Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Game 115 Thread: August 12 @ Giants, 12:45p

Jeff Weaver (5-4, 3.90) vs. Tim Lincecum (12-3, 2.20).

Remember how you felt Sunday night? Compare that to how you feel now. Big difference, no? Certainly the Dodgers can relate, and hopefully that attitude shift will pay off against Lincecum. The Dodgers are throwing their entire bullpen against Mr. Cy Young today, including 25-year-old knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, who took Eric Stults' place on the roster.

Joe Torre, on catching the knuckleball:

My catching a knuckleball was so good the Braves went out and got Bob Uecker, which hastened the end of his playing career and he became a broadcaster. I feel responsible for making him a broadcaster.

Good luck today, Russell!

And a note from Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com:

One scout views the Giants' red-hot Eugenio Velez the same way he viewed the Marlins' Emilio Bonifacio early in the season. Velez, the scout says, is feasting on fastballs. Once opponents start throwing him breaking balls, his party will end.

(Thanks to True Blue LA commenter shaqfor3 for posting the animated .gif!)

602 comments:

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Josh S. said...

On the pre-game show yesterday, Torre said "Ausmus told me he has a big glove" while discussing catching Haeger. That means Russ is likely sitting today.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

According to MLBTR, Bill Hall was DFA'd by the Brewers.

(Cough, sign him, cough)

Josh S. said...

You're kidding, right Mr. LASF? The dude's an error machine.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

But he has power. Or at least he did.

Josh S. said...

A Brewer fan I know just tweeted: "The Bill Hall nightmare is over."

Telling, no?

Kyle Baker said...

All I've ever seen Bill Hall do is make errors. Right now, I think we need to concentrate on pitching. The hitting will be there (to wit: last night).

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

We could do worse. In fact, we did.

Kyle Baker said...

@MLASF-

Easy, man, we've just won two games. You're sounding like we're the Pirates! ;-)

I attribute it to DreamWeaver nervousness, which is very understandable. I have a 10:30-12:30 mtg, and I'm going to be sweating like D Lowe the whole time until I can get back to the office and pull the game up on MLB.TV. Check yall then.

rbnlaw said...

I saw so many "Pandoval" shirts at the game, I thought it was his real name.

Going to Sand Dune Park in Manhattan Beach, then somewhere to start watching this one.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I have the inheret desire to add players. It's my thing.

Josh S. said...

Gameday Audio in my cubicle for me today.

rbnlaw said...

Oh, and one thing I noticed after Kemp's 3-run jack in last night's game was the look on the faces in the dugout:
Mean. No laughing, no jumping around, no hand slapping. Just mean, business-like faces. This is a team re-discovering its "nasty."

Matt said...

Doug Davis is on waivers. What are the chances he falls to the Dodgers? Slim or none?

Orlando Zepeda said...

Binoculars and

looking out the window
for me

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The Pirates are building their team with the Dodgers' spare parts. They claimed Jon Meloan off waivers.

Orel said...

Where the heck are you?

Orel said...

Furcal, SS
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
Manny, LF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Castro, 2B
Weaver, P

O-Dog still sits. Martin borrows Ausmus' big glove.

Josh S. said...

Passed ball over/under?

Orlando Zepeda said...

working in my lab (5 min walk from AT&T park)

Paul said...

Last minute response to a motion dropped on my desk. My average morning productivity has increased exponentially thanks to the dodgers and my afternoon productivity will crash thanks to the dodgers. Hope to be done by the 3rd or 4th inning.

Set the pass ball o/u at 2?

Orel said...

Orlando, not a bad place to work — even if it is AT&T Park.

Orel said...

Or I should say "home of the Giants" — the stadium itself is very nice.

Kyle Baker said...

@MLASF:

"I have the inheret desire to add players. It's my thing."

Heh...I agree that we should just secretly hide away utility players in case we need them, roster limits be damned. Creative use of disguise should be all we need to be able to have 23 starting pitchers on staff!

Orel said...

Inspirational pictures up on the main page.

Orel said...

It's tiiime for Dodger baseball!

Orel said...

Bob Schaefer profile!

karina said...

Epale Orel!

Orel said...

Prediction: Lincecum will strike out the side...ON ONE PITCH.

Orel said...

Epale, Karina! Pull up a seat and open a beer!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Wow, Furcal was lost there.

Orel said...

Day-um. Three pitches, one out.

Steve Sax said...

SoSG Sax in the house.

@Orlando Zepeda: You must be at UCSF. I think I recognize that huge parking lot.

Orel said...

Ha! Vin called Russell "Mondesi."

Orel said...

Epale, Sax!

Orel said...

Five pitches, two out.

Josh S. said...

Matt Temp?

Orel said...

A ball! WE WIN

karina said...

Epale, Sax!

I went to sleep early last night. What did i miss?

Orel said...

Two balls! WS HERE WE COME

Orel said...

Three balls! WORLD PEACE

Steve Sax said...

Ethier, please make this a 25-pitch at bat to compensate for Furcal and Martin

Orel said...

1-2-3 for Timmy.

Josh S. said...

A 1-2-3 inning against Lincecum is not particularly surprising.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

There goes that opportunity.

Steve Sax said...

Nine pitches, three outs.

Yeah, we've got them right where we want them.

Steve Sax said...

The mid-inning changeover is taking longer than our entire first inning

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least he didn't K the side on 9 pitches.

Orel said...

First-game strike for Weaver.

Orel said...

He might as well have.

Orel said...

Weaver is matching Lincecum, pitch for pitch.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The objective is clear: Weaver must make the exact same amount of pitches as Timmah does.

Orel said...

Of course, we're only one out in.

Steve Sax said...

only mlb gameday for me

looks like eugenio tagged that ball to kemp

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least with contact they can see the ball.

karina said...

The Giants bats are not that super dangerous, with a couple of exceptions. If we get quality pitching and the hitters try to squeeze the most out of Lincecum, taking more pitches (looking at you Ethier, you were 3-0), there's a chance.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Vin Scully could always join Roger Ebert on the balcony after he retires. His description of Kung Fu Panda was terrific.

Orel said...

Way to wiggle off the Panda hook, Weaver!

Orel said...

Generous strike zone today. Let's take advantage of it.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Backwards K!

Orel said...

Weaver can throw all the pitches he wants today.

Ks Molina!

NicJ said...

You know the giants are desperate for baserunners in a series when bengie Molina tries to work a walk.

Steve Sax said...

@karina, I agree, we gotta take some pitches here.

1-2-3-4 inning for Weaver! 0-0 after 1.

Orel said...

Manny vs. Timmy. Dream matchup.

Steve Sax said...

The Giants' cleanup hitter (Bengie Molina) is batting worse than Russell J Martin, if you can believe it

Orel said...

Timmy nibbling.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Manny lead-off walk.

Orel said...

Man on!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Missed tag!

NicJ said...

That ump has a good eye.

Orel said...

Okay, I think we just used up all our karma on that play. (Manny hung out to try at first but Ishikawa with the late tag.)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Wow. Bochy's gone. I bet he'll be pissed when he sees the replays.

Orel said...

"dry"

Orel said...

Bochy kicked out in the second inning!

Josh S. said...

Bochy had a golf date.

NicJ said...

Bochy has spent more time in the clubhouse this series.

Booger said...

im watching on game day, did bochy get tossed for arguing the play at first?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That was a total waste.

Orel said...

No matter, Casey cleans off the bases.

Orel said...

Booger: Yep.

Steve Sax said...

Bochy, Gameday says all four of those balls were indeed balls.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

We're just making it easy on Timmah.

Steve Sax said...

Anyone: Why did Bochy get called out by the 1B ump, if there were four balls to Manny?

Steve Sax said...

Way to take some pitches, Loney (swings at first pitch, ground out)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

He was thrown out for arguing a safe call on a pick-off throw. Manny got to first before Ishikawa could apply the tag, but it was so close Bochy argued it.

MR.F said...

Oh, a day game. I wouldn't have been able to go to tonight's game anyway then.

Eric Karros said...

Hi folks

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Crapola.

Josh S. said...

Stop! Haeger Time!

NicJ said...

Andre was going for the hope it's a ground rule double defense right there.

Josh S. said...

Now I see why the McCovey Chronicles folks were begging for Nate to come back.

NicJ said...

Does that start a war?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

*Plunk*

Steve Sax said...

Schierholtz triples, Ishikawa HBP. Weaver's falling off the rails in inning #2

Josh S. said...

Every time I hear Fred Lewis's name I think of Al Lewis.

Orel said...

RA for the Giants. How are they going to not score here?

Josh S. said...

Ruh-roh, Shaggy!

Josh S. said...

Uh, Raggy.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This is not pretty.

Steve Sax said...

Yeah, this....is not going so well.

Well at least we won the series

Josh S. said...

Weaver likes the bases loaded so he can strike out the side and look that much more awesome.

Orel said...

Weaver ahead of Uribe 0-2. K him and get a DP.

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo, no outs. Positive is they can get an out at home and another out in any base. *Crossing fingers*

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Whew, that throw nearly sailed into the dugout. Force-out.

Orel said...

Blake thought he was throwing to...(thinking of someone tall)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kareem?

Orel said...

Yes! Kareem!

Orel said...

Two out!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Timmah K's! Just one out to go!

NicJ said...

I bet he is going to try to get a bunt single

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Line drive right to Kemp! The Jints have caught our LOB struggles!

NicJ said...

Weaver wobbles but he doesn't fall down!!

Josh S. said...

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Oh, and Vinny just said the Giants aren't in the division race. Should we be worried?

Steve Sax said...

Wow, that was pretty damn fortunate

Orel said...

Velez flies out before I can type "Velez can atone for his defensive boner from last night."

LLCoolL said...

Zoinks! Give him a scooby snack.

karina said...

It doesn't hurt to be a little optimistic. In the other hand, if it had been bases loaded with two outs, i'd have been genuinely worried.

Josh S. said...

Get 'em, Fidel!

Steve Sax said...

BP Playoff Odds report:

Dodgers 99.2% chance of making the playoffs

Rockies 59.3%

Giants 14.4%

Orel said...

Does Lincecum plunk Weaver?

Orel said...

Nice hack by Weaver for strike one.

karina said...

Any reports on Hudson's groin?

Orel said...

Seems a little low for the Giants, even if they are scuffling.

Steve Sax said...

Lincecum is dispatching us with precision efficency

Josh S. said...

Does Lincecum ever plunk anybody?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This will be a long game.

Steve Sax said...

We've hit only one ball out of the infield, through three

Orel said...

We killed Blogger!

Orel said...

Dodgers think Hudson's injury not serious (Dodgers.com)

Hudson gets some rest (LA Times)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That was weird.

Josh S. said...

Let's get back to this one...

Orel said...

Everybody thought that was strike three.

Orel said...

Steal, Molina!

Orel said...

Nice backhand flip by Blake to Castro.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's kinda funny how different the pitchers are working, yet no one has scored.

Josh S. said...

(Paraphrasing) Vin last night: "When you've caught as many games as Molina has, every run to first is all uphill."

karina said...

Thank you very much, Orel!

By the way, did anyone else experienced technical difficulties to post?

Orel said...

Aflac: Who are the only 3 pitchers to win 2 Cy Young awards before the age of 26?

Josh S. said...

Aw, it's Steiner time.

karina said...

Dwight Gooden?

NicJ said...

When did bengie start taking pitches? That was like his 6th BB of the year.

Orel said...

Yes, Karina. But I think we're back.

Orel said...

Lincecum dollar bill story!

Orel said...

But did Lincecum get to keep the dollar?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Obviously it's Fernando.

Orel said...

"The woman accused of trying to extort Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino approached him in a restaurant six years ago, and the two had sex at a table after closing time, the coach told police."

Josh S. said...

JMac warming up? So the Haeger thing is just a big tease?

karina said...

WE are both wrong. We've named pitchers who did win the Cy Young before 26, but the question is who has won it twice?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Oh, twice. Whoops.

Orel said...

Ethier battling here.

Josh S. said...

Andre running up the pitch count.

Orel said...

Hey, I didn't realize we haven't got a hit yet.

LINCECUM NO-HITTER!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Andre's a lover, not a fighter. But he's also a fighter, so don't get any ideas.

Orel said...

Jinx worked!

NicJ said...

My dad used to do that dollar bill trick to me when I was a kid and I was never able to pitch like that. Of course it didn't help when I would leave mid practice to spend the dollar at the ice cream man.

Orel said...

Timmy approaching 50 pitches.

Orel said...

Are baseball fathers as insufferable as stage mothers?

Orel said...

Funny, Nic!

Orel said...

(Not your dad specifically, Nic.)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Down goes Manny, down goes Manny.

Orel said...

What pitch did Manny strike out on?

karina said...

My parents totally rocked as baseball parents. They were cool as ice cubes.

NicJ said...

Orel, a good one.

Josh S. said...

Manny vs. Lincecum is an intriguing matchup, but I really want to see them arm wrestle.

Orel said...

McDonald in to start the fourth. It's a team effort on the mound today.

Josh S. said...

My wife fears that I'm going to become one of "those" baseball dads.

But I went to Ron Cey Baseball Camp! I have cred!

Orel said...

Dodgers hope Hudson returns Friday (Dodgers.com)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

J-Mac K's Travis.

(I'm getting sick of typing "Ishikawa")

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Almost for Andre.

Orel said...

A right-handed RFer makes that catch.

NicJ said...

Haha Josh, tape down a childs right arm to force them to become a lefty is not child abuse.

Orel said...

Gameday says Manny struck out on an 85-mph slider. Aren't sliders usually thrown down and away?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

J-Mac K's Uribe!

Orel said...

McD: K, double, K

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

J-Mac K's the side. Take that, Timmah.

Orel said...

Strikes out the side! I like this starter-by-committee thing!

NicJ said...

Isn't it about time for us to score 4 runs in an inning.

Orel said...

Aflac: Denny McLain, Roger Clemens, Bret Saberhagen

Josh S. said...

There is something wrong with The Beard.

Orel said...

Tim Lincecum?

Paul said...

wow one cheap hit, eh we are still tied up. It is Timmay against the world.

Orel said...

Yeah, he's batting against Tim Lincecum.

Josh S. said...

Bret Saberhagen invented sabermetrics.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I thought that was Bill James

Steve Sax said...

oh my gosh we got a hit

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Oh wait, I get it.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Or do I?

Orel said...

Josh S. said...
Bret Saberhagen invented sabermetrics.

Mr. LA Sports Fan said...
I thought that was Bill James

Like ships crossing in the night.

Steve Sax said...

wait, that was last inning. Gameday over blackberry, you torment me so!

Wesley Vento said...

just wanted to drop in and say, MLASF, I laughed my ass of when I saw the first comment. That .gif is the funniest thing I've ever seen.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Sometimes stating the obvious is the greatest form of humor, HLACK.

Steve Sax said...

65 pitches through five innings for Lincecum.

For those of you watching, does it look like we are even trying?

I am hoping that Lincecum is like a shorter half-life Nomo for the Giants. Crazy windup, unhittable his first couple years in the leagues, and then people figure him out and it's done. Oh, and he needs to sign a zito-like contract for SF as well before his arm falls off.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

As long as we can hold the Giants at bay, it negates everything Timmah does. If we win in the 10th off a reliever, nobody will care that he threw a one-hitter over the first nine.

Steve Sax said...

Seriously, that slide of cake flying through in the gif file is hilarious

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That does not bode well.

Steve Sax said...

I'm sticking around until 200, and that's it.

Steve Sax said...

I mean it.

Steve Sax said...

That's it.

Steve Sax said...

200!

Josh S. said...

Unable to muster any offense, the Dodgers elect to inflate the Giants' LOB numbers.

Josh S. said...

Sumbitch.

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