Dodger News

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:48 am

Everyone else has one, so I figured might as well jump on the bandwagon and annoy you with news of my players.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:49 am

Chris Iannetta went 1-for-4 with a two-run triple as the Rockies came from behind to beat the Cardinals on Wednesday night.
Iannetta's triple came in the bottom of the eighth and proved to be the game winner for the Rockies. He's now started over Yorvit Torrealba for four consecutive games, and has knocked in six runs in that span. Expect him to keep starting for as long as he stays hot.

.353/.414/.686 in 50 at bats.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Thu May 08, 2008 12:03 pm

Jamie D'Antona finally may be hitting himself off the farm.
The 25-year-old third baseman continued his sizzling start Friday night, going a career-best 5-for-5 with a homer, double, three RBIs and two runs scored in the Tucson Sidewinders' 12-9 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes at Isotopes Park.

After five-plus seasons in the Minors, D'Antona is putting together his best campaign yet. He is batting .390 with a homer and 14 RBIs in 27 games, going a blistering 10-for-16 over his last five contests.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news ... &fext=.jsp

Through 31 games, his line's up to .411/.421/.580.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Fri May 09, 2008 6:19 pm

Ted Lilly racked up 10 strikeouts Friday versus the Diamondbacks, winning his third game while tossing seven innings of one-run ball.
Along with the excellent outing on the mound, Lilly also hit a game-tying RBI single in the fifth inning. Lilly's early season struggles and decreased velocity are no longer an issue, as he's turned in four straight Quality Starts while totaling 25 strikeouts over 26 innings.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Sat May 10, 2008 9:52 am

In his return from the disabled list, Jimmy Rollins went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBI to lead the Phillies to a 7-4 win over the Giants.
Quickly making up for lost time. Rollins is hitting .341 with three homers in 44 at-bats when he's been able to play this season.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:49 pm

Francisco Liriano surrendered two runs in six innings Saturday for Triple-A Rochester.
Liriano allowed five hits, walked two and struck out five in a second straight solid outing. He does need to work on the 12/11 K/BB ratio, but it seems like he's progressing.

Saw it in person, looked like he was just trying to regain his feel for pitching.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:51 pm

Greg Maddux finally recorded his 350th victory on Saturday by limiting the Rockies to an unearned run over six innings.
The run was his own fault, as he threw away an attempt at a bunt single, allowing Willy Taveras to go all of the way to third. Maddux still earned his first win in five starts. He's the ninth pitcher all-time to get to 350 wins, and he's five away from passing Roger Clemens for eighth place. He's 3-3 with a 3.60 ERA on the season.

Only 1-5 in the IBC though.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:02 pm

Francisco Liriano lasted eight innings and allowed three runs Thursday in his start for Triple-A Rochester.
Another positive development. Liriano walked just one and threw 93 pitches. The Twins won't be quick to bring him back to the majors, but a move will probably happen at some point during June if Liriano remains effective.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Sat May 17, 2008 9:58 am

Ted Lilly is flowering in May: The left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA and has walked just four while striking out 25.

Could closer Joakim Soria be an effective starter? Catcher John Buck thinks so. Soria has yet to allow a run in 17 appearances this season.
Gave up two last night unfortunately, but still an ERA around 1.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Sat May 17, 2008 9:18 pm

Royals signed RHP Joakim Soria to a three-year contract with options for 2012, '13 and '14.
It's rather odd that Soria would give the Royals all of the option years like that, but they'll probably be under pretty favorable terms. Unfortunately, Soria has been so good this year that it appears unlikely that we'll ever see what he could do as a starter. He certainly has the varied arsenal to get through lineups three times per night. Soria, who turns 24 on Saturday, just gave up his first two runs on Thursday, but he recorded the save anyway, making him 11-for-11 on the season. If the Royals keep him in the closer's role, he'll probably be an elite reliever for a long time.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:41 am

Francisco Liriano yielded two runs in seven innings Tuesday for Triple-A Rochester.
Liriano threw 61 of his 91 pitches for strikes in another encouraging performance. He has a 2.77 ERA in four starts this month, and he's walked a total of four batters in his last three outings.

BlueJays · Post by **BlueJays** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:12 pm

Is he on Rehab in AAA? Why isn't he up with the big club?

Reds · Post by **Reds** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:16 pm

No he was activated and then sent down to Rochester.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:19 pm

Because he got wrecked in MLB early in his return.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:43 am

Gaby Sanchez homered, doubled and collected three RBI for Double-A Carolina on Thursday.
It looked like the Marlins had given up on Martinez as a third baseman, but he's been asked to split time between first base and the hot corner this year. It hasn't taken a toll on his bat, as the 24-year-old has hit .326/.424/.464. His future is probably still at first base, and if he can stay healthy, he'll be a potential replacement for Mike Jacobs in the second half of 2009 or 2010.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:13 pm

Francisco Liriano fanned seven while allowing one run in six innings Tuesday for Triple-A Rochester.
Another fine effort. It marked the fifth time in six starts that he walked just one batter. He's 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA, 42 H and 41/15 K/BB in 51 innings since being sent down. In his last three outings, he's struck out 21 in 18 1/3 innings.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:07 am

After ripping up Florida State League pitchers with a .363/.393/.585 line in 145 plate appearances, Valaika has proven he can hang in the Southern League, too. Now batting .287/.350/.450 in 143 Double-A plate appearances, Valaika highlighted his week with a 5-for-6 performance on Friday at Tennessee. With a heavy lower half, Valaika probably won't stick at shortstop, but a move to second base wouldn't ding his value too much, and he might have enough bat to be a productive big league regular at third base, too.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:08 am

Francisco Liriano allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings Sunday in a win for Triple-A Rochester.
Liriano allowed five hits, walked none and struck out five in another fine outings. He seems about ready for another opportunity to pitch in the majors. If Nick Blackburn lands on the DL, he'll likely get his chance.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:09 am

Jorge Campillo took a complete-game loss after giving up two runs in eight innings Sunday night against the Angels.
Campillo, who entered with a 6.52 ERA during June, struck out seven and walked none in a very impressive outing in an AL park. He seems set to remain an asset in NL-only leagues.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:17 am

2007 third-round pick John Ely allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings for Single-A Winston-Salem on Thursday.
He struck out eight. Ely is 3-6 with a 3.66 ERA, 69 H and 72/19 K/BB in 76 1/3 innings. He lacks big-time upside, but as good as his command is, he could be capable of holding his own in a major league rotation before the end of next year.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:44 pm

Austin Jackson has homered in 4 straight games, bringing his season line to .283/.360/.449 as a 21 year old in AA.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:10 am

Ted Lilly took a shutout into the ninth on Monday, but was charged with two runs in eight-plus innings in a win over the Giants.
The runs scored on a Rich Aurilia double after Kerry Wood took over in the ninth. Lilly allowed seven hits, just one for extra bases, in his fourth straight victory. He ends the month 4-1 with a 3.02 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:11 am

Francisco Liriano fanned nine in seven shutout innings for Triple-A Rochester on Monday.
That's more like it. Liriano, who was coming off consecutive poor outings, allowed just four singles and one walk in this one.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:00 pm

Jamie D'Antona had a three-homer game Friday for Triple-A Tucson.
D'Antona has to be frustrated to see Robby Hammock, Emiliano Bonifacio and Alex Romero in the majors when all he's done this year is hit. He's batting .383/.421/.617 with 13 homers in 295 at-bats. Unfortunately, he really doesn't have a position. The Diamondbacks have tried him as a catcher, but he's not strong enough to be a true backup there in the majors, and he's also limited at third base. He still might be an awfully nifty 25th man if given the chance.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:28 am

Francisco Liriano threw six scoreless innings and struck out seven Saturday for Triple-A Rochester.
It would have been nice if he had gotten through six innings without using quite as many as 98 pitches, but that's nitpicking. Liriano allowed three hits and walked one. He hasn't allowed a run in 13 innings over his last two starts.