Friday, April 01, 2011

Post-Game 2 Thread: Meet the New Kemp

DODGERS 4, GIANTS 3

The Dodgers scored four runs? They came from behind? Don Mattingly is 2-0 as a manager? Matt Kemp is OPSing 1.550?

Chad Billingsley made one big mistake, giving up a three-run homer to Brandon Belt in the fourth, but he ended up with the win in a magical sixth inning keyed by Matt Kemp.

Kemp, who had a ground-rule double RBI in the third, singled in the sixth, then went from first to third on a Marcus Thames grounder to third. "It's a joy" to watch Kemp run, said Vin Scully, and the Twittersphere blew up with hallelujahs for both Kemp and Davey Lopes.

Dependable James Loney knocked Kemp in, and an error by Jonathan Sanchez (the Giants have made five errors in two games) extended the inning, allowing Rafael Furcal (2-for-4) to drive in the game-winning RBI.

We also got a look at some of our new middle relievers. Blake "Hot Sister" Hawksworth walked the bases loaded in the seventh. @jonmorosi takes it from here:

Posey strikes out. Bat flies into stands, hits fan in the head. Just as God Bless America ends, fan, w/ icepack, is handed bat. Crowd roars.

Matt Guerrier (rhymes with "career") pitched an uneventful eighth, aided by — who else? — Kemp getting a great jump on a hard-hit sinking fly ball by Belt. And Jonathan Broxton finally got a 1-2-3 inning, for his second save.

The Dodgers are assured of at least a split with the Giants, and cynical Dodger fans are going their best not to get too excited. Baseball's back!

photos by Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

15 comments:

Kyle Baker said...

Is Zito still in the back seat of a West Hollywood squad car trying to "talk" his way out of a ticket?

Josh S. said...

It also rhymes with "her rear."

Paul said...

It is only two games but how different would 0-2 feel right now? Life is good tonight.

Kyle Baker said...

(gets hammered)


(drunk dials Josh)

Nostradamus said...

Look at it this way. We'll definitely be miserable if they lose, so we might as well celebrate wins.

Paul said...

At this rate we might be too focused on baseball to start Blog War II.

Josh S. said...

Some of us considered declaring war on THIS blog today.

Thankfully, only Commenter Congress can declare blog war.

Paul said...

In other news Timmah has still not washed his hair.

Josh S. said...

Wait, Clint Hurdle is the Pirates' manager now? I'm so behind on my non-Dodger baseball news.

Paul said...

Jim Tracy is still around as well...right?

Josh S. said...

Nothing is funnier than Hawk Harrelson starting his whole home run schtick, only to have ball hit off the wall.

Kyle Baker said...

I had no idea re Clint Hurdle, either, Josh.

Josh S. said...

What weird scheduling. Of the 12 teams that played Thursday, only Dodgers/Giants and Angels/Royals played again today.

Pistol Pete Reiser said...

Could only listen to the game on the net up here... how fast was Brox bringing it? I heard a call of 98 once...

Nostradamus said...

@PPR

That's about right, but his locations were significantly better. I hope that's a trend.