Friday, July 22, 2011

Post-Game 99 Thread: Nationals' Late Slam Crushes The Already-Defeated Dodgers

NATIONALS 7, DODGERS 2

The scoreboard made it appear close for a while there, but the truth was that the Dodgers' only runs came off an Ian Desmond error in the fourth inning; the Dodgers were 0-for-5 with RISP and 6 LOB in all. Even still, down 3-2 in the top of the ninth, it was the combined suckitude of Mike MacDougal, Hong-Chih Kuo, and ultimately Matt Guerrier (who gave up the grand slam to Jerry Hairston Jr.), along with the decisions of Don Mattingly, to put the game well out of reach. I don't know, possibly maybe perhaps the combined efforts of James Loney, Rod Barajas, and Jamey Carroll might have scrounged up a run in the ninth (in some bizarro universe; strikeout, fly out, called strikeout was the actual outcome)--but five runs? Forget about it. Dodgers remain 13.5 GB with 63 to play.

Oh, and Hiroki Kuroda had a nice audition for a contender, going 6.1 IP with 3 ER, 7 Ks and 3 BB. He takes the loss, but to his credit he might have bought a ticket out of this hellhole. We will miss you, Hiro!

38 comments:

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Yeah, I guess Mattingly decided the team should suck today, so he gets some of the blame.

Steve Sax said...

I just think bringing in Guerrier there was a waste, highlighted by his immediate jumping to a 3-0 count with the bases loaded. Just leave Kuo in at that stage, what the fuck.

Anyway, it's admittedly quibbling over deck chair placement on the titanic I know. I am just so fucking frustrated here.

Steve Sax said...

I should have gone to comic-con

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

If Mattingly could have taken Kuo out as soon as he put him in, he would have. Kuo was only in to pitch to the lefty Stairs, and Johnson pulled the old bait-and-switch by putting in Flores.

Kuo hasn't shown anything to remotely suggest he'd be a better option than Guerrier, and trust me, that is as painful to type as it is to read.

Josh S. said...

If you ever wondered what this team would be like without Kemp and Ethier hitting, here ya go!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Also, don't forget Kuo's epic flameout against the Giants two days ago, in which he walked three batters. THREE. And he walked the only guy he faced tonight! Seriously, he's a better option than Guerrier?

Paul said...

Didn't Spank steal my coke on the titanic?

Fernie V said...

Titanic was a long movie and it seemed like it would never end, just like this season

Fernie V said...

I thought he stole your necklace when he was painting you.

Paul said...

Naw Spanky only paints happy little trees.

Fernie V said...

I thought Spank had his hand up with Peter Griffin gay voice, Guilty.

Steve Sax said...

Hey, I'm not arguing Kuo, he with the yips and 10.03 ERA, would have been much better. I suppose every move Don had was brimming with suck.

But the move he made still sucked, nevertheless.

Fernie V said...

Yeah, I would throw him in when we have a 5 run lead, I know never going to happen. Screw his confidence, there is nothing wrong with his confidence when he cashes that million dollar check.

Fernie V said...

Is Donnie baseball headed out the door.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Alternate Universe PGT:

EXPOS 7, DODGERS 2

The scoreboard made it appear close for a while there, but the truth was that the Dodgers' only runs came off an Ian Dezmond error in the fifth inning; the Dodgers were 0-for-5 with RISP and 6 LOB in all. Even still, down 3-2 in the top of the ninth, it was the combined suckitude of Mac MikeDougal and, ultimately, Hong-Chih Kuo (who gave up the grand slam to Jerry Hairston III), along with the decisions of Don Matingly, to put the game well out of reach.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I've been watching too much Fringe.

Fernie V said...

What about riggleman for next year?

Fernie V said...

I never liked the decision to go with a Torre guy and expecting different results.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Donnie Baseball has been fine so far. His taste for bunting aside, he makes the right moves and for the most part allows pitchers to right themselves, rather than overly protect them if they should ever show any semblance of fatigue.

Josh S. said...

Aside from some inexplicable love for Dioner Navarro, some questionable pinch hitting moves, and being bunt happy, almost none of this season can be laid at Mattingly's feet.

Unless, y'know, he's a shit motivator, which is entirely possible.

Josh S. said...

DAMMIT

Jason said...

I've got no problem with Donnie Baseball. I can't wait to see what he can do with an actual MLB lineup.

Steve Sax said...

There's a lot of candy bar wrappers laid at Dioner Navarro's feet.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You get Braveheart in there, and Juan Uribe becomes Hank Aaron.

Though it's likely Urine thinks he's following him to freedom fries.

Steve Sax said...

To Donnie's credit, he has not made that step-two-times-on-the-mound error again this season. Yet.

Steve Sax said...

Who's braveheart?

Steve Sax said...

@Mr LA SC 11:17p: good point, it could have been worse, we could have lost to the Expos tonight.

Wait, what the...?!?!

DAMMIT

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

@Sax - This guy: http://bit.ly/pnGJZa

Steve Sax said...

Nice Charley pull. Seriously, that was Steiner's career peak. It's been all downhill since, and now he has to sit next to Rick Monday and do radio, talk about the fifth circle of the inferno

Steve Sax said...

My dad just bought mea tie the other day and I wrapped it around my head and said "Follow me to freedom!".

He didn't get the reference.

Steve Sax said...

mLASC: are you still emo-ing, btw?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I am quite emo-ing. I even had a post yesterday.

http://marlasportsczar.tumblr.com/

Steve Sax said...

Nyjer Morgan incited the Giants crowd tonight in the Brewers' 4-2 victory...

spank said...

I do admit to stealing Paul's coke but everything else are LIES. All lies!

(cries)

Kyle Baker said...

I just can't put anything at Donnie's feet. It's convenient for people because, well, he's the manager. But he just doesn't have the horses. I actually think he's been better than expectations, which in my case meant I didn't think he knew some basic rules of baseball.

Steve Sax said...

Furcal is killing me inside

Fernie V said...

Furcal has been killing since we resigned him.

Kyle Baker said...

Furcal is killing me on the outside, too. Every which way. I want to go up to his crib up the road from me and kick him in the nuts. If he tried to swing back at me, I'm positive he'd miss.