Opening Day Game
 

First Inning
The first pitch in Marlins history is a called strike by Mark Gubicza
The first batter in Marlins history is Rickey Henderson, who is retired on a diving stop by Bip Roberts.

The Dodgers go down 1-2-3 in the first
The Marlins follow suit.

Second Inning
Dave Hollins leads off the second with the first hit in Marlins Stadium – a single to left.
Mike Piazza becomes the Marlins' first strike out victim.

The Dodgers score the first run when Tim Belcher singles in Dave Hollins.
Eddie Pye and Rickey Henderson also add RBI singles
Dodgers lead 3-0 after 1 and a half.

The Marlins' first base runner is former Dodger Roberto Kelly, who draws a walk
He immediately becomes the Marlins' first CS
Felix Jose creates a souvenir with the Marlins' first hit. A single to LF
After another single by Royce Clayton, Ernie Riles grounds out to end the inning

3-0 Dodgers

Third Inning
Dodgers heart of the order goes down in order

Marlins get a Bip Roberts single, but don't score.

Fourth Inning
Devon White provides the first extra base hit in Marlins Stadium history but the Dodgers don't get him in

Roberto Kelly singles and steals the Marlins' first base and scores the Marlins' first run on the Marlins' first RBI by Royce Clayton

3-1 Dodgers

Fifth Inning
A couple of diving catches keep the Dodgers off the bases

Bip Roberts becomes the first Marlin to steal multiple bases in the same inning and scores on a Rich Amaral single. Amaral gets caught stealing.

3-2 Dodgers

Sixth Inning
Gubicza and Alomar Jr team up for the first wild pitch in Marlins' history. But the Dodgers don't score

Steve Reed become the Marlins' first relief pitcher with 1 out in the sixth. He later becomes the first Marlins reliever to give up a run, on a Dave Hollins single. And, then, the first Marlins reliever to allow a home run – to Mike Piazza.

Candy Maldonado is the Marlins first pinch hitter. He grounds out to defensive replacement Mike Benjamin who comes in to play SS and Eddie Pye moves to 2B.

7-2 Dodgers.

Eighth Inning
Dodgers go down in order

Rod Beck relieves Tim Belcher. Chris Donnels replaces Eddie Pye at 2B.

Darryl Hamilton hits the Marlins' first home run.

Ninth Inning
A Dave Hollins sac fly scores pinch runner JT Bruett.

Tom Bolton gets 3 ground balls

Dodgers win 8 - 4

Week one
 

Dodgers 5-2
5 -2 Overall (½ game behind Houston), +17 Run Differential = 5-2 Pythag

The Good: Won 5 of 7 road games
The Bad: Two walk-off losses
The Ugly: Rod Beck has allowed 4 HR to 19 batters faced

AL Player of the Week – Ken Griffey jr (OF Sea)
NL Player of the Week – Russ McGinnins (C Pitt)

Dodgers are 5th in the weekly Power Rankings

After a 4-5 14-inning loss to the Braves, the bullpen was pretty worn out. Pedro Astacio was optioned to AAA and David Nied was recalled for bullpen depth

The minor league seasons start for AA San Antonio and A Vero Beach

Week two
 

Dodgers 4 – 2
9 – 4 Overall (½ game behind Houston/tied with Cincinnati), +33 Run Differential = 10-3 Pythag

The Good: Mauled the Pirates 28-5 in 3 games
The Bad: Lost 2 games to the Cardinals 15-2
The Ugly: Jose Offerman's 9 wRC+ for the week

AL Player of the Week – Jay Buhner (OF Sea)
NL Player of the Week – Reggie Sanders (OF Cinn)

Dodgers are 4th in the weekly Power Rankings

Nolan Ryan went to the IL after his 2nd start of the season. Darren Holmes was brought up to take his place until April 24th – the next time Ryan's spot in the rotation will be needed.

AAA Albuquerque and A Bakersfield begin their seasons

Week three
 

Dodgers 5 - 1
14 - 5 Overall (3.5 games ahead of Houston ), +59 Run Differential = 15 – 4 Pythag

The Good: Pedro Astacio goes 8.1 innings giving up 1 earned run vs the Phillies
The Bad: Not much. Limited to 2 hits by Randy Johnson in our lone loss of the week
The Ugly: David Nied has a 7.27 ERA and 7.80 FIP in 8.2 innings

AL Player of the Week – Cory Snyder (1B Tex)
NL Player of the Week – Felix Jose (OF Flo)

Dodgers are 3rd in the weekly Power Rankings

SS John Valentin is activated from the IL. After some consideration, Eddie Pye is sent to AAA. Pye hit .333/.138/118 in 30 PA's with LA while playing 47 innings at SS, 9 at 2B and 2 at 3B.

SP Pedro Astacio is recalled from AAA. RP Darren Holmes is optioned to AAA. Astacio will take Nolan Ryan's spot in the rotation for now.

April review - league
 

AL Player of the Month: SEA OF Jay Buhner
AL Pitcher of the Month: MIL SP Chris Bosio
AL Rookie of the Month: MIL CF Chuck Carr

NL Player of the Month: STL SS Alan Trammel
NL Pitcher of the Month: STL SP Allen Watson
NL Rookie of the Month: MON SP Danny Darwin

April Review – Dodgers Pitchers
 

The pitching and defense might have been better than the hitting

We've given up the fewest runs in the league. The starters have the best ERA - 5th in bullpen ERA. 3rd in FIP and pitching WAR and 2nd in strike outs.

The defense has helped as we are 2nd in defensive efficiency and 1st in zone rating.

As expected, Langston and Belcher are leading the way. Hershiser looks very strong as well. Ramon Martinez doesn't look all the way back from his injury last year yet. And Pedro Astacio has been dominant.

The bullpen got off to a bit of a rough start – especially Rod Beck. But outside of the 4 HR he gave up over the course of a week, he's been great (11K's to 1 BB).

April review – dodgers hitters
 

A good offensive start for the Dodgers.

We're 1st in runs scored in the NL, 4th in OBP, 3rd in wOBA, 5th in HR, 6th in SB and 2nd in batting WAR

Devon White, in particular, has been on fire. We expected outstanding defense out of him – which he's given us (+4.2 ZR) but the 150 wRC+ is beyond anything we could have expected.

Mike Piazza's 159 wRC+ also catches the eye.

Jose Offerman's 56 wRC+ and Dave Hollins' 79 will need to improve.

Week four
 

Dodgers 5 - 2
19 - 7 Overall (2.5 games ahead of Houston ), +69 Run Differential = 20 - 6 Pythag

The Good: Keepin' on trucking and racking up wins.
The Bad: Jose Offerman continues to struggle with a 23 wRC+ for the week.
The Ugly: Middle of the week offense only managed 5 runs in 3 games and we only scored in 2 out of 29 innings.

AL Player of the Week – Paul O'Niel (OF CHW)
NL Player of the Week – Sandy Alomar jr (C FLO)

Dodgers are 2nd in the weekly Power Rankings


IF Eddie Pye strained his hip and is expected to be out a month.

IF Tim Teufel has the option to void his minor league contract in the upcoming week if he's not placed on the major league roster.

Week five
 

Dodgers 3 - 2
22 – 9 Overall (1 game ahead of Houston), +78 Run Differential = 24 - 7 Pythag

The Good: This weeks' run prevention – just 7 runs in 5 games. Dave Hollins (.500/.200/212) and Offerman (.385 OBP) warming up.
The Bad: This weeks' run scoring – twice held to just 1 run, and once to 2 runs.
The Ugly: Rickey Henderson with a -20 wRC+ (2 for 18 with a walk)

AL Player of the Week – Deion Sanders (OF - NYY)
NL Player of the Week – Jose Guzman (SP - HOU)

Dodgers are 3rd in the weekly Power Rankings

*Nolan Ryan is the active career leader in wins with 302


SP Nolan Ryan was activated from the IL. He has a solid outing (6.2 innings, 8 hits, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts) in a win against the Mets. But ends up back on the DL. This one looks more serious.
NOTE: This is an IRL injury for Ryan.

David Nied was sent to AAA to open a spot for Ryan. Darren Holmes was called up to replace Ryan.

Pedro Astacio hurt his ankle in his start and was pulled after 4 innings. It's unclear whether he'll make his next start.

SP Pedro Martinez was put on the minor league IL as a precaution after some arm soreness.

IF Tim Teufel was released.

Week six
 

Dodgers 3 – 3
25 - 12 Overall (tied for 1st with Houston ), +82 Run Differential = 27 - 10 Pythag

The Good: Mike Piazza had a 2 home run game vs the Cubs
The Bad: Lost 2 of 3 in Houston
The Ugly: John Wetteland had a meltdown vs the Astros. Allowing 3 of 4 batters faced to reach base and score.

AL Player of the Week – Jeff Kent (2B Minn)
NL Player of the Week – Greg Jefferies (1B NYM)

Dodgers are 2nd in the weekly Power Rankings


John O'Donoghue is called up to provide cover for Pedro Astacio. Darren Holmes is sent to AAA.

Pedro Astacio does make his start. He goes 6 innings giving up 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. O'Donoghue gets a 3 inning save, the most asthetically pleasing type of save, in a 13-4 Dodger win.

John O'Donoghue is returned to AAA. Mike Christopher is called up.

LRP Tony Fossas is diagnosed with an elbow strain. He's placed on the DL. Mike Munoz is recalled.

Pedro Martinez is activated from the minor league IL


Steve Buechle signs a 6-year $23 million extension with Padres.

Week seven
 

Dodgers 3 - 3
29 - 14 Overall (2 games ahead of Houston ), +83 Run Differential = 30 - 13 Pythag

The Good: Jose Offerman .500/.222/173 this week
The Bad: A 9-3 drubbing at the hands of the Rockies
The Ugly: Bullpen FIP-'s this week of 134, 173, 204, 319, and 1055

AL Player of the Week – Paul Molitor (1B MIL)
NL Player of the Week – Larry Walker (OF MON)

Dodgers are 2nd in the weekly Power Rankings


Clay Bellinger was activated from the IL and will spend a little time a A Bakersfield to before joining AAA Albuquerque.

Week eight
 

Dodgers 4 – 2
33 – 16 Overall (3 games ahead of Houston), 86 Run Differential = 34 – 15 Pythag

The Good: Home runs in 3 consecutive games for Rickey Henderson.
The Bad: Three regulars, Mike Piazza, Devon White and Dave Hollins had negative wRC+'s for the week.
The Ugly: Ramon Martinez' start vs the Pirates. 1.1 innings, 7 hits, 7 runs, 2 walks, 1 K, 1 HR allowed.

AL Player of the Week – Juan Gonzalez (OF TEX)
NL Player of the Week – Al Martin (OF ATL)

Dodgers are 2nd in the weekly Power Rankings


SP Tim Belcher left his start after 2 batters. He's expected to make his next start. Mike Munoz and Mike Christopher each pitched 2.2 shut out innings before the game was called due to rain.
For their efforts, Christopher and Munoz were optioned to AAA and Jim Poole and Darren Holmes were recalled.

SP David Nied was injured during his start in Albuquerque. He'll be placed on the 60-day IL
NOTE: This is an IRL injury



The Florida Marlins traded SP Ron Darling to the Pittsburgh Pirates for OF Jeromy Burnitz.

May review – league
 

NL Player of the Month: MON OF Larry Walker
NL Pitcher of the Month: CHI SP Greg Maddux
NL Rookie of the Month: CINN SP Bob Wickman

AL Player of the Month: BOS OF Phil Plantier
AL Pitcher of the Month: KC SP Brett Saberhagen
AL Rookie of the Month: TEX CF Sammy Sosa

May review – hitters
 

The offense slowed down a little in May, but not too severely.

3rd in runs scored, 6th in wOBA, 8th in OBP, 2nd in HR, 6th in SB

Mike Piazza continues to roll. .325/.256/136

Devon White slowed down to .300/.174/101

Jose Offerman figured out how to get on base with a .371 OBP for the month, still no power - .054

Dave Hollins is still struggling.

Glad to have John Valentin back from the IL. He had a .400 OBP in May and 9 doubles.

Rickey looked more like Rickey with a .385 OBP and 6 HR's in the month.

May review – pitchers
 

We've still allowed the fewest runs in the league and lead in starter ERA. 4th in bullpen ERA. 4th in pitching WAR and 3rd in Zone Rating.

Pedro Astacio is filling in quite nicely for Nolan Ryan. In 5 starts he has 27.1 innings and a 66 FIP-

The entire starting rotation has been a strength, as we expected. No one had a FIP- higher than 105 (Hershiser) for the month and 3 guys were below 75 (Astacio, Belcher and Langston). Martinez was 101.

Rod Beck gave up 2 more home runs, but managed an 80 FIP-

Week nine
 

Dodgers 3 – 3
36 – 19 Overall (2 games ahead of Houston), +88 Run Differential = 37 – 18 Pythag

The Good: Valentin (224), White (169), Offerman (165), Piazza (141) raked this week.
The Bad: Pedro Astacio managed just 8.1 innings in his 2 starts.
The Ugly: A 6-1 loss to the Cardinals in which we only managed 4 hits with 0 walks.

AL Player of the Week – Robin Ventura (3B CHW)
NL Player of the Week – Sid Bream (1B PITT)

Dodgers are 2nd in the weekly Power Rankings


Tony Fossas activated from the IL. Jim Poole sent to AAA.
SP John O'Donoghue was placed on the AAA IL with biceps tendonitis.

Week ten
 

Dodgers 4 - 2
40 – 21 Overall (2 games ahead of Houston), +93 Run Differential = 41 – 20 Pythag

The Good: Rickey Henderson continues to rake with a .500 OBP for the week.
The Bad: Scored in the 9th to tie the Padres, then were walked-off by Tony Gwynn.
The Ugly: Hollins and Offerman had dueling -20+ wRC+'s this week.

AL Player of the Week – Jeff Bagwell (1B BOS)
NL Player of the Week – BJ Surhoff (C COL)

Dodgers are 2nd in the weekly Power Rankings


Closer Jim Gott sprained his ankle and was placed on the IL. LP Angel Miranda was recalled.

Minor league C/IF/OF Steve Bieser suffered a broken kneecap and will miss the rest of the season.

Week eleven
 

Dodgers 3 – 3
43 – 24 Overall (1 game1 ahead of Houston), +111 Run Differential = 46 - 21 Pythag

The Good: John Wetteland's 104 FIP- was the highest for the week. Rickey Henderson's batting average has reached .300 and his OBP .400 for the season.
The Bad: Bobby Bonilla has just a .252 wOBA in June.
The Ugly: Three game losing streak. Our first of the season.

AL Player of the Week – Frank Thomas (1B CHW)
NL Player of the Week – Todd Pratt (C MON)

Dodgers are 5th in the weekly Power Rankings


1B Dave Hollins was placed on the IL with an IRL injury. OF Billy Ashley was recalled.

Relievers Mike Christopher and Mike Munoz replace Angel Miranda and Darren Holmes after a 15 inning game.



The Rockies traded RP Lee Smith to the Mariners for minor league outfielders Tommy Adams and Mark Merchant. Smith had a 5.52 ERA in 14.2 innings but a 2.55 FIP

Another reliever, Trevor Hoffman, was traded from the Reds to the Giants. Hoffman had a 5.32 ERA and 4.14 ERA. 3B Kevin Young goes back to the Reds.

And 3B Chris Sabo was traded from the Reds to Philadelphia for minor leaguers OF Bobby Llanos and IF Lou Lucca. Sabo was hitting .300/.140/91

Cinncinati continues to unload. This time, Norm Charlton, was traded. He goes to Pittsburgh for minor league C Dan Cholowski and minor league SP Mariano Rivera. Charlton has a 3.71 ERA and 2.20 FIP in 26.2 innings.

1B Andres Galarraga, who had a 104 wRC+ for Oakland, was traded to the Rockies. IF Dave Hansen (127 wRC+ at AAA) and IF Rene Gonzalez (83 wRC+ and 1.1 WAR for Colorado) go to Oakland.

CF Eddie Zambrano was traded from Boston to Anaheim. 3B Jeff Manot and LF Miguel Correra go the other way.

Week twelve
 

Dodgers 4 – 3
47 – 27 Overall (4 games ahead of Houston ), +117 Run Differential = 50 – 24 Pythag

The Good: 4 Game sweep of the Astros (3-0, 8-3, 3-1, 4-1).
The Bad: 3 game sweep by the Chicago Cubs.

AL Player of the Week – Fred McGriff (1B TOR)
NL Player of the Week – Alan Trammell (SS STL)

Dodgers are 5th in the weekly Power Rankings


Mike Munoz was optioned to AAA. Jim Poole was recalled.
Mike Christopher was optioned to AAA. Darren Holmes was recalled.
Jim Gott was activated from the IL. Jim Poole was optioned to AAA.

Yakima and Great Falls begin their rookie level seasons.


Tim Raines collected his 2000th career hit – a 7th inning ground ball single vs Rich DeLucia
Tony Gwynn collected his 2000th career hit (game log unavailable (for some reason))

Kevin Brown signed a 6-year $23.4 million extension with the Texas Rangers.

June review – league
 

NL Player of the Month: STL SS Alan Trammell
NL Pitcher of the Month: SD SP Tom Browning
NL Rookie of the Month: NYP RP Graeme Lloyd

AL Player of the Month: CHW 1B Frank Thomas
AL Pitcher of the Month: KC SP Kevin Appier
AL Rookie of the Month: MIL CF Chuck Carr

AAA Pitcher of the Month: Pedro Martinez