Friday, May 15, 2009

Game 37 Thread: May 15 @ Marlins, 4p

Eric Stults (4-1, 3.58) vs. Chris Volstad (2-2, 2.98)

COMMENTS: It is a testament to baseball's timelessness that despite the advent of sophisticated new statistics such as WHIP, ERA+, and Quality Starts, today's pitchers are still primarily evaluated on the same four statistics they were judged on 100 years ago: ERA, Win-Loss Record, Strikeouts, and number of words in their Wikipedia entry.

So let's breakdown the matchup between Eric Stults and Chris Volstad:

Statistic
Stults
Volstad
Edge
W/L Record
4-1
2-2
Stults
ERA
3.58
2.98
Volstad
Strikeouts
20
33
Volstad
Wikipedia
Words
501
488
Stults
Overall
2
2
Even

So this one's destined to be a nail-biter! And did you know: Volstad got his first major league start, his first major league win, and his first major league hit against the Dodgers and...wait for it...Eric Stults! (July 11, 2008).

In other news, this morning on the way to work I came up with this:

     There once was a Juan named Pierre,
     Who thought he was treated unfair;
           If baseball found reason
           To ban Manny all season,
     I'm sure juanpierrewoodn't care!

Yeah, that's right - three days later and I'm still working on the Limerick Contest. That's a window into my life. Livin' the dream, baby. Livin' the dream.

UPDATE: This has nothing to do with the game, but to prove to Neeebs and any other doubters of the authenticity of photo No. 2 in the JP to A-Rod puzzle, here's the original (I almost missed him in the crowd):

250 comments:

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Steve Sax said...

don't forget spending time finding a picture of a beast wearing a crimson tide hat

Neeebs (The Original) said...

And all this time I just assumed that the picture was photoshopped. Stupid me.

Fred's Brim said...

How do you westcoasters find the start times for east coast games? Do you like getting an early start on the game? or is it annoying to miss a few innings at work and driving home from work? How about 10am games?

Eric Karros said...

Fred, are you an eastcoaster?

Neeebs, believe it or not, it's a real photo. Apparently the Beast is an Alabama fan (don't know about the Beauty). Since this game thread has no photo, I will retrieve the full photo and post it here shortly.

Fred's Brim said...

yeah been living on EST most of my life. I was out west for a football sunday one time and thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast buffet provided by the sports bar we went to

Steve Sax said...

Fred, though I do enjoy watching the Dodger games after work, being able to track a game in progress while at work also has its benefits.

rbnlaw said...

When I visit Atlanta I hate waiting until 10:00 pm to see the start of a west coast game.

By the way, I see no news of Manny visiting with the team in Miami.
Wassupwitdat?

Alex Cora said...

EK: Its like where's waldo - almost missed him in the picture - he blends in nicely.

Orel said...

Manny Ramirez meets with Dodgers

rbnlaw said...

Thanks Orel.
Now my reaction: THAT'S IT? WTF?

Eight minutes. I'm liking this situation less and less every minute. Thank dog the team seems to be moving along.

"It is what it is," said Andre Ethier. Obviously letting his emotions get the better of him once again.

Orel said...

Yeah, it's not really news yet.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

EK: LMFAO.

As for the eight minute meeting, my sources tell me that everything was fine and the players were lining up to take a photo with Manny so he could look at the photos while on suspension. Apparently, when it was Andre Either's turn, he told Manny, "no photos", and with that the meeting ended, with Andre being the only one quoted, "It is what it is."

karina said...

Good ones, Eric and Neeebs!

Chappy said...

Manny sucks.

I changed my vote to boo.

Orel said...

Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
Stults, P

karina said...

Great header! which team are the angels? which one are the demons?

Ben said...

My sources told me that the after Manny address the team, he closed with:
"AIR RAID B*TCHES"
and started squirting Ketchup and Mustard over all the players.

Steve Sax said...

karina, i'm not sure, but I don't care as long as our side wins

Steve Sax said...

BTW, since I am an obvious HACK on photoshop, if anyone wants to try their hand at SoSG headers for Terminator Salvation or Up (the next two weeks' big movie premieres), I'm open to suggestions.

Orel said...

Furcal playing Etch-a-Sketch with the bunt!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That'll end up on some highlight reels.

Steve Sax said...

Steiner can't call a slow dribbling foul ball, either.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

If anything he threw 17 pitches.

rbnlaw said...

Have we addressed how pathetic a name "Landshark Stadium" is for the former Joe Robbie Stadium?

Lousy beer too.

rbnlaw said...

Switching to radio for the drive home, then to a friendly sports bar type place (which is hard to find in OC. . .they all seem to like the other LA team from Anaheim).

Dusto_Magnifico said...

martin is all of a sudden batting .289?

i guess i just wasn't paying attention.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

i feel like i am secluded from the rest of the world... gameday isn't working (surprised) and no one is commenting.

karina said...

Martin has been improving this week, getting back to his old self, Dusto.

Guys, i need to leave the house for an hour, so i'm counting on your comments and Gameday.

Orel said...

Pitchers' duel so far. We're in the bottom of the second: Hermida on second on a double, one out. No score.

Steve Sax said...

Just flipped on KCAL9 to see the Marlins with a RISP and a fly out to JP. Two out, scoreless in the second.

Orel said...

It must be really humid in Florida. Players from both teams are tagging the ball and they're dying in front of the warning track. Latest victim: Cody Ross.

Orel said...

Nice block by Martin to prevent the runner from taking third.

Orel said...

IBB to Paulino. Two on for Volstad, two out.

Orel said...

Volstad K's on three pitches. Stults gets out of it.

Steve Sax said...

Stults uses Volstad to get out of the inning.

And great, here's that giggling Canadian kayak guy. I'm surprised the seal doesn't go for his jugular.

Steve Sax said...

Blake with a one-out double, but Stults lines out and Slappy hits a lazy fly ball to center. LOB! LOB!

Orel said...

Blake doubles in the third but ends the inning there.

Orel said...

bot 3: 1 up, 1 down

Steve Sax said...

I think I just saw Glenda!

Orel said...

"Look honey, the seal's on the kayak! And now it's coming up to me! Now it's—NOOOOO AAAUUUGGGHHHHH

Orel said...

Sleeping on the job, Sax?

Orel said...

Get it because you're dreaming OOH BURN

Orel said...

1-2-3 for Stults.

Steve Sax said...

The humidity is making me sleepy.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The Dodgers need to get street-rat crazy if they want to win.

Orel said...

Furcal demonstrates infield dirt power on a pop-up for out #1 in the fourth.

Orel said...

Hudson K's.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The O-Dog is in the doghouse

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I hate Cody Ross

Orel said...

Cody Ross makes a diving catch to rob Ethier of a base hit for out #3.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

hudson has got to get back on the juice!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

just make some contact already.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

was there an earthquake in florida?

a natural disaster?

what is going on... i got nothing!

Orel said...

Cody Ross two-run jack. 2-0 Marlins.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I still hate Cody Ross.

Orel said...

Paulino pops out. Inning over.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That thing barely even crossed the yellow line. Kemp should have been able to catch it with the proper jump.

Orel said...

Martin tags it, Ross catches it at the warning track. One out.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The humidity is really keeping the ball down.

Orel said...

Loney one-hops it to Volstad. Two out.

Orel said...

Wow! Bonafacio with the drag bunt up the first base line. Stults ran after it, dived and made a barehanded scoop to Loney for the out.

Orel said...

Walk, then Ramirez crushes a double for an RBI. 3-0 Marlins.

Orel said...

Good news, everybody! Mota's warming up in the bullpen. Stults at 95 pitches.

Orel said...

Stults escapes the fifth with a groundout.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

thanks for the updates guys...

im really all alone here...

in alaska!

Orel said...

Blake CRUSHES it above the Turquoise Monster! 3-1 Marlins.

Orel said...

XP PHing for Stults.

Orel said...

XP first career HR! Back-to-back jacks make it 3-2 Marlins!

Orel said...

We're here for ya, Dusto!

rbnlaw said...

The Beard is having a great road trip.

rbnlaw said...

X Mode!

Orel said...

Beast Mode with a bunt right in front of home plate. Paulino slipped and couldn't field it.

Damon said...

X marks the spot

Orel said...

Pierre CS. Not close.

Damon said...

The announcer has the wrong information

Alex Cora said...

I leave to get something to eat while I listen to the game and come back to notice that we score! WOOHOO!

Alex Cora said...

It is a pain to listen to the audio broadcast when they are talking about what is happening on the replay when I can't see it.

Orel said...

Furcal singles after beating out a liner that went off Volstad's leg.

Hudson singles. Furcal takes third.

One out.

Orel said...

Ethier skies it for a sac fly. Furcal scores. Hudson takes second. 3-3 tie.

Alex Cora said...

sac fly baby - all tied up

Alex Cora said...

Why are they leaving this guy in - sounds like he is getting shelled - fine by me!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

update TMI:

took a couple immodium yesterday.

28 hours later had a decent BM.

not ice cream machine good, more like frozen ice cream... at least it wasn't melted ice cream. I'd rather have the frozen version than the melted.

Orel said...

Martin GO to second. End of inning, but we're all tied up!

rbnlaw said...

Back even, good.

Orel said...

We care, Dusto. But we don't care that much.

Unknown said...

Beard Mode seems to have remade himself as a big time power hitter in the 8 spot.

Orel said...

Weaver's in! Hope he's happy.

Orel said...

Makes sense. Blake isn't going to see many great pitches in the eight-hole, so he's swinging away. As a result he's hitting for power but not average.

Orel said...

Uggla flies out to deep left-center. Pierre takes it from Kemp.

Orel said...

Weaver walks Hermida.

Orel said...

Weaver K's Ross.

Unknown said...

Orel - That was true, but Blake has making more contact and has his AVG up to .288

Unknown said...

BOOOO. That should have been strike three called.

Orel said...

Paulino (?) pops out to O-Dog in shallow RF. Three out.

Unknown said...

Orel - Why are you doing play by play?

Orel said...

.288? Shows you what I know.

Orel said...

I enjoy this Corona commercial.

Orel said...

Popular demand? A few folks mentioned they were without access for some reason.

rbnlaw said...

Damn. Close.

Unknown said...

Odd Orel, since if they have access to SOSG, they should be able to get Gameday.

Unknown said...

Wow. Kiko Calero. That is a blast from the past.

Orel said...

Loney knocks Volstad out of the game with a single.

Unknown said...

Bison Mode to the plate.

Orel said...

I do not question such things, Alireza.

Unknown said...

I can't get over how stupid a name LandShark Stadium is

Orel said...

Bison walks! Two on, no out. I smell blood.

Unknown said...

Double in the gap Beard Mode. Bison Mode will score.

rbnlaw said...

Orel, you're faster than Gameday.

Ali,
No shit. Bad name, lousy dimensions, apathetic fans. It could be San Francisco.

Unknown said...

Oooh, Calero got away with that. Blake loves low, slow fastballs.

karina said...

Here's Blake, in a great night, with RISP.

Thanks for the updates, guys

Orel said...

Blake goes fishing and comes up empty. One out.

rbnlaw said...

Get back, Loretta.

Unknown said...

Oh wow. Torre is going to murder the 'pen again.

rbnlaw said...

Duck snorts and doinkers?
Lyons is priceless.

Unknown said...

I'm not getting Calero's thinking. You have an old low-power contact guy with a good batting eye and you are pitching him away? Oh well, it benefits us.

rbnlaw said...

Bases juiced for Beast Mode!

Orel said...

Loretta walks! Rancho Ardiendo for...BEAST MODE!

Pitching change.

Unknown said...

Ok. Its that time. Time for Beast Mode.

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo for the Beast.

Orel said...

Is not the preferred nomenclature "duckfarts"?

Unknown said...

Please tell me he ignored Pierre's numbers and is going for a lefty.

Unknown said...

HAHA. C'mon Beast Mode. They brought in a LHP who has a .273 BAA against lefties. Show 'em why you have a 1.317 OPS and a .538 AVG against LHP.

Orel said...

BEAST MODE singles to right! Two runs score! 5-3 good guys!

Alex Cora said...

BEAST!!!

Unknown said...

Juan Pierre really is trying to earn his full year's salary in 50 games.

Alex Cora said...

ESPN gamecast had LAD at 64% before the hit. Last inning it was 54% marlins.

Alex Cora said...

Now at 83%

MR.F said...

BEAST!!!

Unknown said...

That was such a stupid move by Gonzalez. It was the kind of thing Joe "gut feeling" Torre does.

karina said...

I can't believe how Slappy turned into the Beast.

Now i'm afraid when Manny returns, if Ethier is in a slump or something, he'll be starting again.

Unknown said...

I can see why Pinto is better against righties. His heater has seriously nasty inside movement to RHB that ends up being in a LHB's wheelhouse

Orel said...

Furcal soft bouncer to second, he's out at first. Runners advance to second and third.

Unknown said...

We need a Mode for O-Dog.

Perhaps Keystone Mode?

Unknown said...

Or perhaps Cycle Mode?

Orel said...

Hudson FO to CF for out #3.

Unknown said...

2 Hits, 2 Walks, 2 Runs in, 2 runners left. Middle of 7, Dodgers 5, Marlins 3.

Unknown said...

Ok, so I almost get bringing in an unproven rookie like Leach as the 7th inning guy in a 2 run game because of the 2 light hitting switch guys and the lefty rookie Coghlin. The issue is, however, that Bonifacio rakes against lefties.

karina said...

Gardner just hit a field HR at the Yankee Stadium, it's the first one on that park.

Unknown said...

Seriously Brent, Emilio has less power than Juan Pierre. Just gas him down the middle.

Unknown said...

If he gets Coghlin, please pull the guy against Hanley.

Unknown said...

Karina - Did you mean inside-the-park HR?

Unknown said...

That must have been a really soft grounder for Loney to not take a chance.

karina said...

That's what i meant, inside the park HR. Sorry, i forgot the expression in English and i got excited too. I'm watching that game on TV.

Orel said...

So Leach gets two out and allows one run? Not exactly a blowout situation there.

Belisario in.

Unknown said...

Not that I don't like Belisario, but I am sick to my stomach in this situation

karina said...

Belisario, don't let us down, ok?

Unknown said...

Even Belisario is afraid of throwing Hanley a fastball.

Unknown said...

Well, at least on the first pitch. Nice pitch.

Orel said...

Loney never had a chance on the RBI grounder.

Unknown said...

Great location Ronald.

Unknown said...

That is what I figured Bulldog. If he had any chance, I figure Loney fires it to Martin.

rbnlaw said...

No Belly-sorry-Oh this time.

rbnlaw said...

That was outside. K looking.

Orel said...

Ethier backwards K on a...questionable pitch.

Unknown said...

Anyone else remember that absolute bomb Russ hit in Florida last year?

Orel said...

Martin fouls out to Cantu.

rbnlaw said...

Cantu almost drops the popup.
2 down.

Unknown said...

Well, he didn't do it that time.

Orel said...

Russ does, because he's hungry.

Orel said...

Loney solid single up the middle.

rbnlaw said...

Loney continues to hit.

Unknown said...

Loney cracks another lefty.

karina said...

I believe in King James.

Unknown said...

Time to switch to BISON MODE.

rbnlaw said...

I'm getting tired of the Canada tourism commercials.

Unknown said...

Nunez looks about 14 in his official picture.

Orel said...

Kemp beats out a dribbler! Bison speed! Two on, two out.

Unknown said...

Hilarious pitch. Kemp had no business swinging, but that is the power of speed.

Orel said...

Agreed, Rbnlaw. They're well-made but a little annoying for some reason.

Unknown said...

Beard Mode, how about another bomb?

karina said...

A double will do.

Orel said...

Casey grounds out to third. Who will pitch the eighth?

rbnlaw said...

Nothing for the Beard. Damn.

Unknown said...

And Casey gets jammed.

Why not just keep Belly in? He has only thrown 3 pitches and the pitcher's spot is up next.

rbnlaw said...

On the other hand, MINI SIRLOIN BURGERS RULE!!11!1!

karina said...

Mota was warming up...

karina said...

Belisario went out

Orel said...

Leadoff walk to Cantu. This is going to be a problem.

Orel said...

Wade coming in.

Unknown said...

Yah the walk Belasario gave up was very reminiscent of Ricky Vaughn in Major League.

rbnlaw said...

NL West the toughest? A lot of people have been drinking more than me. And, might I say, the new Budweiser tall-boy cans are quite attractive.

Orel said...

Uggla squares to bunt and it hits him on the wrist. He takes first but here comes Torre to argue.

Orel said...

Reverse call! It's a strike!

rbnlaw said...

Torre knows that damn rule book.

PenosCabell said...

Good reversal.

PenosCabell said...

I'm praying for the bullpen to hold this lead.

Orel said...

Public interpretation of the CarMax poll question: "What is your favorite division?" Idiots.

PenosCabell said...

K

Orel said...

Martin had the home plate umpire check with the first base umpire, who overruled the initial call.

Lyons is saying the Dodgers got a break because Uggla was pulling away when he got hit.

Orel said...

Uggla K's! He's pissed.

karina said...

Why was Gonzalez ejected?

rbnlaw said...

Lyons=moron.
Where's Vin when we need him to read Uggla's lips?
All I got was "Horrible call. . .bull"

Orel said...

Hermida singles. Two on, one out.

PenosCabell said...

I smell a bullpen implosion.

rbnlaw said...

Why wasn't Weaver left in a little longer?

Erin said...

199.

Erin said...

200.

karina said...

199?

rbnlaw said...

200

Erin said...

And good evening to everyone.

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