Friday, April 20, 2007

Game 17 Thread: April 20 vs. Pirates, 7.10p

Dodgers start Randy Wolf, LHP (2-1, 4.00) vs. Tony Armas, RHP (0-1, 13.50)

Dodgers: 11-5 (1st place NL West, 1.5 GA, W1)
Pirates: 6-8 (T-4th place NL Central, 2.5 GB, L2)

From Dodgers.com, the scouting report on the starters:

Dodgers: Wolf overcame the long pregame ceremonies on Jackie Robinson Day to strike out seven in six innings against the Padres. Wolf's curveball was especially effective. Although he allowed three runs, one on a Jose Cruz Jr. homer, he walked only one. He is 3-1 lifetime against the Pirates.

Pirates: Pittsburgh can only hope that Armas' next outing after a 13-day layoff because of weather postponements doesn't resemble his first outing of the season. Pitching in a February-like chill on April 6 at Cincinnati, he never could command the strikezone. In four innings, he walked five and gave up eight hits and six runs on 89 pitches. Only 48 of those were strikes. Armas, the only veteran in the Pirates rotation, can't pitch like that and win in the big leagues.

COMMENTS

  • The Dodgers return from "squeeze week", the only week of the season in which they are forced to play two separate two-game midweek series, with a very impressive 3-1 record against divisional opponents, no less (Dodgers are now 7-3 on the road; last year they were the only team to make the playoffs with a losing road record). Throw in the fact that we basically phoned it in on Wednesday's game vs. the Rockies (three substitutes started in a weak batting order), and the Dodgers aren't looking too bad. The good news is, all the veterans except Nomar Garciaparra and recently returned Rafael Furcal have taken a day of rest. Let's see how the team fares back in the friendly confines of Chavez Ravine (4-2 home record this year), with a rainy weekend series vs. Pittsburgh, a day of rest Monday, and then a three-game showdown with the hated Giants.
  • Tonight is Jason Schmidt T-Shirt night. I hope these aren't shirts that, based on news they're probably not telling us from his MRI (Schmidt is currently on the 15-day disabled list), would otherwise end up on the clearance rack at T J Maxx.

UPDATE, 5.32p

Rain? What rain? Game's still on, according to Inside the Dodgers. The lineup:

Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Garciaparra, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzalez, LF
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
Betemit, 3B
Wolf, P

48 comments:

Joshua Worley said...

I'm really disappointed that the Dodgers didn't squeeze once during squeeze week.

Steve Sax said...

Oh, I'm sure there was somebody on the team that squeezed one out.

Orel said...

heh heh, heh heh heh

Orel said...

This A-Rod fellow, he is not bad.

Orel said...

"It's time for Dodger baseball!"

Orel said...

Vin: The Dodgers have been rained out 17 times since coming to Los Angeles.

Orel said...

Guess Wolf won't be getting that outside call tonight.

Orel said...

If a pitcher licks his hand without permission, it's an automatic ball. I didn't know that.

Orel said...

Wolf in trobble.

Orel said...

Wolf struggling a little. Would be nice if he could get out of this inning with just one run.

Orel said...

Nice-K!

Orel said...

Vin is getting good at correcting his mistakes: "...and he just proceeds to strike out Rafael, who fouls it away so he's still alive 1 and 2..."

Orel said...

Rabbits r loose!

Orel said...

"They statisticalize everybody in this day and age." —Vin

Orel said...

JP flashes that signature quickness!

Orel said...

NOMAR

Orel said...

Betemit continues to bat like an infant.

Orel said...

That throw bounced in the dirt and still almost beat Pierre. Where is the signature quickness?

Orel said...

Okay, there it is.

Orel said...

This is like BP. Singles and walks, but no power.

Orel said...

Ouch! Russ is a stud.

Orel said...

Rock on, Randy Wolf. BP in full effect.

Orel said...

And does it qualify as ironic that our pitcher is the only one who's hit for extra bases?

Orel said...

Hello? Is this thing on? (tap tap)

Orel said...

Where you from, sir? Rancho Cucumango?

Orel said...

Hey, Jeff Kent is smiling! Maybe he's thinking about motorcycles.

Orel said...

KENT NO PORNSTACHE?

Orel said...

Nice sliding catch by Ethier!

Orel said...

JPSQ!

Orel said...

Nancy Bea!

Orel said...

They're giving him a dig? Are you having a laugh?

Orel said...

ANDRE

Orel said...

...with the Shawn Green-esque meaningless solo homer.

Orel said...

Randy Wolf, two doubles. What is going on.

Orel said...

Vinny is out of sync!

Orel said...

Wow, Wolf has really recovered from the first inning.

Damon said...

We should have Wolf play 3rd on his off days

Orel said...

10-1! All on singles!

Orel said...

Seriously. But at least Betemit made some contact tonight.

Orel said...

Martin picked a good night to go cold.

Orel said...

I never get tired of Vin saying, "Deuces are wild."

Orel said...

Why does Chad get mop-up duty? Shouldn't it be like Seanez or somebody else?

Orel said...

Think Brady Clark wants to start?

Orel said...

Olmedo with the Sno-Cone!

Orel said...

There's Rudy!

Orel said...

Martin is getting very good at protecting that area in front of the plate.

Orel said...

This ought to do it! Good night!

Steve Sax said...

Hey Orel! Have a good time at the game tonight? Glad you brought your blackberry!

Sorry I missed it...sounds like quite a time.