Thursday, August 07, 2008

Game 114 Thread: August 7 @ Cardinals, 11a

Clayton Kershaw (1-3, 4.02) vs. Kyle Lohse (13-3, 3.73).

COMMENTS: A day game following a night game may be tough on the players, but it can't come soon enough for the obsessive fan (i.e., me) tempted to read too much into a rotten start by Derek Lowe. Manny Ramirez's tenure as a Dodger is only five games old (record: 2-3), so the honeymoon phase of the relationship is still going strong. And why not? Dude already has three homers and seven RBIs for us.

A weekend in San Francisco awaits the Dodgers after they try to salvage the series finale against the Cardinals.

STAT OF THE DAY: Russell Martin, when batting in front of Ramirez: 5-for-22.

263 comments:

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Steve Sax said...

Today's lineup:

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

Pierre back at leadoff! Kershaw sees his potential win evaporate; whining in clubhouse subsides. Also, Martin sits (he must have seen Orel's Stat Of The Day (TM)).

Orel said...

Simers is doing his best to assassinate Pierre's character.

Orel said...

Glad to see Kemp working the count.

QuadSevens said...

I feel an unintentional intentional walk for Manny coming up.

Steve Sax said...

Juan Pierre lets his hitting do the talking! No more "belly-aching" to TJ Simers!

0-2 count, he grounds out to the pitcher.

Yay.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, I have to say, I'm not too fond of the picture with the nun.

karina said...

Epale, Orel!

I thought Pierre was an all around nice guy, but Simmers portrays him the other way.

I read that article earlier, it was very harsh.

Orel said...

Kent doubles. "This is how it's done, son."

Steve Sax said...

Lohse isn't challenging Manny. What a Lohse-r.

FJL better be ready!

karina said...

Epale, Steve!

Steve Sax said...

karina, you should make sure you see today's Simers as well Second straight day of Pierre pillaging.

Orel said...

Epale, all! Why not, Sax?

Steve Sax said...

At least FJL can't GIDP here with two out.

Orel said...

Loney RBI!

Steve Sax said...

LONEY! In play, run(s)!

Steve Sax said...

Karina, I don't know why I don't like Orel's new shot. I suppose I'm just not a creature of habit.

karina said...

King James with a RBI single! not GIDP!

karina said...

I'd wish i could get a pic of him wearing that gorgeous pink tie.

Steve Sax said...

BOOO, three called strikes on Casey Blake. Come on, ump!

Steve Sax said...

can't they get the loney video posted by now?

Steve Sax said...

(on mlb gameday, that is)

Steve Sax said...

Hey Karina, I read the GT late last night. You okay with the personal problems?

If it's that guy you are/were dating, he's going to have to answer to the Sons.

QuadSevens said...

And some of the readers too.

Orel said...

Need to throw strikes. Nothing else Mathers.

Orel said...

Yeah, we can pay him a visit, if you catch my drift.

karina said...

Actually, he's 85% of my problems.

Guys, you all rock!

Orel said...

Kershaw walks two with two out. How long can he get away with having only two pitches?

Orel said...

On behalf of all jerky men, I apologize.

We aim to be 100% of your problems.

Steve Sax said...

Clayton threw 1 changeup in his first 20 pitches...

Steve Sax said...

This, coming from the Son who has his arm around a nun.

Steve Sax said...

Break out the public enemy #1, Kershaw!

Orel said...

Kershaw falls behind on Glaus. Why can't he Troy harder?

Steve Sax said...

In play, out(s)!

Steve Sax said...

Not in our Glaus!

(though this game is in StL)

Orel said...

Phew! 25 pitches for Kershaw in the first.

Orel said...

If there were only some way to mock Albert Pujols' name.

Steve Sax said...

Loney RBI video is up now

karina said...

Aww, if jerky men are as cool as the Sons and some of the readers, i want to have problems all the time.

Steve Sax said...

Loney just went with the pitch on that inside-out single to left. Not sure why Manny didn't take off with the contact, though--not that I'm complaining, as it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

Steve Sax said...

Angel in the Infield, but he can't even leave the batters box on offense. K.

Steve Sax said...

Kershaw: 25 pitches through 1
Lohse: 26 pitches through 1

SoSG GT: 39 comments through 1

Steve Sax said...

Well, he's a Ardoin to get out at the plate today! Good 7-pitch AB, single to center!

Orel said...

We need to watch our comment count. Don't want to be exhausted by the fifth inning.

Orel said...

Good job, Ardoin! We get Pierre out of the way for next inning.

Steve Sax said...

Clayton forces Ardoin at second, but at least it gets Juan Pierre's AB out of the way this inning.

Orel, are you watching on tv or gameday?

Steve Sax said...

holy smokes, you and I are commenting alike yet again

karina said...

"Great minds alike". Keep it going!

Steve Sax said...

Juan Pierre bunt grounds out.

Orel, if you read Joe Sheehan's article on JP yesterday in baseball prospectus, it's great. I want to post it, or at least the parts 6-4-2 didn't reference. I'm sick of that D'Vaughn guy.

Orel said...

Nice bunt out, Pierre. We don't want Kershaw boiling out there on the basepaths.

Steve Sax said...

And JP wasn't even first pitch swinging--he was first pitch BUNTING (for an out)

Orel said...

Go for it. Keep in mind most BP stuff is pay-only.

I'm on Gameday. It lacks the joie de vivre of a live broadcast, yet strangely is better than listening to Rick Monday.

karina said...

So, Pierre did a terrible bunt with a first pitch and two outs. I really need Torre to explain why this guy is taking away Ethier's playing time.

QuadSevens said...

I'm stuck with Rick Monday today as I listen along at work.

Orel said...

Kershaw blows through the second with only eight pitches.

karina said...

Why no one seems to love Rick Monday?

karina said...

Eight pitches and a K. Good boy.

Orel said...

We all know Torre's thinking: Pierre should get on, steal a base or two, possibly distract the pitcher with Kemp and Manny at bat. You know Torre's not sitting there looking up Pierre's OBP.

karina said...

I'm watching Mets-Padres game and Jody Gerut just hit a homerun to tie the game. Santana can't win today either, he went through 7 innings, 7 K, 2 BB, 2 ER, 4 H.

Mets bullpen have blown up 6 winning Santana appeareances.

QuadSevens said...

MANNY IS ON FIRE!! 2 run dinger!

karina said...

I love this Manny being Manny.

Orel said...

Sorry about that, Q7.

Karina, Rick Monday:

(1) rarely announces the score, leaving you wondering for innings at a time if you've just tuned in,

(2) constantly mispronounces words and places heavy emphasis on words that don't need it.

Anyone else want to pitch in?

Orel said...

Wow, Manny did it again!

And Kershaw gets some defense to get through the third in 14 pitches.

karina said...

I see your point, Orel. Is it possible to hear Fernando Valenzuela and Jaime Jarrin on every game?

Orel said...

If only I spoke Español.

karina said...

Hahaha, i'm picking clues!. Just asked because i bet, like a foreigner, i wouldn't understand most of the stuff Monday says.

Now i remember Stacie saying she was listening to the radio and getting a little bit lost with the score.

karina said...

Pierre with a triple! Ardoin scored! even Berroa got a single this inning...doesn't it feel like Twilight Zone?

Orel said...

Juan Pierre says take that, disbelievers!

Steve Sax said...

Somebody's playing a trick on me. I get back to my desk and it says Juan Pierre tripled. Come on, now. Is that true? Was it a bunt triple? Details, please!

karina said...

That triple also vanishes the possibility of an Ethier start till mid-september.

Steve Sax said...

Adding to Orel's list,

(3) Monday likes to reminisce abut his playing days alllllllll the time, allowing his stories to take center stage while the gameplay is forgotten. Awful, awful radio.

Pairing him with Jerry Reuss unfortunately makes it worse.

Steve Sax said...

Quad 7, a late night MBA class and then a day game afterward at work?

Too bad you can't get Danny Ardoin to sub for you, like Russell Martin.

Steve Sax said...

Karina, Jody Gerut is a Stanford Cardinal!

Orel said...

The only thing going for Rick Monday is his deep announcing voice. If we could get Jerry Reuss' insights with Monday's voice, we'd be set.

Steve Sax said...

Manny Ramirez for President!

The video (on mlb gameday) of his HR is awesome. The Cardinal announcers sound defeated from the second the bat hits the ball.

Steve Sax said...

Pierre triple video just came up

Orel said...

Manny & Pierre: the new Bash Bros.?

Steve Sax said...

If that's Juan Pierre when he's juicing, I shudder to think what he would look like without the 'roids.

karina said...

I know you like Gerut a lot, but he's very good every time i watch him when i'm rooting for the other side.

Sax, did you go to Stanford?

Orel said...

Is Clayton Kershaw growing up before our very eyes?

Steve Sax said...

Jason Bay with Boston: 11-for-26 with 1 HR and 6 RBI; OPS+ 208

Manny Ramirez with Los Angeles (prior to this game): 12-for-20, 3 HR and 7 RBI; OPS+ 340

Albert Pujols leads MLB with a 183 OPS+.

WOW, Manny is almost 2x that, as a Dodger.

Steve Sax said...

Karina, I like to follow players from the Pac-10, especially UCLA Bruin and Stanford Cardinal alums.

Steve Sax said...

Karina, we Sons (collectively) have a good set of the Pac-10 schools covered (and Ivy League!).

Orel said...

Kershaw just put Broxton in line for the save. 4-1 Dodgers

karina said...

Wow, Sons are amazing!

Steve Sax said...

Hey Danny! You gonna hold any of these runners on first, or not?

Orel said...

Way to limit the damage, Kershaw! 81 pitches through five.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, you're not accounting for the three-run bomb that Park will give up to Pujols

Steve Sax said...

Kershaw is doing the Math-ers; Kershaw's gotten him Kd twice and GIDP the other time.

Steve Sax said...

Karina, I don't know if it's "amazing", or just "geographically co-located and conservative in choices".

But thank you nonetheless.

Steve Sax said...

This 11am PT game is making lunchtime incredibly enjoyable

Steve Sax said...

90 comments through five innings.

Coaching visit to the GameThread.

Steve Sax said...

3 outs on 8 pitches for Lohse here in the 6th. We'll see if Kershaw can come right back out there and stay on fire.

Orel said...

Unfortunately Kershaw's first AB next inning, which puts more pressure on him to finish the sixth.

QuadSevens said...

No late night classes for me Sax. I think that was LoneyFan who mentioned classes. I get to go home and watch tv and occasionally play the wii.

Steve Sax said...

Now THAT is how you set up the curve, Clayton--three straight 94-95 mph fastballs before you get Pujols to ground out on the 74 mph curve.

One away.

Steve Sax said...

Quad, you're right. Sorry about that mistaken identity.

No night classes = more time to solve SoSG puzzles!

Steve Sax said...

Quad, are you as hooked on mario kart wii as I am?

Steve Sax said...

How do you get a "star" rating on the races (I have 7 "B" ratings and one "A"). I find the Wario's Mine one really difficult.

Steve Sax said...

Ludwick Ks for out #2

Steve Sax said...

Sax gets comment # 100

QuadSevens said...

I've only played it a few times. But I am thinking about buying it this weekend. It might replace my Guitar Hero 3 addiction.

Steve Sax said...

shoot, Minotaur had Glaus 1-2 and walked him. Man on first with Felipe Lopez, a recent pickup off of waivers, up.

Orel said...

If Kershaw hadn't walked Glaus there I get the feeling he may have been allowed to start the seventh. Now, no way.

Steve Sax said...

I gotta getme GH3

Orel said...

Kershaw with 96 pitches through six! That'll do, pig!

Steve Sax said...

they are letting Kershaw bat? WEIRD.

Why isn't Joe batting his good friend, the omnipresent Mark Sweeney?

Steve Sax said...

Kershaw pulls a Sweeney and Ks

Steve Sax said...

Second pitch out for Juan! Now that's the Juan I know!

karina said...

In spite his high pitch count, he's done a great job, he could get out of jams, he didn't receive damage from Pujols and Ludwick. It was very good.

Orel said...

Not so fast, pig! Kershaw leads off the seventh!

Orel said...

I'm still trying to finish GTAIV. Call of Duty 4 is next.

I've never played Guitar Hero.

QuadSevens said...

I'm a big fan of GH3! Expert level is really hard though. Can't play too many songs on that difficulty level.

Orel said...

Kershaw at 100 pitches.

Orel said...

102 pitches, one out.

Orel said...

Which is better, Guitar Hero or Rock Band?

karina said...

I started to be good at Guitar Hero, but it seems i won't be playing it for a while. Curious about Rock Band...

Orel said...

107 pitches, two out.

Orel said...

There is sadness behind that comment, Karina. I can tell.

Orel said...

108 pitches, three out! That pig is cooked!

Steve Sax said...

Kershaw rocked it there in the seventh. Way to go, Minotaur!

Steve Sax said...

Orel, one of the big complaints I've heard about RockBand is where the hell to store all that stuff when you're not playing it. It's like you need a separate man-cave just to house all that stuff.

Steve Sax said...

Karina, if your boy took your Guitar Hero, we Sons are flying down there right now to get it back for you.

Orel said...

Really, who can afford to have a man-cave these days?

Orel said...

Eighth-inning Izzy! How the mighty have fallen!

karina said...

I've got good memories of Guitar Hero. It's sad but Kershaw and your company makes me feel better.

(besides i'm listening Blade Runner in the background)

Steve Sax said...

Kent singles, and promptly makes way for Pablo. 3-for-4, nice job Kent!

karina said...

I didn't have one but he got me hooked on it.

Steve Sax said...

karina, hopefully the director's cut.

Orel said...

Lil' Vangelis for ya!

Orel said...

Karina, Sax thinks you're listening to the movie and I think you're listening to the soundtrack. Which is it?

karina said...

The funny thing is my younger brother and i never were interested in Guitar Hero. He's a part time professional musician , so he doesn't see the real fun on it. Me? watching my brother play or jam is much more fun!

karina said...

Listening to the movie. No director's cut.

Orel said...

We were both wrong!

QuadSevens said...

I like both GH3 and Rock Band becuase they have different songs. Rock Band is definitely more fun for a group of people though.

karina said...

However, i'm tempted to buy Guitar Hero. Someday.

Orel said...

Here we Kuo!

Orel said...

Kuo K's Pujols to end the eighth! Kuo can be a buzzsaw!

Steve Sax said...

Blake and Kemp, both 0-for-4 today with men left on base...not good days for them.

Hail hail Manny, though!

Also, Andruw is patrolling center now, Juan-for-four (who indeed went 1-for-4) sits.

Steve Sax said...

I last saw Blade Runner on the big screen in 2002 or 2003 or so, up in San Francisco, in a big old-style theatre. And it was beautiful.

Orel said...

Broxton in to close it.

Steve Sax said...

Shit, Ludwick reaches to start the ninth.

Orel said...

One pitch, one on. Hang in there, Brox!

Steve Sax said...

Wild pitch advances Ludwick to second.

CALM THE HELL DOWN, BROXTON

karina said...

I bet it was a beautiful experience. I never watched it on the theater.

Orel said...

Broxton WPs Ludwick to 2nd, Glaus advances him to third on a ground out. Ignore the runner, Broxton.

Orel said...

Broxton is not himself today. Ball 3 to Lopez.

Orel said...

Tying run comes to the plate.

Steve Sax said...

4-pitch walk puts men at the corners with one away. Come on Broxton!

Steve Sax said...

Ankiel is up...I don't like this....

Steve Sax said...

150!

karina said...

Ankiel is up...

Steve Sax said...

Lopez steals second, so two RISP

Orel said...

Full count to Ankiel....

Orel said...

YES! K's Ankiel!

Steve Sax said...

Ankiel Ks! Here comes the Skipster.

Erin said...

Hey guys. I've been reading, but not commenting. Not a bad way to spend the lunch time hours, huh?

Orel said...

YES! Back to .500!

Orel said...

Hey Erin, love the picture. You look appropriately skeptical.

Steve Sax said...

Erin, good to see you.

Orel said...

Who gets more than an hour for lunch?

Steve Sax said...

Wow, we needed that win.

Dodgers back to .500
Manny Ramirez' Dodger career back to .500

2 GB

Go Blue!

Orel said...

Go Pirates!

Steve Sax said...

Erin, all that smack-talking about St Louisianans gave us bad karma.

Too bad we don't have a three-game series against Marfa.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, don't you mean "go braves"?

Erin said...

Well, I meant that the game took longer than an hour. I wasn't working, and got to watch on television. And I wasn't eating lunch at any point during the game. So, really, I was talking a lot of nonsense.

Yeah, I don't remember what I was talking about when that picture was taken, but I thought it was a pretty accurate one of me.

karina said...

Great game! let's go blue! (hi, Erin!)

Steve Sax said...

Erin, you look like you're saying, "I don't think that scalper had it right when he said these were dugout club seats."

Orel said...

No, I'm just rooting for Andy LaRoche's new team.

Yes, I meant Braves.

Steve Sax said...

2:33 time of game--pretty quick

Dodgers can get out of town quickly and fly to SF (time zones are in their favor).

Orel said...

"Juan Pierre instead of Andre Ethier? Right."

Steve Sax said...

Orel: huh?

Steve Sax said...

Colorado is getting rushed by the Nationals of all people. And worse than that, it's game one of a doubleheader.

Orel said...

I was putting words into Erin's mouth.

Orel said...

Good. The Rockies had their fun last year.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, I don't think you and I can make it to 200 alone.

karina said...

I can get into the mix.

QuadSevens said...

200 isn't far off. It can get there.

karina said...

Sax, remember we're searching for 400 on the game 72 thread.

Steve Sax said...

Quad and Karina!

Love you two.

Okay, how much do we love Manny's jolt to the team?

QuadSevens said...

I think I need to find a picture of me in some Dodgers gear or at a game. Everyone else is changing their profile picture, I might as well do it too.

Steve Sax said...

The funny thing about game 72 is that it actually isn't the GT with the most comments (at least, last time I looked)...

Steve Sax said...

I'm here in London right now. It is really, really late at night.

Steve Sax said...

But, i've got some neat photos to post!

QuadSevens said...

Manny has a 6 game hitting streak and 4 long balls since joining the Dodgers. We need to sign him no matter what at the end of the year.

Orel said...

Q7, you mean you don't actually look like that?

Sax, when do you go to London?

Erin said...

Sax, my girlfriend is going to London in ten days. I'm not looking forward to the time difference.

Orel said...

Manny is 36 years old. Would you sign him to a five-year deal?

Orel said...

No roadtrip for you, Erin?

QuadSevens said...

I'd give him 3 years, maybe 4. If we can pay Kent to play at the age of 40, I think Manny deserves it as well. He's a much better hitter.

Erin said...

No road trip. Flying to London is a bit too expensive. I would also have to fly back alone once the production moves to Cornwall (because there's nothing to do there), and I'm not a big fan of flying, especially alone.

karina said...

I'd love to see a new avatar, Quad. I need to put Coper on my Dodgers jersey for the avatar. Coper only owns winter baseball gear.

karina said...

What are they going to do with Pierre and Jones?

karina said...

Steve, are you gonna stay in London for a long time?

karina said...

Erin, is it going to be a long production?

Orel said...

Manny will be in demand and will be able to command a five-year deal. Going four years would be the equivalent of a hometown discount for him.

And guess who represents him? Scott Boras.

Orel said...

Too bad, Erin. London is expensive once you get there too, but that's what per diem is for.

Orel said...

Should I get my pup a Dodgers collar?

Orel said...

Jones is gone after next year. Pierre might be traded, but only if the Dodgers eat $15 million or so. Hey, if the Red Sox can eat $7 million, why not?

QuadSevens said...

We can only hope Manny tries to cut a deal with the Dodgers without much help from Boras since he loves the city. A-Rod did it in NY, maybe Manny can do the same.

karina said...

Of course!. Orel, how is your pup doing?

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