The2014 Los Angeles Dodgers season was the 125th for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 57th season in Los Angeles. On April 30, the Dodgers picked up their 10,000th win since joining theNational League in 1890. They proceeded to win their second straightNational League West championship but lost in four games to theSt. Louis Cardinals in theNLDS.
Former DodgerOrel Hershiser joined the team's broadcast crew for 2014.
After the2013 season, the Dodgers ended their broadcast agreements withPrime Ticket andKCAL-TV. They entered into an agreement withTime Warner Cable to start their ownregional sports network, to be calledSportsNet LA, to begin with the 2014 season. This marked the end of over-the-air broadcasts of Dodger games, which had begun in 1949.[1] On October 12, 2013, they announced that they would not be retaining the broadcasting team ofSteve Lyons andEric Collins who had worked road games for the team since 2005 (Lyons) and 2009 (Collins).[2] On December 2, 2013, the team announced that former DodgerNomar Garciaparra would be part of the new broadcast team.[3] On December 8, it was announced thatOrel Hershiser would also be joining the broadcast team as a television game analyst for road games and thatAlanna Rizzo would be joining the pre and post game shows.[4] On December 11,Jerry Hairston Jr. announced that he was retiring from baseball to join the Dodgers pre and post game broadcasting team.[5] On January 22, 2014, it was announced thatKLAC radio announcerCharley Steiner would move to the TV booth to call road games with Hershiser, while Garciaparra would call road radio broadcasts withRick Monday.Vin Scully, in his 65th year with the Dodgers, would continue to call all home telecasts as well as road games fromArizona andSan Francisco.[6] The new network officially launched on February 25, 2014.[7] However, a season long dispute between Time Warner Cable and other content providers, most notablyDirecTV, led to the new channel only being available in homes that were served by Time Warner Cable itself.[8]
In September 2014, it was announced that in response to the lack of carriage for SportsNet LA, the Dodgers' final six games of the regular season would be aired by local independent stationKDOC-TV—an over-the-air channel that is carried by all major television providers in the region.[9]
As a result of their lack of distribution carriage for the 2014 season, the Dodgers saw a 70% drop in television ratings compared to the previous season when they were on Prime Ticket and the poorest cable performance by the team since at least the mid-1990s. The ratings for Dodger games were second lowest in the Majors, ahead of only theHouston Astros, who had similar issues with their cable provider,CSN Houston.[10]
Don Mattingly signed a three-year contract extension with the Dodgers
On October 21, 2013, the team announced that Head Athletic TrainerSue Falsone, the first woman to hold that position in a Major sport, would be stepping down to pursue other opportunities.[11] The following day, the team fired bench coachTrey Hillman, who had been on the staff since 2011.[12] The team also announced that they had chosen to pick up the options on pitching coachRick Honeycutt, and base coachesDavey Lopes andTim Wallach, bringing them back for 2014.[13]
On November 11, the team announced that Wallach would be promoted to the vacant bench coach position and that AAAAlbuquerque managerLorenzo Bundy would become the new third base coach. They also confirmed that managerDon Mattingly and the rest of the coaching staff would be retained for 2014.[14] Mattingly agreed to a three-year extension on January 7.[15]
Cuban infielderAlex Guerrero was signed to a free agent contract in the off-season.
On October 22, 2013, the Dodgers announced the signing ofCuban middle-infielderAlex Guerrero to a four-year deal, worth $32 million with incentives.[23] On November 25, the Dodgers announced the signing of pitcherDan Haren to a one-year, $10 million contract, that included a vesting player option for 2015.[24] On December 5, the Dodgers re-signed relief pitcherBrian Wilson to a one-year, $10 million contract, that included a player option for 2015[25] and on December 14, they agreed to terms with third basemanJuan Uribe on a two-year, $15 million, extension.[26] On December 17, relief pitcherJ. P. Howell re-signed on a two-year, $11.25 million, contract.[27] The team added to an already deep bullpen on December 23, by agreeing to separate one-year contracts withJamey Wright andChris Perez.[28]
On January 15, 2014, the Dodgers agreed to a seven-year, $215 million, contract extension with pitcherClayton Kershaw. The deal was the largest contract for a pitcher, eclipsingJustin Verlander's deal from the previous year.[29]
Erisbel Arruebarrena signed as a free agent with the Dodgers during spring training.
Spring training for the 2014 Dodgers began on February 8 when pitchers and catchers reported toCamelback Ranch inGlendale, Arizona.[30] On the first day of camp, the team also announced that they had signed left-handed pitcherPaul Maholm to a one-year contract.[31] Maholm would compete withJosh Beckett, who missed most of the previous season with an injury, for the fifth starter spot.[32] On February 22, the Dodgers signed Cuban shortstopErisbel Arruebarrena to a 5-year $25 million contract and designated infielderJustin Sellers for assignment.[33]
Due to Major League Baseball scheduling the Dodgers to open the season with a couple of games inSydney, Australia on March 22, the team had an abbreviated spring training.[34] Starting pitcherZack Greinke injured his calf in his first spring training start, and was ruled out for the opening series.[35] OutfielderMatt Kemp, recovering from off-season ankle surgery, spent most of the spring training rehabbing and was also ruled out for the opening series.[36] On March 9, the team announced thatClayton Kershaw andHyun-jin Ryu would start the two games in Australia against theArizona Diamondbacks.[37]
The Dodgers primary position battle in spring training was for thesecond base job, left open by the departure of the 2013 starterMark Ellis. Cuban defectorAlex Guerrero was the favorite to land the spot at the start of camp, but concerns about his defense opened up the competition.Dee Gordon, who had primarily playedshortstop in the past as well as non-roster candidatesJustin Turner andChone Figgins got time at the position during camp.[38] At the end of camp, both Turner and Figgins had their contracts purchased and were added to the 40 man roster, while relieverJavy Guerra was designated for assignment.[39]
The team had a record of 6–10–5 during theCactus League schedule, which concluded on March 16, when the team left Arizona to fly to Australia.[40]
This season, Major League Baseball scheduled the Dodgers andArizona Diamondbacks to open the season with a two-game series at theSydney Cricket Ground in Australia. As a result, both teams began spring training earlier than usual and played abbreviatedCactus League schedules before flying to Australia for the series.[41] Several members of the Dodgers organization expressed their dislike of the way the trip would impact their normal-preseason routine and their concern over the travel. As a result, the media started portraying the Dodgers in a negative light, contrasted with the Diamondbacks seemingly supportive stance on the trip.[42] A few days before the start of the series, the Dodgers played an exhibition game against theAustralian national baseball team.[43]
Clayton Kershaw made his fourth straight opening day start for the Dodgers, joiningDon Drysdale,Don Sutton,Fernando Valenzuela andRamón Martínez as the only Dodgers to do so.[44] He allowed a run for the first time in 25 opening day innings, but still struck out seven in 6.2 innings for the 3–1 win.Scott Van Slyke homered and doubled to pace the offense.[45] In the second game,Hyun-jin Ryu pitched five scoreless innings while striking out five.Yasiel Puig was 3 for 5 with an RBI double,Dee Gordon had three hits, an RBI and scored twice andJuan Uribe also had three hits and an RBI. The bullpen struggled and let the Diamondbacks get back into the game after trailing by seven runs, but the Dodgers won 7–5 to sweep the two game opening series.[46]
The Dodgers returned to Los Angeles to play theFreeway Series, three exhibitions against theLos Angeles Angels.[47] During that period, they discovered that Kershaw had a sore back, which would keep him from starting the domestic opener, and sent him to the disabled list for the first time in his career.[48] When the season resumed, on March 30, atPetco Park,Hyun-jin Ryu pitched another seven shutout innings as the Dodgers pulled ahead 1–0. However, the bullpen faltered asBrian Wilson allowed three runs in the eighth without recording an out and the team lost 3–1 to theSan Diego Padres.[49] A 2-run homer byYasiel Puig led the Dodgers to a 3–2 win the next day asZack Greinke picked up his first win of the season.[50]Dan Haren made his Dodgers debut on April 3, allowing one unearned run on four hits with six strikeouts and no walks in a 5–1 win against the Padres.[51]
The Dodgers returned toDodger Stadium for their home opener on April 4. However, Ryu was hit hard and theSan Francisco Giants jumped to an early 8–0 lead after the second inning and held on to win 8–4.[52] A three-run homer byPablo Sandoval and 10 strikeouts byMadison Bumgarner led the Giants to a 7–2 rout of the Dodgers the next day.[53] Zack Greinke struck out eight in 10 innings on April 6 and the Dodgers got two-home run games from bothMatt Kemp andHanley Ramírez to beat the Giants 6–2 in the final game of the series.[54] A walk-off double byCarl Crawford in the 10th inning gave the Dodgers a 3–2 win over theDetroit Tigers on April 8.[55]Josh Beckett returned from the disabled list to make his first start of the season on April 8. He struggled but the Dodgers came from behind to send the game into extra innings only to lose 7–6 in 10 innings.[56]
Zack Greinke was a perfect 5–0 in the month of April.
The Dodgers traveled toChase Field to play the Diamondbacks on April 11.Adrián González was 3 for 4 with 5 RBI and a homer as the Dodgers won 6–0 in the opener of the series.[57] Greinke picked up his third win of the season when he pitched5+1⁄3 innings while allowing only one run and striking out eight the next night. González hit a two-run homer in the game. The Dodgers won 8–5, despiteBrandon League allowing three runs to score in the ninth.[58] González, Kemp andJuan Uribe all homered as the Dodgers completed the sweep of the Diamondbacks 8–6.[59] The Dodgers next dropped the opener of a three-game series atAT&T Park to the Giants in 12 innings.[60] The Giants also won the next game, 2–1, despite an effective start byPaul Maholm, who allowed only one run in six innings.[61] Ryu pitched seven scoreless innings in the series finale as the Dodgers won 2–1, he became the first Dodger pitcher sinceOrel Hershiser in1988 to pitch four consecutive scoreless road starts.[62]
The Dodgers returned home on April 18 for another series with the Diamondbacks. They lost the first game of the series 4–2 in 12 innings. This was the third straight home extra innings game, matching the longest streak at Dodger Stadium (the last of which was in1982 against theBraves).[63] A three-run homer byAndre Ethier paced the team the next day as they won 8–6.[64] Puig hit a 3-run homer in a 4–1 win in the series finale.[65]Cliff Lee dominated the Dodgers 7–0 as thePhiladelphia Phillies came to town next.[66] A costly error in the 10th inning led to a 3–2 loss the next night.[67] Greinke picked up his 4th win while striking out 11 in seven-plus innings on April 23. Puig tripled and Hanley Ramírez hit a homer and double to pace the offense in the 5–2 win over the Phillies.[68] Brian Wilson allowed four runs in the ninth inning as the Phillies took the final game of the series, 7–3.[69] Josh Beckett was brilliant on April 25 against theColorado Rockies, striking out six and allowing only two runs in eight innings. However, the Dodgers dropped another extra innings contest, 5–4.[70] Kemp and González both homered in the Dodgers 6–3 the next day.[71] Ryu was pounded in the final game of the homestand and the Dodgers lost to the Rockies 6–1.[72]
The Dodgers went back on the road, to cold and wetMinnesota, where the first game of the series against theMinnesota Twins on April 29 was postponed because of the poor weather, rescheduled as part of a double-header two days later.[73] The action got back under way on April 30 atTarget Field as Zack Greinke improved to 5–0 on the season and the Dodgers racked up their 10,000th win since joining the National League with a 6–4 victory.[74]
Yasiel Puig andJuan Uribe had four hits each andDan Haren picked up his fourth win of the season (with no losses) in the Dodgers 9–4 victory in game one of the doubleheader against the Twins on May 1.[75] The Dodgers called up minor league pitcherRed Patterson to start the second game of the doubleheader. Solo homers byScott Van Slyke andDrew Butera in the 12th inning led to a 4–3 win and a sweep of the inter-league series.[76] The Dodgers traveled toMiami for a series against theMarlins atMarlins Park. The tired team fell behind 6–0 in the opener, staged a late rally but lost 6–3.[77] On May 3,Dee Gordon had five hits and three steals andCarl Crawford hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning to give the Dodgers a 9–7 win.[78] A walk-off double byJeff Baker gave the Marlins a 5–4 win in the last game of the series.[79] The Dodgers sat through a three-hour rain delay in the middle of their series opener against theWashington Nationals atNationals Park only to lose 4–0 when the offense took a day off.[80]Clayton Kershaw returned from the disabled list and pitched seven scoreless innings while striking out nine in the Dodgers 8–3 win.[81]Dan Haren lost for the first time in the final game of the road trip, as the Dodgers offense was stymied byStephen Strasburg and they lost 3–2.[82]
The Dodgers returned home to drop the opener of a four-game series against theGiants, 3–1, in 10 innings as the struggling bullpen walked three batters in that inning.[83] The losing streak hit three games in a row asMadison Bumgarner stymied their offense in another 3–1 defeat.[84] The Dodgers won the next game in the series, 6–2 thanks to a strong effort from lead-off hitter Dee Gordon. He had two hits, scored two runs, stole three bases and had the tie-breaking RBI double in the seventh inning.[85] The Dodgers staged a late inning comeback to send the series finale into extra innings but the bullpen faltered again and they lost 7–4.[86] A 3-run homer by Puig carried the Dodgers to a 6–5 victory over the Marlins on May 12.[87]Josh Beckett picked up his first win since September 30, 2012, the next day, as the Dodgers defeated the Marlins 7–1.[88]Paul Maholm was awful the next day, giving up 10 runs on 11 hits as the team was blown out 13–3.[89]
Josh Beckett pitched a no-hitter on May 25 against the Phillies
Back on the road against the Diamondbacks, Puig and Van Slyke each homered and Greinke picked up his league leading seventh run in the 7–0 win.[90] On May 17, Kershaw had the shortest start of his career, lasting only1+2⁄3 innings and allowing seven runs in what became an 18–7 loss.[91] Poor defense contributed to a 5–3 loss in the series finale.[92] The team next traveled toCiti Field for a series against theNew York Mets. They won the opener 9–4 asAdrián González had three hits, including a tie-breaking home run.[93] He homered again the next day, as did Puig andHanley Ramírez asHyun-jin Ryu came off the disabled list to beat the Mets 4–3.[94] However they lost the series finale, 5–3.[95] Kershaw rebounded to pitch six shutout innings, sandwiched around a 45-minute rain delay, as the Dodgers won the opener of a series from thePhiladelphia Phillies, 2–0, atCitizens Bank Park.[96] More shoddy defense led to a 5–3 defeat the next day.[97] The Dodgers ended the road trip with a 6–0 win over the Phillies as Josh Beckett pitched his first careerno hitter, and the first by a Dodger pitcher sinceHideo Nomo in1996.[98]
The Dodgers returned home onMemorial Day and Ryu took aperfect game into the 8th inning against theCincinnati Reds before allowing a lead-off double toTodd Frazier. The bullpen again struggled, and the Reds closed the gap before the Dodgers held on to win 4–3.[99]Andre Ethier homered, tripled and drove in four runs in the 6–3 win over the Reds on the 27th as Grienke struck out 11 in his7+2⁄3 innings.[100]Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homer in the 1st inning and the Reds held on to defeat the Dodgers 3–2 as the series wrapped up.[101] They lost again the next day, 6–3, to thePittsburgh Pirates.[102] The Dodgers were shut down byFrancisco Liriano in a 2–1 loss the following day.[103] Hanley Ramírez woke up the Dodgers offense by going 4 for 4 with 2 homers and 5 RBI as the Dodgers routed the Pirates 12–2 to finish the month of May with a 15–15 record.[104]
June started off with a loss asAndrew McCutchen was 3 for 4 with two doubles and a home run in the Pirates 5–3 win over the Dodgers.[105]Clayton Kershaw struck out nine while allowing only two runs in eight innings on June 2 against theChicago White Sox and the Dodgers scored five unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth thanks to two White Sox errors to win 5–2.[106] Two home runs, including a two-run blast byJosé Abreu, gave the White Sox a 4–1 win in the second game of the series.[107] Two solo homers by the White Sox allowed them to beat the Dodgers, who only got two hits in the game, 2–1, as the homestand came to an end.[108]
Clayton Kershaw also pitched a no-hitter, on June 18 against the Rockies, striking out 15 in the game.
Dee Gordon had three hits, including two triples, in the Dodgers 7–2 win over theColorado Rockies atCoors Field on June 6. He was the first Dodgers player with two triples in a game sinceRafael Furcal in2010.[109]Tim Federowicz hit a three-run homer the next day, but the Dodgers still lost 5–4 in 10 innings on a walk-off triple byBrandon Barnes.[110] The final game of the Rockies series was called off after5+1⁄2 innings because of rain but the Dodgers were credited with a 6–1 win. Clayton Kershaw struck out nine batters in the five innings, becoming the first pitcher in Major League history to record four straight games of exactly nine strikeouts. The game was the Dodgers first regulation game called before nine innings since a2004 game that was also at Coors Field.[111]Scott Van Slyke hit two home runs and drove in four on June 9 as the Dodgers beat theCincinnati Reds 6–2 atGreat American Ball Park.[112]Josh Beckett threw six shutout innings and the Dodgers racked up 12 hits in a 6–1 win over the Reds after a two-hour rain delay before the second game of the series.[113] The Dodgers struck out 12 times, managed only four hits, and were shut out 5–0 byJohnny Cueto on June 11[114] and wound up with a series split after dropping a day game the following day, 4–1.[115]
The team returned home on June 13 and Kershaw allowed only one run in seven innings while striking out seven andMatt Kemp homered as they beat theArizona Diamondbacks 4–3.[116] A two-run homer byDee Gordon and a three-run double byDan Haren helped the Dodgers to a 6–4 win the next night.[117] Sloppy defense and base running errors contributed to a 6–3 loss in the last game of the series, onFather's Day.[118] Gordon was 4 for 4 and scored twice in the Dodgers 6–1 win over the Rockies the next night.[119] Matt Kemp moved into sixth place on the Dodgers all time homer list on June 18, passingRaúl Mondesí with his 164th, as the team won 4–2.[120] On June 18, Kershaw pitched a complete-game no-hitter against the Rockies and struck out a career-high 15 batters in the process. The Dodgers won 8–0. Combined with Beckett's earlier no-hitter, they were the first two Dodgers to throw no-hitters in the same season sinceCarl Erskine andSal Maglie in1956.[121]
The Dodgers next traveled down the freeway to open a three-game series against theSan Diego Padres atPetco Park.Kenley Jansen blew the save and the game by allowing three runs in the ninth inning and the Padres walked off with a 6–5 win.[122] Beckett pitched seven shutout innings while allowing only four hits and striking out eight in the Dodgers 4–2 win in the next game.[123]Hyun-jin Ryu only allowed one run in six innings as the Dodgers won the series finale 2–1.[124] The Dodgers next lost the opener of aninterleague series atKauffman Stadium against theKansas City Royals, 5–3.[125] In his next start, Kershaw pitched eight more shutout innings while striking out eight batters in a 2–0 win.[126] They finished off the road-trip with a 5–4 win over the Royals, where the winning road scored whenA. J. Ellis was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth.[127]
Back at Dodger Stadium, Josh Beckett engaged in a pitcher's duel withAdam Wainwright of theSt. Louis Cardinals in a game that remained scoreless until a pinch hit RBI single byJustin Turner in the bottom of the eighth gave the Dodgers their one run in a 1–0 win.[128] The Cardinals won the next night, 3–1, as the offense again sputtered.[129] Zack Greinke picked up his 10th win of the season on June 28, when he struck out 10 in seven innings. The Dodgers offense exploded for 15 hits and nine runs as they picked up a 9–1 win.[130] In the series finale, Kershaw struck out 13 in seven innings and extended his scoreless streak to 28 consecutive innings, the longest streak in Dodgers history sinceOrel Hershiser'srecord breaking1988 season. The Dodgers won 6–0 to move into a share of first place with the Giants.[131] The next night,Dan Haren allowed only one hit in seven shutout innings andClint Robinson's first major league hit drove in the game's only run as the Dodgers beat theCleveland Indians 1–0. After falling9+1⁄2 games back at the start of the month, the Dodgers ended the month of June with a half-game lead over the Giants in the division.[132]
The Dodgers started July by being blown out by the Indians 10–3. They left 10 men on base, including stranding the bases loaded three times and hitting into atriple play.[133]Hyun-jin Ryu allowed only two runs and two hits the next day, but the bullpen allowed three runs in the top of the eighth and the Dodgers lost 5–4.[134]
Zack Greinke allowed only two runs (one earned) in eight innings on July 3 atCoors Field and aJuan Uribe RBI single in the top of the ninth gave the Dodgers a 3–2 win over theRockies.[135] On thefourth of July,Clayton Kershaw allowed only two hits and no runs in eight innings while striking out eight in the team's 9–0 win.[136]Dan Haren struck out a season high eight batters on July 5, but also allowed a season high eight runs and 10 hits. The Dodgers scored five runs in the fifth in an attempted comeback but fell one run short in an 8–7 loss.[137] The Dodgers cruised to an 8–2 win in the series finale behindJosh Beckett's five scoreless innings. However, he walked three in the game which ended the Dodgers MLB record streak for consecutive starts with no more than two walks at 39.[138] After the game, the Dodgers learned that they had four players selected to the2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Kershaw and Greinke were selected to the team, the fourth straight selection for Kershaw.Yasiel Puig was voted as a starter by the fan voting andDee Gordon was selected as a reserve.[139]Hyun-jin Ryu was unable to get out of the third inning as he allowed seven runs on ten hits and the Dodgers were pounded by theDetroit Tigers 14–5 atComerica Park.[140]Max Scherzer out dueled Greinke in a battle of formerCy Young Award winners and the Dodgers ended their road trip with a 4–1 loss to the Tigers.[141]
ShortstopDee Gordon was selected to his first All-Star game
Back home, Kershaw pitched a three-hit complete game against theSan Diego Padres on July 10. However, he allowed a run to score for the first time in nearly a month. He had pitched 41 consecutive scoreless innings, the third longest in Dodgers history behindOrel Hershiser andDon Drysdale. The Dodgers won 2–1.[142] However, they lost 6–3 the next night as the bats were unable to solve rookieJesse Hahn and Dan Haren struggled.[143] In the following game,Paul Maholm started for the Dodgers in place of the injured Josh Beckett and pitched six scoreless innings.Ian Kennedy pitched eight scoreless for the Padres to match him. A walk-off sacrifice fly byA. J. Ellis in the ninth led to the only run of the game in the Dodgers 1–0 victory.[144] They won the following game, also 1–0, and the Dodgers headed into the All-Star break with the top record in the National League, 54–43.[145]
They resumed play on July 18 after the break with a 3–2 loss to theSt. Louis Cardinals atBusch Stadium.[146] The next game, Grienke gave up four runs in the first inning and the Dodgers were shut down byJoe Kelly and lost 4–2.[147] Kershaw struck out eight in seven innings in his next start, but allowed a costly two-run homer toPeter Bourjos. However, this time the Dodgers came back and won the game on a ninth-inning single byAdrián González, 4–3.[148] The Dodgers next traveled toPittsburgh to open a three-game series atPNC Park.Hanley Ramírez andYasiel Puig were both held out of most of the series against thePirates due to injuries suffered in the Cardinals series. Still, Ryu pitched well in game one and the team won 5–2.[149] Josh Beckett returned to the rotation after a brief stint on the disabled list but allowed four runs in only3+2⁄3 innings and another bullpen implosion led to a 12–7 loss in the next game.[150] Dan Haren lost his fourth straight start on July 23 as the Dodgers dropped the final game of the series 6–1.[151] The Dodgers next traveled toAT&T Park for a crucial series against theSan Francisco Giants. In the opener, Puig hit three triples, tying a franchise record set byJimmy Sheckard in1901. His 11 total bases in the game were career highs and the most by a Dodger sinceKevin Elster has 12 in2000. Zack Greinke struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings and the Dodgers cruised to an 8–1 win.[152] Kershaw followed that up with a two-hit shutout for a 5–0 win.[153] The Dodgers completed the sweep over the Giants with a 4–3 victory on July 27.[154]
The team returned home on July 29 to play theAtlanta Braves. Puig had four hits in five at-bats andMatt Kemp hit two home runs in the Dodgers' 8–4 win to secure the team's first four-game winning streak of the season. The Dodgers had nine extra base hits in the game, the most since September 18,2006.[155] In the next game, Kemp homered again and also hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning as the Dodgers won 3–2. Greinke struck out 13 in eight innings in the game, while walking only one.[156] Kershaw pitched a nine strikeout complete game as the Dodgers swept the Braves 2–1 to end July with a six-game winning streak.[157]
Dan Haren's struggles continued as the calendar moved into August. He allowed seven runs in4+1⁄3 innings as the Dodgers were blown out by theChicago Cubs, 8–2, to snap the winning streak.[158]Hanley Ramírez hit a walk-off homer the next day as the Dodgers won 5–2 in extra innings.[159]Matt Kemp hit his fifth home run in six games on August 3, but poor pitching fromJosh Beckett and several relief pitchers led to a 7–3 loss to the Cubs.[160] TheLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning andGarrett Richards pitched a complete-game shutout in their 5–0 win over the Dodgers in the opener of the next series.[161]Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer the next night and the Dodgers won on a walk-off grounder byAndre Ethier for a 5–4 win.[162]
The series switched toAngel Stadium of Anaheim the following day and after five terrible starts that had fans calling for his head, Dan Haren picked up his first win in over a month, as the Dodgers won 2–1. He allowed only three hits in7+1⁄3 innings.[163] The Dodgers finished off theinterleague series whenHyun-jin Ryu combined with two relievers on a two hit shutout as they won 7–0.[164] After struggling in his last few starts, anMRI revealed that Josh Beckett had aggravated his injured hip and he returned to the disabled list. The Dodgers traded forRoberto Hernández, who started the opener of a series against theMilwaukee Brewers atMiller Park on August 8. He was solid, allowing only two runs over six innings, but a defensive meltdown in the seventh led to a disappointing 9–3 loss.[165]Zack Greinke allowed four runs in six innings the next day and the Dodgers lost 4–1.[166]Clayton Kershaw allowed only one run in eight innings as the Dodgers avoided the sweep with a 5–1 win. He upped his personal win streak to 11 games, the longest win streak by a Dodger starter sinceOrel Hershiser in1985.[167] Another recent trade acquisition,Kevin Correia started for the Dodgers atTurner Field against theAtlanta Braves on August 11. He allowed only one run in six innings while the Dodgers offense came up with enough runs in a 6–2 win.[168] Another good performance by Dan Haren led to a 4–2 win the next day.[169] The Braves took the next game in the series, 3–2, after the Dodgers hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded in the ninth.[170]Dee Gordon scored four runs and stole two bases as the Dodgers won the series with a 6–4 victory on August 14.[171]
The Dodgers returned home for another series against the Brewers. A bullpen meltdown led to a 6–3 loss in the first game, with the Brewers scoring five of the runs in the eighth inning.[172] In the next game, Kershaw pitched a complete game, striking out ten and allowing only five hits.. however two of the hits were homers and the team lost 3–2. It was Kershaw's first loss in 14 starts.[173] Dan Haren lasted just three innings as the Brewers finished off a three-game series sweep of the Dodgers with a 7–2 rout in the series finale.[174]Carl Crawford had three hits in three at-bats with a home run and a stolen base as the Dodgers ended their three-game losing streak with an 8–6 win over theSan Diego Padres on August 19.[175] Three Dodgers errors contributed to a 4–1 defeat the next day,[176] but they won the final game of the series 2–1. Kershaw allowed only one run and three hits in eight innings while striking out 10 and a 2-run homer byJustin Turner in the 8th inning gave the Dodgers their first win of the season while trailing after the seventh inning.[177] Haren bounced back, allowing only one run in seven innings as the Dodgers beat theNew York Mets 6–2 on August 22.[178]Adrián González hit a three-run homer and had a season high five RBI in the Dodgers 7–4 win the following day.[179] Kevin Correia unraveled in the third inning and allowed five runs thanks to two homers. The Dodgers were blown out 11–3 in the game.[180]
A couple ofreplay challenges helped the Dodgers put up six runs in the fourth inning as they beat theArizona Diamondbacks 9–5 atChase Field on August 26.[181] Kershaw picked up his 16th win of the season the following day, andKenley Jansen recorded his 100th career save as the Dodgers won 3–1 to sweep the brief two game series.[182] The team then dropped the opening of a series against the Padres atPetco Park, 3–2 in 12 innings.[183] In the second game, the team squandered a strong start by Zack Greinke and lost again in extra innings, on a walk-off hit byAlexi Amarista in the 10th inning.[184] Hyun-jin Ryu came off the disabled list on August 31 and pitched seven strong innings and Adrián González had four hits as the Dodgers avoided the sweep with a 7–2 win.[185]
The Dodgers began the month of September by hosting theWashington Nationals for a three-game series in a matchup of the teams with the top two records in theNational League. In the first game, the Nationals hit four home runs off ofRoberto Hernández, including two byDenard Span and they beat the Dodgers 6–4.[186]Clayton Kershaw struck out eight batters the next night in eight innings, while allowing only a solo home run byBryce Harper as the Dodgers won 4–1. In the process, Kershaw moved past the 200 strikeout mark for the fifth straight season, joiningSandy Koufax as the only Dodger pitchers to accomplish that,[187] and just the fourth pitcher since 1893 to have at least five 200-strikeout seasons through an age-26 season (Bert Blyleven,Walter Johnson andSam McDowell are the others).[188]Kenley Jansen allowed three runs in the ninth to blow his save opportunity and the Nationals came back to defeat the Dodgers 8–5 in a 14-inning marathon. This was the Dodgers longest game of the year.[189] After a much needed day off, they returned to action on September 5 with a 2–1 victory over theDiamondbacks.Dan Haren allowed one run on four hits in six innings andMatt Kemp homered in the win.[190] Three hits and a key RBI single byDee Gordon and a 2-RBI double byHanley Ramírez helped the Dodgers win the next game, 5–2.[191]Adrián González homered twice and drove in six runs as the Dodgers completed the sweep of the Diamondbacks with a 7–2 win on September 7.[192] Kershaw picked up his 18th win when he allowed only one earned run in eight innings as the Dodgers beat theSan Diego Padres 9–4.[193] The Dodgers four-game winning streak was snapped as Hanley Ramírez committed a couple of errors in the second inning and Roberto Hernández only lasted three innings as they lost the game 6–3.[194] The Dodgers finished off the home stand with a 4–0 shutout of the Padres.Carl Crawford had four hits in four at-bats in the game with three doubles. That tied the Dodgers record for most doubles in a game, a mark last accomplished by Matt Kemp in2011. Dan Haren pitched seven scoreless innings to pick up his 13th win and this was the first time the Dodgers had four starters with 13 or more wins since1985 whenOrel Hershiser,Fernando Valenzuela,Jerry Reuss andBob Welch reached that mark.[195]
The Dodgers, holding a two-game lead in the division, traveled up the coast to begin a key three game series against the team trailing them in the standings, theSan Francisco Giants, atAT&T Park.Hyun-jin Ryu was tagged for four runs in the first before leaving the game with shoulder irritation in a contest the Dodgers lost 9–0.[196] Hanley Ramírez did hit a double in the game which gave the Dodgers four players with at least 30 doubles (González,Kemp andPuig were the others) for the first time since2003 (Shawn Green,Paul Lo Duca,Jolbert Cabrera andAdrián Beltré).[197] The Dodgers came back the next night and got even. They scored four runs in the first to knockTim Hudson out of the game and cruised to a 17–0 victory.Zack Greinke allowed only four hits in six scoreless innings and also hit a double and a two-run homer. The game was the Dodgers most lopsided victory and most one-sided shutout against the Giants since the teams moved to the West Coast in 1958. The Dodgers had the most hits (24) by any team in AT&T Park history and the most hits by an opponent against the Giants since1932. Dee Gordon also picked up his 60th stolen base in the game, the first Dodger to reach that mark sinceJuan Pierre in2007.[198] The two opposing shutouts equalled the largest consecutive shutout run differential since a game between theChicago White Stockings and theWashington Nationals on May 27–28, 1886.[199] Kershaw picked up his 19th win the following day, pitching eight innings while allowing two runs and striking out nine. He became the first Dodger starter to last at least eight innings in seven straight starts sinceOrel Hershiser in1988. Matt Kemp hit a two-run home run in the 4–2 win, the 177th of his career, tyingMike Piazza for fourth on the all-time L.A. Dodger list.[200] They next traveled toCoors Field and blew out theRockies 11–3.[201] The following night, the Dodgers outhit the Rockies 16–9 but were unable to bring many runs in and lost 10–4 as they stranded 10 runners on base.[202] In the final game of the series,Carlos Frías became the first pitcher in the modern era to allow 10 hits without getting at least three outs. The Dodgers were pounded 16–2.[203] The Dodgers fell behind theChicago Cubs in the next game, atWrigley Field, but used a five-run seventh inning to come back and win the game 8–4.[204] The Dodgers scored six times in the first inning of the next game andA. J. Ellis his two home runs en route to a 14–5 victory over the Cubs. Kershaw picked up his 20th win of the season, joiningSandy Koufax,Don Drysdale andClaude Osteen as the only L.A. Dodger pitchers to have multiple 20 win seasons. Kershaw also joinedPedro Martínez as the only pitchers to win 20 games in less than 30 starts.[205] The Dodgers clinched a playoff berth later that night when thePittsburgh Pirates beat theMilwaukee Brewers.[206]Adrián González hit two home runs with five RBI in the September 20 game against the Cubs to pull out to a 6–2 lead but the bullpen faltered and the Cubs, led by two homers byChris Coghlan came back to win 8–7.[207] Matt Kemp homered with four hits and four RBI as the Dodgers finished up their last road trip of the regular season with an 8–5 victory over the Cubs.[208]
The Dodgers returned home on September 22 with a4+1⁄2-game lead in the division to begin their final homestand of the season against the second place Giants before a crowd of 53,500, the largest in the Majors in 2014. Dan Haren allowed only one hit (a leadoff home run byGregor Blanco) in his seven innings of work but the Dodgers defense coughed up three errors and the team failed to get a hit after the sixth inning. The Giants eventually won 5–2 in 13 innings.[209] In the following game, Grienke pitched eight innings andJustin Turner hit two home runs as the Dodgers won 4–2 to cut their magic number to one.[210] Clayton Kershaw struck out 11 while only allowing one run in eight innings and the Dodgers jumped on the Giants and won 9–1 on September 24 to clinch their second straightNational League West division championship and home field advantage in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.[211] With the team resting several regulars the next game,Scott Elbert picked up his first win in two years and the Dodgers beat the Rockies 7–4.[212]Scott Van Slyke had two hits, two steals and scored the winning run on awild pitch in the 12th inning as the Dodgers beat the Rockies 6–5 in the second to last game of the regular season.[213]Juan Uribe managed the team in the season finale and they hit three home runs to finish off the Rockies 10–5. The Dodgers finished the regular season with a record of 94–68.[214]
The Dodgers took on theSt. Louis Cardinals in the Division Series. This was the fourth meeting of the two clubs in the postseason in the last ten years, with the Cardinals having eliminated the Dodgers most recently in the2013 National League Championship Series.[215]
Zack Greinke warms up before game 2 of the 2014 NLDS
In the first game, the Dodgers took a 6–1 lead, thanks toA. J. Ellis who had four hits, including a home run.Clayton Kershaw, who only allowed two hits in the first six innings (two solo homers), hit the wall in the seventh. The Cardinals loaded the bases on three singles and thenMatt Carpenter cleared the bases with a double to give the Cardinals the lead. A three-run home run byMatt Holliday off relief pitcherPedro Báez put the game away, though the Dodgers did mount a rally to make the final score 10–9. Kershaw with 10 strikeouts joinedSandy Koufax as the only Dodgers in history with multiple 10 strikeout games in the postseason, though he was also the first pitcher in history to allow eight runs while striking out 10.[216]
In game two,Zack Greinke shut out the Cardinals on two hits over seven innings, while striking out seven. Carpenter again provided the key blow for the Cardinals, with a two-run homer off relieverJ. P. Howell in the eighth to tie up the game.Matt Kemp hit a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth to give the Dodgers back the lead andKenley Jansen closed it out for a 3–2 win and even the series.[217]
Hyun-jin Ryu made the start for the Dodgers atBusch Stadium in Game 3, his first appearance since leaving a game against the Giants with an injury on September 12. He pitched well, allowing only one run (on another Carpenter homer) and four hits in six innings. However, the Dodgers were also only able to push across one run against Cardinals starterJohn Lackey. For the third straight game, the bullpen faltered. This time it wasScott Elbert who allowed a two-run homer toKolten Wong, the difference maker in the 3–1 loss.[218]
In game four, Kershaw started on three days' rest and pitched a one-hit shutout through the first six innings. The Dodgers took a 2–0 lead, but, in a repeat of the first game, it fell apart in the seventh.Matt Adams came up with two on and hit and three-run homer that was the decisive blow. The Cardinals won 3–2 and eliminated the Dodgers in the postseason for the second straight year.[219]
List does not include individual pitchers. Stats inbold are the team leaders.
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; SB = Stolen bases; Avg. = Batting average; OBP = On base percentage; SLG = Slugging; OPS = On Base + Slugging
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
On March 19, placed RHPChad Billingsley on the 15-day disabled list (recovery from Tommy John surgery), placed CFMatt Kemp on the 15-day disabled list (recovery from left ankle surgery) and placed RHPJosh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list (right thumb sprain).[244]
On April 4, activated OFMatt Kemp from the 15-day disabled list and optioned OFMike Baxter to AAA Albuquerque.[251]
On April 6, acquired LHPColt Hynes from theCleveland Indians in exchange for minor league pitcher Duke von Schamann and designated OFMike Baxter for assignment. Optioned Hynes to AAA Albuquerque.[252]
On April 8, placed CA. J. Ellis on the 15-day disabled list with a torn meniscus in his left knee and recalled CTim Federowicz from AAA Albuquerque.[253]
On April 30, optioned CTim Federowicz to AAA Albuquerque, transferred RHPChad Billingsley from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list, and purchased the contract of CMiguel Olivo from AAA Albuquerque.[259]
On May 14, activated CA. J. Ellis from the 15-day disabled list and optioned CMiguel Olivo to AAA Albuquerque.[265]
On May 21, placed 3BJuan Uribe on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hamstring, activated LHPHyun-jin Ryu from the 15-day disabled list, optioned RHPChris Withrow to AAA Albuquerque and recalled SSErisbel Arruebarrena from AA Chattanooga.[266]
On May 26, placed CA. J. Ellis on the 15-day disabled list, with a sprained right ankle, and recalled CTim Federowicz from AAA Albuquerque.[267]
On May 28, placed OFCarl Crawford on the 15-day disabled list, with a sprained left ankle, and purchased the contract of IF/OFJamie Romak from AAA Albuquerque.[268]
On June 6, optioned SSErisbel Arruebarrena to AAA Albuquerque, transferred RHPChris Withrow from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list and purchased the contract of IFMiguel Rojas from AAA Albuquerque.[269]
On June 14, placed IF/OFChone Figgins on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quad muscle and recalled IFCarlos Triunfel from AAA Albuquerque.[271]
On June 25, designated IF/OKJamie Romak for assignment and purchased the contract of 1BClint Robinson from AAA Albuquerque.[272]
On June 26, activated 3BJuan Uribe from the 15-day disabled list and optioned IFCarlos Triunfel to AAA Albuquerque.[273]
On June 29, placed IFJustin Turner on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain and recalled IFCarlos Triunfel from AAA Albuquerque.[274]
On August 4, placed RHPChris Perez on the 15-day disabled list with bone spurs in his right ankle, transferred LHPPaul Maholm from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list, and purchased the contract of RHPCarlos Frías from AAA Albuquerque.[286]
On August 5, placed LHPPaco Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list with ateres major strain near his left shoulder and recalled RHPPedro Báez from AAA Albuquerque.[287]
On August 6, activated IFChone Figgins from the 15-day disabled list and designated him for assignment.[288]
On August 10, placed SSHanley Ramírez on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain, retroactive to August 9, and called up IFDarwin Barney from AAA Albuquerque.[292] Designated LHPColt Hynes for assignment.[293]
On September 6, purchased the contract of OFRoger Bernadina from AAA Albuquerque and transferred RHPJosh Beckett from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.[302]
On September 12, purchased the contract of LHPScott Elbert from AAA Albuquerque and designated RHPRed Patterson for assignment.[303]
On September 13, activated LHPPaco Rodriguez off the 15-day disabled list.[304]
On September 16, recalled RHPStephen Fife from AAA Albuquerque and placed him on the 60-day disabled list with a right elbow injury. Purchased the contract of LHPDaniel Coulombe from AA Chattanooga.[305]
Joc Pederson was the firstPacific Coast League player in 80 years to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. He was selected as the league MVP.
ShortstopCorey Seager was selected as the Most Valuable Player of theCalifornia League. In 80 games with theRancho Cucamonga Quakes, he led the league with 34 doubles, a .633 slugging percentage, a 1.044 OPS, 54 extra-base hits and 207 total bases.[317]
On August 23, in his 115th game of the seasonJoc Pederson of theAlbuquerque Isotopes became the first player in thePacific Coast League in 80 years (sinceFrank Demaree in 1934, in 186 games), and the fourth all-time, to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season.[318] The only other Pacific Coast League hitters to do it wereLefty O'Doul (1927, in 189 games) and Hall of FamerTony Lazzeri (1925, in 197 games).[318][319] He was also only the second Dodger minor leaguer to ever do it, joiningChin-Feng Chen (1999; 31/31 for Class ASan Bernardino).[318][320] Pederson was also named the Most Valuable Player of the PCL.[321]
Pitcher José DeLeón of the Rookie-ClassOgden Raptors was named Pitcher of the Year in thePioneer League (baseball) after he led the league in strikeouts (77) despite pitching only54+1⁄3 innings.[315]
The AAChattanooga Lookouts won the second halfSouthern League title and a birth in the playoffs.[323] They then beat theHuntsville Stars 3 games to 2 in the best-of-five semi-final series and advanced to play in the Southern League championship series.[324] However, they were swept in three games by theJacksonville Suns in the finals.[325]
On September 26, the Dodgers selected outfielderJoc Pederson and shortstopCorey Seager as the co-winners of the organizational "Minor League Player of the Year" award. Pederson, who also won in 2012, became the third Dodger position player to win the award twice (Billy Ashley andPaul Konerko).Julio Urías was selected as the organizations "Minor League Pitcher of the Year."[330]
The Dodgers selected 40 players in this draft. Of those, six of them played Major League Baseball.
The first-round draft pick was right-handed pitcherGrant Holmes fromConway High School. He was traded to theOakland Athletics midway through the 2016 season after failing to get past class-A with the Dodgers system.
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