Sunday, May 03, 2009

Game 26 Thread: May 3 vs. Padres, 1p

Chad Billingsley (4-0, 2.14) vs. Chad Gaudin (0-0, 0.00).

COMMENTS:

  • A win today would give the Dodgers series sweeps of three of their four NL West opponents. And it's only May.
  • The Dodgers' 9-0 record at Dodger Stadium ties them with the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers for the best home start in club history. (Never mind what happened to that 1946 squad.)
  • Coincidentally, the Dodgers' 17-8 overall record ties them with the Cardinals for the best record in the major leagues. But the Cardinals seem to have a slight edge in the overall numbers:

    HITTING
    R H HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG GIDP
    Dodgers 134 242 22 129 121 164 .283 .374 .429 25
    Cardinals 140 235 29 138 99 150 .280 .359 .452 18

    PITCHING
    ERA CG SHO SV SVO R ER HR BB SO
    Dodgers 3.96 0 2 9 16 97 96 17 94 179
    Cardinals 3.57 1 1 9 14 104 89 17 82 162

    I just noticed the Dodgers have surrendered only one unearned run this season. Can that be? Wow.

  • Housekeeping notes: James McDonald has been moved back to the bullpen, where the team hopes he will find his post-season form.
  • Thursday's hero Jeff Weaver will start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, although a second start isn't guaranteed. "It's just for this time around," Joe Torre said.
  • Scheduled to have the start off today: Rafael Furcal, Russell Martin (last night: 3-for-4, 1 SB, 1 runner CS) and Casey Blake.

296 comments:

1 – 200 of 296   Newer›   Newest»
QuadSevens said...

I'll be at the stadium near the right field foul pole hoping to catch Loney's first HR of the year. Let's see the sweep Blue Crew!

koufax said...

glad we didnt aggressively pursue Oliver Perez... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4131693

NicJ said...

It looks like manny is getting the day off too.

: /

Chappy said...

that sucks Nic, hadn't heard that

Damon said...

Manny has the day off as well. I guess they think Chad doesn't need any run support

Chappy said...

Yeah and breaking that franchise record of consecutive wins at home to start the season, why bother?

NicJ said...

I was a little Mad about that too. I guess joe is thinking big picture though. A home franchise record sounds good but so does a team that can still play at a high rate in the playoffs.

PenosCabell said...

Martin is sitting after he had a good night? Torre is an idiot. Martin's bat might be getting hot.

NicJ said...

Martin needs to learn not to pull the ball to left.

NicJ said...

Martin was already scheduled for the day off before his hot hitting last night.

Chappy said...

seems it's a little early to be worried about resting people but hopefully Torre knows best

Steve Sax said...

The ESPN Baseball Tonight pundit was convinced Oliver Perez is throwing hurt.

The other thing I noticed is, Tim Kurkjian is really short.

PenosCabell said...

Tim Kurkjian sounds like he is going through puberty

Chappy said...

I've always longed for a Tim Kurkjian - Buster Olney slap fight.

PenosCabell said...

Milwaukee 3 - Arizona 0

Bottom of the 6th

PenosCabell said...

Mavs/Nuggets getting physical

Unknown said...

Is Torre trying to throw the game or show the Padres that the Dodgers are better than them without 4 starters?

NicJ said...

Mannys hammy is acting up again that's why he is sitting

Chappy said...

great...

koufax said...

i hope pierre starts playing really well, but not because i think it will help the team, because i want to trade him and actually get something back

Chappy said...

me too, but I think they'll end up giving up DeWitt to get pitching...

PenosCabell said...

Agreed Alireza. Maybe sit one or two. But four regular starters?
I don't understand Joe Torre sometimes.

NicJ said...

josh howard down on that bad ankle again.

Unknown said...

Its early, but it looks like Bills owns the strike zone today.

karina said...

Pierre, LF
Hudson, 2B
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Loretta, 3B
Ausmus, C
Castro, SS
Billingsley, P

Chappy said...

Nice 1 2 3 inning!

Unknown said...

I lost vision in my left eye today. The Dodgers line up seems normal today.

NicJ said...

hi karina

karina said...

We can't really complain Torre is sitting Martin so early in the season, it's better he gets more rest so he can stay fresh by the midseason/ end of the season, when the team needs him best.

karina said...

Epale Nic j and everyone!

My absence from the game threads was due to several social gatherings in this long weekend (at least over here)

NicJ said...

way to get it started slappy

Unknown said...

I can see this one being a calculated rest. Ace on the mound and one of the Padres' former bus boys pitching as opposed to Peavy or Young. Loretta has been hitting really well, so perhaps that helps us out.

That said, Gaudin isn't a slouch so perhaps Torre missed that.

NicJ said...

vin hearts o dog

Chappy said...

apparently Torre does know best

PenosCabell said...

Yeah, but why sit Martin after he has a good night? If he's hot, keep him playing.

Unknown said...

Yay! Slappy must think he is back in Florida, because he smacked that single and hauled ass to score

NicJ said...

also alireza, its not like our offense has been on fire for this series. maybe rest is needed.

PenosCabell said...

Beat up on Gaudin!!

PenosCabell said...

Hot potatoe

Chappy said...

wow that was special!

karina said...

Martin has been systematically overused and he's a catcher, the most demanding physically position in baseball. Just sayin'

NicJ said...

PC, managers dont like to ungive players days off after they have given it to them because the player might of had a late night because they knew they wouldnt be playing.

that sounded better in my head.

Unknown said...

Penos - Torre doesn't want Russell to get worn down like last year and has gone with this day game after night game deal.

karina said...

First Inning and Dodgers are already up by 2. Bills on the mound, so forecast looks bright for the team today.

NicJ said...

i get ya karina.

NicJ said...

damn loney how many times is he going to get called out on trying to advance.

good hit though,

PenosCabell said...

I understand. That was the problem with Martin last two seasons. Overuse.

Chappy said...

Loney has got to figure that out; he's gonna get nailed trying to stretch every time

Unknown said...

For as much as I, and seemingly a lot of other people, dislike Pierre, he sure has done his job this year adimirably.

PenosCabell said...

Loney is not a great baserunner

Unknown said...

Chappy...I think it was a base running mistake by Loney on that situation, but many times, they will attempt to take second on that so they will cut the ball off and give up the run.

Chappy said...

yep PC, no speed at all

NicJ said...

Andrew i get you, i think he is a decent player, i just dont like paying him so much for his minimal role.

but thats not really his fault is it.

karina said...

Maybe he gets daring running on the bases because he wants to "increase" his power numbers.

Fred's Brim said...

nice choice of pic for the thread Orel!

NicJ said...

kemps sitting on the outside of the candy store.

PenosCabell said...

Gaudin struggling.

NicJ said...

that will be the easiest HBP loretta will ever see.

karina said...

Isn't it exquisite, Fred's Brim?

Gauguin and Dodgers baseball...Orel made an excellent choice, because the world is a better place when fine art is around.

Unknown said...

Vin Scully knows everything about everything

Unknown said...

Nic j...Clearly he has a bad contract, but how many players have we had with bad contracts completely degenerate into worthlessness. At the very least, he is making his trade value rise.

PenosCabell said...

3 runs should be plenty for Billingsley to get a win.

Fred's Brim said...

yes it is! i was going to post asking if Gaudin was impressionistic or post impressionistic, but Orel was already on that line of thought!

NicJ said...

meh, unless he starts hitting .500 and steals bases like a mad man, no team is gonna take him for what he gets paid.

did we ever get anything for the D young trade by the way?

karina said...

In the bright side, they just scored 3 runs in the previous games.

Greg Maddux sang "Take me out to the ballgame" at Wrigley Field. How sweet is that?

Nims said...

Looks like Torre's gamble in resting a bunch of starters all at once is paying off.

karina said...

Fred's Brim, as i always say "great minds think alike".

Orel said...

Epale, everyone! Thanks for noticing the artistic reference.

NicJ said...

its gotta suck for your little brother to be way better than you.

NicJ said...

damn, manny would have caught that.

Chappy said...

they're gonna have to eat Pierre's entire salary to trade him...

NicJ said...

thats what i keep saying chap.

Chappy said...

lol Nic! it probably woulda been a triple if Manny were out there.

Fred's Brim said...

ok Bills, finish this off

Unknown said...

Edgar Gonzalez is making $400 grand a year to be a utilityman. I don't think he cares that much.

BTW, if Manny is in the game, he probably cuts that ball by Gonzalez off and Headley doesn't score.

Orel said...

3-1 after two. I'll take it.

Chappy said...

touche'

NicJ said...

im sure he cares a little bit.

PenosCabell said...

Castro part of the hit parade.

Unknown said...

mmmm jambalaya.

Orel said...

Even Castro gets a hit. Torre looks like a genius right now.

Chappy said...

Castro jumps into the hit parade

Chappy said...

Sorry PC, you read my mind

NicJ said...

castro totally embargoed that ball.

PenosCabell said...

Its OK Chappy.


Terrible bunt.

Orel said...

Great catch by Hundley. Bills popped it behind the plate and Hundley made a twisty diving catch.

PenosCabell said...

Damn you Slappy.

NicJ said...

JP's trade value is plummeting

Orel said...

JPDP

Chappy said...

every dime of Pierre's salary. but they got Manny for free last year so fair is fair I guess.

Unknown said...

I know a perfect job to get more out of Pierre. He can teach the pitchers how to bunt

NicJ said...

good idea alireza, maybe they can teach him how to throw.

Chappy said...

Nic J with the zingers...

karina said...

Pierre's salary it's not fair, it's good karma. He was overpaid and then the Dodgers got Manny for free

NicJ said...

don rickles is my writer.

NicJ said...

i blame JD Drew.

Chappy said...

my feeling exactly karina, only you're much more eloquent than I.

good karma if we pay for Pierre and get a good pitcher out of it too.

Steve Sax said...

Juan Pierre: one at bat, two outs. Man, he is awful.

Sorry that comment is so late, but I'm still steamed.

Chappy said...

love that move with the purse.

Steve Sax said...

epale karina, and thanks for posting the lineup earlier!

3-1 Dodgers, bottom 3.

karina said...

Share your opinion, Sax.

Every time i read Pierre's name on the starting lineup, i feel angry for no reason, though he played decently on friday's game

NicJ said...

how does vin know all this stuff.

Fred's Brim said...

i ate a beaver once

PenosCabell said...

Nice Fred

Orel said...

Couldn't resist, could you FB.

Orel said...

For those wondering, Vin was telling a story about Gaudin shooting and eating a raccoon.

Fred's Brim said...

it's true! i kind of meant it in the dirty way but i've also consumed the flat-tailed rodent too!

karina said...

Always a pleasure, Steve.

THe Dodgers should win today, it's Coper's fifth birthday.

Chappy said...

Vin's in great voice today, I think he does better with the day games these days.

Orel said...

We haven't hit a HR in a while.

NicJ said...

i think kemp needs a day off.

Orel said...

Happy birthday, Coper! Extra treats for you!

PenosCabell said...

Matt looks lost up there sometimes

Chappy said...

Kemp starting to slip back into bad habits at the plate.

NicJ said...

didnt la serie azul get postponed. bad timing on the commercial.

Fred's Brim said...

Matty seems over-aggressive, in an up-5-in-the-eighth kind of way.

Fred's Brim said...

keep after them, Chadwick!

Orel said...

The shift wins!

PenosCabell said...

Played Gonzalez perfectly.

Chappy said...

Kemp does improve every year though.

Orel said...

ARI lost, SF & COL scoreless in the 6th.

PenosCabell said...

Chad is serving today

PenosCabell said...

Nice inning for Chad.

Anyone have a pitch count on Bills?

Orel said...

"So the breaking ball takes care of Headley. It has taken care of a lot of people." —Vin

Orel said...

Bills @ 58 pitches.

Orel said...

Aflac: Ex-Padres Trevor Hoffman holds the MLB record with 556 career saves. Whose record did he break?

NicJ said...

lee smith?

Orel said...

Gaudin is settling down. Or the Dodgers are letting up.

Fred's Brim said...

nice job Orel!

Orel said...

You are correct, Nic. Lee Smith had 478 saves.

Fred's Brim said...

Vin is sensing they are letting up and could let this one get away

NicJ said...

i believe smith is actually in third all time i think mariano passed him recently.

Orel said...

Manny has a tight hamstring.

Fred's Brim said...

oops I meant Nic!

NicJ said...

i thought you were congratulating him on asking the question.

thanks though.

karina said...

Orel, he already got new toys and clothing and we're off to take him to the ice cream parlor (the one Rric Karros liked when he came here)

Fred's Brim said...

hehe Orel did ask it well

NicJ said...

finally penny gets a loss.

Fred's Brim said...

glad we never got Varitek

Orel said...

Don't give him chocolate ice cream, Karina!

Orel said...

Stults tomorrow and Weaver Tuesday. The home win streak may end soon.

Fred's Brim said...

jeez - no waves, please. you are distracting Chad

NicJ said...

everybody wave!!

NicJ said...

you know the game is lacking offensive production when a wave breaks out.

Fred's Brim said...

i keep waiting for a high fly ball to pound Pierre into the ground like an ill-fated Wile E Coyote scheme

NicJ said...

when does weaver start? please someone tell me everything will be alright. im scared.

Chappy said...

i'm scared too. hold me Nic.

NicJ said...

how ironic that they gave out ethier photos at carne asada sunday.

Chappy said...

Grandpa with the sweet grab!

NicJ said...

giles didnt vote for loney in the HR pole.

Orel said...

"And of course you can tell Ethier's Mexican heritage with his first name, Andre." —Vin

Orel said...

Not exactly racist, FB. Perhaps a bit insensitive.

Fred's Brim said...

Vin is worried about this game getting away, and I kind of am too. lets get a 1-2-3 inning and 3 more runs next inning

Steve Sax said...

hey, i disappear for a while and it's still 3-1. what's up, dudes?

NicJ said...

meh that was nothing, but then again im only half mexican. As you can tell by my first name being Nic.

Steve Sax said...

This not a 1-2-3 inning. Leadoff single to left for the Pads.

Steve Sax said...

Back to first base goes MSB

NicJ said...

eckstein took his flinstones vitamin today.

Steve Sax said...

Hey Orel, I like the art reference in the GT. Cool.

Nims said...

Loney robbed!

Orel said...

It makes us look sensitive!

Steve Sax said...

3-0 to Adrian, this is not good. 3-1 now.

Steve Sax said...

Strike 'em out, throw 'em...well, at least we got the strikeout.

MSB on second.

Fred's Brim said...

i know - i was only joking. it caught me more off guard than anything :)
and nice recovery by Chad there

Fred's Brim said...

MSB? i think I missed that reference

Steve Sax said...

Mini Sirloin Burger = Eckstein

NicJ said...

mini sirloin burger.

Fred's Brim said...

cmon Bills, stay tough on this Gonzales

Steve Sax said...

Sorry, Fred. Booger came up with that the other day and I can't get it out of my head. His comment was something like "Didn't I see Eckstein in the Mini Sirloin Burger commercial?"

Since then, I haven't been able to get the song out of my head. And I've gone to JITB 2x now, just to order the MSBs. And they're pretty good, too! Like more substantial White Castle sliders.

Steve Sax said...

Maybe next year we Sons can ask Jack in the Box for a sponsorship.

Fred's Brim said...

ooh yes :) didnt realize there was an acronym for it

Orel said...

"Looking at the flags blowing from right to left, I suddenly wayback in my memory remember the breeze blowing from right to left in a World Series game with the New York Yankees. And Joe Pepitone came up and hit what looked like a sure home run to right field, and Ron Fairly went just about to the bullpen gate and actually came back in a couple of steps and made the catch, only because of that breeze blowing from right to left." —Vin

rbnlaw said...

Bills on 90. Hmmm.

Steve Sax said...

Ooh, that was bad. WP advances both, so two RISP. Come on, Chadley.

Orel said...

Deuces wild!

Steve Sax said...

Dueces wild. I love it when Vin says that.

rbnlaw said...

Batters never do well 2-2-2

rbnlaw said...

So much for that. Finish him Bills.

Steve Sax said...

Let's go, Chad.

Steve Sax said...

Wow, that was a good pitch. Too bad it was fouled back.

Orel said...

Vin on Chad: a nice, but not overpowering game.

Orel said...

Dammit.

rbnlaw said...

Crap.

Steve Sax said...

crap, walks the bases loaded. Here comes Honeycutt.

Orel said...

Chad @ 91 pitches.

Fred's Brim said...

grrr

Chappy said...

can't seem to ever get past the 6th inning

Steve Sax said...

Unlikely that Chad would bat in the botom of the 6th...

Orel said...

scratch that, 95 pitches

Steve Sax said...

Orel, I've got Chad at 95 pitches, but I spilled some beer on my notepad so I may be wrong.

NicJ said...

look at all that sweat on bills bill.

Steve Sax said...

Billingsley is so money!

Chappy said...

whew! nice movement!

Fred's Brim said...

wow - thank you Chad! (and Hundley)

Orel said...

"For Bud Black, things are even darker than his name." —Vin

Unknown said...

Poll Question:

Keep Bills in for the 7th?

I go with yes.

Steve Sax said...

That was huge Chad

Fred's Brim said...

who was that marlins pitcher who had the sweat literally pouring off his head during games?

Steve Sax said...

200!

Steve Sax said...

Dammit Fred, you aced me!

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 296   Newer› Newest»