Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Game 45 Thread: May 25 @ Cubs, 5p

Furcal's back! (Get it?) Batting leadoff tonight!

Clayton Kershaw (4-2, 3.23) vs. Ryan Dempster (2-4, 3.73).

COMMENTS: I could have been at this game.

It pains me to write those words, especially since I've been to Wrigley Field before (and loved it), and the good friend who offered me to join him in the first row behind the Dodgers dugout would have made a hell of a roadtrip buddy (there will be other opportunities, I'm sure). But life gets in the way--I have a meeting Wednesday morning; I travel enough that I don't want to be away another night; it just didn't make practical sense.

So I passed on this opportunity.

Instead, I'm spending this Wednesday like (most of) the rest of you: firing up your radios to listen to the game on the drive home, trying not to hear the 16-ounce cans of Old Style cracking open and pouring beautiful nectar to happy fans in the crowd, or the Cubs' Dixieland band playing songs in between innings, or Eric "The Curse" Collins' voice from the television broadcast. I want to hear Kershaw, who has two runs in 22 1/3 innings over his last three starts, keep up his great work and roll past Dempster, who has lost his last four decisions but is 6-3 with a 2.52 ERA against the Dodgers (almost two full runs lower than his career ERA of 4.42).

Maybe I'll just sit at home and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the #1 Billboard chart position of Wham's classic hit, "Everything She Wants". But hey, I don't want to celebrate alone, so now you can enjoy it too (make sure to check out how desperate and frustrated George Michael gets during the bridge, at around 4:50. GEORGE MICHAEL ANGRY! GEORGE MICHAEL SMASH!).

P.S.: Suns / Lakers, 6p tip-off.

Yeah, I know it's the 33rd anniversary of the debut of Star Wars. It's not like we didn't plug the hell out of Empire Strikes Back night. Oh, and that photo is via Harry How / Getty Images North America.

256 comments:

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Kyle Baker said...

Furcal 6
Martin 2
Kemp 8
Ramirez 7
Loney 3
Blake 5
Paul 9
DeWitt 4
Kershaw 1

Kyle Baker said...

Raffy's back! Like that Martin drops to two behind him. A good one-two punch to start off (at least on paper, and given the way JMart's been playing).

Please tell me Blake DeWitt's middle name is Paul.

Josh S. said...

Nope. Robert. Damn.

Josh S. said...

Nice to see Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet in the lineup, though.

Betsy said...

Think I can convince the suitemates @ Petco park to tune into the Dodger game while we watch the Padre game?

QuadSevens said...

Go for it Betsy! Just tell them you're keeping an eye on the competition in the West.

Kyle Baker said...

Josh- Take a drink for knowing Spandau Ballet names.

Betsy said...

So I guess showing up in dodger gear is a no-no. Ehh but those Padre fans are wimps anyways, i'll just arrive early and set it to the Dodger game :)

Josh S. said...

That idea is Gold, Dusty!

Josh S. said...

Baby Bears' lineup:

Theriot 2B
Castro SS
Lee 1B
Byrd CF
Soriano LF
Nady RF,
Baker 3B
Soto C
Dempster P

Kyle Baker said...

I'm playing 3B for Cubbies today.

Josh S. said...

No offense, DB, but I hope your range is terrible.

Kyle Baker said...

@Josh

Oh, it is.

Speaking of range, I moved over to a better office in our building today, which means I now get better mobile broadband and iPhone reception. I can now pull in MLB.TV games in HD (I am so spoiled, I know). However, I am no longer facing in the direction of your work, Josh.

Josh S. said...

*stops waving*

Josh S. said...

Via TBLA:

"Tonight is 1st game in MLB history with 2 Xaviers starting in same game, and they are in the same position (RF: Paul, Nady)"

I get way too goddamn excited over minutiae like this.

Steve Sax said...

@Josh S 2:05p: True. True.

Are you sure it's not Gary Kemp, though?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Ryan Dempster.

Josh S. said...

@Sax: "Are you sure it's not Gary Kemp, though?:

Well, I know for a fact that it's not Izzy LaFontaine.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You know what I just found out? Ethier's fourth in NL outfielder votes. FOURTH. BEHIND FUCKING SHANE VICTORINO AND JAYSON FUCKING WERTH. FOURTH.

Josh S. said...

They seriously need to take away internet voting. There must be nothing else to do in Philly besides rigging the All-Star vote.

*hides from Delino*

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

JIMMY FUCKING ROLLINS? JIMMY FUCKING ROLLINS? AAHLHALHFLHSFAF

(collapses)

Steve Sax said...

I want to throw a ball at Victorino's head.

Steve Sax said...

Fifteen minutes. I'm going nuts.

Steve Sax said...

I don't know if all of you are just anesthetized by the Wham video, but I'm surprised I'm not getting more crap from y'all about passing on the Cubs tix today. You guys are going easy on me.

NicJ said...

oh crap, i forgot about Collins.

Steve Sax said...

@Josh S 4:29p: Edward Norton. What ever happened to that guy?

NicJ said...

anyone happen to watch Kareems Ustream feed last time out? i was thinking of checking it out tonight. Sounds hilarious.

NicJ said...

jackie chans throwing out the first pitch tonight? i really hope he sings take me out to the ballgame too.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I watched some of it, Nic. Very strange. He had Flea and Michael Cooper.

NicJ said...

that sounds absolutely fascinating.

Kyle Baker said...

@sax

i can't give you shit....i passed on my originally planned trip.

NicJ said...

i think herbie hancock, worthy, wilkes, and rick fox is supposed to be there tonight.

NicJ said...

furcal leads off tonight. im guessing 0-4.

NicJ said...

Dempster's canadian? Maybe he is related to the Sedin's

NicJ said...

Soto's catchers gear is distracting.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Dempster's shuffle move really weirds me out.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Ugly swing, nice swipe.

NicJ said...

the cubs announcers sound like they are cartoons.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Collins didn't even mention Loney's slam off Dempster. He just said that "he's 1-for-9."

NicJ said...

well in his defense he wasnt with the team at that time. He was probably busy watching softball at that time.

Isnt he from chicago too?

NicJ said...

thats quite a right handed lineup they have.

Eric Karros said...

Let's go Dodgers. Make It Big!

NicJ said...

ump has a low strike zone.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

A lot of pitches needed to retire Theriot.

NicJ said...

damn, dudes fast.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Tie DOES NOT go to the runner.

MR.F said...

Ah the good ol' days. When NL teams played NL teams.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Did Kershaw seriously just walk Lee? He of the .218 BA?

NicJ said...

first walk of the game comes a little later than usual.

Josh S. said...

Steiner sucks at remembering that we can't see the game.

"Byrd hits a liner into left..."
*crowd cheers*
*looooonnnnng pause*
Me: "Was that a hit?"
"...and Manny will track it down for the third out."

NicJ said...

seriously this umpires strikezone sucks.

Jason said...

Ah, Ryan Theriot always reminds me of my old fantasy baseball league. The guy that drafted Theriot pronounced his name for the entire season as "the riot" like he was referring to civil unrest. If anyone would correct him, he would respond, "that's what I said." I'm 99% certain he was not joking, he actually couldn't tell the difference between the pronunciations.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

"One Xavier lines out to the other Xavier."

And with that, Eric Collins' head just exploded. Steve Lyons did not like the form of the splatter though. Thought there wasn't enough hustle.

NicJ said...

nice, just what i wanted. Double play.

Jason said...

The Cubs hired a psychiatrist this year? Well, better late than never. It's not like they had someone on the roster last year in need of some therapy. Oh wait, Milton Bradley was a Cub last season.

Steve Sax said...

Furkey turns a dp

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I know everyone loves the history of Wrigley, but all I really ever hear about is how their facilities are the shittiest in baseball.

Eric Karros said...

"One Xavier lines out to the other Xavier."

The most interesting play in the world? Maybe not, but at least it qualifies as "Dos Equis."

Unknown said...

nice way to keep up the puns, mlasf

NicJ said...

FREE JAMEY CARROLL!!

Unknown said...

0-for-2!? This is an outrage. I want Carroll back.

NicJ said...

we joke but i bet there will be people calling in dodgertalk tonight complaining that carroll isnt starting.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

There will be people calling DodgerTalk complaining that George Sherrill isn't the closer.

Unknown said...

So far no strikeouts for ershaWW, but as long as he gets the outs I'm ok with that

NicJ said...

theres a K

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Right on cue, David.

NicJ said...

nice easy inning for Kid K.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Good inning. Now let's get some runs.

Steve Sax said...

0-0 through three

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Manny's been two-thirds of our offense so far.

Unknown said...

Ugh, so close!

NicJ said...

almost laker time.

Steve Sax said...

Dammit XP

NicJ said...

i dont know why, but i am sensing a good game by bynum. Maybe i should check to see if there is a gas leak in the house.

Fred's Brim said...

that was the worst at-bat i've seen in a long time

NicJ said...

i dont know why everyone keep talking about the zone affecting the lakers. Didnt they get like 30+ points in that 3rd Q?

NicJ said...

haha, a battle to start the tip.

Fred's Brim said...

and expect a bad inning from Clayton here. I've been staying away from the game threads for the past two weeks, until now

NicJ said...

well, so far the suns are making shots. they all have been J's though.

Fred's Brim said...

why am I back, you ask, when I could be risking our recent run with my foul luck? I miss the GT chatter and think I should try to run out my bad luck now as opposed to when it will matter more

Fred's Brim said...

Clayton's throwing hard!

NicJ said...

letting them play tonight.

Fred's Brim said...

yipes - long dunker, 1st and 3rd, 1 out

Fred's Brim said...

Soriano still scares me

NicJ said...

lakers still getting called for alot of ticky tack BS

Unknown said...

Whew! Huge K for KKKershaWW.

Fred's Brim said...

BIG K of Soriano. Only one out gets Clayton out of this jam

Steve Sax said...

Come on Clayton!

Fred's Brim said...

Yes! way to wriggle off the hook!

Fred's Brim said...

Now lets get some runs!

Steve Sax said...

Way to battle through, 0-0 through four

Fred's Brim said...

Cmon Blake you are making Nick Green look better and better

Nostradamus said...

Hey, Happy Towel Day, internet family. Looks like Wrigley is being cooperative, so far.

Fred's Brim said...

That's the Raffy we've all missed

NicJ said...

way to give clayton a breather, guys.

Josh S. said...

NicJ is 3/4 of the way to being right.

NicJ said...

one can only hope.

Nostradamus said...

Is it wrong that the sheriff's dept. ad bugs me because it plays up the fact that you too can carry a concealed weapon if you sign up?

NicJ said...

damn, looks like the refs arent gonna let the lakers play again.

I dont see how the refs are letting BOS/ORL kill each other and the suns lakers series every touch foul is called.

NicJ said...

FIrst pitch, why?

Josh S. said...

Take a pitch, boneheads.

Fred's Brim said...

Raffy, jeez. Did you do any fielding practice in extended spring training?

Unknown said...

dangit.

The Carroll is better than Furcal bandwagon will sure be rolling after this game.

NicJ said...

No offense tonight folks. I hate Dempster.

Fred's Brim said...

Our defense burns us again
1-0 bad guys

Fred's Brim said...

we can't seem to catch a break this year when our defense effs up

Unknown said...

damn. 0-0, 1st and 2nd, 2 outs would be a lot better than 0-1, 1st and 2nd, and 1 out.

Fred's Brim said...

ugh Soriano will beat us sometime this week. Will it be now?

NicJ said...

lakers still not really getting the ball inside.

NicJ said...

uh oh, frye's hitting shots now.

Fred's Brim said...

wow big out

Fred's Brim said...

it's good to see the Cubs broadcast hasn't forgotten the Honey Shot

Nostradamus said...

Ain't never won a game with 0 runs, so let's get to work.

Fred's Brim said...

Clayton's over 100 pitches

Nostradamus said...

Suns' bench en fuego

NicJ said...

claytons in line for the rare quality start loss.

NicJ said...

i knew the suns would get one game because they would go nuts and be lights out. I didnt think it would be after a game they already won though.

NicJ said...

alright guys you cant leave frye open anymore.

NicJ said...

the lakers have had 4 three changed to 2's already.

NicJ said...

this is getting stupid.

Fred's Brim said...

well meek

NicJ said...

maybe the lakers should try some zone.

karina said...

Epale everyone!

First of all, happy towel day or geek pride day!

Now, we need some mojo to win this game

Go Blue!

NicJ said...

well, at least the suns cant win in LA.

Fred's Brim said...

Lou sticking with Dempster

Fred's Brim said...

and he gets a hit of course

Fred's Brim said...

Raffy not bending down on that one

Fred's Brim said...

Weave finishes the inning. Hopefully Depmster is tired from running down the line

Nostradamus said...

Epale karina!

We may be down, but don't panic.

Nostradamus said...

Damn this game went fast.

Fred's Brim said...

Way to keep up with the game, Steve

NicJ said...

time flies when your not hitting.

Fred's Brim said...

that's horseshit

Fred's Brim said...

have we hit a ball hard all game?

NicJ said...

Collins, keep your college baseball nuggets of info to yourself.

karina said...

Most of the time, i love 1-0 scores, but i'm not digging this game.

Fred's Brim said...

cmon Raffy - make the Carrol lovers think twice

Nostradamus said...

Zero offense

Fred's Brim said...

oof Raffy wasn't even close on that one, late and over the top

when's Dre getting back again?

NicJ said...

Collins curse is just too strong.

karina said...

@Mr LASF I'm worried about your fist and the state of your walls, but there's something that deserves a punch: the All Star voting. Does anyone else actually pay attention to other teams?

I hate the Phillies.

NicJ said...

well this game wont be 1-0 for long, Tron is coming in.

karina said...

I wonder if Torre can make a percentage out of the future Tron's medical bills.

Fred's Brim said...

aww no - why Tronny?

Nostradamus said...

Come on, clean that shit up

Fred's Brim said...

ugh cmon guys, cut the shit

Josh S. said...

I'm no Carrollite, but Raffy is KILLING me.

Nostradamus said...

Fuckity fuck fuck

Fred's Brim said...

crimony

NicJ said...

man, i am batting 1.000 tonight.

Josh S. said...

And good-night.

Fred's Brim said...

Tronny should give Cory Wade a call

Josh S. said...

Fuck you, Byrd.

karina said...

Injury delay?

Fred's Brim said...

how many positions can Carrol play?

Fred's Brim said...

karina, Byrd ran into Loney

chexxum said...

okay, I'm officially a believer in the Collins Curse now.

Fred's Brim said...

everybody's ok, well except for our defense

karina said...

Thanks, Fred's Brim

Josh S. said...

That wwas a late hit on James too.

karina said...

This is the inning where the Dodgers score 5 runs.

NicJ said...

this Kareem Ustream show is funny.

Josh S. said...

Well, they're going to make this quick at least.

karina said...

@Josh 2 outs left, this isn't over yet.

Fred's Brim said...

Lets make Marmol work this inning. make him throw strikes

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Oh it's over.

Fred's Brim said...

the ump has a pitcher of beer waiting for him at the Cubby Bear

Josh S. said...

Joe West's favorite game of the year.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I think Torre's set a new record for destroying an arm.

NicJ said...

the dodgers will take the lead in the tenth.

karina said...

@Fred's Brim the more the merrier :)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I blame their inability to play perimeter defense.

Fred's Brim said...

@karina not when I am bad luck

i am watching the Jackass guys play nutball. I know how they feel

karina said...

At least it was very entertaining when you were talking about Spandau Ballet (thanks, i had to research and learned something) and mentioned Edward Norton.

This is the best place to hang out.

NicJ said...

Kobe's gonna beat the suns by himself.

and he might have too.

karina said...

@Fred's Brim you are not bad luck, Dodgers' bats are entitled to not show up at game time once in a while.

Josh S. said...

Game was too short to even get good tangents going.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Am I the only one who's just getting sick of Farmar? I mean, he can't pass, he can't shoot, he can barely play defense. What the hell do we keep him around for? He's more worthless than Ammo.

NicJ said...

he wont be nere next year, for some strange reason he thinks he should be starting.

karina said...

@Josh S you all worked what you got.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

He'll get a starting job when Earl Boykins becomes the top center in the NBA.

NicJ said...

why isnt lopez getting called for the over the back fouls gasol is getting called for?

NicJ said...

pau taking to many jumpers.

NicJ said...

O rebounds are killing the lakers.

NicJ said...

i guess if the suns arent going to get called for the defensive three seconds, the zone will keep working.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Refs hardly ever call 3-second violations, offensive or defensive. Makes it all the more infuriating when they do.

NicJ said...

the three second rule was created to discourage zone defense.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Who'd have guessed that off-the-wall cheering for a 10-point lead during the second quarter would be premature.

NicJ said...

lets just go back to pre 2001 when zone wasnt even allowed.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Craig Sager looks like he should be swimming upstream in a brook in Alaska.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Note to Lakers: Only Kobe will be shooting threes. Please comply.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

What's that, first lead since first quarter?

NicJ said...

farmar, i hate you.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

How do the Lakers improve the bench? Trade? Bi-Annual? Mid-Level? I can't see them leaving it at the status quo. Maybe Fisher takes a reduced role, who knows.

NicJ said...

i love you, farmar.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I hate you, Farmar.

NicJ said...

suns are just missing shots, lakers need to take advantage.

NicJ said...

now the suns will hit 5 threes in a row

NicJ said...

theres 2

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I wish you were joking, Nic. But I know you're not.

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