Grandal’s catching isn’t fouled up
ATLANTA — Yasmani Grandal returned to the Dodgers lineup Wednesday, three days after his catcher’s mask was violently struck by a foul ball.
He was a central figure in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves, as he was two for three with a run and a walk.
“It kind of got me back in the groove,” Grandal said.
The Dodgers trailed 1-0 until the fifth inning, which Grandal led off with a double against starter Julio Teheran.
Grandal advanced to third base on a groundout by Carl Crawford and scored on a single by Alberto Callaspo to tie the score, 1-1.
Callaspo scored on a double by Jimmy Rollins, who scored on a hit by Joc Pederson. The Dodgers were ahead, 3-1.
The Dodgers weren’t as concerned about Grandal hitting — he pinch-hit in each of the previous two games — as they were about him catching and taking another foul ball off his mask.
Although his jaw remained swollen, Grandal said he tried to not concern himself with the possibility of being hit again.
“It’s one of those things where you have to have the mindset that you’re going to get hit again,” Grandal said.
Another milestone Fernando Valenzuela, one of the most beloved players in Dodgers history, is now a U.S. citizen.
Valenzuela, who was born in Mexico, was naturalized Wednesday in a ceremony in Los Angeles. He was offered the chance to take the oath of allegiance in a private ceremony but wanted to be part of the regular service that had about 8,000 people, the Dodgers said.
Valenzuela was the National League rookie of the year and Cy Young Award winner in 1981, when he ignited a phenomenon that became known as Fernandomania. Now 54, Valenzuela works as a Spanish-language broadcaster for the Dodgers.
Off the field Clayton Kershaw and his wife, Ellen, will play host to their third annual celebrity pingpong tournament at Dodger Stadium on July 30. The event will raise money for Kershaw’s foundation, which contributes to several charitable efforts. For ticket information, visit kershawschallenge.com/pp4p.