i know that the countless readers are clamoring for more posts. However, as the NBA, NHL and EPL seasons draw to a close, its been difficult to find time to watch as much baseball as I would prefer. My limited experiences with the dodgers this year have been severely lackluster. I've had the displeasure of attending 1 game this season and Tiny Tim Lincecum squirted all over the beloved blue from the mound and the batter's box. One can only hope that as the summer months approach, the dodgers will get their proverbial poop-makers in gear.
With that said, I look forward with great anticipation to another year of .500 baseball and watching Carlos Santana tear the cover off the ball in Cleveland.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Last Night
I went to the game last night. It was 9-0 after the top of the second inning. That's all I have to say about that.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Runs Lost - 5.1.10 vs. Pittsburgh
Bottom of the 4th
With the Dodgers already leading 3-1 heading into the bottom of the 4th, Blake Dewitt walked and Jamey Carroll followed with a single to right to lead off the inning. After Carlos Monasterios failed to get a bunt down and struck out, Reed Johnson doubled to right, scoring Dewitt and moving Carroll to third with one out. Russell Martin followed with a smash right at thirdbasemen Andy LaRoche, and Andre Ethier flied to left to end the inning.
The Dodgers finally got healthy against the Pirates this weekend, winning the last three games of the series after the terrible opener on Thursday night. They were able to put together a good number of hits with runners in scoring position, and Ethier's four homeruns in three games sure didn't hurt either. Good weekend, and let's hope they can keep the momentum going tonight against Milwaukee.
With the Dodgers already leading 3-1 heading into the bottom of the 4th, Blake Dewitt walked and Jamey Carroll followed with a single to right to lead off the inning. After Carlos Monasterios failed to get a bunt down and struck out, Reed Johnson doubled to right, scoring Dewitt and moving Carroll to third with one out. Russell Martin followed with a smash right at thirdbasemen Andy LaRoche, and Andre Ethier flied to left to end the inning.
The Dodgers finally got healthy against the Pirates this weekend, winning the last three games of the series after the terrible opener on Thursday night. They were able to put together a good number of hits with runners in scoring position, and Ethier's four homeruns in three games sure didn't hurt either. Good weekend, and let's hope they can keep the momentum going tonight against Milwaukee.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Runs Lost - 4.29.10 vs. Pittsburgh
In the bottom of the 3rd, Blake Dewitt singled and went to third on an error by rightfielder Garret Jones. Clayton Kershaw walked, but then tried to g to second on a wild pitch and was thrown out. I thought he was safe, but regardless, it was the second out of the inning. Russell Martin grounded to third to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 4th, Matt Kemp singled with one out and then Andre Ethier singled, moving Kemp to third and Ethier moved up on the throw. Second and third, one out. Of course, Casey Blake proceeded to strike out, and after a walk to James Loney, Jamey Carroll grounded out to third to end the Dodgers best scoring opportunity of the night.
That's two runs lost in a game that the Dodgers lost 2-0. Honestly, it was one of the most disheartening games I've seen in quite some time. Kershaw walked the first two hitters of the game. Kemp misplayed another ball in center into the Pirates two runs, then in his next at-bat swung at a ball that bounced three feet in front of the plate and grounded to the pitcher on a pitch that literally would have hit him in the chest if it hadn't hit the bat. Blake once again struck out with a runner at third and less than two outs. It was a miserable game to watch, and while I said just yesterday it's early, there is no way the Dodgers can compete playing the way they are now. I'm disgusted.
In the bottom of the 4th, Matt Kemp singled with one out and then Andre Ethier singled, moving Kemp to third and Ethier moved up on the throw. Second and third, one out. Of course, Casey Blake proceeded to strike out, and after a walk to James Loney, Jamey Carroll grounded out to third to end the Dodgers best scoring opportunity of the night.
That's two runs lost in a game that the Dodgers lost 2-0. Honestly, it was one of the most disheartening games I've seen in quite some time. Kershaw walked the first two hitters of the game. Kemp misplayed another ball in center into the Pirates two runs, then in his next at-bat swung at a ball that bounced three feet in front of the plate and grounded to the pitcher on a pitch that literally would have hit him in the chest if it hadn't hit the bat. Blake once again struck out with a runner at third and less than two outs. It was a miserable game to watch, and while I said just yesterday it's early, there is no way the Dodgers can compete playing the way they are now. I'm disgusted.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Runs Lost - Multiple
4.24.10 vs. Washington
With the Dodgers leading 2-1, Rafael Furcal tripled with one out in the top of the 6th. Russell Martin followed up by striking out and Andre Ethier flied out to center, stranding Furcal at third. The Dodgers went on to win 4-3 in 13 innings, extra innings that could have been avoided by picking up a run in the 6th.
4.25.10 vs. Washington
With one out in the top of the 1st, Martin, Matt Kemp, and James Loney all singled to load the bases. Unfortunately, Casey Blake followed with a strike out and Ronnie Belliard flied out to center, ending the threat. The Dodgers lost this game 1-0, and a run in the first inning could have significantly changed the way the game played the rest of the way. A brutal day for the offense.
4.27.10 vs. New York Mets (First Game)
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 3rd, Reed Johnson tripled with one out. Andre Ethier ripped a line drive, but it was right at first basemen Ike Davis. Matt Kemp followed with a groundball to third, ending the inning. That was the only real scoring opportunity of the day as the Dodgers were shut out 4-0.
4.28.10 vs New York Mets
Trailing 7-3 in the top of the 9th, Belliard walked with one out and Xavier Paul followed with a double to left. With runners on second and third and one, Jamey Carroll and Garret Anderson struck out, ending the threat, the game, and the Dodgers' miserable 2-7 road trip.
It was a brutal 9-game stretch all the way around, and the offense completely shut down after Manny Ramirez went on the disabled list. The good news is, 9 games is only a small fraction of the season, and there is still plenty of time to turn it around.
With the Dodgers leading 2-1, Rafael Furcal tripled with one out in the top of the 6th. Russell Martin followed up by striking out and Andre Ethier flied out to center, stranding Furcal at third. The Dodgers went on to win 4-3 in 13 innings, extra innings that could have been avoided by picking up a run in the 6th.
4.25.10 vs. Washington
With one out in the top of the 1st, Martin, Matt Kemp, and James Loney all singled to load the bases. Unfortunately, Casey Blake followed with a strike out and Ronnie Belliard flied out to center, ending the threat. The Dodgers lost this game 1-0, and a run in the first inning could have significantly changed the way the game played the rest of the way. A brutal day for the offense.
4.27.10 vs. New York Mets (First Game)
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 3rd, Reed Johnson tripled with one out. Andre Ethier ripped a line drive, but it was right at first basemen Ike Davis. Matt Kemp followed with a groundball to third, ending the inning. That was the only real scoring opportunity of the day as the Dodgers were shut out 4-0.
4.28.10 vs New York Mets
Trailing 7-3 in the top of the 9th, Belliard walked with one out and Xavier Paul followed with a double to left. With runners on second and third and one, Jamey Carroll and Garret Anderson struck out, ending the threat, the game, and the Dodgers' miserable 2-7 road trip.
It was a brutal 9-game stretch all the way around, and the offense completely shut down after Manny Ramirez went on the disabled list. The good news is, 9 games is only a small fraction of the season, and there is still plenty of time to turn it around.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Um, Joe?
I'm listening to the Dodgers' game on the radio right now. It's the bottom of the 7th inning, and the Dodgers are down 4-0 with the bases loaded and two outs in the 7th. Because of a rainout last night, there is a doubleheader today with the second game starting about 30 minutes after the first game ends. Joe just brought in George Sherrill, the third pitcher he has used in THIS INNING. It is rare, very rare even, that once a pitcher is used in a game, the manager will turn around and use him again in the second game. Meaning that since John Link, Ramon Troncoso, and George Sherrill have already been used, they are most likely unavailable for the second game today, reducing the bullpen to four men. And we haven't played the eighth inning yet.
My question: do you think Joe Torre knows they are playing two games today?
I mean, I am never one to give up on a game. I don't want us conceding just because we are down four runs with six outs left. Having said that, IF we put together a rally and score a few runs, we're going to need a pinch-hitter as it will get around to the pitcher's spot in the lineup. So, then we use a fourth reliever. Say we take the lead... does Torre bring in Broxton to close it out? Because that would be five relievers, leaving only two in the bullpen to back up Charlie Haeger in the second game. The same Charlie Haeger that has gone a total of 9.1 innings in his last three outings. So, assuming he even hits the high end of that average and gets through four innings, do we really trust two relievers to pitch the final five innings? Wouldn't it have made a heck of a lot more sense to just leave Troncoso in to get the third out of the 7th inning rather than burning another reliever? I mean, the worst that happens is he gives up a hit and we're down 6-0. Well, that's not much worse than 4-0 to be honest.
Seriously, what exactly was Joe thinking there? I really am curious.
UPDATE: Forget everything you just read. Joe used Troncoso, Link, and Sherrill in the second game, too. Do you think he forgot about the first game? Do you think he still thought it was the first game? I have never seen a manager use three of the same pitchers in both ends of a doubleheader. Consider my mind blown.
My question: do you think Joe Torre knows they are playing two games today?
I mean, I am never one to give up on a game. I don't want us conceding just because we are down four runs with six outs left. Having said that, IF we put together a rally and score a few runs, we're going to need a pinch-hitter as it will get around to the pitcher's spot in the lineup. So, then we use a fourth reliever. Say we take the lead... does Torre bring in Broxton to close it out? Because that would be five relievers, leaving only two in the bullpen to back up Charlie Haeger in the second game. The same Charlie Haeger that has gone a total of 9.1 innings in his last three outings. So, assuming he even hits the high end of that average and gets through four innings, do we really trust two relievers to pitch the final five innings? Wouldn't it have made a heck of a lot more sense to just leave Troncoso in to get the third out of the 7th inning rather than burning another reliever? I mean, the worst that happens is he gives up a hit and we're down 6-0. Well, that's not much worse than 4-0 to be honest.
Seriously, what exactly was Joe thinking there? I really am curious.
UPDATE: Forget everything you just read. Joe used Troncoso, Link, and Sherrill in the second game, too. Do you think he forgot about the first game? Do you think he still thought it was the first game? I have never seen a manager use three of the same pitchers in both ends of a doubleheader. Consider my mind blown.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Runs Lost - 4.20.10 vs. Cincinnati
Top of the 7th
After Matt Kemp flew out to right to lead off the inning, Andre Ethier singled and Manny Ramirez walked. A wild pitch moved them to second and third, respectively, before James Loney and Casey Blake stuck out to end the inning. The Dodgers were trailing 9-5 at the time, and while they managed to tie the game in the 8th inning, Joe Torre may have played things much differently had the four runs in the eighth led to a 10-9 lead rather than a 9-9 tie. As it was, Cincy scored two in the bottom of the eighth to seal the victory.
After Matt Kemp flew out to right to lead off the inning, Andre Ethier singled and Manny Ramirez walked. A wild pitch moved them to second and third, respectively, before James Loney and Casey Blake stuck out to end the inning. The Dodgers were trailing 9-5 at the time, and while they managed to tie the game in the 8th inning, Joe Torre may have played things much differently had the four runs in the eighth led to a 10-9 lead rather than a 9-9 tie. As it was, Cincy scored two in the bottom of the eighth to seal the victory.
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