CoreySeagerlashedatwo-rundoubleandJocPedersonNEWYORK--TheGreatestShowonEarthcontinueditsrecordrunatCitiFieldonSaturday,asfiveDodgershomeredina7-4comebackwinovertheMets,whomashedfourhomerunsoftheirown.TheDodgershavewon12oftheirlast13,23of26and43of50,thebest50-gameMLBstretchsincethe1912NewYorkGiants.Theyhavea141/2-gameleadoverColoradointheNationalLeagueWest.Theyare46gamesabove.500forthefirsttimesince1962.TheDodgersare6-0againsttheMetsthisyearand8-0datingtolastyear.Saturday'swinalsomarkedLosAngeles'32ndcome-from-behindvictoryoftheseason."Itishistoryinthemaking,"DodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaid."Butwhenyougetbacktothedaytoday,Idon'tthinkanyone'sawareofthat.Aswetalkedaboutafewweeksago,thisiswhoweare.Weplaytherightwayandwearefindingwaystowingames.Theysluggedearly,wesluggedlate."YasielPuigrocketedatie-breakinglasershotintheseventhinning,JustinTurneraddedaninsurancesoloshotintheeighthandCoreySeagerblastedatwo-runupper-deckerintheninth.Earlier,teammatesChrisTaylorandCodyBellingerhomeredtocounteratriooffirst-inningsoloshotsbyMetsMichaelConforto,WilmerFloresandCurtisGrandersonoffJuly'sNLPitcheroftheMonth,RichHill,eachonamislocatedfastball.ThosehomersstakedMetsstarterSethLugotoa3-0lead.Lugohadano-hitterfor42/3innings,buttheDodgerstiedthegameinthesixthinningonaleadoffhomerfromTaylor(estimatedbyStatcast™at434feet)andatwo-runshotbyBellinger,therookie's31st.Opposingbattersarenowhitting.250offLugotheirfirsttwotimesthroughtheorder,and.362afterthat."Theydon'thaveanyeasyouts,"Lugosaid."Everyoneofthem,you'vegottobeardownandmakepitches.Andifyoudon't,youseewhathappenswhenyoumakemistakes."TheDodgersareonpacetobreakthefranchiserecordof211homerunsinaseason(2000).Theyhave161through110games,including23againstNewYorkinsixgames."There'scertainlyanintent,"Robertssaidofthelaunch-angleoffense."Lookattheguysinourlineup,theyallhavetheabilitytodriveballsoutofthepark.Wedoaverygoodjoboftakingballsandswingingatstrikesandwe'vetalkedaboutthatthelasttwoyears.Also,wedoaprettygoodjobofscaringguysoutofthezone.Andwhenwegetaballwecanhandleinthezone,there'scertainlydamagetobehad."

RelieverBrandonMorrow(4-0)wascreditedwiththewinandPaulSewald(0-4)allowedPuig'shomerfortheloss.MetscatcherReneRiverahitasolohomerwithoneoutintheninthtobringNewYorkwithinthree,butRossStriplingretiredJoseReyesandTravisd'Arnaudtoendthegame."That'stoogoodateam,"MetsmanagerTerryCollinssaid."That'swhyyou'vegottoholdthemdown.…It'stoughtocatchup."MOMENTSTHATMATTEREDCurtCatch:ThedefensiveplayofthegamefortheMetswasrightfielderCurtisGranderson'sdivingcatchofLoganForsythe'ssinkinglinedrivewithoneoutinthesecondinning.AccordingtoStatcast™,itwasafour-starcatch,asGrandersoncovered41feetinanopportunitytimeof3.4seconds."CurtisGrandersonhasbeennothingbutaprofessionalsincethedaywesignedhim,"Collinssaid."Todaywasanotherexampleofwhathecando."Provenformula:Itwasanotherrinse-and-repeatpitchingperformancefortheDodgers.Afive-inningstartfromHilltokeepthemclose,thenfourinningsofsolidrelief.BrandonMorrowpitchedaroundaleadoffwalkandstolenbaseinthesixth,strandingGrandersononthird.PedroBaezwasperfectintheseventh,TonyWatsoninheritedawalkedrunnerfromBaezbutstruckouttwoinascorelesseighthandStriplingallowedahomertoRiverawithoneoutintheninth.Dodgerspitchershad13strikeouts."Turningitovertothebestbullpeninbaseballisreallycomfortingtoeveryone,"saidHill.QUOTABLE"IthinksomeguysintheclubhouseherethinkIwasonthatteam."--Hill,onthecurrent43-7runbeingthebestsincethe1912NewYorkGiantsSOUNDSMARTWITHYOURFRIENDSWhentheMetsdouble-switchedLugooutofthegameinthesixthinning,theyalsoshiftedsecondbasemanNeilWalkertofirst.ItmarkedWalker'sfirstappearanceatthepositioninhisnine-yearbigleaguecareer,andhisfirsttimethereinaprofessionalgamesincehewasaPiratesMinorLeaguerin2010.Reyesalsologgedtimeatsecondbaseforthethirdtimethisweek,aftergoingnearly13fullyearsbetweenappearancesatthekeystone.UPONFURTHERREVIEWWithRiveraonfirstbaseandnooutsinthesecondinning,Lugolaiddownabunt,whichBellingerfieldedandfiredtosecondbase.TheballpoppedoutofshortstopSeager'sglove,andRivera,thinkingtheballwasgoingtoendupincenterfield,roundedsecondbasebeforescamperingbackasSeagertaggedhim.CollinssuccessfullychallengedumpireJamesHoye'soutcall,buttheMetscouldnotscoredespitethetwo-on,no-outsrallytheplaycreated.Withoneoutintheeighthinning,BellingertriedtoadvancefromfirsttosecondonapitchinthedirtandwascalledoutatsecondbyHoye.TheDodgerschallengedandthecallwasoverturned.WHAT'SNEXTDodgers:Hyun-JinRyustartstheSundaynightseriesfinale,witha5:05p.m.PTfirstpitchatCitiField.HeiscomingoffsevenscorelessinningsagainsttheGiantsinano-decisionlastSundayatDodgerStadium.

Mets:TheMetswilltrytowintheirfirstgameinseventriesagainsttheDodgersthisseasoninSunday'sseriesfinaleatCitiField.Left-handerStevenMatz,whoownsan11.78ERAoverhislastfivestarts,willopposeRyuinthe8:05p.m.ETgame.StatcastoftheDay:Bellinger'soffspeedsmashByMattKellyNEWYORK--Nearlyeveryprospectwhomakesthebigleaguescanhitafastball.It'sanelementalpartofbeingaMajorLeaguehitter.ButDodgersphenomCodyBellingerisshowinghe'swayaheadofscheduleathittingtheotherstuff,too.AsBellingerchargestowardtheNationalLeagueRookieoftheYearAward,andpossiblytheleague'sMVPhonor,hispoweragainstoffspeedpitchesisyetanotherphaseofthegameinwhichhe'sexceededexpectations.WithLosAngelestrailingtheMets,3-1,inthefifthinningSaturday,BellingerwatchedasliderfromSethLugocurlintowardhisknees.ItwasonlythesixthsliderLugohadthrownallday--achange-of-pacepitchfromthefastballsandcurveshehadstymiedtheDodgerswithmostoftheafternoon--butBellingerwasstillready.Hecroucheddowntooneknee,allthewaydownfromhisuprightstance,andbarreledthepitchintotheright-center-fieldseatsatCitiFieldforatwo-runhomer.Itwasthe31sthomerunofBellinger'smagicalrookiecampaign,anditwasclutch,tyingthegameat3-3."They'vebeencominginsideonmeallserieswithbackfootsliders,"BellingersaidaftertheDodgers'7-4win--their43rdintheirlast50games,"butthatonepoppedoutof[Lugo's]handalittlebitandIwasabletoclipit."Bellingerhasgottentoalotofpitchesthisseason,helpinghimsetapowerpacethathasbeensimplyastoundingtowatch.ItseemsaforegoneconclusionBellingerwillsurpassMikePiazza'srookiefranchiserecordof35homeruns,setin1993,andtheNLRookieoftheYearAwardfrontrunnerhasevenmorehistoricbenchmarksfirmlyinhissights.Butlookbeyondthesheernumberofdingers,andanevenmoreunlikelyaspectofBellinger'spoweremerges:Hisstrokeagainstoffspeedpitches.They'reofferingsapitchercanusuallycountontobaitahot-swingingrookieandgethimoffhisrhythm,butnotBellinger.EnteringSaturday,Bellinger's90.7-mphaverageexitvelocityagainstallnon-fastballsrankedthird-bestamongleft-handedhitters,perStatcast™,andseventh-bestintheMajorsoverall(min.50battedballs).Betteryet,49.3percentofBellinger'sbattedballsagainstoffspeedpitcheshadfallenatoraboveStatcast™'s95-mphexitvelocitybaselinefor"hard-hit"contact.Thatwasthetopoffspeedhard-hitrateofanylefty--rookieorotherwise--enteringSaturday,andthefourthhighestinallofbaseball."He'sgotaneliteabilitytorecognizetheballoutofthehand,"DodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaid,"andsoifyoutakethatcomponentandcombineitwithhisabilitytostaygroundedandstaybalanced,itgiveshimachancetolifttheball."ThoughBellingertoldMLB.comthathe'sneverstruggledtoomuchagainstbreakingballs,evenwhilecomingupthroughtheMinorLeagues,itstilltakesworktohitthemwithasmuchauthorityashehas

thisyear.BellingerputsinthetimewithteammateJustinTurner,hittingagainstthecurveballmachineeverydaytomakesurehekeepsliftingthosetrickysecondarypitches."Wetryandpoptheballstraightup,"Bellingerexplained."Inanactualgame,thosepitchesaregoingtohavemorebreaktothem,andsoifyou'rehittingthetopoftheballagainstthemachine,you'renotgoingtohititatallduringthegame."Youdon'twanttorolloveronthosepitches;youwanttohitthemintheair."Bellingerisundoubtedlyoneofthefrontrunnersintheso-called"airballrevolution"that'stakingbaseballbystorm.It'samentalitythatonehearsthroughouttheDodgers'clubhouse,fromTurnertoChrisTaylortoRoberts.Nomatteryouropiniononthebenefitsofliftingtheball,it'shardtoquibblewiththeresultsfortheDodgers,whowereno-hitbyLugothroughthefirst42/3inningsbeforeclubbingfivehomerunstobeattheMets.NoclubhashomeredmoretimesthanLosAngelesoveritshistoric50-gamerun,andnoteamhasclubbedmorebarrels(ballswiththeidealcombinationofexitvelocityandlaunchangle),either.WiththeNLWestraceallbutover,theDodgerscanaffordtotinkerwithlittlethingsthatcanmakethembetterinOctober.Onethingtheirpostseasonopponentswillhavetopreparefor,however,ishowtopitchtoBellinger.Thenormalholefora21-yearoldhitterissimplynottherewithhim;Bellingercanrecognizeadeceptivebreakingballandcrushitasifitwereaheater.He'smakingeverythinglookeasy,evenifhesaysthathasn'tbeenthecase."AfewgamesbeforethisIwasstrugglingtohittheballandIfelthorrible,"Bellingerinsisted."That'swhyit'ssuchahardgame.IjustkeepwatchingvideoandI'mtryingtostayasconsistentasIcan."GonzalezmightreturnbeforeendofAugustByDavidAlderAdrianGonzalezcontinuestoinchclosertoareturnfromabackinjurythathaskepthimoutofactionsinceJune.TheDodgers'veteranfirstbasemanplayedhissecondrehabgameforTriple-AOklahomaCityonSaturday,playingthefieldandhavingthreeplateappearances--hesingledandhittwosacrificeflies--beforehewasreplacedinthebottomofthefifthinning.Gonzalez,whoisonthe60-daydisabledlistwithaherniateddiskinhisback,hasbeenlimitedto49gamesthisseason,andlastplayedfortheDodgersonJune11.The35-year-oldbeganhisrehabassignmentonThursday,whenhewent1-for-3andplayed51/2innings.Gonzalezisexpectedtobeonrehabforseveralweeks.Ifallgoesaccordingtoplan,andhisbackishealthyenoughtoholdupintheMajors,hecouldreturntotheDodgersbeforeAugustisover.OnSunday,beforestartinghisrehab,GonzalezwentthroughabattingpracticesessionwithteammateAndreEthier--alsooutwithaherniateddisk,andnotexpectedbackuntillateAugustorSeptember--aswellasasimulatedgame.

Gonzalezishitting.255/.304/.339withjustonehomerunand23RBIsinhisinjury-marredseason.Grandalexitswithbackspasmsin8thByKenGurnickNEWYORK--DodgerscatcherYasmaniGrandalleftSaturday's7-4winovertheMetsintheeighthinningwithbackspasms,managerDaveRobertssaid.Grandal,whohadtheDodgers'firsthitofthegamewithafifth-inningdouble,struckoutintheeighthinning.AustinBarnescameouttocatchthebottomoftheeighth."Hecametomeafterthatinningsayinghecan'tmove,hewaslimited,"saidRoberts."HoldingourbreathtomakesureAustindoesn'thurthimself."Robertssaidhedidn'tbelievetheinjurywasserious,althoughwithascheduleddayoffonMondayandacross-countrytripSundaynight,it'slikelythatBarneswillcatchtheseriesfinaleonSunday.TheDodgersalsoarecarryingathirdcatcher,KyleFarmer,whosingledasapinch-hitterintheninthinning.MaturingPuigthrivingon,offfieldforDodgersByKenGurnickNEWYORK--Afterslugginghiscareer-high20thhomerunintheDodgers'6-0winovertheMetsFridaynight,YasielPuigwenttoNewJerseyforalate-nightMLBNetworkappearanceinsteadof,well,whateverhemighthavedonelateatnightinthecitythatneversleeps.ManagerDaveRobertschalkeditup--aswellasPuig'sperformanceintheNo.8spotinthebattingorder--tothegrowingupofthe26-year-oldrightfielder."He'sabighiteverywhere.Ithinkthat'sgreat,"RobertssaidofPuig'sguestspot."YasielisabigadvocateforMajorLeagueBaseballandpeoplegravitatetowardhim.ForhimtocheckoutMLBNetwork,that'sagoodthing.There'salotworsethingsaplayercouldbedoingafteragame.ForhimtochoosetogotoSecaucusandpromoteMajorLeagueBaseball,that'sgreat."Ayearago,PuighadbeendemotedtoTriple-A.Hefinishedlastseasonwith104gamesplayed,11homers,45RBIsanda.740OPS.SaturdaynightwasGame104forPuigthisyear,andheenteredwith20homers,53RBIsandan.806OPSandacareer-high12stolenbases.It'shisbestseasonsincehisAll-Staryearof2014."He'scontinuingtogrow,"Robertssaid."TheDodgershavewonhisheartover.He'sunderstandingthatthemostimportantthingistowingamesfortheDodgersandhelptheDodgerswinandit'snotabouthim.Icansaythatabouteveryoneofourguys.Whenyoucomeoverhereandmakeasplash,naturally,mostpeoplehaveasenseaboutthemselvesandalittleself-promotionandgetthefocusonyou.Ashe'sgettingolder,he'slearnedthere'sarightwaytodothingsandnottherightwaysofdoingthings."

looksbackatanoutfieldassistinhisfirstMLBgame,creditinghishistoryplayingcatcherinhisyouthRobertsalsodroppedPuigoutofthemiddleoftheDodgers'battingorder,makinghimoneofthemostproductiveNo.8hittersintheNationalLeague.Robertsdoesn'tdenythathewassendingamessagethere."There'salittlebitofthat,"hesaid."Alittlebitofmechallenginghimtobeconsistent.Asit'splayedout,he'shadhismostproductiveoffensiveseason.Toswallowyourprideandbuyintothat,he'sdoneit."YoungLAstarseagertofaceMatz,backRyuByChrisBumbacaCodyBellingerandCoreySeagergiveallpitchersfits;thatmuchiswidelyknownthroughouttheMajors.Butevenmoreimpressively,theyoungduoofDodgers'left-handedhittersstillsmoketheballagainstsame-sidedpitchers.Thatdoesn'tbodewellforMetsstarterStevenMatz,astheleft-handerwilltakethemoundoppositeDodgersstarterHyun-JinRyuonSundaynightinthefinaleofathree-gameseriesatCitiField.SeagerandBellingerrankamongthetopthreeinbothaverageexitvelocityandhard-hitrateamongleftyhitterswhohaveputatleast50ballsinplayagainstleftypitchers.Seager'saverageexitvelocityagainstleftiesleadstheMajorsat92.7mph,whileBellingerenteredSaturdaytiedwithBryceHarperforsecondat89.8mph.Theteammatesownthetoptwospotsforhard-hitpercentageforlefty-on-leftymatchups,withSeagerat51.7percentandBellingercheckinginat49.4percent.Matz,meanwhile,hasstruggledlately.InfourstartsaftertheAll-Starbreak,heis0-2witha12.21ERA(19earnedrunsin14innings).Ryu,despitejustreceivingonedecisioninhislastfivestarts,is1-0witha2.60ERAinthatspan.In842/3inningsthisseason,Ryuhasrecorded81strikeoutsandwalkedjust26hitters.Threethingstoknowaboutthisgame•RyufacedtheMetsonJune22inLosAngeles,allowingtworunsonfivehitsoverfiveinnings.Hedidnotfactorintothedecision,astheDodgersproceededtowin,6-3.Ryuis2-0witha2.16ERAand23strikeoutsin25inningsinfourlifetimestartsagainsttheMets.•TheearlygoingsinhibitedMatzuntilhislateststartinColorado,whenheactuallycarriedano-hitterthroughthefirst41/3innings.Hewentontoonlyrecordtwomoreoutsandsurrenderedathree-runhomertoNolanArenadotogivetheRockiesa3-2advantageandwoundupwithano-decision.•Matzis2-0lifetimeagainsttheDodgersintheregularseason,allowingfiveearnedrunsover18inningsinthreestarts.However,MatztookthelossinGame4oftheNationalLeagueDivisionSeriesin2015,whenhesurrenderedthreeearnedrunsonsixhitsoverfiveinnings.

LATIMESDodgerseraseearlythree-rundeficitwithfivehomersin7-4victoryoverMetsByAndyMcCulloughThe1912NewYorkGiantswereaformidablebunch.RunningtheteamfromthebenchwasHallofFamemanagerJohnMcGraw.ChristyMathewsonwon23gamesandsavedfiveothers.LarryDoylehit.330andwastheNationalLeaguemostvaluableplayer.Atonepointduringtheircharmedsummer,thegroupwent43-7.“IthinksomeguysintheclubhouseherethinkIwasonthatteam,”crackedRichHill,whois,at37,theoldestpitcherontheDodgers.“Unfortunately,Imissedthat.”Buthehasnotmissedtheperformanceofthe2017Dodgers,whotooka7-4victoryovertheMetsonSaturdaytoimprovetheirrecordto43-7sinceJune7.Nomajorleagueteamhasperformedbetterovera50-gamestretchsinceMcGrawandMathewsonandDoyleprowledthePoloGrounds,accordingtotheEliasSportsBureau.“Whatwasthe2013team,42-8?”JustinTurnersaid.“Got’em!”OnSaturday,TurnerwasoneoffiveDodgerstohomerastheteamovercameathree-runfirst-inningdeficitandshowedofftheiroffensivefirepowerdespitefailingtorecordahitinthefirstfourinnings.ChrisTaylorandCodyBellingercombinedtotiethescoreinthesixth.YasielPuigbrokethedeadlockintheseventh.Aninninglater,Turnerendeda13-gamedroughtwithoutahomer.Intheninth,CoreySeageremptiedCitiFieldwithatwo-runshot.Ambushedforthreesolohomersinthefirst,Hillrecoveredtostrikeouteightanddidn’tallowanotherrun.ThebullpenkepttheMetsquietuntilRossStriplingallowedasolohomerintheninth.All11runsinthegamescoredonhomeruns.“Wewinindifferentways,”managerDaveRobertssaid.“Thoseguyssluggedearly.Wesluggedlate.Consistentcontributionsfromalltheseguysthroughoutthelineup.”TheMetsbloodiedHillinthefirst.Hepaidforabelt-high,0-1fastballtooutfielderMichaelConfortointhefirstat-batoftheinning.TheballlandedintheDodgers’bullpen.Twobatterslater,HillfedfirstbasemanWilmerFloresanotherfastballatthewaist.Floresdrovethisonejustbeyondthefenceoftheleft-fieldpartydeck.FourpitchesafterFlores’homer,outfielderCurtisGrandersonattackedyetanothermisplacedfastball.Allthreepitchesreceivedpunishmentfortheirlocation.“Justafewpitchesleftoverthemiddleoftheplate,”Hillsaid.“Sometimesthosetranslatetopopflies.Andthosetranslatedintoflyballs.”

Inchargeoftheleadwasa27-year-oldright-handermakinghis10thappearancein2017.SethLugoposteda2.67earned-runaveragein2016,buthisERAthisyearwas4.53headingintoSaturday.Despitehismiddlingstatistics,LugokepttheDodgersoffbalance.Heissuedaone-outwalktoSeagerinthefirstinning,butretiredthe14otherhittershefacedtostarttheday.TheDodgersremainedinsearchoftheirfirsthitwhenthefifthinningbegan.Withtwoouts,YasmaniGrandalwhackedachangeupintotheright-fieldcornerforadouble.Arallyappearedpossible,withYasielPuigupnext.ButMetsmanagerTerryCollinsdefusedthesituationbyintentionallywalkingPuig.Hillstruckouttostrandtherunners.Thatonlydelayedtheinevitable.Lugocouldnotcompletethesixth.Taylorhammeredahangingsliderforasoloshot,his15thhomeroftheseason,toleadofftheinningandgettheDodgersontheboard.Beforethisseason,Taylorhadhomeredonceinthemajors.“Thatwasthegoalcomingintotheyear:Iwantedtohitformorepower,Iwantedtodrivetheball,”Taylorsaid.“ButifyouwouldhavetoldmeIwouldhave15homersatthispoint,Iwouldhavebeenshocked.”Twobatterslater,Turnersuppliedasingle.ThetablewassetforBellinger.Hedidnotwaitlong.Lugomissedupstairswithafastball.Aslidersailedtoofarinside.RatherthanchallengeBellingerwitha2-0fastball,Lugotriedtofoolhimwithanotherslider.Itcrossedtheheartoftheplate.Bellingermadeitdisappearoverthefenceinright.“It’shardtogetthrough[ourlineup]multipletimes,”Bellingersaid.“Itwasjustamatteroftime.”Theonslaughthadonlybegun.Puiglinedthefirstpitchoftheseventhinningjustoverthefenceinleft.Itwashis21sthomeroftheseason,ashecontinuestobuildonhiscareerhigh.Aninninglater,Turnerconnectedwitha90-mphfastballdownthemiddlefromMetsrelieverPaulSewald,hittingitoverthecenter-fieldfencetoaddsomeinsurance.Therewasmorewherethatcamefrom.Intheninth,Seagerdetonateda91-mphfastballdeepintotheseconddeckinrightfield.AnexodusofMetsfanssoonfollowed,anothergroupastoundedbythe2017Dodgers.“We’rejustveryconfident,”Taylorsaid.“Weunderstandthatatanypointinthegame,wecangooff.”DodgersshortstopCoreySeagerkeepsquiet,buthisexcellentplayspeaksforitselfByDylanHernandezrelativelylargecrowdofreportersstartedgatheringaroundCoreySeager’slocker.Seagersmiledwearily.Ironically,wehadbeentalkingabouthowhehadmanagedtomaintainalowprofilethisseason.Now,hewasabouttohavetospeakintoacollectionoftelevisioncamerasandvoicerecordingdevices.“You’recornered,”Iinformedhimoftheobvious.

Seagersmiledagain.“Iknow,”hesaid.“There’snoescapingnow.”Ijokinglyapologizedforstoppinghimathislocker,whichmadeitpossibleforhimtobetrapped.“It’sOK,”hesaid.AnditwasOK.AtelevisionreporteraskedhimaboutnewteammateYuDarvishandSeagerreplied,“Ithinkeverybody’sreallyexcited.I’veseenhimthrowafewtimes,seeingmybrotherfacehim.It’sobviouslyelitestuff.”Hewentonpolitelyfieldingquestionslikethisforthenextfewminutes,thenquietlyslippedoutoftheroom.Seagerdoesn’tnecessarilyavoidthespotlight,buthedoesn’tinviteiteither.IthasresultedintheAll-Starshortstopdoingtheunthinkable:havingaspectacularseasonthatsomehowgoneunnoticedinamarketthesizeofLosAngeles.“Chase2.0,”ManagerDaveRobertscalledSeager,areferencetotheteam’ssoft-spokenveteranChaseUtley.CodyBellingerhasmadeheadlineswithhisprodigiouspower,JustinTurnerhasbecomethepeople’schampion,butit’sSeagerwhoremainstheteam’sbestpositionplayer.Hecontinuestobatsecondintheorder—“accordingtomycomputer,themostimportantspotinthelineup,”half-jokedgeneralmanagerFarhanZaidi.Seagerblastedatwo-runhomerunintheninthinningSaturdaytoblowopenthegameatCitiField,a7-4victoryovertheNewYorkMets.Thehomerunwashis19thoftheseason.Heisbatting.306with55runsbattedinwhileplayingapremiumposition.HeenteredtheweekendfourthintheNLinFangraphs’versionofwinsabovereplacementandsixthinBaseballReference’s.TheonlyNLpositionplayerswhorankaheadofSeagerinbothFangraphs’andBaseballReference’sversionsofWARarePaulGoldschmidtoftheArizonaDiamondbacksandAnthonyRendonoftheWashingtonNationals.“Offensively,youlookup,he’shitting.300,he’shittingforpower,he’sgettingonbase,”Zaidisaid.Morethanhedidlastyear.Hison-basepercentageis.397,upfrom.365lastyear,thebyproductofasignificantlyimprovedwalkrate.He’swalkingin12.6%ofhisat-bats,comparedto7.9%lastyear,whenhefinishedthirdinNLMVPvoting.“Coreyhasevolved,”Robertssaid.“He’sunderstandingmorethecat-and-mouseofhowpeoplearepitchinghim.YouseepitchersgoingtosecondariesalotmorewithCorey.He’sreallyunderstandingsittingonpitchesandreallyconductinganat-batandhuntingforcertainpitches.Becauseofhismechanics,hecancoveralotofpitchesandalotoflocations.Buthisabilitytonowhuntspecificpitchesorcertainzonesisgoingtomakehimanevenbetterplayer.”

Or,asZaidisaid,Seageris“selectivelyaggressive.”“Therearesituationswherehe’llgoafterafirstpitch,”Zaidiexplained.“Therearealsotimeswhenhewillgrindouta10-plus-pitchat-bat,takethebigwalkandpassthebatontoJ.T.andBellinger.Theversatilitythereiswhatkeepsopposingpitchersguessing.Hisabilitytodoboth,Ithink,makeshimareallytoughhitter.”Seagerremainsasteadyshortstop.Ifhelackstheathleticismofsomewhoplayhisposition,hecompensatesbyplacinghimselfintherightplaceattherighttime.“Coreyisasin-tuneayoungplayerasI’veeverseen,”Robertssaid.“He’sintunewithpitchsequencesandknowingthecoverages.Therehavebeentimeswhenhe’scalledtherightcoveragesthathavekeptballintheinfieldandwe’veturneddoubleplays.”Thatmostofthisisunnoticeddoesn’tbotherhim.“Ilikebeingtomyself,doingmything,gettingready,”saidSeager,whoacknowledgedhehasfollowedUtley’slead.Ifhisteammatesaretheoneswhoarethesubjectofattention,great.“There’sbeenalotofguyswhodeservetheattention,deservethearticles,thequestions,”Seagersaid.“Morepowertothem.It’swhat’smakingusgood.Nowaytocomplainaboutthatone.”TheDodgersarewinning.Seagerisplayingandplayingwell.Theotherplayersaredoingthetalking.“Perfect”forSeager,Turnersaid.“IthinkhimandChaseareverysimilarintheirdemeanoronthefieldandaroundtheclubhouse,”Turnersaid.“It’sveryquietandserious.SeagerwillsmileandlaughalittlebitmorethanChasedoes,butIthinkheenjoysthequiet,under-the-radarrepthathegets.”Seagerhasalwaysbeenbeencordialandcooperativewiththemedia,butspendslittletimeinthepartsofthelockerroomthatareaccessibletoreporterscomparedto,say,Bellinger.“Coreyisobviouslymuchmoreconservativeandkindofstaystohimselfmore,whereCodyismorethekidinthecandystore,”Robertssaid.“Corey’skindofanoldsoul.He’soldschool.Hejustwantstoplaybaseball.Codyletsmegrabhisfaceandshakeit.Iwouldn’tdothatwithCorey.”ButSeagercontinuestoberecognizedbythepeopleintheknow.HemadehissecondAll-Stargamethisyearbecausehewasvotedinbytheplayers.AndbeforethegameSaturday,Seagerreceivedavisitinthedugout.Seagerspentafewminutesspeakingtothemanbeforeshakinghishandandtakingthefieldforpregamewarmups.Thevisitor?AlexRodriguez.

YasielPuigheadstoJerseytopromotethegameonMLBNetworkByAndyMcCulloughYasielPuigdidnotlingeratCitiFieldonFridaynight.Aftersettinganewcareer-highwithhis20thhomerunthisseason,PuigtookacaracrosstheHudsonRivertoSecaucus,N.J.,andstoppedbyMLBNetwork’sstudiostoappearasaguestonalivebroadcast.ThefieldtripamusedmanagerDaveRoberts.“YasielisabigadvocateofMajorLeagueBaseball,”RobertssaidbeforeSaturday’sgameagainsttheMets.“Peoplegravitatetowardhim….Obviously,there’salotworsethingsaplayercouldbedoinginNewYorkCity.”ItwasonlyayearagothatPuigwasn’teveninthemajors.TheDodgersoptionedhimtotriple-AOklahomaCityafterthetradedeadlinein2016afterbeingunabletoswingatradetogethimoutofLosAngeles.PuigspentamonthintheminorsbeforerejoiningtheteamasabenchplayerinSeptemberandOctober.Puigrespondedtothedemotionwithsomeofhisbestbaseballsincehisfirsttwoseasonsinthemajors.HeenteredSaturday’sgamewithan.806on-baseplussluggingpercentage,hisbestsince2014.RobertsbelievesPuigdeservesaGoldGloveforhisplayinrightfield.“He’scontinuingtogrow,”Robertssaid.“IthinktheDodgershavewonhisheartover.Ithinkhe’sstartingtounderstandthatthemostimportantthingistowinbaseballgamesfortheDodgers,andtohelptheDodgerswin.Andit’snotabouthim.AndIthinkIcansaythatabouteveryoneofourguys.”Taylorreboundsfromfoul-ballscareYuDarvish'ssmashingdebuthasDodgersdreamingofOctoberChrisTaylorwasremovedfromFriday’sgameasaprecautionafterfoulingapitchoffhiskneemidwaythroughthegame.TaylorwentdowninpainandstayedinthegameforafewinningsbeforeRobertstookhimout.“Ijusthadsomedead-leg,”Taylorsaid.“Itwassore.”TaylorwasoneofthreeDodgers,includingCodyBellingerandCoreySeager,tofoulacutterfromMetsstarterJacobdeGromoffhisbacklegonFriday.WoodtocheckfatigueinbullpensessionAlexWoodwillthrowabullpensessiononSundaytogaugehisreadinessforastartnextweekagainstArizona.WoodadmittedsomefatigueafterhisoutingonThursdayinAtlanta.IfWoodisclearedtopitch,hewouldstartonWednesday.KentaMaedaisscheduledforTuesdayandYuDarvishisslatedforThursday.TheDodgersarenotworriedaboutWoodharboringaninjury.ButRobertsmentionedhowatiredpitchermightputhimselfatrisk.

“Insomecase,whenyou’retalkingfatigue,toputapitcheroraplayerinharm’sway,youwanttoguardagainstthat,”Robertssaid.

OCREGISTER

DodgershitfivehomerunstobeatMetsfor43rdwininlast50gamesByBillPlunkettNEWYORK–WhentheDodgerswent42-8duringastretchofthe2013season,itwasoneofthebest50-gamerunsinbaseballhistoryandseemedlikeaonce-in-a-lifetimerunofdominance.Nah,notsomuch.TheDodgerswereheldwithoutahitinthefirstfourinningsSaturdaythenerasedathree-rundeficitbyhittingfivehomerunsinthefinalfourinningsofa7-4victoryovertheNewYorkMets.ThewinwastheDodgers’43rdintheirpast50games–onebetterthanthatrunin2013andthebest50-gamerunsincetheNewYorkGiantsalsowent43-7overastretchofthe1912season.“Whatwasthe’13team’srun–42-8?Got‘em,”DodgersthirdbasemanJustinTurnersaidwithalaugh.“It’sdefinitelysomethingthatdowntheroadisgoingtobecooltotalkaboutforalongtime.ButI’vesaiditathousandtimesalreadyIdon’tthinkanybody’sgoingtolookbacktomorrowandsay,‘Oh,we’re43-7andwedon’thavetoshowuptoday.’Guysdon’treallycaretoomuchaboutit.Theyjustwanttofindawaytowintomorrow.”Thatapproachhasservedthemwell.At78-32,theDodgershavethebestrecordintheNationalLeaguethrough110gamessincetheSt.LouisCardinalswent82-28in1944.“Itishistory-making.Butwhenyougetbacktotheday-to-dayofhowwegoaboutthings,Idon’tthinkanyoneisreallyawareofthat,”DodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaid.“Itgetsbacktowhatwetalkedaboutafewweeksago–thisiswhoweare.Thisisateamthat’sgoingoutthereexpectingtowin,playstherightwayandwefindwaystowingames.”Homerunshavebeenoneoftheprimaryways.TheirfiveSaturdayrantheirtotaltoamajor-league-leading96sinceJune7whenthis50-gamesurgetothebestrecordinbaseballbegan.With160homerunsthisseason,theDodgersareagoodbettobreakthefranchiserecordof211inaseason(setinthesuspectdaysof2000).“Thequalityofat-batwetakeandhowgoodweareatstayinginthezoneandtakingourwalksmeansthatwe’reusuallyswingingatgoodpitchesandtakingballs,”Turnersaid.“Whenyouswingatstrikesmoreoftenthannottheygethitalotharderandtheygoalotfurtherthanwhenyou’rechasing.“ThisisthebestteamI’veeverbeenonasfarascontrollingthestrikezone,1through8andevenguyscomingoffthebenchstayinthezone.”

IttookawhileforthepowertocomeonSaturday–atleasttheDodgers’power.TheMetshitthreehomerunsinthefirstinningoffDodgersstarterRichHill.MichaelConforto,WilmerFloresandCurtisGrandersonwentdeepagainstHill,whohadnotgivenupmultiplehomerunsinagamesinceJune30,2009.“WithRichinthefirstinningitwasjustmissedlocationwiththefastball,”Robertssaid.“Thesequencingwasfinebutwherehewastryingtogowiththefastball,hekindofmissedlocationsandtheendresultwasthreehomeruns.”Hillallowedjusttwomoresinglesinfiveinnings.Buthelefttrailing3-0becausetheDodgersdidn’tevengetahitoffMetsstarterSethLugountilYasmaniGrandalhookedadoubleintotheright-fieldcornerwithtwooutsinthefifthinning.ButtheDodgersledoffeachofthenextthreeinningswithhomeruns–ChrisTaylorinthesixth,YasielPuigintheseventhandTurnerintheeighth.CodyBellingerandCoreySeagermixedintwo-runhomerunsaswell.“There’scertainlyanintent,”RobertssaidoftheDodgers’powernumbers.“Youlookatguysthroughoutourlineuptheyhavetheabilitytodrivetheballoutoftheballpark.Wedoaprettygoodjoboftakingballsandswingingatstrikes.Simpleasthat.We’vetalkedaboutitforthepastcoupleyears.“Wedoagoodjobofscaringguysoutofthezonebutwhenwedogetapitchwecanhandleinthezone,there’scertainlydamagetobehad.”Those1912NewYorkGiants,bytheway,ledtheNationalLeaguewith47homeruns.“IthinksomeguysinherethinkIwasonthatteam,”the37-year-oldHilljoked.DodgersNotes:ImprovedclubhouseculturehashelpedYasielPuigmatureByBillPlunkettNEWYORK–AftertheDodgers’winovertheMetsonFridaynight,YasielPuigheadedoutonthetown–ofSecaucus,N.J.TheDodgersoutfieldermadethe45-minutetripfromCitiFieldtomakealiveappearanceattheMLBNetworkStudios.DodgersmanagerDaveRobertssaidhemissedtheshowbutwasn’tsurprisedtohearPuigwasanentertainingguest.“He’sabighiteverywhere.Ithinkthat’sgreat,”Robertssaid.“Obviously,there’salotworsethingsthataplayercanbedoinginNewYorkCity.”Robertswasjoking.ButitisnotablethatthoseotherkindsofheadlinesnolongerseemtofollowPuig.Instead,thefocushasbeenonhisGoldGlove-caliberplayinrightfield,hissteadyproductionwhileacceptinghisstatusastheNo.8hitterintheDodgers’lineupmostdaysandhisformationofacharity,theWildHorseFoundation,toworkwithunderprivilegedkidsandfamilies.

Hasthewildhorsefinallybeentamed?“He’schangeddramatically,I’mnotgoingtolietoyou,”DodgerscloserKenleyJansensaid.“He’smaturing,”DodgersveteranChaseUtleysaid.“Ithinkhe’sseeingthebiggerpicture.”Robertssaidheseesthesamething.Puigis“continuingtogrow”sincetheshockofhisdemotiontoTriple-Aayearagoatthistime.Puignowunderstands“thatthemostimportantthingishelpingtheDodgerswinbaseballgamesandit’snotabouthim.”AnyonewhohasbeenaroundtheDodgerssincePuigburstintothebigleaguesfouryearsagoknowsthatwasnotalwaysthecase.“Ithinkwhenyoucomeoverhereandyoumakeasplashthennaturallymostpeoplehaveasenseofthingsseemtobeaboutthemselves,alittleself-promotionanddoingcertainthingsthatkindofgetthefocusonyou,”Robertssaid.“ButIthinkhe’sunderstandingashe’sgottenolderandbeenaroundmorethattherearerightwaystodothingsandthingsthataren’ttherightwaytodothings.”Environmentplaysnosmallpartinthat,accordingtoJansen.TheclubhouseculturePuigwasintroducedintofouryearsagowasmuchdifferentthantheonethatexistsintheDodgers’lockerroomnow.“Itwaslike24islandsthen,”saidJansen,oneofonlytwoplayersontheDodgers’currentactiverosterwhowasaroundthen(Hyun-JinRyuistheother).“Hesawhoweveryoneactedandfigured,‘Well,I’mgoingtoactthatwaytoo.’Howcanyoublamehim?”JansenmightbewronginminimizingPuig’sresponsibilityforhisownmisbehaviorattimesinthoseseasons.Butheisnotwrongabouttheindividualagendasthatroiledthe2013and’14clubhouses–anatmospheretowhichPuigcontributed.“Thirteenand’14,weknewweweregifted.Weknewweweretalented,”Jansensaid.“Ihatetosayitbut’13and’14itwasallsuperstars.Everybodywantedtobesuperstars.Everybodywantedthespotlight.“Thisteam,there’snocomparison.Nocomparison.Weknowwehavethetalentbutit’slikewe’reaunit,we’reafamily.Thisteam,it’sneveraboutoneguy.”GRANDALHURTINGDodgerscatcherYasmaniGrandalleftthegameafterhiseighth-inningat-batSaturdaybecauseofbackspasms.Grandalsaidhehasbeendealingwithaknotinhisbackforacoupleweeksnowbutitwas“moreintensethannormal”fromhisfirstat-batonSaturday.“It’snothingthatshouldputmeontheDLoranything,”Grandalsaid.“I’mjustworkingtogetasmuchmobilityaspossibleonadailybasis.”GrandalsaidheisscheduledtobeoutofthelineupSaturdayandtheDodgersareoffMonday–thoughhewasanticipatingthecross-countryflightfromNewYorktoArizonawithsometrepidation.

ALSOYuDarvishwillmakehissecondstartfortheDodgersinthethirdgameoftheirseriesatArizonanextweek.KentaMaedaisscheduledtostartTuesdaywithAlexWoodonWednesdayandDarvishonThursday.WoodwillthrowabullpensessionSundaytomakesurethefatigueheacknowledgedfeelingduringhisstartinAtlantathisweekwon’tbeanissue.Theleft-handersaidheisalsoworkingonsomeminormechanicalissuesinhisdeliverytoaddresstheslightlossofvelocityonhisfastball.…RelieverChrisHatcher(thoracicinflammation)beganhisminor-leagueinjury-rehabilitationassignmentwithTriple-AOklahomaCityonFridaynightbypitchingtwoscorelessinnings.Hatcherallowedasingleandwalkedonewhilestrikingoutfour.DodgersatMets:Sundaygametime,TVchannelandstartingpitchersByBillPlunkettDODGERSatMETSWhen:5p.m.Where:CitiFieldTV:ESPNTHEPITCHERSDODGERSLHPHYUN-JINRYU(3-6,3.83ERA)Vs.Mets:2-0,2.16ERAAtCitiField:1-0,2.08ERAHatestoface:CurtisGranderson,3for5(.600),1double,1homerunLovestoface:ReneRivera,0for7,2strikeoutsMETSLHPSTEVENMATZ(2-4,5.50ERA)Vs.Dodgers:2-0,2.50ERAAtCitiField:6-6,3.71ERAHatestoface:CodyBellinger,1for2(.500),1doubleLovestoface:YasielPuig,0for10,2strikeouts

UPCOMINGMonday:Off

ESPNWhatadifferencetwoyearsmakesforDodgers,MetsByMarkSimonandSarahLangsThegapissignificantbetweentheNewYorkMetsandLosAngelesDodgerssinceJeurysFamiliastruckoutHowieKendricktoendGame5ofthe2015NationalLeagueDivisionSeries.Theteamswereseparatedbyonegameinthestandingsthatseason,buttheDodgersare29½gamesbetteroverthepasttwoseasons.TheDodgerswenttotheNLChampionshipSeriesin2016andaredominatingin2017.TheMetsbarelymadethepostseasonin2016,losingintheNLwild-cardgametotheGiants,andtheyhavebeenriddledwithissuesthisseason.DodgersAftertheir2015playoffrun,theDodgershada“mutualpartingofways”withmanagerDonMattingly.Theyreplacedhimwith2004RedSoxALChampionshipSeriesheroand10-yearmajorleagueveteranDaveRoberts,whohadvirtuallynomanagerialexperience.TheDodgers'recordsincehetookoveristhebestinthemajors.Robertswasthequickesttoboth150and160winswiththeclubsincetheteammovedtoLosAngeles.TheDodgershavebeenfueledinpartbytwoyoungstars--onewhowonRookieoftheYearlastyear,andanotherwhoislikelytowinthisyear,addingtothefranchise’srecordtotalof17winnersoftheaward(theYankeesandA’sarenextwitheighteach).Despitehavingbyfarthemostwinners,before2016theDodgershadn’thadaRookieoftheYearsinceToddHollandsworthin1996.CoreySeagerSeagerwasthethirdrookietofinishinthetopthreeoftheNLMVPvoting,thefirstsince1952.CodyBellingerBellinger’spowerthisseasonisincrediblyrareforarookie.Hehassixmultihomergames,thesecondmostbyanyrookieinbaseballhistory.TheEliasSportsBureaunotesthatonlyMarkMcGwire’ssevenin1987areaheadofBellinger'stotal.

TheDodgershavethebestrecordinthemajorssincehisApril25debut.TheyarelikelytohaveconsecutiveRookieoftheYearwinnersforthefirsttimesinceEricKarros,MikePiazza,RaulMondesi,HideoNomoandHollandsworthwonfrom1992to1996.MetsEnteringthe2017season,TerryCollinshopedthattheteamwouldhavefivestartersmake30startseach.Thatwaswishfulthinking.From2013to2016,noteamhadfivestartersmakeatleast30starts.Infact,onlytwoteamsmanagedthatfrom2007to2016--the2012RedsandtheWorldSeries-winning2012Giants.TheonlystarterintheMets'rotationofNoahSyndergaard,JacobdeGrom,StevenMatz,MattHarveyandZackWheelertoevenmakeatleast25startslastseasonwasSyndergaard.HeanddeGrom(Sept.1)weretheonlyonestomakeittoSeptember.AllbutoneoftheMets'potentialstartersenteringtheseasonhasspentatleast20daysonthedisabledlist.Threemissedmorethantwomonths,includingOpeningDaystarterSyndergaard,whohasmissedthemosttimeofallofthem.Asimplewaytoputit:The2017Dodgershavehadsixstartersmakeatleast15starts.The2017Metshavehadtwostartersmakeatleast15starts,asnotedinthechartabove.Pitchersaren'ttheonlyoneswhohavemissedtime.TheMetsatvariouspointsduringthe2017seasonlost:-LeftfielderYoenisCespedesforsixweekswithahamstringinjury.-Familiaforthreemonthsandcountingwithabloodclotinhisarm.-SecondbasemanNeilWalkerforsixweekswithatornhamstring.-InfielderAsdrubalCabreraforthreeweeks(twostintsonthedisabledlist--thumb).-CatcherTravisd’Arnaudforthreeweekswithawristinjury.-OutfielderJuanLagaresfornineweeksandcountingwiththumbandobliqueinjuries.Dodgersjustranoffbest50-gamestretchinhistoryByDavidSchoenfieldNEWYORK--No,you'veneverseenthisbefore,becauseI'mprettysurenobodyreadingthisattendedagameatthePoloGroundsinthesummerof1912.

TheLosAngelesDodgershavewon43oftheirpast50games,somethingnoteamhasdonein105years,sinceJohnMcGraw'sGiants,ateamthatfeaturedguysnamedTillie,Heinie,RubeandHooks.Itisaremarkablestretchofdominanceinasportwherefewteamscanwin60percentoftheirgamesovernearlyathirdoftheseason,letalone86percent.TheDodgersare6-0againsttheMets,78-32overall,onpacefor115wins,andnowhaveabig,fatbull's-eyeontheirbacksasthebestteaminbaseball--andmaybeoneofthebestever."Itishistoryinthemaking,"managerDaveRobertssaidafterSaturday's7-4winovertheMets,avictorypoweredbyfivehomeruns."Butwhenyougetbacktotheday-to-day,Idon'tthinkanyoneisreallythinkingaboutthat."CoreySeagerconnectsintheninthinningforoneoftheDodgers'fivehomerunsinSaturday'swinovertheMets.JoshuaSarner/IconSportswireThatthemewasechoedthisweekendbyvariousplayers.Theysaidthisstretchhasbeenmadepossiblebytheirabilitytofocuseachday,tokeeptheintensitygoingwhileunderstandingtheultimategoalistoplayhardeverygameandwinaWorldSeries,nottopursuehistory.CloserKenleyJansensaidhehasneverhadthismuchfunplayingbaseball,andhe'soneguywhohasexperiencedasimilarride:The2013Dodgerswent42-8fromJune22throughAug.17."SomeguysintheclubhouseprobablythinkIwasonthatteam,"37-year-oldstarterRichHillquippedaboutthe1912GiantsafterSaturday’sgame."Yeah,Istartedbackin'26withMurderers'Row."Hillwasn'tonthe2013Dodgers,either,butfewplayersintheclubhousewere.Thisisadifferentteamfromthatone,completelyturnedoverexceptforJansen,ClaytonKershaw,Hyun-JinRyuandAdrianGonzalez(whohasn’tplayedsinceJune11).There'sanewfrontofficeandanewmanager.It'salsoateamwithmuchmorepower.TheDodgershaveslugged96homerunsinthis50-gamestretch,morethananyteaminbaseballsincethisstreakbeganonJune7.Comparetheoffensivenumberstothat2013stretch:2013:.286/.344/.427,44HRs,4.88runspergame2017:.269/.356/.508,96HRs,5.50runspergameHillfellbehind3-0inthefirstinningastheMetshitthreehomerunsoffhim--allofffastballs.Hesettleddownafterthat,pitchingfiveinningsandfinishingwitheightstrikeouts."Toturnitovertothebestbullpeninbaseballisreallycomforting,"hesaid."Hanginginthereshowstheresiliencyofthisteamandhoweveryonegoesabouttheirbusiness."ThecomebackstartedinthesixthinningagainstMetsstarterSethLugo,whohadpitched4.2hitlessinnings.Histhirdtimethroughtheorderwasnotsosuccessful.ChrisTaylorledoffthesixthwithalonghomeruntoleft-centerona2-1slider,andafterJustinTurnersingledwithoneout,CodyBellingertiedthegamewithhis31sthomerun,offanotherslider.YasielPuigbrokethetiewithalowlinerintheseventhoffPaulSewaldthatjustclearedthefence.Turneraddedanotherhomerintheeighth,andCoreySeagericeditwithatwo-runblasttorightintheninth.Goodnight,Irene.

Ifthere'sbeenasurprisetotheDodgers'season,it'stheproductionfromTaylorandBellinger--twoguyswhostartedtheseasonintheminors.There'sastatcalledwinprobabilityadded--basicallyitcalculateshowmuchaplayerimproveshisteam'schancesofwinningaftereachat-bat.Ahomeruninatiegameisworthmorethanahomerunina10-0game.It'sabitofajunkstat,butitcanbeviewedasasubstitutefor"clutch,"whilekeepinginmindthatit'steam-dependenttosomeextent(ifyouhavemoreclosegames,youhavemoreopportunities).Anyway,enteringSaturday,accordingtotheWPAfiguresatFanGraphs,Taylorrankedninthamongpositionplayerswith3.01winsandBellingerranked10thwith3.0wins.Seagerwasjustbehindthemat12th.TaylorwasacquiredlastsummerinastealofatradewithSeattle,forminorleaguestarterZachLee.Taylorhadneverplayedoutfieldbeforethisseason,butaseriesofinjuriesgavehimachancetoplayandhehasrunwithit,hitting.314/.389/.559with14homeruns.Bellingeralsohasaflairforlate-gamedramatics,with16ofhis31homerunscominginthesixthorlater,tiedwithJustinSmoakformostinthemajors.Bellingerhasfeastedonoff-speedpitches,with17homerunscomingagainstcurves,sliders,changeupsandsplitters,tiedwithMikeMoustakasformostinthemajors(nootherplayerhasmorethan13).Asfortheirclutchstats,enteringSaturdayTaylorwashitting.346/.401/.617whenthegamewaswithinonerun.Bellingerwashitting.265/.388/.523,includinga.707sluggingpercentagewithfivehomerunsin41at-batsin"lateandclose"situations.Everyonekeepswaitingfortheleaguetocatchuptothem,butithasn'thappened.Taylor,inparticular,isdueforsomeregressioninthebattingaveragedepartment,ashis.411averageonballsinplaywouldbethehighestsincethe1920s.Bellinger'sswingismadetogolfoutpitcheslikethesliderhehammeredonSaturdayoffhisshoetops.Everyonesaysyoujusthavetothrowhimupinthezone.Easytosay,hardertoexecute.Plus,thisisasmartkid."Youstillhavetohitoffthefastballandhecanhandlethefastball,"Robertssaid,"buthehasgoodpitchrecognition."What'sscaryforDodgersopponentsisthatSeagerhasalsobeencrushingbaseballsforabouttwomonthsnowashe'spullingtheballmore--andthustappingintohispowermoreoften.What'sremarkableaboutthis50-gamestretchisthattheDodgershavedoneitwitharevolvingdoorofplayerscomingandgoing.Bymycount,theDodgershavemade139transactionssinceOpeningDay,giveortake.Inthisclubhouse,however,it'snobigdeal,andthathelpsexplainwhytheplayerswereexcitedtoaddYuDarvishtoanalready-potentteam."Wewentthroughthislastseason,sowe'reusedtoitbynow,"Seagersaid.SoSeagerismashing.TaylorandBellingerhavebeenmashing.DarvishthrewsevenscorelessinningsinhisDodgersdebut.Thebullpenhasthesecond-bestERAinbaseball.TheDodgersarefourthinthemajorsindefensiverunssaved.Theplayerslovethemanager."Theeffortisaconstant,"Hillsaid.Itwasanamazing50-gamestretch.Theyhave55moregamesintheregularseason--only22againstteamswithwinningrecords.Butnoneoftheplayerscaresaboutgettingtoarecord116wins.That'snotthegoal.Dodgersfansknowwhatthegoalis.

WingivesDodgersbest50-gamestretchsince1912GiantsByESPN.comNewsServicesNEWYORK--TheLosAngelesDodgersgottheir43rdwinintheirpast50gamesSaturdayagainsttheNewYorkMets,givingthemthebest50-gamerunbyabigleagueteamsincethe1912NewYorkGiantscompiledthesamemark.YasielPuighitatiebreakinghomerintheseventhinningandthethunderingDodgerswentdeepfivetimes,rallyingpasttheMets7-4toextendtheirincrediblesurge.ChrisTaylor,JustinTurner,CoreySeagerandrookieCodyBellingeralsoconnectedfortheDodgers,whoare43-7sinceJune7.The1912GiantshadthesamerecordfromMay14toJuly3thatseason.TheseDodgersbestedthe2013team,whichhada42-8streak."Got'em,"Turnersaidwithasmileofthe2013team."It'sdefinitelysomethingthatdowntheroadisgoingtobecooltotalkaboutforalongtime."LosAngeleshaswonallbutoneofitspast13games,uppingthetoprecordinthemajorstoanastounding78-32.ThatputstheDodgersat46gamesabove.500forthefirsttimesincetheywere98-51onSept.15,1962.Thatteam--ledbyDonDrysdale,SandyKoufaxandNLMVPMauryWills--didn'tevenwinthepennantafterdroppingabest-of-threeplayofftorivalSanFrancisco.Thisyear'sDodgersarelookingtoendaWorldSeriesdroughtthatdatestothefranchise'slastchampionshipin1988."It'sawavethatwe'reriding,"managerDaveRobertssaid."Iknowourplayersandtheyrealizethatwehaven'tdoneanythingyet."SaidTurner:"Everyoneknowswhatthegoalis.Everyoneknowswhatwe'retryingtodo."LeadoffmanMichaelConforto,WilmerFloresandCurtisGrandersonhomeredinthefirstinningoffDodgersleftyRichHill,theNLpitcherofthemonthforJuly.MetsstarterSethLugoheldLosAngeleshitlessuntilthefifth,butitdidn'tlast."You'vegottokeepgoingthewholegame,"Lugosaid."Ithinkwegotalittlecomplacent.Theydidn't."Taylorhomeredleadingoffthesixth,connectinginathirdstraightgameforthefirsttimeinhiscareer.Oneoutlater,TurnersingledandBellingernearlywentdowntoonekneetolifthis31sthomerovertheright-centerfence,tyingitat3."Man,it'sbeenfun,"Bellingersaid."Bothsidesoftheballasateamareclicking.SoIthinkwe'rejusttryingtorideitoutaslongaswecan."Puighithis21stoftheseasonleadingofftheseventhagainstPaulSewald(0-4),liningalasershottoleftforhissecondintwogames.TurnersentasoloshottocenteroffSewaldintheeighth,andSeageraddedatwo-rundriveintotheseconddeckinrightfieldagainstFernandoSalasintheninth.

"We'rejustveryconfident.Weunderstandatanypointinthegamewecangooff,"Taylorsaid."There'sjustafeelinglike,we'regoingtocomebackatsomepoint."ThefivehomerunsequaledaseasonhighforLosAngeles,delightingplentyofvocalDodgersfansintheCitiFieldcrowdof40,060."Ithinkit'sjustamatteroftimebeforewestartinghitting'em,"Bellingersaid.BrandonMorrow(4-0)pitchedahitlesssixthforthewin.ReneRiverahomeredinthebottomoftheninthfortheMets,whohavelostsixofseven.ONE-SIDEDNewYorkhasdroppedeightstraighttotheDodgersdatingtoMay2016,theclub'slongestskidagainstLosAngelessince1964.TheMetshavegivenup23homersandbeenoutscored49-15inlosingallsixmeetingsthisseason."That'swhythey'vegottherecordtheydo,"managerTerryCollinssaid."It'stoughtoholdthemdown."TRAINER'SROOMDodgers:LHPAlexWoodisfeelingalittlebitbettereverydayandhisupcomingbullpensessionwilltellalotaboutwhetherhe'llmakehisnextscheduledstart,Robertssaid.WoodsaidhefeltalittletiredafterbeatingAtlantaonThursdaynight.Theteamdoesn'twanttorushhimbackouttothemoundandriskaninjury."He'sashonestwithusasanybody,"Robertssaid....RHPYuDarvishwillgetanextradayofrestbeforestartingThursday'sseriesfinaleatNLWestrivalArizona.Mets:RF-1BJayBrucewasrestedagainsttheleftyHill....CollinswasabletogiverelieverHanselRoblesasecondconsecutivedayoffafteranMRIcamebackclean.Robleshassomegeneralfatigue,Collinssaid....CFJuanLagares(brokenleftthumb)startedhisfifthrehabgamewithDouble-ABinghamtonbutneedstoplayafullnineinningsonceortwicebeforecomingoffthedisabledlist,Collinssaid.UPNEXTDodgers:TheseriesfinaleSundaynightfeaturesapairofleft-handersonthemoundwhenHyun-JinRyu(3-6,3.83ERA)startsforLosAngelesagainstscufflingStevenMatz(2-4,5.50).Ryuneededonly85pitchestotosssevenscorelessinningslasttimeoutagainstSanFrancisco.Heis2-0witha2.16ERAinfourcareerstartsvs.theMets.Mets:Matzhaslostthreestraightdecisionsandis0-2witha12.21ERAinfourstartssincetheAll-Starbreak.Heis2-0witha2.50ERAinthreeregular-seasonoutingsagainstLosAngeles,allontheroad.

TRUEBLUELA

Quakeshitfourhomersintheir6-4winByCraigMinamiAprettygooddayallaroundfortheDodgersandtheirminorleagueaffiliates.OnlyGreatLakesandoneoftheDominicanSummerLeagueteamslostyesterday.OklahomaCity,Tulsa,RanchoCucamonga,OgdenandtheDSLDodgers1wenthomevictoriousliketheirparentDodgerclub.PlayerofthedayTheQuakestrailedformostoftheirgameonSaturdaybutthentheystartedhittinghomeruns(soundfamiliar)andthefinalhomerunhitbyIbandelIsabelprovedtobethegamewinner.IsabelhasgonebackandforthwithteammateDJPetersasthehomerunleaderintheCaliforniaLeague,henowleadstheleaguewith24homeruns.Triple-AOklahomaCityTheDodgersbuilta5-1leadandthenhandedtheballtoWalkerBuehlerintheseventhinning.Inthenextinning,BuehlercouldonlywatchfromthedugoutastheLasVegas51s(Mets)tiethegame.However,onSaturday,theDodgerswereabletogatherthemselvesandwin6-5in10inningsandhaveachancetosplittheirgamesinLasVegasthisweekend.TrayceThompsonhitaboomingdoubletocentertoscoreMaxMuncyandSteveGeltzwasabletofinishitoffinthebottomoftheinningtogetthewin.TheDodgershadbuilttheirbehindagoodgamepitchedbyJustinMastersonandjustenoughoffense.Mastersonpitchedsixinningsandgaveuparunandsixhits.Thompsonhadthreehitsandscoredtwice,TimLocastroalsohadthreehitsandscoredtworuns.AdrianGonzalezplayedhissecondrehabgame,hewouldsingleandhittwosacrificeflies.Buehlermadehisfirstreliefappearanceandseveraltimes,hecouldnotfinishoffhittersaftergettingaheadofthem.Hepitched1⅓inningsandgaveuptwohitsandawalkwhilestrikingouttwo.Healsogaveupthreeruns,twoofthosewerefrominheritedrunnersthatscoredonathree-runhomerunhitoffJacobRhameimmediatelyafterBuehlerwastakenout.Buehlerhasnowthrown76⅔inningssoitwillbeinterestingtoseehowmanymoreinningshepitchesinAAAvsapossiblecallupinSeptember.Double-ATulsaTheDrillerswon13-1overtheArkansasTravelers(Mariners)withaneight-runsixthinningputtingthegameaway.TheDrillershad16hitsincludingthreehomerunsontheirgoodoffensivenight.YadierAlvarezstartedandpitchedfourinnings,givingupthreehitsandaru.Healsohadeightstrikeoutsandtwowalks.

JacobScavuzzohadfourhitsincludingahomerun,BlakeGailenhittwohomerunsonhis3-for-5night.TwohitsapieceforDrewJackson,MattBeaty,andErickMejia.Class-ARanchoCucamongaTheQuakeshadlostthefirsttwogamesoftheirfourgameseriesagainsttheLancasterJetHawks(Rockies)andonSaturdaynightatLoanMartField,itlookedlikethatwouldcontinue.TheJetHawksgotouttoathree-runleadandwerestillleading4-2whenArielSandovalhithissecondsolohomerunofthegameinthesixthtomakeitaone-rungame.ZachRekswouldtieitintheseventhwithanothersolohomerun.AndthenIbandelIsabelhithis24thhomerunoftheseasontogivetheQuakesatwo-runleadandtheeventual6-4winovertheJetHawks.TheQuakesgotgoodbullpenworkbyDeanKremer,JasonRichmanandAndrwIstlerthatlimitedtheJetHawkstoaruninsixinnings.Class-AGreatLakesTheLoonsgavetworunsintheninthandoneinthetenththuslosing5-4totheFortWayneTinCaps(Padres).ThiswasaftertheLoonshadtakentheleadwhentheyhadafour-runsixthinning.TheTinCapstiedthegamewiththeaidofabases-loadedwalkwhichwasfollowedbyawildpitchtoscorethetyingrun.ThewinningrunwouldscoreaninninglaterafteranerrorbyGavinLuxallowedarunnertoreachthirdwithoneoutandthenhewouldscoreonafielder’schoiceabatterlater.LeoCrawfordatoughno-decison,hepitchedsixinningsandgaveupatworuns(oneearned)andfourhitswhilestrikingoutnine.RookiePioneer-OgdenTheRaptorsgaveuponlyonehittotheBillingsMustangs(Reds)butittookteninningsforthemtowin4-0overtheMustangs.ThefirsttwoRaptorspitchers,EdwinUceta,whowasperfectforsixinningsandDevinHemmerichdidnotgiveupahit.MattJoneswouldgiveuptheonehitbuthealsogotthewin,MiguelUrenawouldfinishofftheone-hitterbygettingthelasttwoouts.FourstraightsinglesinthetenthinningscoredthefirstRaptorrun.Withoneoutandthebasesloaded,LuisPazwouldsingleinanotherrunandthatwasfollowedbyatwo-runsinglebyTylerAdkison.Rookie-AZLDodgersAZLDodgerswereoffonSaturday.TransactionsClass-A:RanchoCucamongamovedcatcherBrantWhitingtotemporaryinactivelist.Saturday’sscoresOklahomaCity6,LasVegas5(10)

Tulsa13,Arkansas1RanchoCucamonga6,Lancaster4FortWayne5,GreatLakes4(10)Ogden4,Billings0(10)DSLDodgers12,DSLRays10DSLRays25,DSLDodgers23Sunday’sschedule11:05a.m.PT:GreatLakes(TBD)vs.FortWayne(RonaldBolaños)12:05p.m.:Ogden(AdalbertoPena)atBillings(TylerMondile)2:05p.m.:RanchoCucamonga(CalebFerguson)vs.Lancaster(TBD)4:10p.m.:Tulsa(DennisSantana)atArkansas(NickNeidert)7:00p.m.:AZLDodgersatAZLPadres7:05p.m.:OklahomaCity(LukeFarrell)atLasVegas(WilfredoBoscan)FiveDodgerhomerunsequal43-7ByCraigMinamiThroughfiveinnings,theDodgerswerebeingheldincheckbySethLugoandthankstoathree-runfirstinning,theMetslookedlikeateamreadytowintheirfirstgameagainsttheDodgers.ThenDodgersscoredthenextsevenruns,whichallcamefromthefivehomerunstheyhitandthatmeanttheDodgerswouldbeattheMets7-4onSaturday.ThiswingavetheDodgers43winsoutoftheirlast50gameswhichisthebestanyteamasdonein105years.FivedifferentDodgershitthosehomeruns,ChrisTaylorandCodyBellinger’shomerunswouldtiethegame.YasielPuig’shomerunwouldbreakthetieintheseventh.JustinTurnerandCoreySeagerwouldhithomerunsthatprovidedthewinningthemarginRichHillstartedfortheDodgersandhewashitbythehomerunballinthefirstbutaftergivingupthreesolohomeruns,hesettleddowntocompletefiveinningswithoutgivingupanymoreruns.SethLugowouldleavethegameafterBellingertiedthegamebutlikeHill,hegotano-decisionforhisefforts.BrandonMorrowrecordedascorelesssixththatmeantawinforhisstatlineasthebullpengaveupjustonelaterun,onasolohomerunofcourse,intheirfourinningsofwork.

TradedeadlinedividendsAsYuDarvishwatchedfromthedugout,left-handedpitcherTonyWatsonenteredthegamewithoneonandnooutintheeighthinning.Thoughnotatrueleft-handedspecialisthecameintofacetwoleft-handedoutfieldersBrandonNimmoandCurtisGrandersonandstruckthemoutonsomenicepitchesandgoodcatchingbyAustinBarnes.WatsonwouldgetaNeilWalkertogroundouttoendtheinning.Fourormorehomerunsinagame,yesplease!ThiswastheninthtimethisseasonthattheDodgershitfourormorehomerunsinagame.TheLosAngelesDodgerteamrecord,tengames,wassetlastseason.Oh,asyoumightguess,theywinwhentheydothis,thelastregularseasongametheylostwhentheyhitfourormorehomerunswasonAugust19,2004.UpnextTheDodgerswillfinishtheirseasonseriesagainsttheMetsonasecondstraightESPNSundayNightBaseballgame.Hyun-jinRyuandStevenMatzwillmatchupandplaywillbeginat5:05p.m.PT.SaturdayparticularsHomeruns:MichaelConforto(22),WilmerFlores(12),CurtisGranderson(15),ChrisTaylor(15),CodyBellinger(31),YasielPuig(21),JustinTurner(12),CoreySeager(19),ReneRivera(7)WP-BrandonMorrow(4-0):1IP,1walk,1strikeoutLP-PaulSewald(0-4):1⅓IP,2runs,1walk,1strikeout,2homerunsDodgerscouldshatterfranchisemarkforhomersByRyanWaltonItonlymakessensethatinayearwhenMajorLeagueBaseballisonpacetobreaktherecordfortotalhomerunsinaseason,theDodgerswouldbeafterrecordsoftheirown.LosAngeleshasalreadyhit156homersin2017whichputsthemonpaceforroughly232.Thefranchiserecordwassetin2000whentheDodgersclubbed211asateam.TherehaveonlybeensixNationalLeagueteamsinbaseballhistorytoreachatleast231longballsinaseason,thelatestbeingthe2007Brewers.Hittinghomersatasignificantratemeanstheycomebythebunches.This2017Dodgersteamhashitateastthreeinagame23times,secondonlytotheNationalswhohavedoneit25times.CodyBellingerhas30asarookieafternotbeinginthebigleaguesuntilApril25.YasielPuighasalreadyhitacareer-high20justfourdaysintoAugust.Butit’snotjustacoupleguysdoingbigdamage.TherearealreadyeightDodgerswithatleast10homerunsandtherearelikelytobetwomoreonthatlistbeforeit’sallsaidanddone.

The2004squadistheonlyDodgersteamtohaveatleastnineplayerswith10ormore.Thatwastheyeara25-year-oldAdrianBeltrehit48duringhislastseasoninLosAngeles.AstheDodgerscontinuetheirroadtripinNewYork,theMetshavebeenonthereceivingendof18Dodgerhomersinthefivegamesthetwoteamshaveplayedsofar.TheDodgersstillhavetheweekendtoaddtothosetotals.DustinMayhasasolidouting,Loonswin4-2ByCraigMinamiFridaywasnotagreatdayfortheDodgerminorleagueaffiliatesasonlyGreatLakesandtheAZLDodgerswon.OklahomaCityandTulsalostwalk-offextra-inninggames,RanchoCucamongaandOgdenlostcloseonestoo.PlayerofthedayLoonsright-handedpitcherDustinMaywonhisseventhgameashehadhisbeststartsinceJune30th.The19-yearoldMayhasstruckout102in108inningsinhisfirstfullseasoninprofessionalbaseball.Triple-AOklahomaCityTheDodgerslost3-2totheLasVegas51s(Mets)inthe13inningsdespitethe51snotputtingtheballinplaythatinning.Left-handedpitcherEdwardParedeshitthefirsthitterhefacedandthenwalkedthreestraighttogivethe51stheirwin.TheDodgersstartedEddieGamboaandhepitchedsixinningsandgaveuptworuns.ChrisHatchercontinuedhisrehabashepitchedtwoinningsgivingupahitandawalkwhilestrikingoutfour.TheDodgersdidnotdomuchattheplate,MaxMuncyhitagametyinghomerunintheninthinningbutotherwisetheyhadfoursinglesandawalk.Double-ATulsaTheDrillersdroppeda3-2decisioninteninningstotheArkansasTravelers(Mariners)onFriday.ChuckTaylorsingledinJoeyWongwithnooutsinthetenthtowinthegame.TulsahadtiedthegameintheninthinningwhenPeterO’Brienhitatwo-runhomer.ScottBarlowreturnedtoTulsafromOklahomaCityandpitchedwell,goingsixinningsandgivingupfourhitsandtworuns.Barlowstruckoutnineandwalkedtwo.Class-ARanchoCucamongaTheQuakesbrieflyledafterIbandelIsraelhithisleague-leading23rdhomerun.ButthentheLancasterJetHawks(Rockies)scoredthreerunsintheseventhandbeattheQuakes6-3.DevinSmeltzerhadgivenupthreerunsinsixinning,hewalkedthefirsttwohittersintheseventhandthenhegavewaytoTonyGonsolin.Gonsolingottwooutsbutthenawalkfollowedbyathree-rundouble,whichwasaidedbyanerror,ultimatelygavethegametotheJetHawks.

TheQuakeswent1-for-9withrunnersinscoringpositionwhichdidnotaidtheircauseonFriday.Class-AGreatLakesTheLoonsbeatDaytonDragons(Reds)4-2towintheirfourthstraightgame.DustinMaygotthewinafterpitchingsixinningsandgivinguparunandsixhits.Maystruckoutfourwithoutwalkingabatter.CristianSantanahithisfourthhomerun,heishitting.340/.364/.524in107plateappearanceswiththeLoons.AfterhittingapairofhomerunsonThursday,JaredWalkerhithiseighthhomerun,athree-runshotinthefourthinning.FirstroundpickJerenKendallwas0-for-4withthreestrikeouts.RookiePioneer-OgdenTheRaptorslostendedtheir8-gamewinningstreakastheBillingsMustangs(Reds)won7-5.TheMustangsled5-0aftertwoinningsandthatwastoomuchfortheRaptorstoovercome.DonovanCasey,RomarCuadradoandGarrettHopehadtwohitseach,BrockCarpenterhomeredintheRaptor’sloss.Rookie-AZLDodgersTheAZLDodgersbrokeascorelesstiewhentheyscoredfourrunsinseventhandtheywentontowin4-1overAZLAthletics.AlfredoTavarezpitchedfivescorelessinnings,givingupfourhitsandawalkwhilestrikingoutnine.FourthroundpickJamesMarinanwalkedthreeandgaveupahitbutgotadoubleplaytopitchascorelessinning.TransactionsTriple-A:LosAngelesoptionedright-handedpitcherDylanFlorotoOklahomaCityandassignedright-handedpitcherChrisHatcheronarehabassignmenttoOklahomaCity.Double-A:OutfielderPeterO'BrienassignedtoTulsafromOklahomaCityandTulsaplacedcatcherSeanO'Connellonthe7-daydisabledlist.Friday’sscoresLasVegas3,OklahomaCity2(13)Arkansas3,Tulsa2(10)Lancaster6,RanchoCucamonga3GreatLakes4,Dayton2Billings7,Ogden5AZLDodgers4,AZLAthletics1DSLRays14,DSLDodgers10

DSLRays27,DSLDodgers25Saturday’sschedule4:05p.m.PT:GreatLakes(TBD)vs.FortWayneTinCaps[Padres](RonaldBolaños)5:10p.m.:Tulsa(YadierAlvarez)atArkansas(JustinDeFratus)6:05p.m.:Ogden(OsirisRamirez)atBillings(MacSceroler)7:05p.m.:OklahomaCity(JustinMasterson)atLasVegas(DonovanHand)7:05p.m.:RanchoCucamonga(AndrewThurman)vs.Lancaster(BrandonGold)

DODGERINSIDERTheDodgerwaytoa43–7,50-gamerunByCaryOsborneWe’veseenthesethingsbefore.LeadsontheDodgersareneversafe.Andinthelast50games,teamshaveledtheDodgersatonepointduringagame16timesonlytoseeLosAngelescomebackandwin.InthefirstinningonSaturday,RichHillsurrenderedsolohomerunstoMichaelConforto,WilmerFloresandCurtisGranderson — a3–0deficit,addinginsulttoinjurywasthefashioninwhichtheMetsdeliveredthepain.AndyettheDodgersshookitoff,hitfivehomerunsoftheirownandbeatNewYork7–4atCitiField.Theyarenow43–7intheirlast50games,bestingtheir42–8runof2013.TheDodgersarethefirstteamtogo43–7ina50-gamestretchsincethe1912NewYorkGiants.“Itspeakstothewayeverybodygoesabouttheirbusinessandhowwecontinuetofollowtheprocessandkeepthingsverysimple,”Hillsaidoftherun.“Youhaveasensethewaywe’vebeenabletocomebacklateingamesandyoubuilduponthat.Andthosearethethingsyouknowwillcomeaboutingamesliketoday.You’reneveroutofit.Wealwaysfeellikewe’reinagameifwe’rebehind.”TheDodgersdidn’thaveahitoffMetsstarterSethLugountilYasmaniGrandal’stwo-outdoubleinthetopofthefifthinning.ThentheDodgersflippedthepowerswitch.ChrisTaylorledoffthesixthinningwithasolohomer.Taylorhashitahomeruninthreeconsecutivegames.

Threebatterslater,CodyBellingerhitatwo-runhomer — his31stbomboftheyear.He’snowfourshortoftyingMikePiazza’sfranchiserecordsetin1993.Withthescoretied3–3intheseventh,YasielPuighitasolohomerun — hissecondstraightdaywithahomer.Inthetopoftheninth,JustinTurnerhitasolohomerandCoreySeageraddedatwo-runhomerinthetopoftheninthinning. ThisisthesecondtimethisseasontheDodgershavehitfivehomerunsinagameagainsttheMets.TheDodgershitfiveagainsttheMetsonJune20 — Seagerhitthreeofthem.HillafterthefirstHillallowedthreehits,awalkandstruckoutsevenMetsinhisfourinningsworkedafterthefirst.Hestruckouteightbattersinthegame.BrandonMorrow,PedroBaezandTonyWatsonworkedoneinningofscorelessreliefeach.RossStriplingallowedahomeruntoReneRiveraintheninth,buthegottheDodgerstothefinishline.GrandalexitsYasmaniGrandalleftthegameinthebottomoftheeighthwithabackspasm.Hefeltthespasmduringthetopoftheeighthduringanat-bat.GoingforthesweepTheDodgersgoforthesweeponSundayandlooktofinishtheseason7–0vs.theMetswithHyun-JinRyuonthemoundina5p.m.PacificTimestart.TheresurgentYasielPuighasbeenamajorfactorfortheDodgersByCaryOsborne08/05DodgersatMets,1:05p.m.PT:ChrisTaylorLFCoreySeagerSSJustinTurner3BCodyBellinger1BJocPedersonCFLoganForsythe2BYasmaniGrandalCYasielPuigRFRichHillPOneyearagotoday,YasielPuigwasinlimbo.OnAugust2,2016,PuigwasoptionedtotheminorleaguesandonAug.7,hewasplayingfortheTriple-AOklahomaCityDodgers.

Foraplayersorichinabilityandcharisma,thiswasthebottom.FromthemomentPuigsteppedonaMajorLeagueBaseballfieldin2013,hehasbeenafascination,andthedemotiontotheMinorLeagueswasjustanotherchapterinoneofthemostrivetingstoriesinthegame.Ayearlater,thestorycontinuestobefascinating.We’reofficiallytwo-thirdsandonegameintothe2017seasonandPuighassetacareerhighforhomerunsandstolenbasesandisarguablythebestdefensiverightfielderintheNationalLeague.AccordingtoFanGraphs,PuigleadsallqualifyingNationalLeaguerightfieldersindefensiverunsaboveaverage(2.2),UZR(6.5)andURR/150 — equatedto150games — (13.6)andistiedfordefensiverunssaved(six).Puighithis20thhomeroftheyearinFriday’s6–0winagainsttheMets.Heisonpacetohit30homersthisseason.Puighasn’thadanOPSabove.800since2014 — hissecondseasonintheleague.He’scurrentlyat.806.His39walksarethesecondhighestofhiscareer,andhe’sonpacefor58.Hiscareerhighis67,setin2014.Heis12of14insteals.Puigisbatting.291/.355/.571withaMajorLeague-high13homerunsbattingeighth.His.927OPSfromtheeightspotissecondinthebigleagues.PatiencehaspaidofffortheDodgers,anddedicationthesameforPuig.TherearenumerousfactorsfortheDodgers’successin2017.YasielPuigisone.

NBCLA

DodgersHitFiveHomeRunsin7-4ComeFromBehindVictoryOverMetsByMichaelDuarteTheDodgersmustloveMetspitching.FivedifferentDodgershithomerunsasLosAngelesralliedfromathree-rundeficittodefeattheNewYorkMets,7-4,onSaturdayafternoonatCitiField.LosAngelescappedofftheir33rdcomebackvictorywithfivehomerunsinthesixthinningorlaterastheyhavehitatotalof23homersagainsttheMetsinsixgamesthisseason.

"WhenyoufaceverygoodpitchingliketheMetshave,we'remorefocusedandguysgettheballintheair,"explainedDodgersmanagerDaveRobertsoftheamountofhomerunsagainsttheMetsthisseason."Otherthanthat,Idon'tknowwhywehitsomanyhomersagainsttheMets."However,thedisplayofpoweronSaturdayafternoonwasnotjustlimitedtoLosAngelesasninedifferentplayershomeredinthegamewitheveryruncomingviathelongball.ThehomerunonslaughtstartedinthefirstinningwhentheMetsputonanaerialassaultagainstthereigningNationalLeaguePitcheroftheMonthforJuly,RichHill.MichaelConfortoledoffthegamewithasolohomeruntocenterfieldtoputtheMetsontoprightaway.Threebatterslater,WilmerFloresandCurtisGrandersonwentback-to-backforNewYorkastheMetsweresittingfastballearlyandoften.AllthreehomerunsallowedbyHillinthefirstinningcameonthefastball.Hillhadnotsurrenderedmorethanonehomeruninagameallseason,butallowedthreesoloshotsinthefirstinningagainsttheMets."Ijustleftafewpitchesoverthemiddleoftheplate,"Hillexplained."Sometimesthosetranslatetopopflys,buttodaytheywerehomeruns."MetsstarterSethLugotookano-hitterintothefifthinningbeforehewasbombardedbytheDodgersinthetopofthesixth."Wewerestrugglingforalittlebit,"BellingertoldAlannaRizzoofthefirstfiveinningsagainstLugo."Butthat'swhyourlineupissodeep,it'shardtogetthroughusthreetimes."ChrisTaylorkickedoffthesixthinningwithasoloshottoleft-center,histhirdconsecutivegamewithahomerunasTaylorcontinuestohitover.416sincetheAll-StarBreakandleadstheNationalLeaguewith33hitssincetheMidsummerClassic.AfterasinglefromJustinTurner,CodyBellingerbeltedhis31sthomerunoftheseason,atwo-runblasttoright-centerthattiedthegameat3-3."Iknowwehitalotofhomeruns,"Bellingersaidofthebarrage."Westayedwithoutapproachandluckilywegotthem."Bellingerisaveragingahomerunevery10.97at-batsandjoinedRyanBraunandChrisYoungasrookiestoreach30homerunsormoreintheirfirstseasoninthebigleaguesinthelastdecade.Lugodidnotfactorinthedecision,allowingthreerunsonfourhitswithtwowalksandfivestrikeoutsinfiveand2/3inningsforNewYork.

Hillalsodidnotfactorinthedecision,despitesettlingdownafterhisfrustratingfirstinning.Afterallowingthreehomeruns,Hillchangeduphisdelivery,switchingtothesidearmtogivehittersanotherlook."Theyscoredthreeinthefirstinningandthenweshutthemdowntherestoftheway,"addedHill."Itspeakstotheresiliencyofthisteam.Howwe'reabletocontinuetofightandcomeback."Thechangeindeliveryworkedashethrewfourscorelessinningsafterthefirst,leavingthegamesurrenderingthreerunsonsixhitswithonewalkandeightstrikeoutsinfiveinnings.Withthegametied3-3,YasielPuighithiscareer-best21sthomerunoftheseasonandsecondisasmanydaysastheDodgerstookthelead4-3.Justforinsurance,JustinTurnerhitasoloshotofhisownoffhisformerteaminthetopoftheeighthinning."It'snicetoseeJT[JustinTurner]getbackontracktoday,"saidRoberts."Coreyisgettinggoingagain,andasyousaw,CT[ChrisTaylor],justcontinuestodowhathedoes."Nottobeoutdone,CoreySeagerjoinedthehomerunpartywithatwo-runblasttorightfieldinthetopoftheninth.ReneRiverahitasolohomerunoffRossStriplinginthebottomoftheninthinningbutitwasnotenoughasNewYorklostforthesixthstraighttimetotheDodgersthisseason.L.A.haswonnineoftheirlasttenroadgamesandareaperfect6-0againsttheMetsthisyear.LosAngelessetafranchiserecordforthebest50-gamestretchinteamhistorywiththeir43rdwinonSaturday.In2013,theDodgerswentona42-8run,butthe2017versionoftheBoysinBluebestedthatmark,becomingthefirstteamtowin43of50gamesinaseasonsincethe1912NewYorkGiants."IthinksomeguysintheclubhousethinkIwasonthatteam,"jokedHillofthe1912Giants."UnfortunatelyImissedthat,andstartedin1926withMurderer'sRow.Itjustspeakstohowwefollowtheprocessandtrusttheprocess."UpNext:Hyun-JinRyustartsonSundayoppositeStevenMatzinamatchupofleft-handersthatwillairnationwideonESPN'sSundayNightBaseball.Firstpitchisscheduledfor5:05PMPST.

SPORTSILLUSTRATED

DodgersContinuetoRackUpAccomplishments,IncludingOwningtheBest50-GameStretchin100YearsByGabrielBaumgaertnerTheDodgershad18outstogive,buttheywereinaperilousspotinthebottomofthesecondinningonSaturdayafternoon.Afterhittingthreefirst-inninghomerunsoffofL.A.starterRichHill,theMetsthreatenedwithrunnersonfirstandsecondandnobodyoutinthetopofthesecond.ButHill,theNLPitcheroftheMonthinJuly,struckoutMichaelConforto(whohadhomeredinthefirst),inducedalazyflyballfromAsdrubalCabreraandstruckoutYoenisCespedestoendtheinning.A3–0deficitremainedjustthat,andHillwouldonlyallowtwobaserunnersfortherestofhisouting.TheproblemwastheDodgerscouldn’tfigureoutMetsstarterSethLugo,whowaseitherforcingL.A.intosoftcontactorstrikingitshittersout(hefinishedwithsevenforthegame).Helosthisno-hitbidinthefifth,andenteredthesixthinningwithathree-runcushion.AndthentheDodgersdidtotheNewYorkwhatthey’vedonetoseeminglyeveryonethisseason.Inaspanoffourbatters,theytiedthegame3–3thankstoasolohomerbyChrisTaylor(histhirdconsecutivegamewithadinger)andatwo-runshotbyrookiesensationCodyBellinger(his31stoftheseason).ThatforcedLugofromthegame,andthankstoaYasielPuigsolohomerintheseventh,aJustinTurnersoloshotintheeighth,andaCoreySeagertwo-runmoonshotintheninth,theDodgerssecureda7–4winovertheMetsandtheir43rdwinintheirlast50games,thebest50-gamestretchofanyteamsincethe1912NewYorkGiants.L.A.isnowonpacetowin115games,ahead-spinningfigurethathasn’tbeentouchedsincethe2001Marinersfinished116–46.TheDodgerscurrentlysitat78–32andare68–20sinceApril26th.Thestatsonlygetsillierfromthere:AfterlosingtothePadresonJuly2nd,L.A.hassweptsixseries(sevenifitwinsagaintomorrow)andhaslosttoonlyoneteam(threetotallossestotheAtlantaBraves)duringthatspan.Theteamhaswon23ofitslast26,andthatisafteritalreadyloggeda10-gamewinningstreakthisseason.Saturday’swinovertheMetswasaclinicalexampleinwhytheDodgersaresodifficulttobeat.Evenwhenthey’redown,theycanvanquishleadsinaninstant.Theyhaveanastonishing96homersduringthecurrent50-gamestretchandarefourthinallofbaseballwith161longballs.They’vereceived46homerunsthisseasonfromtwostarters(TaylorandBellinger)whobegantheseasoninTriple-A.Theteam’sleadinghitter(JustinTurner)enteredSaturday’sgamemiredina4-for-30(.133)slump,anditfinishedwithan8–1recordanyway.CoreySeager,the2016RookieoftheYear,is15forhislast32andhasimprovedhisslashlineto.306/.397/.593.ClaytonKershaw,widelyconsideredthebestpitcherinbaseball,hasbeenshelvedsinceJuly23andthey’velostonegame.TheDodgers’teamERAis3.09,almostahalf-runaheadofthesecond-placeArizonaDiamondbacks(3.52enteringtheirSaturdaynightmatchupagainsttheGiants),andthebullpenERAwas2.95enteringSaturday’sgame,whichtrailedonlytheIndians.Despitebeingthebestregular-seasonteamenteringthetradedeadline,theDodgerstradedforthebeststartingpitcheronthemarketinYuDarvish,andhedebutedFridaynightwithathree-hit,zero-run,10-strikeoutperformance.Left-handedrelieverTonyWatson,acquiredfromthePiratesatthetradedeadline,debutedSaturday;hestruckouthisfirsttwo

hittersandthengotNeilWalkertogroundout…tothecatcher.Thewinningpitcher,BrandonMorrow,hadpitchedin23totalgamesin2015and2016withtheSanDiegoPadres;he’spitchedin23gamesthisseasonfortheDodgersandhasanERAof1.82,oneofthreeregularDodgerrelievers(PedroBaezandcloserKenleyJansenaretheothers)whohaveERAsbelow2.It’seasytoquantifywhytheDodgersaredominatingeverybodyrightnow:theyaretheleague’sbestteamfeastingonaweakschedule(theyhaven’tplayedateamwithacurrentwinningrecordsincetheRoyalsonJuly9th).ButastheyprovedintheirlasttwowinsagainsttheMets,theyareateamwithnovisibleweaknesses.They’llusuallystartabetterpitcherthantheopposition,theycanoutslugyou,theydefendwell,theyseldomblowleadsinthelateinningsandtheyhaveoneofthegame’sbestclosersinKenleyJansen.Ifateamcan’tgetanearlyfive-runlead,theDodgersareatoughteamtobeat.ManagerDaveRobertsishavingthebestsecondseasonofanymanagerinrecentmemory,buthisjobnowistopunctuateasuperbregularseasonwithatleastapennant—somethingtheDodgershaven’twonsince1988—andaWorldSerieswin.BeforethenerveskickinforthefanbaseandfrontofficeczarsAndrewFriedmanandFarhanZaidi,perhapstheycantaketimetorevelinoneofthegreatestregularseasonsinrecentmemory.With55gamesleft,allthat’sleftistodeterminewhatmorethisteamcando.