Blog Kiosk: 7/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - Micah Johnson, Kenley Jansen and Corey Seager

Although our Dodgers didn't make much of an impact in the actual All-Star Game, I think it's fair to say that they all had fun.  Per Adam Berry at MLB.com:

"I mean, you'd like to be a little better. But it was fun," Seager said after the National League's 4-2 loss to the American League at Petco Park. "It was a good experience for me."
...
"It slowed down once the game started. The nerves went away," he said. "The Home Run Derby, that was my, 'Wow, I'm here.' That was a blast. The whole weekend was a blast. I keep saying that, but I can't stress it enough how much fun I had."

Seager struck out in his only at-bat and committed an error on the field.  Furthermore, he was pulled for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning with the bases loaded.  It was just a two run game at the time, and was a key moment in the game.  Unfortunately, the move didn't work.  The pinch hitter, Aledmys Diaz, struck out on six pitches.

(Pic via Jon SooHoo, via @Dodgers on twitter)

Kenley Jansen eventually got into the game with two out in the eighth inning, and struck out Matt Wieters on three straight cut-fastballs.  Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“There wasn’t a better place to be than today,” Jansen said.

Jansen just faced Wieters on July 6 at Dodger Stadium and struck him out swinging. He said he had a good idea on how to pitch him in the All-Star Game. It was extra satisfying to earn the K on the big stage.

“On three pitches, that’s unbelievable,” Jansen said. “I had a blast all game. It’s a great memory for me.”

Photo at the very top taken by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo via @Dodgers on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1954 rookie skipper Walter Alston makes the first of a record nine appearances as NL manager in the annual All-Star Game. The NL defeated the AL, 11-9.

Blog Kiosk: 6/29/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw, Pederson and Julio Urias

Wouldn't you know it.  On his seventh try as a starter, while wearing his favorite number seven on his uniform, Julio Urias earned his first Major League victory.  Via Doug Padilla at ESPN:

“It’s beautiful, incredible; it’s one of the best days of my life,” Urias said through an interpreter. “What more can I say?”

Not only that, he recorded his first Major League hit that happened to score Joc Pederson for the fifth run of the game.  As for what he did on the mound, I think it's best to characterize it as being effectively wild.  In six innings he gave up two hits, two earned runs, six strike outs, picked off one and walked a whopping six batters.

“You know what, he made pitches when he needed to,” Roberts said. “That’s one of the things with Julio is that as he continues to make major league starts and continues to try to be efficient; the walks tonight are something he needs to get better at, but when he needed to make pitches and throw strikes, he did that. The fastball had life, the breaking ball; he threw some really good changeups tonight.”

As relieved as he was afterward to be in possession of not one game ball for the victory but also a second one for his first career hit, Urias also knows he was fortunate.

“I struggled with some pitches, and obviously the walks were too many for any starter, but the good thing was that we could get the win and we could get the results we needed,” Urias said.

Watch Julio Urias speak about his evening with Alanna Rizzo here.

Pic above via SportsNet LA on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1990 Fernando Valenzuela no-hit the Cardinals, 6-0, at Dodger Stadium.  With 119 pitches he struck out seven and walked three.  Also, on this same night, former Dodgers starter Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays; thereby marking the first time in modern Baseball history that two no-hitters were thrown on the same day.  Via Tommy Lasorda, at the time: 

"And it couldn't have happened to a tougher, more competitive guy," Lasorda said. "You look at Fernando and he has done everything in his career except a no-hitter. And now . . . this."

In 1995 Hideo Nomo struck out thirteen Rockies to give him a then team record of 50 strike outs in four consecutive starts.  In 1996 Mike Piazza hit three home runs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.  He is the fifth Dodger to hit three homers in a game.

• Happy Birthday, Pedro Guerrero, Rick Honeycutt and Wilbert "Robbie" Robinson!