Friday, June 20, 2008

Game 73 Thread: June 20 vs. Indians, 7.40p

Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 3.75) vs. Cliff Lee (10-1, 2.55).

COMMENTS: Welcome back home, Dodgers, a far less-friendly confine (18-15) than the cozy and comfortable Great American Ballpark (4-1); maybe we need to cut out section 25 of the reserve level as well? Tonight's matchup of binary-record pitchers pits with the Tribe's ace vs. the Blue's youth. Let's hope the Dodgers can keep the bats going against the sub-.500 Indians, since interleague play only gets worse from there (White Sox and then Angels). And it's Mesh Cap Night tonight at Chavez Ravine!

151 comments:

Orel said...

Pierre, LF
Kemp, CF
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
LaRoche, 3B
Ethier, RF
Berroa, SS
Ardoin, C
Kershaw, P

Ardoin catching Kershaw. Interesting.

karina said...

Not exactly a Nuke and Crash sort of battery.

karina said...

Do you feel like Turkey?

Orel said...

Who do they play next?

Orel said...

Pierre singles up the middle!

karina said...

Germany

Orel said...

turkey sandwich vs. bratwurst

Orel said...

How are you tonight, Karin?

Orel said...

Kemp lines out. Kent advances Pierre to third on a ground out. Let's see the Dodgers can work some two-out magic.

Orel said...

if

karina said...

Loney surprise bunt! i dig that (though it was a foul)

karina said...

Fine, in good spirits, i met with a couple of friends (one from school) and drank lots of tea in a very cool place.

How are you, Orel and Erin?

Orel said...

aw man

Steve Sax said...

Just landed in Chicago. I could use a turkey sandwich.

Or a deep dish pizza!

Orel said...

Doing well, thanks. It is scorching hot in L.A. today. Just trying to stay cool.

Orel said...

Hey Sax! Good flight?

karina said...

I just saw my future, did you guys see the baby dressed in a Dodger jersey?

karina said...

Welcome to Chicago, Sax.

karina said...

It's very hot in here too.

Orel said...

K

karina said...

I find interesting they make a note on the Dodgers website, Torre talking about Kemp and the ways to improve his power and tonight, he puts him on the second slot. Is Torre fond of solo home runs?

Orel said...

Vin with a Preacher Roe story. This is why he's the best.

Orel said...

Maybe Torre figures Kemp will see better pitches batting in front of Kent.

Orel said...

I didn't see the Dodger baby but I'm sure Vin oohed and aahed.

Pitching clinic on both sides so far.

karina said...

Is he still alive?

karina said...

He was a one-year old baby, wearing a Dodgers jersey and holding a baseball, how awesome cute is that?

Orel said...

Karina, are you getting Vin today?

Orel said...

Apparently Preacher Roe is still alive.

Great dive, poor throw by LaRoche.

Orel said...

Damn. 2-0 Cleveland.

karina said...

Nope, the sucky announcers of Fox in Spanish.

Sometimes, Carlos Hernandez comments the game, which i love because he always say interesting things and talks about stuff he lived while playing with the Dodgers (he seems to have had a great time there).

Nothing too important, but somehow i love those anecdotes.

Orel said...

Kershaw throwing too many pitches again.

karina said...

Maybe he's nervous, i guess it's difficult for a hot prospect like him to allow a HR and a triple in back to back innings.

Orel said...

And he walks Choo. I don't think Kershaw will escape the fifth tonight.

Orel said...

Cleveland scores a third run on Berroa's poor fielder's choice. Meaning the final score will be Cleveland 3, Dodgers 2.

karina said...

Murphy's Law.

karina said...

I don't think Kemp was out.

karina said...

How do you feel about instant replay?

karina said...

At least, King James moved the runner.

Is it me or you can really feel the absence of Martin in the lineup?

karina said...

Sizemore is playing too well, specially considering it's his first time on the Dodger Stadium.

Orel, i think this game is gonna be 4-2

Orel said...

We're both predicting the Dodgers are going to score two runs. Still waiting.

This team without Furcal is bad enough. Minus Furcal and Martin, it's hopeless.

Orel said...

I don't mind instant replay, as long as it doesn't slow games down. What do you think?

karina said...

Hate it. I think the game will lose part of its essence, one of the things i enjoy the most when watching the games at the stadium it's the uncertainty of close calls, the fact i can complain or be grateful about a mistake. It gives human dimension to the sport, it adds intensity to the players on the field and the fans in the stands.

I feel with instant replay, it'd be almost the same to watch the game on TV, or maybe i'm just old-fashioned.

Orel said...

Good night, Clayton. You'll get a win one of these days.

karina said...

These announcers are telling they'd love a World Series in the Yankee Stadium in its final year, Yankees playing the Dodgers, in their 50th anniversary in L.A.

It got me daydreaming and i haven't realized there are 2 runners with no outs due to walks.

Orel said...

You can still do all that with instant replay. And the majority of the calls will still be made by the umps. They're only going to use instant replay for home run calls.

Orel said...

I don't expect either the Dodgers or Yankees to make the World Series this year.

But we can still dream.

karina said...

I still don't like it. I'd rather have more umps, like they have in playoffs.

karina said...

Slow hit and another demonstration of Pierre's incredibly weak arm.

Kershaw's face breaks my heart.

karina said...

I'd call this a great season if they could make the playoffs, no matter if they don't win one single game.

In the other hand, i think the MLB office and the TV would absolutely love a Yankees-Dodgers World Series. I guess it'd be the series with highest ratings in years.

How would Los Angeles embrace a World Series?

karina said...

Young should start more often.

karina said...

and he's proving my point.

Orel said...

If the Dodgers made the World Series, I think Los Angeles would be pretty supportive. After all, most Dodger fans are casual fans (not like you and I), and casual fans can make a lot of noise if their team can win it all.

Orel said...

Damn! Damn! Damn!

karina said...

like Red Sox fans back in 2004?

Orel said...

Exactly, Karina. Except if the Dodgers win the World Series we won't have to endure books called "Now I Can Die in Peace" and stories of old people dying because their team finally, finally won.

Orel said...

Leadoff single by LaRoche. A slight glimmer of hope.

karina said...

and without casual fans proclaiming themselves as die hards fan and couldn't tell basic stuff about the team...or tell why should Steve Garvey and Gil Hodges are not in the Hall of Fame.

karina said...

did you see Steve Garvey's tribute on tv? did you watch him play?

karina said...

edit: why Sreve Garvey and Gil Hodges should be in the Hall of Fame

karina said...

Have you noticed the Dodgers replacement catcher never plays an entire game?

Go, son!

karina said...

Berroa walks...

karina said...

See? i hate these new rules to "speed up" the game

Orel said...

Russell sighting!

karina said...

edit: Steve Garvey

karina said...

Oh Sweeney....

Orel said...

Men on 2nd & 3rd w/2 out. Sweeney up. Insert sarcastic comment here.

karina said...

Nice. Batting .111 and he makes contact to the first pitch.

karina said...

I think Torre could use Young and LaRoche as pinch hitters. We could use the Sweeney spot for another pitcher.

Orel said...

I certainly watched Steve Garvey play on TV. If I saw him live, it would have only been once or twice.

Orel said...

Colletti won't cut Sweeney because he's in love with "veterans."

karina said...

Orel, to me, you're the coolest person in the planet earth to hang out with at this very moment.

karina said...

Falling in love with veterans certainly makes a little sense in the Yankees, not with this great bunch of young players.

He seems not to be aware about the Marlins and the Rays.

Orel said...

Aw, that's sweet of you. And thank you for gracing our site with your presence.

Orel said...

But even the Rays have old guys like Troy Percival. And the Marlins have Luis Gonzalez.

Orel said...

Wow, even Sizemore can't do everything! Dodgers finally get on the board!

karina said...

Rafael Betancourt, my countryman and all, you can't pitch a future Hall of Famer two fastballs in a row, specially when you're not in your best moment.

Orel said...

Cleveland has the 2nd-worst bullpen in the majors. Can we take advantage?

karina said...

The Rays don't have a young closer yet and Percival is having a great season, besides i've read he's mentoring the young guys. Luis Gonzalez doesn't play all the time.

Orel said...

Maybe Betancourt was giving you a gift.

Loney RBI! 4-2 Cleveland!

karina said...

King James is on fire, let's go blue!

Orel said...

Hmmm, I seem to remember someone making a 4-2 final score prediction....

karina said...

Let me tell you i adore your blogging and you all are waaaaaaaaaaaaaay interesting. Awesome in general.

karina said...

*blushing* i'd rather have them winning the game.

Orel said...

Karin, what do you think of LaRoche's mustache? I have a picture of it on our main page.

karina said...

if they lose, the gnome will be gone tomorrow.

karina said...

It's awful. Guest fashion police will comment after the game.

Orel said...

They say for every 100 readers you get one commenter. Well, we got the right commenter.

Orel said...

You hear that, Mr. Gnome? You're on notice!

Orel said...

Damn! Damn! Damn!

Erin said...

Hey Karina and Orel. Just checking in. Guess we'll be saving the big comeback for the bottom of the ninth.

Not to promote myself too much, but if you're interested, I finally posted on my site again today. It had been too long.

Orel said...

Hey Erin, you haven't missed much. Just Cliff Lee putting on a pitching clinic.

New post! We're fans of Beantown West. Okay, maybe just the "West" part.

Orel said...

Wade cleans up!

karina said...

Berroa singles, guess maybe Erin is our lucky charm!

Orel said...

Karina's son! Men on 1st & 3rd w/0 out!

Orel said...

Aren't you glad Sweeney was already used? DeWitt pinch hitting!

karina said...

Ladies and gents, that was a double courtesy of Mr. Russell Martin, heart and the soul of the Dodgers.

Orel said...

DeWitt K's on 3 pitches. Juan Pierre, Mr. Leads the League w/RISP, is up.

Orel said...

Oops, you're right. 2nd & 3rd.

#100!

Orel said...

Bizarre, but I'll take it! 4-3 Cleveland....

Erin said...

How exactly did that work? Gameday says a single to the pitcher.

Steve Sax said...

Wow, nice time for me to join back up! I saw Pierre have a 2-2 count, what happened?

Orel said...

Here's a chance for Kemp to show some plate discipline. Although Vin tells us he's hitting .297 w/RISP.

Orel said...

Way to hold, Martin!

karina said...

Slappy ain't Slappy!

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo!

Orel said...

Pierre used an "excuse me" swing and hit the ball off the pitcher's leg. Ball caromed toward third and everyone was safe.

Orel said...

Rancho Ardiendo indeed!

Orel said...

It's been a while since we've had a walk-off hit....

Orel said...

But the game-tying out will work.

Orel said...

Here we go, Fashionista King James!

Er, never mind—IBB for Loney to bring up LaRoche with Rancho Ardiendo again.

Erin said...

Let's go LaRoche! Get the game winning hit tonight, and Joe Torre will probably let you rest for four more days before you get to play again!

karina said...

Intentional walk for Loney, maybe they realized he's the hottest NL hitter in the month of June.

Orel said...

LaRoche was swinging for the fences on that first pitch.

Orel said...

Erin with the zinger!

Orel said...

That outside breaking ball is catnip for LaRoche.

Orel said...

Happy: tied it in the 9th. Sad: left the bases loaded. Into extra innings we go!

karina said...

Mr. Gnome doesn't want to go. Erin, you've been our lucky charm tonight.

Orel said...

Dodgers are 3-1 this season in extra inning games.

Orel said...

Saito rockin' the goatee! Facial hair must be a big topic in the clubhouse.

Steve Sax said...

Wow, tied it in the bottom of the ninth. I have to say, that is not what I expected of the Dodgers.

Now make me happy, Slappy!

Orel said...

Dammit. Closers in non-save situations make me nervous. Two on, no out for Cleveland.

Erin said...

Guys, I'll be monitoring this, but we just got a not-so-great phone call about my girlfriend's grandmother, so I'm going to bid you goodnight a little prematurely. Hopefully I'll be around tomorrow. Let's hope Saito can get himself together.

Orel said...

Rancho Ardiendo for former Dodger Franklin Gutierrez.

Orel said...

Take care, Erin.

karina said...

Gutierrez is clutch. I've heard they like that about him in Cleveland.

Guti Gutierrez: you're already a Leones del Caracas, that's nasty enough. So be nice and strike out.

karina said...

I hope it's not bad, Erin.

Orel said...

WOW! Berroa helps turn the rare 6-2-5 DP!

karina said...

First: Guti Gutierrez, your good manners have overpowered my expectations.

I love my son!

Orel said...

Even better, eh, Karin?

Orel said...

Oh no, Ethier.

Steve Sax said...

Erin, hope everything is ok. That's much more important than this game.

Orel said...

You know, the one time the pitching and hitting clicked for the Dodgers this year, they won 15 straight. Every other time some department has been deficient.

karina said...

American League teams owns the Dodgers.

Orel said...

American League owns the National League.

karina said...

True.

karina said...

Indians have lost 7 interleague games in a row.

Orel said...

Martin singles. All you can ask for is the tying run to come up.

karina said...

We so need to put my son Martin on the All-Star game.

Orel said...

Until now.

Orel said...

Well, that's that. Better than a blowout, no?

karina said...

Better than binary. We should appreciate the latte inning run making.

Say goodbye to the gnome! (he'll appear again when they have a winning streak)

karina said...

I promised i'll post something on the facial hair, but i better go to bed. Promise i'll do it as soon as i wake up (much sooner than expected, guaranteed)

karina said...

got my coffee related pun? i'm learning from you!

Orel said...

We've corrupted you. Good night!

The gnome's on notice!

Eric Karros said...

Just got home and see we lost. But I love the pun Karina!

Steve Sax said...

Karina, I've awakened the next morning to read your latte pun. LOVE IT!

I'm here in Chicago, drinking Dunkin' Donuts coffee...yum.

karina said...

thanks guys! i'm trying to be a good padawan, maybe someday i'll be able to solve some Eric puzzle or talk binary.

Sax, i hope you've enjoyed your coffee.

Steve Sax said...

karina, I actually really like Dunkin' Donuts coffee, far better than Starbucks. I'm thinking about buying a couple pounds of beans before flying back Monday...we can't get Dunkin' back in LA.

Eric Karros said...

Well Karina, you'll have another chance to solve a puzzle Monday...and actually I got the idea for this one in a small part because of you!

Ans Sax, I agree - Dunkin' Donuts coffee = yum.

karina said...

Is there any Dunkin' at Arizona? haven't tried that coffee ever.

Sax, you must not deprive yourself of tasty caffeine sources.

karina said...

Eric, so if i provided little inspiration, maybe i'll have a shot to solve it...