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Vicente Padilla (10-6, 4.63) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (6-11, 4.03).
DODGERS MAGIC NUMBER: 19
COMMENTS: If you're still trying to process how Hiroki Kuroda could have mastered Matt Cain, and the Dodger bats could have broken out for 10 runs, in yesterday's series opener--you're not alone. 5-for-12 with RISP sounds positively nuts. So today's game tests whether this offense is truly back (along with Casey Blake, a welcome return to the lineup), or whether it was just an aberration.
Can James Loney (RBIs in each of the last four games) continue working his OPS back to levels not seen since early August? Can Russell Martin notch up his second extra-base hit of the month (adding to his double from last night)? Can we achieve double-digit run levels again, or at least get a win (which would ensure we'd leave SF in sole possession of first place)?
Padilla, 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA with the Dodgers, looks to keep the ball rolling; Sanchez has been solid in his last five starts (2.03 ERA) and won't be a pushover. But only one team has a starter with a reputation for throwing at batters with reckless abandon. And only one team has a player who has to remind himself each at bat that it's a baseball being hurled at him, and not a cha siu baau. Or powdered sugar donut, for that matter.
252 comments:
1 – 200 of 252 Newer› Newest»Matt Cain, can we play you every week?
"Cain is 0-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 12 career starts against Los Angeles. He received a no-decision in his only outing against the Dodgers this year, surrendering two runs and seven hits over six innings in a 5-4 Los Angeles win on April 15. [MLB.com]" http://tinyurl.com/ladfp3
Meanwhile, Hiro is 5-1 lifetime v Jints.
And can I get an amen for the NL West, the alleged doormat of the Major League? Breaks down like this:
Dodgers: tied for best record in NL; tied for best record with Cardinals; would be third best record in AL behind Yanke-mes and LA Pretenders.
Rox: better than your world champion Phiwwies; only two behind NL league leaders; would be 1st place in NL East.
Jints: their 76 wins puts them in 2nd in either the NL Central or NL East. And they would even he leading the AL East by half a game!
Plus, the two leading NL Wild Card contenders are both out of the NL West.
Not too fucking shabby! Put that in your pipe and smoke it ESPN.
In other news, Smoltz will miss at least start with a sore shoulder. Usual caveat about not wishing harm on anyone, but hopefully this will help cool Cards down as we compete for NL best record.
In still other news, it just didn't fit for Michigan to be piping in "Don't Stop Believin'" between plays during today's game.
Wow, you were on edge, Dusty. I like it!
Something's working for Michigan.
90 minutes from USC tearing OSU a new one.
"On edge" is a very apt description. I'm liable to blow at any time!
Off to get pre-game burrito and ale.
re: USC v Ohio St
So much to watch tonight. Is there such thing as picture in picture in picture in picture?...guess that would be like holding up a mirror to a mirror.
UCLA 19 - Tennessee 15
@DB "Is there such thing as picture in picture in picture in picture?"
Before soon you'll be staring directly into your soul.
@Dusty: re: picture in picture in picture: I think Escher did one of those once.
U claps C claps ELLLLLL A
UCLA FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
3 Buds in and ready to rock.
DB, bring the hate brutha. It's go time!
I just watched them dot the "i" in Ohio.
I don't get it.
Oh, and I now hat Man City wit a passion that burns like a hemorrhoid after a jalapeƱo eating contest.
Adebayor: dead man!
Looked like a TD to me.
Anyone know tonight's Dodger line-up?
That was a real shame about Mets over Phiwwy, wasn't it?
Ask and ye shall receive:
Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Manny, LF
Kemp, RF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Hudson, 2B
Padilla, P
Thank you Dusty
Andre with the night off
@ Orel-
I'm staring directly into my soul now, and after all that it just turns out to be a bunch of rubber bands, erasers, bent paper clips, and lint.
Oh wait, I was staring in the wrong direction.
Dan Herron?
I just want you all to know I've just tapped into the taste of Tapatio.
The dog is lookin' at me funny so we'll see what happens.
I've also tapped into several Paulaner Oktoberfests, with more on the horizon.
That was a real shame about Braves over Cards, wasn't it?
I feel like a broken record.
DB, there must be a party going on in your stomach!
"The two leading contenders for the National League Cy Young Award, Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals and Tim Lincecum, have made 17 and 18 starts, respectively, in which they have given up two or fewer earned runs. Wolf, a journeyman left-hander, has made 19 such starts..."
This is from Gordon Edes's article on Yahoo Sports.
Here's the link for all you lazy bones.
You had me @ lazy, MLASF.
That was a real shame about Os over Yank-mes, wasn't it?
Hey there's a lot of shit-talking still to come, but just wanted to take a break for a second and highlight our class organization and what it did today to honor two LA-area firefighters who died combating the recent wildfires above LA.
"LOS ANGELES -- Bagpipers played somber tones on the field at Dodger Stadium Saturday morning to celebrate the lives of two Los Angeles firefighters, Captain Tedmund "Ted" Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones, at a memorial service.
The two were killed Aug. 30., when their truck plunged off a mountain road in the Angeles National Forest as they searched for an escape route for a group of inmate-firefighters who became trapped by the flames while battling the Southern California Station fire that is still burning and has destroyed 160,000 acres of land."
I'll bet it was an amazing ceremony in the "church" we know as Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine.
Hat tip: McCourts
"When approached about doing the service at the stadium, the McCourt family handed over the facility for no cost."
Full story here:
http://tinyurl.com/ov8fct
Dodgers are the heart of LA. Peace out to the firefighters who lost their lives, and to their families.
Now let's get some runs!
SF crowd seems pretty peppy tonight.
vin is on mlb network broadcast
OK, this ump's gestures are just ridiculous.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3. That's okay, we're showing them a little light before we slam the door in their face.
@Steve Sax @Dusty: re: picture in picture in picture: I think Escher did one of those once.
I thought and planned to comment about MC Escher. You beat me to it!
Nice avatar photo, Josh S! Is he ready for Mickey Owen Baseball School yet?
@ Sax and Karina:
Torre filling out his lineup card, Escher style:
http://oneparticularwave.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/escher.gif
Dusty, I'd love for him to go to Ron Cey Baseball Camp like his old man, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't exist anymore.
Don't you love the Bison?
@Josh your baby is soooooo beautiful...and a fashion icon ;)
RANCHO ARDIENDO
Dodger fans right behind home plate!
Josh, then he'd just grow up walking around like a penguin.
Come on, O! Act like you did the first half of the season, not the second.
Damn. WTF?
1 the hard way.
Whoops! V-Pad should have had two RBIs there, will have to settle for one.
That was highly disgusting.
I'll take the run.
Bowa upset the Beard!
Oh well, we got one. (And saw some FIRE!)
It looked like Bowa told Beard to hold up, incorrectly, and Beard was teaching him about how to properly run bases.
Furcal, you have made so many nice plays lately. I'm going to scooch your bobblehead a little nearer to the rest of the pack in recognition of your defensive contributions.
Padilla...rolling. Jints....weak. USC...in need of a jump start.
when are we pulling out the "Doyers" jersey's?
*scooches Furcal back from whence he came after a weak at bat*
this ump is calling the high strike tonight
really high
When Manny is patient, with an easy swing, he's right on the money. When he swings for the fences, he's out of control.
I feel good that Vinny made that point as I typed this.
Sanchez on 53 pitches after 3. Let's break him down and run him out!
i do not like randy winn
i much prefer steve wynn
lol ump
nice pitch VP
come on are you kidding me
SMFH
Oh Lord.
It's like Padilla is doing all the scoring himself — for both teams.
Front row tickets: $140 dollars.
Getting kicked out in only the 3rd inning because you interfere with play and have a shitty 80s haircut: Priceless
when did our pitchers forget how to throw to first base?
Switching between USC game in HD and back to Dodgers on blur-o-vision is really killing me. Times is hard.
the game is on in hd on the MLB network and vinny is announcing
Sweet jesus! I think I just lost a little Tapatio on that comebacker to VP.
Koufax-
Not in LA-area. It's blacked out.
DB - bummer
Two on, no out!
loney is putting together a pretty nice string of at bats
Maybe it's too foggy for Dirty Sanchez to see where the plate is.
BOOM!
that was big
Could Martin have gotten ANY more of that ball?
when he swings like that its hard to believe he has only 5 dingers. however, he rarely swings like that.
Martin's HR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My son is coming back.
He swung like that a lot in the first half. He just didn't make contact like that.
He had almost the exact cut and hit last night, but it went slightly foul. Now I (and he must) feel requited.
Martin staring at it until he knew it was fair was hilarious.
That HR total of 5 still looks really sad on September 12, though.
If the King James, Martin and Manny bats wake up, with the pitching they've got, we could daydream of mid-late October baseball...
Vin talking about the Giants season.
This was almost the perfect storm for them this year.
No one thought the Cubs and Mets would be this bad, and Colorado being this good
Who knows more about power than the Amish?
I'm spitting relatively expensive beer through my nose now, thanks to you, MLASF.
Pods up 2-0 early.
That was from the Simpsons, Dusty. You can thank them.
Bison RBI double!
I thank the Simpsons every day.
Matt Kemp, you beautiful son of a buffalo!
kemp DESTROYED that ball
Pads just waiting until the 9th to lose it.
Jesus, JuanLove...I'm JUST now catching your Doyers remark. Man, it took me awhile. It's like working on a crossword, getting stuck, putting it down, and then coming back to see the obvious answer.
It took me a while to notice "Gigantes"
Orel
As much as i would love to see the pads win, these past two games (one and a half) have reminded me of last year when we went into arizona and took 2 from haren and webb. lets hope the closeness of the penant race will prove to be good for the team.
I love Vin rubbing it on that there is no offense left in the SF franchise.
One is better than none.
Yes, I came up with that one all by myself.
Exactly, MLASF. I guess I was jsut trying not to look at any Gigantes.
i wonder if bill plaschke thinks it is a problem that the phillies dont have anyone who can close a game this year. Madsen gave up a bomb to david wright to lose the game today.
On games like this, I always look back at that article saying Bochy deserves NL manager of the year. The stupidity of the Bay Area knows no bounds, and it makes me laugh.
At some point I MIIIIIIIGHT start feeling sorry for Rowand.
Nawwwwww.
I remember when the Dodgers were players for Rowand.
@DB:
Just wanted to correct you from earlier:
Chavez Ravine is the Cathedral. Not a church.
@ RB
I stand corrected. Not being a religious man, other than baseball, the difference has thus far eluded me.
I just remember the reference from Bull Durham.
Is SC still losing?
That is just a wicked curve.
I almost broke out the "Beat LA" cups I got from Big Phone in August.
One with Rowand on the cup.
I hate the Gi-ants
clapclap clap clap
thank you, edgar diarrhea
I heard the Gi-ants have the
clap clap clap clap
Heh, Koufax, I thought I had set the bar low with my comment. Glad you are on the same wavelength.
OSU 15
Troglodytes 10
4th quarter
DB,
all bets are off when we play this team. although, i try to keep it much more classy than their fans do.
@koufax:
Sweet.
Kung Pao Panda gives you Edgar Diarrhea.
Terrel Pryor is killing the Trogs.
i was somewhat worried how that comment would go over, im glad to see we have similar minds.
Close. Ball 4.
The H&R keeps us out of the GIDP.
I love talking in code.
serena is trying to explain to the match referree that she did not tell her "that i would kill you" interesting drama at the US Open
serena just quit tha match
All bets are off indeed. I don't think my mom is reading this.
Karina is, but that's never stopped us before.
@DB
"Florent Malouda struck deep in stoppage time as Chelsea claimed a last-gasp victory over Stoke and maintained their 100% start to the season."
Last gasp? Stoke City?
WHAT? What is the US Open situ?
You guys had me at diarrhea
@Mlasf:
hahahahaha
Raffy RBI! 6-1 Dodgers!
Forkal with the RBI double!!
Stoke has started on fire, RB. They currently sit 7th in the table (just above Gunners). This is early season kind of stuff that happens to the best and worst of sides.
The Giants have been Furcal'd.
rbn
chelsea was threatening to score for 25 straight minutes and just couldnt get a goal. it was a last gasp, but they dominated the whole match.
This is the most scatological Game Thread ever.
Let's go JP!
Good to see the boys in blue steam rollin the pumpkin patch kids.
@ Orel
No shit.
COL 0, SD 0, bot 3
That's a real a-hole thing to say, DB. (Get it?)
padres have 2 runs
Well said, Koufax. It was all Blue.
Since it was brought up, I'd like to give a shout out to my man Roger Spacey. Today's Chelsea win was for you, brother. Chelsea through and through. RIP.
http://projects.latimes.com/metrolink-crash/name/roger-spacey/
Lovely, Furcal "pwns" the Giants.
What happened, Orel? Did SD run backaward? They were up 2-0.
It COULD happen with that bunch.
@DB and koufax:
It's the frustrating part of the EPL season. The Gunners will start strong, get on a run in the Champions, then lose to teams they shouldn't.
Stoke City was our bane last year, hence my comment. Cheeky, somewhat.
Another beer anyone?
very sad DB
@Dusty Baker: "Karina is, but that's never stopped us before."
Because you consider me as one of the guys. Sigh. History of my life.
I can't believe USC is on the verge of losing this game.
i have arsenal out of the top 4 this season - rbn.
Noice FB, Panda!
@ RB
Please, a beer. Here's to ManU not being on top.
Bite your tongue, koufax.
So do I, unfortunately. The UFEA cup is beneath us.
I must have been looking at a non-updated scoreboard. Or the Padres found a way to score negative runs.
Koufax-
Do you have Man City taking the 4 spot, then?
@ Orel
"Or the Padres found a way to score negative runs."
Ecxactly! Happened last night, I think!
Wait a tic, the Gunners will finish above Spurs.
I also think Man City will fail.
And DB, I will drink to that.
@ Karina
No, more than anything you are just far more couth than the rest of us. ;-)
@Dusty Baker: as entertaining English soccer is, i'm more of a italian soccer (or calcio, if you'd prefer that term) kind of girl (or tomboy)
7:15 to go in the 4th.
Trogs still losing.
The bastard son of Fred Gwynn and Al Lewis is batting!!
Karina-
3 matches, 4 points for AC now...are they in rebuilding mode?
[Not giving you grief, just wondering]
@Dusty Baker: at least i don't curse and when i do, it's within an extreme situation.
420ft triple
Manny going for the cycle!
Trogs driving; clock running down.
Serena foot-faults, and then protests her way out of the US Open.
Manny with a triple! You chardonnay sipping portabello mushroom sandwich eating no WS trophy having hypocritical a-holes, take that!
DB dont forget garlic fry breath stinking also
WP: run scores.
Man, if only the Rockies played this crappy.
That's gotta hurt, Jints. Manny legging out a 3-bagger on ya, then scoring on WP. Run for the lattes and biscotti, Jints fans!
DB, you are in fine fettle tonight.
Where's Waldis?
DB,
Don't forget the lousy weather.
We have garlic fries at the Ravine, too, actually.
Those are some sta-HA-ank when the gob in front of you sits down with a big old basket of 'em.
I hit the weather part in my 7:03 PM comment.
Less than 2:00 left; Trogs in the red zone.
Bucks trying to hold.
Bruin fans finding religion.
Hey Josh, how's Lucas?
@Dusty Baker I'd like to believe they're rebuilding, but they are not. That's a team suited to win, no matter what. They tied to 0 today with Livorno, they were smashed by the Inter (it was very painful to watch) and then, i remember about the disastrous preseason they had (they lost every match in two continents), I'm really worried about the state of the team, specially because i want Leonardo to be the coach for a long long time. It's not easy to replace Maldini's skills as player and leader.
@DB:
I'm 5 beers in. I'm not searching the thread.
But thanks for the info.
giants are falling apart
@ RB
I am enough beers in to actually search the thread in the first place! I'm lame, you are steady.
@Orel: He's two weeks old and growing like a weed. My avatar pic was taken when he was 1 day old and now he looks almost completely different.
Thanks for asking!
SC scores 1 minute left
Trogs take the lead over the Buckeyes.
one minute left.
Did Panda Bowl think it was 3 outs?
Thanks DB, I like to think I am.
SC goes up by a FG. Fuckers.
Sorry, karina.
@ Karina
I hear you. Mainly I just think AC are a bit long in the tooth. If you have a lot of youth mixed in, then it's called veteran leadership. If not, it's called being old.
Whatever you do, please try your best to beat up on Inter next time, even if that means some questionable tackles.
Hong Like a Chi Kuo!!
"Strong earthquake rocks Venezuela" ???
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE58B1WU20090913
Time for beer #??? oh, it's time for another.
SAMMY OCTOBER! Time to go US on my liver after all that GER stuff.
USC wins
Matt Barkley praises god for the win. That makes the win even less palatable.
I do like the SA Oktoberfest.
How close to Marcaibo is Caracas?
Caracas always reminds me of Gregory's Girl.
Giants were hong out to dry.
@Dusty Baker: i'm crossing fingers they'll improve, i think there are problems with the young and the experienced, Gattuso and Pirlo are in a rough patch and they are fundamental for the team's performance.
They'll have to improve, because they won't be forgiven if they can't pass for the next round at the Champions League.
@Dusty - What'd Barkley say?
Good stuff, Josh.
Karina, has your world been rocked?
Freakin Barkley. He goes to mater Dei and thinks God favors him.
Stupid jerk.
He just praised his god about 13 times in a 20-second interview.
Then I saw OSU fellas on the field praying afterward. Were they saying god, why do you like their QB better than ours?
@Dusty Baker:around 700 Km. It was a 6.2 Richter grade earthquake but very fortunately (thanks the Lord) there are minor damages and no deaths. There are some people injured, but their injuries are minor too.
Everyone seemed to feel it but me, but again i'm still feelin dizzy and i live in a house. Someone called me and i was worried because my parents were on the road, very near of the earthquake's epicenter.
DB, that is funny.
OSU: Why has god forsaken us?
USC: God loves us more!!
God: You are all morons!
@ Karina
I've always liked Gattuso. Mainly I just like saying his name in an exaggerated manner: Gat-TOO-SOOO!
As much as I love sports, the endless tributes to God make it so much harder to tolerate, especially when it's the team I hate losing. It's like Brad Lidge is mocking me, saying God likes him more than me.
2-1 Pods.
They still suck.
My parents are safe at home, they decided to come back a day early :).
My brother and i were freaking out because cell phone communication was poor for half an hour or so and talking over cell phones on roads here is not very reliable either.
Exactly, RB
"Now I have to go appear in a tortilla in Mexico..."
Glad to hear you and yours are ok, Karina.
Panda thought it was dim sum.
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