Wow. For those who like to overreact (i.e., like, a lot of us), an entire off-season of optimism just got wiped out in five innings. Vicente Padilla, proud owner of a 14.54 ERA, give up two home runs to Garrett Jones and was charged with seven earned runs over only 4 1/3 innings, while Ramon Ortiz (13.50 ERA) helped pour gas on the fire by allowing a bases-loaded double to Ryan Church in the fifth.
The hits didn't stop there: George Sherrill (40.50 ERA) gave up a three-run homer to Ryan Doumit in the eighth, and the Dodgers committed two errors and wasted opportunities at the plate, stranding ten men on base.
On the plus side, Manny Ramirez and Matt Kemp each went 2-for-5, and Casey Blake and Blake DeWitt each went 2-for-4. Russell Martin, despite getting caught in a rundown in the fifth, scored two runs. Carlos Monasterios and Russ Ortiz each threw a smooth scoreless inning of relief. Also, we had a nice crowd in our first Game Thread of the Year, Padilla hit only two batters and Martin's groin did not burst into flames.
Fun note: Eric Stephen of True Blue LA estimates the Dodgers' Cory Wade/Russ Ortiz switcherdoodle saved them $3,551.92. Flowers for Jamie!
And lastly, thanks to @jay_jaffe for this exchange, which started when the Dodgers scored two runs in the top of the first:
@jay_Jaffe
I really like the Dodgers' chances to keep this 2-runs-per-inning pace all year long@sosgsosg
Offense or defense?@jay_Jaffe
Yes.
UPDATE: From Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:
Andre Ethier didn't have an extra-base hit in 94 plate appearances against left-handers on the road last season, yet laced a double off southpaw Zach Duke in his first plate appearance of 2010.
photos by Keith Srakocic/AP
39 comments:
Yeah, that's about where we left this off last year...
ABANDON SHIP! We're extrapolating to a 0-162 record!
AAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
Pirates = Ben Roethlisberger
Dodgers = slightly intoxicated girl at nightclub.
Seriously, if we give up 11 runs to the Pirates, does that mean when we play a real Pennsylvania team like the Phillies, we're going to spot them ~35 runs a game?
Harsh, Nic. But true.
We have the same record as the Yankees.
Maybe the marketing department can add that to the posters around town.
What happened????
I leave you guys alone for a few hours and this what I come home to!
Since the dodgers have a new fluctuating ticket scale does this mean home tix are now two bucks?
Garland just gave up a dinger. What is it w current or former Dodger pitchers today?
I blame Eric Collins, it's always his fault.
Some words of wisdom via Mrs. Dusty:
"Finish each day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
Some blunders and absurdities crept in;
Forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day;
You shall begin it serenely and
With too high a spirit to be encumbered
With your old nonsense."
-Emerson-
No word on whether Lake or Palmer agree.
I think the Shockmaster needs to give the Dodges an inspirational speech since they debuted just like he did today.
Indeed, dynamic ticket pricing should take into account current team ERA. Higer ERA = lower price, etc.
Then the stat geeks would argue that ERA was meaningless, though.
On the bright side, at least this didn't happen to any of our players:
http://vucommodores.blogspot.com/2010/04/corey-williams-update.html
The similarities between the dodgers and the shockmaster are frightening.
@Dusty 2.53p: Is that what's written on the back of your clock radio? Cool!
Wasn't everyone hoping that the whole Padilla on opening day thing would gently pass us by without much concern? You know, really give all those talking heads nothing to mention tonight when they rip the entire future of the Dodgers' season b/c of this move by Torre? Yeah, that would have been nice. I was hoping for something like 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 bb. A 6-3 win from the Dodgers and nobody paying any attention to it. Thanks a lot Garret Jones. Ass.
Why does MLB.TV work for Cubs/Braves game but not ours? Ass.*
*I'm taking HLACK's lead and ending my posts with the word, "Ass."
At least our pen looks better than that of the Cubs.
Ass?
^Ass.
Hey, the LA Kings lost their home opener and still qualified for the playoffs.
All is not lost.
It's hockey. Almost everyone makes the playoffs.
Go kings!
In both 2009 and 2008, we won our first game of the season. And won the NL West. And swept a NL Central team in the NLDS. And lost to the Phillies in the NLCS.
In 2006, we lost our first game of the season. And snuck into the playoffs as the Wild Card. And were swept by the Mets, when 46 players were called out at home on the same play (outs at home rolling over to subsequent innings and games).
In 2004, we lost our first game of the season. And won the NL West anyway. And then got punched in the mouth by the Cardinals in the NLDS, despite winning our first post-season playoff game since 1988 (Lima Time!).
I really hope this year isn't 2004 or 2006 again.
I wonder if Timmeh washed his hair to start the season? Ass.
The same could be said of basketball, Nic.
And next year maybe the mens NCAA basketball tourny
So how long to I have to wait to say "help me Randy Wolf you are my only hope." ?
@Sax - The Dodgers lost their first game in '88. Fernando was the loser. I think I remember something about that team beating the Mighty Mets and some club that won 104 games.
Giant lose and I am back to feeling meh instead of like crap!
It could be worse. We could be the Cubs or the Nats.
Remember Fort Sumter!!!! A battle lost is not the War! Or something like that.
So I'm taking the kids to that Dragon movie (brilliant by the way. . .although who knew Vikings all had Scottish brogues), and as I leave the car, the Dodgers have 2 on, J.Mart up with a chance to tie it. I come home to see, not only did they not score; they allowed 3 more runs.
Maybe we are destined for 2nd or 3rd in our division. Can't wait for that first puzzle of the season.
Mr LA SF, thanks for the 1988 reference. I feel better...kinda.
Dusty, can your wife start working on How To Train Your Pitching Staff?
(BTW where I am right now I think the movie is called "Dragons", and it's promoted everywhere.)
@Sax - I believe it easier to train a dragon than to teach Ramon Ortiz how to pitch better.
Interesting, the varied title in [wherever you are].
Rox and Snakes both have a one-game lead on us. SF is winning in Houston.
This season is over. We can never make up this deficit.
Who'd have guessed that the kid with hardly any experience above single-A ball would pitch better than Ra Ortiz or Vicente.
ME, THAT'S WHO! MONASTERIOS IS THE FUTURE OF THIS ORGANIZATION
Fast forward me to Wednesday where Kershaw throws a shutout.
@MLASF - good call on '88. I remember being so furious that they lost that game: "How could Fernando lose to the Padres?"
I thought the season was over then and there. I was an emotional teenager back then, but luckily I've matured. Because of that memory, I now have better perspective. But they better not lose this series with the Pirates or I will never cheer for them ever again! Stupid Dodgers!
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