Kemp Joins 30-30 Club; Second Player from the Dodgers to Accomplish That

Matt Kemp crushed a long home run to center field in the bottom of the seventh innings of the 6-1 win on Friday over the Rockies, making him just the second Dodger to arrive 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, and the quickest to do so.

Kemp links Raul Mondesi, who accomplished the feat in 1997 and ’99. He performed so on a 3-1 pitch off lefty reliever Matt Reynolds.

As Dodger Stadium followers chanted “MVP”, Kemp got three pitches and fouled one off before he crushed the fastball 427 feet to directly center field.

Kemp said, “I’ve always thought I could do it.  I can run. I can put a little bit of power in it. I just had to put it all together at the same time. It’s pretty special.”

Kemp is striking .323 with 98 RBIs to go together with his 30 homers and 33 steals.  He is in the peak four in the league in the entire three categories.

Kemp said after the game, “I’m just happy I got to do it here in L.A. The fans have always supported me. We still got a long way to go.”

No Dodger has ever reached the 40-40 club, and when Kemp was inquired concerning the mark, he replied, “Maybe one day.”

Manager Don Mattingly admired Kemp both before and after the game, particularly noting how much leadership role of Kemp has destined to the team.

Mattingly said, “It’s been a tremendous season for him in all areas of his game — leadership and the whole thing.  It’s been a joy really to have Matt playing this way, and his leadership in the dugout. The presence he brings, but not only that, this guy gets ready to play every day and plays hard every day.”

In 2009 the last Major Leaguer to arrive the 30-30 club was Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler.

Hiroki Kuroda Rises in Post-Deadline Start

Los Angeles Dodger right-hander Hiroki Kuroda discovered several ways to satisfaction for his loyalty to his team, although in one more punchless performance from the offense in a 1-0 win over the last-place San Diego Padres.

In his first start since refusing an opportunity to be traded to a playoff contender, Kuroda rose to the occasion with seven lock out innings of four-hit ball.

It is no surprise that he was so desired by the Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers.

Kuroda struck out eight and walked two en route to breaking a four-game losing streak, in spite of the lack of run support to which he has all but grown accustomed.  His 7-13 record is only justified by a relatively genuine 2.96 ERA.

Even though there is no award for raising his no-trade clause over the weekend on a team out of contention, Kuroda could get fulfillment from the reality that he stood on standard, as he had assured to stick with the Dodgers for this one season.

Kuroda said, “I have many thoughts about remaining with this team. I know I can’t be sloppy out there on the mound, and wanted to win no matter what. There was no particular pitch that I relied on but I got a lot of movement on the ball. My location was good.”

The only run of the Dodgers came after Dee Gordon bunted for a single in the fourth and went to third on groundouts by Casey Blake and Aaron Miles.  Matt Kemp singled Gordon home for a 1-0 lead.

Hideki Matsui in other action went 3 for 4 to strike securely in his 11^th successive game in a 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.  Ichiro Suzuki was 0 for 4 for Seattle.