Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Dodgers Continue to Amaze as They Exit the Cellar
I really try to have some perspective on things and not get caught up in the moment. But what Yasiel Puig, Hanley Ramirez and the Dodgers are doing has my jaw lying prostrate on the floor.
Well Puig does it again. A single in the first, a double in the third and then this in the seventh inning.
Support for LAist comes from
That home run was estimated at 451 feet.
Puig was only one part of the Dodger offense that got 14 hits off of Rockies pitching. A.J. Ellis added two doubles, Hanley Ramirez added one double and Adrian Gonzalez had a two-run homer in the third inning.
Then there was Clayton Kershaw. I don't know if he was celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the best games ever pitched, a dual shutout between the Milwaukee Braves legend Warren Spahn and upstart San Francisco Giants legend Juan Marichal at Candlestick Park that ended when Willie Mays hit a solo shot in the bottom of the 16th inning against Spahn. There were no relief pitchers used and both pitchers made over 200 pitches each.
Thanks to the Dodger offense Kerhsaw didn't need 16 innings, not that it would happen in this day and age. Kershaw held the Rockies to only four hits, none to Michael Cuddyer whose hitting streak ended at 27 games. Kershaw's 1.93 ERA now leads the National League.
The final score was 8-0, the Dodgers had won nine of their last 10 games. With the San Francisco Giants getting no-hit by Homer Bailey and the Cincinnati Reds, the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen absolutely coughing up the game post-rain delay with seven runs in the Mets half of the seventh, the Padres losing 4-1 in Fenway.
The Giants have now reclaimed the cellar of the NL West. And perhaps most improbably, what was once a 9 1/2 game deficit on June 22 is now a 2 1/2 game deficit for the division lead. In nine days, the Dodgers made up seven games in the division.
Now not everything is roses. The trade was hinted at yesterday and was consummated today. The Dodgers acquired Cubs reliever and former closer Carlos Marmol. Here's my reaction:
Support for LAist comes from
Several things that make this deal not so bad.
1. Chicago pays for the salary in excess of the pro-rated minimum.
2. The Dodgers get over $200,000 in a international signing bonus slot.
3. The Dodgers dispatch reliever Matt Guerrier.
Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt found a flaw in Marmol's delivery that the Dodgers say can easily be corrected. That's fine, but here is a quote that general manager Ned Colletti gave ESPN that should have Dodger fans quaking in their boots:
"Anytime you can add somebody who's had success pitching the ninth, you can always use them in roles that don't include the ninth," Colletti said. "If you need the ninth, you've got somebody that's at least experienced. We're looking to add to the pen. Whatever that role becomes, it will become."
This is basically a rehash of Brandon League. Wait for another $21 million contract to Marmol during the offseason.
Luis Cruz, who was designated for assignment on Friday, cleared waivers. Cruz has rejected the assignment and has opted for free agency. According to Dodger broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, Cruz has signed a deal with the Yankees.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist