Dodgers are running bases better and getting more steals
Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins steals second base as Padres third baseman Yangervis Solarte loses the ball during the fifth inning.
With only 47 stolen bases this season, the Dodgers rank last in the National League.
But 15 of their steals have come in their last nine games, including two more Sunday in a 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
Manager Don Mattingly said part of that had to do with personnel.
Rookie infielder Corey Seager, who was promoted Thursday from triple-A Oklahoma City, stole his first career base Sunday. Another September call-up, outfielder Scott Schebler, stole two bases Friday in another win over the Padres.
Infielder Jose Peraza, who was recently called up to replace an injured Yasiel Puig on the active roster, has added an element of speed. So has the return of Carl Crawford, who was sidelined for nearly three months this season because of a torn side muscle.
“I’m not managing really any differently,” Mattingly said. “It’s just that we’re running the bases better.”
Andre Ethier said the improved baserunning is a reflection of the team’s improved focus during the stretch run.
“Just dialing in a little more, knowing we have to be that much more prepared and that much more focused on each individual play and each individual out,” Ethier said. “A baserunner can be the difference. Just because it’s two outs and two strikes and a guy on first base doesn’t mean we can’t still score. We’ve seen it plenty of times this year where we’ve had two-out rallies and scored two, three runs.”
Wait until next year?
Teenage left-hander Julio Urias is unlikely to be called up to the major leagues this month, vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes told the team’s flagship station.
Urias, 19, spent the majority of the season with double-A Tulsa, but was promoted to triple-A Oklahoma City last month.
In his most recent start, Urias was charged with six runs and nine hits in only 3 1/3 innings.
“I think we all kind of jumped the gun with this kid,” Mattingly said.
The lineup card
Chase Utley was out of the starting lineup Sunday. Utley was a little sore after Justin Upton slid into him the previous night as he attempted to turn a double play in the fourth inning.
“He seemed fine,” Mattingly said. “It’s one of those things I wanted to be careful with.”
With Utley on the bench and Peraza nursing a sore hamstring, Justin Turner started his first game of the season at second base. Seager started at third base.
Welcome back
Chris Heisey was called up from triple-A Oklahoma City for the fifth time this season. With Puig on the disabled list because of a strained hamstring, the Dodgers were looking to add another right-handed-hitting outfielder.
Heisey was released last month and picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers reacquired him in an Aug. 31 trade.
To clear a place for Heisey on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated left-hander Daniel Coulombe for assignment.
Extra bases
Howie Kendrick will return from the Dodgers’ spring-training facility in Arizona and will continue his rehabilitation with the team. Kendrick still feels discomfort in his strained left hamstring when running curves. … First baseman Andy Wilkins, who was designated for assignment Thursday, was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.
Twitter: @dylanohernandez
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