But due to the fact that Hill has suffered from a recurring blister issue that has hampered his season, manager Dave Roberts chose to pull him after those seven innings. The Dodgers can’t afford more injuries in their rotation and Hill, despite the short term focus in this case, does need to stay healthy in order to get that big, fat, multiyear deal when the season is over. “I was praying to God this wasn’t the first time tonight”. And he’s got to balance the bigger picture with the personal accomplishment. You look at it and move on. Dennis Martinez – who pitched a flawless game for Montreal at Dodger Stadium in 1991 – threw out one of Friday’s ceremonial first pitches.
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Roberts’ reasoning behind the move was based in his concerns for a recurrence of the blister issue that kept Hill out from July 17 until August 24. The 28-year-old right-hander will carry a crisp 3.28 ERA and 1.09 WHIP into a road start against the Diamondbacks next time he toes the rubber. Sep. The real Dave Roberts pulled Hill from the game and transferred the perfecto to the capable hands of Joe Blanton, who less-than-capably blew it on a perfectly centered 2-2 curveball to Jeff Francoeur two outs later. He had pitched into the seventh inning just once before in the big leagues, going 6 2/3 against the Colorado Rockies last season. The Los Angeles bullpen would later end the no-hit bid shortly after Hill’s exit.
The loss was the sixth in seven games for the Dodgers against the Marlins and their former manager, Don Mattingly, this season. “My image of him hasn’t changed since we last met”, said Ichiro, who went 0-for-3 against Maeda in their previous meeting in April.
Said Roberts, “to go 89 pitches, weighing the risks versus the opportunity and talking to the training staff and getting their advice and weighing it all up and what is right for Rich and the Dodgers, this is the decision I made”.
Los Angeles remains four games ahead of the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West.
Fernandez (14-8), a former member of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, gave up three hits and three walks in seven shutout innings. Chris Guccione replaced Knight on Saturday. Ethier broke his leg during spring training. The Marlins entered Saturday with a 22-10 record against lefties, ranking second in the majors behind the Pittsburgh Pirates for the best winning percentage against southpaw starting pitchers. Morris has missed the last three months because of a herniated lumbar disk in his back.
Roberts said the Dodgers’ plan was to attack Urena early, a strategy that had something to do with Bill Miller, Sunday’s plate umpire.
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This version corrects to unofficial flawless game on June 23, 1917.
