MLB notebook: Dodgers pull Rich Hill after 7 perfect innings
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill was removed after throwing seven perfect innings against the Miami Marlins in a 5-0 victory on Saturday night in Miami.
Hill (3-0) had thrown 89 pitches and struck out nine when first-year manager Dave Roberts replaced the 35-year-old left-hander with Joe Blanton at the start of the eighth inning.
Blanton stuck out Christian Yelich and retired Marcell Ozuna on a groundout before Jeff Francoeur singled to left. Grant Dayton gave up Dee Gordon’s two-out infield hit in the ninth that put two on, and Kenley Jansen retired Martin Prado on a groundout to complete the two-hitter.
Hill didn’t pitch in the majors between May 29 and July 2 because of a strained left groin and between July 17 and Aug. 24 because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. He has pitched 19 scoreless innings since joining the Dodgers after an Aug. 1 trade with Oakland.
Strasburg uncertain of future
Stephen Strasburg isn’t sure whether he will pitch again this season.
The Washington Nationals’ star left Wednesday’s start in the third inning. Tests determined he has a strained flexor mass in his right elbow and the injury is not related to his ligament, which needed Tommy John surgery five years ago.
“I think the biggest thing is just seeing how it feels four, five days from now,” Strasburg said, “then start progressing with a little bit more treatment and strengthening up the forearm and getting into some sort of throwing program.”
Strasburg started the season 13-0 with a 2.51 ERA. The 28-year-old allowed 19 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings in three outings before going on the disabled, then lasted just three innings in his return.
Kuroda guides Hiroshima to title
Former New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda earned the win as the Hiroshima Carp defeated the Yomiuri Giants 6-4 to capture its first Central League pennant in 25 years.
Kuroda (9-8) struck out four batters and gave up three runs on six hits over six innings at Tokyo Dome to help Hiroshima to its seventh Central League title in Japanese professional baseball.
Kuroda, 41, turned down a lucrative contract with the Yankees to return in 2015 to the Carp, where he spent his entire career before his first season in Major League Baseball in 2008 with the L.A. Dodgers.
Clearing the bases
Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock has a strained groin and could be out for the rest of the season. Arizona will also be without backup catcher Chris Herrmann for the rest of the season after he broke two bones in his left hand. … The Twins have placed third baseman Trevor Plouffe on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. … Indians right-hander Danny Salazar will miss his next scheduled start with a sore right forearm.