Friday, August 14, 2009

Game 116 Thread: August 14 @ D'backs, 6:40p

Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 2.73) vs. Dan Haren (11-7, 2.57).

COMMENTS: "One game at a time," the cliché goes, but let's face it: Not taking this series against the 52-63 Diamondbacks would be a disappointment. The Dodgers' toughest test this weekend will be facing Arizona's de facto ace, Haren. However, Haren has hit a rough patch in his past few starts, admitting, "It's no secret, I'm scuffling right now." Cat's out of the bag!

It's also no secret that Kershaw is currently the ace of the Dodgers' staff. To put this into perspective, Tim Lincecum — the Cy Young-pitcher who didn't get the victory against the Dodgers on Wednesday — is 25 years old. Kershaw is 21. You could say he's in the catbird seat.

The Dodgers are 5.0 games ahead of the Rockies, 6.5 ahead of the Giants. They also have a 32-13 record against the rest of the NL West this season. It's time to sharpen your claws, gentlemen.

171 comments:

Orel said...

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

Hudson with the eight-hole training wheels.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least he's back

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You should see the D-Back's lineup. I don't think I know the first name of half the guys starting. No Upton, no Young, no Lopez, no Byrnes.

Orel said...

NYM 1, SF 0, top 2

Greg Zakwin said...

I'm impressed that Kemp hasn't punched Torre yet for constantly batting offensive juggernauts Loney and Blake higher than him.

And knowing Torre, he'll sit Kemp on his bobblehead night.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Kemp is "protecting" Loney.

Unknown said...

Has there ever been a team where the most successful hitter through out a season has hit as low as Kemp?

Kyle Baker said...

Just to play devil's advocate, clearly Kemp is thriving where he is batting in the order now. Why shake that up when it's working? He's getting up with plenty of RISP so it's not like he's stuck down there having low potential impact at bats.

karina said...

@Mr LASF: Gerardo Parra is having a great season , i guess he's the best D'Backs hitter right now.

Orel said...

FLA 3, COL 0, bot 6
NYM 3, SF 0, bot 7

NicJ said...

Johnson has a no no going for the fish.

NicJ said...

Atktins just homered. That jinx worked fast!

Orel said...

I figured it would be Tulowitzki.

Orel said...

The Giants game is going incredibly quickly. Already in the top of the ninth.

Orel said...

Giants lose!

I Alivandi said...

Dan Haren - Meet your owner.

No wonder Haren is already 3-0 to him

I Alivandi said...

BTW, that was a nice ride Russ gave the ball he hit.

Orel said...

But all this warning-track power is getting frustrating.

Orel said...

Thank goodness J.D. Drew opted out of his Dodger contract. But it seemed like a big deal at the time.

Orel said...

K

I Alivandi said...

Steven Drew just got owned.

I Alivandi said...

Orel - Warning Track power is a good sign. Just missing it.

As for the J.D. Drew thing, I never cared except that it left the Dodgers in a lurch. I can't stand J.D. Drew and his faux religious fanaticism combined with an ego that I think even Scott Boras has to tone down.

Orel said...

KK! 1-2-3 inning!

I Alivandi said...

See ya later Rico Suave.

Orel said...

I wonder if his brother is the same way.

I Alivandi said...

Wow. Manny owns Haren to a greater degree than even Ethier. 10-20 with 2 bombs.

That second strike was an awful call.

Orel said...

Manny is so fearless on 0-2 counts. 11-21 against Haren now.

I Alivandi said...

Orel - Yep. Haren's various fastballs are what make him so lethal, and Manny owns fastballs.

Beard is not Manny, but what an idiot move by the catcher.

I Alivandi said...

I was wondering where Blake was, but I realize it now. With the runner at first, Blake was out automatically.

I Alivandi said...

Wow. Kemp knew it immediately. Haren throws that on the first pitch and it wouldn't have landed yet.

I Alivandi said...

The book on Reynolds must be to throw high. Kershaw was really working that area.

I Alivandi said...

That wasn't good.

karina said...

Told it before, if it's not the former Dodger, it's the venezuelan.

Orel said...

The walk comes back to haunt. 1-0 D'backs.

I Alivandi said...

Nice job Russ. Talk to your lefty.

Orel said...

I was wondering about Blake too (last inning).

Steve Sax said...

Well, that's not good. Second inning, kershaw cracks

I Alivandi said...

Orel - He started running, but I think the umpires told him he was out. I believe the rule is that, with the force in play, the batter is automatically out but the runners can move.

I Alivandi said...

Shit I love it. The Aussie comes out to Men at Work.

NicJ said...

It's gonna be a long night.

Orel said...

RA for the D'backs. Shit.

I Alivandi said...

Come on Minotaur. Settle down. I do wish Montero had run on Manny though, because Manny had him cold.

I Alivandi said...

We could really use a 1-2-3 DP right now.

Orel said...

Rockies lose — barely.

I Alivandi said...

I was just looking at Oeltjen's numbers in the minors. Why hasn't this guy gotten a chance before?

Augie-f'ing-Ojeda.

I Alivandi said...

Oeltjen can fly. One needs to worry about the squeeze here.

I Alivandi said...

Wow. What a garbage call by the umpire.

karina said...

Oeltjen played for Aguilas in winter baseball, he was impressive. He's australian.

I Alivandi said...

Merdre Alors. Kershaw just hung that to Haren. He came close to popping him up.

Orel said...

3-0 D'backs. So much for the sweep. (Yes, I'm an alarmist!)

I Alivandi said...

Come on Minotaur. Just throw it to the glove.

I Alivandi said...

I don't like Clayton out of the stretch.

Orel said...

I hate it when Martin gets caught unawares like that.

Orel said...

Wow, Minotaur Meltdown!

I Alivandi said...

Ok, I can't watch anymore

Josh S. said...

Stop! Haeger time!

Orel said...

Is Charlie Haeger still on the roster?

karina said...

Oh boy, Parra is coming, get him again, Kershaw!

Josh S. said...

After the friggin' intense District 9, I needed something to lighten my mood. This isn't it.

Long man Tron? Huh?

Josh S. said...

Orel, I have no idea. I just figured begging for him to appear couldn't hurt.

Orel said...

That was bad, but not insurmountable. Let's get some back!

Orel said...

Capsule review, Josh?

karina said...

@Orel There's plenty of game left!

Orel said...

Even Audrina Patridge can't act like a balm on my jangled nerves.

Orel said...

1-2-3 for Haren. Kershaw doesn't get much of a rest.

Orel said...

Thanks Karina!

Josh S. said...

District 9 capsule review:

Brilliantly made and inventive documentary-style film about extraterrestrial refugees in Johannesburg, South Africa. Amazing seamless special effects and surprisingly good action sequences, but some images and story elements were, as I said INTENSE. Not a feel-good flick, but definitely worth a watch.

NicJ said...

Figures we play like this when we have the chance to gain a game.

Orel said...

So, Tsotsi with aliens?

Orel said...

At least Kershaw could have waited until the fifth to fall apart.

Orel said...

KKKKK

Josh S. said...

"A wet double for Rusty Ryal" is probably the filthiest thing Vin's ever said.

Orel said...

Vin does an Australian accent!

Orel said...

Kershaw Ks the side with a ground-rule double interspersed in.

Orel said...

JJ!

Josh S. said...

"So, Tsotsi with aliens?"

It kinda sorta starts there, yeah, but then the story takes a turn that I don't really want to go into detail about here for fear of treading into spoiler territory.

Orel said...

2-3-4 hitters for the Blue. Let's go!

Orel said...

Thanks for no spoilers, Josh.

Orel said...

Russ first-pitch swinging. Guess it couldn't hurt at this point.

Orel said...

Ethier gets under it. Haren is rolling, but here's Manny.

Josh S. said...

Manny has come to play. Too bad he's alone.

Orel said...

Haren isn't afraid to throw Manny first-pitch strikes.

Manny singles on the second pitch! RALLY TIME

Orel said...

silver lining: Manny 2-for-2

Orel said...

WP advances Manny to second.

Josh S. said...

Did I hit rewind on my DVR?

Orel said...

Beard Ks swinging to end the inning. We need to get Haren out of there.

Orel said...

Josh, how was District 9?

Orel said...

Love this Corona commercial.

NicJ said...

The dodgers really know how to ruin a weekend

Orel said...

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NicJ said...

The dodgers really know how to ruin a weekend

Orel said...

When Kershaw isn't missing the plate, they're tagging his pitches.

Orel said...

Is Hinch out-managing Torre?

Orel said...

Good block, Martin.

karina said...

Public Enemy Number One owns Parra!

Orel said...

Those four-run innings, they'll come back to haunt ya.

NicJ said...

It seems like the dodgers pitching staff owns Parra I think I remember bills striking him out three times in a game too.

Orel said...

It's no fun being on the run
Because they got me, Public Enemy number one

karina said...

@Ali when he played here, his at bat song wasn't any Men At Work. I would remember that. I'm glad he's in the bigs, he seems to be a nice guy, at least he took lots of time to sign things for the fans, specially for the kids.

I Alivandi said...

Aren't I glad I changed the TV back?

Orel said...

BISON HR!

NicJ said...

Now we just need four more of those

karina said...

Wasn't it a beautiful HR?

I Alivandi said...

The key to Haren is to swing at the first pitch.

I Alivandi said...

Well, either that or be Manny Ramirez or Andre Ethier.

I Alivandi said...

Furcal have a cramp?

I Alivandi said...

That was so close. Furcal probably should have fouled it off. Come on Russell.

Orel said...

Why is a 12-year-old managing the D-backs?

I Alivandi said...

Russ is going to be upset with himself there. He usually doesn't get fooled on that kind of pitch.

Orel said...

WHY did he swing at that???

I Alivandi said...

Orel - Hahahahahahaha. Better yet, why did he have a high level front office job?

Orel said...

At least we got Haren up to 72 pitches.

I Alivandi said...

Clayton is getting better with his move. He needs it, because he is a bit slow to the plate

I Alivandi said...

Bow and arrow baby.

Orel said...

This ump sure likes to take his sweet-ass time calling strike three.

I Alivandi said...

Kershaw showed a lot of guts today. Yet another performance characteristic of an ace, and not because of the result.

I Alivandi said...

BTW, Torre should have let him finish the damn inning.

I Alivandi said...

Welcome to the big leagues son.

Orel said...

Ethier single + Manny HR makes this a game.

Orel said...

Ethier not cooperating with my grand plan. Guess Manny'll just have to cut the lead to two.

I Alivandi said...

Manny HR, Beard Walk, Loney HR (on the road and in AZ)

I Alivandi said...

That was almost three.

Orel said...

Manny only half-cooperating. Doubles.

I Alivandi said...

Perhaps Casey's problem is the all too thin beard?

NicJ said...

For the love of god, please someone get on base in front of manny.

Orel said...

Ha! Beach balls interrupt the games in Arizona too!

Orel said...

Montero looked like Spider-Man there.

I Alivandi said...

Haren may have a lot of different pitches, but three of them are fastballs (and that is not counting the splitter)

Orel said...

Where was that single last time, Beard? 1st & 3rd, one out. Loney up.

karina said...

King James, pleaseeeee

karina said...

Dreadful

Orel said...

Disgusting.

Steve Sax said...

Dammit Loney!

NicJ said...

I can't decide if loney or j Mart are pissing me off
more tonight.

Orel said...

Vin is reporting Bills had a good bullpen session today.

I Alivandi said...

Good news from Vinny on Chad. Looking at the red in his skin and all the water he retains, they really need to monitor his blood pressure.

I Alivandi said...

Nic - At least Russ hit two balls hard.

Orel said...

At least Tron looks pretty smooth.

NicJ said...

Either way you look it's still 0-3

karina said...

This is the Tron we all know and like.

karina said...

What's up with you Haren?picking up a fight?

NicJ said...

Can we do anything with a leadoff walk?

NicJ said...

Time for a JP HR.

NicJ said...

Can't do anything right tonight.

Orel said...

Why would we use Belisario losing by three?

Orel said...

This sucks.

Orel said...

I thought we were done with the beanballs.

karina said...

Belly, you know this hitters very well, get him!

NicJ said...

He almost killed soo hoo!

Orel said...

Jon SooHoo dodges the flying lumber!

NicJ said...

Oop. Make him pay manny.

Ps Russ is freaking terrible tonight.

Orel said...

Love Andre's slooooow walk to first after getting hit by Haren.

NicJ said...

Damn! that freaking close.

Orel said...

Dammit, that looked gone.

Orel said...

Not Mota!

Orel said...

More Bison glove love!

NicJ said...

I bet the dodgers score two in the ninth just to piss me off.

karina said...

A work of art courtesy of the Bison.

Orel said...

I love how Kemp doesn't land on his wrist on those plays.

Steve Sax said...

Well, here we are in the ninth...leadoff walk to Beard.

Steve Sax said...

No GIDP here, Loney!

Orel said...

Try as he might, James couldn't hit into another DP there.

Steve Sax said...

Shit, that was close. FJL forces Blake at second. One out.

Orel said...

1st & 3rd w/one out. What do you think, DP to end it?

NicJ said...

We really need a better pinch hitting option than Loretta.

Orel said...

Useless.

Orel said...

He will single here.

Orel said...

wah wah wah wah

NicJ said...

Damn we could of lost by two.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

We could've lost by one.

Orel said...

MFPGT up.