Thursday, September 18, 2008

Game 153 Thread: Sept 18 @ Pirates, 9.30a

Clayton Kershaw (4-5, 4.41) vs. Paul Maholm (9-8, 3.68).

COMMENTS: Morning, sleepyheads! For the first time in 17 days, the Dodgers didn't trim at least one game from their magic number, which remains at eight. The Dodgers' lead over the Diamondbacks is 3.5 with ten games left. The Dodgers are 12-3 in September. Things are looking good, but the post-season? We're not talking about it.

So what are we talking about? Kershaw, for starters. The Dodgers have won his past three starts, but Kershaw has already thrown 157 innings this year (96 for the Dodgers and 61 for Jacksonville). If you believe in what SI.com's Tom Verducci calls the "Year-After Effect," then Kershaw, after throwing 122 innings between Jacksonville and Great Lakes last year, should be done for the season. Instead, he's in the thick of a pennant race. Present versus future? It's a tough call.

In the other dugout, Maholm is nearing 200 innings pitched himself. If the Dodgers can make him throw a lot of pitches early, then maybe they can get to the Pirates' bullpen, which they touched up for three runs yesterday before their own bullpen imploded. In any case, this has already been a winning road trip for the Dodgers; today's outcome determines if they will have gone 7-3 or 6-4. Ah, September baseball!

AP photo

125 comments:

Steve Sax said...

Thanks for getting this GameThread at 6.10am, Orel!

Steve Sax said...

This is hilarious. I'm checking back in almost three hours later, and no one has commented! Must have been soooome party last night!

Steve Sax said...

Dodgers down 1-0 in the top of the third.

Pirates got their run on a McClouth sac fly in the first.

Dodgers do not have a hit yet, but with two out they've got a runner on second (Berroa, walked and Kershaw sacrificed), and Martin is up.

Steve Sax said...

Martin gets a four-pitch walk to bring up Ethier with men at first and second. Ethier is batting a very cool .300.

Steve Sax said...

Ethier grounds to first to end the inning. I don't think Ethier has been the same since his return from the birth of his child...

To be fair, having gone through this myself, it is a pretty disruptive life event. I can give him a break. But that run would have been nice.

Steve Sax said...

Minotaur has thrown a lot of pitches so far, but he gets through the 3rd with two Ks and a ground out.

1-0 Bucs.

Erin said...

Yay! A hit!

I came over to say that I'd be pissed if the Dodgers got no-hit today.

Erin said...

Guess I should have started commenting earlier.

Dodgers up, 2-1.

Steve Sax said...

LA 2-1 on a DeWitt single to score Manny (who walked) and Kemp (who doubled--great to see it coming back, Matty!).

Steve Sax said...

2-1 Dodgers after 4.

Orel said...

Hi all! Monday & Reuss are in fine form on the radio today.

Reuss: "...but [some setback] did not discern him." Distress + concern = discern.

Monday: "Morgan has been well-recepted in Pittsburgh." Received + accepted = recepted.

Steve Sax said...

Bucs in the bottom of the fifth have Paul Maholm up with a man on first and one out. Not necessarily surprising, since Maholm is pitching a two-hitter, but...

Maholm called K on three pitches.

Steve Sax said...

Monday + Jerry = Merry?

Steve Sax said...

At least you can hear the game, Orel. I'm stuck down here, in the basement structure with 12" thick concrete walls. Gameday is it for me, baby.

Steve Sax said...

On to the sixth inning, 2-1 Dodgers.

Steve Sax said...

Andy LaRoche is in perfect position to put a dagger into us.

They IBB his brother to get to him.
Saito is pitching, with men at first and second and two away.

Steve Sax said...

7th pitch of the at bat, many balls fouled off. It's still 2-2 with two away and two on; the deuces are wild!

Steve Sax said...

...And Andy gets the single to score the man from second, tying the game. Dammit!

2-2.

Steve Sax said...

Saito Ks Chris Gomez to end the inning, stranding two on base. 2-2 after 6 innings.

Well, at least the good news is, Saito pitched 25 pitches and looked like he could hang tough in adversity.

Orel said...

We never should have traded for Manny!

Erin said...

Why would they leave the bunt on for DeWitt with a 3-1 count? It doesn't matter, since Maholm walked DeWitt, but still. That move doesn't make any sense.

Orel said...

Young not Sweeney!

Erin said...

I know NL convention says you bunt Berroa there, but I don't like the move. Maholm walked two guys in a row. Why give him a break by handing him an out?

Erin said...

So Young pops up and there are two outs with a runner still at third. That bunt move makes even less sense now.

Orel said...

Rancho Ardiendo for Andre Ethier!

Orel said...

Hard to argue with that logic, Erin. Torre is playing for the one- or two-run lead, as opposed to trying to bust it open.

Damon said...

Ethier RBI!!

Orel said...

Andy LaRoche taketh, Andy LaRoche giveth. 3-2 Dodgers.

Steve Sax said...

IBB to Martin to load the bases, but Ethier comes through with the tie-breaking single.

Rancho ardiendo for the Dodgers with Manny up and two out. Come on, Manny, mash this puppy.

Erin said...

And Ethier gets a tiny dribbler up the line, but that's all we needed. Run scores. 3-2, Dodgers. Ramirez up with the bases juiced.

Steve Sax said...

crap. Manny, no mash.

Steve Sax said...

3-2 Dodgers.

Steve Sax said...

Cory Wade doesn't have a straight-on mug shot, like everyone else.

Orel said...

Ethier assist to nail Mint-kay-vitch!

Erin said...

Andre made an awesome throw there.

Steve Sax said...

two out single against wade, here in the 7th

Steve Sax said...

Nyjer Morgan steals second. Come on, Cory.

Erin, how the heck are you? Are you still in Idaho? Back on the meds?

Steve Sax said...

CRAP, Cruz at least ties it if not more

Erin said...

I'm actually in Seattle now, but I leave here tomorrow to head back south (after a two-day detour in San Francisco).

There is absolutely no reason we should be having this much difficulty against Pittsburgh.

Orel said...

Why is Tommy Lasorda yelling at me over the radio?

Steve Sax said...

3-3, on to the eighth

Steve Sax said...

orel, did you catch my tommy epigraph at the end of my "we're not talking about it" post?

I'm telling you, I hear a lot of the games on the radio, and when I hear Tommy barking at me about going to Aamco, I kinda get pissed off about it and want to avoid them (and him) altogether. I'd rather wait until Tommy calms the hell down.

Steve Sax said...

Will the person masquerading a James Loney, now 0-for-4 and coming off a horendous error last night, please return Loney's jersey to its proper owner?

Steve Sax said...

All right, DeWitt. Kemp does his part by singling and stealing second. Now score him.

Orel said...

Sweeney batting for Berroa. Hmmm.

Steve Sax said...

...or, don't get the opportunity, as you have been IBBd.

Guess the Pirates are going for Berroa-k.

Erin said...

Yeah, this should work out beautifully.

Steve Sax said...

Oh no, it's Sweeney.

Why even bother with a coaching visit to the mound? Unless you're trying to stop your pitcher from laughing, that is.

Orel said...

Saw that, Sax. When I listen to the Dodgers on the radio, it's usually in the car and I mute the commercials. But with today's rare morning game, I've got it on at work.

Steve Sax said...

Sweeney pinch-hitting for Berroa likely means: Dog Let The Hu Out.

Woof, woof woof.

Orel said...

Kemp caught at third for out #3. That'll set his cause back a few weeks.

Erin said...

You think Kemp was going on his own there? Not a good move, getting thrown out at third for the third out, even if it is Sweeney at the plate.

Steve Sax said...

WTF is Kemp doing trying to steal third???

Steve Sax said...

That is an awful, awful call

Orel said...

Sax, you are on fire with the puns. Or at least you've got a little bonfire going.

Steve Sax said...

Okay, here comes the ninth.

I guess Hu has to lead off?

Steve Sax said...

my god, we are going down like creampuffs in the ninth

Steve Sax said...

Martin is 0-for-3 in the leadoff spot today

Steve Sax said...

Oh dear, Chan Ho is pitching the ninth

Steve Sax said...

Double play! Extra baseball!

Steve Sax said...

One out, Ethier on second, and they IBB Blake to get to Loney.

MAKE THEM PAY, JAMES

Steve Sax said...

Loney Ks, capping an 0-for-5 day. Come on, James. We expect better.

Orel said...

DeWITT! RUSSELL!

Erin said...

That was a crazy play.

Orel said...

I have a bad feeling about this.

Orel said...

Casey Blake's a busy boy in the 11th.

Orel said...

Ethier does not bunt here.

Steve Sax said...

Leadoff walk for Martin in the 12th. Let's make something of this, this time!

karina said...

Hi guys! join in just in time to see Dodgers win.

Erin said...

Can they please just win already? I'm so hungry, and I can't go get something to eat without seeing the end of this game.

Orel said...

Rancho Ardiendo II: The Redemption of James Loney

Orel said...

Erin, I seem to remember your being in this position earlier this season.

Orel said...

Epale, Karina!

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo for King James!

Steve Sax said...

Wonderful AB from Blake to work a walk out of an 0-2 count. Rancho ardiendo for the Dodgers...and here is James Loney to make magic happen!

Free yourself, King James!

karina said...

If numbers are to be believed, King james should have at least a single...

Erin said...

Yes. The Dodgers take up too much of my time, and I have forsaken eating more than once. My parents are remodeling their house, and we're all crammed into two rooms. The refrigerator is outside. There is no food here, so I have to leave to get it.

Come on, Loney!

Steve Sax said...

Erin, your avatar is looking a little malnourished as well.

Steve Sax said...

Erin:

Local business results for pizza delivery near Seattle, WA A. Pagliacci PIzza: Queen Anne - www.pagliacci.com - (206) 726-1717 - 54 reviews

B. Pagliacci Pizza: Broadway - www.pagliacci.com - (206) 726-1717 - 43 reviews

C. Pagliacci Pizza: University - www.pagliacci.com - (206) 726-1717 - 17 reviews

D. Mad Pizza - Madison Park - www.madpizza.com - (206) 329-7037 - 12 reviews

E. Zeeks Pizza - Belltown - www.zeekspizza.com - (206) 285-8646 - 36 reviews

F. Mad Pizza - First Hill - www.madpizza.com - (206) 322-7447 - 14 reviews

G. Pizza Hut: Delivery or Carry Out - www.pizzahut.com - (206) 325-3200 - 6 reviews

H. Pizza Hut: Delivery or Carry Out - www.pizzahut.com - (206) 783-3700 - 1 review

I. Mad Pizza - Fremont - maps.google.com - (206) 632-5453 - 6 reviews

J. Snoose Junction Pizza - www.snoosejunctionpizzeria.com - (206) 789-2305 - 10 reviews
More results near Seattle, WA »

Orel said...

There you go, James! 4-3 Dodgers!

Orel said...

SoSG: We are full-service.

Steve Sax said...

Loney makes it happen!

Anybody watching it, can you please describe it?

karina said...

Harry Potter reference:

"Loney is my King"

Orel said...

Kemp did not atone for his baserunning. DeWitt's turn to try for insurance.

karina said...

Indeed, Orel. This was King James Loney's redemption...

Erin said...

Loney's hit was on opposite field single. Nice piece of hitting.

Thanks for the pizza results, Steve. But after two weeks of eating Wendy's, I think I'm going for some salads for a few days.

Steve Sax said...

and that's all we'll get is one run? Hmm.

Well, make the most of it, Dodger D!

Orel said...

Go Brox!

karina said...

Gameday says Proctor is pitching

Erin said...

Gameday is wrong, unless Proctor packed on about 100 pounds.

Steve Sax said...

erin:

Local business results for salad delivery near Seattle, WA A. Mad Pizza - Madison Park - www.madpizza.com - (206) 329-7037 - 12 reviews

B. Roma Trattoria - www.romatrattoria.com - (206) 547-9992 - 8 reviews

C. Pagliacci PIzza: Queen Anne - www.pagliacci.com - (206) 726-1717 - 54 reviews

D. Pagliacci Pizza: Broadway - www.pagliacci.com - (206) 726-1717 - 43 reviews

E. Zeeks Pizza - Belltown - www.zeekspizza.com - (206) 285-8646 - 36 reviews

F. Zeeks Pizza - Phinney Ridge - www.zeekspizza.com - (206) 285-8646 - 31 reviews

G. Pagliacci Pizza: University - www.pagliacci.com - (206) 726-1717 - 17 reviews

H. Sunlight Cafe - www.igougo.com - (206) 522-9060 - 21 reviews

I. Snoose Junction Pizza - www.snoosejunctionpizzeria.com - (206) 789-2305 - 10 reviews

J. Pagliacci Pizza: Seattle Area Delivery - www.pagliacci.com - (206) 726-1717 - 7 reviews
More results near Seattle, WA »


------------
What's funny is that it's mostly the same places that I posted for pizza delivery.

karina said...

They just changed it...

Orel said...

Brox K's the first batter but has thrown almost all balls since.

Steve Sax said...

We face Pittsburgh's 9-1-2?

Steve Sax said...

Gameday is so far behind, I'm still on the pitching change.

Erin said...

Who the hell is this Morgan guy? Why is he a Dodger killer?

Come on, Broxton. I can't keep watching after this inning, so just get it done.

Steve Sax said...

Orel, please do the play-by-play, Gameday is lagging

Orel said...

Broxton deflects and recovers! Two out, man on third....

Steve Sax said...

Who is Morgan? What is going on????

Steve Sax said...

100!

Steve Sax said...

Orel, keep 'em coming

Orel said...

Sorry, I gotta switch to Gameday.

Steve Sax said...

gameday brox hasn't even pitched one ball to doumit yet

Erin said...

Broxton walked Nyjer (sp?) Morgan, then got a comebacker and threw the batter out at first. Two outs, runner at third.

Steve Sax said...

HHEEEEELLLLLPPPPP

Erin said...

I'll keep you up to date on this, Sax. I'm hoping I'll just have to do that job for this one last batte.r

karina said...

Isn't Morgan the same guy who was driving when the police checked on Neimel, Young and Martin?

Steve Sax said...

I feel like I'm outside the time-space continuum here, waiting for events to happen at glacial speed.

Maybe this is what Barry Allen feels like.

Erin said...

They are intentionally walking the batter (maybe McClouth--my volume is down).

karina said...

I'm feeling your pain too, Steve

Erin said...

Yes Karina, the same guy.

Steve Sax said...

Thanks erin.

I owe you another beer.

And a salad.

Erin said...

Okay, so intentional walk puts runners at first and third. Two outs, Jason Michaels at the plate.

Steve Sax said...

If Martin et al bought Morgan's dinner, he'd better not score here.

Steve Sax said...

Is Jason related to Bret? Or Al?

Erin said...

1-2 count to Michaels.

Steve Sax said...

Or maybe I'm Wally West.

Steve Sax said...

Can we please unskinny bop Michaels here

Erin said...

2-2 count.

Steve Sax said...

I need some antacid

Erin said...

Michaels pops up to short right, DeWitt makes the play, and the Dodgers win.

Steve Sax said...

Thank you, Erin!

Thank you, Broxton!

Thank you, DODGERS!!!

Steve Sax said...

Orel and I are at the game tomorrow!

Erin said...

Okay, time to eat.

karina said...

I guess you both will be our lucky charm. I'll get to watch the game on TV.

Thank you very much Erin!

Let's go Blue!