Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Game 20 Thread: April 22 @ Reds, 4p

Hong-Chih Kuo (0-0) vs. Edinson Volquez (2-0).

COMMENTS: Orel says it's all about momentum, but I say it's simply about survival. The Dodgers are 0-3 vs. the NL East and 5-7 vs. the NL West, but we the one division we can beat is the NL Central (3-1). In our last game against the NL Central until May 9 (Astros), it would be nice to grab one more victory against the Reds today.

Kuo's tight pitch count and 33-pitch first inning gave him the early hook last Tuesday, disqualifying him for the victory (which was wrapped up with a bow for Esteban Loiaza and his five-inning relief appearance). He needs to be more efficient tonight against the Reds. Volquez sports a 1.17 ERA though he is also said to get deep into counts.

Which Dodgers offense will show up today?

UPDATE: Tonight's lineup: Gnomar stays in the three-hole, and Jones won't have much time to march toward Mendoza (details in the comments).

323 comments:

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Orel said...

Actually, it's not about momentum. Turns out it's all about gnome-touching.

Steve Sax said...

Tonight's lineup (from ITD):

Furcal, SS
Martin, C
Nomar, 3B
Kent, 2B
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Pierre, LF
Kuo, P

Xeifrank said...

Hopefully Guo pitches well tonight and isn't shaky in the first inning like last time. He's really just a decent 5-6 inning start away from solidifying his spot in the starting rotation.

My simulator gives the Dodgers a win probability of 50.48%. Vegas is now calling it even but last night had the Reds as slight faves.
vr, Xeifrank

Steve Sax said...

I don't know who this Guo guy is of which you speak.

I am rooting for Kuo tonight, though.

Orel said...

Did I read correctly that Kuo will be on a 90-pitch limit today? I love his stuff but find it maddening when he starts walking guys.

Steve Sax said...

Hey Karina, check this out from 6-4-2:

Also worth mentioning: Chan Ho Park's three-inning save, the first save of his career, was the first such for the Dodgers since Wilson Alvarez got one on April 4, 2004.

Wilson Alvarez, back in the news!

Orel said...

All of a sudden I want an empanada.

Steve Sax said...

I just want some cheap gas for my car.

Orel said...

I don't get it.

Erin said...

My car runs on diesel. Strangely, prices are even higher for me these days.

I'm just gonna go ahead and blame Juan Pierre.

Orel said...

My family used to have a Volvo turbo-diesel. It spat out a huge flume of black smoke every time you accelerated.

Erin said...

Here's a question: for those with HD, are you seeing FSN with an HD broadcast right now?

Orel said...

Charlie & Steve are raving about this Reds pitcher Volquez.

Orel said...

Furcal strikes out. But I did not see it in HD.

Orel said...

...because I don't have HD.

Erin said...

Diesel is better for the environment (and will be even better when I convert it to run on biodiesel), and I get about 40 miles to the gallon in city driving, close to 50 on the highway.

Erin said...

I'm annoyed, because I'm a snob about HD now. The Red Sox are playing the Angels at Fenway, which means my Extra Innings package is blacked out (because the Angels are from Los Angeles, in case you didn't know), and I am forced to watch the Angels' broadcast on the other FSN. Both are broadcasting standard definition. Not cool.

Orel said...

Erin, is it a Mercedes?

Erin said...

No, it's a little VW Golf.

Orel said...

I'm the exact opposite about HD. It looks great but I'm happy to watch any quality. Perhaps I need higher standards.

Russell K's. 2-2 to Nomar.

Erin said...

Well, I'll say this. Turns out Ellsbury's home run off Weaver to lead off the game looks good any way you slice it.

The issue with standard definition is that, with the setup of my TV, I have to watch it with the black bars on the sides. That gets annoying until I get used to it.

Orel said...

I was thinking about this Mercedes. I take it the biodiesel conversion is not a VW-approved procedure.

Erin said...

From what I've heard and read about my car, I can run it on biodiesel with no conversion at all. I'm not quite confident enough about that to go pick up leftover grease at McDonald's, but with a little more research, I will be spending my days smelling like french fries. And loving it.

karina said...

Steve, that Wilson Alvarez reference has oficially made my day. Suddenly, i had this warm feeling often associated with being excited about post-season.

It just felt like YEARS ago.

karina said...

only 90 pitches for Kuo? i guess it won't be a long night for him, at this pace.

Orel said...

Erin, can you adjust the aspect ratio on your TV? Ours takes the standard def image and stretches it to fit the widescreen format.

karina said...

how cool was that Kemp and Loney DP?

Orel said...

Hola, Karina!

(See, I've been brushing up on my Spanish.)

Orel said...

Andre doubles, Kemp walks. Loney up with one out.

Orel said...

4-6-3 DP. Argh!

Erin said...

Ugh, back to our old tricks with RISP.

Yeah, Orel, I can adjust it. The problem is that it gets all screwed up when I change back to a station broadcasting HD (which are most of them these days), so I prefer to just leave it alone and watch it unstretched when I have to.

Orel said...

I missed the Kemp-Loney DP. What happened?

Orel said...

Erin, the solution is clear. You need two TVs.

karina said...

Epale, Orel! (Epale=venezuelan slang for hola)

Erin said...

Fly out to center, Kemp doubled the runner off at first.

Orel said...

Kuo was 3-1 to Phillips and got him to ground out. That's the kind of pitching that'll get Kuo the W today.

karina said...

Jerry Hairston singled, then Keppinger flied out (very short), Kemp making sweet assist to Loney. Nice Loney compass, too.

Love this baby blue!

would have Pierre even reached the ball?

Orel said...

Thanks, Erin. Sounds Mondesi-esque.

Epale, Karina. Who said learning isn't fun?

Orel said...

1-2-3 inning for Kuo! Here comes JP! Hold your breath, ladies!

Orel said...

Okay, that out by Pierre was weak as a baby.

Orel said...

Damn, Kuo doubles! And with his famous bat flip!

Erin said...

Pierre is the kind of man who could run away with your heart. The good news is, though he would run fast, he wouldn't run far before being thrown out.

Hey, Kuo can swing the bat. Love that bat flip. Not quite as good as last year, but close.

Orel said...

And Furcal with the ground-rule double drives in Kuo! Unexpected, but I'll take it!

Orel said...

Erin, with your silver pen you could get a job writing cards for Hallmark.

Orel said...

Russell walks. Men on 1st & 2nd with one out.

Erin said...

A line of baseball-themed Hallmark cards sounds like it would be fun to create.

karina said...

is Kuo getting some type of Zambrano/Owings kinda of stick?

Orel said...

This ump has a pretty tight strike zone—even Nomar took the first pitch.

karina said...

I could design the cards! how about that?

Orel said...

Wow, Phillips robs Nomar.

Orel said...

The bad news is that all the cards have to feature Juan Pierre.

Erin said...

Nice play by Phillips to rob Nomar. Steiner's working the PR magic for Nomar now, letting us now how hard he's been hitting the ball, even though he's made outs.

Yes, Karina. You design, I write.

Orel said...

Kuo isn't quite up to Owings' level, but partially because he can't stay healthy enough to get the AB's.

Erin said...

Correction: letting us know not "now."

Orel said...

If you guys want to Photoshop some baseball-themed greeting cards, we can showcase them here.

And at Beantown West, of course.

karina said...

deal, Erin!

Orel said...

Kent K's but we're making Volquez throw a lot of pitches.

Erin, I dig your grammatical attention to detail. It's a quality sorely lacking on the internet.

karina said...

Beantown West?

Orel said...

Angels take a 3-1 lead. I'll hold my tongue so as not to annoy our guests.

Orel said...

Doncha know, Karina? Beantown West is Erin's blog!

Erin said...

It doesn't matter that the ball bounced in foul territory before it passed third, right? As long as it crosses third in fair territory? Is that the rule?

Orel said...

I'm surprised Russell didn't dive into the dugout for that foul ball.

Erin said...

Yeah, well, the Sox have a minor league call-up pitching today because of Beckett's stiff neck. It's hard to expect much in that situation, but with Boston's offense, a two-run deficit isn't much.

Eric Karros said...

Hi folks

Eric Karros said...

3rd inning and we already have a run. Not to mention 63 comments.

karina said...

*blushing* I read Erin's entry about blogger's night. Putting it on bookmarks.

Orel said...

Epale, EK! That's Venezuelan slang for hola. Just so you know.

karina said...

Epale, Eric!

Orel said...

Erin, that's correct. Like when someone bunts along the baseline and the fielder grabs it before it can wander back into fair territory.

Eric Karros said...

Epale Orel and Karina. What have I missed?

Eric Karros said...

Epale Erin too.

Eric Karros said...

Unfortunately I can't see the game on TV but with this running commentary who needs TV?

Erin said...

Epale to Eric, and everyone else.

Thanks Orel. I thought was true. I swear I've been following baseball a long time, and I know my rules. I just like to double check sometimes.

Orel said...

Not much, EK. Reds are starting a young phenom pitcher but the Dodgers are making him throw a lot of pitches. Kuo and Furcal both doubled for the Dodgers' run.

Oh, and Erin & Karina here are going to start a specialty greeting card company featuring Juan Pierre-approved products. Or something like that.

Orel said...

Kuo hit by the comebacker! He looks okay but let's see....

Erin said...

If I can muster up the creativity, expect a Juan Pierre greeting card on my blog at some point in the coming days.

Orel said...

Erin, I could stand to study the rulebook a little more myself.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, back to your comment #8, Venezuela is a big export of petrol.

Eric Karros said...

I can see it now: a greeting card with Pierre's photo on the front, open it up and it says "Our Sympathies"

Orel said...

Kuo is okay but he's throwing a lot of pitches this inning. He won't make it past the 5th at this pace.

Orel said...

Thanks, Sax. I was dimly aware of that.

Eric Karros said...

uh-oh

karina said...

Erin, Joe Girardi banned all candy and ice cream at the Yankees clubhouse, even at the road. Would you send them some chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon rolls, etc?
I'm worried about Bob Abreu, he's known as the "comedulce" (candy-eater) as a homage to his late father.

Could Joe Torre do the same for Andruw Jones? so he could match his average with his ideal weight?

Eric Karros said...

Sax, check out comment #57.

Eric Karros said...

My point is, please don't make me count un-numbered comments. Even as low as #8.

karina said...

Eric, that's a great idea for a card...how about making it with a pop up?

Orel said...

Pitch count through 3 innings: Volquez 52, Kuo 54.

Orel said...

Comment #57 is hilarious!

Orel said...

Really, Karina? I find that mind-boggling.

EK, what's Spanish for "mind-boggling"?

Erin said...

Karina, I'm putting together a care package for the Yankees as we speak, chock full of all kinds of goodies to pack on the weight. I just want the Yankees to be happy.

karina said...

deleted comment due to HUGE grammatical error.

In Venezuela, gas is waaaaay cheaper than water.

Eric Karros said...

Karina, did Girardi really do that? One of my New Year's resolutions as of April 1 was ice cream only once a month.

Eric Karros said...

Ha ha, a pop-up would be very appropriate for a Pierre card.

Steve Sax said...

What the hell is Loney doing all the way down in the seven-hole?

Eric Karros said...

uh...making 3 outs in 2 at-bats

Orel said...

Not hitting, apparently.

Eric Karros said...

It is a good question though Sax

Orel said...

Damn, you beat me to it!

Steve Sax said...

I just deleted karina's "this comment has been removed by the author" comment, EK, so the numbering is all off now. Now, comment #56 is hilarious.

karina said...

mind boggling: impresionante

Erin said...

I gave up ice cream (and soda) on New Year's Eve, with the intention of going three months without it. Now it's been almost four. I haven't really wanted any since, though I will admit to having a shake from Ruby's Diner at Dodger Stadium twice this year (but I only drank half each time). I always wanted a shake at a ball game, and they brought Ruby's in, so I had to do it.

Eric Karros said...

I meant comment #57 in base 8

Orel said...

Really, Karina? I find that impresionante.

Heh.

Eric Karros said...

Erin, sounds like we are alternating 3-month periods without ice cream. You do Q1 and Q3 I'll do Q2 and Q4.

Orel said...

A shake at Dodger Stadium seems so luxurious. Kind of like a massage on a blimp.

Speaking of blimps, Adam Dunn makes it 2-1 Reds.

karina said...

I'm going to make that pop-up card, of course, when i have lots of spare time. Pop-Ups were my nightmares last semester and made me wonder why i didn't listen to my parents and went to law school.

Yep, that story is true. The story also says yankee players are sneaking candy bars into the clubhouse.

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/04/19/eat-healthy-play-better/

link is hilarious!

Eric Karros said...

Who is getting a massage on a blimp? What am I missing by not getting the televised broadcast?

karina said...

well, if the ice cream urge gets too heavy, i'll grab some sugar/fat/flavor free ice cream?

how about that? (it has worked for me for 3 years)

Orel said...

Kuo is showing a Lowe-like ability to fall apart during a rough inning.

karina said...

and he's thrown 76 pitches...who's in the bullpen?

Orel said...

I just posted on the candy thing. Thanks for the inspiration, Karina.

Pop-up nightmares—you are studying programming?

Eric Karros said...

Karina I hear you are from or in Venezuela. Or both?

Orel said...

We'll be lucky to get out of this inning down by 2.

Kent and Loney almost collides diving for a foul ball!

Orel said...

Proctor's in the bullpen. His last appearance he gave up 4 runs in one inning.

Eric Karros said...

Dude espn Gamecast is lame, I see the Reds put up 2 runs but can't tell how. Going back to GameDay

Orel said...

Men on 2nd & 3rd for the Reds with 2 out. Kuo up to 80 pitches and is due to bat second next inning, so he's staying in to try to get the 3rd out.

Eric Karros said...

Don't tell me how, I'd rather not know

Orel said...

Wow, Torre pulls Kuo for Proctor for the one-out attempt.

EK, Dunn solo homer + Bako RBI = 2 runs.

Orel said...

Hey EK, Nissan is using "Pressure Drop" in one of their ads.

Orel said...

Oops, sorry for the update then.

Eric Karros said...

Hey, I told you not to tell me!

karina said...

nope, Graphic Design. My teacher wanted us to do something like this:

http://robertsabuda.com/popmakesimple.asp

it says simple, but it is not.

Orel, it's my pleasure to be your inspiration for a couple of minutes.

karina said...

I'm from and in Venezuela.

Eric Karros said...

Orel, if you delete that comment (#118) we can pretend they never scored those runs

karina said...

Jason Giambi doesn't seem affected for the lack of candy. Neither Bob Abreu (which is good for fantasy).

Steve Sax said...

3.2IP, 3 ER? Not so much of a good outing for the Kuoster.

Taiwanese folk worldwide switch over to the Yank-Me game to watch Chien-Ming Wang.

Orel said...

Damn, Proctor goes 0-2 in the count then coughs up 2 more runs. 5-1 Reds.

Eric Karros said...

I think if you start with the Thanksgiving Turkey pop-up, you're already 90% the way to a Pierre card

Steve Sax said...

Proctor does not seem to be that effective either.

The worst part about Gameday: "in play, run(s)"....... pause...... pause..... pause......

Orel said...

Hey, I like the pig pop-up!

Eric Karros said...

If nobody comments on the 2 additional runs the Reds just scored, they might just go away

Steve Sax said...

Pierre card idea #2: "Happy Belated Birthday! Sorry this is late, but Juan Pierre was throwing the card from center field!"

Orel said...

Meanwhile, the Red Sox are clawing back in Anaheim. 5-3 Angels. Somewhere Erin is smiling.

Eric Karros said...

Oops I see I'm 2 minutes behind. Another problem with GameDay

Orel said...

Wow, Vlad just robbed Manny!

Erin said...

I can't even try my Juan Pierre cards now. Your ideas are too funny, and they make me insecure.

karina said...

You're right. If i use the Frankenstein one, we have 98% of Andruw Jones, since i will have to make fuller, rounder cheeks. Though that pig face pop-up could be useful to make a pattern for a big head.

Steve Sax said...

All right, an eight-batter inning for the Dodgers, on a night that they only want to score one run again! Let's see if they have any mettle to sack up and mount a comeback win.

Erin said...

Yes, Orel. I was trying to ignore that robbery as the Red Sox attempt a comeback.

Eric Karros said...

The pop-up Juan Pierre card is sure to be followed by strike-out, foul-out, and fly-out versions.

Orel said...

Delwyn Young sighting!

karina said...

Don't worry , Erin. Orel and Steve can be our creative directors...teamwork, you see?

Erin said...

Nevermind. We can talk about the Manny robbery now, thanks to a game-tying home run from Youkilis. Oh, at least one team is making me happy tonight. I could be doubly happy if the Dodgers could replicate this Sox inning.

Steve Sax said...

Juan Pierre card idea #3:

(outside) "Happy Birthday, Old Pal!"

(inside) "Slap me five! (over the course of two games, of course)

Erin said...

Sox were down 5-1, just like the Dodgers. It can be done.

Steve Sax said...

And guess what Dodgers slap hitter is 0-for-2 today?

Eric Karros said...

Erin the best cure for insecurity is ice cream

Orel said...

And of course Volquez is in the groove. He's retired 8 straight.

Steve Sax said...

Proctor has an 8.64 ERA. Only a matter of time before Torre sends him packing, again.

Eric Karros said...

Karina what city are you in?

Orel said...

Erin, I hate to ask....Who do you root for if the Dodgers play the Red Sox?

Eric Karros said...

Find out in October, Orel!

karina said...

I could design some nice typographic posters with the meaning of the word "consistency" and sending them out to Dodger Stadium.

Orel said...

I am so jealous of the Red Sox' power.

Orel said...

Ha, I wish.

Erin said...

Orel, in spring training it didn't matter. I just cheered for both. If they meet in interleague play or, god forbid, the World Series, I'm going to have to go with the 27+ years of fanhood over the 3+ years, and pick the Sox.

But it won't be easy, and I will probably be very easily confused.

Eric Karros said...

You don't think the Red Sox can make it back to the WS??

karina said...

Maracaibo, capital of Zulia State. Largest, richest and most populated city in the country.

Orel said...

Karina, anything with the word "consistency" will catch on fire if it gets near Dodger Stadium.

karina said...

do you guys have another team that you root for?

Orel said...

Damn, Loaiza gets bombed. 6-1 Reds.

Orel said...

I must say, this Game Thread has been much more enjoyable than the game itself.

karina said...

Point. It'd paper, even more harmless than Juan Pierre's arm...

Another idea for a card!

Eric Karros said...

My 2nd favorite team is probably the Angels. I find myself rooting for the Nationals too.

karina said...

We are defying the notion that misery is not a very good company.

Erin said...

Consistency posters will catch fire and Rick Monday will "heroically" put them out.

Weird. Only three days until the anniversary of that event.

Eric Karros said...

Have a cachapa for me Karina

karina said...

Nationals is a very interesting choice, may i ask why?

Orel said...

And Kemp misses diving for the ball. We look like the Keystone Kops out there!

Eric Karros said...

I haven't been to Maracaibo...but do you know Caracas well?

karina said...

Sure! have you been in Venezuela before? where?

Eric Karros said...

Not sure why I like the Nationals. Maybe it's cuz I used to live in DC (before they were there), or maybe because I used to like the Expos.

Eric Karros said...

Yes! I lived in Caracas for about 4 or 5 months

Orel said...

Maybe Angels for me. I sure was rooting for them in 2002.

Speaking of the Reds, I'm surprised you haven't brought up Davey Concepcion, Karina.

karina said...

Kinda. Lots of family there, great nightlife, great restaurants, great museums,obnoxious baseball team, even more obnoxius fans..

did you try arepas, tequenos, empanadas and golfeados?

Eric Karros said...

or maybe because they have Mike Bacsik

karina said...

cool!, it's a shame you didn't get down here...

Orel said...

Oh, we suck. Yesterday seems like a dream. 7-1 Reds.

Eric Karros said...

I tried the first three, but I don't think I know what a golfeado is. Let me look it up...

karina said...

Oh well, you're right, i think we need to make serious campaign for him and spread the word so he finally gets into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but y' know i'm kinda worship Luis Aparicio Jr and every short stops just pales in comparison.

Orel said...

Karina, do you have a local team you root for?

Eric Karros said...

Yes it's a shame, I loved Venezuela (mostly). I went to Los Roques and Margarita but never made it to Maracaibo.

Orel said...

Meanwhile, still all tied up at 5 in Anaheim. I fear we may have lost Erin to a better game....

Steve Sax said...

Now that's the Esteban Loiaza I know.

Someone take a bat to that frickin' gnome.

Orel said...

Doesn't Erin drive a Golfeado?

Eric Karros said...

a Googlesearch of 'golfeado' brings up a variety of images

Orel said...

Sax, we should buy one of those gnomes and smash it with a bat. Videotape and post it.

Eric Karros said...

Ha ha Orel. I couldn't figure out a way to phrase that joke but you nailed it.

Erin said...

I'm here, but also trying to work. I am watching the Sox game on mute, and checking here for updates. I'm a multi-tasker, to say the least.

Bogus call at first base just went against the Sox, in case you're wondering. Man, that ump blew the call by a mile.

karina said...

what didn't you like? our chaos? chavez? did you get to go to the universitario stadium? a Caracas and Magallanes? our profesional league is awesome and venezuelan are very passionate fans.

Orel said...

Ah, I see Aparicio is from Maracaibo.

Erin said...

Cost us a run, too, since Ellsbury hit the next pitch out for a solo shot. The disparity between these two games is insane.

Orel said...

Sox take the lead in Anaheim. I think I heard Erin holler!

Eric Karros said...

Well I was there in 2002 when they had the temporary coup so it was very chaotic. I was trapped in my hotel for a few days.

Eric Karros said...

Looking back though it was a pretty fascinating period be there and to experience

Orel said...

Okay Erin, maybe you wuz robbed but you're still winning. Meanwhile, Kent K's and the Reds maintain their 6-run lead.

Eric Karros said...

Looks like the Dodgers are going back to their binary ways

Orel said...

Really EK? Have you told me that story?

Erin said...

Okay, so what's the deal? Is the pitching against the Dodgers this good, or are we this bad every other game? Thoughts?

Erin said...

Hillary Clinton will win the Pennsylvania primary, CNN reports. I am not going to try to hide my disappoint there.

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