Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Game 120 Thread: August 13 vs. Phillies, 7p

Brad Penny (6-9, 5.66) vs. Joe Blanton (6-12, 4.71).

COMMENTS: Last week Penny came off the disabled list throwing soft-toss and somehow ended up with a win against the Giants. That was the only game the Dodgers won in that series; let's just say Sunday was a dark day for Dodger fans. But a mere two days later, we were celebrating Andre Ethier's walk-off hit against the Phillies, marking the Dodgers' second consecutive win despite facing some of Philadelphia's best pitchers. Crazy game, huh?

Tonight Blanton stands between the Dodgers and a much-needed series win; unsurprisingly, Blanton has benefited from moving to the National League, lowering his WHIP to 1.091 and posting a 136 ERA+. Will the Dodger bats respond? Well, Manny Ramirez is 13-for-21 (but with no home runs!) against Blanton. Certainly Ethier deserves to start after last night's heroics. And despite going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, Russell Martin showed he can still contribute offensively by scoring the winning run.

67 comments:

Erin said...

The question is: which of you will be proposing tonight?

Steve Sax said...

Sax and Orel will be at the game in field level. Comment if you're at the game and want to grab a beer.

Erin, no proposing--we wouldn't want to try and fill your shoes!

Orel said...

Nice one, Erin!

Steve Sax said...

At least we won't be missing any Phelps races tonight...

Steve Sax said...

Russell Martin was awesome in the ninth last night, scoring the winning run after getting hit on the foot.

Let's see who will take one for the team tonight!

karina said...

I got a proposal!

Erin said...

Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Jeff Kent, 2B
Manny Ramirez, LF
James Loney, 1B
Casey Blake, 3B
Nomar Garciaparra, SS
Russell Martin, C
Brad Penny, P


Karina, what? Someone proposed?

Erin said...

Colorado is beating Arizona 2-0 early on.

Erin said...

Make that 3-0.

Loney Fan said...

Arrggghhh!

Loney Fan said...

Ouch! Time for Penny to go back to Vegas.

Erin said...

Brad Penny is showing that he's not at all the ace of this staff. Probably the fifth-best starter we have. Two two-run home runs in the first inning will help you earn that title.

4-0, Phillies.

Steve Sax said...

That was NOT a good start.

Steve Sax said...

Come on, Free James Loney!

karina said...

Go King James!

karina said...

I'll settle for that walk, King James.

Loney Fan said...

Ahahahaha nothing better than back to back walks scoring a run!

Erin said...

Casey Blake looked awful in that at-bat.

So, will Nomar do anything productive here?

Erin said...

Nope.

karina said...

Erin, i wasn't proposed. I'm not loved in that way.

This is my proposal: spring 2009. Dodger Stadium. Dodger dog. Some beer. My company while at a baseball game.

Would you join me?

Erin said...

Karina, of course. Assuming I'm in town (which is likely), I'll be glad to join you at Dodger Stadium. I think you'll find a few more takers around here, too.

karina said...

Three home runs, This is not looking good.

Erin, i'm glad you accepted!

Alex Cora said...

What the heck? Man, looks like the long ball is popular today - for the Phils!

karina said...

Mr. Ethier, you might be right but don't argue too much, because we'll have to endure Juan Pierre. Please.

Erin said...

It's strange, but I feel like we still have a chance. If Penny can just settle down for a few innings, I think we can get to Blanton. We just have to do it quickly, before they can bring in any of their solid relievers.

Of course, a little help from the defense would help Penny. A ball drops between three fielders, as Kent looks like he actually pulls his glove away from the ball. Time for another two-run shot?

Erin said...

We better manage that comeback. Arizona has come back to tie Colorado, 4-4.

Steve Sax said...

Pleeeeeeeease take out Penny

Steve Sax said...

Karina, erin...let me just say: Orel and I have better seats than Larry King. They are awesome.

Erin said...

Should we be looking in a specific place on television?

karina said...

Wow, Sons!. Hope you have a great time down there!

Erin said...

Manny makes it 6-3!

Loney follows with a single. See? We can do this!

karina said...

That Manny HR is the most beautiful thing i've seen today!

Loney singles and there is no outs. Your words were heard, Erin.

Erin said...

Man, Blanton has Blake's number. He just looks silly up there.

Loney Fan said...

Manny continues to do his job, the rest of the team has to continue to do theirs and get on base in front of him.

karina said...

Martin singles, Sweeney at the plate, rally ends.

Loney Fan said...

Yeah Russ! Time to turn it around

Erin said...

MARK SWEENEY SUCKS.

At the games I've been to lately, no one seems to boo Sweeney. I don't get it. He's worse than Andruw Jones. He makes me even angrier than Andruw Jones does, since Jones has a tiny bit of value on defense.

karina said...

I knew this was going to happen. At least we've lost him for the late innings of this game.

Loney Fan said...

I agree with Erin. We may not have much more time with Blanton. We have to take advantage of it in the next inning or it may be too late.

Erin said...

At least Sweeney's at-bat there means that we have the top of the order up in the next inning.

And that's where we're going to make our move.

Erin said...

Colorado 6, Arizona 4. Two outs, nobody on in the bottom of the eighth (they're in Colorado).

Loney Fan said...

Colorado's doing their part. 6-4 in the bottom of the 8th

karina said...

Announcer at Strike Zone Channel: AbndreEthier HR, that's why everybody is in love with him. Ditto.

Loney Fan said...

Juan who? When was the last time JP drove one out?

Erin said...

September 18, 2006 was the date of Pierre's last home run.

I hope he rots on the bench.

Steve Sax said...

I am sitting with women who have fallen in love with Andre Ethier...

Erin said...

Hell, I'm in love with him, so you know he's got something.

karina said...

I love him too. My mom loves him too. He causes that effect, i guess.

Loney Fan said...

I won't take my wife to seats below infield reserve so she can't get close to him.

Loney Fan said...

One last shot at Blanton

Erin said...

Rockies win!

karina said...

Colorado won, 6 to 5.

Damon said...

Sorry ladies and gents he's married

Damon said...

Rockies win!

Erin said...

The eight spot seems to be working well for Martin tonight. Too bad Johnson is pitching so well, because he has to bat for himself here. I'm praying for a hit.

Steve Sax said...

Why the f did we not pinch hit for johnson in the fifth, if we throw a dog like sweeney out there in the third?

karina said...

Johnson grounded. Ugh.

Erin said...

Sax, Orel, one of you needs to propose to someone near you. Just do it. We need that karma.

I just assumed, strangely, I guess, that if Johnson was going to hit for himself, he would be pitching this inning. What the hell was Joe thinking there? Johnson was doing very well.

And now with the bases loaded, Park comes in. Against a home run hitting team. And I start to worry. A lot.

karina said...

Park struck out Burrel. Relief.

Erin said...

Well, that was a letdown of a sixth inning.

I'll be watching Project Runway on my TiVo for the next 45 minutes.

Steve Sax said...

Tell you what, Erin. We'll propose to larry bowa next inning.

Alex Cora said...

NOMAR IS SO CLUTCH!!!!

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Um, not the most exciting call I've ever heard of a walk off homer. Go Blue.

Alex Cora said...

HOLY MOLEY! That was awesome - plus the celebration was great with Bowa dancing and the team lifting Nomar up! GO Blue! Back in first place!!!

karina said...

These ninth innings comebacks are going to do so well with team chemistry!

Orel said...

Just got back home. Let me just say: not a bad game to be at!

Oh, and tied for first place again!

Steve Sax said...

Wow, that was amaaaaazing. Go Dodgers!