Dodgers Go For Series Win, Wait For Word On Mark Ellis

(We have just learned that Stephen Fife was placed on the disabled list with shoulder busitits, retroactive to April 22. The Dodgers have called up Matt Magill to take his spot. The Simi Valley Native will make his first Major League start tonight against the Brewers)

I am beginning to hate this season. It’s turning into a trainwreck. Now Gonzalez has been a late scratch from the lineup. No word yet on why. Hairston will start at first base tonight. Ok, word is Gonzo had a skin infection in his leg and had to be hospitalized, but he is ok. According to the club, Gonzalez will be back at Dodger Stadium later tonight, and will be available to play. That is very good news.

Dodgers Lineup vs. Milwaukee

The Dodgers received a huge blow last night when they lost Mark Ellis for who knows how long. But they responded with a huge win with a 7-5 come from behind victory last night over the Brewers. Mark Ellis is scheduled to have an MRI on his right quad muscle, which he strained while running out a grounder during the bottom of the fifth inning. Mark Ellis is hitting .342 in the number two spot in the lineup, and a vital part of the Dodger roster, both offensively and defensively. Expect for Don Mattingly to rotate Nick Punto, Juan Uribe, Luis Cruz,  and Skip Schumaker at second base until Ellis returns.

Fife was placed on the DL this afternoon with shoulder bursitis, Matt Magill will start in his place-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers are taking on a red-hot Milwaukee team that had previously won nine of their last ten games. With multiple injuries to the pitching staff, the offense has had to come through. And that is just what they did last night by scoring seven runs on nine hits. Adrian Gonzalez continues his torrid hitting with two doubles last night, and three runs driven in. he is now batting .364 and is fourth in the majors in batting. With the injuries to the pitching staff, and shaky defense, (The Dodgers made four more errors last night), the offense is really going to have to step it up over the next couple of weeks.

Tonight will be a battle of rookies as two starting pitchers that have never faced their opposing teams face off tonight at Dodger Stadium. Milwaukee will be sending right handed second year starter Wily Peralta to the mound. Peralta is a 23 year old Dominican who was signed by the Brewers as an amateur free agent in 2005. Remember, the Brewers had some big time turnover in their rotation before the season started. Shaun Marcum, Zack Greinke, and Randy Wolf are all gone now. So the Brewers filled those open spots with prospects.

The Brewers are also without two of their best hitters. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, and outfielder Corey Hart are both out with injuries. Those are two heavy hitters  and a big part of their attack. Injuries affect all teams not just the Dodgers. Anyways, back to Peralta….

Peralta pitched in six games last season, and started five of them. He posted a 2-1 record, and a 2.48 ERA, with 11 walks and 23 whiffs. This year he is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in four games. Peralta has never faced the Dodgers, and is 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA in four road starts. Peralta has never faced the Dodgers nor has he pitched at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers will counter with right hander Stephen Fife. Matt Magill.  I seriously hate coming home and finding out I have to re-write my pregame. Apparently Stephen Fife has shoulder bursitis, so he’s been placed on the DL. Rookie Matt Magill was called up from triple A Albuquerque to start in his place tonight. The Dodgers are really dipping into the minors now. They have no choice. WIth Capy still on the DL, and Fife now hurt, there is nobody left. Magill is 23 years old, and a SImi Valley native. The right hander graduated from the same high school as I did, Royal High. Magill has made four starts in Albuquerque this season, posting a 2.84 ERA, with 23 whiffs and 14 walks. Magill pitched for Chattanooga last season and posted an 11-8 record in 26 games, with a 3.75 ERA, with 168 whiffs and 61 walks. Magill was drafted by the Dodgers in the 31st round of the 2008 draft, and has a 9.0 whiff per nine rate in six seasons of minor league ball.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Wily Peralta pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the 1st inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

While the Dodgers and all of us hope and pray for good news on Mark Ellis’s quad injury, Hanley Ramirez is prepared to play a rehab game at Rancho later tonight. Ramirez is expected to be activated sometime next week. We’ll have to wait and see if M.Ellis is placed on the disabled list, and if he is, whether the Dodgers make some kind of roster move, or just wait a few days until Hanley returns. Meanwhile another injured Dodger Chris Capuano is set to begin a rehab assignment tomorrow. Cappy has been on the DL with a strained calf. Capuano is eligible to come off of the DL May 2, but we are hearing May 8 as his likely return date. We’ll keep you informed on all news from the injury front.

Tonight’s game is on at 6:10 PM and televised on Prime Ticket. Please join us after the game for our typical nightly Dodger postgame content, and twitter commentary. The Dodgers go for a series win tonight. Get some Dodgers! Go Blue.