Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Dee Gordon Focused On Improving, Not All-Star Game

[new_royalslider id=”202″] Aided by a few miscues from the St. Louis Cardinals and a struggling Lance Lynn, the Los Angeles Dodgers went on a scoring spree in the second inning of Saturday’s 9-1 victory.

The Dodgers scored a season-high six runs in the inning and as he’s been for many of their offensive successes this year, Dee Gordon was in the mix.



After decline in May, he’s picked up his production in June and re-entered the discussion for All-Star consideration. However, according to Brian Kamenetzky on ESPN LA, the second baseman is focused on improving:

I’m just trying to get better and better every day, and just see pitches and put good swings on it,” Gordon said. “That’s about it.”

Gordon had another big day Saturday, which could have been bigger had a couple of breaks gone his way. With A.J. Ellis standing on third in the second inning, Gordon doubled over the head of Cardinals right fielder Allen Craig, who was playing shallow.

Although Ellis scored on the hit, Gordon may have been robbed of a triple as the ball bounced on the warning track and into the stands for a ground-rule double. A similar situation occurred the following inning when Gordon doubled to left field.

Zack Greinke was standing on first and stopped at third base, which again may have prevented Gordon from another triple. Through three games against the Cardinals, Gordon is hitting .582 (7-for-12) with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored.

Twice this season Gordon has tripled and scored on the play because of an error. Manager Don Mattingly attributed Gordon’s success to his confidence level:

I think Dee’s just more confident,” manager Don Mattingly said. “I think you see him growing in that way. You see him a lot more confident, even with two strikes. He’s not afraid to get a strike on him, now. He’s not afraid to get into the count. He’s showing that patience you need for that guy up top [of the lineup] but also showing the confidence that he’s not afraid, and feels he needs to swing at the first pitch all the time.”

Along with carrying a little more pop in his bat due to muscle added on in the off-season, Gordon is still a terror on the basepaths. He has a .340 OBP and leads the Majors with 40 stolen bases.

All-Star or not, Gordon took charge of the competition at second base during Spring Training and hasn’t looked back.
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