Friday, September 11, 2009

Game 142 Thread: Sept. 11 @ Frisco, 7p

Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 4.15) vs. Matt Cain (13-4, 2.51).
DODGERS MAGIC NUMBER: 20

COMMENTS: It's crunch time, Cap'n! I mean, not for the playoffs; we're in already, I'm not worried at all. But the question for this series is whether we can match Cain / Sanchez / Penny with Kuroda / Padilla / Billingsley; a series win would basically throttle the life out of the Giants' post-season quest. Getting past Cain in the series opener won't be easy; with his 2.51 ERA (3rd in the NL) and 146 strikeouts (16th in the NL), I'm sure he's got a special K or two saved just for us.

Kuroda hasn't had a ton of lucky charms this season, what with the oblique problem early on and the frightening concussion on August 15. But I'm betting on a smart start out of Hiroki. But what we'll really need, early and often from our lineup, is a return of the (honey) smacks and (apple) jacks that the bats of Manny Ramirez, James Loney, and Rafael Furcal are starting to see restored.

The Giants don't score many runs (they are 27th in the majors in RS with 556), but it's their MLB-leading runs against (the Dodgers are second) that have them kept them viable for postseason play. If we can pierce that armor, particularly against Cain (who has one win in his last eight starts), we'll be in total control, and we'll rip the heart out of the Giants' lineup, starting with the ever-fortified Pablo Sandoval.

Hmm. Kung Fu Panda? Crunch time? I know just the remedy. Let's hope the Dodgers comply.

145 comments:

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm more of a pancake guy myself.

Kyle Baker said...

Hopefully we'll be saying "They're ggggrrrrrrreeeeat!" about our Dodgers after their win tonight.

Kyle Baker said...

Let's Kix their asses!

Eric Karros said...

Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch is one of the 5 best inventions in the history of mankind.

NicJ said...

It tears up the roof of your mouth.

Steve Sax said...

I was always partial to the Taco Bell Double Decker Taco being the finest food invention ever. Or possibly astronaut freeze-dried ice cream.

But let's stick with the cereal serial, shall we?

ubragg said...

On my way to the game tonight (and tomorrow night, too!). First Dodgers games of the year for me, so time to start the winning streak to finish out the season. I will accept credit or blame for the next two game outcomes.

Sax, the double decker taco pales in comparison to this one :)

rbnlaw said...

Cereal killers!

Kyle Baker said...

Furcal SS
Ethier RF
Ramirez LF
Kemp CF
Loney 1B
Blake 3B
Belliard 2B
Martin C
Kuroda P

Beard is back. Sounds like he's been eating his Wheaties.

Steve Sax said...

Dusty, you've been a stud for a while now with the lineups--thank you very much!

Kyle Baker said...

MLB Network just had Bowa on live. Damn, those shitty red hats. I thought one of us had put in a call to MLB about having our patriotic hats made blue?

Kyle Baker said...

Speaking of MLB Network, you are the light of my life, you awesome network, you. (Uh, you too, Mrs. Dusty.) Thanks for all the live look-ins. What an amazing concept for fans of a sport to be able to take in a game outside of their market or outside of a network-prescribed matchup.

Plus it just gave me the opportunity to see Jeter try to break Lou Gehrig's record for hits as a Yankee. Didn't get it his first at bat, by the way.

NicJ said...

Sonic Boom!

Kyle Baker said...

Sonic boom was strange in my area of Pasadena. The mountains above Pas do weird things with sound.

Kyle Baker said...

Diamond Leung is gone but not forgotten!

http://tinyurl.com/kr8sbp

Steve Sax said...

We just heard it too; I started yelling at my kids to stop f'ing around, then stood corrected.

What caused it?

Kyle Baker said...

Sax, now I have an image in my head now of you sitting around in a wife-beater tee, Busch Light in one hand, a Kool Filter King in the other, dirty-faced kids wallowing around in the dirt in front of the porch...then the sonic boom hits and you take off your belt and start threatening to kick their asses until Mrs. Sax has to run out and plead with you not to beat the kids (again) because it was a sonic boom, not tomfoolery.

Kyle Baker said...

It was the Space Shuttle returning - landing at Edwards AFB this time.

NicJ said...

Sax, I bet the kids know to be on there best behavior on dodger giant rivalry days.

Kyle Baker said...

Jeter just got a single. Orioles dugout was classy in joining Yankees fans in applauding him.

Kyle Baker said...

On True Blue (KCAL pre-game show), Beard, DreamWeaver, and Mrs. Weaver were featured doing back to school shopping for under-privileged kids at an area Staples. Hilarious stuff, but also a great undertaking from the fellas. Beard walking around with a carry basket looking for the right Trapper Keeper, etc...

NicJ said...

Already robbed of a hit.

Kyle Baker said...

We watch so many first-pitch meatballs go right by. "Hi, easy pitch to hit out, how are you? Nice to see you!"

Kyle Baker said...

Also, 3rd strikes go by a lot now for Manny.

NicJ said...

Damn, at least it was a long at bat.

Kyle Baker said...

Come on, guys, it's called a curve ball. You can hit them, believe me. It's like you're Michael Jordan.

Kyle Baker said...

Cain wears hit hat lamer than Flat Breezy.

NicJ said...

Come on loney!

Kyle Baker said...

Damn, Nic...bar is empty tonight. At least we have our choice of stools!

Kyle Baker said...

TWO RUNS IN!!!!!

NicJ said...

King James, baby!

NicJ said...

Swung at ball four there beard, but I'll give you a pass because yo gave been out for a while.

NicJ said...

Pads also take an early 1-0 lead.

Steve Sax said...

Two RBI from Loney with two out? Against Cain, in the first?

Yeeeeeeah!

Erin said...

I went outside to walk the dog quickly, and paused the game at the beginning of Loney's at-bat. Finally just watched it this second. Awesome.

NicJ said...

Hiro with the 123 inning! We are on pace to win 18-0!

I love the approach the guys took at bat, patiently aggressive.

NicJ said...

Oh come on belli2 let's not give away some easy outs.

Kyle Baker said...

Erin, I watched our half of the inning and then walked the dog during the hated half. It's all about dog/inning calculus.

Kyle Baker said...

He walks Kuroda!

Kyle Baker said...

Altho, of course, we'd rather have just had Kuroda strike out so Furcal could lead off. Although...oh, never mind.

NicJ said...

Hiro's at bat saved that from being a terrible inning.

Kyle Baker said...

Let's hope it doesn't develop into a scratchy Lincecum.

Cards lose!

karina said...

@Nic j: "King James, baby"

Indeed. The King is back!

NicJ said...

We should call him "road game James"

karina said...

Don't be mean with the Royal Highness.

Kyle Baker said...

I saw Torre kinda shaking his head as if to say "How did we go from patiently aggressive hitting in the beginning of the game back to stupidly aggressive hitters that last inning?"

Kyle Baker said...

About time you showed up, Karina! We were about to get pessimistic.

Kyle Baker said...

Wow, did Hiro over-react to that shattered bat coming at him (UNDERSTANDABLY SO). Clearly the hit is still front and center in his mind.

NicJ said...

There is nothing mean about that, it's a fact he hits way better on the road.

Cain is nearly at 60 pitches. Of course I'm
sure he will still go 7+ innings though.

Kyle Baker said...

Nic's not being mean. It's a statement of fact!

Steve Sax said...

I'm sneaking in views of the game tonight. Come on, Dodgers!

Sorry the bar was empty for you two (Dusty and Nic) earlier. Next round's on me.

NicJ said...

Cain at 75 pitches already.

Kyle Baker said...

That's okay, Sax. Hope you don't mind if we helped ourselves to the taps.

NicJ said...

I hope this isn't one of those games where we score in the first and then the offense goes to sleep till the ninth.

Kyle Baker said...

I hope it's one of those games that we score 45 runs against our mortal enemy.

NicJ said...

Ugh, 10 pitch inning.

85 total.

karina said...

We have a lead...let's trust in them.

Kyle Baker said...

Hiro is on 47.

NicJ said...

That one scared me a bit. I think it was the inital tone in vin's voice.

NicJ said...

Yeah, Kuroda is kruising.

Some run support would be nice though.

Kyle Baker said...

Yeah, Vin's tone sounded more like the average 1-game-a-year attended at Chavez Ravine trying to judge the distance.

NicJ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kyle Baker said...

Manny is out of his mind impatient, pressing. I actually think as of now he might need to be sat. He has about 673 moving parts during his swing these days, and is swinging at bad balls while watching good balls.

Kyle Baker said...

HAH, Nic! I tell my dog, "Tranquilo" when he gets too excited. Exactly what Manny needs now.

NicJ said...

Hey! I guess I accidentally deleted that little gem of a comment. At least dusty saw it in all it's glory.

Kyle Baker said...

JLo with the bat, still. Now come on, Beard - you've had a few good looks now to get back into the groove.

NicJ said...

Welcome back Casey!

NicJ said...

Belli2 with the base2!!

Steve Sax said...

Based on that third AB, I also think they're calling a pretty liberal strike zone for the ManRam

NicJ said...

Yeah that second strike was wayyy off,

NicJ said...

Haha Casey knew that thing was gone off the bat.

Steve Sax said...

109 pitches for Cain and he is set to leadoff the next inning. I'd say he's done.

karina said...

The best thing that could happen to me tonight is a Dodgers win. What i really wanted was getting myself as pretty as possible and dance all night long but i can't, so Dodgers baseball is all i have.

karina said...

Merkin at the mound!

Kyle Baker said...

I wanted to get myself as pretty as possible tonight, too, but that just didn't work out well.

karina said...

@Dusty Baker you don't really need it! unlike me, since i must be a sort of biological hazard now, i'm going to the doctor tomorrow again.

Kyle Baker said...

Oh, it's a biological hazard around here since Mrs. Dusty has been out of town on biz for a few days.

NicJ said...

Yay! An RBI single. I love it.

Steve Sax said...

Manny makes it 5-1

is kuroda really at 61 pitches through six innings? How can that be?

karina said...

Another run and no outs!

Kyle Baker said...

61 it is, and those weren't nearly all the hard way.

Steve Sax said...

@Dusty, make sure to get rid of the beer bottles before Ms Dusty returns.

@karina, I have a feeling you look plenty fine right now.

Steve Sax said...

Any of you guys know how to quickly jump to thdnottom of a webpage on the iPhone?

I know you can tap the top twice to go to the top, but I don't know how to jump to the bottom fast.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

dem bums is at it again!

Kyle Baker said...

@ Sax

The whole getting rid of the beer bottles thing is kinda moot at this point.

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendoi!

Kyle Baker said...

Loney didn't GIDP!

This is the King James version I like!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

does hudson pinch hit and come in for belli2?

King James, where have you been?

Dusto_Magnifico said...

i almost hope they bean blake so he can charge the mound!

NicJ said...

Pads wiggle off the hook with the bases loaded. Still 1-0.

The cards actually lost today too.

NicJ said...

WTF, we are pulling off hit and runs now? I love it!

NicJ said...

That was soooo close.

karina said...

@Steve Sax that was really sweet! but you'll have to believe me on this one.

Kyle Baker said...

I'm getting a little weepy now.

NicJ said...

Taste the happy, Micheal!

karina said...

My son!

Steve Sax said...

Martin two-run double! 9-1!

Don't use 'em all up tonight, boys!

NicJ said...

Or Michael rather.

Kyle Baker said...

I guess Beard's hammy is fine since Bowa sent him.

karina said...

@Dusto it was awesome to see a "King James" coming from you.

@Steve Sax "Don't use 'em all up tonight, boys!"

Of course, not, there is more!

NicJ said...

No limp from Casey in the dugout, scared me when I saw Castro out there.

Steve Sax said...

Giants have not had a baserunner since the second inning

Kyle Baker said...

Yeah, Nic, camerawork confirmed that Beard is fine. All in a night's work.

17 in a row retired by Kuroda.

Kyle Baker said...

My my my my my Kuroda!

MR.F said...

I love pancakes. It's nice to see the Dodgers winning.

NicJ said...

Buster Pansy.

Steve Sax said...

Colorado just went down 1-2-3 in the eighth. 1-0 SD, mid-8th

Dusto_Magnifico said...

gotta be kidding me! Kuroda 70 pitches through 7 IP!

NicJ said...

This is likentge game he pitched against the white sox.

MR.F said...

Beautiful Bison.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

yeah, i was a little hesitant, but he has been playing better as of late. Not hot, but better. i hope he does get hot though. If we can just get all cyliders firing at once... just imagine furcal being the force he normally is, or Martin going the other way with authority, or loney? loney hitting home runs? uh... its so hard not to fall in love with this team.

MR.F said...

I blame the flies for my sickness and inability to attend the game.

NicJ said...

Double digit runs!!

Kyle Baker said...

Put Loretta in to pitch.

Steve Sax said...

All the Giants fans have gone home, so Manny is cheered as he steps in for his fifth AB

Dusto_Magnifico said...

why put loretta in?

Kuroda is working on a complete game 2 hitter!

Steve Sax said...

Two on, none out in the bottom of the eighth in SD. Beimel pitching to A Gonzalez.

NicJ said...

Can we room Chad with Hiro for the weekend? Maybe this is contagious.

Kyle Baker said...

I was veeeeery much kidding re Loretta.

Kyle Baker said...

Beimel's picture on GameDay looks like a mugshot.

NicJ said...

This guy is supposed to be their big thing? He looks like he is 12.

Steve Sax said...

How did Bowker's ball become a triple in that small right field? Was Andre sleeping?

Take your second run, Giants

Kyle Baker said...

He's still in the Bozo Saver's Club at the local S & L!

NicJ said...

Welcome to the rivalry Buster.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Just got back from din din at Musashi's.

Looks like we are doing OK, no?

NicJ said...

Sax, went to play the wall and it didn't bounce back.

Steve Sax said...

Pads can't convert, 1-0 going to the bottom of the ninth

Steve Sax said...

@nicj, belated thanks!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Well, it wasn't all bad for the Giants fans. They did see two runs score. How many people can say they saw that at a Giants game?

Steve Sax said...

Two on, one out for the Rox, Giambi up

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I think Troncoso has earned his spot in the bullpen doghouse.

NicJ said...

Heath bell isn't looking great right now.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

One more strike...

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Dammit, I thought there were two outs.

NicJ said...

seriously hate Heath bell.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Heath Bell will lose just to screw the Dodgers over.

Steve Sax said...

One strike away and Heath Bell blew it, a three-run triple to Torrealba. 3-1 Rox

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Rockies just scored 3 runs

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I feel like posting a strongly worded comment on Gaslamp Baseball.

NicJ said...

It never fails every time I need him he blows it.

NicJ said...

And then he gives up another run for good measure.

Steve Sax said...

PGT up, and Heath Bell still sucks.

rbnlaw said...

Taco Bell can go to hell.

Then the SoSG assassins will take care of the rest. Just remember, since I had the most "kills," I get first crack at the tub o' lard.

Kyle Baker said...

kill Kill KILL!!!!