Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Stripling, Kemp, Hill, Baez

The Dodgers defeated the Giants on Friday night by a 3-2 score thanks in large part to the bats of Kiké Hernandez and Matt Kemp along with the strong pitching of Ross Stripling.

The Dodgers hung on to a 3-2 victory thanks to Kenley Jansen working his way through a scoreless ninth inning to secure the victory.  The Dodgers lead 3-0 at one point but a two-run home run by Pablo Sandoval cut the Dodgers lead down to one.  The Diamondbacks won so the Dodgers remain 2 1/2 games back but as long as the Dodgers keep winning series, reaching first place is only a matter of time.

Later on this afternoon, the Dodgers will face Madison Bumgarner for the first time this season.  Bumgarner was knocked around by the Marlins in his last outing and was ejected as he was walking off the mound to exit his start.  Given the history of Yasiel Puig and Bumgarner, there could be some more fireworks at Dodger Stadium tonight.

Other news…

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• Ross Stripling allowed two runs over six-plus innings last night to continue his emergence and all-star push.  The lone runs Stripling allowed came on a two-run homer by Pablo Sandoval that just made it over the left field fence.  Stripling struck out six Giants and didn’t allow a single walk while lowering his ERA to an impressive 1.76.  Next week Ross will face the Cubs in his next start.
• Matt Kemp continued his own all-star push last night hitting his eleventh home run of the season off Derek Holland.  Kemp had been scuffling a bit over the past week hitting just .160 so the home run will hopefully get him going again.  On the season Kemp is now hitting .335 to go along with his eleven home runs and 42 RBI’s.
• Rich Hill announced to the media that is going to come off of the disabled list and start against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.  Hill had a very encouraging rehab start and the Dodgers could use any starting pitcher they can get given how they have run through most of their upper-level rotation options.  Hill also said he will continue to use laser therapy to avoid his blister issues so that will be something to monitor going forward.

Next: The Dodgers should acquire an innings eater

• The Dodgers sent Pedro Baez to the DL on Friday with biceps tendonitis.  In response to that move, the Dodgers called up Kyle Farmer.  For triple-a Oklahoma City, Farmer has had a solid season batting .281 with three home runs.  Like Barnes, Kyle Farmer is a very versatile catcher so Dave Roberts will have plenty of options with his bench.