Monday, August 11, 2008

Game 118 Thread: August 11 vs. Phillies, 7p

Derek Lowe (8-10, 4.10) vs. Kyle Kendrick (10-5, 4.37).

COMMENTS: What, there are more games to play? Although this weekend's dual walk-off suckstravanganza against the Giants still lingers uncomfortably freshly in our minds, it's time to return our focus to the current schedule. So the Diamondbacks added a slugger of their own; can't control that, waiver wire shenanigans notwithstanding.

What to take solace in, then? Well, Lowe pitches well at Dodger Stadium and against the Phillies; he's due to rebound after his worst start of the year. 23-year-old (Youngster alert!) Kyle Kendrick is tied for the lead in wins for the Phillies, although he has a 6.75 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers. The prognosis? Things could be worse.

138 comments:

Orel said...

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

No Pierre again! Hopefully Ned is working on a waiver deal!

karina said...

I think this is the most decent lineup Torre can write right now.

Let's go blue! (we gotta keep optimistic, RIGHT?)

QuadSevens said...

Can we trade Pierre for a new washing machine?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0839980/

Orel said...

New avatar, Karina! Who's your friend?

Q7, the people have spoken: Ned should trade Pierre for a boot-shaped beer stein.

QuadSevens said...

HAHA! Great pole!

QuadSevens said...

Or poll. I'm heading out, my mind has shutdown already.

Steve Sax said...

Ned has been talked down to an old washing machine (non-energy efficient), which is holding up a deal. Damn top-loader.

Erin said...

Hey all,

I intend to hang out here tonight, but I just want to ask that we refrain from talking about Phelps, at least until the race actually airs here (which will be about 10:16 our time, apparently). It'll actually happen at 10:16 Eastern, which means it'll be all over ESPN and everywhere else, but I would really like to see it "live."

It's cool if people want to discuss it, but could you just give warning so I can leave? I don't want to harsh anyone's mellow; I just like surprises. I'm just hoping Vin doesn't find a reason to mention it.

Orel said...

I hereby declare this Game Thread a Phelps-Free Zone until 10:16 p.m.

Orel said...

Meanwhile, the true gluttons for punishment return for another Dodgers game.

Erin said...

Hey Orel, thanks. And thanks again for all the help with the html stuff. I'm still kind of dumb when it comes to all of it, but I'd like to think I learned a little bit in the last few days. Couldn't have done it without you!

Orel said...

Kemp gave it a ride but Victorino pulls a Spider-Man.

Orel said...

My pleasure, Erin. You did a great job!

Orel said...

Rays dealt a huge blow today with Longoria hitting the DL. Doesn't seem a fractured wrist can heal in 15 days.

Orel said...

I'm guessing Vin didn't say the word "dreadlocks" a lot before Manny got here.

Orel said...

I'm concerned. Manny hasn't hit a HR in his past five AB's.

Orel said...

Vin used the word "rhubarb." Keepin' it alive for a new generation!

Erin said...

I'll probably put this in my post about the tour, but here's something interesting that happened--I saw Jason Schmidt walking around the inner workings of the stadium. He had a small child with him, who I would imagine is his son. It was an interesting sighting. I refrained from asking him how he was enjoying his big pile of money.

Orel said...

Lowe sharp through two.

Orel said...

That's probably why he carries a small child around with him, Erin.

Orel said...

Looong single for Loney to lead off the bottom of the second.

Orel said...

WTF?

Orel said...

Balk called on Kendrick. Loney to second.

Erin said...

Barring the supremely obvious ones, I never ever see balks. Every time they show replays, I'm like, "That looks exactly the same as every other pitching motion I've ever seen."

Of course, I switched back to the channel after it happened, so I missed the replay of this one. Was it obvious?

Orel said...

Martin dribbles out. Is he officially in a slump now?

Orel said...

I have a feeling Lowe won't be seeing much run support tonight. Again.

Orel said...

The balk wasn't obvious at all. The balk rule must be one of the most misunderstood in baseball.

Orel said...

Berroa is a defensive hero-a! Tonight, at least.

Erin said...

I'd say balk is up there with the checked swing as the most misunderstood rules in the game.

Orel said...

...or the rules for an earned run.

Orel said...

Rollins pulls a Berroa, then boots Kemp's hot potato.

Orel said...

Vin loves Kemp. Hopefully management is listening.

Orel said...

Ethier walks. This is why we don't start Pierre.

Orel said...

Davey Lopes took pictures with Garvey, Russell and Cey before the game. Nice.

Kent plunked. Rancho Ardiendo for Manny!

Erin said...

I love Rancho Ardiendo. I should have considered it for the new blog name.

karina said...

Manny 2-run RBI double!

Epale Orel and Erin!

Orel said...

Manny doubles home two!

Orel said...

Epale, K!

karina said...

Erin, "Rancho Ardiendo" is a very venezuelan expression.

karina said...

King James with the RBI double!

Orel said...

I swear, Kershaw looks like a batboy.

Orel said...

Werth cuts down Loney at the plate! Bowa dared him to make a perfect throw and he did.

karina said...

I thought the same thing, Orel.

karina said...

Son Martin got a single, let's see if he gets out of that slump.

karina said...

Blake HR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

karina said...

Dodgers 6-Phillies 0

Orel said...

Wow, Blake trying to amend for yesterday.

Notice I said trying.

Orel said...

Time to watch the Daily Show. Back in a few minutes.

karina said...

"Trying" is a good word. Most of us are traumatized with his error.

karina said...

I gotta say no matter what, i have a soft spot for Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. They both played with Aguilas with outstanding results. Rollins was MVP in the last Aguilas championship.

karina said...

Kemp singled!

karina said...

Kemp stole second, reached third on an error.

karina said...

Kent with the RBI single. Dodgers 7, Phillies 1

Orel said...

Hi, I'm back for Manny's next AB!

Orel said...

Walks. Big shock.

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo again. King James is up. Pitching change.

Orel said...

Let's see how King James wields his scepter.

Orel said...

The lefty pitcher K's Loney.

How wrong was I about Lowe's run support tonight, by the way?

karina said...

Orel, it is so right you were wrong.

Orel said...

Martin K's too.

karina said...

Orel, i'm watching you on ESPN. You're wearing the coolest tie i've ever seen, tres chic!

Orel said...

Orel Hershiser has never been known as a fashionable guy. Until now, I guess!

Orel said...

Such a sweet picture in your avatar, Karina!

karina said...

Maybe, the Dodgers would want to keep Lowe. One of the things i'm afraid Lowe leaving the team, is the fact they could sign a guy like Freddy Garcia, just because he is experienced and could come very cheap.

karina said...

Blake is 3-2 so far.

karina said...

I forgot to answer your question. The girl on the picture is my friend Fabiola. She's the daughter of the lady who sells beer in the stands, so she always sits on my lap to watch the game. She's the sweetest and smartest girl, i love her!

karina said...

Great bunt by Lowe!

Orel said...

Kemp getting some respect!

Orel said...

CC Sabathia's free-agent signing will have a big effect on Lowe.

Orel said...

Uh-oh, Phils threatening. 7-2 Dodgers.

Lowe gets out of the 6th.

Steve Sax said...

Well, Phelps' relay was awesome. Way to vanquish the French smack-talkers!

Whoops, did I spoil it, erin?

Orel said...

Kent doubles!

Orel said...

That's mean, Sax.

Steve Sax said...

Boooooooooo (IBB of Manny here in the sixth)

Orel said...

Nice pick by Howard. Where was this offense in San Francisco?

Orel said...

Wow, IBB to Martin.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, I was talking about Sun night. Btw if you didn't see it, you should watch it on nbcsports.com. It's pretty compelling television.

Let's go, Casey!

Orel said...

I know, Sax. But you fooled me a little.

Orel said...

And that was an amazing finish.

Orel said...

Okay, Vin saying Brett Favre looks like David Beckham.

Not all white people look alike, Vin.

Orel said...

WOW Ethier missed that by a mile!

Steve Sax said...

Ethier, you're a starter now. Play like one.

Orel said...

Martin almost with another strike-three wild pitch. But the Dodgers escape. 7-4, do think we'll see Broxton tonight? And how will the crowd greet him?

karina said...

Maybe he thinks he should play Pierre-alike in order to be a starter.

Orel said...

Speaking of which...!

Orel said...

Pierre will try to steal here to impress Torre.

Steve Sax said...

Karina, your new avatar is gorgeous. Dare I say I like it more...than my Colleague Orel's shot with a nun?

Pierre with a single! You'd better steal, Juan.

karina said...

Pierre caught stealing. That booing is very cruel.

karina said...

That's very sweet, Sax. Thank you very much.

Orel said...

Nobody's impressed, Juan.

Steve Sax said...

Utley's non-chalant tag works. Impressive block of the bag, dude. Juan equals erased.

Watch Kemp double...

Steve Sax said...

...Or, hit a run-scoring single (if Juan had stolen the bag).

Steve Sax said...

Ethier pulls a Loney, GIDP.

Ouch, that is harsh. I'm sorry!

Orel said...

Extreme shift on Howard works perfectly.

Orel said...

3 pitches, 1 K. Good confidence-booster for Broxton.

Orel said...

If the Dodgers score here, let's see if Torre keeps Broxton in a non-save situation.

karina said...

Go King James!

Steve Sax said...

Sorry I keep double posting here. Can't manage the blackberry.

Manny with another long single. Men at the corners--com on FJL!

karina said...

I called it! wait, isn't the ball dead?

Erin said...

Hey guys. Sorry I was gone for a while. I've been watching some recorded shows. Turns out I saw the results of the Phelps' race earlier anyway. Stupid internet. It airs in fifteen minutes here, so I still won't blow it for anyone who cares.

Orel said...

WHERE WAS THIS OFFENSE IN SF???

Steve Sax said...

Loney with a sweet RBI double--stopping the ball dead against the tarp! Wow.

IBB to Martin, come on Casey!

Orel said...

Erin, you basically have to go into hibernation to not be surprised.

Steve Sax said...

Erin, don't make me switch channels, what happened?

Blake grounds into a force. One out with rancho ardiendo and an Angel up.

Erin said...

I know, Orel. It's painful. It would be okay if NBC would show the Phelps' stuff at 7:15 here, which is when it was live, but apparently that's not "live" enough.

Erin said...

Is everyone okay with the results of the swimming being out there? I don't want to ruin it for anyone.

karina said...

Berroa GIDP.

Steve Sax said...

Angel Berroa is just really, really bad with the bat. Bring back Chin-Lung Hu!

Orel said...

Broxton still in.

Steve Sax said...

C'mon Erin, don't play hard to get...is phelps on track still?

Orel said...

I'm okay, Erin, I already peeked.

Erin said...

Phelps is looking good for the record.

karina said...

I know but i won't spoil it.

Orel said...

Phelps is a swimmer, Sax.

Orel said...

(Get it?)

karina said...

Where was Manny?

Erin said...

I got it, Orel. I actually had to read Sax's question twice to make sure he didn't think Phelps was running the 200m tonight, instead of swimming it.

Steve Sax said...

Oh crap, here comes wild Jon again. Come on, big boy!

Orel said...

No such thing as a 1-2-3 inning for Broxton.

Orel said...

Manny was in the clubhouse...being Manny.

Steve Sax said...

Let's go, Brox.

Let's go, Phelps.

Steve Sax said...

Didn't this guy play for the T-wolves at one time?

Orel said...

Whatever Torre said to Broxton, it worked.

Steve Sax said...

Ah, what is up with the sad person in the crowd behind Phelps' mom? What a spoilsport.

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo, Utley is up...

Orel said...

Ninth-inning defense is not our forte. Rancho Ardiendo for Chase Utley—the tying run.

Steve Sax said...

Hu could have made that play...

karina said...

That foul scared the hell out of me...

Orel said...

Let's not throw that pitch again.

Steve Sax said...

Broxton cant get Utley to Chase! 8-6, not looking good.

Orel said...

PHEW

Steve Sax said...

Wow, that was close.

Get some swagger, Brox!

Go Blue!

Orel said...

Why did that win feel like a loss? Hard to believe we're only one game back, feels like more.

Orel said...

"What happened in San Francisco is in the past." —the sage Manny Ramirez

karina said...

Night, guys. Tomorrow's game will be very interesting.

Orel said...

Night! Great matchup tomorrow.

karina said...

USA female softball team defeating Venezuela female softball team. 6-0, 4th inning.

Damon said...

They trying to give us a heart attack