Editorials

Dodgers News: Mattingly, Alex Wood ‘Tip Cap’ To Jake Arrieta

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Coming into Sunday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers knew they were in for a tough night against Jake Arrieta, but they probably didn’t imagine not getting a single hit.



For the second time in nine days, the Dodger offense did not record a single hit and became a part of the record books. Arrieta ended the night with one walk, twelve strikeouts and even a hit of his own at the plate. It was a dominant display, as the Dodgers only truly came close to a base hit once, on a slightly controversial error called in the third inning.

Alex Wood, who started for the Dodgers, allowed two runs in the first inning, which was more than enough on a night like Sunday. He settled down and ended up getting through six innings, but the damage was done. Wood talked about Arrieta and the game after, choosing to give respect to his counterpart. “It was one of those things where you just tip your cap tonight, and as soon as we leave the locker room all of our thoughts will be on the San Francisco Giants,” the left-hander said.

The Dodgers start a three-game series with the Giants on Monday, holding a 3.5 game lead in the division.

Dodger manager Don Mattingly mentioned the last no-hitter against Mike Fiers bothered him more than the one against Arrieta. “I thought we got out of the strike zone way too much,” Mattingly said about the previous no-hitter. “Didn’t feel like we were really ready to play.”

When talking about Sunday’s game, Mattingly followed in Wood’s footsteps in giving the respect where it was due. “Tonight, it didn’t feel like that at all,” the 54-year-old remarked. “I felt like we were in the game all night. Our guys did a good job. I know we’re battling. You have to tip your cap.”

On offense, the Dodgers have struggled a bit and without Howie Kendrick and Yasiel Puig in the starting lineup, the team has been forced to move some pieces around in order to try and get the best lineup on the field.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

One Comment

  1. I was thinking “tip cap” would refer to the fact that Arrieta kept touching his hat bill before each pitch.

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