Monday, April 09, 2007

Game 7 Thread: April 9 vs. Rockies, 1.10p

Dodgers start Jason Schmidt (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Jeff Francis (0-0, 3.00 ERA).

Dodgers: 4-2 (T-2nd place NL West, 0.5 GB, W4)
Rockies: 3-3 (4th place NL West, 1.5 GB, L2)

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

Dodgers: Schmidt didn't throw hard or last long, but he did enough to get a win in his Dodgers debut in Milwaukee. He made it through only five innings, needing 95 pitches, and only occasionally broke 90 mph with his fastball. He really ran his pitch count up by walking the bases loaded with two out in the fifth.

Rockies: Francis threw 98 pitches in six innings of the Rockies' 4-3, 11-inning victory over the D-backs on Tuesday. The only runs against Francis came when, by his own admission, he didn't execute pitches to three batters with two outs in the fifth inning. Francis, who has added a sinker this season, is hoping for more groundouts after finishing with four grounders, nine flyballs and four strikeouts against the D-Backs. Francis got a no-decision in his only start vs. the Dodgers in 2006, allowing one run on six hits over 7 1/3 innings.

COMMENTS

  • Any series sweep of the hated Giants should be cause for celebration. But before we start drinking the Dodgers-juggernaut koolaid, let's remind ourselves that the Giants really do suck. This year, most publications had the Giants placing last in the NL West. Against our other opponent, Milwaukee, we lost two of three--and the Brewers are a .500 team who just lost their next series to the mediocre Cubs. Colorado is coming off of two one-run losses to San Diego, and the Rockies should be pissed.
  • Okay, but let's talk about the positives. Schmidt may not have lasted long in his last outing, but it wasn't as subpar as the writer of mlb.com would have you believe. He did have five strikeouts over his five innings of work and had two 1-2-3 innings. And he helped bring the Dodgers their first win. Meanwhile, Luis Gonzalez looks like he has emerged from his early offensive slump, and Jeff Kent and Russell Martin are hitting steadily. As a team, St. Louis had slipped beneath us for last place in the team batting average race. Juan Pierre sightings, however, have been few and far-between.
  • And hey, it's Opening Day, always a sweet time at Dodger Stadium. According to ESPN, first baseman Nomar Garciaparra will receive his NL Comeback Player of the Year award before the game, and former Los Angeles second baseman Steve Sax [that's me!], the 1982 NL Rookie of the Year, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The smell of the grass, the whiff of the Dodger Dogs--as I said earlier, I can't wait. Stop by and say hi if you can--I'll be wearing my blue LA hat--see you there!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Also, Juan Pierre is pressing as a leadoff hitter. Furcal needs to return quickly to take this pressure off of him. Pierre feels he's got something to prove and right now he's trying way too hard. He'd be good in the number eight hole... but we all know THAT won't happen.

I really hope that Grady is paying full attention to how well Russell Martin is filling in as a number two hitter. There were many of us last year who felt this was his best slot in the lineup and we're being rewarded so far with some excellent play from Russell. He's got the eye of a ten-year veteran at the plate... very patient, selective and knows when to go the other way with the pitch. He'll also see a lot more pitches to drive in this slot... and with that comes an 18 to 23 homer season. Expect his power output to increase this season... but not if he's placed back in the eight hole...

Go Dodgers!!

Steve Sax said...

It is not too hot here at the stadium and a beautiful day. Except that the pre-game concert from pubescent country singer Taylor Swift is going over like a lead balloon...

Parking was actually pretty easy too (of course, we were here at 11am)

Steve Sax said...

12.05 first dodger dog of 2007 consumed.

12.28 first beer of 2007 (at the stadium) consumed

Steve Sax said...

Leapfrogs (Navy) were pretty sweet. They made up for Taylor Swift.

Now, Taylor Dayne, that would have been another story.

Steve Sax said...

Okay, 2Ks and 1 HR. Let's get it back.

Steve Sax said...

Ugh, three up and three down. Going to the third.

Steve Sax said...

There's our power bat! Jason Schmidt! Crowd is going CRAZY!

Steve Sax said...

Ugh, matt Kemp has to learn how to play D. For his, and the Dodgers' sake.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

I just checked out the box score. When the f did Mike Schmidt start pitching?

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

First gobstopper eaten of MLB season while looking at GameDay - 2:39pm

Steve Sax said...

5th beer consumed at the stadium, 3.13p

Steve Sax said...

Mark Hendrickson is in. All is lost.

Lasorda said...

Are you sure that was Mark Hendrickson, or are those beers blurring your vision?

Lasorda said...

Rumore has it that Furcal is supposed to be back soon. Of course, you then have to wonder if Grady will have the stones to bump D'Vaughn (astute readers will recall our elation at learning Juan's middle name) to the lower 3d of the battin order.

Steve Sax said...

That's it, I'm rushing the field, I'm so pissed.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

that's why they built a section in front of your seats, Sax.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Sax - you can win this one! Go storm the field. Rally the troops! And bring me back a malt!

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

D'OH! Pretty decent catch.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Drive safely, Sax. (Need me to come get you? :-)

Steve Sax said...

Delino,

I'm still waiting for you to swing by and pick me up. I'm by the will-call booth. It's late, it's dark, and I think I heard a coyote howl.

I feel like Howard Jarvis at the end of Airplane! Come soon!

Alex Cora said...

Hey Steve. From what I hear about the parking lot situation, you (and about 10,000 other fans) are probably STILL waiting for Delino to pick you up. Keep warm!

Steve Sax said...

Delino! Delino!

I'm getting hungry....