The first-place Los Angeles Dodgers squandered an opportunity to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, settling for a series victory and a half-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.
Los Angeles now begins a wraparound series against the Cincinnati Reds that will conclude their seven-game road trip. The Dodgers swept the Reds in a three-game set at Dodger Stadium in May.
Bud Norris returns to the mound after missing the past two weeks with a mild back strain. In his last start, Norris was pulled after just one out and 13 pitches, as he suffered from back tightness that stemmed from slipping on a pick-off throw.
Norris made one rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, allowing one run on four hits in 5.2 innings pitched on Saturday. He was initially scheduled to be activated from the disabled list on Thursday, but the Dodgers elected to provide him with an additional day of rest.
The 31-year-old faced the Reds earlier this season while a part of the Atlanta Braves and didn’t earn a decision. In five innings at Turner Field, Norris allowed three hits, two walks, and three runs.
In 10 career games (nine starts) against the Reds, Norris is 1-3 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. Since being acquired from the Braves, the right-hander has stayed afloat for the Dodgers. Norris is 3-2 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in seven games (six starts).
Reds manager Bryan Price counters Norris with Tim Adleman. The rookie pitcher was called up in early May for his Major League debut, only to be sent back down after four starts.
In those outings, Adleman went 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA, 5.06 FIP, and 1.40 WHIP. He returns to the Majors after tossing 14 consecutive scoreless innings in two Triple-A starts. Adleman faces the Dodgers for the first time in his career.
The right-hander has allowed three runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in 8.1 innings across two starts at Great American Ball Park. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has the same top eight in his lineup a fourth consecutive game.
Adrian Gonzalez enters the series opener riding an 11-game hitting streak, while Corey Seager has hit safely in his last nine games. The Dodgers will need to keep Billy Hamilton from reaching as he’s stolen 30 bases in 30 games since the All-Star break.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Josh Reddick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Howie Kendrick
P: Bud Norris
Reds lineup:
CF: Billy Hamilton
SS: Zack Cozart
1B: Joey Votto
2B: Brandon Phillips
3B: Eugenio Suarez
RF: Scott Schebler
LF: Tony Renda
C: Tucker Barnhart
P: Tim Adleman
