Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Game 157 Thread: Sept 23 vs. Padres, 7p

Chad Billingsley (15-10, 3.22) vs. Wade LeBlanc (1-1. 5.63).

COMMENTS: Six games to go, magic number at five--the same number as the interstate that links tonight's two teams. It's crunch time, and the Dodgers will need to get some mojo back after dropping the series to the Giants, courtesy of limp bats in two of the three games. Billingsley is coming off a rough start in Pittsburgh, giving up six earned runs and two HRs to Adam LaRoche; he is 0-2 against the Padres this year. LeBlanc got pummeled by us on Sept 3, but pitched six innings of one-run ball against us in his next start, so perhaps he has figured our lineup out. I don't want to say this is a must-win game--every game is must-win, until we are fortunate enough to clinch--but I can't envision a homestand-ending series getting much more important than this.

52 comments:

Orel said...

Cards 4, D'backs 0, top 2!

Orel said...

Cards 4, D'backs 2, bot 4....

Orel said...

Cards 5, D'backs 2, bot 5!

karina said...

Montero HR. Cards 5- DBacks 3

Steve Sax said...

Cards up 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth, man on second with two out and Michael Phelps at bat.

Orel said...

Cards 5, D'backs 3, bot 6....

karina said...

Back to back singles by Izturis and Lopez. Pujols at the plate...one out.

Loney Fan said...

Come on Pujols!

Orel said...

Kemp. CF
Martin. C
Ramirez. LF
Ethier. RF
Garciaparra 1B
Blake. 3B
DeWitt. 2B
Berroa. SS
Billingsley. P

Wow, Nomar's starting!

Cards 7, D'backs 3, bot 7!

Orel said...

Here we go!

karina said...

Back to back RBI singles, courtesy of Pujols and Glaus. Runners at first&second. Still one out.

Orel said...

Chad starts with a K. Nice.

karina said...

Tony Jackson says King James is sitting just because LeBlanc is a lefty.

Orel said...

1-4-3 DP!

Orel said...

Actually, that should be 1-6-3.

Orel said...

Four-pitch walk for Kemp!

Orel said...

Martin still looks determined to have a maximum-effort swing every time.

Orel said...

...and he maximum-swings into a double!

Orel said...

Manny with a 2-RBI double! Glad the scoreless streak is over! 2-0 Dodgers!

karina said...

An one pitch double. Sweeeeeeeet!

karina said...

Ethier walks! no outs.

Orel said...

NomaHR! 5-0 Dodgers w/0 out!

Erin said...

NOMAH!!!!!

Orel said...

Reports of Nomar's early retirement may have been greatly exaggerated....

Orel said...

Happy about the Sox, Erin?

Orel said...

Karina, how long have we been back with the gnome avatar?

karina said...

Blake follows with a single...

Orel said...

Hit parade!

Orel said...

Cards 7, D'backs 4, top 8....

karina said...

Sox won...postseason is a lock for them...

Gnome was back on August 29th. I need to put Nostradamus on speed dial.

Orel said...

Maybe the gnome does know what he's doing.

Orel said...

C'mon Bills, don't imitate LeBlanc.

karina said...

He won't. He's an ace.

karina said...

Gnome knows. Lovely, Orel!

Orel said...

Just your typical 8-5-4 out.

karina said...

I don't know why you even bring that routine double-play...(hope i can see it on the Strike Zone Channel)

Orel said...

6-1 Dodgers....

Orel said...

Chad is wobbly.

Orel said...

It was a pretty incredible play, Karina. Kemp tried to get the runner going to third, but Casey Blake came off third and relayed immediately to get the batter at second.

Assist #15 for Kemp.

Orel said...

MAGIC NUMBER IS FOUR

Loney Fan said...

Viva Los Dodgers!!!


Magia número cuatro!!!

karina said...

Thanks for the description, Orel.

I don't want Bills to be shaky. I've got two great performances from my boy Greinke and Baker (talking about conflict of interests). I need those points because Loney is not playing tonight.

Orel said...

Wow, the Padres are the Keystone Kops tonight.

karina said...

I always learn something new here. Had no idea about the Keystone Kops.

karina said...

Giles doubles. Gonzalez's up. 2 outs.

Orel said...

Chad with his second RBI tonight! 7-1 Dodgers!

karina said...

Kemp leadoff single. Stole second. Son K.

Orel said...

Chad has recovered and has held steady over five.

Orel said...

3-run HR by DeWitt! 10-1 Dodgers! Save some for tomorrow, boys!

Orel said...

#50!

Steve Sax said...

Even Pierre can get a hit in tonight's romp. I'm going tomorrow...too bad we can't clinch while I'm there!

Steve Sax said...

Okay, I know I called for the apocalypse with my post today, but I have to say, 3 sounds a lot better than 5.

Keep up the pressure, boys!