Saturday, May 26, 2007

Game 49 Thread: May 26 vs. Cubs, 12.55p

Dodgers start Mark Hendrickson, LHP (2-1, 3.22) vs. Carlos Zambrano, RHP (4-4, 5.61).

Dodgers: 28-20 (1st place NL West, 1.0 GA, W3)
Cubs: 21-25 (2nd place NL Central, 6.0 GB, L1)

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

Dodgers: Hendrickson didn't pitch as badly as it sounds, with five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, but it was bad enough for his first loss of the season. He was done in by a three-run sixth inning, although only one of four consecutive hits was squarely struck. Nonetheless, after stepping in for Jason Schmidt with four starts in which he allowed no more than one earned run, he's been charged with seven over his past two starts.

Cubs: Zambrano is coming off a loss against the White Sox, yielding seven runs on six hits and four walks over 6 2/3 innings. He seems to have his mechanics straightened out. Now, he needs to work on concentration.

COMMENTS:

  • Last night's victory came gift-wrapped by the Cubs in the eighth, after they pounded the Dodgers' bullpen for seven runs in the seventh. Grady Little's premature pull of Derek Lowe after six innings, pinch hitting Wilson Betemit in the bottom of the sixth (who walked, but did not contribute to scoring), led to a parade of Dodger relievers who got crushed in the seventh. After Joe Beimel, Yhency Brazoban, and Jonathan Broxton each gave up runs (1, 3, and 2 ER, (dis)respectively), we needed Rudy Seanez to stop the bleeding. A lucky outburst of four runs in the eighth--capped by former Cub Juan Pierre's sacrifice fly for the game-winning run--gave Takashi Saito a chance to come in and close the door. All in all, a crazy game, but one that we were lucky to walk away from with a win.
  • Today's game is the nationally televised game on Fox. Zambrano has been off this year and rumors are swirling that he may be hurt. Mark "Lurch" Hendrickson, on the other hand, has no rumors swirling around to deflect criticism of his performance. He's just bad. Let's hope he rises his NBA frame to the challenge this afternoon.
  • Make sure you wear the sunscreen today. It's gonna be hot.

UPDATE, 12.54p:

From Tony Jackson, the lineup:

Rafael Furcal is out with right knee stiffness. Doesn't sound serious. Here is the new lineup

CF Pierre
2B Abreu
1B Nomar
C Martin
LF Gonzo
3B Betemit
RF Ethier
SS Martinez
LH Hendrickson

11 comments:

Orel said...

Go us!

Steve Sax said...

Can someone tell me why Hendy is pitching BP out there? Second inning, men at corners, and we are already down 2-0 with the Cubs threatening again.

Orel said...

Down 2-0. That didn't take long.

Steve Sax said...

There goes Zambrano's no-hitter! Gonzo pokes one to right.

Why is Betemit in the game???

Steve Sax said...

...And Betemit hits into the inning-ending DP.

GET RID OF BETEMIT

Steve Sax said...

Everybody Runs On Gonzo. Singles turn to doubles. Film at 11.

Steve Sax said...

Hey, in the third inning we only made Zambrano pitch 9 pitches. nice.

Cubs score again as they tee off on Hendy. Cubs 3-0, man on first. 1 out in the fourth.

Steve Sax said...

Somebody pull Hendrickson, NOW

Eric Karros said...

Got home hoping to catch last few innings on TV here out east, but Fox is showing Braves instead. But guess I'm not missing much.

Eric Karros said...

Instead I'm tracking Gamecast while watching "Perfect Murder, Perfect Town". Bad game, good flick.

Steve Sax said...

Well, we had our chance in the eighth w/ the bases juiced. Crap.

Rubber game tomorrow afternoon.