2011 Los Angeles Dodgers season
Encyclopedia
In the 2011
Los Angeles Dodgers
season, the team was attempting to rebound from its fourth-place National League West
finish in 2010
. This was the franchise's 54th season in Southern California
, since moving from Brooklyn after the 1957 season
. The Dodgers struggled in the 1st half of the season but wound up finishing with a winning record thanks to playing good baseball in August and September. They still finished the season in third place. Some poistives included pitcher Clayton Kershaw
winning the NL Pitching Triple Crown
Cy Young Award
and Outfielder Matt Kemp
leading the league in Home Runs and RBI and finishing second for the NL MVP.
chose to step down and turn the managerial reins over to his hitting coach Don Mattingly
for the 2011 season. Torre's 2,326th and final win was the last game of the 2010 season. Mattingly's managerial career actually began in the fall of 2010 when he managed the Phoenix Desert Dogs
of the Arizona Fall League
, a team that several Dodger prospects were playing for.
, who had overseen all club operations for the past year. Owner Frank McCourt
would take on a more "direct and active" role with the club.
On November 22, 2010 the Dodgers announced their coaching staff for the 2011 season. Returning from Joe Torre
's staff were pitching coach Rick Honeycutt
and bullpen coach Ken Howell
. Jeff Pentland
, who had been a secondary hitting coach previously, was promoted to hitting coach. New staff members included bench coach Trey Hillman
, secondary hitting instructor Dave Hansen, first base coach Davey Lopes
and third base coach Tim Wallach
.
Dodgers ownership was thrown into question on December 7, when the Judge in Frank McCourt's divorce case against Jamie McCourt
invalidated an agreement that would have given McCourt sole ownership of the Dodgers. McCourt vowed to try some other legal options to keep himself as sole owner of the team.
The Dodgers front office lost a key person when vice-president and assistant general manager Kim Ng
accepted a position as senior VP for Baseball Operations with Major League Baseball.
retired at the end of the 2010 season. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, Rod Barajas
, Hiroki Kuroda
, Vicente Padilla
, Jay Gibbons
, Reed Johnson
and Jeff Weaver
all became free agents. Scott Podsednik
also became a free agent, after declining his part of a mutual option, on November 4. On December 2, the Dodgers chose not to tender a contract to former All-Star, Catcher Russell Martin
, making him a free agent. General Manager Ned Colletti
described this decision as, "one of the toughest decisions I've had to make, maybe ever." Due to Martin's decreased production the past two seasons and his uncertain recovery from season ending surgery in 2010, the Dodgers felt he was not worth the salary increase he would have received in arbitration. They also released relief pitcher George Sherrill
and outfielder Trent Oeltjen
. To clear spots on their 40 man roster, the Dodgers traded infielder Chin-lung Hu
to the New York Mets
for minor league pitcher Michael Antonini and designated reliever Brent Leach
for assignment so that he could sign with the Yokohama BayStars
of the Japanese Leagues.
to a three-year contract. On November 4, Jay Gibbons
re-signed with the Dodgers for one-year. On November 15, the Dodgers re-signed starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda
to a one-year, $12 million, contract. On November 19, the Dodgers signed minor league catcher Héctor Giménez
and added him to their 40-man roster. On November 26, the Dodgers completed their rebuilding of the starting rotation by signing veteran pitcher Jon Garland
. On November 30, the Dodgers signed veteran infielder Juan Uribe
to a three-year contract, intending to make him the new second baseman. Soon afterward, the Dodgers traded incumbent second baseman Ryan Theriot
to the St. Louis Cardinals
for relief pitcher Blake Hawksworth
. On December 3, one day after releasing veteran Russell Martin
, the Dodgers re-signed Catcher Rod Barajas
to a one-year deal. Soon afterward, on December 9, the Dodgers finalized a deal to bring back pitcher Vicente Padilla
with a one-year contract. Padilla was slated to compete with Garland for the fifth starter spot, and also to possibly pitch out of the bullpen. On December 11, the Dodgers signed outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr.
to a one-year deal. On December 14, the Dodgers signed catcher Dioner Navarro
to a contract, to compete with Barajas and A. J. Ellis
for time behind the plate. The Dodgers added to the relief corps on December 16 by signing right-handed pitcher Matt Guerrier
to a three-year contract. The Dodgers signed outfielder Marcus Thames
on January 18.
. For the third season in a row, Belisario missed his reporting date due to visa
problems in his home country. Belisario remained stuck in Venezuela
indefinitely, missing the entire season. The Dodgers also made news on the first day of camp by naming Clayton Kershaw
as the opening day starting pitcher. The Dodgers pitching depth took a major hit when Vicente Padilla
underwent surgery to repair a radial nerve
injury and Jon Garland
suffered a strained oblique
muscle. The spring training injury problems continued with both third baseman Casey Blake
and catcher Dioner Navarro
suffering injuries that would keep them off the opening day roster.
announced that Major League Baseball would appoint a representative to take over all business and day-to-day operations of the Dodgers. The move was likely instigated by media reports that owner Frank McCourt
had to arrange a $30 million loan from Fox
to cover the teams payroll as well as uncertainty over the teams ownership situation relating to the ongoing divorce litigation. On April 25, Selig appointed former Texas Rangers
president Tom Schieffer
to be the man in charge of the Dodgers situation.
In June, Frank & Jamie McCourt reached an out of court settlement of their divorce case, which was contingent on MLB's approval of the proposed television contract between the Dodgers and FOX, which would have included an ownership stake in Fox Sports Prime Ticket. However, on June 20, Commissioner Selig announced that he was rejecting the proposed deal on the grounds that it was not in the best interests of the Dodgers.
With speculation circulating that McCourt would be unable to meet the payroll at the end of June and that he might then lose the team, on June 27, the Dodgers filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection.
at Dodger Stadium
. Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw
outpitched Giants ace Tim Lincecum
, striking out nine batters in seven shutout innings, as the Dodgers won 2–1. After the game, a Giants fan was seriously injured after he was assaulted in the Dodger Stadium parking lot. The incident would provoke increased security at future home games as well as a joint fundraiser by the two teams in support of the man's family. Back on the field, the Dodgers took the second game of the series also, as some aggressive baserunning by Matt Kemp
and two Giants errors were just enough offense to back a solid start by Chad Billingsley
in the 4–3 win. Matt Cain
and three relievers combined to shut out the Dodgers 10–0 the following day, as Ted Lilly
and Kenley Jansen
each gave up four runs in the loss. A big seventh inning, including an RBI triple by Marcus Thames
helped Hiroki Kuroda
and the Dodgers take the series with a 7–5 victory in the finale.
The Dodgers began their first roadtrip of the season in Colorado
for a two-game series with the Rockies
. Troy Tulowitzki
hit a homerun to key the Rockies 3–0 win in the opener and Billingsley struggled in the second game as the Rockies won 7–5. Tony Gwynn, Jr.
singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 11th as the Dodgers beat his former team, the San Diego Padres
4–2 to start their next series. The game had been suspended due to rain in the top of the ninth and was not finished till the following day. Kuroda pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings in the second game of the series as the Dodgers won 4–0. John Ely
made a spot start for the Dodgers on April 10 against the Padres, allowing two home runs while the Dodgers offense could only tally four singles in a 7–2 loss. Kershaw continued his dominance over the Giants in his next start, blanking them for 6 2/3 innings while the Dodgers opened a series in San Francisco with a 6–1 victory. The victory came with a cost, however, as starting shortstop and leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal
suffered a broken thumb while stealing third base. He was placed on the disabled list and the team announced that he would need four to six weeks for total recovery. The Dodgers blew a three run lead in the second game of the series, losing 5–4. Two solo homers by Pablo Sandoval
and Mike Fontenot
in the sixth inning off Ted Lilly led to a 4–3 defeat in the series finale.
The Dodgers returned home on April 14 to begin a four game series against the St. Louis Cardinals
. Kuroda struggled with his control in the opener as the Dodgers lost 9–5. Jon Garland
made his first start of the season the next day, but he was wild and the Dodgers were pounded 11–2. Clayton Kershaw had his first poor outing of the season in game 3 of the series, as the Dodgers lost 9–2 to extend their losing streak to five games. The Dodgers snapped that streak the following day as Billingsley pitched eight shut out innings, while striking out eleven. Matt Kemp hit a walk-off two run home run in the bottom of the ninth for the 2–1 win. The Dodgers then began a four-game homestand with the Atlanta Braves
. Prior to the first game, the Dodgers called up their 2010 minor league player of the year, Jerry Sands
, who doubled in his first at-bat and later picked up his first RBI to back solid pitching from Ted Lilly in the Dodgers 2–1 win. Brandon Beachy
outpitched Kuroda in the next game, as the Braves broke open a tight game with an eight run ninth inning to pull off a 10–1 rout. Jon Garland bounced back from his rough debut to pick up the complete game victory, as Andre Ethier
had three hits including a homerun and Juan Uribe
had four RBI in the Dodgers 6–1 victory. Matt Kemp hit a two-run walk off homerun in the 12th inning as the Dodgers beat the Braves 5–3 to end the series.
On April 22 the Dodgers opened a six game road trip by beating the Chicago Cubs
12–2. The next day, the Cubs scored five runs off Matt Guerrier
in the bottom of the eighth to come from behind to beat the Dodgers 10–8. In the game, Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 20 games. The Dodgers scored five runs in the first inning to back Kuroda's solid 6 2/3 innings pitched as they won the series finale 7–3 over the Cubs. The Dodgers next traveled to Florida
to take on the Marlins
. They lost the opener after a ninth inning fielding error by shortstop Jamey Carroll
allowed the tying run to score in the ninth inning. A batter later, Omar Infante
singled in the winning run off Jonathan Broxton and the Marlins came from behind to win 5–4. On April 26, Ethier extended his hitting streak to 23 games, setting an MLB April record but the Dodgers offense struggled and the team lost to the Marlins 4–2. The Dodgers won the last game of the series 5–4 on an Andre Ethier home run in the 10th inning. Vicente Padilla
pitched the bottom of the 10th, for his first save since 2000.
The Dodgers returned home on April 29 to begin a three-game series against the Padres. In the opener, solo homers by Uribe and Kemp and a game saving diving catch by Tony Gwynn, Jr. helped the Dodgers pick up a 3–2 with. The Dodgers lost 5–2 the next day as wild pitch by Matt Guerrier
and a error by Dioner Navarro
let three costly runs score in the 8th to break the tie.
. Two walks in the ninth inning by Jonathan Broxton
doomed the Dodgers the following day as they lost 4–1, despite seven strong innings from starter Chad Billingsley
, who only allowed one run.Andre Ethier
extended his hitting streak to 29 games, and tied Zack Wheat
for second place on the Dodgers franchise list. The Dodgers dropped the final game of the homestand 5–1 to the Cubs as Ethier sat out the game due to a sore elbow.
The Dodgers dropped their third straight on the opener of a road series against the New York Mets
, 6–3 as Jason Pridie
hit a three-run homer off Kuorda with two outs in the sixth inning. Ethier's hitting streak finally ended on May 7, when he went 0 for 4 against the Mets. He finished with a 30 game hitting streak, second most in Dodgers history behind the 31 game streak by Willie Davis
in 1969. The game was doubly disappointing as the Dodgers losing streak hit 4 with a 4–2 loss. Clayton Kershaw
pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Andre Ethier
hit a two-run homer to end the losing streak with a 4–2 win. The Dodgers road woes continued on May 9, when Manager Don Mattingly
and third baseman Juan Uribe
were both ejected after a bad umpire call in the eighth and the Pirates
scored three runs in the next half inning to beat the Dodgers 4–1. The Dodgers picked up a big win the next day as Matt Kemp
broke open a scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the Dodgers offense took off for a 10–3 win. The Dodgers took the lead in the series on May 11 as they shut out the Pirates 2–0 thanks to an excellent start by Hiroki Kuroda
, who struck out eight in seven innings. The Dodgers finale against the Pirates was called off due to rain after two innings with the Dodgers leading 1–0. The game would eventually be made up on September 1.
The team returned home on May 13 to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks
. Clayton Kershaw
struck out 11 and the bullpen survived a shaky ninth inning to hold on for a 4–3 win. The next day, Chad Billingsley
allowed only hit and one unearned run in eight innings but the Dodgers still lost 1–0 as the offense was completely shut down. The Dodgers offense continued to sputter on May 15, as Ian Kennedy
held them to one run in six innings and the Dodgers lost 4–1. The Milwaukee Brewers
came to town for a brief two game series and took the opener from the Dodgers 2–1 as Carlos Gómez
robbed Uribe of a home run and Shaun Marcum
stifled the Dodgers offense. The Dodgers finally won a game on May 18 as Kuroda and two relievers shut down the Brewers and Matt Kemp
's two run homer in the first provided just enough offense for a 3–0 victory. The San Francisco Giants
came to town on May 19 and beat the Dodgers on a three-run homerun by Cody Ross
in the ninth inning for a 8–5 win. The Dodgers disappointing homestand came to a close when they failed to cash in a basesloaded situation in the bottom of the ninth and fell 3–1 to the Giants. Nate Schierholtz
robbed Jamey Carroll
of a potential game-winning hit to clinch the game.
The Dodgers opened interleague play with a 6–4 10 inning victory over the Chicago White Sox
. However, the next day Jon Garland
got lit up for seven runs in 3 2/3 innings as the Dodgers lost 9–2. The White Sox put another hurt on the Dodgers the next day, 8–3 as both Ethier and Barajas left the game with injuries. On May 24, Kenley Jansen
unraveled in the ninth inning, allowing three runs with two outs to blow a save 4-3 to the Houston Astros
.
Jerry Sands
hit his first career grand slam home run on May 25 to lift the Dodgers to a 5-4 victory. The Dodgers lost the final game of the series as J. R. Towles
hit a walk-off single off Matt Guerrier
in the ninth inning.
The Dodgers returned home on May 28 and pinch hitter Dioner Navarro
hit a bases-loaded line drive single with no outs in the bottom of the ninth o lift the Dodgers to a 3-2 victory and allow rookie Rubby De La Rosa
to pick up his first career victory. The Dodgers offense went back into hibernation mode on the 29th as the Marlins picked up a 6-1 victory. he Dodgers picked up their first series win in more than a month on the 29th, thanks to a dominate performance from Clayton Kershaw
. He pitched his second complete game shutout of his career, recording 10 strikeouts and also picking up two hits, the same amount the Marlins managed in the game. The Dodgers offense also came alive, for an 8-0 victory.
The offense continued against the Rockies on May 30, when James Loney hit a homerun and Ethier was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI in the 7-1 win. Matt Kemp
and Casey Blake
both homered in the Dodgers 8-2 win as the team closed out the month of May with a three game winning streak, where the offense has been unusually productive.
3-0 to begin the month of June.
The Dodgers offense apparently didn't make the road trip to Cincinnati to play the Reds
on June 3, losing 2-1. The Dodgers erased a five-run deficit in the eighth inning on June 4 and won 11-8 in extra innings. Matt Kemp
hit two home runs, including the game tying grand slam in the win. The Dodgers concluded their series with the Reds with a 9-6 win on June 5 as Chad Billingsley
picked up the win and also homered and contributed a career high three RBIs. Cliff Lee
out pitched Ted Lilly
on June 6, striking out 10 in seven innings in the Phillies
3-1 win over the Dodgers. Rookie Rubby De La Rosa
made his first Major League start on July 7, allowing one run in five innings, fellow rookie Dee Gordon
, had hits in his first three career at-bats and Matt Kemp
added the insurance runs with a two-run home run as the Dodgers won 6-2. Cole Hamels
shut down the Dodgers the next day as the Phillies held on for a 2-0 win. Matt Kemp
finished a single away from the cycle, but the Dodgers pitching melted down, allowing five runs in the seventh inning to blow a five-run lead and lose 9-7 to the Colorado Rockies
on June 9. Kemp didn't start the following day, but came off the bench to hit his league leading 19th homer to spark a five-run rally in the ninth, but the Dodgers still fell a bit short, losing to the Rockies 6-5. On June 11, Aaron Miles
and Jamey Carroll
combined to go 8 for 9 and Casey Blake
had a three-run pinch double to spark the offense but it was spectacular defensive plays by Dee Gordon
and Tony Gwynn, Jr.
that saved the game for a shaky bullpen as the Dodgers won 11-7. The Dodgers got the best of Ubaldo Jiménez
in their second meeting with him, as James Loney hit a grand slam and Matt Kemp
and Rod Barajas
added solo blasts in the 10-8 win.
The Dodgers returned home to play the Reds, dropping the opener 6-4 when Dee Gordon
committed a costly error in the seventh inning with the game tied, leading to four runs scoring. The Dodgers wasted a fine start by Kershaw on June 15 as the Scott Elbert
allowed a go-ahead eighth inning single to Joey Votto
and the Reds won 3-2. Scott Rolen
got three hits and drove in three runs as the Reds finished off their sweep of the Dodgers 7-2. The slumping Dodgers were subsequently handled by Houston starter Brett Myers
, who retired 17 consecutive batters at one point and made only 98 pitches in a 7-3 Astros win. The Dodgers home losing streak hit five when they were shut out by the Astros 7-0 on June 18. The game was doubly frustrating because starting catcher Rod Barajas
suffered an ankle strain in the second inning and joined the multitude of Dodgers already on the disabled list. Manager Don Mattingly
said after the game, "We're frustrated, that's for sure, but you know what? We don't have time to be frustrated....This is not the time to feel sorry for ourselves." The Dodgers avoided being swept by the last place Astros with a 1-0 victory on June 19, that ended the five game losing streak. A solo homer by Dioner Navarro
in the bottom of the 8th inning was all the Dodgers offense could muster, but it was enough as Hiroki Kuroda
and two relievers pitched a shutout. In the next game, Clayton Kershaw
was dominant, striking out 11 in a two-hit shutout of the Detroit Tigers
. He also hit a two-run eighth inning single to extended the Dodgers lead in the 4-0 win. Chad Billingsley
's turn was next and he also pitched effectively, allowing just one run in 5 1/3 innings as the Dodgers won their third straight, 6-1, over the Tigers. Matt Kemp
reached base all five times he came up to bat in the series finale, with three hits (including a triple) and two walks but the Dodgers were done in by four home runs hit by the Tigers off of Ted Lilly
in the 7-5 loss. The Los Angeles Angels
came to town next for the next installment of the Freeway Series
. In the opener, the Angels won a sloppy game with baserunning and fielding errors 8-3. "I don't like the way it's going, thats for sure." Manager Don Mattingly
said after the Dodgers lost 6-1 in game 2. The Dodgers bounced back to take the series finale 3-2. Clayton Kershaw
struck out eleven in the game and pitched his second straight complete game, the first Dodger to do so in 11 years. Tony Gwynn, Jr.
's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth won it for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers next continued interleague play with a road trip to play the Minnesota Twins
. The Dodgers had a season high 24 hits and 15 runs as they shutout the Twins. The game was the largest margin of victory for the Dodgers since September 2, 2002
and the largest shutout since June 28, 1969
. Every member of the Dodgers starting lineup had at least one hit, one run and one RBI for the first time in LA Dodger history. The Dodgers couldn't keep the momentum going as Ted Lilly
struggled in the next game, and they lost 6-4 to the Twins. The Dodgers finished the month of June by dropping a close one to the Twins, 1-0. Rubby De La Rosa
pitched a career high seven innings, allowing just the one run on six hits, but it was not enough as the Dodgers offense went back into hibernation. The team finished the month ten games under .500 and fell into last place in the National League Western division. Matt Kemp
summed up the team's attitude, "We have a lot of time left, we're going to keep playing, keep battling, and we're going to try our best to turn this thing around. We've got faith in ourselves."
pitched seven scoreless innings, while allowing only three hits for his first win since mid-May. Clayton Kershaw
struck out ten batters on July 2nd but was also charged with a season-high seven runs, while Jered Weaver
shut down the Dodgers for a 7-1 Angel win. Chad Billingsley
pitched a complete game in the final interleague game against the Angels, but a Russell Branyan
home run in the seventh inning cost him the game, as the Angels beat the Dodgers 3-1.
One positive for the Dodgers amidst their increasingly forlorn season was when Matt Kemp
and Clayton Kershaw
were selected to represent the team at the All-Star Game
. It would be the first all-star appearances for both of them. Andre Ethier
was a Final Vote
candidate but finished second to Shane Victorino
of the Philadelphia Phillies
. However, Victorino was injured and unable to participate so Ethier was selected to replace him on the All-Star roster, his second consecutive All-Star selection.
The Dodgers returned home for a fourth of July matchup with the New York Mets
. The game was only the Dodgers second sellout of the season and for five innings Rubby De La Rosa
offered hope, as he was working on a no-hitter. However, he gave up three doubles in the sixth and the Dodgers found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-2 contest. The Dodgers offense continued to sputter the next day as they left 13 men on base in a 6-0 shut out loss to the Mets. The Dodgers lost their fifth straight game, when the Mets beat them 5-3 on July 6. "Right now it's a little embarrassing because our team is better than last place..." Matt Kemp
said to reporters after the game, "I think we're all disappointed in ourselves at this moment, but we need to just not make excuses, keep playing the game and turn this thing around." Another terrific pitching performance by Clayton Kershaw
snapped the losing streak. He pitched eight shutout innings, while striking out nine in the 6-0 victory. Kershaw became the first Dodger pitcher with nine or more strikeouts in four consecutive starts since Hideo Nomo
in 1996
Chad Billingsley
matched Kershaw with eight shutout innings on July 8, Rafael Furcal
came up with his first RBI since May 29 in the bottom of the eighth and rookie closer Javy Guerra
escaped a bases loaded situation in the ninth as the Dodgers won their second straight shutout, 1-0, against the San Diego Padres
. The next day was another pitching duel. Aaron Harang
and Rubby De La Rosa
both pitched great games, De La Rosa only allowed one hit in his six innings of work and Harang was working on a no-hitter when he was taken out of the game after six. The Dodgers did not record a hit in the game until Juan Uribe
doubled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth off Luke Gregerson
. Dioner Navarro
then singled him home for the winning run in the Dodgers second straight 1-0 victory over the Padres and their third straight shut out win. Andre Ethier
hit two home runs on July 10, to lead the Dodgers to a 4-1 victory, their first series sweep of the season and first four game winning streak of the season. They climbed out of last place and headed into the all-star break with a 41-51 record.
During the all-star break, the Dodgers made a trade.. acquiring outfielder Juan Rivera from the Toronto Blue Jays
for future considerations. To make room on the roster, they designated often-injured Marcus Thames
for assignment. "Juan will be the right-handed counterpart to Tony Gwynn Jr. in left field, and he can fill in at first base," said general manager Ned Colletti
. Matt Kemp
competed in the Home Run Derby
during the All-Star break, but only managed to hit two home runs and did not advance past the first round. Kemp's comment on his performance was, "It's harder than it looks." The National League won the All-Star game 5-1. Kemp reached base twice with a walk and a single, Ethier singled in his only at-bat and Kershaw pitched a scoreless inning on only eight pitches.
The Dodgers began the second half of the season where they left off, extending their winning streak to five with a 6-4 road victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
. Clayton Kershaw
struck out eight in seven innings, allowing four unearned runs in the seventh thanks to a Juan Uribe
error and a Xavier Nady
home run. Juan Rivera welcomed himself to his new teammates by hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw as a Dodger. The streak ended the next day as Hiroki Kuroda
's bad luck continued. He allowed a three run homer to Brandon Allen
, and that was all the Diamondbacks needed as they held on for a 3-2 win, despite Matt Kemp
's 24th homer of the season. Ted Lilly
struck out nine batters in 6 2/3 innings on July 17, but he also gave up two home runs, including one to Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson. Hudson, meanwhile pitched a complete game, and the only run the Dodgers scored in the 4-1 defeat was on a wild pitch. In the game, Lilly became the first Dodger pitcher since Jeff Weaver
in 2005
to allow both 20 homers and 20 steals in a season. The Dodgers next traveled to San Francisco to play the first place Giants
. Ryan Vogelsong
shut down the Dodgers anemic offense, 5-0, to drop them a season worst 13 1/2 games behind the Giants. It was the Dodgers 10th shutout loss of the season. Hong-Chih Kuo
allowed a two-run double to Brandon Belt
in the seventh inning to lead the Giants to a 5-3 victory over the Dodgers on July 19. With the offense continuing to sputter, ranking next to last in runs scored in the league, the team fired hitting coach Jeff Pentland
on July 20. Assistant hitting coach Dave Hansen was promoted to interim hitting coach for the rest of the season. Clayton Kershaw
again snapped the Dodgers losing streak, pitching eight shutout innings while striking out 12 to out duel Giants ace Tim Lincecum
on July 20. Dioner Navarro
's solo homer into McCovey Cove
in the seventh was all the Dodger could muster but it was enough in the 1-0 win.
Kuroda pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, including a two run homer to pitcher John Lannan
as the Dodgers lost 7-2 to the Washington Nationals
at Dodger Stadium
on July 23. Rafael Furcal
hit a walk-off double to beat the Nationals the next day as the Dodgers came from three runs behind to win 7-6. Chad Billingsley
overcame a shaky first inning to retire 21 of the last 22 batters he faced, striking out 10 in seven innings as the Dodgers picked up a rare series win with a 3-1 victory. Rookie pitchers Rubby De La Rosa
and Javy Guerra
led the Dodgers to a 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies
on July 25. De La Rosa threw a career high 113 pitches, allowing just three hits and a run in six innings. After the bullpen faltered in the ninth, Guerra came in with the bases loaded and retired the Rockies four and five hitters for the save. The Dodgers won their fourth straight the following day, as Kershaw picked up his 12th win of the season with a 3-2 victory. With the trading deadline approaching and much speculation about the possibility of him being traded, Hiroki Kuroda
took the mound for the Dodgers on July 27. Kuorda pitched well, allowing only one run in six innings but was saddled with his 13th loss when the Dodgers offense again failed to hit, scoring only 1 run in the 3-1 defeat. Kuroda, despite pitching well all season, became the first Dodger pitcher with back to back 13 loss seasons since Orel Hershiser
in 1992
and 1993
. Matt Kemp
homered and knocked in five runs in the Dodgers 9-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
on July 29. Chad Billingsley
walked five batters in 5 2/3 innings and they all came around to score as the Dodgers dropped a game to the Diamondbacks 6-4. Meanwhile, Kuroda exercised the "no trade clause" in his contract to ensure he would remain with the team for the remainder of the season. The Dodgers did make a move though, trading injury prone shortstop Rafael Furcal
to the St. Louis Cardinals
for minor league outfielder Alex Castellanos. The Dodgers month came to a close when Rubby De La Rosa
allowed back-to-back home runs to the Diamondbacks in the second inning and the team limped to a 6-3 defeat, finishing off yet another month with a losing record.
started August off on the right foot, pitching his fourth complete game of the season and picking up his league leading 13th win in the 6-2 road victory over the San Diego Padres
. In his first start since electing not to be traded, Hiroki Kuroda
was masterful, pitching seven shutout innings while striking out eight as the Dodgers beat the Padres 1-0 for Kuroda's first win since July 1. The news was not all good on the day however, as the team announced that rookie starter Rubby De La Rosa
would have to undergo season ending Tommy John surgery
. He was 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA for the Dodgers during his 13 appearances (10 starts). Ted Lilly
allowed only one run (on a solo homer by Jason Bartlett) in six innings the next day, but it was not enough as Tim Stauffer
shut the Dodgers down and the bullpen coughed up a couple more runs in a 3-0 loss to the Padres. Chad Billingsley
picked up his 10th win on August 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks
, 7-4. This would be the fifth straight season with double digit wins for Billingsley. The Dodgers scored six runs on seven hits in the third inning to open up the lead. Javy Guerra
picked up his first four out save for his 10th of the season. On August 6, the Dodger promoted Nathan Eovaldi
from the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts
to make the start against the Diamondbacks. In his Major League debut, he pitched five innings while allowing only two runs and striking out seven. The Dodgers did just enough offensively to get Eovaldi the win, 5-3. Cody Ransom
hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to help the Diamondbacks avoid a sweep and snap Clayton Kershaw
's five game winning streak.
The Dodgers returned home to play the Philadelphia Phillies
. The Dodgers feeble offense managed to pound out 13 hits against Phillies ace Roy Halladay
, but only scored three runs and fell short 5-3. The Dodgers lost another pitchers duel the following day, 2-1, as Cliff Lee
shut down the Dodgers for eight innings and hit a home run to lead the Phillies to the win, despite a good start from Ted Lilly
. The Dodgers offense finally woke up against Vance Worley
in the final game of the series. They jumped out to a 6-0 lead early thanks to a Juan Rivera three-run homer. However, Chad Billingsley
couldn't make it out of the fifth and Blake Hawksworth
gave up a two-run homer to Ryan Howard
as the Dodgers lost 9-8, to be swept by the Phillies and extend their losing streak to four games. The Houston Astros
, the worst team in the majors, came to Dodger Stadium on August 12, featuring a lineup of mostly recent minor league call-ups. However, the Dodgers still had trouble scoring as Nathan Eovaldi
and Bud Norris
engaged in a scoreless duel for six innings. The Dodgers finally broke through with a lead off double by Casey Blake
in the 10th, followed by a walk-off hit by Matt Kemp
for the 1-0 win. Clayton Kershaw
picked up his career high 14th win with eight dominate innings against the Astros in a 6-1 Dodger victory. Kemp's two run homer in the 1st set the tone for the offense. The Dodgers completed their sweep of the Astros with a 7-0 shutout victory on August 14. Hiroki Kuroda
went seven, striking out six. Kemp hit his 28th homer and rookie Justin Sellers
, who was just called up from the minors two days before, hit a three-run blast for his first career homer.
The Dodgers next went back on the road to face the first place Milwaukee Brewers
. Ted Lilly
was again sharp, allowing just two hits in seven innings of work, but one of the hits was a solo home run by Ryan Braun
. The Brewers added two more solo shots off Dodger relievers in the eighth and won 3-0 as the Dodgers hit into 4 double plays and a triple play and were unable to score against Randy Wolf
. The Dodgers had another strong pitching performance from their starter the next day, as Chad Billingsley
allowed only one run in seven innings of work, but the Dodgers were unable to solve Yovani Gallardo
and the game was tied at 1-1 entering the bottom of the ninth. However, relief pitchers Hong-Chih Kuo
and Mike MacDougal
were unable to record an out in the inning and the Brewers recorded the 2-1 walk-off win on Mark Kotsay
's bases loaded pinch-hit single. The Brewers won another pitching duel from the Dodgers the following day 3-1 despite another strong start by rookie Nathan Eovaldi
. Tony Gwynn, Jr.
hit his first home run since July 17, 2010 for the Dodgers lone run of the game. Clayton Kershaw
helped the Dodgers avoid a sweep by pitching eight shutout innings to pick up his 15th win as the Dodgers won 5-1 on August 18. Kershaw became the first Dodger pitcher to pick up his 15th win before September since Hideo Nomo
in 2003
. Hiroki Kuroda
finally got some run support, picking up the win in the Dodgers 8-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies
on August 19. Rod Barajas
hit a three-run homer in the third inning as Kuroda allowed two runs in six innings for his seventh consecutive quality start since the all-star break. The Dodgers blew an extra inning lead and lost to the Rockies 7-6 in 13 innings the next day. They had taken the lead in the top of the 12th on a solo homer by Aaron Miles
and an inside the park homer by Trent Oeltjen
, but rookie closer Javy Guerra
blew his first save of the season. A walk-off single by Dexter Fowler
in the 13th ended the game. Oeltjen's inside the park homer was the 1st by a Dodger since Blake DeWitt
on May 6, 2008
. James Loney had 4 hits in 4 at-bats on the 21st, including his 6th homer of the season. Chad Billingsley
struck out 7 and only allowed 3 hits in 7 2/3 innings, but was victimized by two 2-run homers by Carlos González
and Seth Smith
and the Dodgers dropped the finale against the Rockies 5-3. With the win, the Rockies broke a 17-game losing streak in Sunday games, a Major League record. The Dodgers next started a three game series on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals
. Chris Carpenter
blanked the Dodgers through eight innings, but the Dodgers rallied in the ninth as Aaron Miles
hit an RBI triple off Fernando Salas
to tie the score at one and then Rod Barajas
hit a grounder to short that former Dodger Rafael Furcal
bobbled to allow Miles to score with the winning run. Kershaw picked up his 16th win the next night, pitching six scoreless innings in the Dodgers 13-2 win over the Cardinals. Matt Kemp
and Aaron Miles
hit solo homers and Rod Barajas
hit two homers as the Dodger offense had a rare outburst of power. The Dodgers won the final game of the series 9-4 thanks to a six run third inning and another effective performance by Hiroki Kuroda
. The offensive outburst included the first career home run by A. J. Ellis
as the Dodgers picked up their first series sweep of the Cardinals on the road since 1993
. The Dodgers also moved ahead in the lifetime series with the Cardinals 1,002 wins to 1,001 for the Cards.
The Dodgers returned home to open a series against the Colorado Rockies
. Ted Lilly
allowed only one run (on a first inning homer by Carlos González
) in his seven innings of work, but the Dodgers still trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh. However, they managed to score six runs in the seventh to win 6-1. James Loney and Matt Kemp
hit back-to-back home runs in the inning. For Kemp it was his 30th of the season, joining Raúl Mondesí
as the only Dodger members of the 30–30 club. The Dodgers fell behind 4-0 in the second game of the series but battled back with a 5 run sixth to take the lead, only to see Troy Tulowitzki
put the Rockies back up with a 2-run homer off struggling reliever Hong-Chih Kuo
in the top of the seventh. James Loney hit his second homer in as many days to tie the game in the ninth and Matt Kemp
hit his 31st homer, a walkoff shot off Jason Hammel in the 11th. This was the first time Loney had hit home runs in back-to-back days since September 11-12 2007
. The Dodgers short winning streak was snapped the next day as rookie starter Nathan Eovaldi
allowed five runs to score in the top of the first, thanks in part to a defensive miscue by outfielder Trent Oeltjen
. The Dodgers did stage a rally, but still fell shot with a 7-6 loss. Clayton Kershaw
allowed only one run on six hits for his fifth complete game of the year and 17th win as the Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres
4-1 on August 29. James Loney hit his fifth home run in August, after only hitting four the first three months of the season and the Dodgers clinched their first winning month of the season. The Dodgers scored eight runs in the second inning on August 30 as Tim Stauffer
walked six and Andre Ethier
hit a grand slam home run. The Dodgers sent 13 batters to the plate that inning, the most since May 25, 2009
against the Rockies. The Dodgers finished the month of August with their second sweep of the Padres, the big blow was a two-run homer by Rod Barajas
in the second. The Dodgers August record of 17-11 gave them their first winning month since June 2010
.
. Dana Eveland
, who had spent the season in AAA with the Albuquerque Isotopes
was called up to make the start, his first in the Majors since June 2010
. He allowed only one run on six hits in eight innings to collect the win. Some shaky moments from the bullpen made it close in the end, but the Dodgers prevailed 6-4. Chad Billingsley
struggled in the opener of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves
and the Dodgers fell behind 5-0. However, Juan Rivera and James Loney each drove in three runs and Dee Gordon
had three hits, scored three runs and stole two bases as the Dodgers came from behind to win 8-6, for their 10th win in the last 11 games. The Dodgers scored only two runs the following day but managed to win 2-1 in 10 innings as Dee Gordon
hit a standup double to right-center, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly by Juan Rivera. The Dodgers earlier run came on a solo homer by A. J. Ellis
in the second inning. With the win, the Dodgers had their first six game winning streak of the season. Kershaw held the Braves scoreless through 6 innings the next day, while striking out 10 and the Dodgers built a 3-0 lead on a three-run homer by Matt Kemp
. However, a costly error by Aaron Miles
in the seventh allowed the Braves to tie the game and the Braves won a walk-off single by Martín Prado
in the bottom of the ninth to avoid the sweep and snap the Dodgers winning streak. Hiroki Kuroda
gave up three homers in the first inning and four in the game (2 of them to Mike Morse) as the Dodgers fell behind early and never recovered, losing to the Washington Nationals
7-2 on September 6. It was the first time the Dodgers had allowed three homers in the first inning since Fernando Valenzuela
did it on June 25 1988
to the Reds
. The last Dodger pitcher to allow four home runs in a game was D. J. Houlton
on August 29, 2005
. The Nationals young phenom Stephen Strasburg
made his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John Surgery
against the Dodgers on September 6. Strasburg pitched five scoreless innings and had a three-run lead when he left the game, however the Dodgers tied the score with 3 runs in the sixth off the Nationals bullpen. Rod Barajas
hit a tie-breaking two run double in the eighth and Javy Guerra
worked out of trouble in the ninth to preserve the 7-3 win. Dodger pitchers (Lilly
, Guerrier
, Kuo
, Jansen
and Guerra) combined for 17 strikeouts in the game, a season high. The Dodgers scheduled game on September 7 against the Nationals was rained out and scheduled as a double header the next day. On their off day the Dodgers learned that Andre Ethier
would be shut down for the rest of the season while seeking treatment for his injured knee. Juan Rivera smacked two doubles and drove in four runs and Tony Gwynn, Jr.
hit a two-out, two-run double in the top of the ninth as the Dodgers won the first game of their scheduled double-header 7-4. The second game was canceled because of continuing rain. The Dodgers traveled west for a series against their rivals, the San Francisco Giants
. The first game was the third matchup of the season between Kershaw and Tim Lincecum
and like the others it was a great pitching matchup. Linceum allowed only 1 run in his eight innings of work while Kershaw also allowed 1 run (unearned) in eight innings, while striking out nine. The Dodgers pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth to hand Kershaw his 18th win of the season 2-1. The Dodgers managed to get their record back to .500 for the first time since May 2 when they beat the Giants 3-0 on September 10. Dana Eveland
, in his second start of the season, limited the Giants to just three hits in seven + innings. The Dodgers long road trip ended on September 11 with a 8-1 loss to the Giants. Kuroda had his shortest outing of the season, lasting only 4 2/3 innings and then the Giants blew the game open with a five run sixth inning against the Dodger bullpen. Kuroda became the first Dodger pitcher to lose 16 games in a season since Orel Hershiser
in 1987
.
Back at Dodger Stadium after the long road trip, the Dodgers lost to the first place Arizona Diamondbacks
7-2, thanks to a five run sixth inning. The Dodgers prevented Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy
from winning his 20th game by scoring four runs of him in the 1st inning but the offense went into hibernation after that and Gerardo Parra
hit a home run off Hong-Chih Kuo
to tie the game in the 7th inning. Javy Guerra
, in his first two-inning outing in the Majors walked in the go-ahead run in the 10th and the Dodgers lost 5-4. In the series finale, Kershaw allowed only one hit through five innings but was ejected in the sixth inning after hitting Gerardo Parra
with a pitch. The bullpen held on and the Dodgers got just enough runs to win 3-2 and get him his 19th win of the season. The Dodgers were officialy eliminated from the National League West race the next day, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates
6-2. Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf
hit a three-run homer off of Dana Eveland
for the big blow in the game. James Loney hit his first career pinch-hit homerun, a three run blast, in the sixth inning to lead the Dodgers to a 7-2 win over the Pirates the next day. Loney hit another three run homer the following day, the first Dodger to hit three-run homers in consecutive appearances since Jeff Kent
on May 9-10, 2006
. The Dodgers won 6-1 and Matt Kemp
picked up his 40th stolen base in the game, becoming just the 18th Major Leaguer and first Dodger with at least 30 homers and 40 stolen bases in a season. The Dodgers scored six runs in the second inning on September 18, to bludgeon the Pirates 15-1 to get back to .500. James Loney has a career-high five hits and Jerry Sands
and Juan Rivera each had four RBI. The Dodgers began their last home series of the season on September 20 against the Giants with the fourth matchup of the season between Kershaw & Lincecum. Kershaw went 7 1/3 innings, allowed one run and struck out six. He became the Dodgers first 20 game winner since Ramón Martínez in 1990
and the first pitcher to go 5-0 against the Giants in history, beating Lincecum in 4 of those starts. That win moved the Dodgers record above .500 for the first time since April 29, but it didn't last long as Dana Eveland
was roughed up in his next start and the Dodgers lost 8-5 to the Giants. Matt Kemp
hit a three-run homer in the losing effort, for his 35th of the season. He became the 14th player in Major League history with at least 35 home runs and 35 stolen bases. The Dodgers ended their final home stand of the season with an 8-2 victory over the Giants. Kemp put the exclamation point on his MVP candidacy with a career high three doubles and a two-run homer and Kuroda allowed only two runs on five hits in seven-plus innings.
Kemp continued his hot hitting by blasting his 37th home run of the season as the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres
2-0. Eugenio Vélez
, in a rare start, struck out three times to break the 75-year old MLB record for most at-bats in a season without a hit (0 for 36) and tied a 102-year old record for most consecutive at-bats without a hit (0 for 45, counting the previous season). The offense was silenced by Aaron Harang
the following night and Chad Billingsley
, in his final start of the season, allowed three runs in the fifth inning. The Padres held on to beat the Dodgers 3-0. Clayton Kershaw
won his 21st game of the season in his final start on September 25 as the Dodgers beat the Padres 6-2. Kershaw clinched the pitching Triple Crown with a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts. Kemp hit a three-run homer the following night as the Dodgers began their last series of the season with a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
. The victory assured the Dodgers of a winning record for the season. Hiroki Kuroda
, in his final start of the season, pitched six shutout innings and the Dodgers scored five runs in the top of the 10th to lead 6-1 but, with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, reliever Blake Hawksworth
loaded the bases. Javy Guerra
came in, walked in a run, and then gave up a walk-off grandslam to Ryan Roberts
as the Diamondbacks shocked the Dodgers 7-6. In the final game of the season, Matt Kemp
hit his league leading 39th home run and Ted Lilly
pitched seven scoreless innings. The Dodgers escaped a poor ninth by reliever Ramón Troncoso
and won 7-5 to finish their season at 82-79, third place in the National League West.
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
season, the team was attempting to rebound from its fourth-place National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
finish in 2010
2010 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2010 Los Angeles Dodgers season saw the team failing to defend their back-to-back National League West titles as they played their 53rd season in Southern California, since moving from Brooklyn after the 1957 season.-McCourt divorce proceedings:...
. This was the franchise's 54th season in Southern California
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, since moving from Brooklyn after the 1957 season
1957 Brooklyn Dodgers season
The 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers season was overshadowed by Walter O'Malley's threat to move the Dodgers out of Brooklyn if the city did not build him a new stadium in that borough. When the best the mayor could promise was a stadium in Queens, O'Malley made good on his threats and moved the team to Los...
. The Dodgers struggled in the 1st half of the season but wound up finishing with a winning record thanks to playing good baseball in August and September. They still finished the season in third place. Some poistives included pitcher Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
winning the NL Pitching Triple Crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
and Outfielder Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
leading the league in Home Runs and RBI and finishing second for the NL MVP.
Managerial change
After three seasons with the Dodgers, Joe TorreJoe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
chose to step down and turn the managerial reins over to his hitting coach Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
for the 2011 season. Torre's 2,326th and final win was the last game of the 2010 season. Mattingly's managerial career actually began in the fall of 2010 when he managed the Phoenix Desert Dogs
Phoenix Desert Dogs
The Phoenix Desert Dogs are a baseball team that plays in the East Division of the Arizona Fall League located in Phoenix, Arizona. They play their home games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, the spring training home of the Oakland Athletics...
of the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
, a team that several Dodger prospects were playing for.
Front office/Coaching staff
On October 7, 2010, the Dodgers announced that they were severing ties with club president Dennis MannionDennis Mannion
Dennis Mannion, is the former President/Chief Operating Officer, of the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball franchise.Mannion graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in business and sports management...
, who had overseen all club operations for the past year. Owner Frank McCourt
Frank McCourt (executive)
Frank McCourt is the owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. In , he purchased a controlling interest of the Dodgers from Fox Entertainment Group, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation...
would take on a more "direct and active" role with the club.
On November 22, 2010 the Dodgers announced their coaching staff for the 2011 season. Returning from Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
's staff were pitching coach Rick Honeycutt
Rick Honeycutt
Frederick Wayne "Rick" Honeycutt is the current pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Honeycutt was a left-handed pitcher for 21 years from 1977 to 1997. He played with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, and the St. Louis Cardinals...
and bullpen coach Ken Howell
Ken Howell
Kenneth Howell, Jr. , is a former professional baseball player.Howell was born in Detroit, Michigan, and pitched in the Major Leagues from 1984-90...
. Jeff Pentland
Jeff Pentland
Jeffrey William Pentland is a Major League Baseball coach, who was most recently the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Playing career:...
, who had been a secondary hitting coach previously, was promoted to hitting coach. New staff members included bench coach Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
, secondary hitting instructor Dave Hansen, first base coach Davey Lopes
Davey Lopes
David Earle Lopes is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He batted and threw right-handed. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.He is of Cape Verdean descent.-Playing:...
and third base coach Tim Wallach
Tim Wallach
Timothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger...
.
Dodgers ownership was thrown into question on December 7, when the Judge in Frank McCourt's divorce case against Jamie McCourt
Jamie McCourt
Jamie McCourt is the former CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team-Early life:Jamie McCourt was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Jewish parents. Her father, Jack Luskin, ran the Luskin's chain of appliance stores in Maryland. As a 17-year-old freshman at Georgetown University, she met...
invalidated an agreement that would have given McCourt sole ownership of the Dodgers. McCourt vowed to try some other legal options to keep himself as sole owner of the team.
The Dodgers front office lost a key person when vice-president and assistant general manager Kim Ng
Kim Ng
Kim Ng is an American executive in Major League Baseball. She is currently the Senior Vice-President for Baseball Operations with Major League Baseball.-Career:...
accepted a position as senior VP for Baseball Operations with Major League Baseball.
Departing players
Veteran catcher Brad AusmusBrad Ausmus
Bradley David "Brad" Ausmus is a former All Star catcher in Major League Baseball, and currently a special assistant for the San Diego Padres....
retired at the end of the 2010 season. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
, Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
, Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
, Jay Gibbons
Jay Gibbons
Jay Jonathan Gibbons is an American professional baseball outfielder in Major League Baseball. Gibbons was a graduate of Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California...
, Reed Johnson
Reed Johnson
Reed Cameron Johnson is an American professional baseball outfielder. He was born in Riverside, California-College career:...
and Jeff Weaver
Jeff Weaver
Jeffrey Charles Weaver is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has pitched in the majors for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners...
all became free agents. Scott Podsednik
Scott Podsednik
Scott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...
also became a free agent, after declining his part of a mutual option, on November 4. On December 2, the Dodgers chose not to tender a contract to former All-Star, Catcher Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...
, making him a free agent. General Manager Ned Colletti
Ned Colletti
Ned Louis Colletti, Jr. is the General Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He previously served as Assistant General Manager for the San Francisco Giants....
described this decision as, "one of the toughest decisions I've had to make, maybe ever." Due to Martin's decreased production the past two seasons and his uncertain recovery from season ending surgery in 2010, the Dodgers felt he was not worth the salary increase he would have received in arbitration. They also released relief pitcher George Sherrill
George Sherrill
George Friederich Sherrill , also known as "The Brim Reaper", "Flat Breezy", and "Duckbill" , is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is a free agent-College and independent baseball:Sherrill was not drafted after graduating from Austin Peay State...
and outfielder Trent Oeltjen
Trent Oeltjen
Trent Carl Wayne Oeltjen is a Major League Baseball outfielder, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
. To clear spots on their 40 man roster, the Dodgers traded infielder Chin-lung Hu
Chin-Lung Hu
Hu Chin-lung is a Taiwanese professional baseball player. He is currently an infielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. Hu, along with his countryman Fu-Te Ni , has the shortest surname in Major League Baseball history...
to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for minor league pitcher Michael Antonini and designated reliever Brent Leach
Brent Leach
Brent Leach is an American pitcher for the Yokohama BayStars. He previously pitched in 2009 in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers....
for assignment so that he could sign with the Yokohama BayStars
Yokohama BayStars
The are a professional baseball team in the Japanese Central League. Home field is the Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The clubhouse is located near the stadium....
of the Japanese Leagues.
Player signings/trades
On October 19, the Dodgers announced that they had re-signed starting pitcher Ted LillyTed Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
to a three-year contract. On November 4, Jay Gibbons
Jay Gibbons
Jay Jonathan Gibbons is an American professional baseball outfielder in Major League Baseball. Gibbons was a graduate of Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California...
re-signed with the Dodgers for one-year. On November 15, the Dodgers re-signed starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
to a one-year, $12 million, contract. On November 19, the Dodgers signed minor league catcher Héctor Giménez
Héctor Giménez
Héctor Eliner Giménez [Ec-tor he-MEH-nes] is a catcher in Major League Baseball. Giménez is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Houston Astros:...
and added him to their 40-man roster. On November 26, the Dodgers completed their rebuilding of the starting rotation by signing veteran pitcher Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
. On November 30, the Dodgers signed veteran infielder Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
to a three-year contract, intending to make him the new second baseman. Soon afterward, the Dodgers traded incumbent second baseman Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot
Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for relief pitcher Blake Hawksworth
Blake Hawksworth
Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
. On December 3, one day after releasing veteran Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...
, the Dodgers re-signed Catcher Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
to a one-year deal. Soon afterward, on December 9, the Dodgers finalized a deal to bring back pitcher Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
with a one-year contract. Padilla was slated to compete with Garland for the fifth starter spot, and also to possibly pitch out of the bullpen. On December 11, the Dodgers signed outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:...
to a one-year deal. On December 14, the Dodgers signed catcher Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
to a contract, to compete with Barajas and A. J. Ellis
A. J. Ellis
Andrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
for time behind the plate. The Dodgers added to the relief corps on December 16 by signing right-handed pitcher Matt Guerrier
Matt Guerrier
Matthew Olson Guerrier is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He attended college at Kent State University, and made his major league debut on June 17, .-Chicago White Sox:...
to a three-year contract. The Dodgers signed outfielder Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
on January 18.
Spring Training
Spring Training for the 2011 season officially got under way on February 16, 2011 when the pitchers and catchers reported to Camelback Ranch. One pitcher who did not report, however, was reliever Ronald BelisarioRonald Belisario
Ronald J. Belisario is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:...
. For the third season in a row, Belisario missed his reporting date due to visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
problems in his home country. Belisario remained stuck in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
indefinitely, missing the entire season. The Dodgers also made news on the first day of camp by naming Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
as the opening day starting pitcher. The Dodgers pitching depth took a major hit when Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
underwent surgery to repair a radial nerve
Radial nerve
The radial nerve is a nerve in the human body that supplies the upper limb. It supplies the medial and lateral heads of the triceps brachii muscle of the arm, as well as all 12 muscles in the posterior osteofascial compartment of the forearm and the associated joints and overlying skin.It...
injury and Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
suffered a strained oblique
Abdominal internal oblique muscle
The internal oblique muscle is the intermediate muscle of the abdomen, lying just underneath the external oblique and just above the transverse abdominal muscle.-Structure:...
muscle. The spring training injury problems continued with both third baseman Casey Blake
Casey Blake
William Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
and catcher Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
suffering injuries that would keep them off the opening day roster.
Off the field
On April 20, Baseball commissioner Bud SeligBud Selig
Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
announced that Major League Baseball would appoint a representative to take over all business and day-to-day operations of the Dodgers. The move was likely instigated by media reports that owner Frank McCourt
Frank McCourt (executive)
Frank McCourt is the owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. In , he purchased a controlling interest of the Dodgers from Fox Entertainment Group, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation...
had to arrange a $30 million loan from Fox
Fox Entertainment Group
The Fox Entertainment Group is an American entertainment industry company that owns film studios and terrestrial, cable, and direct broadcast satellite television properties...
to cover the teams payroll as well as uncertainty over the teams ownership situation relating to the ongoing divorce litigation. On April 25, Selig appointed former Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
president Tom Schieffer
Tom Schieffer
John Thomas Schieffer, known as Tom Schieffer , is an American diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2005 to 2009 and as U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 2001 to 2005. Schieffer is a friend and former business partner of President George W. Bush. He is the younger brother of Bob...
to be the man in charge of the Dodgers situation.
In June, Frank & Jamie McCourt reached an out of court settlement of their divorce case, which was contingent on MLB's approval of the proposed television contract between the Dodgers and FOX, which would have included an ownership stake in Fox Sports Prime Ticket. However, on June 20, Commissioner Selig announced that he was rejecting the proposed deal on the grounds that it was not in the best interests of the Dodgers.
With speculation circulating that McCourt would be unable to meet the payroll at the end of June and that he might then lose the team, on June 27, the Dodgers filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection.
Season standings
| Opening Day Starters | |
|---|---|
| Name | Position |
| Rafael Furcal Rafael Furcal Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:... |
Shortstop Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
| Tony Gwynn, Jr. Tony Gwynn, Jr. Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:... |
Left fielder Left fielder In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
| Andre Ethier Andre Ethier Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season... |
Right fielder Right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
| Matt Kemp Matt Kemp Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006... |
Center fielder Center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field... |
| James Loney | First baseman First baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... |
| Juan Uribe Juan Uribe Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox... |
Third baseman Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
| Rod Barajas Rod Barajas Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in... |
Catcher Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... |
| Jamey Carroll Jamey Carroll Jamey Blake Carroll is an American professional baseball infielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball.Carroll was born in Evansville, Indiana. In 1992, he graduated from Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana. He later attended and graduated from the University of Evansville... |
Second baseman Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
| Clayton Kershaw Clayton Kershaw Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985... |
Starting pitcher Starting pitcher In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher.... |
March/April
The Dodgers began the season on March 31 against the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
. Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
outpitched Giants ace Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
, striking out nine batters in seven shutout innings, as the Dodgers won 2–1. After the game, a Giants fan was seriously injured after he was assaulted in the Dodger Stadium parking lot. The incident would provoke increased security at future home games as well as a joint fundraiser by the two teams in support of the man's family. Back on the field, the Dodgers took the second game of the series also, as some aggressive baserunning by Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
and two Giants errors were just enough offense to back a solid start by Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
in the 4–3 win. Matt Cain
Matt Cain
Matthew Thomas Cain is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants...
and three relievers combined to shut out the Dodgers 10–0 the following day, as Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
and Kenley Jansen
Kenley Jansen
Kenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
each gave up four runs in the loss. A big seventh inning, including an RBI triple by Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
helped Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
and the Dodgers take the series with a 7–5 victory in the finale.
The Dodgers began their first roadtrip of the season in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
for a two-game series with the Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Trevor Tulowitzki , nicknamed Tulo, is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.Tulowitzki's arm, range and instincts at shortstop are highly regarded...
hit a homerun to key the Rockies 3–0 win in the opener and Billingsley struggled in the second game as the Rockies won 7–5. Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:...
singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 11th as the Dodgers beat his former team, the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
4–2 to start their next series. The game had been suspended due to rain in the top of the ninth and was not finished till the following day. Kuroda pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings in the second game of the series as the Dodgers won 4–0. John Ely
John Ely (baseball)
John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
made a spot start for the Dodgers on April 10 against the Padres, allowing two home runs while the Dodgers offense could only tally four singles in a 7–2 loss. Kershaw continued his dominance over the Giants in his next start, blanking them for 6 2/3 innings while the Dodgers opened a series in San Francisco with a 6–1 victory. The victory came with a cost, however, as starting shortstop and leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
suffered a broken thumb while stealing third base. He was placed on the disabled list and the team announced that he would need four to six weeks for total recovery. The Dodgers blew a three run lead in the second game of the series, losing 5–4. Two solo homers by Pablo Sandoval
Pablo Sandoval
Pablo E. Sandoval , nicknamed Kung Fu Panda, is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. Sandoval is a 5'11", 237 pound switch hitter. He was born left handed, but did not want to have to play outfield all of his career. He therefore...
and Mike Fontenot
Mike Fontenot
Michael Eugene "Mike" Fontenot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the San Francisco Giants.-High school career:Mike Fontenot was a standout for Salmen High School in Slidell, Louisiana...
in the sixth inning off Ted Lilly led to a 4–3 defeat in the series finale.
The Dodgers returned home on April 14 to begin a four game series against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Kuroda struggled with his control in the opener as the Dodgers lost 9–5. Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
made his first start of the season the next day, but he was wild and the Dodgers were pounded 11–2. Clayton Kershaw had his first poor outing of the season in game 3 of the series, as the Dodgers lost 9–2 to extend their losing streak to five games. The Dodgers snapped that streak the following day as Billingsley pitched eight shut out innings, while striking out eleven. Matt Kemp hit a walk-off two run home run in the bottom of the ninth for the 2–1 win. The Dodgers then began a four-game homestand with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Prior to the first game, the Dodgers called up their 2010 minor league player of the year, Jerry Sands
Jerry Sands
Gerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
, who doubled in his first at-bat and later picked up his first RBI to back solid pitching from Ted Lilly in the Dodgers 2–1 win. Brandon Beachy
Brandon Beachy
Brandon Alan Beachy was born September 3, 1986, to parents Lester and Lori Beachy. He is currently a professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Atlanta Braves organization....
outpitched Kuroda in the next game, as the Braves broke open a tight game with an eight run ninth inning to pull off a 10–1 rout. Jon Garland bounced back from his rough debut to pick up the complete game victory, as Andre Ethier
Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
had three hits including a homerun and Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
had four RBI in the Dodgers 6–1 victory. Matt Kemp hit a two-run walk off homerun in the 12th inning as the Dodgers beat the Braves 5–3 to end the series.
On April 22 the Dodgers opened a six game road trip by beating the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
12–2. The next day, the Cubs scored five runs off Matt Guerrier
Matt Guerrier
Matthew Olson Guerrier is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He attended college at Kent State University, and made his major league debut on June 17, .-Chicago White Sox:...
in the bottom of the eighth to come from behind to beat the Dodgers 10–8. In the game, Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 20 games. The Dodgers scored five runs in the first inning to back Kuroda's solid 6 2/3 innings pitched as they won the series finale 7–3 over the Cubs. The Dodgers next traveled to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to take on the Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. They lost the opener after a ninth inning fielding error by shortstop Jamey Carroll
Jamey Carroll
Jamey Blake Carroll is an American professional baseball infielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball.Carroll was born in Evansville, Indiana. In 1992, he graduated from Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana. He later attended and graduated from the University of Evansville...
allowed the tying run to score in the ninth inning. A batter later, Omar Infante
Omar Infante
Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
singled in the winning run off Jonathan Broxton and the Marlins came from behind to win 5–4. On April 26, Ethier extended his hitting streak to 23 games, setting an MLB April record but the Dodgers offense struggled and the team lost to the Marlins 4–2. The Dodgers won the last game of the series 5–4 on an Andre Ethier home run in the 10th inning. Vicente Padilla
Vicente Padilla
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
pitched the bottom of the 10th, for his first save since 2000.
The Dodgers returned home on April 29 to begin a three-game series against the Padres. In the opener, solo homers by Uribe and Kemp and a game saving diving catch by Tony Gwynn, Jr. helped the Dodgers pick up a 3–2 with. The Dodgers lost 5–2 the next day as wild pitch by Matt Guerrier
Matt Guerrier
Matthew Olson Guerrier is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He attended college at Kent State University, and made his major league debut on June 17, .-Chicago White Sox:...
and a error by Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
let three costly runs score in the 8th to break the tie.
May
After playing .500 ball in April, the Dodgers were shut out by the Padres to start the month of May 7–0. The Dodgers opened a series with the Cubs on May 2 with a 5–2 victory as doubles by Uribe, Barajas and Sands led the Dodgers offense in support of starter Clayton KershawClayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
. Two walks in the ninth inning by Jonathan Broxton
Jonathan Broxton
Jonathan Roy Broxton is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
doomed the Dodgers the following day as they lost 4–1, despite seven strong innings from starter Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
, who only allowed one run.Andre Ethier
Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
extended his hitting streak to 29 games, and tied Zack Wheat
Zack Wheat
Wheat played his first full season in . He played every game for the Superbas that season as the regular left fielder, leading the league in games played. He batted .284 that season, the second-lowest average of his career, which led the team, and was among the league leaders in hits, doubles, and...
for second place on the Dodgers franchise list. The Dodgers dropped the final game of the homestand 5–1 to the Cubs as Ethier sat out the game due to a sore elbow.
The Dodgers dropped their third straight on the opener of a road series against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, 6–3 as Jason Pridie
Jason Pridie
Jason Orville Pridie is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-Tampa Bay Rays:...
hit a three-run homer off Kuorda with two outs in the sixth inning. Ethier's hitting streak finally ended on May 7, when he went 0 for 4 against the Mets. He finished with a 30 game hitting streak, second most in Dodgers history behind the 31 game streak by Willie Davis
Willie Davis (baseball)
William Henry Davis was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Los Angeles Dodgers...
in 1969. The game was doubly disappointing as the Dodgers losing streak hit 4 with a 4–2 loss. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Andre Ethier
Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
hit a two-run homer to end the losing streak with a 4–2 win. The Dodgers road woes continued on May 9, when Manager Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
and third baseman Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
were both ejected after a bad umpire call in the eighth and the Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
scored three runs in the next half inning to beat the Dodgers 4–1. The Dodgers picked up a big win the next day as Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
broke open a scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the Dodgers offense took off for a 10–3 win. The Dodgers took the lead in the series on May 11 as they shut out the Pirates 2–0 thanks to an excellent start by Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
, who struck out eight in seven innings. The Dodgers finale against the Pirates was called off due to rain after two innings with the Dodgers leading 1–0. The game would eventually be made up on September 1.
The team returned home on May 13 to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
struck out 11 and the bullpen survived a shaky ninth inning to hold on for a 4–3 win. The next day, Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
allowed only hit and one unearned run in eight innings but the Dodgers still lost 1–0 as the offense was completely shut down. The Dodgers offense continued to sputter on May 15, as Ian Kennedy
Ian Kennedy
Ian Patrick Kennedy is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.He is 6' 0" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
held them to one run in six innings and the Dodgers lost 4–1. The Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
came to town for a brief two game series and took the opener from the Dodgers 2–1 as Carlos Gómez
Carlos Gómez
Carlos Argelis Gómez Pena, nicknamed "Go-Go", is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.-Minor leagues:...
robbed Uribe of a home run and Shaun Marcum
Shaun Marcum
Shaun Michael Marcum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
stifled the Dodgers offense. The Dodgers finally won a game on May 18 as Kuroda and two relievers shut down the Brewers and Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
's two run homer in the first provided just enough offense for a 3–0 victory. The San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
came to town on May 19 and beat the Dodgers on a three-run homerun by Cody Ross
Cody Ross
Cody Joseph Ross is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has played with the Detroit Tigers , Los Angeles Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds , and Florida Marlins and San Francisco Giants...
in the ninth inning for a 8–5 win. The Dodgers disappointing homestand came to a close when they failed to cash in a basesloaded situation in the bottom of the ninth and fell 3–1 to the Giants. Nate Schierholtz
Nate Schierholtz
Nathan John Schierholtz is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Schierholtz commonly bats without batting gloves, one of the few Major Leaguers to do so...
robbed Jamey Carroll
Jamey Carroll
Jamey Blake Carroll is an American professional baseball infielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball.Carroll was born in Evansville, Indiana. In 1992, he graduated from Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana. He later attended and graduated from the University of Evansville...
of a potential game-winning hit to clinch the game.
The Dodgers opened interleague play with a 6–4 10 inning victory over the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. However, the next day Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
got lit up for seven runs in 3 2/3 innings as the Dodgers lost 9–2. The White Sox put another hurt on the Dodgers the next day, 8–3 as both Ethier and Barajas left the game with injuries. On May 24, Kenley Jansen
Kenley Jansen
Kenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
unraveled in the ninth inning, allowing three runs with two outs to blow a save 4-3 to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
Jerry Sands
Jerry Sands
Gerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
hit his first career grand slam home run on May 25 to lift the Dodgers to a 5-4 victory. The Dodgers lost the final game of the series as J. R. Towles
J. R. Towles
Justin Roberts Towles is a Major League Baseball catcher.The Oakland Athletics originally drafted him in the 32nd round and in the 23rd round in the and Major League Baseball drafts, respectively. He did not sign with them either times...
hit a walk-off single off Matt Guerrier
Matt Guerrier
Matthew Olson Guerrier is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He attended college at Kent State University, and made his major league debut on June 17, .-Chicago White Sox:...
in the ninth inning.
The Dodgers returned home on May 28 and pinch hitter Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
hit a bases-loaded line drive single with no outs in the bottom of the ninth o lift the Dodgers to a 3-2 victory and allow rookie Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
to pick up his first career victory. The Dodgers offense went back into hibernation mode on the 29th as the Marlins picked up a 6-1 victory. he Dodgers picked up their first series win in more than a month on the 29th, thanks to a dominate performance from Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
. He pitched his second complete game shutout of his career, recording 10 strikeouts and also picking up two hits, the same amount the Marlins managed in the game. The Dodgers offense also came alive, for an 8-0 victory.
The offense continued against the Rockies on May 30, when James Loney hit a homerun and Ethier was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI in the 7-1 win. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
and Casey Blake
Casey Blake
William Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
both homered in the Dodgers 8-2 win as the team closed out the month of May with a three game winning streak, where the offense has been unusually productive.
June
The Dodgers brief winning streak came to an end as they were shut out by Ubaldo JiménezUbaldo Jimenez
Ubaldo Jiménez García is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He pitched the first no-hitter in Colorado Rockies history on April 17, 2010, against the Atlanta Braves.-Colorado Rockies :...
3-0 to begin the month of June.
The Dodgers offense apparently didn't make the road trip to Cincinnati to play the Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
on June 3, losing 2-1. The Dodgers erased a five-run deficit in the eighth inning on June 4 and won 11-8 in extra innings. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
hit two home runs, including the game tying grand slam in the win. The Dodgers concluded their series with the Reds with a 9-6 win on June 5 as Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
picked up the win and also homered and contributed a career high three RBIs. Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
out pitched Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
on June 6, striking out 10 in seven innings in the Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
3-1 win over the Dodgers. Rookie Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
made his first Major League start on July 7, allowing one run in five innings, fellow rookie Dee Gordon
Dee Gordon
Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
, had hits in his first three career at-bats and Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
added the insurance runs with a two-run home run as the Dodgers won 6-2. Cole Hamels
Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael "Cole" Hamels is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels throws a four-seam fastball, a circle changeup, a curveball, and a cut fastball, which he added in 2010...
shut down the Dodgers the next day as the Phillies held on for a 2-0 win. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
finished a single away from the cycle, but the Dodgers pitching melted down, allowing five runs in the seventh inning to blow a five-run lead and lose 9-7 to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
on June 9. Kemp didn't start the following day, but came off the bench to hit his league leading 19th homer to spark a five-run rally in the ninth, but the Dodgers still fell a bit short, losing to the Rockies 6-5. On June 11, Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
and Jamey Carroll
Jamey Carroll
Jamey Blake Carroll is an American professional baseball infielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball.Carroll was born in Evansville, Indiana. In 1992, he graduated from Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana. He later attended and graduated from the University of Evansville...
combined to go 8 for 9 and Casey Blake
Casey Blake
William Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
had a three-run pinch double to spark the offense but it was spectacular defensive plays by Dee Gordon
Dee Gordon
Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
and Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:...
that saved the game for a shaky bullpen as the Dodgers won 11-7. The Dodgers got the best of Ubaldo Jiménez
Ubaldo Jimenez
Ubaldo Jiménez García is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He pitched the first no-hitter in Colorado Rockies history on April 17, 2010, against the Atlanta Braves.-Colorado Rockies :...
in their second meeting with him, as James Loney hit a grand slam and Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
and Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
added solo blasts in the 10-8 win.
Dee Gordon
Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
committed a costly error in the seventh inning with the game tied, leading to four runs scoring. The Dodgers wasted a fine start by Kershaw on June 15 as the Scott Elbert
Scott Elbert
Timothy Scott Elbert is a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school years:...
allowed a go-ahead eighth inning single to Joey Votto
Joey Votto
Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.-Early life:Votto was born on...
and the Reds won 3-2. Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
got three hits and drove in three runs as the Reds finished off their sweep of the Dodgers 7-2. The slumping Dodgers were subsequently handled by Houston starter Brett Myers
Brett Myers
Brett Allen Myers is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently playing for the Houston Astros.-High school career:...
, who retired 17 consecutive batters at one point and made only 98 pitches in a 7-3 Astros win. The Dodgers home losing streak hit five when they were shut out by the Astros 7-0 on June 18. The game was doubly frustrating because starting catcher Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
suffered an ankle strain in the second inning and joined the multitude of Dodgers already on the disabled list. Manager Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
said after the game, "We're frustrated, that's for sure, but you know what? We don't have time to be frustrated....This is not the time to feel sorry for ourselves." The Dodgers avoided being swept by the last place Astros with a 1-0 victory on June 19, that ended the five game losing streak. A solo homer by Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
in the bottom of the 8th inning was all the Dodgers offense could muster, but it was enough as Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
and two relievers pitched a shutout. In the next game, Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
was dominant, striking out 11 in a two-hit shutout of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He also hit a two-run eighth inning single to extended the Dodgers lead in the 4-0 win. Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
's turn was next and he also pitched effectively, allowing just one run in 5 1/3 innings as the Dodgers won their third straight, 6-1, over the Tigers. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
reached base all five times he came up to bat in the series finale, with three hits (including a triple) and two walks but the Dodgers were done in by four home runs hit by the Tigers off of Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
in the 7-5 loss. The Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
came to town next for the next installment of the Freeway Series
Freeway Series
The term Freeway Series refers to a series of baseball games played between Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League and the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League...
. In the opener, the Angels won a sloppy game with baserunning and fielding errors 8-3. "I don't like the way it's going, thats for sure." Manager Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
said after the Dodgers lost 6-1 in game 2. The Dodgers bounced back to take the series finale 3-2. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
struck out eleven in the game and pitched his second straight complete game, the first Dodger to do so in 11 years. Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:...
's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth won it for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers next continued interleague play with a road trip to play the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. The Dodgers had a season high 24 hits and 15 runs as they shutout the Twins. The game was the largest margin of victory for the Dodgers since September 2, 2002
2002 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2002 season saw Dan Evans take over as General Manager and in his first season the team won 92 games and was not eliminated from post season contention until the next-to-last day of the season, finishing third overall in the Western Division of the National League. Shawn Green hit 42 home runs...
and the largest shutout since June 28, 1969
1969 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished in fourth place in the new National League Western Division, eight games behind the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers' record for 1969 was 85-77, which was nine wins better than 1968.- Offseason :...
. Every member of the Dodgers starting lineup had at least one hit, one run and one RBI for the first time in LA Dodger history. The Dodgers couldn't keep the momentum going as Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
struggled in the next game, and they lost 6-4 to the Twins. The Dodgers finished the month of June by dropping a close one to the Twins, 1-0. Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
pitched a career high seven innings, allowing just the one run on six hits, but it was not enough as the Dodgers offense went back into hibernation. The team finished the month ten games under .500 and fell into last place in the National League Western division. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
summed up the team's attitude, "We have a lot of time left, we're going to keep playing, keep battling, and we're going to try our best to turn this thing around. We've got faith in ourselves."
July
The Dodgers started the month of July with a 5-0 road win against the Angels. Hiroki KurodaHiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
pitched seven scoreless innings, while allowing only three hits for his first win since mid-May. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
struck out ten batters on July 2nd but was also charged with a season-high seven runs, while Jered Weaver
Jered Weaver
Jered David Weaver , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
shut down the Dodgers for a 7-1 Angel win. Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
pitched a complete game in the final interleague game against the Angels, but a Russell Branyan
Russell Branyan
Russell Oles Branyan is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays first base, but is capable of playing third base and the outfield. Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system...
home run in the seventh inning cost him the game, as the Angels beat the Dodgers 3-1.
One positive for the Dodgers amidst their increasingly forlorn season was when Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
and Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
were selected to represent the team at the All-Star Game
2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 82nd in-season exhibition game between the All-Stars of the National League and the American League ; the leagues composing Major League Baseball. The event was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the...
. It would be the first all-star appearances for both of them. Andre Ethier
Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
was a Final Vote
All-Star Final Vote
All-Star Final Vote is an annual Internet and text message ballot by Major League Baseball fans to elect the final player for each team that participates in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game after all other selections have been made and announced on national television. The first 33 players...
candidate but finished second to Shane Victorino
Shane Victorino
Shane Patrick Victorino is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed.-Career:...
of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. However, Victorino was injured and unable to participate so Ethier was selected to replace him on the All-Star roster, his second consecutive All-Star selection.
The Dodgers returned home for a fourth of July matchup with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. The game was only the Dodgers second sellout of the season and for five innings Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
offered hope, as he was working on a no-hitter. However, he gave up three doubles in the sixth and the Dodgers found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-2 contest. The Dodgers offense continued to sputter the next day as they left 13 men on base in a 6-0 shut out loss to the Mets. The Dodgers lost their fifth straight game, when the Mets beat them 5-3 on July 6. "Right now it's a little embarrassing because our team is better than last place..." Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
said to reporters after the game, "I think we're all disappointed in ourselves at this moment, but we need to just not make excuses, keep playing the game and turn this thing around." Another terrific pitching performance by Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
snapped the losing streak. He pitched eight shutout innings, while striking out nine in the 6-0 victory. Kershaw became the first Dodger pitcher with nine or more strikeouts in four consecutive starts since Hideo Nomo
Hideo Nomo
is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from to...
in 1996
1996 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1996 season saw the Dodgers remain atop the standings most of the season. However, long time manager Tommy Lasorda suffered a heart attack in mid-season and had to step down...
Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
matched Kershaw with eight shutout innings on July 8, Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
came up with his first RBI since May 29 in the bottom of the eighth and rookie closer Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra
Luis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
escaped a bases loaded situation in the ninth as the Dodgers won their second straight shutout, 1-0, against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. The next day was another pitching duel. Aaron Harang
Aaron Harang
Aaron Michael Harang is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Amateur career:Harang graduated from Patrick Henry High School then went on to San Diego State University...
and Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
both pitched great games, De La Rosa only allowed one hit in his six innings of work and Harang was working on a no-hitter when he was taken out of the game after six. The Dodgers did not record a hit in the game until Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
doubled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth off Luke Gregerson
Luke Gregerson
Lucas John "Luke" Gregerson is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres. He owns the major league record for holds in a season.-St. Louis Cardinals:...
. Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
then singled him home for the winning run in the Dodgers second straight 1-0 victory over the Padres and their third straight shut out win. Andre Ethier
Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
hit two home runs on July 10, to lead the Dodgers to a 4-1 victory, their first series sweep of the season and first four game winning streak of the season. They climbed out of last place and headed into the all-star break with a 41-51 record.
During the all-star break, the Dodgers made a trade.. acquiring outfielder Juan Rivera from the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for future considerations. To make room on the roster, they designated often-injured Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
for assignment. "Juan will be the right-handed counterpart to Tony Gwynn Jr. in left field, and he can fill in at first base," said general manager Ned Colletti
Ned Colletti
Ned Louis Colletti, Jr. is the General Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He previously served as Assistant General Manager for the San Francisco Giants....
. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
competed in the Home Run Derby
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
during the All-Star break, but only managed to hit two home runs and did not advance past the first round. Kemp's comment on his performance was, "It's harder than it looks." The National League won the All-Star game 5-1. Kemp reached base twice with a walk and a single, Ethier singled in his only at-bat and Kershaw pitched a scoreless inning on only eight pitches.
The Dodgers began the second half of the season where they left off, extending their winning streak to five with a 6-4 road victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
struck out eight in seven innings, allowing four unearned runs in the seventh thanks to a Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
error and a Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
home run. Juan Rivera welcomed himself to his new teammates by hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw as a Dodger. The streak ended the next day as Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
's bad luck continued. He allowed a three run homer to Brandon Allen
Brandon Allen
Brandon Durell Allen is a Major League Baseball first baseman and left fielder for the Oakland Athletics.-Arizona Diamondbacks:...
, and that was all the Diamondbacks needed as they held on for a 3-2 win, despite Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
's 24th homer of the season. Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
struck out nine batters in 6 2/3 innings on July 17, but he also gave up two home runs, including one to Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson. Hudson, meanwhile pitched a complete game, and the only run the Dodgers scored in the 4-1 defeat was on a wild pitch. In the game, Lilly became the first Dodger pitcher since Jeff Weaver
Jeff Weaver
Jeffrey Charles Weaver is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has pitched in the majors for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners...
in 2005
2005 Los Angeles Dodgers season
In 2005, the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered from a rash of injuries to key players such as closer Eric Gagné, shortstop Cesar Izturis and outfielder J.D. Drew and fell to their second worst record in Los Angeles history, finishing in fourth place in the Western Division of the National League...
to allow both 20 homers and 20 steals in a season. The Dodgers next traveled to San Francisco to play the first place Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Ryan Vogelsong
Ryan Vogelsong
Ryan Andrew Vogelsong is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. In addition to an earlier stint with the Giants , he has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , and for Nippon Professional Baseball's Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes .-Amateur career:He graduated from Octorara...
shut down the Dodgers anemic offense, 5-0, to drop them a season worst 13 1/2 games behind the Giants. It was the Dodgers 10th shutout loss of the season. Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
allowed a two-run double to Brandon Belt
Brandon Belt
Brandon Kyle Belt is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
in the seventh inning to lead the Giants to a 5-3 victory over the Dodgers on July 19. With the offense continuing to sputter, ranking next to last in runs scored in the league, the team fired hitting coach Jeff Pentland
Jeff Pentland
Jeffrey William Pentland is a Major League Baseball coach, who was most recently the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Playing career:...
on July 20. Assistant hitting coach Dave Hansen was promoted to interim hitting coach for the rest of the season. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
again snapped the Dodgers losing streak, pitching eight shutout innings while striking out 12 to out duel Giants ace Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
on July 20. Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
's solo homer into McCovey Cove
McCovey Cove
McCovey Cove is the unofficial name of a section of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field wall of AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, coined after famed Giants first baseman Willie McCovey. The proper name for the cove is China Basin, which is the mouth of Mission Creek as it meets the...
in the seventh was all the Dodger could muster but it was enough in the 1-0 win.
John Lannan
John Edward Lannan is a left-handed starting pitcher in the Washington Nationals organization....
as the Dodgers lost 7-2 to the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
on July 23. Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
hit a walk-off double to beat the Nationals the next day as the Dodgers came from three runs behind to win 7-6. Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
overcame a shaky first inning to retire 21 of the last 22 batters he faced, striking out 10 in seven innings as the Dodgers picked up a rare series win with a 3-1 victory. Rookie pitchers Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
and Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra
Luis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
led the Dodgers to a 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
on July 25. De La Rosa threw a career high 113 pitches, allowing just three hits and a run in six innings. After the bullpen faltered in the ninth, Guerra came in with the bases loaded and retired the Rockies four and five hitters for the save. The Dodgers won their fourth straight the following day, as Kershaw picked up his 12th win of the season with a 3-2 victory. With the trading deadline approaching and much speculation about the possibility of him being traded, Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
took the mound for the Dodgers on July 27. Kuorda pitched well, allowing only one run in six innings but was saddled with his 13th loss when the Dodgers offense again failed to hit, scoring only 1 run in the 3-1 defeat. Kuroda, despite pitching well all season, became the first Dodger pitcher with back to back 13 loss seasons since Orel Hershiser
Orel Hershiser
Orel Leonard Hershiser IV is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently an analyst for Baseball Tonight and Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN and a professional poker player for...
in 1992
1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers season was a poor one for the team as it finished last in the Western Division of the National League with a record of 63 wins and 99 losses. Injuries to key players and slumps from others contributed to the franchise's worst season since moving to Los Angeles...
and 1993
1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI...
. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
homered and knocked in five runs in the Dodgers 9-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
on July 29. Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
walked five batters in 5 2/3 innings and they all came around to score as the Dodgers dropped a game to the Diamondbacks 6-4. Meanwhile, Kuroda exercised the "no trade clause" in his contract to ensure he would remain with the team for the remainder of the season. The Dodgers did make a move though, trading injury prone shortstop Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for minor league outfielder Alex Castellanos. The Dodgers month came to a close when Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
allowed back-to-back home runs to the Diamondbacks in the second inning and the team limped to a 6-3 defeat, finishing off yet another month with a losing record.
August
Clayton KershawClayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
started August off on the right foot, pitching his fourth complete game of the season and picking up his league leading 13th win in the 6-2 road victory over the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. In his first start since electing not to be traded, Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
was masterful, pitching seven shutout innings while striking out eight as the Dodgers beat the Padres 1-0 for Kuroda's first win since July 1. The news was not all good on the day however, as the team announced that rookie starter Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby De La Rosa
Rubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
would have to undergo season ending Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
. He was 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA for the Dodgers during his 13 appearances (10 starts). Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
allowed only one run (on a solo homer by Jason Bartlett) in six innings the next day, but it was not enough as Tim Stauffer
Tim Stauffer
Timothy James Stauffer is an American professional baseball pitcher with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He was born in Portland, Maine....
shut the Dodgers down and the bullpen coughed up a couple more runs in a 3-0 loss to the Padres. Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
picked up his 10th win on August 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, 7-4. This would be the fifth straight season with double digit wins for Billingsley. The Dodgers scored six runs on seven hits in the third inning to open up the lead. Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra
Luis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
picked up his first four out save for his 10th of the season. On August 6, the Dodger promoted Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Edward Eovaldi is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Alvin High School. His draft slot had fallen because he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school...
from the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
to make the start against the Diamondbacks. In his Major League debut, he pitched five innings while allowing only two runs and striking out seven. The Dodgers did just enough offensively to get Eovaldi the win, 5-3. Cody Ransom
Cody Ransom
Bryan Cody Ransom is an American professional baseball utility infielder who is a free agent.-Early life:...
hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to help the Diamondbacks avoid a sweep and snap Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
's five game winning streak.
The Dodgers returned home to play the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. The Dodgers feeble offense managed to pound out 13 hits against Phillies ace Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, but only scored three runs and fell short 5-3. The Dodgers lost another pitchers duel the following day, 2-1, as Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
shut down the Dodgers for eight innings and hit a home run to lead the Phillies to the win, despite a good start from Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
. The Dodgers offense finally woke up against Vance Worley
Vance Worley
Vance Richard Worley , nicknamed "The Vanimal", is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Early career:...
in the final game of the series. They jumped out to a 6-0 lead early thanks to a Juan Rivera three-run homer. However, Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
couldn't make it out of the fifth and Blake Hawksworth
Blake Hawksworth
Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
gave up a two-run homer to Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
as the Dodgers lost 9-8, to be swept by the Phillies and extend their losing streak to four games. The Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, the worst team in the majors, came to Dodger Stadium on August 12, featuring a lineup of mostly recent minor league call-ups. However, the Dodgers still had trouble scoring as Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Edward Eovaldi is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Alvin High School. His draft slot had fallen because he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school...
and Bud Norris
Bud Norris
David Stefan "Bud" Norris is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Houston Astros.- Minor League Career :...
engaged in a scoreless duel for six innings. The Dodgers finally broke through with a lead off double by Casey Blake
Casey Blake
William Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
in the 10th, followed by a walk-off hit by Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
for the 1-0 win. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
picked up his career high 14th win with eight dominate innings against the Astros in a 6-1 Dodger victory. Kemp's two run homer in the 1st set the tone for the offense. The Dodgers completed their sweep of the Astros with a 7-0 shutout victory on August 14. Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
went seven, striking out six. Kemp hit his 28th homer and rookie Justin Sellers
Justin Sellers
Justin Ryan Sellers is a professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of former Boston Red Sox pitcher Jeff Sellers.-Professional career:...
, who was just called up from the minors two days before, hit a three-run blast for his first career homer.
The Dodgers next went back on the road to face the first place Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
was again sharp, allowing just two hits in seven innings of work, but one of the hits was a solo home run by Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
. The Brewers added two more solo shots off Dodger relievers in the eighth and won 3-0 as the Dodgers hit into 4 double plays and a triple play and were unable to score against Randy Wolf
Randy Wolf
Randall Christopher Wolf is a left-handed pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. Randy's older brother Jim is a Major League umpire. Unlike his brother Jim and Houston Astros relief pitcher Ross Wolf, Randy is a boss...
. The Dodgers had another strong pitching performance from their starter the next day, as Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
allowed only one run in seven innings of work, but the Dodgers were unable to solve Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo
Yovani Gallardo is a Mexican-American right-handed starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was selected in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth, Texas....
and the game was tied at 1-1 entering the bottom of the ninth. However, relief pitchers Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
and Mike MacDougal
Mike MacDougal
Robert Meiklejohn MacDougal is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, who is currently a free agent...
were unable to record an out in the inning and the Brewers recorded the 2-1 walk-off win on Mark Kotsay
Mark Kotsay
Mark Steven Kotsay is an American professional baseball outfielder with the San Diego Padres...
's bases loaded pinch-hit single. The Brewers won another pitching duel from the Dodgers the following day 3-1 despite another strong start by rookie Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Edward Eovaldi is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Alvin High School. His draft slot had fallen because he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school...
. Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:...
hit his first home run since July 17, 2010 for the Dodgers lone run of the game. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
helped the Dodgers avoid a sweep by pitching eight shutout innings to pick up his 15th win as the Dodgers won 5-1 on August 18. Kershaw became the first Dodger pitcher to pick up his 15th win before September since Hideo Nomo
Hideo Nomo
is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from to...
in 2003
2003 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2003 season was a turbulent period as News Corporation was seeking to sell the team. Nevertheless, the Dodgers fell just short of a Wild Card berth, winning 85 games, finishing second in the Western Division of the National League...
. Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
finally got some run support, picking up the win in the Dodgers 8-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
on August 19. Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
hit a three-run homer in the third inning as Kuroda allowed two runs in six innings for his seventh consecutive quality start since the all-star break. The Dodgers blew an extra inning lead and lost to the Rockies 7-6 in 13 innings the next day. They had taken the lead in the top of the 12th on a solo homer by Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
and an inside the park homer by Trent Oeltjen
Trent Oeltjen
Trent Carl Wayne Oeltjen is a Major League Baseball outfielder, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
, but rookie closer Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra
Luis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
blew his first save of the season. A walk-off single by Dexter Fowler
Dexter Fowler
William Dexter Fowler is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Baseball career:...
in the 13th ended the game. Oeltjen's inside the park homer was the 1st by a Dodger since Blake DeWitt
Blake DeWitt
Blake Robert DeWitt is an American professional baseball utility player with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-High school:...
on May 6, 2008
2008 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2008 Los Angeles Dodgers season features the Dodgers celebrating their Golden Anniversary in Southern California under new manager Joe Torre as they won the National League West for the first time since 2004, and returned to the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2007. They swept the...
. James Loney had 4 hits in 4 at-bats on the 21st, including his 6th homer of the season. Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
struck out 7 and only allowed 3 hits in 7 2/3 innings, but was victimized by two 2-run homers by Carlos González
Carlos González (baseball)
Carlos Eduardo González is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Minor leagues:...
and Seth Smith
Seth Smith
Garry Seth Smith is a Major League Baseball corner outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Amateur career:...
and the Dodgers dropped the finale against the Rockies 5-3. With the win, the Rockies broke a 17-game losing streak in Sunday games, a Major League record. The Dodgers next started a three game series on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
blanked the Dodgers through eight innings, but the Dodgers rallied in the ninth as Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
hit an RBI triple off Fernando Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
to tie the score at one and then Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
hit a grounder to short that former Dodger Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
bobbled to allow Miles to score with the winning run. Kershaw picked up his 16th win the next night, pitching six scoreless innings in the Dodgers 13-2 win over the Cardinals. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
and Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
hit solo homers and Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
hit two homers as the Dodger offense had a rare outburst of power. The Dodgers won the final game of the series 9-4 thanks to a six run third inning and another effective performance by Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
. The offensive outburst included the first career home run by A. J. Ellis
A. J. Ellis
Andrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
as the Dodgers picked up their first series sweep of the Cardinals on the road since 1993
1993 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1993 Dodgers improved on the dismal 1992 season finishing fourth in the Western Division of the National League. This was in part thanks to this years Rookie of the Year winner, catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza set rookie records with 35 home runs and 112 RBI...
. The Dodgers also moved ahead in the lifetime series with the Cardinals 1,002 wins to 1,001 for the Cards.
The Dodgers returned home to open a series against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
allowed only one run (on a first inning homer by Carlos González
Carlos González (baseball)
Carlos Eduardo González is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Minor leagues:...
) in his seven innings of work, but the Dodgers still trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh. However, they managed to score six runs in the seventh to win 6-1. James Loney and Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
hit back-to-back home runs in the inning. For Kemp it was his 30th of the season, joining Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Ramón Mondesí Avelino is a former Major League Baseball player and the current mayor of San Cristóbal Province in the Dominican Republic. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1994 as a right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers...
as the only Dodger members of the 30–30 club. The Dodgers fell behind 4-0 in the second game of the series but battled back with a 5 run sixth to take the lead, only to see Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Trevor Tulowitzki , nicknamed Tulo, is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.Tulowitzki's arm, range and instincts at shortstop are highly regarded...
put the Rockies back up with a 2-run homer off struggling reliever Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
in the top of the seventh. James Loney hit his second homer in as many days to tie the game in the ninth and Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
hit his 31st homer, a walkoff shot off Jason Hammel in the 11th. This was the first time Loney had hit home runs in back-to-back days since September 11-12 2007
2007 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers' 2007 season started off promisingly with the Dodgers holding the Western Division lead for most of the first half of the season. However, the team faded down the stretch and finished the season in fourth place. Two of the teams big free agent signings, pitchers Jason...
. The Dodgers short winning streak was snapped the next day as rookie starter Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Edward Eovaldi is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Alvin High School. His draft slot had fallen because he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school...
allowed five runs to score in the top of the first, thanks in part to a defensive miscue by outfielder Trent Oeltjen
Trent Oeltjen
Trent Carl Wayne Oeltjen is a Major League Baseball outfielder, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
. The Dodgers did stage a rally, but still fell shot with a 7-6 loss. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
allowed only one run on six hits for his fifth complete game of the year and 17th win as the Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
4-1 on August 29. James Loney hit his fifth home run in August, after only hitting four the first three months of the season and the Dodgers clinched their first winning month of the season. The Dodgers scored eight runs in the second inning on August 30 as Tim Stauffer
Tim Stauffer
Timothy James Stauffer is an American professional baseball pitcher with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He was born in Portland, Maine....
walked six and Andre Ethier
Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
hit a grand slam home run. The Dodgers sent 13 batters to the plate that inning, the most since May 25, 2009
2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season sees the team defend their National League West title while earning the best record in the National League, and marks the fiftieth anniversary of their 1959 World Series Championship...
against the Rockies. The Dodgers finished the month of August with their second sweep of the Padres, the big blow was a two-run homer by Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
in the second. The Dodgers August record of 17-11 gave them their first winning month since June 2010
2010 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2010 Los Angeles Dodgers season saw the team failing to defend their back-to-back National League West titles as they played their 53rd season in Southern California, since moving from Brooklyn after the 1957 season.-McCourt divorce proceedings:...
.
September
The Dodgers traveled to Pittsburgh on September 1st to make up a game that had been rained out on May 12 against the PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Dana Eveland
Dana Eveland
Dana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
, who had spent the season in AAA with the Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
was called up to make the start, his first in the Majors since June 2010
2010 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 129th season of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; the 124th in Major League Baseball . The 2010 season was the Pirates' MLB-record 18th consecutive losing season...
. He allowed only one run on six hits in eight innings to collect the win. Some shaky moments from the bullpen made it close in the end, but the Dodgers prevailed 6-4. Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
struggled in the opener of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and the Dodgers fell behind 5-0. However, Juan Rivera and James Loney each drove in three runs and Dee Gordon
Dee Gordon
Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
had three hits, scored three runs and stole two bases as the Dodgers came from behind to win 8-6, for their 10th win in the last 11 games. The Dodgers scored only two runs the following day but managed to win 2-1 in 10 innings as Dee Gordon
Dee Gordon
Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
hit a standup double to right-center, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly by Juan Rivera. The Dodgers earlier run came on a solo homer by A. J. Ellis
A. J. Ellis
Andrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
in the second inning. With the win, the Dodgers had their first six game winning streak of the season. Kershaw held the Braves scoreless through 6 innings the next day, while striking out 10 and the Dodgers built a 3-0 lead on a three-run homer by Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
. However, a costly error by Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
in the seventh allowed the Braves to tie the game and the Braves won a walk-off single by Martín Prado
Martín Prado
Martín Manuel Prado is a professional baseball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves....
in the bottom of the ninth to avoid the sweep and snap the Dodgers winning streak. Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
gave up three homers in the first inning and four in the game (2 of them to Mike Morse) as the Dodgers fell behind early and never recovered, losing to the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
7-2 on September 6. It was the first time the Dodgers had allowed three homers in the first inning since Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
did it on June 25 1988
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1988 season was a memorable one for the Dodgers as a squad that was picked to finish fourth wound up winning the World Series, beating the heavily favored New York Mets and Oakland Athletics on the way. Kirk Gibson carried the Dodger offense, winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award...
to the Reds
2008 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 2008 season was their 127th in total and their sixth in their present home park, Great American Ball Park. The Reds play in the National League's central division; their divisional foes are the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, and Pittsburgh...
. The last Dodger pitcher to allow four home runs in a game was D. J. Houlton
D. J. Houlton
Dennis Sean "D. J." Houlton Jr. was a Major League Baseball pitcher and is currently a member of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan.Houlton attended Servite High School and the University of the Pacific...
on August 29, 2005
2005 Los Angeles Dodgers season
In 2005, the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered from a rash of injuries to key players such as closer Eric Gagné, shortstop Cesar Izturis and outfielder J.D. Drew and fell to their second worst record in Los Angeles history, finishing in fourth place in the Western Division of the National League...
. The Nationals young phenom Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
made his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John Surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
against the Dodgers on September 6. Strasburg pitched five scoreless innings and had a three-run lead when he left the game, however the Dodgers tied the score with 3 runs in the sixth off the Nationals bullpen. Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
hit a tie-breaking two run double in the eighth and Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra
Luis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
worked out of trouble in the ninth to preserve the 7-3 win. Dodger pitchers (Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
, Guerrier
Matt Guerrier
Matthew Olson Guerrier is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He attended college at Kent State University, and made his major league debut on June 17, .-Chicago White Sox:...
, Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
, Jansen
Kenley Jansen
Kenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
and Guerra) combined for 17 strikeouts in the game, a season high. The Dodgers scheduled game on September 7 against the Nationals was rained out and scheduled as a double header the next day. On their off day the Dodgers learned that Andre Ethier
Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
would be shut down for the rest of the season while seeking treatment for his injured knee. Juan Rivera smacked two doubles and drove in four runs and Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. is a Major League Baseball player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.-Amateur career:...
hit a two-out, two-run double in the top of the ninth as the Dodgers won the first game of their scheduled double-header 7-4. The second game was canceled because of continuing rain. The Dodgers traveled west for a series against their rivals, the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. The first game was the third matchup of the season between Kershaw and Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
and like the others it was a great pitching matchup. Linceum allowed only 1 run in his eight innings of work while Kershaw also allowed 1 run (unearned) in eight innings, while striking out nine. The Dodgers pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth to hand Kershaw his 18th win of the season 2-1. The Dodgers managed to get their record back to .500 for the first time since May 2 when they beat the Giants 3-0 on September 10. Dana Eveland
Dana Eveland
Dana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
, in his second start of the season, limited the Giants to just three hits in seven + innings. The Dodgers long road trip ended on September 11 with a 8-1 loss to the Giants. Kuroda had his shortest outing of the season, lasting only 4 2/3 innings and then the Giants blew the game open with a five run sixth inning against the Dodger bullpen. Kuroda became the first Dodger pitcher to lose 16 games in a season since Orel Hershiser
Orel Hershiser
Orel Leonard Hershiser IV is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently an analyst for Baseball Tonight and Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN and a professional poker player for...
in 1987
1987 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1987 Dodgers finished the season in fourth place in the Western Division of the National League.-Offseason:*December 10, 1986: Acquired Matt Young from the Seattle Mariners for Dennis Powell and...
.
Back at Dodger Stadium after the long road trip, the Dodgers lost to the first place Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
7-2, thanks to a five run sixth inning. The Dodgers prevented Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy
Ian Kennedy
Ian Patrick Kennedy is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.He is 6' 0" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
from winning his 20th game by scoring four runs of him in the 1st inning but the offense went into hibernation after that and Gerardo Parra
Gerardo Parra
Gerardo Enrique Parra is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Major league career:...
hit a home run off Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo
Hong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
to tie the game in the 7th inning. Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra
Luis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
, in his first two-inning outing in the Majors walked in the go-ahead run in the 10th and the Dodgers lost 5-4. In the series finale, Kershaw allowed only one hit through five innings but was ejected in the sixth inning after hitting Gerardo Parra
Gerardo Parra
Gerardo Enrique Parra is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Major league career:...
with a pitch. The bullpen held on and the Dodgers got just enough runs to win 3-2 and get him his 19th win of the season. The Dodgers were officialy eliminated from the National League West race the next day, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
6-2. Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf
Ross Ohlendorf
Curtis Ross Ohlendorf is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is known for his hard-biting sinker. He can hit 97 mph with a two-seam sinking fastball, and he's working to improve his developing changeup, slider, and breaking ball.-High School and College...
hit a three-run homer off of Dana Eveland
Dana Eveland
Dana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
for the big blow in the game. James Loney hit his first career pinch-hit homerun, a three run blast, in the sixth inning to lead the Dodgers to a 7-2 win over the Pirates the next day. Loney hit another three run homer the following day, the first Dodger to hit three-run homers in consecutive appearances since Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent
Jeffrey Franklin Kent is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman. Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, and is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen...
on May 9-10, 2006
2006 Los Angeles Dodgers season
In 2006, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to improve their record from 2005. The team switched General Managers from Paul DePodesta to Ned Colletti, and hired Grady Little as the new manager. The Dodgers were able to win 88 games...
. The Dodgers won 6-1 and Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
picked up his 40th stolen base in the game, becoming just the 18th Major Leaguer and first Dodger with at least 30 homers and 40 stolen bases in a season. The Dodgers scored six runs in the second inning on September 18, to bludgeon the Pirates 15-1 to get back to .500. James Loney has a career-high five hits and Jerry Sands
Jerry Sands
Gerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
and Juan Rivera each had four RBI. The Dodgers began their last home series of the season on September 20 against the Giants with the fourth matchup of the season between Kershaw & Lincecum. Kershaw went 7 1/3 innings, allowed one run and struck out six. He became the Dodgers first 20 game winner since Ramón Martínez in 1990
1990 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Dodgers finished in second place to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 National League Western Division race, as the teams pitching staff led the majors with 29 complete games...
and the first pitcher to go 5-0 against the Giants in history, beating Lincecum in 4 of those starts. That win moved the Dodgers record above .500 for the first time since April 29, but it didn't last long as Dana Eveland
Dana Eveland
Dana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
was roughed up in his next start and the Dodgers lost 8-5 to the Giants. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
hit a three-run homer in the losing effort, for his 35th of the season. He became the 14th player in Major League history with at least 35 home runs and 35 stolen bases. The Dodgers ended their final home stand of the season with an 8-2 victory over the Giants. Kemp put the exclamation point on his MVP candidacy with a career high three doubles and a two-run homer and Kuroda allowed only two runs on five hits in seven-plus innings.
Kemp continued his hot hitting by blasting his 37th home run of the season as the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
2-0. Eugenio Vélez
Eugenio Vélez
Eugenio Vélez Vancomper is a Dominican professional baseball infielder and outfielder who is a free agent.-Toronto Blue Jays :...
, in a rare start, struck out three times to break the 75-year old MLB record for most at-bats in a season without a hit (0 for 36) and tied a 102-year old record for most consecutive at-bats without a hit (0 for 45, counting the previous season). The offense was silenced by Aaron Harang
Aaron Harang
Aaron Michael Harang is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Amateur career:Harang graduated from Patrick Henry High School then went on to San Diego State University...
the following night and Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
, in his final start of the season, allowed three runs in the fifth inning. The Padres held on to beat the Dodgers 3-0. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
won his 21st game of the season in his final start on September 25 as the Dodgers beat the Padres 6-2. Kershaw clinched the pitching Triple Crown with a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts. Kemp hit a three-run homer the following night as the Dodgers began their last series of the season with a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. The victory assured the Dodgers of a winning record for the season. Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
, in his final start of the season, pitched six shutout innings and the Dodgers scored five runs in the top of the 10th to lead 6-1 but, with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, reliever Blake Hawksworth
Blake Hawksworth
Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
loaded the bases. Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra
Luis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
came in, walked in a run, and then gave up a walk-off grandslam to Ryan Roberts
Ryan Roberts
Ryan Alan Roberts is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A right-handed batter, Roberts is 5' 11" tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is married to actress Kim Camille. Roberts has over 30 tattoos.-College career:After graduating from L. D...
as the Diamondbacks shocked the Dodgers 7-6. In the final game of the season, Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
hit his league leading 39th home run and Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
pitched seven scoreless innings. The Dodgers escaped a poor ninth by reliever Ramón Troncoso
Ramon Troncoso
Ramón José Troncoso is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
and won 7-5 to finish their season at 82-79, third place in the National League West.
Game log
| Legend | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dodgers Win | Dodgers Loss | Game Postponed |
| 2011 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Roster
| 2011 Los Angeles Dodgers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches (hitting) (bench) (pitching) (bullpen) (1st base) (hitting) (third base) |
||||||
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; SB = Stolen Bases; Avg. = Batting Average; OBP = On Base Percentage; SLG = Slugging; OPS = On Base + Slugging| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 161 | 602 | 115 | 195 | 33 | 4 | 39 | 126 | 74 | 159 | 40 | .324 | .399 | .586 | .986 | |
| 158 | 531 | 56 | 153 | 30 | 1 | 12 | 65 | 42 | 67 | 4 | .288 | .339 | .416 | .755 | |
| 135 | 487 | 67 | 142 | 30 | 0 | 11 | 62 | 58 | 103 | 0 | .292 | .368 | .421 | .789 | |
| 136 | 454 | 49 | 125 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 45 | 25 | 49 | 4 | .275 | .314 | .346 | .660 | |
| 146 | 452 | 52 | 131 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 17 | 47 | 58 | 10 | .290 | .359 | .347 | .706 | |
| 136 | 312 | 37 | 80 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 22 | 23 | 61 | 22 | .256 | .308 | .353 | .660 | |
| 98 | 305 | 29 | 70 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 47 | 22 | 71 | 0 | .230 | .287 | .430 | .717 | |
| 77 | 270 | 21 | 55 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 28 | 17 | 60 | 2 | .204 | .264 | .293 | .557 | |
| 56 | 224 | 34 | 68 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 27 | 24 | .304 | .325 | .362 | .686 | |
| 62 | 219 | 24 | 60 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 46 | 21 | 35 | 2 | .274 | .333 | .406 | .740 | |
| 63 | 202 | 32 | 51 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 26 | 26 | 50 | 1 | .252 | .342 | .371 | .713 | |
| 61 | 198 | 20 | 50 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 25 | 51 | 3 | .253 | .338 | .389 | .727 | |
| 64 | 176 | 13 | 34 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 20 | 35 | 0 | .193 | .276 | .324 | .600 | |
| 37 | 137 | 15 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 11 | 21 | 5 | .197 | .272 | .248 | .520 | |
| 36 | 123 | 20 | 25 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 1 | .203 | .283 | .301 | .583 | |
| 31 | 85 | 8 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 0 | .271 | .392 | .376 | .769 | |
| 61 | 71 | 10 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 30 | 6 | .197 | .322 | .324 | .646 | |
| 36 | 66 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 0 | .197 | .243 | .333 | .576 | |
| 24 | 55 | 5 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 0 | .255 | .323 | .345 | .668 | |
| 25 | 51 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | .157 | .259 | .294 | .553 | |
| 34 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 1 | .000 | .075 | .000 | .075 | |
| 17 | 32 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 0 | .188 | .235 | .188 | .205 | |
| 7 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | .286 | .333 | .286 | .619 | |
| 7 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | .154 | .313 | .154 | .466 | |
| 7 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | .273 | .273 | .273 | .545 | |
| 4 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .143 | .143 | .143 | .286 | |
| 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 5 | 2.28 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 233.1 | 174 | 66 | 59 | 54 | 248 | |
| 13 | 16 | 3.07 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 202.0 | 196 | 77 | 69 | 49 | 161 | |
| 12 | 14 | 3.97 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 192.2 | 172 | 88 | 85 | 51 | 158 | |
| 11 | 11 | 4.21 | 33 | 32 | 0 | 188.0 | 189 | 98 | 88 | 84 | 152 | |
| 4 | 3 | 4.07 | 70 | 0 | 1 | 66.1 | 59 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 50 | |
| 4 | 5 | 3.71 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 60.2 | 54 | 26 | 25 | 31 | 60 | |
| 3 | 1 | 2.05 | 69 | 0 | 1 | 57.0 | 54 | 16 | 13 | 29 | 41 | |
| 1 | 5 | 4.33 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 54.0 | 55 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 28 | |
| 2 | 1 | 2.85 | 51 | 0 | 5 | 53.2 | 30 | 17 | 17 | 26 | 96 | |
| 2 | 5 | 4.08 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 53.0 | 45 | 29 | 24 | 17 | 43 | |
| 2 | 2 | 2.31 | 47 | 0 | 21 | 46.2 | 37 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 38 | |
| 1 | 2 | 3.63 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 34.2 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 23 | |
| 0 | 1 | 2.43 | 47 | 0 | 2 | 33.1 | 27 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 34 | |
| 3 | 2 | 3.03 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 29.2 | 28 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 16 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2.73 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 29.2 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 28 | |
| 1 | 2 | 9.00 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 27.0 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 36 | |
| 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 22.2 | 38 | 18 | 17 | 4 | 14 | |
| 0 | 1 | 9.88 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 13.2 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 7 | |
| 1 | 2 | 5.68 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 12.2 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 0 | 1 | 4.26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12.2 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 13 | |
| 0 | 0 | 4.15 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 8.2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |
Awards and honors
- 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game2011 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 82nd in-season exhibition game between the All-Stars of the National League and the American League ; the leagues composing Major League Baseball. The event was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the...
- Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
starter - Andre EthierAndre EthierAndre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
reserve - Clayton KershawClayton KershawClayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
reserve
- Matt Kemp
- Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
- Clayton KershawClayton KershawClayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
- Clayton Kershaw
- National League Player of the Week
- Clayton KershawClayton KershawClayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
: June 20-26 - Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
: April 28-May 4 & September 19-25
- Clayton Kershaw
- National League Pitcher of the Month
- Clayton KershawClayton KershawClayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
: July
- Clayton Kershaw
- Baseball America Major League Player of the YearBaseball America Major League Player of the YearThe Baseball America Major League Player of the Year award is given each year by Baseball America to the best player—at any position—in Major League Baseball...
- Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
- Matt Kemp
- Warren Spahn AwardWarren Spahn AwardThe Warren Spahn Award is presented each season by the Oklahoma Sports Museum to the best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball . The award is named after Warren Spahn, who holds the MLB record in wins for a left-handed pitcher with 363....
- Clayton KershawClayton KershawClayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
- Clayton Kershaw
- Hank Aaron AwardHank Aaron AwardThe Hank Aaron Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball players selected as the top hitter in each league, as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It was introduced in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hank Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's career home run mark...
- Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
- Matt Kemp
- Sporting News National League All-Star Team
- Clayton KershawClayton KershawClayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
- Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
- Clayton Kershaw
- Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
- Clayton KershawClayton KershawClayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
- Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
- Andre EthierAndre EthierAndre Everett Ethier , is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 2009, Ethier hit six walk off hits , which was the most by any player in the Major Leagues since 1974. His four walk-off home runs tied the Major League record for most in a season...
- Clayton Kershaw
- Silver Slugger Award
- Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
- Matt Kemp
March 2011
- On March 30, placed RHP Jon GarlandJon GarlandJon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with a left oblique strain. Placed 3B Casey BlakeCasey BlakeWilliam Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with lower back pain. Placed C Dioner NavarroDioner NavarroDioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with right oblique strain. Placed LF Jay GibbonsJay GibbonsJay Jonathan Gibbons is an American professional baseball outfielder in Major League Baseball. Gibbons was a graduate of Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California...
on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with blurred vision in his left eye. Placed RHP Vicente PadillaVicente PadillaVicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, for right elbow surgery. Purchased the contracts of RHP Lance CormierLance CormierLance Robert Cormier is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers.-Early years:Cormier went to Lafayette High School, and graduated in...
, 3B Aaron MilesAaron MilesAaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
and RHP Mike MacDougalMike MacDougalRobert Meiklejohn MacDougal is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, who is currently a free agent...
from AAA Albuquerque. Designated RHP Jon LinkJon LinkJon Paul Link is a right-handed pitcher who is a free agent.-Professional career:Link was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of Bluefield College...
and 1B John LindseyJohn LindseyJohn William Lindsey is a professional baseball first baseman.-Colorado Rockies:A football and baseball star in high school in Hattiesburg, Lindsey was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 13th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft...
for assignment.
April 2011
- On April 10, placed C Héctor GiménezHéctor GiménezHéctor Eliner Giménez [Ec-tor he-MEH-nes] is a catcher in Major League Baseball. Giménez is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Houston Astros:...
on the 15-day disabled list with right knee pain, retroactive to April 9, and recalled RHP John ElyJohn Ely (baseball)John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 11, optioned RHP John ElyJohn Ely (baseball)John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
to AAA Albuquerque, and recalled OF Jamie Hoffmann from AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 12, placed IF Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
on the 15-day disabled list with a broken left thumb, and recalled INF Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr. is a right-handed throwing and right-handed batting Puerto Rican professional baseball player who plays second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers' in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, and he is the son of Iván DeJesús...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 15, activated RHP Jon GarlandJon GarlandJon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
from the 15-day disabled list and optioned OF Jamie Hoffmann to AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 16, placed LHP Hong-Chih KuoHong-Chih KuoHong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
on the 15-day disabled list with back strain, and recalled RHP Ramón TroncosoRamon TroncosoRamón José Troncoso is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 18, designated OF Xavier PaulXavier PaulXavier Brooks Paul, Jr. is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.-Early life:...
for assignment, and purchased the contract of OF Jerry SandsJerry SandsGerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 21, optioned RHP Ramón TroncosoRamon TroncosoRamón José Troncoso is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
to AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 22, activated RHP Vicente PadillaVicente PadillaVicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
from the 15-day disabled list.
- On April 25, activated C Dioner NavarroDioner NavarroDioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
from the 15-day disabled list and optioned C A. J. EllisA. J. EllisAndrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
to AAA Albuquerque.
- On April 29, placed IF Casey BlakeCasey BlakeWilliam Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
on the 15-day disabled list with an infected left elbow, retroactive to April 25, and recalled INF Russ MitchellRuss Mitchell (baseball)Russell Lance Mitchell is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Primarily a third baseman, he has also played first base and left field in the minor leagues.-Professional career:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
May 2011
- On May 1, activated LHP Hong-Chih KuoHong-Chih KuoHong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
from the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Kenley JansenKenley JansenKenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
to AA Chattanooga.
- On May 3, placed OF Marcus ThamesMarcus ThamesMarcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
on the 15-day disabled list with a right quad strain, and activated OF Jay GibbonsJay GibbonsJay Jonathan Gibbons is an American professional baseball outfielder in Major League Baseball. Gibbons was a graduate of Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California...
from the 15-day disabled list.
- On May 6, placed RHP Jonathan BroxtonJonathan BroxtonJonathan Roy Broxton is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
on the 15-day disabled list with elbow problems, and recalled RHP Kenley JansenKenley JansenKenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
from AA Chattanooga.
- On May 11, placed LHP Hong-Chih KuoHong-Chih KuoHong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
on the 15-day disabled list for anxiety disorder, and recalled LHP Scott ElbertScott ElbertTimothy Scott Elbert is a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school years:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On May 13, optioned IF Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr. is a right-handed throwing and right-handed batting Puerto Rican professional baseball player who plays second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers' in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, and he is the son of Iván DeJesús...
to AAA Albuquerque, transferred C Héctor GiménezHéctor GiménezHéctor Eliner Giménez [Ec-tor he-MEH-nes] is a catcher in Major League Baseball. Giménez is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Houston Astros:...
from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list, and purchased the contract of IF Juan CastroJuan CastroJuan Gabriel Castro is a former Mexican professional baseball infielder. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies, during his career...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On May 15, placed RHP Blake HawksworthBlake HawksworthBlake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
on the 15-day disabled list, and recalled RHP Javy GuerraJavy GuerraLuis Javier Guerra is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas...
from AA Chattanooga.
- On May 19, placed RHP Vicente PadillaVicente PadillaVicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 14, with a strained right forearm, and recalled RHP Ramón TroncosoRamon TroncosoRamón José Troncoso is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On May 22, placed IF Juan UribeJuan UribeJuan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 20, with a strained left hip flexor, and recalled IF Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
from the 15-day disabled list.
- On May 24, designed RHP Lance CormierLance CormierLance Robert Cormier is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers.-Early years:Cormier went to Lafayette High School, and graduated in...
for assignment, and purchased the contract of RHP Rubby De La RosaRubby De La RosaRubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
from AA Chattanooga.
- On May 27, activated IF Casey BlakeCasey BlakeWilliam Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
from the 15-day disabled list, and optioned INF Russ MitchellRuss Mitchell (baseball)Russell Lance Mitchell is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Primarily a third baseman, he has also played first base and left field in the minor leagues.-Professional career:...
to AAA Albuquerque.
- On May 29, placed RHP Kenley JansenKenley JansenKenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, purchased the contract of RHP Josh LindblomJosh LindblomJoshua William Lindblom is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Lindblom attended high school at Harrison High School. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros after being listed by Baseball America as the top prospect in the...
from AA Chattanooga, and designated RHP Travis SchlichtingTravis SchlichtingTravis Jay Schlichting is an American baseball player. He is currently a free agent pitcher.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:...
for assignment.
June 2011
- On June 4, placed RHP Jon GarlandJon GarlandJon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, placed IF Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle, and recalled RHP John ElyJohn Ely (baseball)John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
and IF Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr. is a right-handed throwing and right-handed batting Puerto Rican professional baseball player who plays second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers' in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, and he is the son of Iván DeJesús...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On June 6, designated IF Juan CastroJuan CastroJuan Gabriel Castro is a former Mexican professional baseball infielder. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies, during his career...
and OF Jay GibbonsJay GibbonsJay Jonathan Gibbons is an American professional baseball outfielder in Major League Baseball. Gibbons was a graduate of Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California...
for assignment, optioned RHP John ElyJohn Ely (baseball)John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
and IF Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr.Iván DeJesús, Jr. is a right-handed throwing and right-handed batting Puerto Rican professional baseball player who plays second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers' in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, and he is the son of Iván DeJesús...
to AAA Albuquerque, purchased the contract of IF Dee GordonDee GordonDevaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
from AAA Albuquerque, and activated OF Marcus ThamesMarcus ThamesMarcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
, IF Juan UribeJuan UribeJuan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
, and RHP Blake HawksworthBlake HawksworthBlake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
from the 15-day disabled list.
- On June 9, optioned OF Jerry SandsJerry SandsGerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
to AAA Albuquerque, outrighted RHP Luis Vasquez to A Rancho Cucamonga, and purchased the contract of OF Trent OeltjenTrent OeltjenTrent Carl Wayne Oeltjen is a Major League Baseball outfielder, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On June 10, activated C Héctor GiménezHéctor GiménezHéctor Eliner Giménez [Ec-tor he-MEH-nes] is a catcher in Major League Baseball. Giménez is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Houston Astros:...
from the 60-day disabled list and outrighted him to AA Chattanooga.
- On June 18, optioned RHP Josh LindblomJosh LindblomJoshua William Lindblom is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Lindblom attended high school at Harrison High School. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros after being listed by Baseball America as the top prospect in the...
to AA Chattanooga, and activated RHP Kenley JansenKenley JansenKenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
from the 15-day disabled list.
- On June 19, placed C Rod BarajasRod BarajasRodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle, optioned RHP Ramón TroncosoRamon TroncosoRamón José Troncoso is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
to AAA Albuquerque, recalled C A. J. EllisA. J. EllisAndrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
from AAA Albuquerque, and activated LHP Hong-Chih KuoHong-Chih KuoHong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
from the 15-day disabled list.
July 2011
- On July 3, placed IF Casey BlakeCasey BlakeWilliam Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
on the 15-day disabled list with an arthritic neck, and activated SS Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
from the 15-day disabled list.
- On July 3, optioned SS Dee GordonDee GordonDevaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
to AAA Albuquerque, and purchased the contract of IF/OF Eugenio VélezEugenio VélezEugenio Vélez Vancomper is a Dominican professional baseball infielder and outfielder who is a free agent.-Toronto Blue Jays :...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On July 12, acquired OF Juan Rivera from the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for a player to be named later or cash and designated OF Marcus ThamesMarcus ThamesMarcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
for assignment.
- On July 15, activated C Rod BarajasRod BarajasRodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
from the 15-day disabled list, and optioned C A. J. EllisA. J. EllisAndrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
to AAA Albuquerque.
- On July 29, placed RHP Kenley JansenKenley JansenKenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
on the 15-day disabled list with an irregular heartbeat, and recalled RHP Josh LindblomJosh LindblomJoshua William Lindblom is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Lindblom attended high school at Harrison High School. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros after being listed by Baseball America as the top prospect in the...
from AA Chattanooga.
- On July 30, placed IF Juan UribeJuan UribeJuan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip strain, retroactive to July 24, and activated IF Casey BlakeCasey BlakeWilliam Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
from the 15-day disabled list.
- On July 31, traded SS Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
and cash considerations to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for minor league OF Alex Castellanos. Recalled IF Dee GordonDee GordonDevaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
August 2011
- On August 1, placed RHP Rubby De La RosaRubby De La RosaRubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, and recalled RHP John ElyJohn Ely (baseball)John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On August 6, optioned RHP John ElyJohn Ely (baseball)John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
to AAA Albuquerque, and purchased the contract of RHP Nathan EovaldiNathan EovaldiNathan Edward Eovaldi is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Alvin High School. His draft slot had fallen because he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school...
from AA Chattanooga.
- On August 10, placed SS Dee GordonDee GordonDevaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
on the disabled list.
- On August 12, purchased the contract of SS Justin SellersJustin SellersJustin Ryan Sellers is a professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of former Boston Red Sox pitcher Jeff Sellers.-Professional career:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On August 23, designated C Dioner NavarroDioner NavarroDioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
for assignment, and recalled C A. J. EllisA. J. EllisAndrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On August 24, optioned RHP Josh LindblomJosh LindblomJoshua William Lindblom is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Lindblom attended high school at Harrison High School. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros after being listed by Baseball America as the top prospect in the...
to AA Chattanooga, and activated RHP Kenley JansenKenley JansenKenley Geronimo Jansen is a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization...
from the disabled list.
- On August 31, placed RHP Matt GuerrierMatt GuerrierMatthew Olson Guerrier is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He attended college at Kent State University, and made his major league debut on June 17, .-Chicago White Sox:...
on paternity leave, and recalled RHP Josh LindblomJosh LindblomJoshua William Lindblom is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Lindblom attended high school at Harrison High School. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros after being listed by Baseball America as the top prospect in the...
from AA Chattanooga.
September 2011
- On September 1, activated SS Dee GordonDee GordonDevaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.-Prep and college:...
from the 15-day disabled list, recalled 3B Russ MitchellRuss Mitchell (baseball)Russell Lance Mitchell is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Primarily a third baseman, he has also played first base and left field in the minor leagues.-Professional career:...
from AAA Albuquerque and purchased the contract of LHP Dana EvelandDana EvelandDana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On September 4, recalled RHP Ramon TroncosoRamon TroncosoRamón José Troncoso is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
from AAA Albuquerque.
- On September 6, recalled RHP John ElyJohn Ely (baseball)John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League Baseball debut with Dodgers in April 2010.-Early years:...
and OF Jerry SandsJerry SandsGerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
from AAA Albuquerque, and purchased the contract of C Tim FederowiczTim FederowiczTimothy Joseph Federowicz is a catcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.Federowicz was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 7th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of the University of North Carolina...
from AAA Albuquerque. Transferred RHP Vicente PadillaVicente PadillaVicente de la Cruz Padilla is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers...
from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
Farm system
| Level Minor league baseball Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses... |
Team | League | Manager | W | L | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | Albuquerque Isotopes Albuquerque Isotopes The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers... |
Pacific Coast League Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The... |
Lorenzo Bundy Lorenzo Bundy Charles Lorenzo Bundy is the former first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks and current manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes.-Playing career:... |
70 | 74 | 2nd place |
| AA | Chattanooga Lookouts Chattanooga Lookouts The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts... |
Southern League Southern League (baseball) The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams... |
Carlos Subero Carlos Subero Carlos Ingver Subero is a former player and current manager in Minor league baseball. He currently manages the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Los Angeles Dodgers Class "AA" affiliate in the Southern League.... |
77 | 62 | 2nd Place Lost in Playoffs |
| High A | Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Rancho Cucamonga Quakes The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history.... |
California League California League The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth... |
Juan Bustabad Juan Bustabad Juan Bustabad is a minor league baseball player and manager, who currently manages the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the California League.-Playing career:... |
80 | 60 | 1st Place Lost in Playoffs |
| A | Great Lakes Loons Great Lakes Loons The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:... |
Midwest League Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... |
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker John Shoemaker is a former minor league baseball player and current manager of the Great Lakes Loons in the Class-A Midwest League.... |
72 | 67 | 4th Place |
| Rookie | Ogden Raptors Ogden Raptors The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of... |
Pioneer League | Damon Berryhill Damon Berryhill Damon Scott Berryhill is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played ten seasons for the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves, the Boston Red Sox, the Cincinnati Reds, and the San Francisco Giants from to . He threw right and was a switch hitter... |
41 | 35 | 2nd place Lost in Finals |
| Rookie | Arizona League Dodgers | Arizona League Arizona League The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the... |
Jody Reed Jody Reed Jody Eric Reed is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from 1987-1997. The 5'9" second baseman played with the Boston Red Sox from 1987–1992, and in 1990 he led the American League with 45 doubles and finished 10th in the AL with 173 hits... |
34 | 22 | 1st Place League Champions |
| Rookie | DSL Dodgers Dominican Summer Dodgers The Dominican Summer Dodgers are a minor league baseball team in the Dominican Summer League. The team plays in the Boca Chica North division and is affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-External links:*... |
Dominican Summer League Dominican Summer League The Dominican Summer League is a branch of affiliated minor league baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. The 2011 72-game season begins May 28 and ends August 20... |
Pedro Mega | 40 | 29 | 2nd Place |
Minor League notes
- For the 2011 season, the Dodgers chose to replace their Class-A California LeagueCalifornia LeagueThe California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
affiliate. The Rancho Cucamonga QuakesRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
became the new affiliate, replacing the Inland Empire 66ers of San BernardinoInland Empire 66ers of San BernardinoThe Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a minor league baseball team in San Bernardino, California, United States. They are the Class A – Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and play in the California League...
.
- The Double A Chattanooga LookoutsChattanooga LookoutsThe Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
clinched a playoff spot on August 29. They clinched the second half Southern LeagueSouthern League (baseball)The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
North Division title when the Tennessee SmokiesTennessee SmokiesThe Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
lost on September 4. The Lookouts season came to an end when they were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Smokies.
- The Advanced A Rancho Cucamonga QuakesRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
clinched the first half California LeagueCalifornia LeagueThe California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
pennant with a win over the Inland Empire 66ers of San BernardinoInland Empire 66ers of San BernardinoThe Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a minor league baseball team in San Bernardino, California, United States. They are the Class A – Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and play in the California League...
on June 14. The win assured the Quakes of a trip to the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Quakes lost to the Lake Elsinore StormLake Elsinore StormThe Lake Elsinore Storm is a minor league baseball team in Lake Elsinore, California, USA. It is a Class A - Advanced team in the California League, and is a farm team of the San Diego Padres. The Storm plays its home games at Lake Elsinore Diamond...
3 games to 1 in the second round of the playoffs.
- The Rookie-class Ogden RaptorsOgden RaptorsThe Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
clinched the first-half Pioneer Baseball League championship and a playoff spot on July 30. The Raptors beat the Orem OwlzOrem OwlzThe Orem Owlz are a minor league baseball farm team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball franchise. The team plays in Orem, Utah....
in the first round of the playoffs (winning 2 out of 3 games) to advance to the championship series. The Raptors were swept by the Great Falls Voyagers in the League Championship series.
- The Arizona League Dodgers beat the Arizona League Giants 4-2 on August 31 to win the championship of the Arizona LeagueArizona LeagueThe Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
.
- Nine Dodger minor leaguers were selected to play in the Arizona Fall LeagueArizona Fall LeagueThe Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
. Pitchers Steve Ames, Stephen Fife, Cole St. Clair and Josh Wall, catcher Gorman Erickson, shortstop Jake Lemmerman and outfielders Alex Castellanos and Kyle RussellKyle RussellKyle D. Russell is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Russell was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of the University of Texas. He was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Tomball, Texas...
were selected to play for the Salt River Rafters while outfielder Angelo Songco was selected for the Surprise Saguaros.
Batting
- AverageBatting averageBatting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
:
Joseph Winker - OgdenOgden RaptorsThe Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
- .348
Scott Van Slyke - ChattanoogaChattanooga LookoutsThe Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
- .348 - Home RunsHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
:
Jerry SandsJerry SandsGerald R. Sands is an American professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Catawba College...
-AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque IsotopesThe Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
- 29
Angelo Songco - Rancho CucamongaRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
- 29 - RBIRun batted inRuns batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
: Angelo Songco - Rancho CucamongaRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
- 114 - OBP: Scott Van Slyke - ChattanoogaChattanooga LookoutsThe Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
- .427 - SLG: O'Koyea Dickson - OgdenOgden RaptorsThe Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
- .603
Pitching
- ERAEarned run averageIn baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
:Garrett Gould – Great LakesGreat Lakes LoonsThe Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
– 2.40 - Wins:
Dana EvelandDana EvelandDana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
- AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque IsotopesThe Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
- 12
Red Patterson - Rancho CucamongaRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
-12
Will Savage - ChatttanoogaChattanooga LookoutsThe Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
- 12 - StrikeoutStrikeoutIn baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s:Red Patterson - Rancho CucamongaRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
- 172 - Saves:Logan Bawcom - Rancho CucamongaRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
- 27 - WHIPWalks plus hits per inning pitchedIn baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
: Red Patterson - Rancho CucamongaRancho Cucamonga QuakesThe Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
- 1.11
Mid-Season All-Stars
- Pacific Coast LeaguePacific Coast LeagueThe Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
All-Star team
-
- Outfielder Trayvon RobinsonTrayvon RobinsonTrayvon A. Robinson is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.-Los Angeles Dodgers organization:...
(starter) - Pitcher Dana EvelandDana EvelandDana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
- Manager Lorenzo BundyLorenzo BundyCharles Lorenzo Bundy is the former first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks and current manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes.-Playing career:...
- Robinson also competed in the Triple-A version of the Home Run DerbyHome Run DerbyThe Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
.
- Robinson also competed in the Triple-A version of the Home Run Derby
- Outfielder Trayvon Robinson
- Southern LeagueSouthern League (baseball)The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
All-Star Game
-
- Pitcher Cole St. Clair
- Pitcher Nathan EovaldiNathan EovaldiNathan Edward Eovaldi is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Alvin High School. His draft slot had fallen because he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school...
- Pitcher Will Savage
- Pitcher Rubby De La RosaRubby De La RosaRubby Carlos De La Rosa Corporan is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Minor leagues:...
(did not play due to promotion to Dodgers) - Pitcher Michael Antonini (replacement for De La Rosa)
- First Baseman Scott Van Slyke
- Outfielder Kyle RussellKyle RussellKyle D. Russell is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Russell was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of the University of Texas. He was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Tomball, Texas...
- Van Slyke won the "Top Star Award" after he was 2 for 4 with an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in the game.
- California LeagueCalifornia LeagueThe California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
All-Star team
-
- Catcher Gorman Erickson
- Shortstop Jake Lemmerman
- Outfielder Angelo Songco
- Midwest LeagueMidwest LeagueThe Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
All-Star team
-
- Pitcher Red Patterson
- Pitcher Garrett Gould
- Pitcher Ryan Christensen
- All-Star Futures GameAll-Star Futures GameThe All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
-
- Outfielder Alfredo Silverio - World Team
- Coach Lorenzo BundyLorenzo BundyCharles Lorenzo Bundy is the former first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks and current manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes.-Playing career:...
- World Team- Silverio hit a two run homer in the game, but the World team lost 6-4.
Post-season Awards
- Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year
-
- Scott Van Slyke
- Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
-
- Shawn Tolleson
- Pacific Coast LeaguePacific Coast LeagueThe Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
All-Stars
-
- Pitcher Dana EvelandDana EvelandDana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
- Pitcher Dana Eveland
- Southern LeagueSouthern League (baseball)The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
All-Stars
-
- Pitcher Nathan EovaldiNathan EovaldiNathan Edward Eovaldi is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:Eovaldi was drafted by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Alvin High School. His draft slot had fallen because he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school...
- Outfielder Alfredo Silverio
- Outfielder/First Baseman Scott Van Slyke
- Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi
- California LeagueCalifornia LeagueThe California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
All-Stars
-
- Pitcher JonMichael Redding
- Outfielder Angelo Songco
- Manager Juan BustabadJuan BustabadJuan Bustabad is a minor league baseball player and manager, who currently manages the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the California League.-Playing career:...
- Manager of the Year.
- Pioneer League All-Stars
-
- Outfielder Joc Pederson
- Arizona LeagueArizona LeagueThe Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
All-Stars
-
- Outfielder Joseph Winker
- Manager Jody ReedJody ReedJody Eric Reed is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from 1987-1997. The 5'9" second baseman played with the Boston Red Sox from 1987–1992, and in 1990 he led the American League with 45 doubles and finished 10th in the AL with 173 hits...
- Manager of the Year