Sons of Steve Garvey: August 2013

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Colletti Acquires Veteran Young

BREAKING: #Dodgers get Michael Young from #Phillies
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 1, 2013

UPDATE:

Trade official: Michael Young and cash from #Phillies to #Dodgers for LHP Rob Rasmussen.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 1, 2013

Game 135 Thread: August 31 vs. Padres, 6p

Chris Capuano (4-7, 4.74 ERA) vs. Andrew Cashner (8-8, 3.55 ERA)

Capuano goes tonight to try to prove he should remain the fifth starter over recently-acquired Edinson Volquez. But really, doesn't it just come down to who is the lesser to two evils? The fact that we're even having a fifth starter competition at this point in a season where we're 10.5 games up with only 28 games to play seems absurd. They're both crap; Cap as a starter (however oddly symmetrical his pitching stats above may be) and Edinson out of the pen. I guess we have to have something to complain about in an otherwise positive stretch run. We keep this winning up, and the Stat Lickers will start in again complaining when we get a reliever warmed up in the pen but don't use him.

Today is the last day before September call-ups. Ned says he expects to bring up 5-7 guys from the minors, but not make any more acquisitions. Also in the mix is the return of Matt Kemp. With roster expansion and a comfortable lead in the division, this should allow Mattingly to give guys some needed days off so they're rested for the post season. The day off and the off day seemed to be just what Adrian Gonzalez needed, and it showed last night.

Yes, I said it. Post season. Better get ready.

YES!!!!!!!!!!

It's back!

Looking Back At The Bulldog's Streak

A young Skip Schumaker (who wears Orel's 55 today) and Orel Hershiser

There have been a number of nice pieces recently about Orel Hershiser's MLB-record 59 consecutive scoreless innings. All are worth reading on the 25th anniversary of the remarkable feat:

"A little deja Blue in Orel Hershiser's record streak" (Ben Bolch, LAT)
"Fractions don't add up in scoreless streak" (Bolch, LAT)
"Inside Hershiser's scoreless streak" (Mark Simon, ESPN)
"Who could break Hershiser's streak?" (David Schoenfield, ESPN)
"25th anniversary: Hershiser's streak begins" (Chris Jaffe, Hardball Times)
"Orel Hershiser began his scoreless streak 25 years ago" (Eric Stephen, TBLA)

Dodgers tickets

photo: Skip Schumaker via ESPN

Dodgers Factoid of the Morning

Via ESPN:

Of the six first-place teams, the Dodgers are the only one that has a losing record within its own division (24-27). Three of their final 28 games are outside the NL West: Sept. 6-8 at Cincinnati.

We Lost to F'ing BUTTER: An LA Weekly Web Awards Adventure

What did I learn in my hipster night representing the World's greatest Sports Blog at the LA Weekly Web Awards?

For one, the LA Weekly Web Awards has more nominees than the Adult Video News. (I'd put a tag for the latter, but don't want to infect all your computers and Palm Treos.) Which meant for one glorious night, the Sons got to share the spotlight with...

The party was hopping, more than earning its weight in babysitter rates.

We got a take home bag, which included some high end hangover relief

Thanks to an open bar, top notch appetizers, groovy people and sponsorship from KINKY LIQUORS,

I'm not sure I noticed when we lost to a Butter Product.

Oh wait, yeah I did.

Groin swelling aside, the LA Weekly Web Awards Party made me feel far hipper than my usual nights of Amish shows and Beefaroni. Thanks to Diamond and the whole staff for including the Sons of Steve Garvey. If we're lucky enough to get nominated again, the rest of the LA Sports Blogs best watch their backs.

ADDENDUM: Did I mention I finally put those 200 Delino DeShields cards to use? Say hello to my new business card. Only cost me $5 for 200!

UPDATE 10:07a (Sax): Here's the list of winners (best sports blog at the top).

Friday, August 30, 2013

Post-Game 134 Thread: Deep Space 9

Artist's Rendering of Dodgers' Offense Tonight

DODGERS 9, PODS 2

Dodgers' offense exploded tonight...where to start? A-Gone left, twice. Puig went 4-5 after his return from time out and stole two bases. HanRam cracked two doubles. AJEllis went deep. Ryu even got in on the action with a run-scoring double early on. San Diego was scrambling for the escape pods after the five-run 7th broke this wide open.

Ryu went 6 1/3 and got the win. A succession of washed-up closers Marmol, Volquez, and League mopped up after this one was out of reach, even for the Pod Rays.

Oh, and for icing on the cake, the Dodgers' 22 wins in August are the most in a calendar month in Los Angeles Dodgers history.

photo: swiped here

Game 134 Thread: August 30 vs. Padres, 7p

Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-5, 3.08) vs. Eric Stults (8-11, 3.72).

Eric Stults Trivia! According to Wikipedia, what incident triggered Eric Stults' departure from the Dodgers (the team that drafted him in 2002) and exile to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp?

On May 15, 2009, Stults injured his thumb while making a toss on a bunt attempt by the Florida Marlins' Hanley Ramírez. Stults would make 2 more starts before going on the disabled list. On July 1, Stults was optioned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. He pitched well with the Isotopes, before getting called up to make a spot start on August 9 against the Atlanta Braves. Stults was optioned back to Albuquerque on August 13 and finished the season there.
On March 30, 2010 Stults was sold to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Japanese league. He was 6–10 with a 5.07 ERA in 21 starts in Japan.

Hanley Ramirez! Who happens to be batting .333 with an .844 OPS against Stults (10 career appearances)! So maybe today's matchup will have some of that drama! And we'll see if Stilts can stay above carp?