Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Game 8 Thread: April 14 vs. D'backs, 7p

Chad Billingsley (1-0, 1.69) vs. Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 1.50).

Gameday

COMMENTS (from Sax): So how do we follow up the majesty that was a magnificent four-homer home opener--the first four-homer opener in Los Angeles Dodgers history--in a follow-up game against a division rival? Maybe by trying to figure out a way to win a series and start clawing our way out of the basement of the NL West (tied with the Padres, 2.5GB 3 GB the Giants (after SF's afternoon win)).

Critical to that goal will be the pitching of His Royal Thighness, who needs to go deeper than his last outing (5.1 IP, 7Ks and 1 ER to earn the win vs. Pittsburgh). How will Chadley perform in front of more than 10,000 people for the first time this year? Well, considering some of the characters who will be limbering up behind the home bullpen gates around the sixth inning (Jeff Weaver, 4.91 ERA; Ramon Ortiz, 9.82; George Sherrill, 22.50), I'm guessing Bills gets even more shakes than usual when he hits his first hiccup. Let's make sure we score enough runs to give him a padded lead, okay?

Manny & Ethier: Luis Sinco/LA Times; Blake & Kemp: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

531 comments:

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Kyle Baker said...

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

Josh S. said...

Yeah, Chad has no choice.

Tron and Broxton were used yesterday, Ortiz is Spanish for "Ball Four", Monasterios will only be allowed in if we're up 18 to -24, Sherrill is off crying somewhere after getting booed during the pregame, and Weaver is legally dead.

Kyle Baker said...

Thx for reminding me, Josh. I thought it was very poor form to boo Flat Breezy yesterday. Clearly he is playing poorly, but to boo a guy on the home opener? What does that do to his fragile self esteem? Booing one's own player like that can only hurt, not help.

Stay classy, Dodger fans!

Josh S. said...

It probably wasn't very classy of me to say he was crying then, was it?

Oh well. If he gets mad and throws a baseball at me, at least I'll be safe.

QuadSevens said...

Zing!

NicJ said...

lets just hope we score tons of runs. Im not sure but Rodrigo Lopez, Russ Ortiz, and Ramon Ortiz may be the same person.

Steve Sax said...

There's no crying in baseball. That said, if Sherrill comes in today in the eighth inning trying to protect a one-run lead, I may get misty-eyed.

Josh S. said...

Going back to yesterday for a sec: Did any of you guys hear an ominous drumming sound coming from the pavilion area during the first? It was giving the game a creepy tone for a little bit there. It wasn't the usual rally drum they played later in the game.

Steve Sax said...

Josh S, that was just Russ Ortiz walking around underneath the pavilion, trying buy a Victory Knot

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Lay off Russ Ortiz, guys. He's not that fat.

Wait, never mind, he is that fat.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nats knocked Kyle Kendrick around. 6-4 Capital-wannabes over Phiwwie. Still batting in the top of the second.

rbnlaw said...

"Ortiz is Spanish for 'ball four.'"

Witty, Mr. Shippe. Witty.

Keep an eye on the DFA-o-Meter at MSTI. Ramon is winning.

Kyle Baker said...

@Josh-No, the crying comment was perfectly within bounds.

I was just going over some questions in my mind...Why is it that it's completely fine to give a player all manner of shit when sitting around posting here in a GT, including making fun of their physical appearance, their past, their mother, etc., but then I somehow have a hangup about booing the player in person? Am I a hypocrite? A coward?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Joel McHale will throw out tonight's first pitch. Now there's a guy who should be a Dodger fan. Not like the Kardashians or Bret Michaels or those other random clowns. Well, maybe Michaels.

http://bit.ly/c6owuc

NicJ said...

@DB-BOOOOOOOO!!

NicJ said...

damn, Ottawa up 3-1 on the pens super early in the 2nd.

Take that Pennsylvania!!

Kyle Baker said...

So Ausmus pretty much done for the season until late into it. this just hit me.

"By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

04/14/10 6:21 PM ET

LOS ANGELES -- Disabled Dodgers catcher Brad Ausmus will have surgery Thursday to repair a herniated disk in his lower back. The club said it hoped Ausmus would be back on the field by late summer.

Ausmus went on the disabled list last week after experiencing pain down his left leg and numbness in his left foot after catching Thursday's game in Pittsburgh. It was the first time Ausmus has been out of action in a 17-year career.

Dr. Robert Watkins will perform the microscopic surgery, which is believed to be similar to one performed two years ago on shortstop Rafael Furcal. Ausmus turned 41 on Wednesday.

A.J. Ellis, who caught Sunday, has replaced Ausmus on the 25-man roster."

NicJ said...

Sorry to hear that. Hope Brad has a speedy recovery.

AJ Ellis might have to buy a bigger wallet.

TACO said...

I was down right next to the field by 3rd base and you couldn't hear much booing for Sherrill. I kinda sorta thought I heard a boo but I doubt he noticed, maybe it was louder in other parts of the stadium?

Or maybe it was just some Phillies fans cheering for Raul?

Kyle Baker said...

@TACO

Yeah the booing was pretty distinct from where I was sitting. I was cheering for the struggling, level-brimmed reliever but there were clearly folks in the crowd who didn't think much of his most recent performances.

Kyle Baker said...

It could have been a bunch of fans cheering for Josh S.' son.

NicJ said...

Maybe they thought he was David Youkilis and they were yelling YOOOOOOOUUUUUK.

NicJ said...

Fat Penny's pitching for the Cards. Its against the Astros though so i doubt he will lose.

Im guessing the Astros will continue to suck until we start our series with them.

Steve Sax said...

WSJ had a piece today that said the "Punchless Astros Swing at Everything". Their offense has scored 13 runs in their first seven games (averaging 1.86 runs per game).

"Part of the reason is that their hitters are swinging at everything; they have the highest swing rate on pitches outside the strike zone, at 33.4%. Hunter Pence has chased 46% of pitches out of the zone, and he's one of the club's best hitters."

Yikes.

NicJ said...

Penny already getting into it with Bourn.

NicJ said...

Everyone hope Oswalt stays healthy and maybe we can make a deal for him. If we are even in it.

Betsy said...

Wishing i hadn't sold my tickets for today *SIGH* You live and learn. The guys on Dodgers live..not as interesting as being @ the stadium.

Steve Sax said...

Rick Monday on the pre-game show: "And yesterday, before a sell-out crowd, the Dodgers unleashed the home opener."

Unleash the home opener!!!

Steve Sax said...

One-out double for Drew, Upton at the plate and is due (riding a 0-for-12 streak)

Make that 0 for 13. K.

Steve Sax said...

Drew is stranded. Nice job, Bills!

NicJ said...

19 pitches through 1.

Steve Sax said...

Whoever is popping popcorn near Vin Scully:

Cut that shit out.

Steve Sax said...

Furkey singles, sponsored by Buddig

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Raffy single.

NicJ said...

SAX, i thought vin was eating chips or something.

Josh S. said...

New female correspondent Dodgers Live.

I'd comment about her attractiveness, but Mrs. S reads this blog now (occasionally, at least) after meeting Sax.

Hi Honey!

Josh S. said...

on Dodgers Live, that is...

Steve Sax said...

Come on Kempy, get Furcal home! (Full count to Matt)

Paul said...

@rbnlaw

Thanks for that thing for that place at a latter time.

Foookie has gone wild!!!!! On base again.

NicJ said...

@Josh, +1

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kemp walks

NicJ said...

Ortizes > Lopez

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's good to have Andre back.

NicJ said...

Hooray for productive outs!

Josh S. said...

Nice avatar, MLASF.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Why thank you, Josh.

NicJ said...

i dont think Vin has ever seen He-man

Josh S. said...

Vin never watched He-Man, apparently.

Unknown said...

The last 4 batters in the Snakes lineup have much higher batting averages than the first 5, lol!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I know that our bullpen is in a sorry state right now, but there is a much sorrier state: NEW JERSEY!

(because the Devils lost)

I just felt like using that joke from SNL.

Classic Patterson!

Josh S. said...

Nic gets the points for the joke. Typing on an iPhone is too damn slow.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

K seen at the bat.

NicJ said...

i dont know why everyone always says reynolds is a poor defender. For the last two year all i see him do is rob us of XBH's

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Martin's burning the ball. Seriously, who thought he'd start this hot?

NicJ said...

martin with the hit, at the very least the pitcher is out of the way for next inning.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I always thought TNT would make a great closer entrance song.

Chris said...

Hola, SOSG peeps. In the press box tonight, and Nancy Bea Hefley was nearly tagged by a fast-moving foul ball during the first inning. Fortunately it missed her!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bills gets his first hit!

NicJ said...

bills takes the lead in the pitchers hitting contest.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Chad's making quick work of these guys.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nice slide.

Josh S. said...

Offense!

NicJ said...

Lucky the dbacks didn't use the longer gloves tonight.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Aw dammit.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Dodgers 3, Stephen Drew 1

Josh S. said...

The hitters realize they have to do all the work until the pitching is straightened out. I wonder if the team will go into May or June with no saves recorded.

Nostradamus said...

That HR was all on steiner. Tool.

Paul said...

Stephen Drew is evil.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Maybe it's because his brother is just so loathsome.

Paul said...

Bills stay on target.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The sixth inning came early.

Unknown said...

oh snap.

Paul said...

Uh oh. We are in trouble.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Something's come along and it's burst our bubble.

NicJ said...

is the third inning the new 6th?

Steve Sax said...

So here is the expected trouble inning for Bills.

NicJ said...

i guess we dont have to worry about the pen blowing a lead tonight

NicJ said...

three innings of hard work gone.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm starting to think that Bills is going to be seriously pimped during the summer.

Unknown said...

snappity snap snap snap.

Kyle Baker said...

I was hoping for a relaxing game tonight.

Steve Sax said...

Chris 7:48p: Nancy Bea was secretly hoping that the foul ball had hit her. That's the only way she's ever going to be let out of her pen near the press box...escape was so
close!

Dammit Chad, you've given up the lead already so just calm down

Kyle Baker said...

" Mr. LA Sports Fan said...

Chad's making quick work of these guys.

4/14/2010 8:01 PM"

That seemed so long ago.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

So Bills should be nails for the rest of the game, right? Right? RIGHT?

Paul said...

Bills has to step it up.

NicJ said...

Down goes Vujacic. Lakers bench just got a little thinner.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

@Nic - But also a little more coherent.

Kyle Baker said...

You can see the anxiety, lack of confidence, and frustration on Bills' face. He is going to have to act like an adult and not let a little but of adversity rattle him, and then let in more runs.

Kyle Baker said...

That would be a cool job to have: second base fixer.

NicJ said...

Eh, its not the lakers year anyways.

Kyle Baker said...

What happened to Vujacic?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Not watching Laker game, but according to Mike Trudell (via Twitter): Sasha Vujacic was fouled on a jump shot and fell awkwardly right in front of trainer Gary Vitti.

NicJ said...

whats up with second base? i thought this was the big leagues?

Steve Sax said...

Second base isn't fastened to the ground.

More evidence of McCourt thriftiness.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Well, at least it's not our pitcher who is being thrown off.

Steve Dittmore said...

Umm... Gameday is saying delayed (other).

Is a dog pooping on the field like what happened to our Northwest Arkansas minor league team?

Kyle Baker said...

Cue the McCourt skimping on bases comments.

NicJ said...

Yeah Mardy Collins ran into him. I think the Clips should be forced to take on the remainder of his contract as punishment.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I love how At Bat just starts showing random stuff to keep you entertained while the game is delayed. If I wasn't such a cheap bastard I'd spring for a full year of At Bat.

Paul said...

"On the wings of loooove!"

Steve Sax said...

Can't this be fixed by some duct tape?

Kyle Baker said...

@ Sax-

No amount of duct tape is going to help Bills these days.

Steve Sax said...

Dusty, I beat ya by a single minute...

Kyle Baker said...

@Professor

Second base mooring was jacked up. Should be ready to play now.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Hah. Curse of the delay.

Steve Sax said...

Glad they fixed 2B, since Martin promptly doubles

way to go Russ!

NicJ said...

I like Fat Martin.

Josh S. said...

*base falls off*

Paul said...

Martin tests the base immediately. Nice swing by Russ. No more pulling every single AB!!

Steve Sax said...

Ouch Chad, that was quick

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm guessing those boos were more connected to the other half of the third.

Paul said...

Man Raffy really likes that song. New year same song.

Steve Sax said...

Sure would be nice to score Martin here

Steve Sax said...

Can any of you guys explain why my blackberry drives my television audio crazy sometimes? Why haven't they figured out this interference thing by now?

Two out, Martin about to be stranded on third

Paul said...

Homerun right here.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

How about that, Sax?

BISON POWER!!

Nostradamus said...

Whoop!

Steve Sax said...

Matt Kemp!!!!!!!!

NicJ said...

GET THAT MAN A STEREO!!!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Paul called it.

Kyle Baker said...

@ Sax

BBerries rely on a certain type of data transmission that interfere with the waves of things like speakers or TVs. If the BBerry is near, say, a telephone, you get that weird fluttery interference sound. This really sucks when everyone has their BBerry out near one of those conference phones in the middle of a table.

Paul said...

Ha ha!!

Steve Sax said...

Paul calls it

Paul, did you point to center as well?

Kyle Baker said...

I get no love for my Bills/duct tape comment play???

Steve Dittmore said...

MLB Network conducting live look-in with Braves-Padres. Weird to hear Dick Enberg doing baseball.

Steve Sax said...

Ethier keeps it going with a single. 5-3 Dodgers, two out

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Without Webb, these chowderheads are thin in the pitching department. And we think we're bad.

Paul said...

@Sax

from my couch I pointed at the TV. They usally hit them in that area.

NicJ said...

MLASF, i know. At least we dont have either of the ortizes in the rotation, yet.

Steve Sax said...

Come on FJL

Kyle Baker said...

Mutts and Rox knotted at 5 in the 9th.

Paul said...

Pardon James Loney!!!!

NicJ said...

Free John Lindsey!!

Steve Dittmore said...

@Dusty - Another win for Hogs tonight. Now 28-6.

2008 Dodger draftee Zach Cox now hitting .442 with 43 runs, 6 HR, 39 RBI and 25 walks in 34 games. He has reached safely via hit or walk in every game this year.

He's the real deal.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Sign Hank Blalock!

Paul said...

Darn it James. Offense looks great at home so far!

NicJ said...

Unless Blalock will accept a slightly used clubhouse stereo as form of payment i doubt we are getting him.

NicJ said...

S. Drew, I hate you.

Kyle Baker said...

Wooooo Pig Sooooooiiiieeee!

NicJ said...

this inning was going so well.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Well he ain't going into the sixth, I'll tell ya that.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Aw fuckit.

Nostradamus said...

Fuckity fuck fuck

Steve Sax said...

Dammit Chadley, you had two outs this inning and just fell apart on these last three batters! Come on, dude!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Fuckity fuck fuck

Unknown said...

$%&#!!!!

NicJ said...

you might as well leave him in for the sixth, the bullpen might be worse.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Mr. C beat me to it.

Steve Sax said...

could have used that third out about four batters ago

Unknown said...

sigh.

Unknown said...

Thank god for mark reynolds and his .154 batting average

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This isn't like last year when Chad had that great first half to juxtapose with that horrendous second half. So far, all we have is sub-par control and six runs in 10 innings.

Kyle Baker said...

5 o'clock shadow Mode?

NicJ said...

damn, dbacks with only six hits and 5 runs.

Killing us with situational hitting.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Two sac flies will do that, Nic.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I still stand by Chinface. It rolls off the tongue a lot better than any kind of mode.

NicJ said...

I cant believe Rodrigo is going to get off without an L, and might even get a W.

Unknown said...

My last name is Ortiz. Yet,my representatives suck. I want my name off a dodger jersey. Hurry back Kuo/Belisario.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

IT'S MON-A-STERIOS, NOT MONT-A-SERIOS, STEINER

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's like I die a little every time he mispronounces it.

Kyle Baker said...

Mr. C-

Just noted your "Our Lady of the Holy Regression to the Mean" comment. Nice!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

STOP KILLING ME, STEINER

Kyle Baker said...

God damn he left that ball out there just hanging. Calling out to get smashed into the night. Sheeeeyat.

Unknown said...

Why is Bills still in?

NicJ said...

have you seen our bullpen?

Unknown said...

Are we starting a Fire Honeycutt campaign yet?

NicJ said...

At least Clipper Darrell is happy tonight.

NicJ said...

HR right here.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Chad's got great stuff. I don't know how you could say he's nothing more than a mid-rotation starter. If anything's going to get him, it's his psyche.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's only his second start, and he's getting pushed past 110 pitches? Our bullpen really does suck.

Unknown said...

If Bills is not a legit 1-2 guy, It will be a long season. Barring any injuries, we should have our all star back.

NicJ said...

close enough. Bills in line for the L

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Fuckity fuck fuck, fuckity fuck fuck

Josh S. said...

Shitty shitass donkey dickfuck!

(My kid just went to bed. I can cuss like that.)

NicJ said...

Gotta admit Blowingsley is pretty funny though.

NicJ said...

Well he pitched worse than Rodrigo Lopez, so thats not good.

Unknown said...

I'm not sure what's worse...leaving Bills in for the last out, or letting our bullpen handle it.

Unknown said...

Mr. LASF, Bills has good stuff, but man his approach is soft. Kershaw's approach is soft. I am not sure it is a coincidence.

Kyle Baker said...

Speaking of donkeys, that Metro PCS commercial they're showing BLOWS FUCKING DONKING CROTCH. A little piece of me dies each time I have to hear it. What ad agency thought these were a good idea?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

The Gas Can Gang.

NicJ said...

On the brightside, he went deeper into the game than last time.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Tron's going on the DL at some point this season, I can guarantee that. He's getting put on the rubber more than Dennis the Menace's rock collection.

Josh S. said...

I just had to explain to Mrs. S that we indeed have two Ortizes on this team. She thought the Ortiz that fucked up yesterday was the same Ortiz that blew it in Florida.

"Wait...so we have TWO Ortizes and they BOTH suck?! I'm so confused."

Me too, baby. Me too.

Unknown said...

Plus from what you have seen for about 4 years now, what makes you think he is anything more than a mid rotation guy?

Unknown said...

gotta love those balls in the dirt.

Kyle Baker said...

Talent aside (and I do think obviously Kershaw but also Bills have talent), I do think they are, if not soft per se, lacking a killer instinct. The aw shucks I'm in the big leagues, look at me mom, shit has to go soon.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

A 9 win first half last year and a 16 win 2008, that's what. And you can't say Kershaw is soft. The guy's 22. He's still working on getting his third pitch down. His problem is command, and that's very common for kids his age. I seem to recall a certian fella named Koufax had control issues to start his career.

Unknown said...

Plus I always thought Honeycutt was a pussy when he pitched for us anyhow.

Josh S. said...

Tron might as well be a starter.

But then our bullpen would be a complete disaster instead of just a partial disaster.

Oh, and Joe, stop teasing Mr. LASF by having Monasterios warm up. He might snap.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

BELLY 2.0!! WE CAN REBUILD HIM!

Josh S. said...

To quote Dusty Rhodes, "BELLY WELLY!"

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I just died a little again.

NicJ said...

Tron was up for a starting position last year, but he Mcdonald'd it in spring and was sent to the pen.

Nostradamus said...

@Dusty

Thanks. It seems like I'm there a little too often these days.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Dammit. They should've sent Belliard. I could've gotten an RBI from Raffy.

NicJ said...

Is Will.I.Am available to pitch out of the pen?

Paul said...

I guess I better get ready for a lot of 4 plus hour games this season.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

DAMMIT

NicJ said...

two off there MLASF

Unknown said...

THAT'S better.

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