Thursday, August 02, 2007

Game 108 Thread: August 2 vs. Giants, 7.10p

Dodgers start Brett Tomko, RHP (2-8, 5.57) vs. Barry Zito, LHP (7-10, 5.28).

Dodgers: 58-49 (2nd place NL West, 0.5 GB, W1)
Giants: 46-59 (5th and last place NL West, 11.5 GB, L1)

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

Dodgers: Tomko had a strange start at Coors Field. He walked the leadoff hitters in the first and second innings, and followed each by allowing homers to Matt Holliday and Troy Tulowitzki. But he also shut out the Rockies over the next four innings to keep the game relatively close. Tomko has allowed a team-high 11 home runs in 84 innings.

Geriatrics: Zito's 60-28 second-half record suggests he should be hitting his stride any day now, but he certainly didn't in his last start, and Zito is running out of second-half starts and second chances. In his last start against the Marlins on July 27, Zito immediately put the Giants in a two-run hole in the first inning. Zito came out in the fifth after allowing four more runs, six total with four walks. Zito's July ERA of 7.82 is his highest monthly ERA yet. He will open August with his second appearance of the season against the Dodgers. Back on April 8 -- in his second start as a Giant -- Zito gave up eight earned runs over six innings in a 10-4 loss to the Dodgers.

COMMENTS:

  • San Diego crushed Arizona 11-0 in the day game today, cutting the D'backs' lead over the Dodgers to a slim half-game. Tonight, the media circus spends its last night in Los Angeles. The game is sold out. Who knew that the prospect of Dave Roberts' 24th career home run would create such a frenzy? (I know, this joke doesn't get any funnier. Yet I still keep using it. Sorry.)
  • In all seriousness, for those of you who are going to game tonight: Brett Tomko is on the mound, so get ready for some Bonds fireworks. Tomko has alrady given up 11 HR this year, most on the Dodgers' staff, and rumors have it that Brett wants to secure his lead in this category this evening.
  • Oh yeah, and be prepared to boo like hell.

The lineup:
Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Martin, C
Gonzo, LF
Nomar, 3B
Loney, 1B
Kemp, RF
Martinez, 2B
Tomko, P

64 comments:

Steve Sax said...

Bob Harvey (?) Just characterized Tomko's start as "...he's looking to give the Dodgers some innings.". Aim high.

Steve Sax said...

All right, so what does everyone think? Does Bonds tie the record during his first, second, or third at bat?

Anonymous said...

Duuuuump Tomko. I could pitch better than that.

Steve Sax said...

His first inning was bad but he has strangely done okay since then (now through five). I'm sure Grady will leave him in until it's much, much too late.

Nope, looks like Proctor is due in the sixth due to Tomko getting run over at first base.

BTW, when is Matt Kemp going to learn how to run a route to a fly ball? It's really embarrassing.

Well at least he just got a hit, to lead off the fifth.

Eric Karros said...

Bases loaded 2 puts, Martin up...

Steve Sax said...

Martin walks to send in one run, but Gonzo looks so overmatched in his pathetic at bat, that tapping out to second base seemed inevitable. 3-1 Giants after 5.

Steve Sax said...

EK, what are you doing still up? Warm it up, Kris!

Orel said...

Gotta give Tomko some respect, he could have caved after that 46-pitch 1st inning but recovered to throw four more. Proctor looks okay too, although he just walked Vizquel.

Orel said...

Beimel should be facing Bonds.

Orel said...

Or they could IBB him.

Orel said...

Kudos to the Dodger pitching staff, holding Bonds homerless.

Steve Sax said...

"Not here, not now, not ever." --Vin Scully, after Bonds exited the game tonight, referring to NO HOME RUNS from Barry in the homestand.

Well-played, Dodgers. Well-played.

Orel said...

Whither Juan Pierre's Signature Quickness?

Steve Sax said...

Screw Signature Quickness, we would have taken a single.

"And Cowboy Joe West says, 'Fertilizer! Fertilizer!'"--Vin Scully, describing plate empire West's argument with Ryan Klesko after Klesko was caught looking, and West was shown clearly uttering a word that rhymes with fullspit.

Steve Sax said...

Rudy, please do not let this game get any more out of hand. 4-1 is bad enough as it is.

Orel said...

Martin's hustle is positively J.D. Drew-like.

Steve Sax said...

After just reading how a headfirst slide into first might not be so bad after all (compliments of truebluela.com), Martin slides into first with a leadoff single in the eighth. Gonzo promptly flies to right on something like the first or second pitch. Where is Bill Mueller?

Nomar punches Martin to second. Loney again has a chance to do something big, which he has failed to do in two could-be-big opportunities tonight.

Steve Sax said...

Did y'all see the CWS-NYY game today? Both teams put up 8 runs in the second inning?!?! Crazy.

Eric Karros said...

Insomnia is a cruel mistress, Sax. Knowing the game is on TV - a rare occurence out here - doesn't help.

Orel said...

Insomnia? Which club does she dance at?

Eric Karros said...

How much you want to bet one of the NY or Chicago area papers works the words 'Crazy Eights' into a headline

Steve Sax said...

Well, it isn't a three-run HR, but Loney's working the count from 0-2 to a walk was pretty impressive. Well done, young James.

Especially since that second strike on a check swing was pretty questionable.

New pitcher for Olmedo Saenz, who has been nothing short of a gaping black hole of late.

Steve Sax said...

I just rolled over in bed and woke up Insomnia, EK. She says hi.

Man, can she saw some wood when she snores!

Eric Karros said...

I had Insomnia last night, all night long, baby...

Steve Sax said...

I think the Post goes with "8 Isn't Enough: Yankees Lose".

Orel said...

Is Saenz batting for Kemp???

Steve Sax said...

This Saenz story will not end well. 0-2 count.

Eric Karros said...

Dozens o' Meals chokes

Steve Sax said...

Orel, Kemp was already taken out in a double switch (Ethier replaced him).

Saenz strikes out poorly. I think the Saenz-as-savior era is over. Where is Wilson Betemit (three-run HR in his first Yankees at bat today) when you need him?

Steve Sax said...

Nice anagram EK

Steve Sax said...

EK, you playing Scrabble much out there?

Orel said...

choke

Eric Karros said...

Nomar Zenitram chokes too

Steve Sax said...

Ramon Martinez matches Olmedo Saenz' suckiness. Dodgers leave the bases loaded, still down 4-1 going to the ninth.

Ramon, you suck.

Steve Sax said...

I can't watch this. Hernandez is now on the mound? Throw up the white flag, Grady.

Orel said...

I hear Zenitram is good for insomnia.

Orel said...

It's those wacky K-Swiss parkour fellas again.

Eric Karros said...

Ok I really need to go to bed. I expect to read about the 9th inning Dodger comeback when I check the paper tomorrow morning.

Orel said...

I PROMISE you they'll win. Guaranteed.

Eric Karros said...

Gonna go pop some Zenitram and hit the sack.

Steve Sax said...

Say hi to Insomnia for me.

Steve Sax said...

There are still a LOT of fans at the game. Screw you, Mr. LA Fan Stereotype!

Orel said...

Matt Kemp is...Superman!

Orel said...

Way to work the walk, Raffy!

Steve Sax said...

Great eye, Raffy. Way to draw the walk.

Steve Sax said...

Righetti, we want Randy Messenger!!!

Orel said...

Why Pierre...of all the players, it had to be Pierre.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, either you've got Juan Pierre's Signature Quickness when typing, or your cable feed is about ten minutes ahead of mine.

Tell me who wins.

Steve Sax said...

Wow, a Pierre home run. Amazing!

Just kidding.

Orel said...

ha ha

Orel said...

Messenger of good news...maybe.

Steve Sax said...

Steve Kline comes in with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, one out, Gonzo up (the four hole).

Steve Sax said...

I'm not too down with the Orangesicle Shake commercial from Carl's Jr. Have you tried one, Orel?

Steve Sax said...

I'm too busy jumping off walls in my K-Swisses.

Orel said...

Bases loaded, ninth inning, one out. Why am I not hopeful?

Orel said...

No, in fact I can't remember the last time I was at a Carl's Jr.

Orel said...

I smell a whiff.

Orel said...

Yeah! Meaningless run!

Orel said...

IBB Nomar.

Steve Sax said...

Oh, boy. Pressure on our golden boy, James Loney!!!

Orel said...

Okay James, time to reward us.

Orel said...

"I've got to please those astute fellows at Sons of Steve Garvey!"

Orel said...

13 LOB. Rule 1 violation.

Steve Sax said...

13 LOB. Ugh.

Yet another series loss. Have we won a series since the ASG?