Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Game 78 Thread: June 30 vs. Rockies, 7p

MANNYWATCH: 2 GAMES
DODGERS' RECORD WITHOUT MANNY: 28-20

Chad Billingsley (9-3, 3.10) vs. Jason Marquis (9-5, 4.22).

COMMENTS: Welcome to the battle of the nines! Four pitchers lead the National League in wins with nine, and three of those suckers are trying to ink their tenth win tonight: Billingsley and Marquis at Dodger Stadium, and the Mets' Johan Santana in Milwaukee.

Marquis got rocked by the Angels in his last start, and Billingsley has lost the lead in the sixth inning of his part two starts. So everybody has something to prove — especially the Dodger bats, who got bailed out by their own starting pitcher last night, then left three men in scoring position in extra innings before finally winning it in the 13th.

The bullpen arms aren't fresh, with every reliever having pitched an inning last night. Let's hope Billingsley goes deep, because the Dodgers can't count on walking off every night.

photo from Pink Tentacle

181 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

after last night, I am not sure how deep I can go into this one. I hope we get a bunch of runs early and Bills cruises

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I predict that Six Runs wins this game.

NicJ said...

That mannywatch number is gettig small. YAY!

Eric Stephen said...

This is completely unscientific, but Jason Marquis is bound to get pasted tonight.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

ES: Truer Blue words were never spoken.

Orel said...

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

karina said...

Torre is resting Martin, i was afraid he wouldn't but catching 13 innings last night is too much, specially when his performance is considered.

Maybe the Dodgers should give him the A-Rod treatment, it looks like it's working.

NicJ said...

Giants already up 2-0.

Josh S. said...

They just said on Channel 7 that Andre said he's "sore" from the dogpile last night.

Jokes in 3, 2, 1...

midnightdrive said...

It just might be my cynicism but I think playing Castro instead of Hudson is just a secret plan employed so Ethier can bat 3rd.

koufax said...

early game tomorrow looks like torre is resting hudson and martin, so he can rest blake and furcal tomorrow?

Orel said...

Quite possibly.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

They have an off day on Thursday. I don't like the resting of Hudson today, but then again, he is struggling a bit of late.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Paul Lo Duca's gonna be on Think Blue.

NicJ said...

Giants up 6-1. I thought the cards were supposed to be good. Looks like we are gonna have to win tonight.

NicJ said...

Damn little league all star game is going long. On the plus side my little brother is looking like O-puppy out there on 2nd base.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Brew Crew beating the Muts 5-2, with Johan on the mound. Looks like he won't get #10.

Fred's Brim said...

Nic, I watched the cards vs the Mets last weekend and they don't have much besides Pujols. Ankiel is back to his .245 and 2 Ks a game and everybody who was hot is back to normal. That said, Ankiel will hit 4 homers against us and Khalil Greene will come off the DL just to kill us

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That was a beauty by Castro.

PenosCabell said...

Chad ain't foolin' anyone.

PenosCabell said...

Another nice catch from Castro

karina said...

"On the plus side my little brother is looking like O-puppy out there on 2nd base"

awwwww, Nic J. Keep us informed how he's doing. Is he playing shortstop?

Erin said...

Seriously, what is with Furcal?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I like how the Dodgers are taking pitches. Not just swinging at anything coming.

PenosCabell said...

When is Furcal's next day off?

Unknown said...

Wow. They shifted against Andre. Kind of a sign that his power is getting noticed.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

No shift and that thing goes down the line, and Andre might have himself a double.

rbnlaw said...

Namaste, peeps.
Late to the party, but I get to stick around a while.

Sounded like Chadley would be in for a long night with the first batter, but seems OK now.

Let's get these bats working against Markee.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nice inning for Bills.

rbnlaw said...

uno, dos, tres por Chadley.

rbnlaw said...

Is it Mar-kee or Mar-kees? Vin using both.

rbnlaw said...

Geoff with the hit.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I think it is Mar-Kee.

Loney singles.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kemp looked terrible up there.

rbnlaw said...

Thanks MLASF.

Kemp's AB's have been sketchy lately.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

So far, 6 in a row retired by Bills. He's definitely settled down.

karina said...

Crossing fingers Bills has a great and long quality start here. I'm really worried because i'm afraid the Dodgers can pull a disaster just like the D'Backs last year, or recent Mets september disasters.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bills's at-bat was more productive than Pierre's.

rbnlaw said...

Both pitchers are dealing. First mistake could win it.

rbnlaw said...

Either is the player for the entire month. Beard was it for the first 2 weeks.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

8 in a row.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Crap.

PenosCabell said...

BOOOOOOOOO!


Damn You Brad Hawpe!

NicJ said...

now why arent we doing that.

Steve Sax said...

Damn. I picked the wrong time to turn on the tv.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nic - Because Manny won't come back until Friday

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

AHA! Now we can blame Sax.

karina said...

I'm waiting the Yankees-Mariners game ends. Sometimes Directv sucks.

karina said...

It's just one run and Bills is dealing. No pannic, yet

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It could be worse. The pitcher could have hit that.

Steve Sax said...

Okay, gotta drop off the grid here for a second. I'll be back.

Alex Cora said...

At the game folks. Didn't realize it was fireworks night. But if the game goes this quickly it won't be dark enough.

Orel said...

Bills at 55 pitches. I hope the final score isn't 1-0.

NicJ said...

bills is looking good tonight, he is gonna need some runs though.

karina said...

Carlos Gonzalez (or C-Gon, as the press calls him) has struck out twice. Thanks Bills!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Another good inning for Bills.

Orel said...

Marquis is playing us like a fiddle!

NicJ said...

ugh, this guys is going to go 8 innings if we keep this up.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This guy will go a CG SO if he keeps this up.

NicJ said...

he is averaging less than 10 pitches an inning!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The Dodgers would get more accomplished if they just get called out on strikes. By hitting the first pitch, they're just helping Marquis.

Orel said...

This is a pretty cheeky commercial.

Orel said...

Obviously the plan is to swing early. Maybe they need to alter the plan.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

More than halfway through the game and it's been a little more than a hour.

Alex Cora said...

Lots o stars here. Paul walker Carlos Bernard. John c Reilly. James van der beek. Out of work actors?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Good Lord. The Dodgers games have transformed into Clipper games.

NicJ said...

come on guys lets get bills some runs, he cant be in there forever.

NicJ said...

"Good Lord. The Dodgers games have transformed into Clipper games."

Bingo!

NicJ said...

two pitches.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Juan Pierre has a quirk that I'm noticing more and more and it's really pissing me off. He takes the first pitch, and if it's a strike, he will swing at the next pitch. It almost never works.

NicJ said...

not bad, 4 pitches.

karina said...

Time we use the force.

NicJ said...

7 pitches, this has got to be some kind of record.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Juan Pierre does his best to disprove my theory, albeit in an incredibly unproductive way.

NicJ said...

56 pitches through 6! this is embarrassing.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bills has taken 10 pitches out of Marquis, that's a little more than a 6th of the pitches he's thrown.

Orel said...

Easy to forget Chad is cruising too.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

One pitch. Just one pitch has set Bills up for his fourth loss of the season.

NicJ said...

im praying for a blister, cramp, or hang nail. Anything!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

A Hawper from Hawpe.

NicJ said...

Donnie Baseball must be pulling out his hair right now.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Torre would be pulling out his hair too, but he's got such little left.

NicJ said...

he is pulling out his green tea leafs

rbnlaw said...

Somebody should put one in Hawpe's ribs.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Damn WP.

NicJ said...

"Somebody should put one in Hawpe's ribs."

it will be a little too obvious if they do it while he is on second.

Orel said...

Furcal needn't take such liberties.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Whew, Furcal almost blew it.

rbnlaw said...

Well that was interesting. Forkal's arm has been a little wild this year.

karina said...

I really thought Furcal wasn't putting anyone out. Geez.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I guess after last night's marathon, all the guys want to hit the hay early tonight.

karina said...

They can't hit hard balls to everyone. Let's revenge only in Cody Ross.

NicJ said...

at least they are hitting something.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

In the end, they IBB Ian, or as the British say, Een.

Orel said...

KKKKKKKKK

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nice K.

rbnlaw said...

C-Gon K's, but a GIDP would be better.

Orel said...

Giants won.

karina said...

Bills owns Gpnzalez. 3 Ks tonight!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bills had him.

rbnlaw said...

Get ahead 0-2; walk him. Really not good.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

But now he has to face Marquis.

NicJ said...

eff, sorry bills.

rbnlaw said...

3 runs could be insurmountable tonight.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Now that puts the game out of reach.

NicJ said...

why way we are approaching at bats 1 run looked insurmountable.

rbnlaw said...

Up until now, Hawpe was the only batter making any noise. Bills digs his own grave once again.

NicJ said...

at least he didnt give up the lead this time.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The mistake was walking Iannetta when he got ahead of him 1-2.

Orel said...

Broadcasting the seventh-inning stretch? Without crowd audio? Some technician is flipping out right now.

NicJ said...

what, are we the cubs now?

Orel said...

Word of the day: "insurmountable."

Steve Sax said...

am i going crazy, or did they just forget to televise God Bless America, and are now televising Take Me Out To The Ballgame?

NANCY BEA GETS REVENGE!!!

Steve Sax said...

Take that, Charles Steinberg!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Orel said...

They know it's going to be a first-pitch strike and they still can't get a hit.

PenosCabell said...

This is depressing.

Orel said...

Jason Marquis, your first ten-game winner in the NL.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Not even 10 pitches an inning. This is freaking ridiculous.

NicJ said...

67 pitches through 7, he may beat Lincecums 95 pitch complete game from last night.

NicJ said...

bills is going for that win, he wants it.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

So, Manny back in two days, huh?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The Dodgers must really want to catch up on their sleep.

Orel said...

KKKKKKKKKKK

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You can see how Bills is really pushing himself. If anything, he gave the bullpen a nice breather.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

No #10.

Orel said...

118 pitches' worth of futility.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

BloodSucker Mode.

Orel said...

stupid wave

NicJ said...

If a pitcher strikes out every batter with three pitches it takes 63 pitches to get through the 7th inning, Marquis has 67.

Orel said...

Jason Koufax

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Remember, Bills himself used 10pitches in his two AB's.

NicJ said...

Loney tried to bunt single, that's how desperate we are.

Orel said...

Didn't even make the warning track.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

3 pitches for Loney to fly out.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

2 pitches for Kemp to fly out.

Fred's Brim said...

just checking in now - is it as bad as it looks?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

FB - No, it's much, much worse.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

IT'S A MIRACLE!

Orel said...

Never been so glad to see a blooper.

Orel said...

I wonder how Manny would have done against Marquis.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I would love to see the Dodgers pursure Marquis in the off-season.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Holy crap, Loretta is slow.

Orel said...

Barmes could have autographed the ball before throwing it and still would have gotten Loretta.

NicJ said...

On the bright side, the record for least amount of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a 9 inning game is 58, so in comparison we look like a team full of MSB's out there.

damn slow loretta.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

So, Manny back in two days. That's...that's something.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least Bills preserved the bullpen.

Orel said...

Good usage of Mota here.

Orel said...

"At least Bills preserved the bullpen."

There's our silver lining.

NicJ said...

its crazy how the rox pitchers have gotten waaaaay better than they were in the first two months of the season.

remember the last series we played them?

NicJ said...

marquis has thrown 80 pitches, 60 for strikes!

Orel said...

home-field disadvantage

Orel said...

I miss Clint Hurdle.

NicJ said...

move over cole hamels, the best pitched game of the season at dodger stadium no longer belongs to you.

Fred's Brim said...

i think they figured out that throwing strikes is a good thing

rbnlaw said...

I know we're being spoiled this year when we complain about possible being ahead of our division by a mere 6 games. A year ago we were looking for a way to get into first.

rbnlaw said...

I blame Jim Tracy's stubble.

NicJ said...

kinda sucks that the one year we are really good, so is the NL west. Who would of expected that the wild card would go to the NL west. Now there is still time for things to go haywire, but its a pretty crazy thought.

NicJ said...

not to mention the stupid red sox are closing in on our best team in the majors record.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Martin, Pierre, and Furcal to go in the ninth. In other words, 7 pitches to retire them in order.

rbnlaw said...

Exactly Nic. The west has suddenly become respectable (not you Pods and D-backs) and we're still ahead by a furlong.

NicJ said...

alright 4 straight homeruns starting........
NOW!

Orel said...

Under/over: 10 pitches for this inning?

Orel said...

Eye of the Tiger!

rbnlaw said...

It'll be a moral victory if we can get a couple of 10 pitch at bats.

NicJ said...

it kinda looked like marquis was singing along to eye of the tiger.

Josh S. said...

Hey guys, checking in late.

Ummm...at least Matt Cain won't be first to 10 wins.

NicJ said...

two pitches.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Martin just threw off my whole prediction.

Now I say 6 pitches.

rbnlaw said...

Nic,
Nomar is in Oakland. . .and hurt.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That's two for Pierre.

NicJ said...

im hoping Torre flips over the catering table tonight in the clubhouse.

rbnlaw said...

I was at Anaheim Stadium of Anaheim when Mar-kees last pitched. It looked like batting practice. What the hell happened to him?

Steroids. Only explanation.

Orel said...

Quick and painful.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Well, if there's any solace in tonight's game, I accurately predicted the number of pitches it would take to end the inning.

rbnlaw said...

Anyone going tomorrow? Cheap tix available.

Josh S. said...

I hate that we lost, but then Vin turns the pitch count into poetry.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Orel, real quick, do a Get Smart PGT since Marquis threw 86 pitches.

NicJ said...

that was like a two hour game and a half hour game!

Steve Sax said...

PGT is up, so please direct your vomit and brimstone there.

rbnlaw said...

Would you believe 86 pitches?

Good one, MLASF.

Steve Sax said...

Mr LA SF, this PGT is for you. Edited. Enjoy, Agent 99!