Dodgers start Derek Lowe, RHP (3-3, 3.89) vs. Sergio Mitre, RHP (0-2, 3.12).
Dodgers: 20-14 (1st place NL West, 2.0 GA, W1)
Marlins: 15-18 (3rd place NL East, 6.0 GB, L1)
From Dodgers.com, the scouting report on the starters:
Dodgers: With his team in an offensive funk, Lowe pitched a gem against the Braves. He allowed only an unearned run on a Jeff Kent error in seven innings, scattering three hits and striking out eight. It was Lowe's best start and first victory since he went eight innings April 13 against San Diego. He was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA against the Marlins last year.Marlins: ressive in his return from the disabled list, Mitre comes off a six-inning outing where he gave up one earned run (three total) in six-plus innings. The right-hander had been out with a blister to his right middle finger. He threw 88 pitches and walked one, while striking out three. This will be Mitre's fourth start. He's walked five in 17 1/3 innings, with 12 strikeouts.
COMMENTS:
- Get those flapjacks ready and fire up the coffee maker, 'cause it's time for Dodger baseball--Dodger morning baseball, that is. The incredibly early start time, even by east coast standards (this is the first game of the day) means there will be about as many Dodger fans watching the game at work as there are Marlin fans in the stands (~1000 each--and given their retirement-community fan base, we coudl probably take them in a Sharks-vs.-Jets-like fight). But hopefully, the day of rest for Nomar Garciaparra, Luis Gonzalez, and Andre Ethier (who didn't get the start, but still came in and got two ABs) will pay off, particularly with the former's ongoing slumps (consecutive 0-fer games by both Nomar and Gonzo). Don't be surprised if the offense comes out even sleepier than normal, however.
- The Dodgers even being in a position to make this a winning roadtrip seems absurd, given the way they are leaving men on base (13 LOB yesterday and 28 LOB in this series, relative to the Marlins' 19 LOB in the series). We already know we can't play big ball since we have no power bat. But if we can't play small ball either, we're in heaps of trouble. At this stage, I'd love a winning road trip, but I'd love it more if we play some solid fundamentals and have runners not just rotate the bases but also cross the plate, maybe even on some solid station-to-station hitting and not just suicide squeeze attempts. Is that too much to ask for? Can I get an "amen"? Can someone please pass the syrup for my pancakes?
34 comments:
I think the game depends on which Derek Lowe we see. Hopefully we does well today so we can have a good 1 2 punch at the top of the staff.
Derek Lowe owns us. Marlins are going for a record today. First team to get no hit into the inning in 5+ games this year.
Thanks for stopping by jd. Unfortunately I am not sure what record to which you're referring--are you talking about Tomko's bid last night?
0-0 through one.
Boy, there sure are a lot of mediocre batting averages in today's lineup. Pierre takes the leadoff role, Martin slotted at second, Gonzo at cleanup? No Kent = Not Good.
Everybody's swinging like an idiot. Dodgers give Mitre an 8-pitch inning to give Mitre 23 pitches after two.
TAKE A DAMN PITCH PEOPLE!
Luckily, the Marlins are free-swinging too (as we know). Lowe has a comparable 20 pitches through two.
Both Mitre and Lowe have one K in two innings of work each.
0-0, on to top 3.
Stop the presses, Pierre just took a four-pitch walk vs. an otherwise cruising Mitre.
However, Martin, in the two-hole and thinking he has to play like Juan Pierre, swings at the first pitch he sees and grounds into a FC for the third out.
0-0 after two and a half, men. On to bottom 3.
Russell Martin nails the runner! And Lowe has another 8-pitch inning. 28 pitches on the day for Lowe (Mitre's not far ahead with 34 pitches on the day).
0-0 after three.
Bueller, Bueller?
I'm not entirely surprised that the other Sons aren't awake yet. Last night was a rough one! I was surprised that damon was up that early but it looks like he's back asleep.
Gonzo's GIDP effectively kills any hope of getting something started, and Mitre gets off (literally) with a 7-pitch inning to total 41.
0-0, on to bottom 4.
Oh crap. Can someone please tell me who is hurt? Gameday just says "injury delay." Tell me it isn't Lowe, or Nomar.
Way to go, Lowe! Induces the inning-ending DP, 0-0 through 4.
Wilson Valdez has made two outs in four pitches. Somebody stop him before he kills again.
0-0, on to bottom 5.
Pierre is having one hell of a day. 2-for-2 with a walk, one SB, and no outs generated. I suppose this makes a case for him back in the leadoff role (a spurious case, though).
0-0 through 5, this is quite a pitchers' duel.
Pierre has somehow scampered to third (or at least, his pulsing yellow dot is on third, acc. to ESPN Gameday). How so?
Okay Gonzo, you've been weak your last two and a half games. Runner on third, two out, and you...
walk. And Ethier kills the rally with a ground out.
0-0 through five and a half.
Mitre comes to bat in the bottom of the sixth. Given his high this year was 106 pitches, and he's currently at 73, this is understandable. His other two starts were in the 80s for pitch count.
A double off of Lowe with two out. Come on, Derek, settle.
And this makes 16 consecutive comments from Steve Sax! I'm working on a Game Thread streak here...
Lowe escapes the 6th with a RISP. He's only at 61 pitches, which is incredible. On to the seventh. 0-0.
Betemit, Vadez, Martinez. I can't think of a weaker lineup in the 6-7-8 slot. Come on, you may as well just concede the frickin' inning if you're not going to try.
FREE JAMES LONEY!
Another two-out RISP (this time Aaron Boone). Stanford Cardinal Joe Borchard at the plate, batting .205 and .194 with RISP, strikes out swinging. Nice job, Lowe (73 pitches through 7!).
We have 14 zeroes on the board and we're off to the eighth, 0-0.
The Dodgers have a measly three hits on the day (Marlins have four)...
Lowe bats to lead off the eighth and flies out. At least he took three pitches, though. Guess Grady is going with the horse he came in on in the bottom of the eighth.
Two out in the top of the eighth. I have a feeling Russell Martin will hit a home run.
Whoops, guess I was wrong. Fly ball, but not close.
On to bottom 8, 0-0.
How long do we go with Lowe?
Lowe again knocks 'em down in the 8th, and Mitre was replaced by a pinch-hitter for the second out of the inning. Hopefully this is good news for us as we go to the ninth, 0-0.
AC, you just broke my streak of 22 straight posts! But welcome.
I know how it is to be alone and talking to yourself. Thought you would like some company.
Turned on the TV, saw the walk-off homer by the Marlins, turned off the TV. Good bye.
You know, these are the fricken MARLINS, we should have taken the series. Sad.
This was not Derek Lowe's fault. He was fading. Grady should have replaced him after the first batter in the ninth.
Grady Little, once again, leaves a pitcher in too long. AND, for the second time this season, he gives Lowe a crappy lineup which generates NO RUN SUPPORT to begin with.
Grady was an idiot today. Good bye.
steve,
Are you getting a lot of money for this? It is hard to believe that you are this big of fan for a team that you dumped.
Steve's not getting money for this; he's just getting favors from Orel. He is a Son of Steve Garvey after all.
It's just Grady being Grady.
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