Dodgers start Mark Hendrickson, LHP (2-0, 1.30) vs. Wes Obermueller, RHP (1-1, 3.07).
Dodgers: 19-13 (1st place NL West, 1.0 GA, W1)
Marlins: 14-17 (3rd place NL East, 5.0 GB, L3)
From Dodgers.com, the scouting report on the starters:
Dodgers: In his third start of the season on Wednesday vs. the D-backs, Hendrickson continued his dominance, throwing six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out seven. Hendrickson now has the second-best ERA among Major League pitchers behind the Mets' John Maine (1.35). In four career starts against the Marlins, Hendrickson is 1-1 with 7.36 ERA.Marlins: The veteran Obermueller is taking over the rotation spot vacated when Anibal Sanchez was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque because of his struggles with command. Making his third start and fourth appearance, Obermueller has pitched nicely in his few opportunities. His most recent outing was three scoreless innings, which included three strikeouts, in relief against the Mets at Shea Stadium.
COMMENTS:
- Welcome to the battle of the eleven-lettered pitchers! Can Lurch follow up Penny's incredible outing yesterday, which marked the first time the Dodgers had won the first game in a series since San Diego (a week and a half ago)? Hendrickson has looked increasingly formidable this season, and his endurance has peaked with his last outing at 6 innings. If Hendrickson can go deep into the game again, the bullpen (which rested yesterday save sacrificial lamb Rudy Seanez (who was passable with one homer in two innings of work)) can claim another day of relative rest.
- That Pythagorean expected win-loss thingy is pretty cool. As of this writing, the NL West's expected win-losses are spot on for four of the five teams, with Arizona's off by only a game difference. Creepy.
UPDATE, 1.41p:
From Inside the Dodgers, today's lineup:
Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Garciaparra, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzalez, LF
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
LaRoche, 3B
Hendrickson, P
56 comments:
Not to rain on anyone's parade out there, but raise your hand if you think that Lurch is going to be able keep pace with his stats while going up against the NL's top hitting team? How crazy are Hendy's stats thus far? Here's a link to his ESPN.com page which provides his splits between being a starter and a reliever (insert standard "sample size" disclaimer here): http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?statsId=6978
That being said, go get 'em, Hendy!
They are the NL's top hitting team, but they're also striking out an average of nine times a game, according to SI.com. According to the article:
The Marlins' whiffability became apparent eight days into the season, when they struck out 17 times in a loss to Milwaukee. The flailing performance against Penny left them on pace to finish with 1,453 strikeouts, which would break the major league record of 1,399 set by the 2001 Brewers.
I say, Lurch just has to keep the gas on, and keep blowing them away. And then after the game, go back and connect the electrodes to those thingies sticking out of his temples, and go back to sleep.
Go get 'em, Hendy!
Go get 'em, Hendy!
Acc. to ITD (MLB), Jeff Kent's 348 home runs puts him 75th all time.
What's scary, though, is that 74th place is held by Chili Davis with 350. Chili Davis.
Is he a friend of Olmedo Saenz?
Can't have the Chili without the Tomato.
I don't know what that means, but it's funny.
All I know is, I'm now typing a comment about the "chili and tomato" line from AC, and I'm looking to the left here at Lasorda's up-turned ass.
And it all makes sense.
4pm, and it's time for Dodger Baseball! A pleasant good afternoon to you wherever you may be...let's play ball!
Let's see how LaRoche does tonight!
Kent flies out with Nomar on first. Obermuller took 22 pitches to get through the inning. Not bad. On to bottom 1.
Nice job by Tall Cool One. 1-2-3 inning. nice over the shoulder catch by Kent too - he can play some D as long as he doesn't have to jump.
Henderson has one strikeout through 1, in an efficient 11-pitch inning. On to bottom 2.
Martin rips a double into the corner. Anyone want to move Martin up in the order and Gonzo DOWN.
Can Lurch swing the bat like Penny???
...Nope. Oh well
Come on Lurch, he grooved that ptich.
Hendrickson gives up the bomb to Olivo but gets out of the inning. 1-0, Florida, through 2.
I predict bunt by Pierre
Ok, maybe not, but at least it was a hit.
Tie score. RBI man Kent
Bottom of 3d. According to ESPN's Gamecast, there's a glowing yellow dot on 2nd. Why does this pulsing yellow dot remind me of Olmedo Saenz? Why do I have a sudden craving for Lemonheads (the candy, not Evan Dando. . . )?
Lasorda, are you telling us you want Olmedo Saenz Into Your Arms?
Juan Pierre: New meaning to the word punchless.
That's funny. When it comes to Pierre, I can't think of anyone else on the Dodgers I'd want to punch less. Except maybe Betemit.
Henderson has walked three to load the bases, with two out...and he sneaks out of the inning! Whew. 2-1 LA, going to the 5th. I'm going to swim.
"Lurch"?
Rob: Yeah, I know. Weird, but Lurch is winning the poll (see link), so what can you do?
Russ-ell-mar-tin (clap, clap, clap clap clap)
An-dre-eth-ier (clap, clap, clap clap clap)
Dodgers 4-1!
Lurch.
"H Ramirez tripled to deep right, H Ramirez scored on error by second baseman Jeff Kent." Please explain.
Somebody yank Hendrickson NOW
Boy our Defense is CRAP-TACULAR!
Yeah, you can't really blame Paul Bunyon with a couple of those runs. That error by Kent was poor form and Furcal should have fielded that grounder.
Orel, ethier threw it back and kent misplayed the cutoff, as it bounced away from him, the run scored.
Having said that, the issue now is Hendy, who grooved fastballs to cabrera until he popped one.
Rick monday had no idea how to call that play that ended the 5th, but sources tell me it's 5-4 Fish.
Wasn't there a movie about "Hendy & the Hendersons" about some tall, hirsute fellow from the Northwest? Hendy did play hoops at Wazzu, you know.
Who threw out the runner?
Rick Monday just talked Florida state politics for the entire top of the sixth. Once again, the score is the casualty. Tell Me The Damn Score Monday!!!
Okay, they are pinch-hitting Dontrelle now. We suck.
Willis forces the out at second, but stays in to run. Isn't he starting vs us tomorrow? We should squish him if it's a double play.
Best promotion ever: Morongo Casino's "7 in 7" promo. If the dodgers score seven runs in the 7th inning, someone wins the jackpot. Like the dodgers could ever score 7 in an inning. Ha!
Bills struck out the side!
"Moron. Go. Morongo."
Wild pitch scores a run!
I hate these east coast games
"Bills" - like it.
Free James Loney
Another error...Damn it FUN damentals!
Think Big Boy can get these guys out with a man on second?
Crap. Man Pierre has no arm (just stating the obvious). Dodgers lose.
Furcal should have cut that off and rifled it home.
Oh man. Broxton in a jam.
Uh, I'm a little behind.
Dammit, errors killed us!!! And the fact we grooved fastballs.
Is there a defense and fundamental coach around? This was awful and embarassing!!
I should have taken that swim.
At least SD lost. Good night, everybody!
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