In the Dodgers recent series victory over the Angels in the freeway series they received a much needed strong performance from veteran right-hander Dan Haren who gave up no earned runs in seven and one third innings pitched, after retiring the first fifteen batters he faced. Haren’s quality start came on the heels of five consecutive poor outings that left many questioning his spot in the rotation. Haren’s effort gave the Dodgers faithful some faith in his ability down the stretch, quieting some of the critics who questioned why the Dodgers didn’t acquire a big name starting pitcher at the recent trade deadline.
The positivity around Haren’s solid performance was short-lived with reports that veteran starter Josh Beckett may be out for the season after being placed on the fifteen day DL with a hip impingement and groin strain. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com this may be the end of the road for Beckett who reported that the right-hander has a torn labrum and cysts in his left hip. The injury reportedly won’t heal without surgery with Gurnick reporting that teammates feel Beckett might retire. Beckett was viewed by many as the logical 4th starter in the playoffs after putting together an outstanding season. Beckett was 6-6 on the year but his record didn’t reflect how strong of a season he put together. After starting the year with a no-hitter, Beckett was consistently good all season with a 2.88 ERA. It was a great comeback for a pitcher who had struggled the last couple of seasons.
With Beckett likely out the Dodgers acquired Roberto Hernandez from the Philadelphia Phillies for two players to be named later. Hernandez, who used to go by the assumed name Fausto Carmona when he was a member of the Cleveland Indians, made an immediate start in Beckett’s spot in the rotation on Friday versus the Brewers. Carmona pitched well, giving up just two earned runs in six innings, retiring the last seventeen batter he faced. Manager Don Mattingly inexplicably batted Justin Turner for Hernandez in the top of the seventh, because the Dodgers were down 2-1, even though the starter had tossed just 65 pitches. The Dodgers evened the score at two in the seventh only to see the Brewers blow the game open in the bottom of the seventh, helped by a defensive miscue by Turner.
Two days after acquiring Hernandez the Dodgers finalized a deal with the Minnesota Twins for veteran right-hander Kevin Correia, in exchange for a minor league player to be named later. The acquisition of Correia won’t have a massive impact on the Dodgers rotation but it will give them another veteran capable of starting games or pitching in long relief, much like Paul Maholm, who was lost to the season to a knee injury. Correia, who has a 4.94 ERA this season, will not excite Dodgers fans, but he will give the team a potential better option in Carlos Frias as the emergency starter and long reliever. Chris M.
The Dodgers return home on August 11th for a three game home stand against the Brewers which will include Friday Night Fireworks Aug 15th, “The Natural” screening Aug 16th and Kids Lunch Box giveaway on Sunday Aug 17th. You can see the entire month of August Dodger Game Giveaways now. Dodgers Vs Brewers Tickets start at just $5.00 a ticket.
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