Friday, September 23, 2011

Game 156 Thread: Sept 23 @ Padres, 7p

Matt Kemp launches HR #36 Thursday night.

Ted Lilly (10-14, 4.27) vs. Wade LeBlanc (4-5, 5.07).

Six more games before the end of the season, which means two more road series which will (probably) be meaningless games with regard to the NL playoff race. So let's talk about some stakes that are worth rooting for: Matt Kemp's chase for the triple crown.

As of last night:

  • Kemp was first in RBI with 118, five ahead of Ryan Howard (Kemp is six RBI ahead of Prince Fielder and 14 ahead of Ryan Braun);
  • Kemp was second in HR with 36, one behind Albert Pujols (Kemp is two HRs ahead of Fielder and 5 HRs ahead of Braun);
  • Kemp was third in batting average with a .326 average, behind both Braun (.330) and Jose Reyes (.329) (Fielder is 19th with a .293 average).

Kemp is also fourth in OBP with a .403 percentage (Joey Votto leads with a .423 OBP), is second in slugging average with a .582 average (Braun is a nick ahead at .584), and leads OPS with .985 (Braun is second with a .977 average; Fielder is fifth with a .951 average).

Last night's four-XBH outburst, the first four-XBH night since Mike Piazza on August 27, 1995 (two HR, two doubles, 7 RBI), was an incredible statement for Kemp in his last home game of the season. What's more, it pushed the arch-rival Giants' tragic number to 1 for the NL West and 3 for the NL Wild Card, with six games for them left to play. Here's hoping Kemp can get even more momentum in the home stretch...despite being in a pitcher-friendly park tonight.

photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

78 comments:

Jason said...

Speedy 6
Sleeves 5
HR Hitter 8
Not the Talk Show 9
The Aussie 7
Not the Report 3
Not Trayvon 2
Not Gonna Get a Hit 4
HR Pitcher 1

Orlando Zepeda said...

Braun 0-1

Gagne's lucky glasses said...

Braun 0-2, Met's game postponed and Prince Albert has 0 HR's

Kyle Baker said...

Man I want some of those Stacy Adams suits and shoes they're advertising on the pre-game TV show.

Kyle Baker said...

On the sofa, Vinny!

Kyle Baker said...

Buck funting.

Josh S. said...

I fear the sheer suckitude of this lineup is going to drag Matt down.

Orlando Zepeda said...

Braun 0-3

Kyle Baker said...

Lilly should not be giving up more HRs than Loney hits.

Kyle Baker said...

I see some Pod Rays fans peppered throughout the stands.

Kyle Baker said...

Runny goodness!

Orlando Zepeda said...

Braun 1-4 (3runHR) :(

Kyle Baker said...

I hope it doesn't come down to how many HRs a player hits. They're all right there near each other.

Kyle Baker said...

I haven't been credited with the last few nights' badges that I so rightly earned. Same badge count - hit a wall. And I'm accounting for ones I earn but that are duplicates.

I knew this was going to happen. That's why I didn't play most of the year; I knew I was going to be burned and further embittered in the end.

(cries)

Kyle Baker said...

Velez and Gordon combine on a pop fly. Gordon grabs it in front of Velez. Velez is pissed and keeps glaring at him. They need to have a skinny-off!

Kyle Baker said...

Shit, just realized - we're barely not losing.

Kyle Baker said...

ESPN headline:

Carlos Santana's pinch-hit home run lifts Indians

(cries)

cc: Stat Lickers

Josh S. said...

I'm pulling for the Brewers in the playoffs. Is everyone going to give me shit for THAT for a year?

Kyle Baker said...

@Josh

No, that's perfectly fine. It doesn't involve giving the Gnats a fighting chance. Plus they make a lot of beer in that town. Not good beer, but beer.

Kyle Baker said...

MATTY!!!!!!

Kyle Baker said...

My god, this place is dead. KEMvP hits #37 and only one reader response? #SHAME

Steve Sax said...

The city where I am in just won in the 11th. Fireworks abounded, it was beautiful.

I think they were celebrating Kemp's 37th...

Go Dodgers!

MR.F said...

HR MATT KEMP!!! YESH YESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

spank said...

The city i am in sucks ben wa balls.

Josh S. said...

Dusty, I did tweet that I missed the homer.

Steve Sax said...

Wow, I just had drinks in the bar with the Oriples broadcasting team. Good times!

Steve Sax said...

^ Orioles

Kyle Baker said...

Duly noted, Josh!

Kyle Baker said...

I find myself really rooting for Eugenio at this point.

Steve Sax said...

Velez Ks, Charley groans

spank said...

Tru dat ,Dusty. i feel sorry for the fool.

Jason said...

Giants lose, Snakes clinch the NL West.

Kyle Baker said...

Giants lose the pennant! Giants lose the pennant!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Damn straight Dusty. Poor guy. Though I blame Ned. EV never belonged here.

MR.F said...

Yay, d-bags win.

Kyle Baker said...

Damn Loney just turned on that fastball.

I mean, he really had it hot and bothered.

MR.F said...

Yeah. Rooting for Velez to fail was fun back when the season wasn't particularly interesting. With Kemp going nuts, I find myself pumping sunshine for all Dodgers. Even Velez!!

spank said...

Loney just clinched a spot on the Astros roster next year.

Fred's Brim said...

STOP PITCHING JANSEN EVERY DAY!

Kyle Baker said...

@FB

He's got 7 months to rest.

Josh S. said...

All the division races could end tonight. Smell the drama!

Kyle Baker said...

Smell the glove!

Kyle Baker said...

Angels losing 3-1.

Kyle Baker said...

45

Kyle Baker said...

block

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Win or Lose, I've got me a Jason Bartlett badge.

Fred's Brim said...

I don't know if the speed guns are off or he's tired or if he's learned he doesn't need to throw 96 every time, but he's not throwing 96 every time like he was before

Fred's Brim said...

Sorry Dick Enberg, I don't want any Padres gear

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

My dog just bought me a Dodgers baseball she stole from my son. Is this a sign?!?!?!

Kyle Baker said...

@FB

That last 94 MPH looked like it was a bit faster from where I am sitting (on the sofa, FB!).

Kyle Baker said...

Your dog uses currency, Delino?

Fred's Brim said...

I think Dee's walks yesterday were just to prove to everybody that he can take a walk

Fred's Brim said...

on the sofa, DB! after 6 hours of vodka sodas and Labatt Blues

I am not arguing with the results, I am just a worrier

Fred's Brim said...

DelinO's dog uses the Swiss franc exclusively

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Dog's only currency is loyalty.

And RAGE. (don't accidentally brush her with your foot when she's asleep in the bed. EVER)

Fred's Brim said...

that was the slide of a player on team that is 20 games under .500

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

My dog's been featured on SoSG before. http://youtu.be/PL_ImqHCoz0

(at the Bark in the Park game)

Fred's Brim said...

sounds like that dog is a missed meal away from Kujo

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

WE're all a missed meal away from being Cujo.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Does good looks and banging Rhianna count towards the triple crown?

Kyle Baker said...

Swinging for the fences, Matty. Don't lose that smooth, measured swing and you'll be ok.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Or being struck out on three pitches by Brad Brach or whoever the fuck is pitching

Fred's Brim said...

it's so stupid the MVP race comes down to single at bats

That K means 100 times more than a K Matty had in May

Kyle Baker said...

Joe Block via twitter earlier tonight asked if there was anything Kemp couldn't hit now, and I replied "Rihanna."

Fred's Brim said...

@DelinO, luckily I just had some post-bar pizza

Fred's Brim said...

awesome footwork by Loney and Javy!
There were several opportunities to fuck that up but none were taken

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

LOL @DB. (One day past "too soon")

Fred's Brim said...

I dig the smiles out there

Fred's Brim said...

Attaboy Javy! those were 20 unexpected, yet appreciated, saves this year

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Winner winner SHEEN dinner
I'm gonna use my javy badge to get laid.

Good night all!

Fred's Brim said...

FB pet peeve: when somebody says "about" and follows it with an overly-specific number. Example: "My car has about 143,000 miles on it"

Fred's Brim said...

Gnite, D! Don't forget to wear several condoms. That Javy badge will attract a flavorful clientele.

Kyle Baker said...

I'm right there with you, FB (re: the grammar).

Fred's Brim said...

We are now the most games over .500 we have been all year. We were also 2 games over .500 on April 11. We were 6-4 after beating the Gnats during the second week of the season. Clayton had two of the six wins

Fred's Brim said...

time for bed, gnite yall

MR.F said...

I'm quoting you Dusty!

Kyle Baker said...

Just watched the Dodgers Live post-game TV show. Great piece they did on the grounds crew and how the field is maintained. Want to send a big shoutout to the grounds crew who keep our Yard kept up day after day and make it the best-kept Yard in the league, hands down. Thanks for what you do!

*raises glass*

Kyle Baker said...

Dusty: up
PGT: not up