Sunday, April 22, 2007

Game 19 Thread: April 22 vs Pirates, 1.10p

Dodgers start Brett Tomko, RHP (0-0, 1.64) vs. Tom Gorzelanny, LHP (2-0, 1.33).

Dodgers: 13-5 (1st place NL West, best record in the major leagues, 2.0 GA, W3)
Pirates: 6-10 (6th/last place NL Central, 3.5 GB, L4)

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

Dodgers: In his second start of the season, Tomko didn't exactly pitch the gem he threw in his first start of the season, when he shut out the Rockies for six innings. He struggled through five innings, allowing four runs and 12 baserunners. Tomko was 1-0 against Pittsburgh last year.

Pirates: Gorzelanny has been excellent in his first three starts of the season. The lefty shut down the Cardinals twice and also picked up a win in Houston. He was two outs shy of picking up his first career complete game in his last start against the Cards. Gorzelanny has only thrown one inning in his career at Dodger Stadium, and allowed three runs.

COMMENTS

  • Not sure how you follow up all of the excitement of last night's Russell Martin walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning. The first grand slam of Martin's career capped an otherwise lackluster game for the Dodgers, who slept through most of the first eight innings before the speedy Wilson Valdez took second, third, and home on Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino, tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. That was just an hors d'ouevre for the 10th, however, when Russell took a Shawn Chacon pitch into the Dodgers bullpen for the win. The Dodgers are so hot right now, they can show up in the equivalent of the final minutes of the fourth quarter, and still pull out a win.
  • But wait a second here, let's not forget it's the Pirates about which we're talking. Pirates starter Ian Snell kept the lineup pretty sedated on Saturday, allowing only five hits over seven innings. That stench you smell while leaving the Stadium was likely Rafael Furcal's .158 average (his 0-for-5 in the leadoff spot narrowly edged out Juan Pierre's 1-for-5 performance from the two hole), with Betemit's 0-for-2 performance in the eight hole contributing to his even stinkier .125 BA. Again, the Dodgers are finding ways to win even while somnambulating through most of the game; against a more formidable opponent, such quarter would not be expected.

UPDATE

From Inside the Dodgers, the lineup:

Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Saenz, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzalez, LF
Martin, C
Clark, RF
Valdez, 3B
Tomko, P

Saenz with the rare start. Seems like a good time as any to rest Nomar.

17 comments:

Orel said...

Yes, leave the somnambulating to the Lakers!

Alex Cora said...

Anyone know how the Bucks scored? I just got here.

Alex Cora said...

Wow, the Dodgers look like a little league team. FUN- damentals!

Alex Cora said...

With Pierre's lame throwing arm, he probably would have scored anyways...

Steve Sax said...

3-0 deficit and three errors. And we're only in the fourth.

"Hey Jim Tracy, we'll spot you three this time. And, we'll put Tomko out there and a large Tomato."

Alex Cora said...

TOMATO!!!!!

Alex Cora said...

Come on Kent, Tie it UP!

Alex Cora said...

That is the fastest Gonzo has ever run in his ENTIRE life. He looked like Tom Beringer at the end of Major Leagues...

Steve Sax said...

3-2 and two out...everybody's moving on the pitch...

Steve Sax said...

BALL FOUR, 3-2 and here comes Valdez, a hero from last night's game!

Damon said...

arg Valdez had ball 4 there 3 or 4 times

Alex Cora said...

Wow, the Dodgers had a big chance there and missed the opportunity to open the game up. Guess now they are 1 for 21 with the bases loaded in terms of getting a hit.

Alex Cora said...

Chris Duffy the Beerman - OH YEAH, Duff Beer!

Alex Cora said...

Pierre's arm really IS crappy. He fricken' underhanded it to Kent.

Alex Cora said...

Tomato is the professional hitter.

Steve Sax said...

Why you would put Ramon Martinez up in an eighth-inning, come from behind rally is beyond me. Dodgers down 7-5.

Alex Cora said...

We would have at least tied or won if we hadn't committed those errors early in the game. And, if it weren't for those meddling kids.