Chase Utley, 37, is leading the Dodgers by example. (Getty Images)
Noah Syndergaard was ejected for throwing a pitch behind Chase Utley in the Dodgers’ 9-1 win. (Getty Images)
Julio Urias‘ first major league call-up did not last long.
Here’s what they were saying after the game:
The ball gets away from @Noahsyndergaard, he is asked to leave. @lverrett4 will enter with one out in the 3rd. #Mets pic.twitter.com/SFmeM3hv5M
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 29, 2016
NEW YORK — In the third inning of the sixth game between the New York Mets and the Dodgers this season, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard was ejected for throwing a pitch behind the back of Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley.
Here’s a closer look at the pitch in question, the first pitch Utley saw in his second plate appearance:
Continue reading “Watch: Noah Syndergaard throws a pitch behind Chase Utley, is ejected.” »
Howie Kendrick hadn’t played left field in a game since 2013 before this month. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)
DENVER — The left field foul pole at Coors Field sits 347 feet down the line. Only Wrigley Field’s is farther from home plate among National League parks.
The outfield wall then just out at a steep angle to a power alley that sits 390 feet from home. It’s much bigger than right field here and bigger than almost any other left field in baseball. Here’s a nifty page for making park-to-park comparisons. Take a few minutes to check it out. I’ll wait right here.
The man responsible for patrolling left field today is Howie Kendrick, a second baseman by trade. Manager Dave Roberts has professed confidence in Kendrick every step of the way since Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke went on the disabled list, and Friday was no different.
“There’s no panic,” Roberts said. “He’s going out there and preparing. He’s played left field before in the big leagues. I trust the player. I expect him to make plays and be good out there.”
Continue reading “Why Howie Kendrick playing left field for the Dodgers at Coors Field matters.” »
Howie Kendrick catches a shallow fly ball in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game, his first in left field since 2013. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)
Howie Kendrick‘s second game of the season will take him a long way from the right side of the infield. He is the Dodgers’ starting left fielder for Tuesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The last time Kendrick started a game in left field was Aug. 13, 2011 for the Angels.
“Hopefully,” Kendrick said after finishing Monday night’s game in left field, “it’ll help us win some ballgames.”
Kendrick has started 1,062 games at second base in his career, including Tuesday’s. This will be his 21st start in left.
The position has become a sore spot for the Dodgers. Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke are all on the disabled list. So is Alex Guerrero, who’s dabbled in left in the past. Trayce Thompson, Kiké Hernandez and Charlie Culberson are the others on the roster who have experience at the position, but manager Dave Roberts said he wanted Kendrick’s bat in the lineup against Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Rubby De La Rosa.
Continue reading “Depleted depth chart gives Howie Kendrick his first start in left field.” »