Friday, August 28, 2009

Game 129 Thread: August 28 @ Natti, 4p

Chad Billingsley (12-7, 3.73) vs. Homer Bailey (3-4, 6.82).

COMMENTS: "Billingsley is 3-1 with a 1.40 ERA lifetime against the Reds and 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA at Great American Ball Park," writes Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com. "Scary moment: Manny Ramirez got plunked on the left hand by an errant Homer Bailey pitch in the the third inning," I wrote in July. Manny still seems to be suffering the after-effects of that HBP, so let's pay Bailey back the best way we can — by shelling him back to the Stone Age.

By the way, the day Manny got hit on the hand, the Dodgers were 26 games over .500. They enter today's game 24 games over. It may not be progress, but it's still respectable.

131 comments:

Kyle Baker said...

Barkeep!

Ken said...

hopefully homer will get plunked in less than 2 or so innings~

Kyle Baker said...

can we send padilla out on one day's rest to plunk homer bailey, then sub him right out?

rbnlaw said...

Hells yeah, Eddie!
I love early game times. I'll be crackin' one open before the first pitch (once I leave this place they call "work").

And remember, the Reds love us and want us to sweep them . . . badly.

Kyle Baker said...

Headed to BevMo to pick up needed supplies. For some reason I'm thinking National Bohemian, but I don't know why....

Kyle Baker said...

Angels get Scott Kazmir.

Fred's Brim said...

haha this place has turned into quite the drunk tank. i'll be downing $2.50 Guinnesseses in about an hour

And I vote for the Sons to open a real-life bar!

Fred's Brim said...

just saw the Kazmir thing on traderumors. Also said we were looking at bats. I dont like the Tony Clark idea presented there...

Steve Sax said...

Listening to 710am, they are absolutely orgasming over the Angels' apparent pickup of Scott Kazmir from the Rays.

They are impugning the Dodgers over not picking him up.

Steve Sax said...

"this is a brilliant home run of a deal for the Angels"

Kyle Baker said...

OMG do I have a tale to tell thanks to the cable dude.

1) He was installing a new HD tuning adapter so my Tivo would work with the new digital switching that Charter is rolling out. In doing so, he knocked over a bobblehead. Guess which one? Furcal! Broke his arm off. Not sure what the cosmic significance is with this. Speculate away, please.

2) He asked if I liked the Dodgers when he was eyeing the remaining non-broken bobbles. He said he didn't follow baseball but I would probably appreciate the fact that a few weeks ago, he just installed the same adapter for Manny Martinez. I corrected his name, and asked if Manny indeed lived in the [Pasadena-area condominium complex two blocks north of where I live] as I had heard rumor of. He said "Yes, number [xxxx] but we aren't supposed to tell." *sigh*

3) He also told me via broken English but with obvious hand/arm gestures in front of his chest that Pamela Anderson lived there.

Like I said, I'm headed to BevMo. Check in later after I take all this in and get a few cold beverages under my belt.

Loney Fan said...

I'm going to have to get out of here early and head to our new(ish) Brewery out here in Redlands to fill up a growler in time for the start.

karina said...

@Dusty Baker "Guess which one? Furcal! Broke his arm off. Not sure what the cosmic significance is with this. Speculate away, please."

It might be good news for us.

rbnlaw said...

@DB
Can the bobble be replaced with a Juan Castro BH?

Here's hoping Manny Martinez gets his stroke back at that bandbox called Great America.

With all the talk of getting beer on the way home, my Buds in the fridge suddenly seem . . . cold. Hell, I've got to get home STAT!

Loney Fan said...

It looks like today's SoSG competition is to see who can skip out of work first and start drinking. And the prize... drinking!

Loney Fan said...

Drinking early and heavily? Looks like Mrs. Loneyfan is getting a black eye tonight!

Steve Sax said...

@Ken + Dusty Baker: the comments about us plunking Bailey are priceless. I hope he doesn't get his first at bat until the third, though--or maybe we'll have chased him by then!

Kyle Baker said...

@ LF-

Does the competition count if I didn't even work today but started on the lager fairly early?

Kyle Baker said...

Furcal SS (despite broken bobble arm!)
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Ramirez LF
Blake 3B
Loney 1B
Martin C
Hudson 2B
Billingsley P

Steve Sax said...

Time for Dodgers!

Kyle Baker said...

Oh it's ON.

karina said...

Dodgers baseball on TV, at last. Early game, so i'll go out afterwards, life's good.

Steve Sax said...

If Furcal can't break put in Cincy...

rbnlaw said...

My name is rbnlaw and I approve of LF's new avi.

rbnlaw said...

. . .and we're off.

rbnlaw said...

Nice 3-pitch AB for Forkal.
And it continues.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm dying of heat. The Dodgers are like a cool glass of lemonade today. Now if only I can find a real glass of lemonade...

Kyle Baker said...

Kemp ran out from under his helmet. At first I thought he was out, but replay showed him making it in. Let's get some runs!

Kyle Baker said...

Where u @, MLASF?

It IS hot up in this bish.

karina said...

Cincy fans have the nerve of booing Manny.

Some Reds players should be plunked.

Revenge!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

In the Valley

I Alivandi said...

Wow. Bailey blew Manny away. Not good.

Incidentally, I was at the game Bailey pitched at Dodger Stadium, where he hit Manny's hand. It was amazing how hard the Dodgers shelled him.

Steve Sax said...

Dammit Manny!

Kyle Baker said...

Jaysus, MLASF, u are hot out there in the Valley.

The fires in La Canada shifted in last couple of hours and are now above Altadena. So I can look out my patio and see the fires due north of me now. It's raining more fire and ash than a tent revival in this area. Better stay in, watch the game, and drink my "lemonade."

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

If Sax is still hear, who was talking about the Kazmir deal? If it's Mark Willard don't listen to him. If it's Siciliano, don't listen to him. Basically don't listen to anyone on that station that talks about baseball. Besides, I said earlier the Dodgers should look at Kazmir. Where's my parade?

Steve Sax said...

Worthless first inning for us

I Alivandi said...

Nice show of range from Dre. He seems to have worked out his timing issues out there.

Nice easy inning, but Bills should just go after the guys he has burried in pitcher's counts. Stop nibbling dude, you are dominant.

Loney Fan said...

Rbnlaw - It was time to change to game face for the final run to the playoffs.

I Alivandi said...

Damn. Russ has been making lots of outs on well hit balls.

karina said...

Gold Glove Bison!

Kyle Baker said...

Jon Rauch got traded to Twins. Vin is going to be crushed that he can't go on and on for innings about how tall Rauch is.

I Alivandi said...

Brandon Phillips, meet Matt Kemp's Gold Glove.

karina said...

Bills is the NL leader in wild pitches.

Steve Sax said...

Come on, Bills, this is the worst offensive team in the league. This is embarrassing.

And dammit, I don't care if it's humid: Wake Up, Dodger Bats!

Kyle Baker said...

Has Bills lost some weight or is it my TV aspect ratio? I mean, not in his thighs, of course. But it just looks like he's slimmed some, esp in the face.

Steve Sax said...

@Mr LA SF 4:22p: it was Sicciliano indeed, but he and his partner were blowing valentines kisses at Tony Reagins.

710AM is the home for Angels Homers.

karina said...

Half serious statement: please someone get a live rooster for Raffy, ASAP.

karina said...

Reds 2, Dodgers 0

Second run: lead off walk, successful bunt by the pitcher and a single.

karina said...

Stubbs just stole second. Two outs.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This is a loss

NicJ said...

Bills doesn't have much tonight.

karina said...

This inning by the Reds can't finish soon enough.

Kyle Baker said...

Bills is fooling absolutely no one with any of his pitches. Martin looking somewhat lost behind the plate. Everyone seems, well, off. Are they hungover or what? Did someone poison the team's water supply?

Josh S. said...

Damn guys, this is not how I wanted Luke's first game to go.

And even though I was home picking up some stuff at the time so I didn't see this, Mrs. S said he woke up from a deep sleep and looked around when she turned the game on in the hospital room. It begins!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's Homer-Fucking-Baily for crying out loud. What the hell are they doing?

karina said...

@Josh that story is awesome. Dodgers fan by DNA, pretty cool, huh?

Kyle Baker said...

Come on,. BLUE! Win one for wee Lucas!

Steve Sax said...

Did we agree to spot the Reds some runs to make it interesting?

This is the curse of Eric Collins and Steve Lyons.

3-0 Reds mid 4th

karina said...

@Josh look at the baby on the left, someone asks who's a fan and he raises his hand.

http://tinyurl.com/lyna5f

Steve Sax said...

Josh S, you'd better tell Lucas this performance has been embarrassing so far.

Too bad he can't be exposed to Vin in his first game, either

Kyle Baker said...

This game is a teachable moment:

Josh S to Lucas: "This is how not to hit and pitch."

Kyle Baker said...

Full count on the opposing team's pitcher.

Kyle Baker said...

JMart didn't hit it to anyone! Anyone must have been playing out of position.

JuanLove said...

oh Homer
oh Chad

what an f'd up game so far

Steve Sax said...

this is really not a good game for us so far.

Steve Sax said...

three lousy hits through five innings

Kyle Baker said...

JLove-

At firtst glance thought you were busting out a haiku of lament.

NicJ said...

Did Chad change his sweaty jersey?

Steve Sax said...

There is so much dead airtime on this broadcast, that when Eric Collins starts speaking each time, I'm awakened from a deep sleep.

Eric Karros said...

Let's not get too worried here. After all, there's no shame in being shut down by Homer Bailey.

Oh wait. That's all there is.

Kyle Baker said...

I love the dead air. It's better than Collins beating a meaningless dead horse point (e.g., three minutes to talk about how a guy wears his stirrup socks).

JuanLove said...

wow, amazed they only have 3 runs

JuanLove said...

what is Collins?
is he half black?

karina said...

Furcal delivering in the lead off, no outs. Go Bison.

Kyle Baker said...

He's 3/4 boring, uninspired, and mechanical.

JuanLove said...

he's funny when he gets excited

he wont be back next year. no way

Kyle Baker said...

I really and honestly was open to giving him a chance and not just being cynical. But there's just no there, there with Collins. The only thing I've liked about him is his description of opposing ballparks as we've visited them.

rbnlaw said...

I'm 3 deep and not happy. But I should be.

Steve Sax said...

We are getting beaten by Homer Bailey

Fred's Brim said...

take a walk, it's OK

Fred's Brim said...

crap - not much patience there

Eric Karros said...

Homer Bailey posted a 5.76 ERA his rookie year (2007). It was all downhill from there.

Think about that.

rbnlaw said...

And Manny Martinez continues to struggle.

NicJ said...

Was this totally unexpected? I don't think so.

Shut up Tracy.

rbnlaw said...

Homer Bailey=Tom Seaver?

Steve Sax said...

I'll give Collins the benefit of the doubt, maybe he has to spend all of his time making sure Steve Lyons doesn't say something offensive. Collins is still cursed, however.

Speaking of cursed, our 3-4-5 jitters can't do anything with two leadoff guys on. It's not like Furcal is gonna reach base again, guys. Way to blow it.

Steve Sax said...

That was supposed to be hitters, but jitters is actually appropriate

rbnlaw said...

I refuse to lower myself to rooting for the Gnats once again. Somebody wake this team up.

NicJ said...

I'm not sure why, buy I totally expected this.

rbnlaw said...

Cheese and crackers, got all muddy!

karina said...

Gomes 3-3 tonight, with a HR, are you kidding me?

Fred's Brim said...

oh yeah, it's the 6th inning

Fred's Brim said...

Gomes is trying out for another team

Paul said...

You guys ever go to a bar, club, or resturant for the first time and maybe you were in a really good mood or already buzzed but it was an awesome experience. So you are so excited to go again and make an effort to do so but the next time you go the place is dead and the experience is depressing?

That is how this game feels to me. Sorry for the run on ramble that probably makes sense only in my brain.

Fred's Brim said...

that's a decent analogy there. it's time for some tequila shots and for the drunken bachelorette party to arrive

Paul said...

Exactly FB!!

Fred's Brim said...

yeesh what a stooge. by that reasoning, you would stop hitting after you got a lead.

every run matters

Fred's Brim said...

sweet feet!

karina said...

Perfect bunt by Furcal!

rbnlaw said...

Wow. Doing what a leading lady should do.

Fred's Brim said...

can Homer really throw 98mph?

Fred's Brim said...

take a walk!

rbnlaw said...

@FB: You are on the same page as my wife, and now, Ethier.

Fred's Brim said...

well done, Dre, you remembered that pitch from last time

rbnlaw said...

I have a funny feeling about this.

Fred's Brim said...

take pitches! damn

Fred's Brim said...

still unlucky with the hard-hit balls

Fred's Brim said...

take
a
pitch

Fred's Brim said...

not a strike

Fred's Brim said...

nobody can seem to pick up (or lay off of) that high fastball. swinging at that leads to a terrible third strike 5 inches off the plate

NicJ said...

Homer was a first round draft pick. He was just really able to live up to his talent.

Maybe the shame of these highlights on espn will teach the dodgers they need to get their shit together.

NicJ said...

Never really able to.

rbnlaw said...

Remember when Bills was dominating and had 11 wins and was going to be an all-star and we cruised when he pitched?

Yeah, me neither.

Remember when Mota was the 13th member of the staff, also referred to as "We have 12 pitchers and Mota?"

Fred's Brim said...

throw
strikes

NicJ said...

Yeah. Bills has been really dissapointing this year.

Fred's Brim said...

cmon Guillermo, settle down and follow through on your pitches

rbnlaw said...

Actually Nic, my comment was more along the lines of how Bills is lights out in the first half of the season, and possibly the play-offs, but disappears between July and September.

Also how Mota is good for 2/3 of an inning and not much more.

karina said...

@Rbnlaw "Remember when Mota was the 13th member of the staff, also referred to as "We have 12 pitchers and Mota?""

Comedy gold.

rbnlaw said...

OK, I'm starving. If I don't get my family out of the house in 5 minutes, I'm getting another beer, then no one leaves.

Here's hoping for an amazing rally.

rbnlaw said...

@karina: I'm here all week. Try the veal.

. . .and I was the one who said that about Mota way back in June.

rbnlaw said...

Jackie Johnson sighting!

karina said...

Loney HR!!! it won't be a shutout!

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo for Mr. Walkov!

karina said...

In spite Ethier struck out, the catcher lost the ball...

Reds 4, Dodgers 2

NicJ said...

I hate it when they do that.

karina said...

Many struck out with Rancho Ardiendo and two outs.

They'll get the Reds tomorrow.

Fred's Brim said...

i guess that pitch wasn't meaty enough

NicJ said...

This game had loss written all over it. I assumed coming in that this series would go the same way the dbacks series did right after the big giants series. The dodgers love to play to their competition.

JuanLove said...

it was right down the middle Manny.

he looks done.
maybe im being harsh, i dont care.
he blows

Kyle Baker said...

I just got too fucking demoralized to continue watching except out of the corner of my eye.

@ Paul: Your restaurant analogy is DEAD ON. I'm left to ponder this.

Steve Sax said...

Post-Game Thread is up. Bah.