Dodgers strike first on Max Muncy’s solo home run

Tonight’s game had the potential to be a pitcher’s duel, with one former Cy Young award winner, Blake Snell of the Padres, facing one of this year’s early-season contenders, MLB’s leader in ERA, Tony Gonsolin.

Through the first two innings, it’s been advantage Gonsolin.

While the Dodgers right-hander has posted a couple quick zeros against a Padres lineup that didn’t include Manny Machado, his team’s lineup struck first against Snell, courtesy of a Max Muncy solo home run in the second inning.

End 2nd: Dodgers lead 1-0

Mookie Betts could be back in ‘next few days’; waiver claim Ian Gibaut activated

Mookie Betts continued to increase the workload of his rehab from a cracked rib Friday.

He took swings off a pitching machine, ran the bases and, most importantly, felt good afterward, leading manager Dave Roberts to declare that Betts could be back “in the next few days.”

While Roberts didn’t give a more exact timeline — he said it’s to be determined if Betts can return before the end of the weekend — he nonetheless said it was a good sign for the former MVP, who has been out since hurting his rib in a June 15 outfield collision with teammate Cody Bellinger.

“As far as what we wanted to accomplish, he’s taking full effort swings, passing that test,” Roberts said. “Taking some ground balls, throwing, stretching it out. I just talked to him and he said everything felt good.”

Roberts reiterated that Betts will likely come back playing second base, where he wouldn’t be as bothered with short throws on the infield.

Roberts said Betts, who has told the team he isn’t comfortable being a designated hitter, will have to be mindful upon his return about not diving — in the field or while running the bases.

The last step for Betts will be facing live pitching, which he is slated to do on Saturday against Caleb Ferguson, who is also on the injured list.

“That’s probably the last box he needs to check,” Roberts said.

A day after claiming him off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians, right-handed pitcher Ian Gibaut was activated by the Dodgers, who optioned Justin Bruihl in a corresponding move.

Gibaut, 28, has appeared in 28 games in the majors over four seasons with four different teams. He made one appearance for the Guardians on Monday before being designated for assignment and claimed by the Dodgers.

“I was pretty damn happy,” Gibaut said with a beaming smile about joining the Dodgers. “I was pretty excited to get out here.”

Roberts said the team was intrigued by Gibaut’s arsenal, which includes an upper-90s mph fastball, a slider and a changeup, and a newly-implemented cutter that Gibaut said Dodgers personnel told him they liked.

“I’ve been messing around with it only for a few days,” said Gibaut, who said he used it in his outing with the Guardians last week. “But yeah, I figured I’d hop on the mound, try it out and test it out in a game. Liked the way it moved. It felt good.”

He made a name tossing peanuts at Dodgers games. That’s a no-no now

You can look up to the broadcast booth at Dodger Stadium, but you won’t see Vin Scully there any more. Next year, you won’t see Jaime Jarrín there.

You can buy a Dodger Dog, but Farmer John doesn’t make them any more.

And, from the list of disappearing Dodger Stadium traditions, this just in: You can buy a bag of peanuts from Roger Owens, but he can’t throw the bag to you any more.

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How to watch and stream the Dodgers this season

Here’s a look at the Dodgers’ broadcast and streaming schedule for the remainder of the 2022 regular season:

ICYMI: Justin Turner shakes off rough month with two homers in Dodgers win

Plenty of Dodgers hitters have swooned in June but few more dramatically than Justin Turner, who hit .209 with no homers and eight RBIs in his first 24 games of the month.

But that didn’t shake manager Dave Roberts’ confidence in the veteran third baseman. Roberts kept plugging Turner into the middle of the order because of his ability to produce in the clutch, citing Turner’s 38 RBIs, fourth-most on the team, and .286 average with runners in scoring position entering Thursday night.

Roberts’ faith was rewarded in the opener of a four-game series against the National League West-rival San Diego Padres when Turner hit two home runs, including a tiebreaking two-run shot in the seventh inning, to lead the Dodgers to a 3-1 victory before a sellout crowd of 53,094 in Chavez Ravine.

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Follow along as the Dodgers (47-28) take on the San Diego Padres (46-32) at Dodger Stadium on Friday at 7:10 p.m. PT.