LOS ANGELES — Two things Clayton Kershaw clearly hates: Being on the disabled list and having pitch restrictions while on the mound.
The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ left-hander might be done with both when he takes the mound Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kershaw will be making his third start since coming off the disabled list for his most recent back injury and has been trending in a positive direction.
What Kershaw would like to see is more of the offense the Dodgers showed in Monday’s series opener
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Tasked with slowing that offense at Dodger Stadium, while matching Kershaw pitch for pitch, will be Pirates right-hander Ian Nova.
If Kershaw is almost all the way back on top after an injury, Nova is there already. In four starts since coming off the DL because of a sprained right finger, Nova is 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA.
Kershaw is only this far along in his return from the DL because the Dodgers pulled a last-minute switch on June 23, and had him pitch in New York against the Mets instead of with Triple-A Oklahoma City on a rehab outing.
Kershaw threw 55 pitches against the Mets, giving up two runs on five hits over three innings. On June 28 against the Chicago Cubs, Kershaw was back at it, throwing 68 pitches while giving up one run on four hits over five innings.
A natural progression would have Kershaw at about 80 pitches on Tuesday, but Kershaw has a way of getting more out of himself when the situation requires it.
“I’ve proven that I’m healthy,” Kershaw told reporters after his most recent start. “So now, next time out I’m sure the restriction should hopefully be pretty close to off. (I will) get ready and just try to beat an opponent.”
Nova has thrown between 86 and 94 pitches in his four starts since coming off the DL and has given up one or no runs in three of those outings. The one where he did not was on Wednesday at New York. But he did hold the Mets to three runs over six innings, keeping the Pirates close enough to put together a ninth-inning rally for a victory.
That victory was part of a Pirates run where they won four of six games and took series at New York and San Diego. Sure there was a five-game losing streak before that, but going back even further, the Pirates had won four of five.
So even though they were roughed up by the Dodgers on Monday, the Pirates have learned the value of resiliency.
“We’re well aware of what we need to improve upon,” manager Clint Hurdle said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We’re well aware of our monthly progress and then some of our monthly challenges. Love the fact that the game brings attention to specific areas
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Up next is a challenge against Kershaw, who is 2-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 11 career starts against Pittsburgh. The Pirates are one of two National League teams Kershaw has a losing record against in the regular season, along with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Nova knows his way around the Dodgers, going 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two starts, one in each of the previous two seasons.
It was a much-needed win for the San Francisco Giants, but it came at a great cost.
Pablo Sandoval’s tie-breaking two-run single in the 16th inning lifted the Giants past the Miami Marlins 6-3 on Thursday, but the Giants also lost third baseman Evan Longoria to a broken left hand after he was hit by a pitch.
”A great win, but a tough loss,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Longoria sustained a fracture to his fifth metacarpal, which could require surgery. A decision is expected in the next couple of days.
”Obviously the goal is to decide something as soon as possible and then get going in the right direction, whether that’s put a cast on it and just let it sit or have some sort of surgery and go that route,” Longoria said.
Longoria initially stayed in the game to run after he was hit in the fourth inning, but came out in between innings.
”It wasn’t my legs,” Longoria said. ”I just hate coming out of the game right away. I’ve always thought it looked bad. I knew right away that it didn’t feel right, but I just figured I could run and in the meanwhile let (Alen Hanson) get loose and come into the game.”
Longoria is hitting .246 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in 67 games.
”It’s a tough loss
Gabriel Landeskog Jersey Kids ,” Sandoval said. ”I don’t know how many days he’s going to be out, but we’re going to miss the guy. He’s a great hitter, great defensive player, and a great teammate. I hope he recovers well and comes back to help us get to the postseason.”
Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer to continue his torrid month and Mac Williamson also homered for the Giants, who salvaged the final game of a four-game series and beat the Marlins for only the second time in the last 10 meetings.
”It was a great win to head home on after a tough series,” Bochy said. ”I’m looking forward to getting out of Miami, trust me.”
Giants’ starter Dereck Rodriguez pitched 6 2-3 innings, allowing two runs with his father and former Marlins’ World Series championship catcher Pudge Rodriguez sitting behind home plate. Ty Blach (4-5) also pitched 6 2-3 innings for the Giants without allowing a run. He gave up seven hits, walked two, and struck out three.
”Two quality starts in one game. I’ll take it,” Rodriguez said.
Sam Dyson came on for Blach to get the final out with two runners on for his first save of the season.
McCutchen started the 16th with a single, Brandon Crawford walked and Alen Hanson singled to load the bases of Elieser Hernandez (0-4). Sandoval’s single to center made it 5-3, and Gorkys Hernandez added a sacrifice fly later in the inning. The runs were the first for the Giants since the second.
”I just tried to calm down – everyone was tired – and tried not to do too much,” Sandoval said.
Miami had two runners on in the bottom of the 16th for Bryan Holaday, who flew out to end the game.
”Epic game,” Bochy said.
It was the longest game of the season for the Giants and the second-longest for the Marlins, who went 17 innings in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on March 30.
Both teams had opportunities in extra innings after the Marlins tied the game in the bottom of the ninth off Hunter Strickland on a sacrifice fly by Lewis Brinson. Second baseman Joe Panik was unable to hold onto a pop up near the foul line, allowing the lead-off runner to reach.
It was the eighth time in the series the Marlins came back to tie the game.
”It was one of those series where you kind of play back and forth
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The Giants looked to take the lead in the 11th on a double by Hanson, but Crawford was thrown out at the plate.
Miami threatened in the 13th when Bochy ordered an intentional walk to Starlin Castro load the bases with two outs and Hernandez due to bat because the Marlins were out of position players. Hernandez bounced out to Blach.
”With Castro up there, that was an easy one,” Bochy said. ”I wasn’t going to let him beat us there. We were in a pretty good situation there.”
The Marlins had another opportunity in the 15th with runners on the corners and one out, but Justin Bour grounded into a double play. Bour slammed his helmet to the ground in disgust.
”I saw it off the bat and I thought we might have a chance,” Blach said.
McCutchen hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the second straight game. Five of his eight home runs have been this month. He went 3 for 7 to raise his batting average to .339 (19 for 56) in June, historically the best month of his career. He has 11 multi-hit performances in his last 18 games.
Williamson’s fourth home run of the season gave the Giants a 3-0 lead against Dan Straily in the second inning.
JT Riddle’s solo shot, his third, cut the deficit to 3-1 in the fifth.
Holaday’s two-out base hit to left pulled Miami within 3-2 in the seventh, ending Rodriguez’s outing.
”It’s really good to see everyone in this room just continues to keep working toward every single at-bat, getting a hit, getting a hit, just no one giving into anything, everyone scratching and clawing through every single pitch,” Straily said.
Rodriguez scattered seven hits and struck out four in his third start.
SMITH EXPECTED TO GO ON BEREAVEMENT LIST
Miami’s Caleb Smith was not with the club due to a funeral and is expected to go on the bereavement list. Mattingly said Smith will make his next scheduled s