Did Sergio Romo balk in the ninth inning Monday?

Here’s what San Francisco Giants pitcher Sergio Romo did before throwing his second pitch to Dodgers hitter Jimmy Rollins in the ninth inning Monday. Watch Romo’s right knee:

If that knee moved, it’s a balk, and Jose Peraza should have been awarded home plate — the winning run in a 4-4 game.

(h/t Ryan Walton on Twitter)

Dodgers acquire minor league outfielder Justin Ruggiano from Seattle Mariners.

The Dodgers acquired minor league outfielder Justin Ruggiano and cash considerations from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash or a player to be named later before the midnight waiver trade deadline Monday.
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Kike Hernandez lands on 15-day disabled list with hamstring strain

Enrique Hernandez

Kike Hernandez/Photo courtesy of Los Angels Dodgers

 

Kike Hernandez on Sunday became the latest member of the Dodgers to go down with a hamstring injury. He strained his left hamstring running out a ground ball in the eighth inning of the Dodgers’ 2-0 loss at the hands of the Chicago Cubs and Jake Arrieta, who threw a no-hitter.

Hernandez joins second baseman Howie Kendrick and right-fielder Yasiel Puig on the shelf with hamstring strains.

“I don’t know exactly what his status is, I do know he strained his hamstring and he’s going to be at least a few days,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Monday before the first-place Dodgers took on the rival second-place Giants in Game 1 of a three-game series.

Holding court with reporters, Mattingly went on to say that Hernandez could be out a couple of weeks. Not long after, the Dodgers announced they had placed Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list and recalled catcher Austin Barnes, who was going to be recalled Tuesday anyway when rosters can expand to 40 players. Yet, the move makes sense because playing a man short in such a crucial series even for a day could be ill-advised.

Hernandez recently replaced Joc Pederson as the starting centerfielder, but started at third base Sunday to give Justin Turner some rest. It’s a tough loss because Hernandez was really coming into his own with a .308 batting average – .353 with runners in scoring position.
As for the rash of hamstring injuries, Mattingly suggested things like this run in cycles.

“I’ve been involved with different teams over the years,” he said. “One year it’s the obliques, one year it’s something else. This year for us, we’ve got some hamstrings. I think at that point everyone evaluates what we’re doing, how we’re doing it.

“The same way when your team’s not hitting, you’re going to into it and look at it, you know, ‘What are we doing, what do we need to do better?’ So I know medical is trying to evaluate themselves and make sure they’re not missing anything.”

Giants manager Bruce Bochy says team ready for Greinke, Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Dodgers

 

The Dodgers and rival Giants on Monday began a three-game series. With the first-place Dodgers holding a 3 1/2-game lead over the Giants in the NL West with time winding down in the regular season, it’s a huge series for both teams.

Dodgers southpaw Brett Anderson (8-8, 3.36) went against Jake Peavy (4-6, 4.21) on Monday. But the Giants on Tuesday and Wednesday will be facing Dodgers Cy Young award candidates Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, respectively.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy believes his team is prepared.

“If you think you’re a contending team and a good club, then you have to find a way to beat good pitching,” he said Monday before first pitch. “We’ve had just a run of series against some really good clubs and some really good pitching. So they’ve been battle-tested.

“You just have to look forward to competing against those guys. The most important thing is that you need your starter to go out there and give you a chance because anything can happen.”

The Giants will go with Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday and Mike Leake on Wednesday.

 

Julio Urias makes rocky debut for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Julio Urias eyeThe Dodgers promoted their top pitching prospect, 19-year-old left-hander Julio Urias on Monday.

In defiance of perhaps every expectation outside the organization, Urias wasn’t promoted to the major leagues and the debut didn’t go well.
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