Saturday, August 08, 2009

Game 111 Thread: August 8 vs. Braves, 7p

Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 2.89) vs. Kenshin Kawakami (5-9, 4.38).

COMMENTS: The Dodgers are 3-4 in August and seem totally schizophrenic from night to night, alternating wins and losses all month. One night after they show some backbone and plunk Prince Fielder in a 17-4 rout, they roll over like a dog and lose 4-1 to the same team. Then Andre Ethier takes the air out of the Braves' sails with a walkoff home run, before we forget to show up for the 12th inning and watch the Braves ice the game with a four-run frame.

According to pattern, we should pull out a win tonight with Kershaw on the mound, who is looking to rebound from a short start last time where he clearly lacked control. Our bullpen needs the rest after using everyone and his mom last night, including Jonathan Broxton, whose blown save in the ninth has poured fuel on the rumors that a lingering injury may exist; a long outing tonight from the Minotaur would be huge. Between Kershaw and Kenshin Kawakami, there's a lot of Ks on the mound tonight. Let's hope the Dodgers don't notch some Ks at the plate, as well.

192 comments:

Erin #2 said...

Orel, be ready. If kershaw starts to blow it, we're sending you in!

JuanLove said...

dream. come. true.

Furcal, SS

Ethier, RF

Manny, LF

KEMP, CF (check out his podcast/interview with the Lakers' website...if you like hoops, you'll enjoy this one)

Loney, 1B

Hudson, 2B

Abreu, 3B (first big league start in two years)

Ausmus, C (day off for Russ after the long game last night)

Kershaw, P


Kemp clean-up. <3

Kyle Baker said...

Off to the Yard.

Infield Reserve Section 6
Row G
Seat 19

Let's get some runs!!!

Erin said...

Last minute, I know, but I have two tickets for tonight's game up for grabs. Christine had surgery yesterday and we won't be able to make it to the game. Anyone who wants them will have to stop off in West Hollywood to pick them up, but they're free, so it's not such a bad deal.

Erin said...

Oh, and they're field level seats. Section 47, aisle seats.

Erin said...

Also, I have to ask why I'm even included in that commenting game you guys have going. I don't think I've commented anywhere near one of the hundreds since the game began. Could it be that the scores for "Erin" and "Erin #2" should be combined?

Kyle Baker said...

@ Erin

Hope all goes well. Big Blue thoughts to you and yours.r

NicJ said...

So the starting pitcher for tomorrow is now TBA. I would love to see them call up Charlie Haeger but I doubt they would. I'm not sure how Martin would do catching a knuckleballer though.

Erin said...

Thanks Dusty. Nothing too serious; just a repair of a severely compressed nerve. But there was general anesthesia and a four-inch incision involved, so I figure a trip to Dodger Stadium, with a whole lot of people ready to run into her with no notice, is not the cure.

rbnlaw said...

But Erin, beer and Dodger Dogs cure everything.

If I didn't have plans, I'd make the drive from OC to snag those seats. Best of luck.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I was supposed to go to this game, but the tickets fell through.

Erin said...

Well, MLASF, it's not too late.

Steve Sax said...

@mr la sf, your luck with tickets has been challenged of late

@Erin, I'll adjust the scores of 100SS accordingly.

Kyle Baker said...

I think last night's game caused a severely compressed nerve in me, too.

Kyle Baker said...

Reporting in. They are out of Blake tees already, much to my dismay.

Wearing my Brooklyn cap, trying to channel the right mojo. Crooklyn, ho-oo!

Kyle Baker said...

Michelle Wie threw out 1st pitch. She's old enough now that I can say she's cute, right?

Josh S. said...

Manny tagged it well at least.

Josh S. said...

I'm curious what will happen with Kemp 4th. Who will be right: Torre or thousands of grousing Dodger fans?

karina said...

Erin, my best wishes to Christine, hope she recovers soon.

Epale all!

karina said...

I'm curious about what JuanLove means with "if you like hoops"

Paul said...

Remember when the dodgers would score early? It seemed so easy back then

Josh S. said...

@Karina: "Hoops" is another term for basketball.

Josh S. said...

Kershaw's doing alright, but I really don't want to be reading about Kawakami's perfect game tomorrow.

Kyle Baker said...

Can we call that Rottino guys to "get things done" so Kawakami doesn't get such a game?

The cognac I put in his Gatorade isn't working.

Kyle Baker said...

Jesus f'in shit they're playing Nickelback between innings.

Orel said...

Epale, all! I see Matt Kemp just broke up Kawakami's no-hitter.

Erin #1, best to Christine.

karina said...

Playing Nickelback could be considered a mild form of torture.

NicJ said...

I'm starting to agree with dusto about loney.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Beware of the warning track power of JAMES LONEY!

karina said...

Kershaw is dealing big time, 3 batters, 3 K's.

Orel said...

Kawashima?

karina said...

Right Orel, it's a pitchers' duel tonight.

Orel said...

KKKKKKKKK

karina said...

O Dogg lead off single!

Orel said...

Kershaw at 79 pitches through five.

Orel said...

Good call!

karina said...

Abreu singled, O Dogg on 2nd, no outs for Manny.

karina said...

Edit: Ausmus is the one at bat, i had an unconscious slip :(

Orel said...

Wheels coming off the Kawakami express?

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Lets hope Kershaw can give us two more. Especially if we get the lead.

Orel said...

Freudian slip, Karina!

Orel said...

Keystone outfielder!

Orel said...

Ausmus shouldn't have been swinging there. Second chance.

KersheyBar said...

I just watched the Movie Major league and that foul ball looked like it came out of that movie. haha

Orel said...

Looks like Torre is worried about the DP with Ausmus.

Orel said...

Hudson with another baserunning gaffe!

Orel said...

KersheyBar! Nice name!

Orel said...

Wasted opportunity there.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

So, can we expect Torre to pull Kershaw early in favor of Manny?

Dusto_Magnifico said...

nope.. thank goodnesss

Orel said...

#1 goal is to have Kershaw go as deep as possible.

KersheyBar said...

Can some one please have another complete game. One in a season is just sad

Dusto_Magnifico said...

there goes that

Josh S. said...

Man, if only someone like Kemp were hitting 8th.

karina said...

T-Bone, are you Dusto?

Kyle Baker said...

To the fuckweed behind me who keeps announcing to everyone who will listen that the ball is foul as it goes into the stands: your days are numbered. You are not Howard Cosell or even Joe Garagiola.

Orel said...

VERY FUNNY JOSH

Orel said...

DB, is he six years old?

Orel said...

We had a CG this season?

Dusto_Magnifico said...

special K going on 6 strong!

KersheyBar said...

Yeah it was so long ago I can hardly remember.

Kyle Baker said...

Stults had a CG shutout this year.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Karina: I am in disguise, please don't tell anyone.

Kyle Baker said...

@ Orel:

Nope. A "grown" man. Probably about 43 and on his 1st date w a woman who has never been to a baseball game before.

Orel said...

Must be fun listening to their conversation, DB.

Orel said...

Maybe Manny needs a trip to the DL.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

So, when I was a kid, my dad, brother and I were at an applebees and this dude sitting at the table next to us was trying to impress his date with a few tall tales. He could throw the ball 107 mph! Dunked on Jordan! Caught touchdown passes from Joe Montana. Whats funny was the chick was doing everything she could to get away from the dude. Good times.

Orel said...

Four-pitch walk to Escobar.

Orel said...

You saw Bo Jackson at Applebee's?

Orel said...

Pickoff for out #3!

Orel said...

Is that a dude or a chick?

karina said...

This is a very entertaining game.

Josh S. said...

One run could get it done tonight.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

special K might be able to go one more!

Orel said...

Kemp will untie it here.

Orel said...

Kershaw at 103 pitches. Does he start the eighth? I say no.

Orel said...

Or he'll get it started.

Josh S. said...

Good start!

KersheyBar said...

Manny should go on the 15 day and take Broxton with him. Do it now before it causes a bigger problem later on

Josh S. said...

C'mon James, no more sucking.

Orel said...

Kemp wreaking havoc on the basepaths!

Josh S. said...

Woo-hoo!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

What happened Loney?

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Is it time for a squeeze?

karina said...

King James, i'm running out of excuses to defend you

Orel said...

Runners on the corners!

Orel said...

Don't get picked off, O-Dog!

Kyle Baker said...

@ T-Bone

I think this is the same guy. So I was wrong; this is probably his 2nd date.

Orel said...

Good eye, Abreu!

Orel said...

RANCHO ARDIENDO

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo, gentlemen!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

FN Ausmus!

Josh S. said...

That was Ausful.

Josh S. said...

CRAAAAAAAP!!!!!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

geeze!

NicJ said...

No win for kershaw

Josh S. said...

Kemp should have just stolen home.

Orel said...

Belly!

Josh S. said...

Belly Mode!

Kyle Baker said...

This team needs a Little League coach to come in and teach it some fundamentals. For example, when we have men on base and 0 or 1 outs, how to hit the ball into the outfield so that, whether or not it as caught, the runner or ruNers on base can tag and likely score a run or runs, which, in turn, inform the outcome of the game.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

good to see beli back!

Orel said...

Please no more two-out madness.

Orel said...

I hope Sherrill doesn't become Torre's new Proctor.

karina said...

Welcome back, Belly!

Josh S. said...

Torre loves shiny new toys. If you start out awesome in relief, he'll run you out there until you're not.

A complete Broxton collapse could save Sherrill from Protorization, but no one really wants that to happen either.

Josh S. said...

Proctorization, I meant.

Orel said...

Nice play, Abreu!

Josh S. said...

Oh, that was TOO DAMN CLOSE.

Josh S. said...

It's time to rough up the pen!

Orel said...

Broxton warming up. Torre not giving him too much time to think about last night.

KersheyBar said...

On an unrelated note. BJ Penn and Anderson Silva both one.
Just letting you guys know in case you were wondering

Orel said...

So the Braves have Moylan and Medlen?

Orel said...

MMA, KB?

Kyle Baker said...

I wish Torre wldnt make me have to think about last night's game.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

now would be a nice tine to see furcal take second.

Orel said...

I used to think Manny was capable of homering in every at-bat. Now I expect outs.

KersheyBar said...

Yes UFC 101

Orel said...

Hope Manny heats up in September.

KersheyBar said...

AGH MANNY. Its ok. Let the G handle it
Come on Bison

Dusto_Magnifico said...

fna!

Orel said...

At least the Rockies lost.

KersheyBar said...

Someone needs to check Kemp's eyes. Striking out looking. Not swinging at all three strikes

Paul said...

Bunny said Black Sabbath! Drink!

NicJ said...

None of those were strikes.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This is one frustrating game.

Paul said...

Oops Vinny damn iPhone

Orel said...

One K for Brox.

Orel said...

Bunny! Ha ha!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

If it means anything to anyone, the Dodgers are probably involved in waiver discussions.

Orel said...

Nice pick by Abreu! Uneventful inning by Broxton!

Paul said...

Okay. I am tired of the supercuts and shakeys commercials

Orel said...

drat

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Double drat

Orel said...

WTF two line drives right at them?

Kyle Baker said...

Anything else on the waiver front yet, MLASF?

I need sumthin. This game is the pits.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

All I know is that the team cannot talk about it. That's the rule.

Orel said...

extras

Orel said...

...with a fistful of hundreds!

Paul said...

hey Motarina! Blah I need alcohol

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nice catch by Ethier!

Orel said...

whew

Orel said...

aargh

Paul said...

Damn it a walk

Orel said...

I am reduced to monosyllabic expressions.

Kyle Baker said...

@ MLASF:

Sounds like fight club.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Prince Fielder knows it.

mpearse89 said...

How does a team foul off so many pitches?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Fucking hell.

NicJ said...

More two out madness

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

If only James Loney could have flied out.

Paul said...

Come on mota one more out. Ahh fuck right when I was typing you do that!

Orel said...

It's not so much the home run that bugs than the walk.

Nostradamus said...

I swear to God, I just sat down to catch the end of the game and check the game thread.

Way to F it up, Mr. C

NicJ said...

It's getting to the point where I don't even look forward to these games anymore.

Paul said...

I have a bad feeling about this week. This month now

Nostradamus said...

I agree, it's been a pretty miserable stretch. A few victories snatched from the jaws of defeat, but not good baseball.

Paul said...

The dodgers better get their shit together or this week they may have to kneel before Zod aka Bochy

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

They just have to get through August, then it's smooth sailing.

karina said...

It's not your fault, Mr Customer. James Loney can't have all the fault and let;s remind the game is not over yet.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

On the bright side, there is no way Soriano can pitch tomorrow.

Orel said...

Oh good, Juan Pierre's batting. He'll save us.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Well, he didn't kill us.

Paul said...

So you are saying there is a chance!?

Orel said...

@MLASF "On the bright side, there is no way Soriano can pitch tomorrow."

We've got 'em right where we want 'em!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's all part of the plan.

Orel said...

Another hard-hit-but-not-quite-hard-enough shot by Martin!

Paul said...

Come on raffy!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Hooray for DI!

Orel said...

two down

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's up to Ethier.

Orel said...

At least who we want up is up.

Orel said...

This will not have a happy ending.

Orel said...

Steal third, JP!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Ethier gets a hit, and goes to second!

Orel said...

Shutout averted!

Paul said...

Oh boy!

karina said...

@Paul: there's always a chance.

Orel said...

It's in Manny's contract: He can't disappoint in two consecutive walkoff opportunities.

NicJ said...

The ump has a really wide zone.

Orel said...

Walk Manny?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

They walk Manny to get to Kemp.

Orel said...

@Nic "The ump has a really wide zone."

Yes, he's very self-conscious about it.

NicJ said...

It's all up to kemp

Orel said...

Braves, meet the Bison.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The hunted has become the hunter.

Steve Sax said...

This is awful.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Just a base-hit...

NicJ said...

Kemp is not clutch.

Orel said...

MFPGT up.

karina said...

At least it wasn't a shutout.

Paul said...

I need another drink.

Steve Sax said...

Whoomp, there it isn't.