Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Game 33 Thread: May 6 vs. Mets, 7p

Hiroki Kuroda (1-2. 3.82) vs. Nelson Figueroa (2-1, 4.08).

COMMENTS: The Dodgers averted a losing streak with last night's 5-1 win, and now trail the Diamondbacks by only three games. But, tonight they face a solitary man who boasts all five vowels in his last name. ALL FIVE VOWELS! (Shouldn't we be countering with Esteban Loaiza? Wait a second, scratch that idea.) The Dodgers send Kuroda (of three-vowel fame) to the mound in return. The Dodgers have the third-most runs in the NL, but we're not scoring them with the long ball (T-11th), so it was a pleasant surprise to see Rafael Furcal, Blake DeWitt, and Matt Kemp all go yard last night. Can we keep up our offensive tear tonight?

107 comments:

Erin said...

Uh oh. Furcal is out tonight with a stiff back, putting Pierre back in the leadoff spot.

Orel said...

That sucks.

Pierre, LF
Jones, CF
Kemp, RF
Kent, 2B
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
DeWitt, 3B
Hu, SS
Kuroda, P

Pierre then Jones? I have my doubts.

Steve Sax said...

Pierre then Jones? I have my doubts.
Pierre then Jones? Start with two outs?
The lack of offense at the top
Erases all momentum's clout.
And worst of all, sits our Andre,
Who must be trying not to pout.

Erin said...

Geez, I didn't notice it was Pierre then Jones when I first saw it. The Pierre part just distracted me. Crap. That's at least one, if not two, automatic outs at the top of a lineup. That should work out well. I don't know why you would have any doubts, Orel.

Marc said...

Uh oh - if Figueroa has five vowels in his name, he must be good...Or, maybe not?

From my blog: The Mets will hand the ball to Nelson Figueroa. The 33-year old pitcher starting-pitcher has been noted to have poor control, which evidently gets him into trouble when runners are on-base. The Dodgers should be able to capitalize on Figueroa's poor pitching.

http://dodgersblog.mlblogs.com

Erin said...

Guys, I just want to remind you now that tomorrow's game starts at 12:10. I don't want anyone to forget the game thread.

Marc said...

Why do they need to have day games? They're really not going to get a huge deal of attendance at that hour.

Orel said...

Thanks Erin, I would have overlooked that. Sax, do you want to take tomorrow's GT or shall I?

Steve Sax said...

Erin, are you volunteering?

Erin said...

Uh, no, not volunteering. I can't compete with what you guys do.

Besides, I'm busy taking on the Dodgers and their recycling issues.

Steve Sax said...

Hmm, good idea. Maybe I'll recycle an old game thread.

Orel, I can try and pull something together tonight.

Orel said...

Okay, let me know if you can't.

Erin said...

Bold prediction: the Dodgers will not get a home run from the leadoff spot tonight.

Orel said...

Okay, it's only a solo dinger. Shake it off, Kuroda.

Orel said...

Did you guys just feel an earthquake? Epicenter at Chavez Ravine, perhaps?

Marc said...

Hopefully, Orel.

As you know from your pitching days, an early run can destroy the confidence and ultimately the control of a pitcher on the mound.

Lets hope Kuroda keeps his head in the game.

Erin said...

Arizona is up early, 1-0, on the Phillies, but the Phillies have a runner at third with one out.

Erin said...

And, just like that, with a home run, the D-Backs are down 2-1. Randy Johnson is on the mound.

Steve Sax said...

The disdain, or disappointment, for Andruw Jones is simply dripping from Vin's voice.

Erin said...

It's funny, because Scully would never say anything outright about hating a guy or anything, but you can really tell with the way he talks about certain guys, Jones being one of them.

If I were a ballplayer, I would never want Vin Scully to be disappointed in me. Hell, I'm not a ballplayer, and I still would not want Vin Scully to ever be disappointed in me. I don't know what I could do to make that happen, but I'm living my life trying to avoid it.

Erin said...

Gavin Floyd (White Sox) just had his no-hitter broken up with one out in the ninth. Too bad. I own him on two fantasy teams.

karina said...

That's right, Erin.

why David Wright has to be so good? let's go, Russell!

Erin said...

Damn it. Kuroda is not fooling anyone.

karina said...

is this batting practice? someone please talk to Kuroda...

Erin said...

It's batting practice out there for the Mets.

Erin said...

Good call, Karina. We're on the same page.

karina said...

how sad would it be if the Mets win this series without Johan Santana?

Erin said...

I'm thinking positive tonight. I believe in this team's comeback potential.

karina said...

Indeed, Erin.

who thinks they should keep Dewitt?

Erin said...

DeWitt should not be sent down. He's earned his place on this team, even if it's just as a backup and not a starter.

Meanwhile, Arizona just took the lead in the fourth inning. They're up 3-2.

karina said...

nice Hu bunt...i love the baby blue!

Erin said...

Make that 6-2. Apparently Adam Eaton, the Phillies' starter, sucks.

Erin said...

I really don't know what to do when Pierre plays like this.

Hey, a Jones homer here would tie the game!

karina said...

a single by Pierre, 3-1

i thought i'd never say this but i really think they should sit Jones at least for a week. I hate the idea Ethier is sitting on a bench.

Damon said...

Pierre batting .329

karina said...

bad baserunning gets me on the nerves big time...

Erin said...

Wow. Pierre really blew it there. Stole the base, must have thought the ball got away, then got tagged trying to get back. That was weird. I don't know what made Pierre think the ball was in center field. Maybe a good fake from the Mets' outfielder.

Erin said...

This might not be the Dodgers' night.

karina said...

This is official. Kuroda really thinks is pitching batting practice.

karina said...

If Schneider hits, i think we're lost.

Erin said...

Throwing to second with a runner at third was probably a bad deal, and then Hu double clutched before throwing the ball back home. Alou scores.

And now we're down 4-1. Boo.

"Could Furcal have made the play? Probably."--Scully

karina said...

that double steal was pure caribbean baseball. It was also tragically beautiful.

karina said...

does someone know if there is someone in the bullpen?

Erin said...

Kuo just started warming up.

karina said...

I demand Torre gets Jones out of this game NOW. Saw that awful at bat?

karina said...

David Wright...again

Erin said...

Time for DeWitt's first grand slam?

I guess you and I are the only ones here tonight, Karina.

Erin said...

Blake DeWitt delivers! Two hits tonight, this one good for two RBI. Sweet.

Erin said...

I have no idea why Torre would let Kuroda go out again for the fourth, except that his spot in the order is due to lead off the next inning. But still, that's not a good enough reason, especially now that Kuroda leaves with two runners on base and only one out. Here comes Kuo.

Steve Sax said...

Kuroda gives way to Kuo and we are only in the fourth. At least we're only down by one...wow, two straight Ks for the Kuo-ster!

Erin said...

The Dodgers need to get to Figueroa right now. No more letting him off the hook.

Orel said...

Boy this is a slow game. I see Kuroda couldn't hold it together tonight. Still, it's the fourth inning and we're only down one.

Orel said...

Jones singles!

Erin said...

Sweet mercy, Figueroa gave Jones quite a gift there, and Jones actually took advantage with a hit up the middle.

Orel said...

1,700th career base hit for Andruw.

Erin said...

David Wright is a Dodger killer. Son of a gun.

Orel said...

Dodgers tagging the ball but right at people. Figueroa's getting lucky.

Orel said...

We should be getting to the Mets' bullpen in the next inning or two.

3 consecutive K's by Kuo!

Erin said...

Someone will have to remind me why Loaiza is ostensibly still in the starting rotation.

Erin said...

And then Kuo walks the damn pitcher.

Steve Sax said...

Vin (on an inning-ending called strike three with two on): "An angry Ryan Church saying things that are not in church."

Erin said...

It's painful to see the Dodgers losing to this pitcher.

But I guess that's how the Mets' fans feel about their guys only getting three off Kuroda.

Steve Sax said...

Erin, back to your early comment, I think Vin would be quite proud of your writing. You're not letting him down.

Erin said...

Whoa. I was just noticing that it looks like Russell shaved, and then Vin started talking about it. Creepy.

Erin said...

Sax, that's the best compliment I've received in a while. Thank you.

Erin said...

Inside the park home run! Awesome!

Steve Sax said...

Are you kidding ne? DeWitt!!!!!!!!! Inside the park HR!

Erin said...

That ball sure looked like it bounced right on top of the wall, too, like it would have gone over if Church hadn't gotten his glove on it. Would that have made it a more conventional home run?

Steve Sax said...

Erin, if Vin ever met me, he'd probably tell me I wasn't the real Steve Sax, I wasn't even close.

And that I wasn't funny.

Speaking of funny, an airmail special from David Vitamin Water Wright!

Erin said...

Sax, I highly doubt that. I think Vin has a good sense of humor. He would get you.

Kuo is just dealing. It's a pleasure to watch.

Orel said...

I just caught the DeWitt ITPHR. Wow. Just wow.

Orel said...

AFPBDW (Another Fine Play By David Wright)

Orel said...

Okay, we head into the 8th with the slimmest of leads. Broxton and Saito, time to do your thing.

Orel said...

Kuo: 8 K's in 3 2/3 innings.

And there's that inappropriate Wienerschnitzel commercial again.

Orel said...

Followed by the creepy hair dye commercial.

Orel said...

D'backs 6, Phils 4

Orel said...

Broxton K's Wright to finish the 8th! Fistpump!

Erin said...

So, who's skipping work to go to the game tomorrow?

I think I might head to the stadium and get a ticket right before the game starts.

Orel said...

Hu singles. Let's get some insurance here.

Erin said...

Wouldn't it be nice to get a little insurance for Saito here?

Orel said...

2 out, man on third, Jones up. Not holding my breath.

Orel said...

Let's get some Erin Esurance here!

Orel said...

So it's been the DeWitt & Kuo show tonight.

Orel said...

Backwards K for Jones. Sorry Saito, you get just one run to work with.

Erin said...

You guys read the quote from Torre today about how he's not going to bench Jones, right? Is that an insane man talking? How can he watch these at-bats and see a baseball player who's actually attempting to make adjustments? Jones is just a liability at this point, and Torre's loyalty to him is completely undeserved.

Alex Cora said...

Hey all! Can't wait to see the highlights of this game - hope Saito can hold it in the 9th.

Orel said...

LeBron James cannot continue to do things like go 2-for-18 against the Celtics. This is the playoffs.

Orel said...

Erin, you wouldn't be worried about taking Jones' glove out of the outfield? Who should play center, Kemp or Pierre?

Orel said...

Loney with a silky smooth play to take away a double from Delgado! He was perfectly positioned.

Steve Sax said...

Erin, I agree with you--I would vote Crock-Hit before Tubbs at this stage. He looked positively worthless in that called K to end the 8th.

Loney with a SWEET play at first for the second out in the ninth!

Steve Sax said...

Erin, do tell how you can take off work tomorrow...I need tips.

Alex Cora said...

Wow - Loney was situated perfectly. Nice stab. one more to go!

Orel said...

However, I just did see your "This is what stealing $18 million looks like" caption. Love it!

Erin said...

I'd say Jones' glove is not outweighing his offensive liability at this point. His VORP is in the negative numbers right now, so he's technically costing this team games. Kemp has been decent in center when he's played, and he has a stronger arm than Pierre (who doesn't?), so I guess he should start there, leave Pierre in left, and put Ethier in right.

I like Jones' defense, for sure, but we just can't continue to give away outs, particularly when Torre insists on doing things like hitting Jones in the second spot in the lineup.

Steve Sax said...

Man on with two out. Come on, Samster the Hamster.

Erin said...

Thanks, Orel. That caption is a personal favorite of mine also.

Sax, it's easy for me, since I work from home anyway. Others aren't quite so lucky.

Crap. Come on Saito.

Orel said...

Uh oh, two consecutive singles with two out. Bear down, Saito.

Alex Cora said...

Damn, lost Pagan with 2 strikes. Come on Saito!

Alex Cora said...

No! Come on Saito - what are you doing? One MORE FRICKEN OUT!

Steve Sax said...

Erin, what's your record at Dodger games this year?

Erin said...

Sax, if you include the two preseason games, I'm 8-1 this season.

The only loss is the night I spent with you guys in the luxury suite.

Saito!

Orel said...

Saito hammer curve to win the game! WHEW! Another series win!

It's been a pleasure, people!

Steve Sax said...

WOW, that was an awesome pitch by Saito for the game-ending K.

You're frozen. When your heart's not open.

Alex Cora said...

WOW! Backwards K!!!! GO BLue!!!!

Steve Sax said...

You know, Erin, many women would call a night with the Sons in a suite as a win.

But your point is still taken. Good night, everybody.

Erin said...

You're right, Sax. That was a different kind of win.

Goodnight guys.

Steve Sax said...

The disdain, or disappointment, for Andruw Jones is simply dripping from Vin's voice.