Sunday, June 29, 2008

Game 81 Thread: June 29 vs. Angels, 1p

Derek Lowe (5-7, 4.05) vs. John Lackey (5-1, 1.65).

COMMENTS: A series victory against the Angels, with a chance of a series sweep? Last night's gutty shutout performance by The Law Offices of Billingsley, Broxton, and Saito earned the Dodgers a win even when their offense--back to sputtering offense, mind you--can't even muster a single hit (yet still picks up the win!). Lackey has a streak of 13 quality starts dating back to last year; Lowe has been unpredictable of late (3-3 in his last seven starts). If we are to hope for any fallen angels today, Lowe had better bring his A-game--if the last Dodger day game is any indication, the Dodger bats will likely take the day off.

138 comments:

Jimbo said...

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

I picked a hell of a game to miss last night.

Jimbo said...

D'backs lose!

Orel said...

Whoops, I was using the company account there.

stace3125 said...

I'm hoping that the Dodgers can win today with some hits! We just got lucky last night. Hopefully the real Dodgers will show up today!!

karina said...

Orel, i think almost everyone wasn't paying full attention to the Dodgers last night. Classic, the night of the special game, the die-hard fans get distracted. So fever-pitchish...

karina said...

Coming back around half an hour, watching Eurocup final.

Orel said...

Hi Karina & Stace! I'm not too hopeful we can beat Lackey today, but then again I never thought we'd take this series. Go Blue!

Eric Karros said...

I'll stop by too after the final...

stace3125 said...

Ethier walks, now hopefully Martin can drive him in, but not by bunting!

stace3125 said...

Figures, doubleplay!

Orel said...

RARE FEATS since 1900
hitting for the cycle 237
no-hitters 205
perfect games 15
unassisted triple plays 14
4 consecutive home runs 5
wins without a hit 5

Orel said...

The Dodgers have been involved in every single rare feat!

Orel said...

Juan Rivera singles. No no-hitter for Lowe today.

Orel said...

Lowe is already throwing too many pitches.

Orel said...

Angels score!

Orel said...

Okay, minimal damage. 1-0 Angels.

Orel said...

Kent opens the second with a single. DON'T HIT INTO A DOUBLE PLAY JAMES

Orel said...

Lackey K's Loney and Kemp.

karina said...

King James doesn't hit into double plays anymore. He strikes out, which is an improvement.

Orel said...

Kent goes nowhere. Still 1-0 Angels.

Orel said...

What happened in the footie match?

karina said...

Spain won the Eurocup. Not digging it.

They hadn't won any major international soccer tournament in 44 years.

Is this a sign the Cubs might be winning it all?

Orel said...

Nice pick by DeWitt.

karina said...

To tell the truth, Spain was a far superior team than Germany, i just didn't want them to win because they beat Italy.

Orel said...

This ump has a rather loud strike call. I think I can hear it from home.

Orel said...

Sorry, Karina. But Cubs fans need all the hope they can get!

Orel said...

Good inning for Lowe.

Orel said...

Kotchman gives the Dodgers a fourth out. Scioscia does not look pleased.

Berroa does not take advantage. K's.

stace3125 said...

Berrora seems to swing at anything he sees. Torre is right when he says they need more plate discipline. Even though we have one hit today THEY'RE LOSING!! Still early in the game.

Orel said...

Finally the CarMax voters are getting one right.

karina said...

I don't get this CarMax voting.

karina said...

I'm starting to get nervous. They need to score some runs...Eric and I have been crossing fingers for the sweep...

Orel said...

CarMax sponsors a viewer poll where people text message their answers. Today's question: Have the Dodgers (a) met, (b) exceeded, or (c) fallen short of expectations so far this season? 84% of voters picked (c).

karina said...

Why they didn't have option d) they're breaking my heart but i still have hope for the future (understanding future as one or two seasons)

stace3125 said...

At least these last two games have been pitchers duels. The Dodger bats need to wake up now!

Steve Sax said...

What was the CarMax poll?

Angels' run earlier today was their first all weekend...

stace3125 said...

I'm crossing my fingers that once we get all the players back from the DL we'll be the Dodger team that is the feared team to beat.

Orel said...

Option (d) is the secret answer.

Orel said...

Furcal for sure, Stace. I'm not so sure about Jones.

karina said...

I feel Dodgers are just fine without Jones...

karina said...

I'm watching the A's and the other team in the bay game and suddenly, the announcers are talking about 1988 World Series.

Why do i feel a mix of nostalgia and pain?

stace3125 said...

I should have mentioned that he was the exception. Jones and probably Schmidt.

stace3125 said...

Another 3 up and 3 down for Dodgers. Time for my rally hat.

Orel said...

Actually, I'm willing to give Jones a chance when he returns. We need all the help we can get.

karina said...

Do you trust the car shop and the mechanics repairing the Mustang?

Orel said...

WOW DeWitt playing some big-league D!

Orel said...

DeWitt barehanding the bunt attempt there.

karina said...

what happened?

Orel said...

I think the Mustang needs less junk in the trunk.

Orel said...

Vlad was running on the play and still the Dodgers turn two. Nice.

karina said...

I read Mustang has 10 pounds less in the trunk.

Eric Karros said...

Hi folks, I am back from celebrating with the Spaniards (sorry Karina)

karina said...

We can't complain about pitching and defense this weekend. If they could keep those factors like that and start to hit a little bit more

karina said...

Why do you like Spain, Eric? (you're entitled to celebrate some sports achievement)

karina said...

When the Mustang comes back, i'll miss those adorable, newer and leaner models. That's my main problem with the Mustang.

Eric Karros said...

To be honest I don't really like any of the European national teams that much, but among them Spain is my favorite, not sure why. Maybe it's because I went to a Real Madrid game long ago.

Eric Karros said...

Also I feel bad for them because they have been 'cursed' like the Cubs

Orel said...

Pierre stole second but Aybar landed on his knee. Pierre is still down.

karina said...

Eric, do you follow the MLS?

Orel said...

Pierre's coming out. Young's in for him.

karina said...

Does it look too bad? this team doesn't need more injuries.

Eric Karros said...

Not too much. I've been to a handful of games in my life but I don't really have a favorite team. Maybe DC United.

Do you follow MLS?

Orel said...

Pierre probably will have a nasty bruise on his leg, but nothing worse than that.

karina said...

Nope. i "only" follow MLB, LVPB (venezuelan winter baseball), Calcio, Champions League, Venezuelan national soccer team and F1, on a regular basis.
Soccer's World Cup, Eurocup, Copa America, Olimpics and related events are another level.
I used to follow NBA (i was a Lakers fan), but basketball and i had a bad breakup.

stace3125 said...

Does Delwynn Young have a better throwing arm than Pierre? I haven't seen him play outfield much. But, I hope Pierre is ok.

karina said...

I think most minor league outfielders have a better throwing arm than Pierre.

stace3125 said...

Karina, how do you have a social life with all of the sporting events you watch? Just kidding. I just usually stick to MLB, unless it's the Super Bowl or NBA playoffs.

Orel said...

I can't believe it's already the 7th inning. Lowe at 91 pitches.

Eric Karros said...

What caused the breakup between you and basketball?

Orel said...

Good answer, Karina, re: Pierre's arm.

Eric Karros said...

The Dodgers are trying their best to replicate yesterday's win

stace3125 said...

Does the home plate ump have a tight strike zone today? Lowe doesn't seem to like his calls from what I can hear from the radio commentators.

karina said...

Did you see Real Madrid playing against whom?
My younger brother is a rabid Real Madrid fan. He might be going to Bogota to see an exhibition game on August.

stace3125 said...

They need a double play to get out of it.

stace3125 said...

Derek Lowe is really pitching a great game today. I hope he's ok.

Orel said...

Lowe seems a little pissy on the mound today, but I haven't noticed an unusually tight zone.

Orel said...

Lowe is limping on his follow-through.

stace3125 said...

Lowe brought his a game with him today. Great Job!!!! Now we need some runs.

Orel said...

And somehow Lowe gets out of it! It would be a crying shame if he loses 1-0. And a bit of payback, too.

Eric Karros said...

I think it was Valencia I saw them play, but it was so long ago I'm not 100% sure.

karina said...

Someone we loved very dearly, who was the most devoted basketball you could imagine, died tragically, in a very unexpected way.
Somehow, we associate basketball with him, and neither of us (my brothers and I) could be able to follow basketball again.
We even swore we'll ever set foot again on the local basketball arena, it brings us lots of memories.

Orel said...

That's terrible, Karina.

stace3125 said...

We've got the heart of the lineup coming up, they need to get it started for us!!

Eric Karros said...

That is a terrible story.

Orel said...

Russell looks like a coal miner! Guess his eye black got smeared or something.

stace3125 said...

It's hard when something tragic happens during a sporting event or other occassion, but we always associate their death with that event. I'm sorry for your loss Karina.

karina said...

Stace, being a sports fan is a lifestyle!, though baseball is the love of my life.
I have always managed to balance everything. In fact, i've reduced my social life because i'm devoted to school, so sports actually help me to get some rest.

Eric Karros said...

The eye black is not showing up on Gameday

stace3125 said...

I feel the same way. I'm going to school full time and raising three girls so baseball is sort of my get away from it all time. Although my daughters are baseball fans, too.

Orel said...

Picture coming soon. Check the main page.

Our bats are as weak as kittens!

karina said...

Thanks for those kind words, guys. That kind of loss teach you life is never for granted.

stace3125 said...

Where are the Dodgers that played Friday night and had a complete game shutout??? It seems either they're real hot or ice cold. Somethings got to give.

karina said...

Rock on, Stace!

Eric Karros said...

That is true. And even if the Dodgers go 0-162, in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter.

Orel said...

Wow, Stace!

Orel said...

Kemp started in on that fly ball, corrected himself and went back and caught the ball facing the outfield fence. All very casually.

karina said...

Right, Eric. But some random things like baseball makes us happy and i've got this theory we're alive to be happy.

stace3125 said...

Bullpen keeps them off the bases! Way to go. Only 6 outs left to work with and the bottom of the order coming up.

stace3125 said...

It seems like the last 3 or 4 games have lasted less than 3 hours. Are the pitchers working faster or are the games just going by faster?

Eric Karros said...

True. My theory is, using the Dodgers as an example: when the Dodgers do well, take all the happiness out of it you want, because why not? But when they don't do well, don't get too upset because it doesn't really matter that much in the grand scheme of things.

stace3125 said...

NOOOOO! Sweeney's going to bat!! Automatic out!

karina said...

Exactly, Eric.
We got philosophical on a 1-0 game. If the Dodgers keep hitting binary, we could publish a book by the end of the season.

karina said...

Baby steps. Sweeney's bat touched the ball! outstanding!

stace3125 said...

Eric, I understand your theory, but it will start to matter as we go down the stretch of the season come August and September. Right now it's not do or die, but they just don't seem like they can string more than 2 wins together since the beginning of May.

Eric Karros said...

Sweeney isn't half the man Mendoza was.

karina said...

Guys, do you have Erin's email? i'd love to wish her happy birthday.

karina said...

That was hilarious wit, Eric!

stace3125 said...

Steiner and Monday are saying that it appears to be Pierre's knee and they're going to have him looked at on Monday. Not a good sign.

stace3125 said...

Who do you think should lead off if Pierre is out?

karina said...

If the Dodgers doesn't have the most amount of money on the DL, they are very close.

Eric Karros said...

karina, I'm sure it's somewhere on beantownwest.com. And thanks!

stace3125 said...

Will they leave Lackey in? Who do we have left on the bench?

karina said...

*Sigh*. That's not an easy answer, but i guess Torre will try Martin, because he's made basically of awesome for everything baseball related

Eric Karros said...

And Stace, in a sense I agree, that as the season progresses, the Dodgers' offensive impotence will seem to matter more. That is, unless they are way out of contention, in which case it will matter less.

karina said...

She doesn't have any email available on Beantown.

Eric Karros said...

I didn't even realize we're already in the bottom of the ninth. 2 hits over 16+ innings. Great.

karina said...

Eric, we might not getting the sweep we wanted.

stace3125 said...

The only reason they've managed to stay in second is because of the D-Backs and their losing ways. That and the fact that no one else in the NL West is winning games either. If it was a different division they would probably be in last place. It's hard to believe they are 4 games under .500 and still in second place. I hope it will hold up for the rest of the season.

Eric Karros said...

Hmmm...I'm not sure I've ever corresponded w/ Erin over email, but perhaps Sax or Orel have. Let me investigate and if we find it one of us will email it to you.

stace3125 said...

GOOD!! We have a runner on. I hope they leave Lackey in.

stace3125 said...

I think they'll pull Lackey after Either's at bat.

karina said...

I read somewhere, someone describing the NL West as a softball league. My older brother says the NL West lowered its category from AAA ball to AA ball and going down.
Since he's a Braves fan, i'll describe their failure to win multiple World Series and he'll answer: "at least we manage to multiple playoffs games, at once".
But he's a Barcelona Fc fan so i've got an arsenal to terrorize him.

stace3125 said...

He walks Martin!!!

stace3125 said...

I thought that I read they are going to have a 80's luncheon just like they had a 70's luncheon with players from the 1970's there. Is this true? And if so will they have a 90's luncheon?

Eric Karros said...

This is starting to get a little interesting...

karina said...

I once witnessed some A ball player hitting a walkoff double to Kid Rodriguez. Kent can do it too!

karina said...

The other team on the bay won 11-1 to the A's.

karina said...

It's always 90's luncheon at Sons of Steve Garvey!

karina said...

edit: i meant King James!

stace3125 said...

Bases are loaded!!! Loney has to deliver!! He is the King!!!!

Eric Karros said...

Well put Karina! In spite of the dearth of playoff success, the 90's were my favorite Dodger era.

Eric Karros said...

el rancho esta ardiendo, baby!!!

stace3125 said...

If they have a 90's luncheon will Piazza be invited? Or do the Dodgers consider him a Met more than a Dodger?

karina said...

At least they made an effort. To tell the truth, Stace, for somewhat reason Piazza was not really loved (i didn't love him back then, though i'd love his numbers). Sax and Karros will be more than enough ;)

stace3125 said...

At least they took two out of three from the Angels. Good luck on the roadtrip. Talk to you all later.

Eric Karros said...

crap. good night folks

karina said...

Eric, we didn't get the sweep we wanted.

stace3125 said...

Karina, why do you say he wasn't loved? Because he was asking for too much money? He is one of the only players that I think still prospered after he left the Dodgers. Everyone one else seemed to go downhill. Jeff Weaver, Todd Hollandsworth, Raul Mondesi, etc...