Red Sox-Dodgers preview
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching rotation took another hit Saturday before they defeated the Boston Red Sox.
Newly acquired starter Rich Hill was bumped from his scheduled start Sunday when "remnants" of another blister were found on his middle pitching finger after the left-hander played catch Friday, manager Dave Roberts said.
"I think with his recent history we want to be cautious and push his start date back," said Roberts, adding that Hill is listed as day to day and a future start date hasn't been determined.
Hill was already on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his finger when the Dodgers obtained him in a trade with the Oakland A's on Monday. Brandon McCarthy (2-2, 2.16 ERA) will replace Hill as the Dodgers' starter in Sunday's rubber match of the series finale with the Red Sox. David Price (9-7, 4.26) will oppose McCarthy.
Hill is one of 12 Dodger pitchers on the disabled list. Ace Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk) went on the 60-day disabled list earlier this week and isn't expected back until September. Bud Norris, who was recently acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a trade, was put on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with a mild back strain.
However, the Dodgers got a much-needed boost from rookie starter Ross Stripling on Saturday in a 3-0 decision against the Red Sox.
Stripling (3-3) didn't overwhelm the Red Sox but struck out four and walked one while allowing four hits in five innings by the major leagues' top offense. Stripling threw 75 pitches (49 strikes) before Roberts lifted him in the bottom of the fifth for pinch-hitter Chris Taylor.
"It's a really good lineup and I think your mentality is to get the first guy out, but I really wanted to do that today," said Stripling, who threw 25 pitches in the first inning and escaped a bases-loaded jam. "You don't want to give them any opportunities."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "Obviously, I can't say enough about Ross and the effort he gave us today. We've put him in some tough spots that we've talked, but he's always risen to the occasion. He gave us a huge lift we needed."
Relievers Grant Dayton and Joe Blanton combined for three scoreless innings before closer Kenley Jansen worked a perfect ninth for his 33rd save of the season.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said the Red Sox missed opportunities against Stripling, particularly the first inning.
"First time that we've faced Stripling," Farrell said. "He had a good overhand curveball, stayed out of the middle of the plate, (but) we had him on the ropes out of the get-go."
The Red Sox would like to cap their 11-game road trip on a high note Sunday, which would allow them to win the series against the Dodgers and finish 6-5.
"We're in the last couple of months of the season, so whoever plays best the last couple of months are going to be the ones in the playoffs," David Ortiz said.
