Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Game 101 Thread: July 23 @ Rockies, 12n

Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.79) vs. Glendon Rusch (3-3, 5.79)

COMMENTS: Will the Dodgers "dial long distance" in the series clincher? Actually, do we want them to? After all, they didn't hit a single home run Monday night and scored 16 runs. Last night Kemp went deep for their only run of the game.

And in each of those games they gave up 10 runs. Here's hoping their pitching gets better the next few games. In fact, maybe they'll allow 3 runs tonight, 2 on Friday, and 1 on Saturday. Get it? 10-10-3-2-1! Of course, maybe they'll instead give up 321 runs tonight.

125 comments:

Orel said...

Kemp, RF
Ethier, LF
Garciaparra, SS
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
Jones, CF
LaRoche, 3B
Ardoin, C
Kuroda, P

QuadSevens said...

This is the third day in a row that Blake Dewitt isn't starting. Is he going to replace Mark Sweeney as our go to pinch hitter now?

Orel said...

LaRoche is either (1) being given a chance to produce or (2) being showcased for other teams, depending on your level of cynicism.

QuadSevens said...

Hmm, didn't think of that. Or maybe someone wants Dewitt in a trade and the Dodgers are trying out LaRoche to see if they can part with Dewitt.

Just over one week to go before the trading deadline. Let the rumors and crazy theories fly!

Orel said...

I fear trading LaRoche could turn into a Konerko-ian mistake.

Eric Karros said...

By 'Konerkoian', do you mean trading LaRoche may end up assisting in the suicide of the Dodgers' future?

Eric Karros said...

Sax, if you're reading, I know you're out of town but are you gonna be able to take a crack at tomorrow's puzzle?

On an unrelated note, Quad, feel free to start drinking heavily tonight and into tomorrow morning/afternoon.

karina said...

Epale, guys! look what Dayn Perry wrote on his column:

Here we have an exercise in triage. This season, the Dodgers are receiving sub-optimal production from second base, third base and center field. Oh, and their closer and struggling ace are also on the disabled list. The ideal addition would be Baltimore's Brian Roberts, who would provide a mammoth upgrade, both offensively and defensively, over Jeff Kent. As for Kent, at this stage of his career he could be vaguely useful as James Loney's platoon partner at first, but he merits no bigger role than that.

Trading for Roberts could be a disaster for the young movement, for some reason he didn't end up with the Cubs in the offseason.

karina said...

Also, saying production for the center field has been sub-optimal is almost a compliment for Jones performance.

karina said...

Is someone watching the game on TV? LaRoche with the RBI single and Jones was out on 3rd (he was on first because he drew a walk). I mean, how he dare to take an extra base...

karina said...

Ardoin with the RBI single, game tied to 2 runs!

Erin said...

It was a great throw from Hawpe, but Jones was out by a mile any way you look at it. I don't really understand why he was trying to go first to third.

Orel said...

Epale everyone! Kuroda wasn't fooling anyone in the first and gave up two runs with left two on. But the Dodgers tied it up in the second. Looks like we're in for a slugfest.

Nomar is doing an adequate job at short today but I can't help but feel a player with more range, i.e., Furcal, could have turned some DPs where Nomar could not.

Orel said...

Colletti isn't trading Kent. Ned loves Jeff.

Orel said...

Kemp works a walk to start the third. Nice eye, Matty!

Orel said...

Ethier jacked it to left but Vin said the wind knocked the ball down. Damn forces of nature!

Orel said...

Playing role of double-play-hitter-into-er, previously played by James Loney, is Nomar Garciaparra.

Eric Karros said...

Epale Karina, Erin, Orel. I'm at work on Gameday.

Eric Karros said...

Karina, I think this is the 1st time I've seen your new avatar in game action. What's it's record so far?

karina said...

Baker leading off the inning with a triple. No looking good.

karina said...

3-2 is the record for the new avatar. However, they managed to score 16 runs in a game, in Coors Field, but i'll take it.

You said i should try every new avatar for a 5-game span, but i felt it was risky changing it before this games against the Rockies ended.

Superstitious. Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Orel said...

Kemp had no chance at that but didn't do himself any favors by moving in first.

Orel said...

Kuroda is a Jekyll/Hype-type pitcher.

karina said...

Orel, slugfest indeed. A triple and a couple of doubles.

Rockies leading 4 to Dodgers 2.

Eric Karros said...

I agree that makes sense. I hope this avatar wins. But so far not looking good for today's game...

Orel said...

It's windy at Coors Field. The center-field camera is bobbing and weaving like a drunken boxer.

karina said...

Eric, what do you expect this avatar wins?

Anyway, the turn of the other avatar is on the Nationals series, so it's a pretty much advantage.

Maybe i should use some form of sabermetrics and superstition with the avatars issue.

Orel said...

5-2 Rockies. I don't think this will be the final score.

Eric Karros said...

Kuroda's ERA has already risen from 3.79 to 4.10 and the inning ain't over yet.

QuadSevens said...

Hi all. Not looking so good right now. Let's hope the bats come alive real soon and get some runs back.

EK, drinks tonight are a possibility but not tomorrow morning. I've got my scissors ready here.

karina said...

Are you really serious tomorrow's puzzle involves scissors?

Eric Karros said...

Well I hope this one wins, but I'm not sure which I expect to win. Actually though, if this avatar wins with only a 3-3 record, it means the Dodgers will play below 0.500 in the future games with the other avatars.

Eric Karros said...

Let me put it this way: If you can solve tomorrow's puzzle without using scissors, I will be really impressed.

Orel said...

I am rooting for Karina's avatar more than for the Dodgers.

Eric Karros said...

Quad you might catch a break if Sax can't play tomorrow. Plus I believe Loney Fan is on vacation. So Orel and Karina, hope you guys are loading up on scissors.

Orel said...

Kent hits a shot but right at third. Loney singles. Jones doubles. That's right, JONES DOUBLES. 5-3 Rockies.

QuadSevens said...

Jones with an RBI double. It's a miracle!

Eric Karros said...

Orel maybe we should start a separate blog specifically about Karina's avatars.

Orel said...

Just to be safe, I am watching videos of scissor kicks and the Scissor Sisters.

karina said...

I need to see that Jones RBI double with my eyes!

Orel said...

Sons of Steve Avatarvey?

karina said...

Eric, as a Graphic Design major, i have loads of different scissors and cutters. Tomorrow's a holiday over here, so i have more time too.

Eric Karros said...

Sons of Avatarina

Orel said...

Ardoin K's to end the inning. Kuroda—assuming he survives the next inning—to lead off the next inning. Then again, maybe that'll convince Hurdle to keep Rusch in.

Orel said...

What holiday, Karina?

karina said...

You don't need to start another blog for my avatars, that's why the game 72 thread.

Eric Karros said...

The next puzzle after tomorrow's will require a blue rubber band, six toothpicks, at least 2 fluid ounces of shampoo, and a hand grenade.

QuadSevens said...

Ooooh! A MacGyver special!

karina said...

Simon Bolivar's birthday (July 24th, 1783)

Eric Karros said...

Ok gotta get back to work. Will try to check back in later.

Orel said...

Dodgers are tagging the ball, but right at defenders. BABIP's gotta kick in any time now.

Orel said...

I am short on hand grenades.

karina said...

hmmm, can we use lighters?. If my memory is not wrong, MacGyver used to build bombs out of nothing.

Orel said...

Gotta give it to Kuorda, he's mentally strong enough to recover from a bad inning or two.

Orel said...

Your memory is not wrong, Karina.

Eric Karros said...

Screw work. I'd rather talk about Richard Dean Anderson.

Eric Karros said...

FYI Karina, I think you should do something about this problem:

http://tinyurl.com/6gm2gc

Orel said...

That's why the unemployment rate is as high as it is.

karina said...

I can't believe that link, Eric. By the way, there's another link in the game 72 thread, a little bit "Dodger related".

QuadSevens said...

If you want to read up on some MacGyverisms check out this link.

http://tinyurl.com/macgyver

karina said...

Quad, you're scaring me, you have so much in common with my dad...

QuadSevens said...

Actually, I have never seen an episode of MacGyver. I only know of it from the Simpsons and whatever I can find on wikipedia.

Although after reading some of that link, I think I might have to find some reruns somewhere.

Eric Karros said...

Quad, do you have a grandson who is the starting catcher for the Dodgers?

Eric Karros said...

Wow, is that the Maracaibo MacGyver Meetup Group on the Thread 72 link?!? If so, Richard Dean Anderson you are my idol!

Orel said...

Or is Q7 actually...Karina's father???

karina said...

Nope, it's the Valencia MacGyver Meetup Group on the Thread 72

karina said...

He can't be. My dad doesn't speak English and he is probably drinking some scotch at Tucacas.

Eric Karros said...

How does your dad feel about puzzles?

QuadSevens said...

HAHA! I'm a little young to have a grandson, but I'd claim Russell Martin anyways.

karina said...

See? you're my father, since Russell Martin is my son.

Dad loves everything that makes him think, like Sudoku, for example.

Eric Karros said...

Quad, by your picture you look about 900 years old.

Orel said...

Russell!

QuadSevens said...

Correct you are EK.

Orel said...

...grounds out.

Orel said...

DeWitt!

Eric Karros said...

...doubles.

Eric Karros said...

Kemp!

karina said...

...doubled! Kemp's up!

Eric Karros said...

...K's.

Eric Karros said...

Ethier!

Eric Karros said...

...K's.

Okay, that was fun. On to the bottom of the 7th, Dodgers still down 5-3.

karina said...

You might like this avatar but Dodgers players don't.

Orel said...

They're too busy in the dugout. If they were online they'd be winning this game now.

I guess that didn't make too much sense.

karina said...

Matt Holliday on 3rd. One out.

karina said...

It makes sense, Orel (in a flattering way)

Loney Fan said...

I had to miss the last three innings in a meeting. Same score though.

I am going to try to solve the puzzle in ten minutes tomorrow before I hit the road. Otherwise I may have to drug my wife for a few hours so I can buy more time. Maybe I should use some Ethier to knock her out.

That was just dumb.

Orel said...

LF, welcome to the bottom of the barrel!

Eric Karros said...

Never too dumb for SoSG.

Greetings Loney Fan.

karina said...

King James with the foul catching out!

Orel said...

Park beans Steward to Rancho Ardiendo for the Rockies!

Orel said...

er, Stewart

Eric Karros said...

Loney Fan, if you can solve it in 10 minutes without the use of scissors, I may have to award you 1st place just out of principle.

karina said...

I don't get what's so special about Ethier looks.

Good idea Loney fan, i'll try to use it with my mom.

Orel said...

Park with a nasty breaking ball to K Tulo and get out of the inning!

karina said...

Park and Rancho Ardiendo don't help my fantasy team.

Eric Karros said...

Tulowitzki is up, Colorado's best attempt at their own Andruw Jones.

Orel said...

Too bad. I happen to look exactly like Andre Ethier.

If scissors are required for tomorrow's puzzle, I assume a printer will be too.

Eric Karros said...

I see my Game Day is a step behind...

QuadSevens said...

If Loney Fan solves it in 10 minutes, I will not argue being bumped out of 1st place in the PCS standings. Good luck LF.

Loney Fan said...

My wife thinks that Ethier is "cute except for the European head of hair."

Steve Sax said...

Can't believe Park got out of that jam in the seventh. On to the eighth.

Eric Karros said...

That is correct Orel.

karina said...

I was ironic when i commented about Ethier's looks. My mom also digs Beimel a little bit.

karina said...

Is glue required to solve the puzzle?

Loney Fan said...

So much pressure now. I can't wait to fail spectacularly tomorrow. Perhaps I'll watch tapes of Jones tonight so I can learn to smile while striking out.

QuadSevens said...

Jones at bat with RISP on 2nd and 3rd. Let's see if he can help us out one time.

Eric Karros said...

No glue needed tomorrow Karina. At least not for the puzzle. But don't forget the blue rubber band for next time.

QuadSevens said...

Nope. Struck out swinging at a slider in the dirt. Two down.

Steve Sax said...

LaRoche goes as far as you can go with 2 men in RISP...

Steve Sax said...

...and Ks. Way to go, Andy!

Orel said...

LaRoche swings at ball four to end our best chance of the day.

I'm off to the gym.

karina said...

So i guess i'll start memorizing the link Quad gave and start looking for flammable materials for the next puzzle.

And the blue rubber band...what kind of blue, Eric?

Eric Karros said...

The shade of blue rubber band needed will depend on the temperature in Istanbul that day.

Ok, I've given away too much already...

Eric Karros said...

ok folks, I gotta head home now...

karina said...

Bye, Eric. Que descanses.

Loney Fan said...

Have a good evening Eric. You wouldn't believe what comes up when you search for "Turkey and Majore League Baseball" while looking for a good joke.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/24199450/

karina said...

Kemp has done a marvelous job as leadoff hitter, i hope someone within the organization recognizes it.

karina said...

Is that article for real, Loney Fan?

karina said...

It's a wrap, ladies and gentlemen. Say good-bye to this avatar, for the moment.

QuadSevens said...

Fowl Balls! That's something you'd only find at a minor league stadium. Hilarious!

Loney Fan said...

Good luck to everyone tomorrow!

Orel said...

Why do I feel like KFC tonight?

Erin said...

With regard to your 10-10-3-2-1 theory:

3+2=5, which is what the Dodgers gave up today, so they could still achieve it if they give up just one run Friday night, right?

Rob said...

And of course the comment prior was the 123rd of this thread.

Orel said...

Synergy!