Monday, May 26, 2014

Game 52 Thread: May 26 @ Reds, 5p

Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-2, 3.00) vs. Johnny Cueto (4-3, 1.86)

Today, on Memorial Day, we give thanks to the men and women who gave their lives in defense of our great country. Teams around the league wear gaudy digi-camo caps with the best of intentions. The bunting is hung and flags fly vibrant against the early summer skies in ballparks across America.

Here in Los Angeles, we celebrate the return of a team from a mediocre 5-4 road trip punctuated by a masterful no-hitter by Josh Beckett, the buzz around which is still evident in the sports world and on the lips of LA-area sports fans (though many were locked out of being able to view the first Dodger no-hitter in 18 years thanks to Time Warner Cable and carriers unwilling to make a deal with them).

Will the no-hitter be the spark the Dodgers have been looking for to help them build up a head of steam and string together some wins? Will good starting pitching be contagious and spread to the bullpen? And, what will the makeup of the outfield be by midseason with Kemp taking practice in left and Ethier again the subject of trade rumors?

Lots of unanswered questions, but this somehow feels like the time to start asking and answering them, with almost a third of the season in the books. Let's see how the team responds.

200 comments:

Dusty Baker said...

Gordon 2B
Crawford LF
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Ethier CF
Turner 3B
Butera C
Arruebarrena SS
Ryu P

Dusty Baker said...

No Kemp for I believe the fourth straight day.

Dusty Baker said...

A.J. Ellis to the DL (right ankle sprain). T-Fed recalled.

Vinny out with a cold tonight and tomorrow night.

Dusty Baker said...

Per Pedro Moura, "A.J. Ellis severely sprained his right ankle during the no-hitter celebration yesterday."

Dusty Baker said...

Per David Vassegh, "He stepped on Drew's catchers mask celebrating Beckett's no hitter on the field"

Orel said...

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME

Fred's Brim said...

I don't mind a 5-4 road trip

Fred's Brim said...

The post says Phils but we're playing the Reds today

fuck the Reds

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

Thanks, fixed. Fuck the Reds and the Phillies.

Fred's Brim said...

and Orel's right, this string of injuries is approaching Ludicrous Speed

Fred's Brim said...

those hats look like they spent a summer in Cincinnati on top of Jonathan Broxton's head

Dusty Baker said...

Phils stomped the Rox today, making up for not getting any hits yesterday.

Dusty Baker said...

Not that I'm rooting against him, but Carlos Santana has really taken a dive. He's now not catching as much as he's playing 3B, and struggling to hit consistently. He could fit right in at catcher for us!

karen said...

@DB...Thanks for mentioning early on that Vinny is out with a cold today and tomorrow. When I saw Hersch, Nomar and Charley, I had a moment of panic.

Get better Vin, we miss you!!

Dusty Baker said...

No problem, Karen. "Keep calm and Vin on"

Back to audio only for this one. TWC putos.

Dusty Baker said...

Here's a GIF of AJEllis turning over his ankle.

http://gfycat.com/BlaringEntireBillygoat

Dusty Baker said...

And here's a Vine of the pre-game curtain call for Josh Beckett.

https://vine.co/v/Mwladd95MOx

Dusty Baker said...

0-0 after the first frame.

Dusty Baker said...

Please stop playing Psy when Ryu pitches.

Dusty Baker said...

Or when anyone pitches.

Dusty Baker said...

Where my dawgs at?

Fred's Brim said...

nice start by Ryu

Fred's Brim said...

great bunt

Dusty Baker said...

Ryu's hasn't allowed a hit through 3. So nine yesterday plus three today - that's a lot of good pitching.

Fred's Brim said...

isn't that defensive interference?

Fred's Brim said...

yahoo! I'll take it!

Dusty Baker said...

Dodgers get a run. Somehow. I think an arrow at 1B. However, I'll take it.

Fred's Brim said...

13 1/3

karen said...

Drew does it all! Hits, pitches, catches no-hitters and now scores our 1st run.

Dusty Baker said...

DAMMIT!

Fred's Brim said...

@Dusty Frazier misplayed the backhand on Dee's grounder. It bounced away from him a little and Droopy was able to score

Dusty Baker said...

Droopy isn't poopy!

Fred's Brim said...

The Cueto-Gordon battle begins. Cueto nearly picks him off on the first try

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

So does that go back to the game before the Beckett no-no?

Fred's Brim said...

and the second try

Fred's Brim said...

@Dusty I don't know what you are talking about

Fred's Brim said...

CC singles through the hole in right, Dee scoots to third

Dusty Baker said...

I never do either, FB!

Fred's Brim said...

SB for Crawford, no through though

Fred's Brim said...

nice crowd tonight - almost all of the RF Pavillion is filled

Dusty Baker said...

Rancho Cuetoiendo!

Fred's Brim said...

Puig walks to ardiend the rancho

Fred's Brim said...

^throw

Fred's Brim said...

AG with a weak slapper to third

Dusty Baker said...

Nothing doing but Cueto is already on a lot of pitches. Need to get to this fool.

karen said...

Turner is da man at 3rd tonite.

Fred's Brim said...

14 1/3

Fred's Brim said...

Drayzie with the hustle double!

Fred's Brim said...

ugh, worthless grounder to third by Turner

Fred's Brim said...

Droop with a meek fly to right, Dre still at second

Fred's Brim said...

RE:Buena Ks to end the inning

Fred's Brim said...

lotta beard on that bench

Fred's Brim said...

scraggly beard

karen said...

Nice to see Chadley in the dugout.

Fred's Brim said...

15 1/3

Dusty Baker said...

Gulp.

Fred's Brim said...

Dee with 4 feet of out on that bunt

Fred's Brim said...

CC flies to center

karen said...

If Steiner starts talking the talk again today I will personally go down to The Vin Scully Press Box and put my foot up his ass.

Fred's Brim said...

Nice play by Droop to get Pena on the dribbler

Fred's Brim said...

Drop some science on Charley's ass, karen!

Dusty Baker said...

I love you, Karen.

Fred's Brim said...

16 1/3

Fred's Brim said...

and there Charley says it

Fred's Brim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fred's Brim said...

Let's get some runs

Fred's Brim said...

he said the word

Fred's Brim said...

everybody talking about it now

karen said...

Yep.

Fred's Brim said...

Hearing about Tim FedEx getting called up must leave a bad taste in Miguel Olivo's mouth

Fred's Brim said...

SVS just jinxed it but putting his shades on

Fred's Brim said...

^by

karen said...

I cringe whenever its mentioned. I appreciate Hersch talking about how as a player/teammate it is not mentioned though.

Fred's Brim said...

17 1/3

karen said...

To me its kind of insulting that the broadcasters feel it necessary to keep mentioning it. Dodger fans are smart enough to figure out what's going on.

Fred's Brim said...

Let's take some pressure off this inning

Dusty Baker said...

Well, this is an interesting game.

Kings are stomping ass, too. #LA

Fred's Brim said...

Turner battling!

Fred's Brim said...

and JT works the walk after 15 pitches

karen said...

Great AB for JT.

Fred's Brim said...

Damn, Droop fouls one hard off the top of his foot

Dusty Baker said...

Alex Cora sighting! #TurnerAB

Fred's Brim said...

Droop hits one just short of the track

Fred's Brim said...

RE:Buena with a GR double, JT to third.
Now get them home!

Steve Sax said...

get some runs, boys!

Steve Sax said...

very interesting game we've got here.

Fred's Brim said...

Bundy gets Ryu to smile about something

Dusty Baker said...

I'm out of beer!

Dusty Baker said...

82 pitches for Ryu so far.

karen said...

No beer run now DB!

Dusty Baker said...

@Karen

I wouldn't think of it since it would change the juju.

But I am going to make a gin and tonic.

Fred's Brim said...

Ryu on the basepaths, hopefully he doesn't overdo it

Steve Sax said...

Holy smokage, it's 2-0

Fred's Brim said...

Get him home!

Fred's Brim said...

Dee with a chopper to third, they come home to get the second out

karen said...

I hate the DH but I'd much rather not have our pitcher running the bases.

Fred's Brim said...

CC double to get Ryu and Dee home!

Dusty Baker said...

That's ok, Ryu home and resting safely on the bench now! 4-0. Puig IBB. Let's get out of this inning now.

karen said...

Boy, those kids behind the Dodger dugout with the Ryu shirts on are getting a thrill tonite.

Rest HJ!

Dusty Baker said...

Kings up 3-0 halfway through the 2nd.

Fred's Brim said...

about to finish my redbullvodka but have no redbull left. Should I make another vodka drank (with no real mixers except water) or switch to beer?

Fred's Brim said...

fudge

karen said...

Take a deep breath, HJ. You have done us so proud.

Fred's Brim said...

tighten it up, kiddo

Dusty Baker said...

FB just thought about changing the juju and caused a hit.

Fred's Brim said...

Puig runs it down but its still a sac fly

Fred's Brim said...

:( sorry everyone

Fred's Brim said...

changing the jujuice is rarely a good thing

karen said...

Shake it off, FB. I blame Steiner.

Dusty Baker said...

I think Gnomes nailed it - Baseball Gods were angry that Vinny wasn't calling the game.

Dusty Baker said...

Not that Gnomes is commenting here today. *ahem*

#StillHaveMadLove

karen said...

Did anyone see Brian Wilson's reaction when Josh got the last out yesterday. It was awesome.

karen said...

Dusty...I was thinking the same thing. Not about the gods but how Vinny should be the one calling this game.

Fred's Brim said...

Wilson gets Mesoraco for the second out

Fred's Brim said...

that camo hat makes it look like Wilson has a crazy Dennis Rodman cheetah hairstyle

Fred's Brim said...

Wilson doesn't get the call vs Skip

karen said...

Brian's beard seems to be getting shorter.

Fred's Brim said...

Ump not calling that outside pitch

Fred's Brim said...

good call karen, I wonder if it'll be clean-shaven by August

Fred's Brim said...

shitshitshit

Fred's Brim said...

thank god we scored some runs in the 7th

karen said...

Ah shit.

Fred's Brim said...

Cmon Brian, finish this

Dusty Baker said...

Time for a team meeting.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Just checkin' in. It's 4-1 Kings with 1:00 left in the second period here.

Go Kings! Go Blue!

karen said...

Yeah FB. I think he needs to go back to the crazy ass beard with the blue rubber band in it.

Fred's Brim said...

throw strikes!

Fred's Brim said...

Kenley in for the 4-out save

Fred's Brim said...

Cmon B-Wil, we need better from you

Steve Sax said...

Hell in a hand basket here. Wilson comes in and suddenly it's 4-3.

Rick Monday was saying some bullshit like "Wilson has not allowed a run in 10 of his last 13 outings. So clearly, this turned around back in late April." At the time, I was thinking, "Who the fuck are you kidding, Rick?"

And here we are, a tenuous 4-3 lead in the eighth, bases loaded two out and Wilson stinking it up with his 7+ ERA.

Steve Sax said...

Double switch. Who is that dude going into left field? He looks vaguely familiar.

karen said...

Who the fuck has Rick been watching?

Cliff Beefpile said...

Goddammit, Wilson.

Fred's Brim said...

I went with vodka and water in case anybody was wondering

Cliff Beefpile said...

WATER?! That stuff'll kill ya. Stick with the vodka to kill off the bacteria from the tap.

karen said...

Quit making me laugh, FB. I'm to nervous for that shit!!

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

For the record, I was wondering.

Fred's Brim said...

attaboy, KJ!

karen said...

OHHH YESSS!

Fred's Brim said...

@Cliffy the water was bottled from the distillation process of my moonshine still

Fred's Brim said...

@karen it sounds like you need a vodka water!

Fred's Brim said...

@DB what did you end up doing? G&T?

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

Yes, Bombay and Schweppes. Out of limes, too, though.

Dusty Baker said...

Tim Brown @TBrownYahoo
Beckett and Ryu with back-to-back quality starts.

#Understatement

Dusty Baker said...

^ Not Sapphire

Cliff Beefpile said...

@FB: Moonshine-flavored water is SOSG approved.

Two thumbs up.

Fred's Brim said...

There have been a few players that we've let go over the years where the move has been debated. How many of them have we really missed? How many have been a mistake?

Dusty Baker said...

Gnats and Rox both lost. Good times.

Fred's Brim said...

@Dusty I don't think I have seen non-Sapphire Bombay. How different is the taste?

I wish I had a lime tree, you could make $5 a lime these days. I feel like they should remake Trading Places with limes

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

I was thinking of that when I typed that abt Santana. Very few whom we've recently traded have ended up being impact players in the sort of Pedro Martinez or Babe Ruth trade type sense.

Fred's Brim said...

Broxton not finishing Turner off, vaguely familiar

Fred's Brim said...

@Dusty, over time and teams, how many are actually significant? SABR for GMs

Fred's Brim said...

Broxton good in the 8th inning

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

I like it better for everyday, no-nonsense G&Ts.

I do have a lime tree, and I think when they start coming into season I'll have to hire armed guards to ward off the MEX cartels bent on manipulating the market. Will also be on the lookout for Eddie Murphy.

Fred's Brim said...

@DB Just give Spank a suitcase of Molson XXX and set him on your front porch

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

Take Josh Lindbloom, for instance:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lindbjo01.shtml

Dusty Baker said...

@FB re Spank

That's every night already!

Dusty Baker said...

Josh Bell: nowhere

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/belljo01.shtml

Fred's Brim said...

SVS nabs the first out

Cliff Beefpile said...

Shut 'em down, KJ!

Dusty Baker said...

Shut 'em down, JQ!

Fred's Brim said...

@DB lots of nowhere compared to the mistakes. For every Konerko there are 20 Lindbloms

Fred's Brim said...

I don't think I have ever seen Kenley's move to first

Cliff Beefpile said...

I love 'em both, but Kemp and HanRam just seem to be falling apart at the seams. Having both of them under ginormous contracts for the next decade...eesh. And the nature of their injuries is troublesome. Heriated discs and hammy pulls linger like a motherfucker.

Fred's Brim said...

tighten it up, blue!
unacceptable

karen said...

Too much drama for this girl. Shut 'em down, Kenley!

Dusty Baker said...

CHI scores against Kings, who have spent the third on their back heels. Look like Atletico Madrid against Real madrid the other day.

Fred's Brim said...

Cmon Kenley, you can do this!

Cliff Beefpile said...

4-2 Kings. 10:33 left. Blackhawks are throwing everything they've got at 'em, but that'll lead to some odd man rushes as time goes on.

Fred's Brim said...

attaboy, Kenley!

Fred's Brim said...

MAKEPARTYYALL!

karen said...

Phew.

I would have been really unhappy if we'd lost this one.

Fred's Brim said...

Great win yall!

Orel said...

Dodgers hold on! Now it's the Kings' turn.

karen said...

I'm popping over to Kings game. Lets keep the LA juju going, Kings!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Party postponed pending Kings outcome.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Party postponed pending Kings outcome.

Fred's Brim said...

still working on my vodka water

Dusty Baker said...

Come on, Kings, get something going the other way.

Dusty Baker said...

Dodgers now have sole possession of 2nd place.

Dusty Baker said...

Right on, Karen!

You get MBC commenter today (Most Belligerent Commenter). That's a compliment!

Fred's Brim said...

oh man, that would have sealed the deal

karen said...

DB...I am honored to accept!

Fred's Brim said...

karen is the real deal
SOSG-fest should be at her house because she has TWc

Fred's Brim said...

Kane has a Justin Turner beard

karen said...

You are all always welcome!!

Fred's Brim said...

ICED!

Fred's Brim said...

Blow that horn!

karen said...

GOAL!!!

Orel said...

How often does the empty-net strategy work?

Fred's Brim said...

do I have to go to work tomorrow?

Fred's Brim said...

@Orel it works every time it works

karen said...

Its a good day to be a LA fan.

And how often do we get to say that??

Cliff Beefpile said...

Kings WIN, bishes!!!

Close this shit out in Chicago, boys!

Fred's Brim said...

I assume it's hard to quantify. How soon do you go to it? With a 1-goal deficit? With 2? There's a 2-point chart for the NFL that starts in the first or second quarter but it seems dumb to even consider until the last 5-6 minutes in the 4th quarter

Fred's Brim said...

I don't want to go to bed
Is there is a Yanks-Red Sox game in the 5th inning?

Orel said...

And then when it fails they call it off. I mean, if you're desperate, why not stay with the highest percentage configuration?

Orel said...

I think we can find you a nice cricket match, FB.

Dusty Baker said...

These last several comments crack the shit out of me. Even more than the previous ones. Blue love to all. What a game for the Dodgers and for the Kings.

Dusty Baker said...

PGT Up!