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ANAHEIM — Riding the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at Disney California Adventure is like hopping on an out-of-control pogo stick.
The drops on the elevator-free-fall ride are wild and unexpected, zipping guests in a variety of heights both up and down.
Rock n’ roll music blares. Video vignettes of the stars of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies appear.
Unlike Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the old ride in the same building, where mystery and anticipation led up to a big drop, the free falls on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout will catch riders off-guard and occur at a much more frenetic and faster pace.
“High energy,” said Joe Rohde, creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, and the brains of this ride.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout opens to the public on Saturday, May 27, as the headliner attraction of Disney’s so-called “Summer of Heroes” promotion in Anaheim.
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![Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, looks towards the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, looks towards the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![A statue of The Collector greets visitors to the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
A statue of The Collector greets visitors to the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Estefania Harbuck, creative producer of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Estefania Harbuck, creative producer of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The painting of The Collector hags in the lobby of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The painting of The Collector hags in the lobby of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, greets members of the media as they get a look at the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, greets members of the media as they get a look at the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The new ride – which takes place, as the story goes, in The Collector’s 183-foot-tall futuristic fortress, a bold gold and red structure that reflects during the day and illuminates at night – marks a pivotal point in Disney’s history.
Many believe this edifice will serve as the centerpiece of a much greater Marvel- or superhero-themed expansion in Disney California Adventure.
“That corner of the park has always been a problem,” said Seth Kubersky, the co-author of the “Unofficial Guide to Disneyland.”
“I believe Disney is staking their bet on Marvel to finally draw people to that corner of the park and re-balance the flow of people,” he said.
Since purchasing the Marvel comic book and entertainment brand for $4 billion in 2008, it was not a question of if but only when Disney would begin incorporating superhero attractions into its theme parks.
Rohde, a 37-year Disney Imagineer known for his dangling earring that droops to his left shoulder, said workers had one year to create the first Marvel ride in Disney’s U.S. parks. It was a daunting task, he said.
“At the time, I had been asked to take a look at crafting the interior logic by which a Marvel Universe could be done, by which we could create a universe of heroes,” Rohde said.
He and the Marvel team juggled several ideas. “Spider-Man or Avengers or something else?” said Brian Crosby, creative director of themed entertainment at Marvel. “Guardians of the Galaxy quickly rose to the top as our favorite, because it lent itself better to the story that we wanted to tell.”
Visitors are tasked with helping break out the five-member Guardians from The Collector’s Fortress.
Heavy doors open, revealing The Collector’s array of artifacts in glass displays. There’s Cosmo the Spacedog, a warlock’s eye, and weapons.
A video directed by James Gunn, the “Guardian” movies director, welcomes guests and plays in a loop setting up the story. Visitors have come by to see The Collector’s newest collection: the captured Guardians of the Galaxy.
An audio-animatronic Rocket Racoon explains how he needs the guests’ help.
Old tunes by Elvis, Steppenwolf and the Jackson 5 play. The gantry lift goes haywire – rapidly moving up and down. Visual scenes play of mayhem caused when the Guardians escape, including fighting other alien creatures.
There are six possible experiences for the two-minute ride, all picked at random by the computer.
Just like with the movies, Rohde said, “It’s fun, it’s humorous, it’s not so serious.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout
2: Length of ride, in minutes
6: Different ride experiences
6: Number of classic songs played in attraction
183: Height, in feet, of The Collector’s Fortress
2,200: Supposed artifacts inside The Collector’s Fortress
Source: Disneyland
In the most recent first-quarter filings from US apparel and footwear brands and retailers, Guess saw earnings fall on soft Americas sales, while Walmart delivered an encouraging start to the year thanks to higher sales. Kate Spade, meanwhile, saw earnings slump on the back of sales declines, while Hudson’s Bay recorded comparable store declines on the back of lower domestic store traffic across all banners.
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![Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, fails to catch the ball thrown from right field, as St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko (3) scores on a sacrifice fly by Yadier Molina during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD110]()
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, fails to catch the ball thrown from right field, as St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko (3) scores on a sacrifice fly by Yadier Molina during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD110
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![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill throws to the plate against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD101]()
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill throws to the plate against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD101
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![Dodgers third baseman Logan Forsythe (11) throws to first to get St. Louis Cardinals’ Stephen Piscotty on a ground ball out, with shortstop Corey Seager watching during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD102]()
Dodgers third baseman Logan Forsythe (11) throws to first to get St. Louis Cardinals’ Stephen Piscotty on a ground ball out, with shortstop Corey Seager watching during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD102
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![St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Mike Leake throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD103]()
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Mike Leake throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD103
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![St. Louis Cardinals’ Kolten Wong, right, hits a two-run single with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal watching during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD104]()
St. Louis Cardinals’ Kolten Wong, right, hits a two-run single with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal watching during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD104
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![Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley, center, tags out St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko (3) trying to advance on a pass ball, but gets caught in a rundown between first and second base, with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) watching, during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD106]()
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley, center, tags out St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko (3) trying to advance on a pass ball, but gets caught in a rundown between first and second base, with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) watching, during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD106
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![St. Louis Cardinals’ Aledmys Diaz, center, gets congratulations from teammates after scoring on a Kolten Wong single for two-runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD105]()
St. Louis Cardinals’ Aledmys Diaz, center, gets congratulations from teammates after scoring on a Kolten Wong single for two-runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD105
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![Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, walks out to the mound, as starting pitcher Rich Hill, center, waits to be removed by Manager Dave Roberts (not pictured) with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, right, watching during the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)]()
Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, walks out to the mound, as starting pitcher Rich Hill, center, waits to be removed by Manager Dave Roberts (not pictured) with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, right, watching during the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
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![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) looks down as manager Dave Roberts walks out to remove Hill, with third baseman Logan Forsythe (11) and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) watch during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD108]()
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) looks down as manager Dave Roberts walks out to remove Hill, with third baseman Logan Forsythe (11) and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) watch during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD108
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![St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko singles to left field, two runs score on an error by Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Cody Bellinger during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD107]()
St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko singles to left field, two runs score on an error by Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Cody Bellinger during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD107
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![Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, fails to catch the ball thrown from right field, as St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko (3) scores on a sacrifice fly by Yadier Molina during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD111]()
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, fails to catch the ball thrown from right field, as St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko (3) scores on a sacrifice fly by Yadier Molina during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD111
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![Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, right, fails to catch the ball thrown from right field, while trying to tag St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko, left, as Gyorko scores on a sacrifice fly by Yadier Molina during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD112]()
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, right, fails to catch the ball thrown from right field, while trying to tag St. Louis Cardinals’ Jedd Gyorko, left, as Gyorko scores on a sacrifice fly by Yadier Molina during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD112
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![St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz throws out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Austin Barnes on a ground ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD117]()
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz throws out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Austin Barnes on a ground ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD117
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![St. Louis Cardinals’ Carlos Martinez, left, congratulates Yadier Molina, after Molina hit a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD113]()
St. Louis Cardinals’ Carlos Martinez, left, congratulates Yadier Molina, after Molina hit a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD113
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![Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig reacts after hitting a fly ball for an out to St. Louis Cardinals center field during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD115]()
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig reacts after hitting a fly ball for an out to St. Louis Cardinals center field during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD115
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![St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Tyler Lyons throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD116]()
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Tyler Lyons throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: LAD116
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LOS ANGELES – Like Bigfoot, Rich Hill’s potential to be a dominant starter for the Dodgers has been occasionally glimpsed. But it has yet to be captured.
The recurring blisters on the middle finger of his pitching hand are largely to blame for that elusiveness. But Hill insisted that much-publicized digit was no more culpable than the other four on his left hand as he walked a career-high seven in just over four innings, digging a hole the Dodgers couldn’t escape in a 6-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.
“It was a bad outing. That’s it. It was terrible,” Hill said. “I accept full responsibility for that. Just gave them the game. That’s unacceptable.
“I take full responsibility for being terrible tonight.”
Hill said the blister issues were “no issue” even though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said “my intuition” made him wonder if that was responsible for the number of curveballs that were just “not finished.”
“I’m just so accustomed to see Rich have such good command with the curveball,” Roberts said. “The curveball he can really kind of manipulate. Today, he really had no feel. He tried to find it by changing arm angles but really couldn’t find any consistency tonight.”
There were no signs of trouble as Hill retired the Cardinals in order on only five pitches in the first inning. But he quickly lost his way after that, walking six of the next 12 batters.
Hill absolved his middle finger of guilt but said he “can’t really pinpoint” why his command was so unreliable, offering only some minor mechanical adjustments he needs to make before his next start (against the Cardinals again next week).
A stew of ingredients were probably at play including Hill’s lack of big-league competition this season. He has pitched just 17 innings over four starts while dealing with the recurring blister and had a full week off before this start.
He also did not see eye to eye with home plate umpire Rob Drake. Hill was visibly upset with the strike zone at times and even spoke with Drake before the third inning. Hill said he watched replays of some pitches – curveballs that he felt caught the top of the strike zone – from the second inning and told Drake he still felt they should have been called strikes.
“After that first inning, a very easy inning, it was encouraging,” Roberts said. “Once he took the mound for the second, I think he got frustrated with the strike zone. There were some pitches up that he felt were strikes and he felt he was getting squeezed a little bit. I think that led to a little bit to his inconsistency going forward. After that, fastball command not there, curveball command not there, getting behind hitters.
“I know he’s an emotional pitcher, but you’ve got to compose yourself in some capacity and try to execute pitches.”
Hill walked the bases loaded in that second inning, gave up a two-run single to Kolten Wong, then walked the opposing pitcher to load the bases again. He escaped that and another two-walk, bases-loaded situation in the third inning without further damage.
But another walk started the fifth inning. After a bunt single, Cody Bellinger misplayed a Jedd Gyorko single that would have loaded the bases yet again. Two runs scored when the ball got past Bellinger and Hill’s night was done after allowing half of the 22 batters he faced to reach base (seven on walks, four on hits).
Whatever issues Hill had with Drake during the walk-a-thon, fewer than half of Hill’s 82 pitches (40) found the strike zone, a lack of precision that couldn’t be blamed entirely on Drake’s decision-making.
“I was just terrible tonight,” Hill said. “Honestly, it was embarrassing.”
Facing the team with the lowest ERA in the majors over the past five weeks, the Dodgers’ fate was decided by Hill’s stumbling start.
Cardinals starter Mike Leake (1.91) leap-frogged Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (2.01) to take over the National League ERA lead by allowing just one run over eight innings Wednesday.
Leake retired 17 of the first 19 batters he faced. Sound familiar? Tuesday night’s Cardinals starter Lance Lynn retired 21 of 23 Dodgers while holding them to one hit through the first seven innings.
Over 22 innings in the first two games of this series, the Dodgers are batting .100 (7 for 70) with 25 strikeouts against Cardinals pitching. Their only damage Wednesday came in the seventh inning when Corey Seager led off with a double (the third of four hits allowed by Leake), went to third on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Bellinger.