They win 3 out of 4 losing the games the starting pitcher throws a no-hitter through nine. Good to see Gonzalez turn on one. I’m starting to think warning track power is what he has these days to CF and LF. I’m looking for him to prove me wrong.

I need to compliment Baez and Grandal. I will never know but I believe Honeycutt, Baez and the catchers had a meeting. Baez used his other pitches tonight. Almost all of Grandal ‘s targets were low in the strike zone. The high target was at the top of the strike zone. Baez was a pitcher last night, not just a thrower and he looked good. Even the announcers were saying the same thing. Maybe they do listen to us. Ha!

A 5 and 2 road trip and 2 series wins are not bad at all, the Dodgers are not slumping they are grinding out wins with their pitching, and without Bellinger. A flight home and facing a team still in the hunt will be a big test tomorrow but I think the team is up to the challenge. Taylor and Puig have played well the last few games and Grandal is heating up. The depth of their rotation with guys on the DL is impressive and the envy of other teams. 90 wins is no accident and is the result of roster construction, team chemistry and yes, deadline and waiver wire moves. Darvish and Grandy were gems we will still be talking about in the off season. Having depth. trade chips and budget allow this team to be very special and the grit the players have is really impressive. They are playing the game the right way, day in and day out and will not fade. You can beat them on a given day but not in a series. They win without Kershaw, they win without Cody, what will they do when rested and healthy?

Dodgers 15 LOB tonight after 11 LOB last night. I thought that they had cured themselves of that problem. This is aa main reason why the offense has been flat lately.

Walker wasn’t the only good pitching performance tonight. At Great Lakes, 18 year old Melvin Jimenez pitched 2.2 shutout innings, allowing 0 hits, 1 BB, and 6K. James Carter also pitched 2.2 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits, 3 BB, and 3K. In 8 games covering 10.1 innings for Great Lakes, Carter still has not given up an earned run. Marshall Kasowski and Dan Jagiello, both pitched very well with Kasowski getting the win, and Jagiello got the save.

.

Tulsa’s 8 game winning streak was snapped tonight. Mitchell White had an off night. He pitched 3 innings, allowing 4 runs, 3 hits, 3 BB, and 7K. Even with the loss, the Drillers remain tied with the Springfield Cardinals for 1st place in the 2nd half , with 11 games to play.

.

He would be a huge asset in the pen if he can pitch there. OMG!

Impressive relief outing by Walker Buehler tonight. After an error and infield single, he retires 8 straight, with 4 strikeouts.

`

In his last 4 relief outings, Buehler’s stats are:

7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 12 K, 0 BB (29 batters faced)

McCullough has said that more than one person in the Dodgers front office feels Alex Wood could be excellent in a non-closer high-leverage role.

`

I wonder if with Ryu and Hill showing well, that could be his usage come October.

No more Watson please.

–

I observed that in August, the offense is down and the ‘pen has underperformed. The Dodgers will need to rest some, assess to see who’s getting the job done, and re-tool where necessary.

–

Let’s face it – they can’t play at the same level all year long. They are going to cool off a little. We can hope that they will have some momentum by the post-season.

This time Baez came in and started McCutchen off with two off speed pitches before going to the fastball.

Thought it was a mistake to have Watson pitch around Harrison. That probably got him out of his rhythm, and contributed to getting behind Frazier. Should have just put Harrison on .

Too early to panic about the hitting. This isn’t exactly a trend. Doesn’t help that Cody Berlinger is out, and it looks like Turner’s timing is just a bit off. Better now than in October.

The G’s have it today. Granderson, Grandal & Gonzalez all with home runs!!!

The Pen is creaking.

We are leaving a ton of runners stranded this trip.

Can’t afford to do that in the short Playoff series.

What a pick up Granderson is!

At just the right time.

He was a player that always bothered me when he came up to bat & now he is one of ours.

Is anyone concerned that none of the young minor league starting pitchers seem to flame out when they get called up? Stewart is the latest example. Stripling has stuck in the pen but not as a starter. Soon these guys will

have to show they are big league pitchers. Why can’t at least one of them make a big splash when they get the call? Makes you think that they are not as good as we think.

How many times have you seen a starting pitcher still in the game in the 10th inning? I’ve only seen it one other time in my life. I was also ecstatic with Hill’s game.

–

Good to hear Bellinger is the 1B. He’s way better than Gonzo.

Just a side note: Before today’s game we have only scored in 5 of the last 42 innings. Just FYI nothing more.

Corey is having a strange month. He is in the midst of a 12 game hitting streak, and has hit in 17 out of the 20 games he has played in August. His August slash line is .341/.387/.412/.799 compared to year to date of .311/.394/.507/.900. So while his batting average is up, his OPS is significantly down because of a significant drop in his slugging %. For August, Corey has 1 HR and 3 doubles. He has also only struck out 15 times in 93 plate appearances. So he is getting bat to ball, but not much power (lift?). He deserves a break.

.

I think I might have switched Puig and Grandy in today’s lineup.