Daily Clips August 30, 2015

Transcription

1 Daily Clips August 30, 2015

2 LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPS SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 DODGERS.COM: Dodgers pad NL West lead with comeback over Cubs Steve Bourbon and Carrie Muskat Scully says 2016 will be his last season Ken Gurnick Ethier boosts torrid month with clutch hit Steve Bourbon Peraza takes opportunity and runs with it Ken Gurnick Baez's lenghty layoff due to change in role Steve Bourbon Wood looking to build on success of last outing Steve Bourbon LA TIMES: Patiently trying to rationalize the Dodgers' ups and downs Steve Dilbeck Andre Ethier sparks Dodgers' fifth consecutive win, 5-2 over Cubs Steve Dilbeck A bit balky, but Mat Latos is better in Dodgers' win over Cubs Zach Helfand Dodgers' Justin Turner shows his staying power Zach Helfand Could Julio Urias be the new Fernando Valenzuela for Dodgers in September? Bill Shaikin Vin Scully says next year is probably his last as voice of the Dodgers Steve Dilbeck OC REGISTER: Dodgers rally to beat Cubs for their fifth win in a row Bill Plunkett Final: Dodgers rally past Cubs, extend win streak to five Bill Plunkett Vin Scully says 2016 will be his final year as Dodgers broadcaster Bill Plunkett Miller: Vin Scully too humble to know it, but he's a legendary broadcaster and extraordinary man Jeff Miller Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully enchanted millions including one 10-year baseball-loving boy Todd Harmonson Vin Scully's career at a glance OC Register On deck: Cubs at Dodgers, Sunday, 5 p.m., SNLA Bill Plunkett LA DAILY NEWS: Vin Scully is back, but who calls the future of Dodger baseball? Tom Hoffarth Vin Scully says realistically 2016 will be the last one Tony Ciniglio TRUEBLUELA.COM: J.P. Howell will get paid this offseason Eric Stephen Mike Bolsinger dominates for OKC Dodgers Brandon Lennox Willie Calhoun has a 4-hit night, Quakes lose 7-6 in 11 innings Craig Minami 4-run 7th inning propels Dodgers to 5th straight win Eric Stephen Vin Scully says 2016 is likely his final year calling Dodgers games Eric Stephen ESPN LA: Is Mat Latos' rotation slot with the Dodgers safe? Anthony Witrado Rapid Reaction: Dodgers 5, Cubs 2 Anthony Witrado Dodgers score 4 runs in 7th to beat Cubs 5-2 Associated Press Appreciating Chase Utley's instincts, experience on the bases Anthony Witrado Vin Scully plans to end 67-year run with Dodgers after 2016 Associated Press DODGER INSIDER: Vin Scully is the sun and the moon Dodger Insider Mat Latos looks to renew success against Cubs Jon Weisman Vin Scully indicates 2016 will be final season Jon Weisman DODGERS PHOTO BLOG: 8/29/15-Something Current-LAD-5,CHC-2 - Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers

3 NBC LA: After 66 Seasons as Dodgers' Broadcaster, Retirement is 'Frightening' for Vin Scully NBC LA Jose Peraza Provides Lift For Dodgers in 5-2 Victory Over Cubs Michael Duarte SI.COM: Vin Scully returning for a 67th season with Dodgers is worth celebrating Jay Jaffe FORBES.COM: Vin Scully Grants LA Dodgers Fans Glorious Gift, Will Return In 2016 For 67th Season Gabe Zaldivar

4 LOS ANGELES DODGERS DAILY CLIPS SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 DODGERS.COM Dodgers pad NL West lead with comeback over Cubs By Steve Bourbon and Carrie Muskat LOS ANGELES -- Andre Ethier gave the Dodgers the lead with a two-run single in the seventh inning for Los Angeles' fifth straight win in a 5-2 victory over the Cubs on Saturday night. The win pushed the Dodgers' lead in the NL West to 3 1/2 games over the Giants while the Cubs kept their Wild Card lead at 4 1/2 games. Trailing, 2-1, to start the seventh, the Dodgers put four runs on the board off Cubs starter Jon Lester. Los Angeles started the inning with four straight hits, headlined by Ethier's go-ahead single, which took Lester out of the game. Adrian Gonzalez added an RBI single later in the inning for insurance. Lester (8-10) lasted six-plus innings, allowing eight hits and five runs. "Balls were finding holes," Lester said of the seventh. "They were either hit a little too hard or a little too soft. The good thing is, I don't have to go back to the drawing board. My stuff was there. Location was there, stuff was there, velocity was there. Everything was there. Now it's a matter of a little bit of luck going my way and maybe the outcome is a little different." In his first start since Aug. 13, Mat Latos was ineffective for the Dodgers, but earned a no-decision. He lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs, including a run-scoring balk. This is the third straight start for Latos that he's been unable to make it through the fifth inning. In his stead, the Dodgers' bullpen pitched 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to protect the lead. "I didn't necessarily have my A-game," Latos said. "I have to build back up again. Eighty-five pitches is what I threw today and that's what I threw in rookie ball so I have to build back up again to be able to throw 100 pitches." It's the first time the Cubs have lost four in a row since a season-high five-game streak, June "We have not been very offensive on this road trip," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "We're normally much more offensive." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

5 Right switch: Although Ethier didn't start the game, he entered in the top of the seventh as a part of a double switch and immediately made an impact. Following rookie Jose Peraza's RBI double, the veteran produced with the go-ahead, two-run single to give the Dodgers a lead. Ethier's hit was the fourth straight of the inning. Balk: The Cubs had runners at first and third with two outs in the fifth when Latos was called for a balk. The runner at third scored, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly argued the call, and the umpires conferred twice, but did not change it. The balk came exactly three years from Latos' last one, Aug. 29, 2012, while pitching for the Reds against the D-backs. Rally stopper: After reliever Jim Johnson loaded the bases in the eighth with a walk and two hit batters, the right-hander escaped the jam thanks to some slick glovework. On a full count, Addison Russell, who represented the go-ahead run, hit a grounder to Jimmy Rollins at shortstop. The veteran fielded the ball on his right side and threw to Peraza at second who turned the double play to get out of the inning. "The guys [in the bullpen] did their job today," Mattingly said. "Just get the right guy in there to get outs." Timing is everything: Maddon, who normally only goes to the mound to make pitching changes, went out to talk to catcher Miguel Montero and Lester in the fourth when the Dodgers had two on and one out and the lefty had fallen behind, 2-0, to A.J. Ellis. Lester got out of the inning. Maddon said the move was more for defensive purposes. The seventh didn't go as well. Maddon said he didn't want to bring in a right-hander in that inning because of the left-handed bats the Dodgers had on the bench. QUOTABLE "It's a time of year where it doesn't matter what you have to do to win the game, you've just got to do it." Ethier "It's a West Coast trip, sometimes they're difficult for young players who haven't done it before. I've been through it many a time. If your players don't care, if your players don't show up, if your players don't play hard, then you become disappointed, but we have [shown up and played hard]. We haven't hit the ball very well on this trip. We've normally been very good on the road and we haven't been that good on this trip." Maddon SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Reliever Justin Grimm posted a scoreless seventh inning to extend his scoreless streak to 15 innings, a season high for the Cubs bullpen. WHAT'S NEXT

6 Cubs: Jake Arrieta will close the West Coast road trip on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. The righthander will be vying for his 14th consecutive quality start. He's 10-1 with a 1.17 ERA in that stretch. Arrieta has been on a roll on the road, winning eight straight road starts, the first Cubs pitcher to do so since Steve Trachsel in First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. CT. Dodgers: Alex Wood will make his sixth start for the Dodgers in the series finale. He had his best start in Dodger blue last time out, earning the win by allowing just one run in 5 2/3 innings against the Reds on Tuesday. Scully says 2016 will be his last season By Ken Gurnick LOS ANGELES -- Discussing his decision to return for the 2016 season on Saturday, Dodgers Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully said he expects next year to be his last one in the broadcast booth. Scully, 87, had Jimmy Kimmel announce to the Dodger Stadium crowd Friday night that he will return for a 67th season with a series of cue cards on the Dodger Stadium message board. "I would say, realistically -- I don't want any headlines -- but next year would be the last one," Scully said. "How much longer can you go fooling people? Dear God, if you give me next year, I'll hang it up. I do feel in my bones that will be enough. I'm sure the people will feel that will be enough, too. Enough is enough. Without a doubt, next year, my gosh, what's that saying, talk about next year and make the devil laugh? I'm very wary of that." As usual, Scully tried to downplay the importance of his announcement, if not himself as well. He said he wants no "glorified goodbye" tour and would just as soon have had his return announced with a line in the game notes as a produced video by a famous late-night talk show host. Scully said one of the reasons he has continued working is the ballpark friendships he has developed over the decades. He's also been advised by friends and his doctor that retiring has hidden costs. "I'm not that much for poetry, but one poem I know, by Dylan Thomas: 'Do not go gentle into that good night; rage, rage against the dying of the light,'" Scully said. "In a way, that's what I'm doing. Raging against the dying of my career, which is around the corner. I've never minded getting older, but I never wanted to be old. Ever. A lot of people said to me, don't retire. My doctor said to me, 'Do you enjoy it? Do you still do it well? Then why give it up? You retire and a year from now you'll be an old man,' and that kind of scared me a little bit." He weighed that, however, with the realities of aging.

7 "I'm sure after a while as a player gets older, say he's a center fielder, he doesn't quite get the jump he used to get, he's not quite as sharp as he used to be. Maybe he's a little late on the 95-mph pitch," Scully said. "What's the joke -- I'm throwing as hard as ever, it just takes longer to get there. I'm trying very hard for one more year, God willing." Scully said he hasn't talked to the club yet about further curtailing his workload and he wasn't worried about the club trying to replace him when he finally does retire. "I saw Mel Allen leave the Yankees, Red Barber leave the Dodgers, Russ Hodges leave the Giants, Harry Caray leave the Cubs, Jack Buck leave the Cardinals," Scully said. "You know what? Not one of those teams missed a game. They kept on playing and the fans kept on going. I know I can be replaced. They've all come and gone and I'll join that group." Still, he concedes the fuss made over his career decisions makes him uncomfortable. "I'm sure they're thinking, 'Oh my God, he's trying it again,'" Scully said. "I've been blessed all these years, that's the story. It's not so-and-so, 87, is doing his 6,000th season. When it all boils down -- and this is from the heart -- I am the most ordinary man you ever met. "I was given an extraordinary opportunity. I don't think of me, I think of the person that's been blessed. I was amazed when someone told me last night there were 11 million -- is it tweets? -- whirling around about the announcement. That boggles my mind." Ethier boosts torrid month with clutch hit By Steve Bourbon LOS ANGELES -- Andre Ethier has been the hottest hitter in the Majors in the month of August, but didn't find himself in the starting lineup Saturday against the Cubs. With a left-hander on the mound, Ethier was on the bench until the seventh inning, when he entered on a double-switch and drove in the go-ahead runs in a 5-2 win over Chicago. The Dodgers won their fifth straight game for the first time since May 7-12 and tied a season-high by reaching 16 games over.500 on the season. Since Clayton Kershaw said the team needed to play with a sense of urgency after a fifth straight loss last week, the Dodgers haven't lost. "I think it was the right feeling to freak out a little bit," Ethier said. "You see the Giants creeping up on you a little bit and you see the games you have ahead and the games you have against those guys."

8 The Dodgers extended their lead in the NL West to 3 1/2 games over the Giants and will host the division rivals for a trio of games starting Monday. "We've worked really hard to get to this point and I think that's all [Kershaw is] saying," manager Don Mattingly said. "It sounds really good that we've done that, but I just think he has an impact and it is a little bit of a wake-up call for some guys." Ethier hasn't needed a wake-up call as he's hitting.396 (23-for-58) in August, which is the highest mark in the Majors in that span. Ethier's average has ballooned to his highest mark since After the Dodgers started the seventh inning trailing, 2-1, Los Angeles strung three straight hits together to tie the game, which brought up Ethier. The left-hander is hitting just.222 against lefties this season, but drove in a pair with a single up the middle off Jon Lester to give the Dodgers the lead for good. "Andre is one of the most clutch -- I know it's not a stat people want to talk about anymore -- players I've ever played with," catcher A.J. Ellis said. "He has an affinity for big moments, he knows how to have a big at-bat, knows how to slow the game down. He really thrives in those situations and tonight was no different. That's a tough matchup for him, a guy of Jon Lester's caliber, and Andre looked comfortable, doing what he's supposed to do, taking him up the middle." With the season dwindling down to its final month, the veteran knows that every game is precious at this time of year. "Whatever it takes at this time of year," Ethier said. "Throw all the matchups out of the window, sometimes, in those situation and just go out there and find a way to win the game." Peraza takes opportunity and runs with it By Ken Gurnick LOS ANGELES -- Infielder Jose Peraza, acquired last month to be part of the Dodgers' future, was part of the present Saturday night. Providing a night off for Chase Utley, who has been filling in for injured second baseman Howie Kendrick, Peraza went 2-for-4 with a tying RBI double in the seventh inning of a 5-2 Dodgers win over the Cubs. In only his third Major League start, Peraza also stole third base, stole second base, scored twice and turned a flawless pivot and relay on a crucial double-play grounder in the eighth inning.

9 "He's an interesting guy," said manager Don Mattingly. "He runs really well. Davey [Lopes] was with him last time he was up and felt he had really good instincts to steal bases. He gives us speed and puts the ball in play. With two strikes he put the ball in play. Put the ball in play and good things can happen." Peraza, a 21-year-old from Venezuela, came to the Dodgers in the deal that sent Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, injured reliever Paco Rodriguez and Minor League pitcher Zach Bird to the Braves. At the time, the keys to the deal for the pitching-needy Dodgers were presumed to be Major League starter Alex Wood and relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan. The Dodgers also accepted the injured Bronson Arroyo. Peraza, after a three-day callup from Triple-A following Kendrick's injury, was an emergency recall Friday night when Yasiel Puig was placed on the disabled list. With Utley hitting only.186 against lefties this year, Peraza got the start Saturday night against lefty Jon Lester and didn't look 21. "I just remain relaxed, and thankfully things turned out great," Peraza said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity given to me by the manager." At the time of the trade, the Dodgers said they targeted Peraza because he has made a smooth transition from his original position of shortstop to second base. By contrast, the Dodgers were not convinced that Olivera could adapt to third base after spending most of his professional career in Cuba at second base. With Kendrick, Utley and shortstop Jimmy Rollins free agents after the season, Peraza could show enough over the final five weeks of the season to be counted on for a starting role in Baez's lenghty layoff due to change in role By Steve Bourbon LOS ANGELES -- Despite not pitching in the past 10 days, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly insists that right-hander Pedro Baez is healthy and available. "He's healthy," Mattingly said. "I know he hasn't been out there in a bit, but he will be." Baez hasn't pitched since Aug. 19 and his role has changed to more of a multi-inning, long reliever out of the bullpen after the Dodgers optioned Yimi Garcia to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 24. Before this 10- day layoff, his longest time without appearing in a game was five days. Baez has lasted more than one inning in 10 of his 37 appearances this season and maxed out at two innings.

10 "We don't really have a true long guy out there so Pedro becomes that guy a little bit," Mattingly said. "So sometimes that guy is waiting until the end of the game or you use him and you don't have anyone left in the bullpen so you're pretty much over at that point." Baez is 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA this season for the Dodgers. Wood looking to build on success of last outing By Steve Bourbon The Cubs and Dodgers close out their three-game series under the lights at Dodger Stadium on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball as Los Angeles goes for the sweep. Jake Arrieta has been the Cubs' best pitcher. His 2.22 ERA is third in the Majors, just behind Zack Greinke and Sonny Gray. Arrieta has found even another level in recent starts as he's a perfect 5-0 in five August starts. He's allowed two earned runs in 33 1/3 innings for a minuscule 0.54 ERA. Alex Wood will be making his sixth start since joining the Dodgers and he's looking to last longer in games. He's exited four straight starts without throwing more than 91 pitches or lasting longer than 6 1/3 innings. He's had just one quality start in five outings with Los Angeles. Things to know about this game Carl Crawford has had success against Arrieta in his career. The lefty is hitting.455 with two doubles and a homer against Arrieta lifetime. Arrieta has been particularly strong on the road. He's 10-1 this season on the road compared to 6-5 at Wrigley Field this season. Arrieta's 1.94 ERA on the road is nearly a half run better than his 2.56 ERA at home. Anthony Rizzo is a rare left-handed hitter who is more effective against southpaws. Rizzo is hitting.323 against lefties this season, compared to a.273 batting average against right-handers. His power numbers diminish against lefties, however: Rizzo has just six homers against lefties compared to 20 long balls against righties. LA TIMES Patiently trying to rationalize the Dodgers' ups and downs By Steve Dilbeck

11 Ain t baseball grand? It ll raise you up only to break your heart, lift your spirits just to destroy them and then stand over you like Ali glaring at a fallen Liston. Following a baseball team requires the kind of patience that never tested Job. Teams win and then lose, and then do a little of both. They re great, they re terrible. They blow you a kiss, then punch you in the gut. They re wonderful, they re maddening. The Dodgers lost five consecutive games and the season is about to implode. Then they win five straight and all is right in their baseball world again. Saturday night the Dodgers rallied late against what had been a hot Cubs team to win 5-2 and it was hugs all around. They pushed their lead to 3½ games over the Giants in the National League West and have it all together to make an impressive stretch run? I don t know about all that, said Manager Don Mattingly. We won tonight. And that s really all it s about. Exactly. Hot, cold, the focus for the team has to be on today. The Dodgers have taken the first two games of the series against the Cubs, but Sunday they start Jake Arrieta, who s having the kind of season (16-6, 2.22) that looks real familiar to anyone who s been paying attention to Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. And then come the Giants for three games. Things can, naturally, change in a hurry. Sunday "is the most important game of the year and that series is definitely the most important series of the year heading into it, said Andre Ethier. We still have one big one (Sunday); we can t look ahead. Tough guy with Arrieta on the mound. After the Giants leave will come the next biggest series of the year. That s how it works in baseball, though never more than during the looming stretch. There may be more ups and downs in September. Why should the Dodgers change their personality now? Or maybe this really is the start of something. You win and everything feels good, Mattingly said. You lose a couple and you re talking about something else. It may be mere coincidence, but the Dodgers current turnaround coincides with Kershaw urging the team to demonstrate some urgency after their last loss in Houston. Kershaw doesn t take credit, pointing out he made his comments just before the Dodgers started a three-game series against a struggling Reds team.

12 When you have guys like him, other guys who ve been down this road and know what it takes to come down this last stretch here, you have to kind of wake each other up again and realize what we have at hand here, Ethier said. The Cubs had not been struggling. And should the Dodgers falter and lose the division, they could well be the team the Dodgers would have to beat out to capture the final wild-card spot. The Cubs lead the Dodgers by one game. At some point all the highs and lows have to meld into something tangible for a team striving to make the playoffs. Is this the time Dodgers finally start acting like the most expensive team in baseball history? Will they be Ali or Liston? Hey, it s baseball. Stay tuned. But be warned, patience required. Andre Ethier sparks Dodgers' fifth consecutive win, 5-2 over Cubs By Steve Dilbeck Andre Ethier must be a great surprise to the many who had written him off, figuring at 33 he was done and untradeable, a huge weight around a team with championship aspirations. But Ethier is having a terrific season, made evident again Saturday when he came off the bench to drive in the go-ahead runs in the Dodgers 5-2 victory over the Cubs. The Dodgers, wobbling and looking like a team in retreat when the week started on a five-game losing streak, have now won five consecutive games. With the Giants losing Saturday, the Dodgers extended their lead in the National League West to 3½ games, matching their biggest lead since the All-Star break. Ethier has been strong all season for the Dodgers, but particularly of late. Playing almost exclusively against right-handers, he s hit.410 (25 for 61) over his last 23 games. His two-run single highlighted a four-run seventh for the Dodgers. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth to pick up his 27th save after Luis Avilan, Chris Hatcher, J.P. Howell and Chris Johnson held the Cubs scoreless over the final 4 1/3 innings. The Dodgers started Mat Latos for the first time since Aug. 13, when the Reds were pushing him around for five runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Dodgers temporarily went with a four-man rotation, at one point sending Latos to their Phoenix training complex just so he could pitch a simulated game.

13 Manager Don Mattingly said Latos will remain in the rotation the rest of the season, so there s a strong chance of seeing a lot more of what Latos offered Saturday. He had a 6.75 ERA after three starts as a Dodger, but turned in a slightly better outing, if still only going 4 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs on four hits and three walks, striking out five. The Cubs first got to him with a run in the second inning after Kris Bryant led off with a single, took second base on a groundout and third on a wild pitch. Addison Russell fouled out to Carl Crawford in left field, Bryant tagging and scoring without a throw. The Dodgers tied it in the bottom of the third inning against Jon Lester, the left-hander the Cubs signed in the off-season for six years at $155 million. Rookie Jose Peraza led off with a single, was sacrificed to second by a Latos bunt, stole third for his first career steal and scored when Enrique Hernandez was safe on an infield single. The Cubs regained the lead in the fifth, with a major assist from Latos. Russell led off with a single, and after Justin Turner made a nice diving catch in foul territory when Lester attempted to bunt, took third on a Tommy La Stella hit. The Dodgers shifted their infield right for Kyle Schwarber, with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez playing back on the edge of the infield. Latos faked a throw to first even though there was no one there to take the throw and was called for a balk that allowed Russell to score. It was Latos fifth career balk, the last one coming three years ago to the day in Arizona. With Lester looking strong, it appeared for a long time the Dodgers might actually lose the game on a balk. But then came their four-run seventh inning. Crawford started it with a single, stole second and moved to third on an A.J. Ellis single. Peraza doubled to right-center field to score Crawford with the tying run and earn his first RBI. Ethier pinch-hit and singled through a drawn-in infield to score Ellis and Peraza. That ended the night for Lester (8-10), but the Dodgers still had a bit more work to do. Hernandez's single advanced Ethier, who was attempting to steal, to third and Gonzalez's single brought him home. A bit balky, but Mat Latos is better in Dodgers' win over Cubs By Zach Helfand Mat Latos turned up his hands in disbelief. With the score tied and a runner on third, Latos had been called for a balk. He shot a frantic look at the umpire, as if to say, the game couldn't be decided on this, could it?

14 His night ended Saturday before he got an answer. Latos left the game trailing, 2-1, but outfielder Andre Ethier slapped a single off Jon Lester to score two runs in the seventh inning, the key hit in a four-run rally that gave the Dodgers a three-run lead. They held on for the 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. After five straight losses that included a no-hitter, the Dodgers have won five in a row as they approach September. They are 72-56, tying a season high of 16 games over.500, and 31/2 games ahead of the second-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West. I didn't want something like that costing us a ballgame, Latos said of the balk. Other than that, Latos' night had been encouraging, if less than emphatic. He pitched 42/3 innings and gave up four hits and two runs. It was enough to put to rest questions about his status in the rotation, Manager Don Mattingly said. Latos was acquired to inject depth into a pitching staff starving for healthy arms, and his presence sent Mike Bolsinger, who hadn't dazzled in 16 starts but had pitched to a 2.83 earned-run average, down to the minors. But with Latos having scuffled in his two starts before Saturday, and with the roster set to expand to 40 players Tuesday, the Dodgers will have options. Obviously, we've got options, we can pitch anybody, Don Mattingly said. But the plan is for Mat to pitch every fifth day. After the game, Mattingly said simply of Latos' performance, Not bad, his voice rising. Of the rotation, though, he said emphatically, It's set. Get news and notes on all the Dodgers matchups >> As the No. 5 starter, Latos probably won't crack the Dodgers' postseason rotation, if they make the playoffs. But in a tight division race the team could need Latos to pitch about five potentially crucial games down the stretch. And Latos remains an unknown element. His introductory Dodgers start, one run over six innings against the Angels earlier this month, foretold healthy returns. Then, in his next two starts, he imploded for 10 earned runs over 82/3 innings. The Dodgers, with the luxury of three off days, skipped Latos' next two turns, and Mattingly didn't know how he would react to more than two weeks off.

15 Not sure, honestly, Mattingly said before Saturday's game. Guys that haven't pitched in a while, you've seen it both ways. Guys that come off really sharp and strong or have trouble with command, things like that. Latos said it was difficult to not pitch. His rhythm felt disrupted. But he used the time off to make an adjustment. After his previous start, he'd criticized himself for leaning too heavily on his fastball. On Saturday, his best pitches were off-speed offerings. After allowing Dexter Fowler to smoke a leadoff double to start the game, Latos struck out the next three batters, all on split-fingered pitches that plunged out of the zone, to avoid trouble. He struck out two more batters, also on splitters, before departing. He gave up a run in the second inning after allowing a leadoff single to Kris Bryant, who advanced on a ground ball and a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly. Afterward, Latos cocked his knee in the air, put his glove to his mouth and screamed in frustration. The Dodgers, though, tied the score in the third when second baseman Jose Peraza manufactured a run with a single and opportunistic baserunning. Then Latos balked in the go-ahead run. In the seventh inning Peraza doubled home Carl Crawford for his first major league run batted in, tying the score, 2-2. Ethier followed with his two-run single and Adrian Gonzalez drove him in with a single to add an insurance run. The start of the Dodgers' win streak coincided with comments by Clayton Kershaw, who suggested it might be time for the team panic a little, or at least show more urgency. It is a little bit of a wake-up call, Mattingly said. Up Next Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood (9-8, 3.70 ERA) will face Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta (16-6, 2.22) on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. TV: ESPN. Radio: 570, Dodgers' Justin Turner shows his staying power By Zach Helfand Jon Lester showed bunt, so third baseman Justin Turner came charging. When the ball was popped up off the third-base line, Turner broke into a sprint, dived and snatched it out of the air.

16 Back at third base, he beamed a smile at shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Not bad for his fifth game in a row. For the first time all season, the Dodgers played Turner in the field for a fifth straight day. Manager Don Mattingly had been reluctant to use Turner for so many consecutive games, fearing that his knees would wear down over the course of the season. But as the Dodgers near the final month of the regular season, Mattingly said Turner will become more of an everyday player. "It's nice, if you get at-bats every day it keeps you in the flow of things," Turner said. "Sometimes days off can be counterproductive for how you're feeling at the plate. So keep playing every day and getting at-bats and making adjustments and get back to feeling really good at the plate." At times, Turner's own assessment of his health clashed with the Dodgers' concern. He maintained that he felt fine, that his knees were not a problem. "Everything feels great," he said again on Saturday. "Usually [Mattingly] just kind of gives me the days, and I don't have a whole lot to say about it." This time, Mattingly consulted with Turner before penciling him in for his 101st game this season. His high in any season is 117, in 2011, a mark he is expected to surpass this year. "There's nothing wrong with Justin," Mattingly said. "It is preventive." When Turner does sit, Mattingly may soon use Chase Utley in his place. Before Saturday's game, Utley again did fielding work at third base with bench coach Tim Wallach. Mattingly said Utley is still a few sessions away from being able to play third base in a game. When Utley is ready, Mattingly said, he plans to use him as a spot starter, spelling Turner as he increases his workload and easing second baseman Howie Kendrick back from the disabled list. "We'll try to be creative in getting him in the lineup," Mattingly said. Go-go Dodgers? The Dodgers' running game has had a mini-resurgence in their series against the Chicago Cubs. On Friday, Utley manufactured a run when he advanced to third on a pitch in the dirt and then scored when the throw to third was wide.

17 On Saturday, Jose Peraza, the speedy prospect called up when Yasiel Puig went to the disabled list, singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and then scored on an infield single for the Dodgers' first run. Scott Van Slyke and Carl Crawford also stole bases, making this just the sixth time all season the Dodgers had multiple stolen bases in a game. Could Julio Urias be the new Fernando Valenzuela for Dodgers in September? By Bill Shaikin ESPN had just turned 1. Baseball America had not yet been born. The Futures Game was decades away. This September marks the 35th anniversary of one of the most auspicious debuts in major league history, when the Dodgers called up a Mexican prodigy from double A, a 19-year-old left-hander polished and poised beyond his years, and started his career in the bullpen. Could history repeat itself this September, with Julio Urias reprising the role played by Fernando Valenzuela? In 1980, Valenzuela delivered 17 2/3 innings of relief, without surrendering an earned run. Of the Dodgers' final 21 games that season, he pitched in 10. "Immediately, you became dependent on him," said Dodgers coach Davey Lopes, the second baseman on that 1980 team. "You knew he would do something to stop whatever was happening. "He was so good that people said he can't be that young." In this year's bullpen, the Dodgers can count on closer Kenley Jansen and... well, these are the final hours of August, and they're still trying to sort out the setup crew. Urias has pitched more minor league innings than Valenzuela had when he made his debut. He has a better earned-run average, walk rate and strikeout rate in double A this year than Valenzuela did in Would Urias be ready to help the Dodgers bullpen right now? "We'll see," said Valenzuela, now a Dodgers broadcaster. "I hope they can call him up. That's the only way we can find out what he has."

18 Valenzuela says it might be a good idea for the Dodgers to promote Urias in September, even if they do not plan to use him prominently. "That way, he can see what's going on around him, get more familiar with the big league level," Valenzuela said. "I think that's going to help him out." That kind of apprenticeship might be invaluable, but the Dodgers do not plan to call up Urias unless they determine he will be a difference-maker. Valenzuela was the Dodgers' opening day starter in 1981, but Urias does not figure to break camp with the team next spring, so calling him up now would eliminate a spot on the 40-man roster that the Dodgers could use for another year. Urias also would face pressure that Valenzuela did not. In 1980, prospects were largely anonymous. Today, even the casual Dodgers fan is familiar with Urias signed out of the same scouting expeditions that landed Yasiel Puig, pitched in the Futures Game at 17, untouchable in trades that might have landed David Price. The Dodgers believe the "guy we wouldn't trade for Price" tag will wear off Urias soon enough. For now, Price is 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA for the Toronto Blue Jays, the epitome of grace under pressure pitching for the fans of an entire country, for a team with baseball's longest postseason drought. "It's no pressure," Price said. "It's what I expect. It's what I've been for a couple years now. It's no different for me. The mound is still 60 feet 6 inches out there, and I expect to get the same results." After Price beat the Angels last weekend in Anaheim, he said he had paid no attention to the cries of Dodgers fans starved for their first World Series since 1988 and disappointed that their team passed on him. Did Price have any words of consolation for them? "Zero," he said. Think (red, white and) blue If Los Angeles wins the 2024 Olympics, what venue would be used for baseball? That's a trick question, at least for now. The International Olympic Committee kicked out baseball a decade ago, largely frustrated by the refusal of Major League Baseball to shut down its season for a couple weeks as the National Hockey League does so the world's best players can compete in the Games.

19 The NHL needs the exposure. MLB shrugged and launched the World Baseball Classic, a rousing success outside the United States. Soccer's marquee event is the World Cup, not the Olympics, and yet the IOC happily permits a youth tournament to decide its soccer medalists. Baseball does not carry the global cachet of soccer. However, when the IOC decides next year which sport to add for the 2020 Tokyo Games, that sport ought to be baseball over karate, squash, surfing, bowling, roller sports, sport climbing, and wushu. That could set the stage for a return of Olympic baseball to Dodger Stadium in 2024, 40 years after Mark McGwire led a star-studded amateur U.S. team that won the silver medal. Of the 20 players on that team, 18 were first-round picks 13 in the 1984 draft, five in the 1985 draft. The team included such stars as McGwire (USC), Will Clark (Mississippi State) and Barry Larkin (Michigan). In order to promote the game, McGwire said MLB allowed the 1984 draftees to play in the Olympics before starting their pro careers. He said MLB should adopt the same rule in any future Olympics, to showcase players who could be future stars. "How great it would be to put them on a pedestal prior to their major league career," said McGwire, now the Dodgers' hitting coach. Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson played on the last U.S. Olympic baseball team, in Hyun-Jin Ryu and South Korea won gold, Anderson and the U.S. won bronze. Anderson said he would love to see baseball back in the Olympics. "I like baseball better than most sports," he said. "For selfish reasons, I'd rather watch baseball than a shooting event or BMX or whatever. "But I had the last win for USA Baseball in the Olympics. So, if they don't [bring it back], I'll always have that." Vin Scully says next year is probably his last as voice of the Dodgers By Steve Dilbeck A sweet moment with Vin Scully at his news conference Saturday to discuss returning to broadcast the Dodgers next year, suddenly took a dramatic turn to unwanted melancholy. It was a turn everyone knew would come one day. But still, hearing it from Scully took the air out of the room:

20 Scully expects next year will be his last as the Dodgers broadcaster. I would say realistically -- and I don t want any headlines -- but I would say next year would be the last one, Scully said. How much longer can you go fooling people? I would be saying, `Dear God, if you give me next year, I ll hang it up. Next year will be Scully s 67th consecutive year broadcasting the Dodgers. He came with the team from Brooklyn, and to all of Los Angeles, for generations, he was the voice of the Dodgers. More than that, he was the Dodgers. He became the most beloved man in Los Angeles history. But Scully will turn 88 in November, and though he seems ageless to all those who listen to him with a daily appreciation, he is aware of time. And the more Scully talked about next year, the more definite it sounded like it would be his last. I do feel in my bones that will be enough, for sure, he said. I m sure the people say that will be enough too. Scully has cut back all travel, save for the Dodgers games in San Francisco, and he may cut back even a bit more next season. His final season. That will take time to digest. He took longer this summer to announce he would come back for another year, admitting he gave it more thought that ever. He talked of how much he d miss the people who work at Dodger Stadium, the media -- friends he called them, and he meant it too. Get news and notes on all the Dodgers matchups >> He said people kept telling him to return next season, and not just those who know him only from broadcasting, but people close to him and even his personal doctor -- who should be everybody s new best friend. My doctor said to me, `Do you enjoy doing what you re doing? I said, `I love it. `Do you still do it reasonably well? `I love it. `Then why would you give it up? I said, `Well, because I know I m coming `No, he said. `You retire and a year from now you ll be an old man. And that kind of scared me a little bit. So he ll return for one last swan song, though he cringes at the thought of any grand farewell, and is still conscious of his doctor s warning. I will worry about it, but I just think, hey, enough is enough, he said. I would say without a doubt, next year. What s that s old line? `Talk about next year and make the devil laugh. I m very wary of that. We d better be like a ballplayer and just go day-to-day.

21 There aren t many heroes you get to meet in life who live up to seemingly unrealistic expectations. But Scully is exactly the man you would expect him to me -- impervious to his stature, completely down to Earth, caring, humorous, modest, giving. And now he gets to go out on his terms. And his unexpected announcement will put enormous pressure on the Dodgers to finally solve their TV stalemate, so he could very likely provide one more gift to Los Angeles. Scully quoted Dylan Thomas iconic poem, perfect for his moment. He wrote, `Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. I guess in a way, that s what I m doing. I m raging against the dying of my career, which has to be around the corner now. But at least for the God-given time I have left, I ll be raging. OC REGISTER Dodgers rally to beat Cubs for their fifth win in a row By Bill Plunkett LOS ANGELES Maybe Clayton Kershaw should buy an ill-fitting plaid jacket, start living in a van down by the river and find work as a motivational speaker. Rookie Jose Peraza s RBI double and Andre Ethier s two-run single fueled a four-run seventh inning as the Dodgers rallied to beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-2, Saturday night for their fifth consecutive win. The winning streak has followed a season-high five-game losing streak that prompted Kershaw to chide his team for failing to play with a sense of urgency. Whether Kershaw s comments actually knocked some of that sense into his teammates or were mostly just well-timed (coming before a three-game series against the lowly and fading Cincinnati Reds and a welcome homestand), the Dodgers haven t lost since. I don t know who you want to give credit to. It sounds really good, though, that we ve done that, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. I just think he has an impact. It is a little bit of a wakeup call for guys to say, Hey, let s go. We ve worked really hard to get to this point. I think that s all he was saying we ve got to play with some urgency. The games (since) have been good. Obviously you re winning and everything feels good. You lose a couple and then we ll talk about not playing with enough urgency.

22 Ethier wasn t ready to give Kershaw too much credit for inspiring the winning streak, saying we ve been talked to a lot about playing with urgency. But he did acknowledge the timing was right after the team s first five-game losing streak since I think it was the right feeling to freak out a little bit just because you see the Giants creep up on you, you see the games you have ahead against those guys, he said. So it s rightfully so that it s time to push that panic button and have a sense-of-urgency check on everyone, their attitude and not getting, Oh, we re going to get back on track tomorrow. The Giants can be faulted for allowing the Dodgers the luxury of slipping into complacency. They haven t exactly lit a fire under the Dodgers by going in August. They were shut out by the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, swelling the Dodgers lead in the division to 31/2 games, matching the largest it has been since the All-Star break. It wasn't easy getting there Saturday night. Dropped from the rotation for two weeks, thanks to a glut of off days as much as his own ineffectiveness, right-hander Mat Latos returned Saturday and needed 45 pitches to get through two innings. He failed to get through five for the third consecutive start and balked home the go-ahead run in the fifth inning. Mattingly went to the bullpen quickly when Latos walked the next batter. Mattingly used five relievers Luis Avilan, Chris Hatcher, J.P. Howell, Jim Johnson and Kenley Jansen to get the final 13 outs in what is becoming a familiar patchwork strategy to cover holes in the bullpen. It s just trying to match up, Mattingly said. The guys did their job. That s the way I look at it. The guys did their job out of the bullpen. They did but not without drama. Johnson loaded the bases in the eighth, hitting two consecutive batters with 0-and-2 pitches (one on a bounce) before getting an inning-ending double play. Held to one scratch run on four hits through six innings by Cubs starter Jon Lester, the Dodgers rallied with six hits in the first seven batters of the seventh inning, chasing him from the game and scoring four times. After Peraza and Ethier gave the Dodgers the lead, Adrian Gonzalez added an RBI single. Sometimes that s the thing when you get to see a pitcher three times, Ethier said. We finally put the at-bats together and found a way to capitalize. THIRD BASE

23 Chase Utley was not in the starting lineup Saturday against the left-handed Lester. Instead, he was on the field for an early workout at third base with Dodgers coaches Tim Wallach and Ron Roenicke. It was Utley s second time working out there since he was acquired by the Dodgers. Mattingly said Wallach has mapped out the process in stages but they are hopeful Utley will be comfortable enough at third to play there once Howie Kendrick returns from his hamstring injury. Kendrick could start a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment next week. NOTES Mattingly said Latos has returned to the rotation and the plan is for Mat to pitch every fifth day for the rest of the season. Latos was dropped from the rotation for two weeks when the Dodgers had three off days in an eight-day stretch. The Dodgers passed the 3 million mark in attendance Saturday night. It was the fourth consecutive season and 19th time in the past 20 years they have drawn over 3 million to Dodger Stadium. Final: Dodgers rally past Cubs, extend win streak to five By Bill Plunkett LOS ANGELES Maybe Clayton Kershaw should buy an ill-fitting plaid jacket, start living in a van down by the river and find work as a motivational speaker. Rookie Jose Peraza s RBI double and Andre Ethier s two-run single fueled a four-run seventh inning as the Dodgers rallied to beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 Saturday night for their fifth consecutive win. The winning streak has followed a season-high five-game losing streak that prompted Kershaw to chide his team for failing to play with a sense of urgency. Whether Kershaw s comments actually knocked some of that sense into his teammates or were mostly just well-timed (coming before a three-game series against the lowly and fading Cincinnati Reds and a welcome homestand), the Dodgers haven t lost since. Saturday s victory coupled with the second-place San Francisco Giants 6-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals pushed the Dodgers National League West lead to 3 ½ games, the largest it has been since the All-Star break. It wasn't easy getting there Saturday night.

24 Dropped from the rotation for two weeks (due to a glut of off days as much as his own ineffectiveness), right-hander Mat Latos returned Saturday and needed 45 pitches to get through two innings. He failed to get through five for the third consecutive start and balked home the go-ahead run in the fifth inning, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly going to the bullpen quickly when Latos walked the next batter. Mattingly used five relievers Luis Avilan, Chris Hatcher, J.P. Howell, Jim Johnson and Kenley Jansen to get the final 13 outs in what is becoming a familiar patchwork strategy to covering the holes in the Dodgers bullpen. It worked this time -- but not without drama. Johnson loaded the bases in the eighth, hitting two consecutive batters with 0-and-2 pitches (one on a bounce) before getting an inning-ending double play. Held to one scratch run on four hits through six innings by Cubs starter Jon Lester, the Dodgers rallied with six hits in the first seven batters of the seventh inning, chasing him from the game. After Peraza and Ethier gave the Dodgers the lead, Adrian Gonzalez added an RBI single. THIRD BASE Chase Utley was not in the starting lineup Saturday against Cubs left-hander Jon Lester. Instead, he was on the field for an early workout at third base with Dodgers coaches Tim Wallach and Ron Roenicke. It was Utley s second time working out there since he was acquired by the Dodgers. Mattingly said Wallach has mapped out the process in stages but they are hopeful Utley will be comfortable enough at third to play there once Howie Kendrick returns from his hamstring injury. Kendrick could start a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment next week. NOTES Mattingly said Latos has returned to the rotation and the plan is for Mat to pitch every fifth day for the rest of the season. Latos was dropped from the rotation for two weeks when the Dodgers had three off days in an eight-day stretch. The Dodgers passed the 3 million mark in attendance Saturday night. It was the fourth consecutive season and 19th time in the past 20 years they have drawn over 3 million to Dodger Stadium. Vin Scully says 2016 will be his final year as Dodgers broadcaster By Bill Plunkett

25 LOS ANGELES Over 66 years as a broadcaster, Vin Scully has known just how to describe some of the most dramatic endings in baseball history. He is now ready to call his own ending. The Dodgers announced Friday that Scully would return for a 67th season broadcasting their games next season. But Scully said Saturday that 2016 will likely be his final season. I would say realistically and I don t want any headlines but I would say next year would be the last one, Scully told reporters. How much longer can you go on fooling people? But, yeah, I would say, Dear God, if you give me next year, I ll hang it up. I do feel in my bones that will be enough, for sure. I just think Hey, enough is enough. My gosh. Scully will turn 88 in November God willing, as he says repeatedly when talking about the future. He said the extent of his 2016 schedule is still being discussed. He and the Dodgers haven t determined yet how much I ll do next year as far as leaving Dodger Stadium. This season, Scully is only broadcasting home games and road series in San Francisco and Anaheim. Scully said he has no interest in making next season a farewell tour and would have preferred the Dodgers just announced his return each year as a line in the game notes. The last thing I d want is to have one of these glorified goodbyes, he said. No, no farewell tour. My gosh. In a career that began with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950, Scully has won a host of awards and almost universal acknowledgment as the greatest broadcaster in baseball history. Over the years, he has been behind the microphone for 25 World Series, 12 All-Star Games and 20 no-hitters including three perfect games. Replacing him will be an impossible task for the Dodgers but not if you ask Scully. Let me put it this way, Scully said Saturday. I saw Mel Allen leave the Yankees. I saw Red Barber leave the Dodgers. I saw Russ Hodges leave the Giants. I saw Harry Caray leave the Cubs. I saw Jack Buck leave the Cardinals. You know what not one of those teams missed a game. They kept on playing and the fans kept on going. I will just go along where they are and be very happy and privileged to be in that company. There will be somebody, somewhere that they ll like. Some broadcaster maybe out there. Maybe some broadcaster we have right now. I don t know. I know I can be replaced. They ve all come and gone and I will join that same group.