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Dodgers Laugh Away on Fan Appreciation Day
Hello Kitty, My Melody, Keroppi and Chococat being introduced to the crowd at Dodger Stadium before the game. (LAist/Jimmy Bramlett)
This was the kind of game it was for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their 15-1 loss to the Dodgers.
In the first inning centerfielder Andrew McCutchen looked at the ball that came off Matt Kemp’s bat. He took a couple of steps back towards the wall as the ball was beginning its ascent into the hazy yet bright sky. As he continued to look at the trajectory, he stopped in his tracks realizing the futility of it and just went back to his position in centerfield.
Kemp had whacked the first pitch he saw from Brad Lincoln 420 feet into dead centerfield for his 34th homer of the season. If he really appreciated the fans on this Fan Appreciation Day then he would have pulled it a smidge left so actual fans could have grabbed the ball. How selfish!
Kemp in his five innings went a triple short of cycle going 3-for-4 with two RBI. After the players took the field in the top of the sixth inning, Mattingly took Kemp out allowing him to bask in the cheers from the crowd chanting M-V-P.
“It was pretty dope,” Kemp said. “It’s definitely a new experience.”
With the game already out of hand at 12-1, Mattingly had no intention on allowing Kemp to chase for the cycle.
“I thought it was the right thing to do,” Mattingly said. “We play him every day. He needs his time. In a game like that it is really tough to have energy. You end up wearing a guy out by staying in there.”
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This game evoked the game in Minnesota on June 27 where the Dodgers shutout the Twins 15-0 while recording 25 hits, two more than in this game.
“We’ve been on the other end of this,” Mattingly said. “It’s no fun. It’s definitely a lot better on this side.”
But Mattingly is not ready to crown his team a Murderer’s Row.
“It’s hard to judge a lot. Everything is going your way, the energy goes down on the other side.”
Every Dodger starter had at least one hit with Jerry Sands going 4-for-6 with four RBI, James Loney going 5-for-6 with three RBI and Juan Rivera going 3-for-4 with four RBI.
Was it the power of Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends? Was it the Dodgers showing their appreciation for their fans?
The Dodgers get a day off before starting their final series at home, a three-game affair with the surging San Francisco Giants. Meanwhile the Dodgers have made to.500 again at 76-76.
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LA Angels defeat Baltimore Orioles 11-2. The Angels are trying to trudge their way back into the race. Unfortunately Texas won again.
TONIGHT’S ACTION
LA Angels at Toronto Blue Jays. 4:07 p.m. FSWest, AM 830 KLAA.
St. Louis Rams at New York Giants 5:30 p.m. ESPN, AM 570 KLAC.
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