Sunday, April 03, 2011

Post-Game 4 Thread: Chuffed

"I got it, I got it! Okay, you got it!"

DODGERS 7, GIANTS 5

The Dodgers had two scoring bursts tonight, and Aubrey Huff's glove, or lack thereof, played a major role in both. Huff muffed a Jamey Carroll sinking line drive in the first, allowing Rafael Furcal to score and setting the stage for a huge home run by Matt Kemp.

It was all tied 3-3 in the seventh when Marcus Thames hit a drive to deep right, causing Huff to twist to and fro like laundry hanging in a windstorm. James Loney scored on the play and the Dodgers ended up scratching out four runs in the inning.

Hiroki Kuroda was admirably solid, allowing six hits and three runs (all earned) over seven. However, Dodger fans are all atwitter about Jonathan Broxton, who got the save — but not before allowing a homer to Aaron "Squatty" Rowand. Is Brox nibbling too much? Does he have Stairs in the membrane? The unsinkable @molly_knight offers this:

Jonathan Broxton allowed just 2 homeruns in 2008, 4 HR in '09 & 4 HR in '10. He's already given up 2 this season. #slidernotfoolinganyone

All I know is the Dodgers have three wins, and Broxton has three saves. Success builds confidence. Get confident, dummy!

Lost in all this Brox-brouhaha is the fact that the Dodgers just took three of four from the Giants! A great way to start the year, no matter how you slice it. Off-day tomorrow followed by a two-game visit to Colorado. Heat up the humidor!

photo by Gus Ruelas/AP

16 comments:

Josh S. said...

There's a great "It's time for Dodger baseball" montage that plays right after the starting lineups this season. I need to find it online somewhere when I'm not browsing on my phone. Cell reception at the Ravine still sucks the high hard one, btw.

All occurrences of the word "town" seem to have been scrubbed from the stadium, too.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Giants have as many problems as we do. *smiling*

Against a team with a decent defense, we don't take 3 of 4.

But in this case....I'll take it.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Broxton is a one trick pony. Until he regains some stank on his slider, he's going to throw fastballs (without movement)to Major League hitters who hit fastballs for breakfast.

Josh S. said...

Here's the short version of the video they're showing at the stadium. The stadium version is better, so go see it there.

Watching it again, though, I think the guy who's supposed to be Vin in the video isn't Vin.

Paul said...

The good news is Brox is getting his slider over the plate.

The bad news is he is getting his slider really over the plate.

He did what he needed to do to get the job done but he is gonna take his lumps this season.

Steve Sax said...

Josh: I got a bit of the video, will try to upload this and use it in my At-Game Recap, which goes up tomorrow...

Paul said...

Dodgers started last season losing 2 of 3 from the Pirates.

We are starting out much better at least.

Paul said...

Other positives the Dodgers don't have Russ Ortiz, Ramon Ortiz and GA on the roster this time of year.

Kyle Baker said...

I have hi-res camera shots of a lot of the "It's Time for..." that they show on Dodgervision that I've taken over the three games I've been to so far. Snapped a great one tonight of "It's Time for Firsts" with #42 as the subject of the frame. Almost cried.


(almost cries)

Paul said...

High Point for me at the game on Thursday was when they announced Tommy, Jerry Reuss and Fernando.

Low Point was waiting in a slow line at the think blue bar in front of a gal who said "i want to get back in time for the song in the 7th inning"

Steve Sax said...

"twist to and fro like laundry hanging in a windstorm"

Poetry, Orel. Nice.

spank said...

Anyone for tennis?

Fred's Brim said...

I am still worried about HCK. His fastball seems to have lost some steam and bite and he's pitching like he knows it. I wonder if he's hurt/sore/dead-armed already or if he just hasn't stretched out those miracle-of-science ligaments yet

Kyle Baker said...

Yeah, HCK doesn't have it yet for sure. I've seen him twice now live and both times it was very evident that he is not comfortable. Not sue if that's mental, physical, or just rust.

Fred's Brim said...

please be rust

Mr. Doctor said...

Hey Jimbo! Oh wait, have we moved on from this?