Sunday, July 04, 2010

Game 81 Thread: July 4 @ D'backs, 1p

Chad Billingsley (6-4, 4.25) vs. Dan Haren (7-6, 4.56).

COMMENTS: Game 1 was a 12-5 beatdown by the Snakes. Game 2 was a 14-1 revival by the Dodgers. So how will today's rubber match go? I suppose we can expect a lot of fireworks from at least one of today's teams, which is appropriate enough given the date. What would be nice, though, would be to roll back into town having completed a 5-1 roadtrip after getting our own independence from interleague play. Happy Fourth, everyone--stay safe and sane out there!

161 comments:

Kyle Baker said...

Mrs Dusty: Sabathia looks like Shaq to me.

She's starting the day off right.

Paul said...

I saw Neeebs e jogging down the embarcadero with an iPod and head band rocking out to Royksopp.

Kyle Baker said...

I love when the team that is playing the Yankmes does something good, and the cameras show Joe Girardi, and he's just sitting there grinning like an idiot.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@Paul

You almost got it. I was rocking out to Loverboy!

Kyle Baker said...

Neeebs is hot tonite.

Kyle Baker said...

I know I will catch shit for this, but I actually like this MLB All-Star Game gear they are selling:

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4196341&cp=1452341.1452374.1486713

It's stereotyping CA, but I do like it.

Nostradamus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nostradamus said...

Happy Fourth, kids!

I'll be in and out, as I'm fixin' to throw a cow or two on the grill to feed the hungry masses, as the founding fathers intended. You guys seemed to hold everything down fine last night, though.

Steve Sax said...

@DB: Except for that hideous yellow, I agree it's a pretty good logo

Kyle Baker said...

I thought the Founding Fathers sought to shake off the shackles of the monarchy in order to build and preserve their own wealth and eventually rule the New World in much the same manner against which they were currently rebelling? Oh, and the dead cow parts.

Kyle Baker said...

@Sax

That's almost exactly what Mrs Dusty said re the color.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I thought the Founding Fathers established America for tax purposes. Wasn't the Mayflower a write-off?

Kyle Baker said...

^ Exactly, MLASF.

Kyle Baker said...

Diamondbacks designate Dontrelle Willis for assignment. - Ed Price

Nostradamus said...

That shirt really evokes that Anaheim beach culture, Dusty!

(Kidding! I do like the design)

Kyle Baker said...

This is the rubber match for MLASF posting lineups for the Dbags series. Everyone else stand down and let's see how it plays out.

Kyle Baker said...

Nothin' but a bunch of airbrush t-shirt selling, VW bus with surfboards on the top, Beach Boys listening, beach blanket bingo types in Anaheim.

Nostradamus said...

@Dusty

All of those are valid reasons.

I would also include the need for a long weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'd like that shirt if it weren't yellow. Maybe a light blue or even red.

Kyle Baker said...

I tried to click around and see but I think that's the only color it comes in. Still, if one's complexion is Spring, this may be a good buy.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I like it. I even like the yellow color. I'd wear it with my white holdiay themed Dodger cap and Loverboy shorts. Now THAT would be a good look.

Kyle Baker said...

I'd be lovin' every minute of it, Neeebs.

Josh S. said...

On this day in 1996, a humble crop duster gave his life to save us from alien annihilation.

Let's get back to this one.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

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

Paul said...

Nothing like a Mexican/Spanish/Italian American watching the dodger game in an Irish bar on the fourth. They granted me one tv and my own dodger flag and a Jameson shot on the house if the Dodgers win. I could I refuse?

Oh then the dead meat thing.

Toora loora la toora loora ladie.

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

Yes, let us remember the great things we get to enjoy in America that cannot be found anywhere else.

Like Erin Andrews. Or double downs. Or a Mexican restaurant that becomes a Korean church. Oh, and the freedom. Freedom's pretty damn sweet.

Josh S. said...

I'm not ready to let this Final Vote thing go yet. There's no question that Bell and Wagner have had good seasons and deserve to be considered. I just feel that two NL position players are getting the shaft. There are already three closers on the NL roster. The AL ballot consists of five position players. It frustrates me a bit.

Paul said...

My cookies were disabled for a second. Never a good thing. Unless you listen to loverboy.

Paul said...

Great All Stat game is in Maui! I am there braw. For shua!!

Kyle Baker said...

@Josh

Thanks for helping us to remember the real meaning of the 4th.

I'm ashamed that out government rebuilt itself so quickly and went right back to covering up the existence of alien life and technology.

Josh S. said...

Is it safe to assume Ryan Howard will be the DH since Manuel is managing?

Also, isn't the NL down at least one reserve (two if JHey doesn't play)? Maybe Raffy can still sneak onto the roster somehow.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

This Blog is proof enough for me of the existence of Alien Life.

One of the Sons is an Alien (mother's side.) The question is which one? I vote Delino.

Kyle Baker said...

I vote Pedr...oh, wait.

Kyle Baker said...

I love how Snoop tweets stuff like this:

"Blazin up 4th of July in Glasgow with my Scots!"

Jason said...

I just took a gander at the All Star shirt. The thing that really sticks out is the lack of a city. Apparently the Angels are back to being the California Angels. How retro.

Paul said...

We are all aliens. Some of us are just more flamboyant about it. (Supra Neeebs v. Loverboy shorts).

Paul said...

Seriously that all star t shirt has me craving a long board ale and a short board shred. I need to get back to the islands asap.

Jason said...

@Paul - I'm partial to the Fire Rock pale myself

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

According to FOX Sports.com, the Dodgers have sent scouts to watch Cliff Lee pitch today.

Kyle Baker said...

Does anyone really need to scout Cliff Lee? What do they report back? "This guy is really fucking good; we need to sign him." Are they going to come back and say "This kid might make it in the bigs?"

Save the travel money, McCourt, and just sign the guy.

karen said...

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Kyle Baker said...

On the sofa, Vinny!

Kyle Baker said...

Vin said they'll have a salute to Andre Ethier when they come back from the break.

You man, E!

You, too, Neeebs' extra 'e' !

Paul said...

@Jason

ahhh yes fire rock is good stuff.

Josh S. said...

Frank actually sent scouts to watch Lee Van Cleef.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I think that Andre's ancestors originally spelled his name, Eeethieeer

Josh S. said...

I like Sunday KCAL games because Vin does the whole pregame.

Josh S. said...

One of these days I want Haren to fall over when he pauses during his leg kick.

karen said...

I HATE STEPHEN DREW

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Mark Reynolds batting seventh? Wow, they are in trouble.

Kyle Baker said...

LA Times DS v Angels Stadium story alert:

http://tinyurl.com/378dvs2

Here's a gem:

"center-field rock pile and fountain contribute little to the fan experience"

karen said...

The Beard's got his mojo today

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Loney double!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

GAARP could have done that.

karina said...

Epale, everyone!

Happy 4th of July for all!

Orel said...

Single for Gerard O'Parra.

Orel said...

Epale, Karina (& all)!

karina said...

@Dusty Baker that's a pretty shirt, maybe it's too little bright for my taste

karina said...

@Orel "Gerard 'O Parra"

nicely played, Sir.

His nickname is Yolo, I don't know why.

karen said...

Epale Karina!

Josh S. said...

Gerard Oprah?

karina said...

Gerard "Old Parr"?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Gerard For Par?

Kyle Baker said...

I love how in that Dodgers action figure giveaway commercial, the voice of Manny says "Oh, yeah" and sounds like Barry White.

Kyle Baker said...

Bills goes straight up the middle for a base hit.

Josh S. said...

Billshit!

Uh, I mean Bills hit!

Kyle Baker said...

Come on, Raffy - take out your ASG snub on the little white ball!

Kyle Baker said...

See, that's why you were undeserving, Raffy.

(kidding)

karen said...

Matty definetly showing signs of life

karina said...

Guys, I do really like Infante...he's a good player.

I'd rather have Furcal, though.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Hit it right on the screws, but right at Gerard For Par.

Kyle Baker said...

@Karina

From my perspective, it's not really about liking one player or another. It's about who is deserving from a statistical standpoint through this part of the season. Infante doesn't remotely qualify for being considered because there were so many others more deserving.

I don't have anything against Infante; he just doesn't deserve to be there.

Josh S. said...

Especially when four(!) other Braves made it.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Yeah, it's one thing that Evan Meeks made the team. The Pirates have to send someone. But the Braves have plenty of representation, and could have more if Wagner is voted in with the Final Vote.

karen said...

Anyone else notice that sorry ass excuse for an 'A' on the back of the mound??

Kyle Baker said...

They definitely OB'd (Over-Braved) in the ASG. And Bobby Cox isn't even involved to blame for the skewing. It's not like Braves are the damned Yankees.

Kyle Baker said...

Who are you all supporting for the final man vote?

Kyle Baker said...

That "A" stands for "Always chasing Dodgers in the NL West."

Kyle Baker said...

Kemp with the catch and the smile!

Orel said...

The Bison roams in CF!

karina said...

Veeeeery nice, Bison.

This is a great zero!

Kyle Baker said...

Pod Rays up 2-1 now.

Rox beating Gnats 3-0.

karina said...

We have to admit that the Braves are rolling smoothly.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bison with the great catch.

I don't see how anyone without a player from their favorite team could not vote for Votto. He's arguably having a better season than Pujols.

Kyle Baker said...

Votto definitely.

Kyle Baker said...

24 votes for Votto (and 1 for Zimmerman to show the Nats some love).

karen said...

FJL works the walk.

C'mon Beard bring him home

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Also Konerko. Give the former Dodger some love.

I think Final Vote is unlimited. That's how it was last year.

karina said...

Safari keeps closing itself. It has happened twice: just after I talked about Infante and then when I talked about the Braves.

One of two: I am very very wrong or I am very very right.

Kyle Baker said...

Definitely Konerko.

Kyle Baker said...

If you were right wouldn't it stay open, or write a long email on its own?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Though my main motivation for voting is the free 10-day trial of MLB.TV (even though the days off for the All Star break count towards the trial).

karina said...

Final Vote is always infinite.

I'm so voting Konerko, i like my White Sox.

For the exception of Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre.

karina said...

@Dusty Baker I'm also writing an email...

Kyle Baker said...

Unlimited voting, eh? I really have better things to do with my time.

No, I just checked. I don't anything better to do.

Kyle Baker said...

Speaking of Safari, I like using Safari for GT commenting because it resets one to the end of the thread, so one doesn't have to re-scroll to the bottom. Bless you, Safari. And shame on you, Firefox.

karina said...

@Dusty Baker Safari doesn't do that for me.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I'm stuck in Nordstroms with La Chilena.

Give me a score!

Kyle Baker said...

@Karina

Slight clarification: If you are just at the bottom/end of the thread (e.g., the latest comment), and hit refresh, Safari refreshed and returns you to the latest comment.

If you type in a comment and hit publish, it keeps you at the top of the of the thread.

So much better than FFox, but not perfect.

Kyle Baker said...

0-0 Neeebs!

Kyle Baker said...

Keep an eye on that chargecard, Neeebs.

karina said...

C-mon Kemp, you can do better than that!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Well this isn't good.

Kyle Baker said...

I think Kemp about as much as he could; he realized he had to no play on it and tried to set up to play it off the carom. That wall is really hard to judge how far the ball will bounce back into the field in that park. It depends on where it hits.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@DB
That's why I'm here. I'm the gatekeeper.

Kyle Baker said...

Reynolds is a real p.o.s. He's like a MSB but not the M part.

Kyle Baker said...

@Neeebs

I like how you chose between keeping the charges down and watching the game, and went with the chargecard gatekeeping. Sophie's choice, indeed.

Kyle Baker said...

Rox 3-2 over Gnats

Kyle Baker said...

WHEW. Just foul.

karina said...

I lost my breath for a while

Orel said...

Nice to see Chadley tough that inning out. 1-0 Snakes

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That went surprisingly better than I had imagined.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@DB

You say it like I actually had a choice.

Steve Sax said...

We need to break through here

Kyle Baker said...

@Neeebs

I just make believe like I have a choice. It makes me feel useful.

It's kind of like the old Soviet Union, or the two-party system here.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I am Soooo board.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm out.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Two party system choices: Bad or Worse.

Soviet choices: Gulag or Borscht

karen said...

All right Raffy!!

Kyle Baker said...

Oh, look, there's Manny: he's dressed and supporting the team even though he's on the DL. He's not in the clubhouse watching SpongeBob. He's not in an early shower or in the jacuzzi. He's good-naturedly taking the joke shaving cream. Jesus, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he's a great teammate.

karina said...

New game...

karen said...

I'll take it

Kyle Baker said...

That must be a lot of dead cow that Mr. C has on the grill.

Orel said...

LAD 1
AZ 1

HOU 2
SD 2

SF 3
COL 3

MR.F said...

Good game from Chad.

Kyle Baker said...

Sweating like a pig, trying to clean the grill and get it ready for this afternoon, Vinny!

God almighty has Steiner regressed. Can we send him down w Tron Tron?

karina said...

I kinda dig Kuo

Orel said...

Zarape Power!

Kyle Baker said...

Just hit me re that C Erskine article I referenced earlier. How does he give a better grade to Angels Stadium when he puts their silence up against the cool stylings of Nancy Bea? Not just being a homer but WTF?

karina said...

Sweet shot of Bison!

dodgerdoll said...

I'm so glad the bison is back!

Orel said...

Do we call the D'backs pitcher's fastball Heilman's Mustard?

BISON!

karina said...

Kemp against Heilman: 6-9 with 2 HRs (heard it on TV)

Orel said...

I like it when we don't suck.

karina said...

King James continues the party...I want the Beard to join it!

Kyle Baker said...

I want to make party with Bison!

dodgerdoll said...

You know your team sucks when: your announcers keep talking about the Reds game. Way to go D-backs.

Orel said...

Mark Reynolds: I can do more than strike out.

Kyle Baker said...

^ The player not the animal.

Kyle Baker said...

Stop talking about how unhittable Kuo is, Steiner!!!

dodgerdoll said...

The eternal question, which Upton is more useless?

Orel said...

A little early with the victory hop, Kuo.

Jason said...

32 pitches for Kuo. He might be unavailable for a week.

Fred's Brim said...

I don't mind the result, but no more HCK for more than 1 inning, please

Kyle Baker said...

Note that Kuo gave up that hit right after I pointed out Steiner's inevitable jinx.

Kyle Baker said...

Johnson is up. Let's get some insurance!

Fred's Brim said...

i got scared when hey threw that pitch to the backstop

Fred's Brim said...

RJ gets us going
gotta keep this at three or less though, so Brox doesnt come in in a non-save situation

Fred's Brim said...

good out, Belli2. That was Carroll-esque

Fred's Brim said...

crud

Gibby got us on that one

Fred's Brim said...

ok here we go...

karina said...

The announcers on the Venezuelan channel just downgraded Broxton from the "The Beast" to "The Animal".

Fred's Brim said...

big K of Reynolds

O'Parra up now

Fred's Brim said...

Raffy cirlces the grounder and guns him down

A'Breu up

Fred's Brim said...

JB attacking the zone

karina said...

@Dodgerdoll your avatar is charming!

karina said...

So......Dodgers win!

Jason said...

Didn't realize Kuo recorded every out by strikeout.

Well done boys. I'm off to see the big explosions in the sky. Happy 4th to everyone (US-based or otherwise)!

Orel said...

HFYPGTUP!

Fred's Brim said...

There it is!
Bills pitched well!
Bison goes yard!
Strong save from Broxton!
Great game!
2 of 3!
Stupid Padres!
Happy Birthday, America!
Time to make PARTY!
PARTY IN THE USA!