Monday, May 26, 2008

Game 50 Thread: May 26 @ Cubs, 11.20a

Chad Billingsley (4-5, 3.76) vs. Ryan Dempster (5-2, 2.70).

COMMENTS: Following the completion of yesterday's extra-inning 4-3 win (courtesy of Andre Ethier's first career walk-off hit!), all Vin Scully could talk about was the Dodgers' brutal travel schedule to have to catch an evening flight to Chicago for tonight's afternoon game at Wrigley. We at SoSG are worried less about the flight itinerary (they're not going through Heathrow, after all, so at least their bags are safe) and more about the seven-game road trip vs. the Cubs and the Mets, whose aces of Zambrano and Santana are enough to get our own Eric Karros excited and the rest of us (unfettered by vowel-consonant order) nervous.

So, we at SoSG are taking matters into our own hands, and sending our own Alex Cora off to Wrigley Field for games two and three of the Cubs series (AC's attempts to ride stowaway on the Dodgers' flight today failed). Desperate times for desperate measures, right? The last time we pulled a stunt like this, things went pretty well (AC went 2-0 in Milwaukee). Sure, we had to borrow against future blog earnings. It's called trading on margin, baby! Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Baby needs a new pair of shoes! (And the Dodgers could use a Memorial Day win, while we're at it.)

135 comments:

Orel said...

Pierre, LF
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Sweeney, 1B
Kemp, CF
DeWitt, 3B
Maza, SS
Billingsley, P

Slap on the wrist for Loney?

Steve Sax said...

Well, Loney is down to a .274 avg after yesterday's 0-for-4 day, and tha's not counting the pop fly that went off his head and later scored a run.

But Mark Sweeney? Really? What has he done, in any opportunity all year long?

Erin said...

I'm sitting here watching Sweeney take batting practice. He doesn't look much better there than he does during the game.

I sent you guys a picture. I'm eleven rows from the field, just to the left of home plate as you look at it from center field. Basically just to the left of where the netting behind the plate ends. Look for me on TV!

I actuqlly just went over ti the Dodger dugout to say hi to Josh Rawitch, before the ushers yelled at me. They are very hardcore here. More about that later.

Oh, and Ethier just signed my girlfriend's glove. Sweet.

Erin said...

Ignore my typos. It's hard to type so much on the phone.

Damon said...

Could you throw a battery at Sweeney for me

Eric Karros said...

Finally I get to see a game on TV. Thanks WGN.

Eric Karros said...

JP walks, steals 2nd, then gets caught in a rundown between 3rd and home for 3rd out. Ugh.

Orel said...

Click here to see what Erin sees!

Thanks, Erin!

Orel said...

Still 2-0 Cubs as they come up to bat in the 3rd.

Orel said...

Chad K's Soriano!

Orel said...

Dodgers get out of the third despite an almost-homer by Soriano. Please don't let the final score of this game be 2-0.

Orel said...

There we go! Andre with the leadoff double!

Alex@DodgerFan said...

Nice - Ethier has been pretty strong as of late!

Eric Karros said...

Ethier also had a solid line drive vs Dempster in the 1st inning but right to an outfielder

Orel said...

ATL 7, ARI 3 in the fifth. We need a win!

Orel said...

Martin and Kent hit the ball relatively hard but right at guys. Two out, Ethier still on 2nd.

Alex@DodgerFan said...

crap. Time to flip over to the d-backs game during commercial break

Orel said...

Chad's made one bad pitch today.

Eric Karros said...

Ok, let's not waste this one

Orel said...

Kent with the shortest double you'll ever see. I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in his lack of power so far.

Orel said...

DeWitt advances Kemp to third. Be a hero, Maza!

Orel said...

I mean Kemp. Although the previous statement stands as well.

Alex@DodgerFan said...

Man, those Chicago nachos they just flashed on the screen looked pretty pathetic...

Orel said...

Right. Pitch around Maza to get to Bills. But there's only one out.

Orel said...

Erin, how are those Chicago nachos?

Orel said...

Chad was going fishing no matter what. Two down, still men at 1st & 3rd.

Orel said...

Just make contact, Juan.

Orel said...

Wow, JP with the cheapest RBI you'll ever see! We'll take it!

Eric Karros said...

Juan Pierre Signature Clutch Hitting comes through again. 2-1 Cubs.

Orel said...

Does Maza have speed? Where's Karina when you need her?

Orel said...

Never mind. But we're on the board! 2-1 Cubs.

Orel said...

Nice play by Sweeney to turn DeWitt's errant throw into an out.

Eric Karros said...

Just before Dempter's single the Cubs announcer was saying how easily Chad was cruising since the 1st inning. Bastard.

Orel said...

Chad is officially dealing. He doesn't deserve to lose this game.

Orel said...

Still 7-3 Braves over D'backs....

Orel said...

Russell gets on to start the sixth. Here we go.

Orel said...

Kent singles! It's a miracle!

Orel said...

Sweeney advances the runners with a dribbler.

Alex Cora said...

Sweeny with the POWER sac swinging bunt.

Alex Cora said...

Kemp - STOP SWINGING AT THE SLIDER DOWN AND AWAY!!!!

Orel said...

The are pitching Kemp low and away. I guess the word is out.

Orel said...

Kemp: NO!

Orel said...

There ya go, Kemp! Bases loaded for DeWitt! That's 6-for-6 w/bases loaded DeWitt!

Alex Cora said...

Phew, Kemp walks - I think EVERY single pitch was a slider down and away. He is like Cerano of major leagues, Can hit fastball, no hit breaking ball.

Alex Cora said...

Ok, here comes 6 for 6 man!!!

Eric Karros said...

El rancho esta ardiendo! Let's go Blake

Alex Cora said...

Crap, there goes the record..

Eric Karros said...

Wow nice pitch from Dempster to K DeWitt.

Alex Cora said...

Maza really chokes up on the bat.

Orel said...

Very doubtful outside strike there.

Alex Cora said...

Dammit...they get out of it with the bases loaded.

Alex@DodgerFan said...

That's it - I'm headed to the gym. No need to watch this garbage on a big screen TV. A 6" SD LCD attached to the eliptical machine will do just fine...

Alex Cora said...

D backs still losing, it would be nice to pick up a game on them, but doesn't look good.

Erin said...

Orel, how did you know I ate nachos? They were delicious.

That bases loaded situation was painful to watch. It's a one run game. I don't want to hear "Go Cubs Go" today.

For the record, my view of that Juan Pierre rundown was awesome. I only wish there had been a better outcome.

Eric Karros said...

Have a good one Alex@. Bills gives up hits to the first 2 guys in the 6th. Let's see if the Cubs learned anything about blowing opportunities from watching our half of the 6th...

Orel said...

Is it a coincidence that the Dodgers choke with the bases loaded then Chad gives up two singles?

Orel said...

Work out those frustrations, Alex!

Orel said...

Three singles and no run?

Erin said...

Also, I'll tell you what's good--Olde Style beer. I'm on my third, even without Steve Sax buying one for me. I'm a little tipsy.

Orel said...

At least the ump is being iffy on both sides of the plate.

Orel said...

Resist the urge to run out on the field, Erin!

Orel said...

BEAUTIFUL! Chad gets out of the bases-loaded jam with the 1-2-3 DP! Let's win this one for Chadley, boys!

Eric Karros said...

Bills Kills Rally! The Cubs did indeed learn something from our half of the 6th.

Eric Karros said...

I just saw that photo Erin. Nice seats!

Orel said...

So much presence of mind for Chad.

Orel said...

Tiffee = iffy

Orel said...

Juan on, one out!

Eric Karros said...

Ok, it's run-manufacturing-time for JP

Orel said...

JP can't do it all by himself. Need a base hit here....

Orel said...

The gods are not with us. Martin smoked it but right at the SS.

Orel said...

D'backs lose! A golden opportunity awaits.

Eric Karros said...

CHP is in. I'd rather watch CHiPs.

Orel said...

Erin, Tommy Lasorda is at the game too!

Eric Karros said...

FYI, Ferguson Jenkins is the only Canadian born player in the Hall of Fame.

Orel said...

I'd rather be eating CHiPs Ahoy!s.

Orel said...

Russell Martin will be the second.

Eric Karros said...

I agree. My preferences are as follows:

1. Chips Ahoy!
2. CHiPs
3. Chan Ho Park

Orel said...

What, no love for Sun Chips?

Steve Sax said...

The Dodgers are positively impotent with RISP.

EK, Chan Ho is pitching kind of like Ponch.

Why did Edmonds take third (barely) on that two-out single?

This game sucks. Except for the fact Erin's there and is tipsy (I call it "blending in with the crowd").

Erin said...

Where is Lasorda? I will find him!

Orel said...

He's wearing a light blue shirt.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, thanks for telling Erin that Tommy's at the game. She's now diligently guarding her nachos.

Orel said...

CHP loads 'em up.

Steve Sax said...

Chan Ho missed the plate by about a mile in walking Soriano. But, it doesn't matter, on to the eighth down 2-1.

Orel said...

Thank you, Ryan Theriot! One good bases-left-loaded deserves another!

Eric Karros said...

Ooh, good point. To revise:

1. Chips Ahoy!
2. Sun Chips
3. CHiPs
4. Chan Ho Park
5. Chip

Although Chan Ho Park just escaped the jam, so he's closing on CHiPs.

Eric Karros said...

Another leadoff hit. Somehow we have like 15 leadoff hits this game but only 1 run. Howry doing this?

Steve Sax said...

IMPRISON MIKE SWEENEY

Orel said...

Theriot if I know.

Eric Karros said...

Hey, Sweeney reached the warning track which is worth like like 20 points in skeeball.

Steve Sax said...

If Chin-Lung Hu is the pinch runner for Jeff Kent, shouldn't he go for second base down by a run?

And why is 0-for-4, .100 avg Sweeney even on the roster? GET HIM OFF THE TEAM

Orel said...

Why should he pay for Mark's crimes?

Orel said...

THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT HU

Steve Sax said...

"If I'm Matt Kemp, I wouldn't have swung at that pitch either." Thanks for that comment, Steve Lyons.

NICE HIT KEMP

Why isn't Hu scoring on that hit???

Orel said...

IBB to DeWitt. The Cubs say in your face, Maza.

karina said...

Hi, everyone!

Eric Karros said...

Nice play off the ivy by Fukudome to keep Hu at third.

Eric Karros said...

hey Karina!

Orel said...

Epale, Karina! Bases loaded but they just pulled Maza for Loney.

Steve Sax said...

Wait, is it Mark Sweeney? My bad.

IMPRISON MARK SWEENEY

GET OFF THE MARK, SWEENEY

Orel said...

Karina, terrible news about Geremi Gonzalez, no?

Eric Karros said...

El rancho esta ardiendo again.

Orel said...

Missed it by...that much!

Eric Karros said...

Damn, missed it by that much!

Steve Sax said...

Oh man, FJL up to pinch hit with the bases loaded and one out. He also has hit into ten DPs...just misses a grand slam....

Eric Karros said...

Great minds think alike, Orel

Eric Karros said...

...and so do ours!

Steve Sax said...

Okay, enough with the Get Smart references, boys, or readers are going to figure out about our secret sponsorship deal.

Steve Sax said...

BTW Charley Steiner also said "missed it by that much"

Steve Sax said...

"Would you believe...."

Eric Karros said...

Great mimes think alike.

Orel said...

All I can say is at least Loney didn't hit into a DP.

Eric Karros said...

Ok Del, wyn the game for us!

Eric Karros said...

Did Steiner say it in a Maxwell Smart voice?

Orel said...

PATHETIC. 11 LOB, 8 in scoring position.

karina said...

Those are very sad news. My thoughts are with his family.

karina said...

By the way, i didn't show eerlier 'cos i was at school.

Maza is an average runner.

Erin said...

This game is killing me! One run would
tie it, Dodgers! Come on!

karina said...

Well, maybe the Cubs want to win this game for Geremi Gonzalez.

He played with Aguilas and he was our ace.

Erin said...

This game is killing me! One run would
tie it, Dodgers! Come on!

karina said...

Gonzzalez was supposed to travel today to the US to report to one of the Red Sox minor league affiliates.

Orel said...

Never mind...3-1 Cubs. This game is as good as over.

Eric Karros said...

Dammit, e-surance run for the Cubs.

Orel said...

That's very sad, Karina.

Orel said...

Did someone say Erin Esurance?

Orel said...

Here comes the Wood-man...

Eric Karros said...

Pierre shouldn't have dodged that inside pitch.

Eric Karros said...

Let's get some wood on the Wood-man's stuff.

Orel said...

Ethier gives us one more shred of hope....

Eric Karros said...

Karina, tell your son to do some clutch hitting...

Orel said...

Martin's swinging the bat like a helicopter blade.

Orel said...

Wow, that sucked tremendously.

Eric Karros said...

Game over.

Eric Karros said...

I'm going to the supermarket to score some Chips Ahoy. See you all tomorrow hopefully.

karina said...

this game sucked...maybe they were still tired from the long flight last night...