Thursday, June 05, 2008

Game 60 Thread: June 5 vs. Cubs, 7p

Chad Billingsley (4-6, 3.29) vs. Ryan Dempster (7-2, 2.75).

COMMENTS: What do you say to a team that just dropped a series to The Worst Team in Baseball™? (Or, The Team Formerly Known as the Worst Team in Baseball—thanks, Royals Mariners, for screwing the gag up.) What do you say to a team for whom overcoming a 2-0 deficit feels like scaling Kilimanjaro? What do you say to a team so frustrated they act like punks?

Take it, Al!

148 comments:

Orel said...

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

Erin said...

Mariners are worse than the Royals. Actually, the Rockies are still, too, but the Mariners are worst in baseball with a 21-39 record.

Orel said...

You're right, Erin. It's nice to know there are other teams plumbing the depths of badness out there.

Erin said...

Hey, the Dodgers can't be expected to do it alone, can they?

Orel said...

It should be noted the Mariners have a $118 million payroll (Dodgers: $119 million).

Erin said...

Awesome. Because I am in Chicago, I am blacked out of this game on MLB.tv. And my hotel cable, which has about fifteen channel, does not carry the Comcast channel that is airing the game.

karina said...

Oh well, Erin, i feel your pain.

2nd inning and we're already losing.

karina said...

a Fukudome HR.

Martin is on third and DeWitt is batting...

Erin said...

Chad will probably go eight, give up just that one run, and we'll still lose.

karina said...

Let's try to be optimistic...

Erin said...

I'm trying. This team does not make it easy, but I'm trying.

karina said...

Rancho ardiendo, Erin.

I didn't say it was easy...

karina said...

DeRosa HR, Dodgers down 3-0

Erin said...

It is now a 3-0 deficit thanks to a DeRosa solo shot. Billingsley has given up three runs on five hits, but also has seven Ks.

Okay, make that six hits, since Dempster (who, you'll recall, is the opposing pitcher) just hit a double. Still just one out in the fourth.

Erin said...

Eight strikeouts in the third inning seems like a number a dominant pitcher would have. But combine that with seven hits and two walks, and you're looking at a 4-0 deficit.

karina said...

and two of the seven hits were homers.

a deficit of four runs on this team seems an unattainable goal.

karina said...

this looks as ladies' night on this blog

Erin said...

Sure does, Karina. I have no idea where the boys are tonight.

karina said...

maybe they're watching the NBA finals

Erin said...

Took Billingsley 98 pitches to get through five, so that's probably his last inning. I'd like to see him out for the sixth, though.

karina said...

DeWitt doubled and there's only one out.

Bad news: Hu is at the plate.

Share that opinion, i think he could pitch the 6th inning, unless Torre needs a pinch hitter on the pitcher's spot.

Erin said...

Hu just tripled after a DeWitt double. That seems nearly impossible, but Gameday tells me it happened. I will wait for video confirmation, but it is 4-1, Cubs.

karina said...

Hu Tripled! can't believe it!, so Bills should be up next...

Steve Sax said...

Believe it or not I just got out of work. Sorry for being late!

Erin said...

Billingsley won't come out for the sixth, because of the runner at third. Unfortunately, Sweeney is the pinch hitter.

And as soon as I write that, Sweeney singles in Hu.

karina said...

I'm on gameday, too.

karina said...

Hu tripled and Sweeney (for the love of God) singled...are we in twilight dimension?

Erin said...

Welcome, Sax. You can be our eyes, I hope. Neither Karina nor I can see the game.

karina said...

No wonder the Cubs pitching coach went to the mound.

Erin said...

We might indeed be in the twilight zone, since now Chan Ho Park is pinch running for Sweeney. Guess he'll be coming in to pitch next inning. That actually worked out nicely.

karina said...

Hey, Sax!

karina said...

When Sax showed up, Sweeney singled, is he maybe our lucky charm tonight?

Steve Sax said...

Down 4-0, I couldn't bear to hear the Dodgers losing. So I'm listening to Gavin Rossdale's new cd.

Now, I'm more depressed.

Orel said...

Hello all! I am indeed a little more of a Lakers fan tonight. Especially since the Dodgers are up to their old tricks.

Erin said...

If you guys get a chance, look for the video of the brawl in the Rays/Sox game today. Coco Crisp is a moron, and I'm embarrassed he's on my team.

karina said...

Erin, due to the Big Papi injury, there are rumors the Red Sox are thinking on signing the one that should not be named, how do you feel about that?

Erin said...

Epale, Orel! I am watching the basketball game, but rooting for the Celtics, of course. Not because I'm a fan, but because I hate the Lakers.

Orel said...

The Lakers are as bad as the Dodgers tonight.

Erin said...

Karina, I think they're just rumors that bloggers are thinking about. The Sox have been scoring runs just fine without Papi. I think we can hold on without him. While Bonds is obviously a great hitter, I don't think I could ever cheer for him. And I'm sure most fans agree.

Erin said...

I'm seeing the video of the Hu triple. Even more remarkable is that it came on an 0-2 count.

Orel said...

Coco got whaled on! But what's up with the Sox fighting themselves?

Erin said...

It was actually a nice piece of hitting from Hu, going the other way.

Erin said...

Are you talking about the Ramirez/Youkilis thing? I missed that and I haven't seen any video yet.

Steve Sax said...

I'm shocked you've turned on a man with the name Coco Crisp.

To whom will you turn now? Count Chocula?

karina said...

Epale, Orel!

karina said...

I feel weird, i didn't see any live baseball today. Though, i'll try to see that fight.

Orel said...

The Lakers deserve to lose tonight. They're playing like absolute shit.

karina said...

I used to be a Lakers fan, anyway, Go Lakers!(sorry, Erin)

Orel said...

Fenway fight(s)

Erin said...

Karina, go to www.soxanddawgs.com

The video is up there. You just have to click on "benches clearing brawl" in the article.

Orel said...

Epale Karin!

First Kemp then Crisp. Not a peaceful time for Erin's teams.

Orel said...

er, Karina!

Erin said...

Wow. Just watched the Ramirez/Youkilis thing. That is some crazy stuff.

Erin said...

Jeff Kent!

Orel said...

Kent!

Orel said...

Martin walks. I wish Ethier had been more patient to lead off the inning.

Erin said...

Come on, Loney. We got Dempster (or "Dumpster," as my girlfriend called him last week, because she's so clever) flustered now.

Orel said...

Dempster to the Dumpster.

Erin said...

Ha, Orel. Nice timing.

Orel said...

Me and Erin's GF with the rapier wit!

Orel said...

Jeez, Loney. Anything but the DP!

Erin said...

Loney GIDP. Does he lead the team in that stat? Sure feels like it.

karina said...

hmm, Hu tripled, Sweeney single,another Kent HR is less than a week, i think it might an awakening of these bats.

karina said...

King James is starting to disappoint me. It's Loney from now on.

Erin said...

I suppose we have to give credit to someone for calling up Wade. He's done well.

karina said...

I have to say this was a bench clearing brawl for real, The Dodgers one looked like a party at the office.

karina said...

hmmm, maybe he's up for some Logan White recommendation?

Erin said...

Yeah, the Rays went a bit overboard. Of course, Crisp was an idiot for starting it. He was wrong to get mad over events in yesterday's game, and he was even more wrong today. It's his team's job to defend him, so when he charges the mound, he endangers his team and risks suspensions for several of them.

Orel said...

Karina, you're an optimist!

karina said...

I saw that game yesterday and i agree with you, Erin. He acted childish, maybe if Shields had hit him on the upper body, it'd be more understandable.

Erin said...

Here we go, Delwyn. Let's do this.

Erin said...

Right. I hate all this fighting in baseball anyway, but if Shields felt like he needed to retaliate, at least he went for Crisp's leg. Crisp had a right to charge if Shields had thrown at his head.

karina said...

Always, Orel. The cup is half full and about to be completely filled.

btw, sometimes my mom calls me Karin :)

Orel said...

Uh oh, it's Carlos Marmoset.

karina said...

I gotta confess sometimes brawls are a sort of guilty pleasure, when they have a reason to exist.

Orel said...

Karin and Erin. I like it!

Erin said...

And now our hopes rest on Pierre's shoulders.

Orel said...

Karin, sounds like you might like hockey then....

Ugh, Marmol does his job.

karina said...

Young has done a great job coming off the bench, not tonight, but he had to face one of the most dominant relievers on the league.

karina said...

Don't like hockey, don't like football, because those sports seems very violent to me. Don't know why i sometimes like to watch baseball brawls.

Orel said...

Proctor K's Soriano with two men on! Here we go!

karina said...

and the middle order of the lineup coming up!

Orel said...

Kemp and now Ethier are clearly swinging for a HR. This team doesn't have the confidence to manufacture runs.

Erin said...

Gameday makes it seem like Ethier's ball was right at the wall. True?

Orel said...

more Manny, Youkilis footage

Orel said...

Wow, Kent AGAIN! 4-4 tie!

Erin said...

Thank you, Orel. You beat Gameday. It was on the 1-1 count. Thank the lord for Jeff Kent.

karina said...

Kent HR! two within the night! let's go blue!

Orel said...

I'm not complaining, but when was the last time we hit a HR with men on?

Okay, maybe I'm complaining a little.

karina said...

see, cup is about to be filled!

karina said...

Orel, we'll have to take what we get. This team is all about baby steps.

Orel said...

Ethier's fly ball was indeed on the warning track, but Soriano caught it at shoulder height.

Orel said...

Full cups, baby steps...we are in therapy with the Dodgers!

Orel said...

Saito in for the possible win. Breath: held.

karina said...

Quick wit, Orel!

Orel said...

Hope I didn't spoil Kent's HR for you, Erin.

Orel said...

Theriot with the leadoff double...and the heart of the Cubs' order coming up.

Orel said...

Sit down, Derek Lee!

Erin said...

No, definitely not ruined, Orel. It was a nice surprise.

Erin said...

100?

Erin said...

Why does it have to be an adventure with Saito?

Orel said...

Saito clips Ramirez's rear elbow. Saito and now Torre arguing Ramirez was swinging and shouldn't get the base. Losing cause, even Vin agrees he wasn't swinging.

karina said...

What's happening on the field?

Orel said...

Do your bobblehead proud, Takashi.

Orel said...

Torre asked the ump to check with the 1st base ump regarding Ramirez getting hit.

Erin: 100!

Orel said...

Freakin' Cubs fans at Dodger Stadium wearing Japanese headbands.

Always an adventure, indeed. Cubs lead 5-4. I still maintain Saito is going to lose the closer role this season.

Orel said...

Saito K's Soto. 2 down.

Erin said...

The Dodgers want to find new ways to rip out our hearts.

karina said...

Giving Broxton the chance? but he hasn't been in his usual form lately.

Orel said...

Saito gives up the go-ahead run BUT gets out of the inning with men on 1st & 3rd.

See, Karin, I'm trying to be optimistic!

karina said...

Erin, at least you have your first place Boston Red Sox.

The first place White Sox give me some joy, but that's like watching a picture of a good looking boy when you're heartbroken by the love of your life.

Orel said...

Cubs vs. Rays in the World Series this year? Just a thought.

karina said...

that's my fellow Dodger fan!

Orel said...

that's like watching a picture of a good looking boy when you're heartbroken by the love of your life

Now that's dramatic!

Erin, does your heart feel ripped out? I mean, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 17 times....

Erin said...

Rays have to beat the Red Sox first.

Orel said...

Oh, I see what you mean. Loney doubles! Barely!

karina said...

If the Cubs go to the World Series, i bet it's gonna pure madness in America.

How about a Cubs-Red Sox World Series?

Erin said...

See, but we've been watching them lose with no fight at all lately. And tonight they had the comeback in them. And then they gave up that go-ahead run.

But Loney gives us hope!

karina said...

He's King James again!

karina said...

we have a chance Wood blows the save...

Orel said...

Guess I'm in an underdog kind of mood, Erin.

Erin said...

I'm with you, Orel. Did you read the title of my post about this team today?

Orel said...

DeWitt didn't even move on Wood's curve. One out.

Erin said...

DeWitt has to advance the runner in that situation. Has to.

Orel said...

Erin, I just read it. That's just...beautiful. Great job.

Orel said...

DeWitt & Hu can't even advance the runner. I'm going to need you to send me some optimism soon, Karin.

Erin said...

Especially because it's now up to Tiffee.

Thanks, Orel. I wrote that at my most depressed about the team today.

Erin said...

Hit by pitch? I'll take it, even if it does mean that (for real, this time) all our hopes are on Pierre's diminutive shoulders.

karina said...

hmm, maybe he can pull this off,'cos he has some major league experience?

go blue!

Orel said...

Wood hits Tiffee on a 1-2 count!

karina said...

2 pitches, 2 strikes. I'd wish he could get a walk, at least.

Erin said...

Wish granted, Karina! Holy moly!

Orel said...

Pierre draws the walk to rancho ardiendo for Matt Kemp! Triumph or heartbreak, it will be ours!

karina said...

let's cross fingers for Matt Kemp...

Orel said...

I can't believe this game.

karina said...

and my wish came true...

Orel said...

Kemp showing some rare plate discipline.

Orel said...

Kemp swings and misses on a VERY high fastball. 2-1 count.

Orel said...

At least we're wearing Wood out. 2-2 count.

Orel said...

Kemp is as frustrated as we are, breaking his bat over his knee!

Erin said...

Kemp Ks at almost exactly the same time my dog pukes up her dinner. That seems about right.

karina said...

i'm heartbroken...

Orel said...

Sorry for the language there. You're right, Erin—this is a team just good enough to break your heart. Good night, all!

Orel said...

Aw, poor puppy! (I mean Erin's dog.)

karina said...

poor dog!

Erin said...

She's okay. She was upset about the Dodgers, too. Goodnight, everybody.

Orel said...

I should note that I can't yell at the Dodgers (or Lakers) because it upsets my dog. So I just bury the anger deep, deep inside. Fun!

Steve Sax said...

Dammit, another tough tough loss. Kemp choked even when Loney's leadoff double (with which he obviously didn't score) was a gift, and Pierre's working of a walk from an 0-2 count was impossible. And with that, Kemp chokes with the bases loaded.

Stop fighting other people, Matt, and hit the goddamn ball in the clutch.

I'm going to bed. I'll be at the game tomorrow.