Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Game 55 Thread: June 3 vs. D'backs, 7p

MANNYWATCH: 25 GAMES

Chad Billingsley (6-3, 2.80) vs. Jon Garland (4-4, 5.75).

COMMENTS: Halfway home (wow, I had no idea Oscar from The Office was in this!) on our journey through the Manny Ramirez suspension, and the Dodgers are still playing at a cool .600 (15-10) clip, maintaining our major-league leading record by four full games. Even if we play .500 ball for the rest of Manny purgatory, going 27-23 through the full 50-game suspension, our nine-game lead over the second-place Giants doesn't seem like they would be a realistic divisional threat. And with Hiroki Kuroda back from the DL and looking pretty good Monday, plus Ramirez back in the lineup in a month...things look promising even if the Dodgers go through their typical June swoon.

At least, that's what comeback wins like we saw Tuesday night, in which the Dodgers scored five runs in the eighth inning to take the lead, would have you believe. Heck, they almost pulled off a three-run comeback in the ninth on Monday night, too. So as we go into the rubber match, let's see the team can show up prior to the late innings, and hang a Garland early.

SoSG Orel will be reporting from the press box tonight once again, so stay tuned for the latest insider news from the Ravine!

301 comments:

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Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Today's lineup:

Pierre - LF
Furcal - SS
Loney - 1B
Blake - 3B
Ethier - RF
Martin - C
Kemp - CF
Castro - 2B
Billingsley - P

O-Dog with a rare off-day. It's become pretty obvious Torre has abandoned his plan to rest Furcal and Hudson on the same day.

Josh S. said...

Blake batting cleanup makes me giddy.

I really wanted to go tonight. That O-Dog poster they're giving away looks sweet. I'll have to settle for eBay. Unless someone picked one up for me. It is my birthday, after all. (Shameless plug.)

Erin said...

Josh, you should read my blog. I'm giving away two field level tickets for tonight. If you still have time, the pickup location for the tickets is near the stadium. I'd love for someone to take these.

Steve Sax said...

Erin, btw thanks for the generous offer--i've got a work function tonight. And I already have the rainbow wig, red nose, and face paint on.

Steve Sax said...

Hey Josh S, happy birthday? Is it a magic birthday?

In fact, I may be coming to perform at your house right now! Hope you like balloon animals!

Steve Sax said...

BOS 10, DET 0, bottom 8 on ESPN.

Glad that they're continuing to cover the west coast teams. Like the hottest team in baseball.

Josh S. said...

Sax, I don't think you're coming to my place. I ordered a Spider-Man.

Erin, thanks for the offer, but I can't make it tonight.

Eric Karros said...

For my birthday I once got a book about how to make balloon animals. I ended up choosing a different career path.

Unknown said...

Amazing to me that Matt Kemp is still hitting in the 7 hole. What does he have to do to move up in the order?

PenosCabell said...

Andrew- Agreed. Kemp should be batting in the five spot.

Unknown said...

Why not the 3 hole? He has the speed to stay out of double plays and gap power to drive in tons of runs. I mean I have a hard time believing that if you switch Loney and Kemp that Kemp doesnt have at least as many runs batted in.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Holy hell. After kicking Tom Glavine to the curb, the Braves traded for Nate McLouth.

NicJ said...

serious the braves traded for mcclouth?

Orel said...

Hola! Typing up Torre's pre-game comments.

NicJ said...

Saito is closing out the Sox game, i loved the guy but i really think his time has passed.

NicJ said...

So Pittsburgh is keeping with the model that its just a farm system for other teams?

at least they didnt give anybody to the sox or yankees this time.

NicJ said...

o dog is sitting out on o dog poster night?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's amazing how they don't hold on to any player. First Nady, then Bay, and now McLouth.

NicJ said...

Freddy Sanchez should work a little bit harder, then he will be traded.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Why so quiet in here?

NicJ said...

maybe we will luck out and peewee will get traded back to us for nothing in a few years.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bills with a good first inning after going 3-0 to start with Lopez.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Well, the Pirates' game with the Mets was postponed. I guess they had to do something to fill the time.

NicJ said...

the rain is giving everyone seasonal affective disorder

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I don't think the Big Unit's gonna get a chance to pitch today.

Alex Cora said...

Remember when Garland was on the market and the Dodgers were interested???

karina said...

I was looking forward to that game

NicJ said...

i'd like to watch that, he's probably going to be the last pitcher to reach 300 in a looooong time.

unless phillie lets moyer pitch in a wheelchair.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I would have liked to see them sign Garland. But I guess they had to settle for stinky ole' Randy Wolf.

NicJ said...

i remember it was down to wolf and garland. im happy with our choice.

NicJ said...

both would been nice.

haha, glavine is free now.

karina said...

I'd prefer Garland too.

Fred's Brim said...

Oscar from The Office and Spanish Mike from Reno 911!

karina said...

My older brother, the die hard Braves fan is going to be very surprised when he gets home from work. He worships Glavine, however, to tell the truth, his release is cruel.

NicJ said...

yeah it sucks, im sure some team will pick him up for cheap though.

Orel said...

Michael Becker of the Press-Enterprise just had that foul ball go off his hands!

NicJ said...

did you boo him, orel?

Fred's Brim said...

i just saw Dr Dre in a Dr Pepper ad

NicJ said...

calm down bills.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bills is in a little trouble.

PenosCabell said...

inning ending double play

NicJ said...

smart play by the beard.

karina said...

THis is a business after all, but no matter how hot that prospect is, the organization should have handed him a couple of starts. He won 244 games for them and a star during all those post-season. He'll be a Hall of Famer as a Brave.

Fred's Brim said...

i shouldnt say this, as he will probably hit a big home run against us later, but i feel bad for Chris Young

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Young is certainly not putting up the numbers he had in 2007.

NicJ said...

I think it was more of a salary dump, the braves would have owed him money if he was called up. That and there scouts said his velocity is completely gone. Like i said, some team is gonna give him another chance.

NicJ said...

i think the dodgers are playing the wait for the bullpen game again

Fred's Brim said...

i don't like that game

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm going out to get some vittles. I'll be back later.

Orel said...

Another D'backs pitcher gets a hit.

NicJ said...

and garland gets his first hit of the season

Orel said...

"did you boo him, orel?"

Everybody had a chuckle.

karina said...

Erin, i miss you on these game threads.

Orel said...

Whoops, Loney muffs the potential DP.

NicJ said...

a loney boner, probably couldnt of made the play anyways

Orel said...

Gerard O'Parra up.

NicJ said...

haha, parra pwnd

karina said...

Bills owns Parra. Love it!

Nic j, what does pwnd mean?

Orel said...

Castro continues to produce!

Orel said...

Beautiful bunt by Chad.

NicJ said...

nice bunt by bills

Orel said...

Purpose pitch?

NicJ said...

its a gaming term, it basically means owned.

sorry im kind of a nerd.

NicJ said...

for a contact hitter pierre has been striking out an awful lot lately.

ill give him a break though

Jimbo said...

That looked like an uncomfortable swing by Raffy.

karina said...

Nerds and geeks are my favorites!

NicJ said...

nice camera shot on the spinning helmet

karina said...

Someone was using the corporate account!

karina said...

Dodgers are hitless so far

Fred's Brim said...

yikes, the lefties can't lay off that breaking ball

Orel said...

Whoops, wrong account.

Orel said...

"Nerds and geeks are my favorites!"

That was the sound of a hundred clicks on Karina's profile.

karina said...

I thought it was the cute intern.

karina said...

Nah! nerds and geeks usually are not interested in geeky girls. Experience talks.

karina said...

What's up with Drew tonight?

Orel said...

NAILED

Orel said...

CORRECTION SAFE

Fred's Brim said...

cmon, Bills - go after these bums

NicJ said...

vin was just on a rant about how umpires need to make clearer calls.

Orel said...

"vin was just on a rant about how umpires need to make clearer calls."

Yeah, I told him to.

Kidding.

Orel said...

RA for D'backs

Fred's Brim said...

how the eff do you walk a .174 hitter?

karina said...

So, i infer you met him, Orel.

C-mon, Bills!

Orel said...

Chad is alternating walks and K's.

Orel said...

Whew! Don't know why Loney looked at second there.

PenosCabell said...

Bills never makes it easy.

He finally gets out of the jam.

PenosCabell said...

Can you give the man a run or two?

PenosCabell said...

Vin is obseesed with Hinch's age.

Orel said...

"Vin is obseesed with Hinch's age."

So was the AZ coach who quit after Hinch was hired.

NicJ said...

i was reading somewhere today that loney is too clutch for his own good, his OBP with no runners on is extremely low

Orel said...

They are wrong when they say there is no cheering in the press box. Because I am cheering—inside.

Orel said...

"i was reading somewhere today that loney is too clutch for his own good, his OBP with no runners on is extremely low"

I'll take that trade-off.

PenosCabell said...

I wish there was more for you to cheer about Orel.

NicJ said...

true, it'd be nice to see him start a rally once and a while though

PenosCabell said...

If all goes according schedule the Dodgers offense should pick up around the 8th or 9th inning.

Orel said...

"I wish there was more for you to cheer about Orel."

We're not losing. That's worth a hoot.

NicJ said...

at least dre looks like his toe is better.

PenosCabell said...

Wow. This is an exciting game.

PenosCabell said...

99

NicJ said...

are you trying to start a pressbox wave, orel?

Orel said...

New Dodger Stadium between-innings entertainment: FLEX CAM. Like kiss cam, except people flex their muscles instead of kissing.

Orel said...

"are you trying to start a pressbox wave, orel?"

That would be hilarious. Damn bloggers!

Fred's Brim said...

it seems like we are taking two pitches then swinging freely

NicJ said...

have you been asked to stop saying "APODACA" yet?

Orel said...

Chad with the full (okay, half) extension!

PenosCabell said...

Apodaca.

Always puts a smile on my face.

NicJ said...

the ally opp out to bills.

Fred's Brim said...

Bills seems to be flexing the fastball this inning

NicJ said...

i hear a wave i think

PenosCabell said...

KKKKKKK

Orel said...

damn wave

PenosCabell said...

Chad is serving.

WAKE UP OFFENSE!

Orel said...

"have you been asked to stop saying 'APODACA' yet?"

Some things I refuse to give up.

NicJ said...

wow, i wonder how much bills pays for parra's registration, because he totally owns him

Orel said...

Looks like Bills is hitting his groove.

Fred's Brim said...

and then uncle charlie! i like it. now lets go to work on Garland

Orel said...

J-Mart getting it started!

PenosCabell said...

No hitter no more

PenosCabell said...

Get this going.

NicJ said...

hey, russ went the other way with it!!

i love it!!

NicJ said...

moved the runner over. ill take it.

Orel said...

Can't believe that was our first hit.

PenosCabell said...

crap

NicJ said...

hit a homer bills, take this game yourself

Orel said...

At least we get Chad out of the way.

Orel said...

Dodgers are waiting until the eighth to score.

PenosCabell said...

Its all about the late inning rally

Orel said...

Russell took a spill braking after third!

PenosCabell said...

Chad trying to help his own cause.

NicJ said...

show them how its done bills!!

PenosCabell said...

C'mon Juan. You're due tonight.

NicJ said...

SINGLE MODE, please.

Orel said...

That's an awesome avatar, PC. (I'm assuming it's real.)

PenosCabell said...

Thanx Orel. Yes, Keith smoked in the dugout.

Orel said...

JP going for the HR there.

Orel said...

RANCHO ARDIENDO

PenosCabell said...

bases loaded.

Orel said...

Another two-out rally.

NicJ said...

its time for your first grand slam raffy

PenosCabell said...

I'll take a basehit here.

NicJ said...

ill take a walk

NicJ said...

offense is futile

PenosCabell said...

That was awsome.

When does Torre hide Furcal at the bottom of the line-up?

NicJ said...

there is no hiding in baseball, the game will find you some way or another.

NicJ said...

the espn update just said Bills is dominating the Dbacks, nice of them to leave out that we are also getting dominated by garland

NicJ said...

bills with the sidearm? wtf

Fred's Brim said...

wow Bills going laredo on that one

Orel said...

8 K's but 4 BB for Chad tonight.

Orel said...

I stood behind Vin Scully earlier tonight, by the way. By season's end I may work up the courage to look at him.

Fred's Brim said...

Bills is pissed that Bowa didnt send Martin on his hit

Fred's Brim said...

Ichiro has another it tonight

PenosCabell said...

Don't make eye contact Orel.

NicJ said...

vin can sense fear, he may eat you.

Orel said...

"No I transcribe your storiesssssss"

PenosCabell said...

Orel - Are Jeanne Zelasko and Mark Sweeney up there?

Fred's Brim said...

don't walk Drew

NicJ said...

haha, well the way the game is going tonight he may need a story about eating a blogger

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Orel, if you see Steve Lyons, you must tell him how great Olympic beach-volleyball is.

PenosCabell said...

KKKKKKKKK

Fred's Brim said...

well he finally got Drew out

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That at-bat lasted longer than...something that lasts long.

Fred's Brim said...

ok Bills, get one more out and the bats will get you the win in the bottom of the inning

NicJ said...

raffy saves the run

PenosCabell said...

Furcal saves a run.

Fred's Brim said...

would Juan have thrown him out?

Orel said...

"Orel - Are Jeanne Zelasko and Mark Sweeney up there?"

Not in the press box, I think they have their own booth on this level.

"Orel, if you see Steve Lyons, you must tell him how great Olympic beach-volleyball is."

Please explain.

"That at-bat lasted longer than...something that lasts long."

That's the spirit!

NicJ said...

maybe if he was standing where raffy was.

Orel said...

"would Juan have thrown him out?"

Instead of Furcal? No.

Fred's Brim said...

phew!

PenosCabell said...

This game is putting me to sleep.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I once called up Dodger-talk when they were discussing the Olympics. Lyons was in, and he was talking about how he does not like beach-volley ball in the games. I said he was wrong, and the games can be really exciting. He said they could, but in the end they are pointless and boring.

Orel said...

Lima Time in the house!

NicJ said...

maybe JP should get elective tommy john surgery

NicJ said...

damn bills is already at 111 pitches?

PenosCabell said...

Lead off triple.

NicJ said...

HAHA f you parra!!!

karma for two games ago

PenosCabell said...

Parra Que?

PenosCabell said...

Can they get Loney home?

Thats the question.

Fred's Brim said...

Garland leaving balls up this inning

PenosCabell said...

Slow-poke Loney.


1-0 Dodgers

NicJ said...

wow, nice throw by parra, not nice enough though

Fred's Brim said...

The Beard is a ball player

PenosCabell said...

Get to the Arizona bullpen.

NicJ said...

and look at that loney started a rally.

my apologies to the loney household

Orel said...

Andre shouldn't be running with that toe.

PenosCabell said...

Not smart.

NicJ said...

and ethier kills a rally, WTF

NicJ said...

i think russ may have missed a sign. or andre

NicJ said...

ask torre about that in the post game orel, please.

PenosCabell said...

Russell spits on his gloves so much, they must be soaked by games end.

Orel said...

Belisario's in.

PenosCabell said...

What was Chads pitch count>?

NicJ said...

111

Fred's Brim said...

PH for Garland this inning? then we can feast on the bullpen. I think Pena can go another inning, Hinch...

PenosCabell said...

Whoa.

Orel said...

"I once called up Dodger-talk when they were discussing the Olympics. Lyons was in, and he was talking about how he does not like beach-volley ball in the games. I said he was wrong, and the games can be really exciting. He said they could, but in the end they are pointless and boring."

Spoken like a true ex-jock.

Orel said...

"maybe JP should get elective tommy john surgery"

Nice.

Orel said...

"ask torre about that in the post game orel, please"

I'll try!

Orel said...

On a tee, PC.

PenosCabell said...

I know.

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