Monday, July 07, 2008

Game 89 Thread: July 7 vs. Atlanta, 7p

Hiroki Kuroda (4-6, 3.73) vs. Jorge Campillo (3-3, 2.99).

COMMENTS: Okay, Dodgers, first place is on the line and this time, it's all you. With Arizona idle before they open their series against the pesky Nats, the Dodgers will only have themselves to blame if they can't achieve first place in the NL West, beating the Braves tonight to ascend to a one-game-under-.500 record. Three consecutive series victories, for the first time in two months, should give the Dodgers momentum as they return home for their final pre-break homestand. However, we haven't beaten Atlanta all year long, and Chipper Jones is still hot (3-for-5 with a HR and 2 RBI yesterday). As hot as James Loney (three runs including the game-breaking dagger of a double yesterday, scoring two)? Or as hot as Andre Ethier (11 hits, 7 RBI in his last five games (with at least one RBI in each game))? We'll see.

106 comments:

karina said...

Dodgers have something on their favor: Atlanta played 16 innings last night so the bullpen should be depleted.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Kemp
Ethier
Martin
Kent
Loney
Jones
Garciaparra
Dewitt
Kuroda.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

This marks the first time all year that I have correctly guessed the lineup. Not that I am a lineup guru, but you know... Torre obviously isn't.

Steve Sax said...

Thank you for posting the lineup, dusto! Great job. Thanks to you, Karina, and Damon, this blog keeps hummming along!

Orel said...

Nice guess, Dusto. Now please start guessing Martin batting leadoff. I'd like to see that.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

I would too. I think part of the problem with my guessing is that I'm guessing what I'd like to see rather than guessing what Torre might actually produce. So, this time I just did the opposite of conventional wisdom.

I've been a big fan of the idea of Martin batting leadoff. He has the skill set to get the job done better than any other player on the Dodgers including Furcal.

Here's hoping that Martin plays SS next year and Carlos Santana continues his movements up the ladder.

Steve Sax said...

Martin at Short! Wow, that's a pretty bold thought...not too shabby, dusto.

Damon said...

Now thats a lineup. I still would like to see Martin and Kemp switch spots but I can't complain. All we need to do now is play LaRoche

Steve Sax said...

All LaRoche does is hit home runs when he starts...so why would Torre start him?

Orel said...

So Dusto, what you're saying is that you want Martin Short.

Steve Sax said...

Let's get this party started. I'm tired of the pre-game radio show, with those awful positive parrot commercials.

Steve Sax said...

How about ed grimley instead?

karina said...

In the scenario Martin played shortstop and being good at it (as he is in everything baseball-related). i seriously volunteer to be his mother: i could cook for him (crossing fingers he likes venezuelan and lebanese food), do his laundry and whatever else mothers are supposed to do. Seriously

Alex Cora said...

Here we go!!!

Alex Cora said...

Hey, we got Chipper out!!

karina said...

Stupid Phillies-Mets. I can't watch the Dodgers game until they finish. Mets 10-Phillies 5, bottom of the 8th, why can't they go faster?

Orel said...

1-2-3 for Kuroda in the 1st.

Steve Sax said...

8-pitch first innin for Kuroda, with Larry grounding 4-3 on the first pitch.

Orel said...

So Karina, what you're saying is you want to move in with Russell?

karina said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I'd want to be his replacement mother. He's a big guy and i guess he doesn't want to live with parents. He could come to have lunch and he could leave me his laundry, coming back his house with his girlfriend. See the difference?

Orel said...

Several responses come to mind but I'll bite my tongue.

Steve Sax said...

Ethier walks with one out. Let's go, all-star Martin...

Kent lines out to Larry to end the first, stranding Andre at second.

karina said...

I know where you are coming from, Orel. I was joking...this is the tainted sign of being a female passionate baseball fan :(

Alex Cora said...

Kuroda is DEALING!!!

Orel said...

Kuroda at 20 pitches through 2!

Orel said...

Ain't no taint, Karina! Fandom is fandom!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

I hate Andruw Jones!

karina said...

We all do, Dusto. See the bright side: he took the unbelieveable amount of 6 pitches. He actually hit the ball.

karina said...

It's ok, Orel!

Damon said...

It wouldn't be a dodger game without a Jones K

karina said...

Specially when they don't have Sweeney around.

karina said...

Kuroda 4K's in 3 IP.

Orel said...

Is it officially a pitchers' duel yet?

Orel said...

DEALING!

karina said...

In spite of Chipper Jones being the star of my fantasy team, i don't mind him hitting anything. Opposite of Ethier, Kemp, King James and son Martin.

karina said...

I had a nightmare last night: i dreamed about LaRoche and Kemp traded to the Yankees for Farnsworth and Betemit. It was awful.

Orel said...

What would Freud say about that dream?

karina said...

I don't know, but i imagined Torre using Proctor and Farnsworth back to back in every game. Good bye sleep.
I guess it's a combination of cold medication and the fact i'm eating very little.

Alex Cora said...

No Jinx...but Kuroda's got an awfully nice line...

karina said...

King James walks...no outs, wait, Jones coming up.

Orel said...

Loney works the walk! Will Jones:

(a) K
(b) K
(c) K

Damon said...

Jones looks like he lost 15lbs on the DL

Damon said...

(d) pop up

karina said...

Garciaparra 2 run-HR!

Orel said...

NOMAR!

Damon said...

Who needs a SS we have Nomah

Damon said...

That was a wicked hr

Orel said...

But he didn't lose is ability to suck.

Orel said...

If Nomar can just stay healthy, we wouldn't have to listen to these ridiculous Matt Kemp trade rumors.

Orel said...

c'mon Matty

karina said...

Matt Kemp with the RBI double, got tagged for bad baserunning but he did the job!

Colletti can't trade him...

Orel said...

Anybody watching this? Is Kemp going to catch hell for another baserunning blunder?

Alex Cora said...

Prime sports put the boxscore up with the "hits" column in yellow....I'm just saying...

karina said...

I'm getting the Sports South signal. No mention of it, so far

Alex Cora said...

Vin: "backhanded by that vacuum cleaner" referring to Loney's pick up of Kotsay's grounder. Love it. However, I don't love the yellow tie / orange jacket combination Vin the wearing today.

Damon said...

I noticed the same AC. I've heard Vinny talk about it once but I just turned it on

karina said...

Alex Cora with the Fashion Police!

Alex Cora said...

Uh-oh Vin just said "It is starting to get interesting..." referring to Kuroda getting 17 in a row.

Orel said...

This Kuroda fella, he's not bad sometimes.

Alex Cora said...

Damon: I assume you mean the vacuum cleaner comment and not the color combination...hehehe. It would be nice to have Vin talk about his wardrobe though

Alex Cora said...

There it is: Vin just said it - Kuroda pitching a PERFECT GAME.

Alex Cora said...

BTW, what is up with the fashion police picture?

karina said...

Isn't Vin Scully a redhead? orange jacket, yellow tie? it's the chromatic scheme for a fast food restaurant...

Orel said...

Ethier pops out. He's useless.

Orel said...

Karina is SoSG's resident fashion critic. She gives us the lowdown on players' facial hair and sunglasses, among other things.

I don't think Vin is a natural redhead any longer....

karina said...

I've commented once or twice about James Loney fashionista choices, joked about beinf the guest fashion police on this blog. Orel found the picture.
Do you mind it?
I'm planning to change the avatar as long as the Dodgers lose the winning streak.

karina said...

Natural or not, he's a redhead.

karina said...

Sports South put the column of hits in red. They even put it on screen: 6 perfect innings.

Alex Cora said...

Wow! DeWitt saves the perfect game! What a play!

karina said...

James Loney: king, fashionista, ballet dancer?. That was an awesome play.

Alex Cora said...

I like the picture. I think the sideburns sported by Martin need some comments - is he trying to look like Brad Penny?

Alex Cora said...

SEVEN PERFECT INNINGS!!!

Orel said...

wow wow wow

karina said...

Oh well, it's an upgrade from the mustache and poor groomed beard he has had this season. In any form, he looks like a boy who wants to look like his dad. I think he'd look better with a scruffy look.

Alex Cora said...

JONES IS ON BASE!!! (WALK)

Damon said...

JONES BB!!!!!!!

karina said...

Possible situations on an Andruw Jones at bat:
a) 3 pitches, K
b) 4 or 5 pitches, ball in dirt, K
c) K in different forms as the previously mentioned
d) ground out
e) pop up to the infield
f) walk

He walked, wow!

Alex Cora said...

DeWitt 3 for 3

Alex Cora said...

Hope that doesn't tire out Kuroda with that last at bat and run down the line.

Orel said...

I really think Torre should pinch hit for Kuroda here. Can't have enough insurance runs.

Alex Cora said...

That was good Orel. Something maybe Grady would do.

Orel said...

NOOOOO

Alex Cora said...

NNNNOOOOOO!!!!!

Orel said...

Standing O for Kuroda!

karina said...

Nooooooooooo. Teixeira sucks.

Alex Cora said...

That sucks, what a coup if there was a perfect game by Kuroda. Now he needs to settle down and get these guys out. Biemel and Broxton are up in the pen.

Alex Cora said...

Work the shut out Kuroda, COME ON!

karina said...

I was daydreaming about calling my brother, the Braves fan, to give him a hard time (waiting for a revenge about his cruel jokes about the Dodgers)

Alex Cora said...

Kuroda still pitching with force - last fastball was 96 MPH

karina said...

He only has 82 pitches.

Orel said...

Kemp with his daily K.

karina said...

Don't be mean with the Bison and Ethier, please.

Loney Fan said...

Screw you Teixeira! Who the hell spells their name like that anyway?

Orel said...

Kuroda: With Force (new TV series)

Orel said...

Yeah, Loney Fan!

karina said...

Loney fan, loooooooove your screen name!

Alex Cora said...

Love the comment Loney Fan!

Alex Cora said...

WOW!!! What a play by Angel Berrora - Can't hit a lick, but what a play!

karina said...

Berroaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! gold glove quality!

karina said...

Shake it, Berroa, you deserve it!

Loney Fan said...

Berroa? Really? Does he know the perfect game is over? Oh well, absolutely no shame in a one hitter!!!

Alex Cora said...

One hitter by Kuroda!! ! Great job by the rookie!

karina said...

Got #100 comment!

Dodgers win! Let's go blue!

Alex Cora said...

Kuroda's top button on his jersey is off - he buttoned his shirt wrong - do it every time Kuroda! Go Blue!

Orel said...

KU-RO-DA! KU-RO-DA! KU-RO-DA!

karina said...

Alex Cora, i think you and i could make a great fashion police!