Friday, April 22, 2016

Blog Kiosk: 4/22/2016 - Dodgers Links - Grandal, Kershaw and Joc Pederson


Yasmani Grandal is smokin' hot... Like, he's hittin' with the kind of magnificence we expect of a Roy Hobbs.

Yesterday afternoon Grandal came off the bench and proved to be a difference maker at the plate.  Having spelled Ellis in the 8th inning, he walked in his first at-bat.  It was in extra innings, though, where his presence was felt.  In the 10th inning and the game deadlocked at one run apiece, Yasmani slammed a double to deep left centerfield to drive in Hernandez (watch it here), who had singled just before.  Then, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen quickly shut to door in the bottom half of the inning to secure a 2-1 victory over Atlanta.

Since coming off the DL, Yasmani Grandal has been slashing an incredible .438/.609/.688/1.296.  In just 23 plate appearances he has tied the team lead in doubles (four) and walks (seven).  Watch him talk about this past game with Alanna Rizzo, here.  Pic above via Dodgers Blue on twitter.

BTW, Kershaw was far from being his best on the mound yesterday.  In eight innings of work he gave up ten hits and had to scramble quite a bit.  Still, he only gave up a single run to keep the Dodgers in the game.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:
“Weird day,” Kershaw said. “You give up a bunch of runs and give up 10 hits, you say you got shelled. You don’t give up a bunch of runs and you give up 10 hits, you scattered it, as they say. It was just a weird deal. Five hits in the first two innings, you just turn the page after that. You really look at it as two games almost.”
Go here to watch some highlights of him on the mound.  Also, Clayton commented about that weird pitch from the 4th inning that you can see below.  Here are more links to check out:
  • This Day in Dodgers History:  Today is the 69th anniversary of the infamous game where Phillies manager Ben Chapman and his team hurled racist epitaphs at Jackie Robinson during the game - causing quite an uproar throughout the nation.  Chapman would eventually be forced to take the infamous photo on the right soon thereafter.
  • Happy Birthday, Dee Gordon!
  • As you've surely heard by now, Clayton Kershaw threw what looked like an eephus pitch to Braves catcher Tyler Flowers in 4th inning.  It was clocked at 46-mph.  Go here to watch it.  After the game he explained what happened, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:
  • I have serious doubts this will change anything.  Congresswoman Janice Hahn, whose father is often credited with bringing the Dodgers to LA, has made an public appeal to both Time Warner and AT&T (parent of Direct TV) to request a joint meeting to discuss the Dodgers television blackout.  Per a statement on her website (at this link are copies of the letters sent to both companies):
“This blackout has gone on far too long,” said Congresswoman Hahn. “Fans are frustrated and they want to know that both sides are working toward a resolution. I am working hard to bring everyone to the table and get our Dodgers back on Los Angeles televisions.”
Unwritten rules are often known as customs. The nice thing about customs, rather than actual rules, is that they can change with the times.
  • RIP, Prince.  With the recent passing of Prince I though I'd pass along this Blowout Buzz post focused on trading cards featuring the famed artist.  Check it out here.  Apparently, there are only two cards of him and one comic book series from the early 90's.
  • Watch Joc Pederson smash some things for the Bleacher Report, via their twitter:

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

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