Post-Game 156 Thread: Three Is A Magic Number

DODGERS 8, CUBS 5
PADRES 8, GIANTS 2

When this video gets to the second verse ("A man and a woman had a little baby; yes they did, they had three in the family; and that's a magic number"), I feel the good vibrations of the seventies warm me up all over.

Which is probably how Don Mattingly and the Dodgers felt, having survived "Bullpen Day" at Wrigley Field, starting Jamey Wright for two innings, then letting Carlos Frias take a turn, before parading in Chris Perez (who got the win, retiring four batters), Paco Rodriguez, Pedro Baez, and Kenley Jansen. Wright only lasted two innings and gave up three hits and 1 ER. Frias was a bit shakier (3.0 IP, 3 H and 3 ER), but nowhere near his last outing; plus he got out of a fifth-inning jam with the tying run on second by pulling off a big strikeout of Chris Valaika (Frias was actually seen on camera pumping himself up before the fateful pitch). Scattering only five Cubs runs over the course of the day, the Dodgers were able to actually survive throwing a spaghetti-like bullpen arms against the wall, just to see which ones could stick long enough to register 27 outs.

And that of course was due to the offensive heroics of the rest of the lineup, who seemed to take to the challenge by rising up. Yasiel Puig was 2-for-5 with 4 runs scored; Adrian Gonzalez was 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI; and Matt Kemp was 4-for-5 with a run and 4 RBI, two of which came on a third-inning HR to right field. Hanley Ramirez went 2-for-4, Carl Crawford went 2-for-5, A.J. Ellis got when 1-for-5 to raise his average (don't get me started). In fact, the only 0-fer in the starting lineup was Dee Gordon (0-for-5). All in all, a pretty good day with the bats: 16 hits in total in the victory.

What's more, the Padres took to their camouflage outfits and completed the sweep of the Giants, dropping Ryan Vogelsong and the Giants 8-2. According to MLB.com, "in eight games since their euphoric 9-0 rout of Los Angeles on Sept. 12, the Giants are batting .201 (52-for-259) with 14 runs scored. They've mustered two runs in five of those games and have been shut out twice."

So the Dodgers' magic number for winning the NL West is now three. And serendipitously enough, the Giants' magic number for securing a wild card spot (over Milwaukee; the Pirates are tied with the Giants for the two wild card spots) is also three. So three truly is a magic number.

Hat tip to Dusty for referencing this song (I think!) in the GT. I didn't see it until afterward, but it appears we're on the same wavelength. As Sons should be, I suppose.

Game 156 Thread: Sept. 21 @ Cubs, 11.20a

Jamey Wright (5-4, 4.30) vs. Jacob Turner (5-10, 6.20).

Saturday we choked the party.
Giants lost because they're sorry.
Sunday, please don't crumble once again.
Cause it really ain't much fun
When the bullpen gives up runs
And we won't enjoy the weekend with a split

I've been stranded with a blank tv
(Thanks to the hacks at TWC)
Even had to listen to Charley for the games
But I'm going to take a shit
On Security Benefit
If I have to hear that fucking commercial with the grandpa and the kid one more goddamn time

Today, it's Wright.
(Donnie is crazy.)
But Wright just may be the lunatic we're looking for.
Just try to last
And don't throw BP
You may be old, but that's okay; you're Jamey Wright.

Post-Game 151 Thread: Rockies Cruise To Victory Over Dodgers

Reference to Cruise #2

ROCKIES 10, DODGERS 4

Roberto Hernandez Dan Haren was ineffective at Coors Field, but it didn't matter which mattered as the Dodgers Rockies rolled to a huge victory at Coors Field.

Unlike last night, it didn't hinge upon a blowout inning for the Dodgers; rather, the Dodgers had their chances again in the sixth inning, but couldn't get it done. Down 5-0, the Dodgers had Matt Kemp and Scott Van Slyke lead off with singles, both of whom advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Justin Turner double to make it 5-2. But when Juan Uribe came up and doubled after that, Turner was called out at home in a home plate collision that looked ugly (and required an umpire review). A.J. Ellis walked and with two out, Dee Gordon singled to load the bases. But Yasiel Puig got rung up on a cheapie 3-2 low ball that was called a strike, and that was all she wrote for our attempt at a rally.

Matt Kemp did not yell at Puig (who had a two-run HR in the ninth).

Haren gave up five runs in five innings; Scott Elbert gave up another run without recording an out; Brandon League also gave up a run; and Jamey Wright continued his freefall by giving up three ER without recording an out. Yeesh. I mean, it's Coors Field, but really.

Giants won, so the lead goes back to three games in the west, now with 11 to play.

Post-Game 145 Thread: Roberto Hernandez Is Not The Answer

PADRES 6, DODGERS 3

And I don't even know what the question is. But Roberto Hernandez came out tonight and gave up five runs in the first three innings, ending his night early as he handed the ball over to Yimi Garcia (two innings, no runs), Kevin Correia (two innings, no runs), Jamey Wright (okay, there was a run here; but hey, it's Jamey Wright), Brandon League and Chris Perez (split an inning of work with no runs). Take away Hernandez' bed shitting, and we would have won. Yeah, but if Woody had gone to the police, this would never have happened.

Look, I don't know where this PGT is going, as I'm still drunk. But if not for the fact that the end of the four-game win streak also coincided with the Giants' beating the venomless Diamondbacks, I might be okay with this loss. Clearly, Don Mattingly was, as he didn't go to the bullpen until after we were in a 5-0 hole.

We had our opportunities, none more poignant than two on, one out, in the bottom of the ninth (down by three, mind you): Dee Gordon Ks and Hanley Ramirez (who also had two errors in his 0-for-4 evening) flies out to center. 3-for-12 with RISP isn't good, nor is a loss to the sub-.500 Padres. But at least we took the game yesterday, which keeps us 2.5 games up on SF with 17 to play. One more with the Padres tomorrow...and then, it's showdown in SF.

Boy, I'd feel better about going into Phone Park with more than a three-game lead.

Oh, and Yasiel Puig got a hit, a leadoff infield single in the seventh. Whoop de frickin' doo.

Post-Game 135/136 Thread: Serious Friars

That's a serious fryer.
PADRES 3, DODGERS 2 (12)
PADRES 2, DODGERS 1 (10)

We may have entered Petco Park like a lion (having beaten the Snakes twice in Arizona), but we're looking like a bag of dog food after two Padres extra-inning, walk-off victories (as opposed to those home extra-inning, non-walk-off victories, I suppose). Tonight's disaster felt a little bit more painful than last night's, as Alexi Amarista's one-out single off of Jamey Wright in the tenth not only wasted a great effort from Zack Greinke (8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER 2 BB and 8 Ks), but it also came after the Dodgers wasted scoring opportunities in the eighth (first and third, two out; Carl Crawford lines to second), the ninth (one-out man on first, and Andre Ethier forces Drew Butera, and Dee Gordon (now 0-for-11 in the series) lined to left), and the tenth (two-out Matt Kemp double, but Yasiel Puig strands him). Meanwhile, on defense, we were getting very lucky: Butera and Hanley Ramirez pulled out a sweet pickoff play at second in the eighth; and in the ninth, J.P. Howell escaped a jam by spearing a comebacker and doubling off the runner at second.

And yet, we can't beat the damn Padres. Not Saturday, nor on Friday, when Kevin Correia shit the bed in the twelfth inning by allowing a leadoff single and two one-out walks; he got a gift force at home but then gave up the walkoff single to right. The Dodgers are a combined 1-for-15 with RISP in the two games, and the Giants' five-game win streak has them only 2.5 GB. It's sphincter-tightening time, boys and girls--time to wake this lineup up. Don't make me pour a vat of boiling hot oil on you.

Post-Game 133 Thread: 9 To 5

DODGERS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 5

I know our recent history with the Diamondbacks has been testy of late, with us swimming in their pool after clinching the division, and them hitting our players with pitches and breaking collarbones. But it's hard not to feel a little Fonda about the Snakes after watching last night's 9-to-5 victory. What began as a competitive game, punctuated by a two-run HR from Matt Kemp in the first, coupled with a two-RBI single by Ender Inciarte in the second to tie the game, ended up being a rout in the fourth inning. 11 Dodgers game to the plate in the fourth inning, notching three walks, five consecutive singles (Carl Crawford, Justin Turner, A.J. Ellis, Roberto Hernandez, and Dee Gordon), and two successful Dodger challenges along the way. It was all takin' and no givin': Dodgers turned a 2-2 tie into an 8-2 lead, Parton the seas with that onslaught.

This allowed Roberto Hernandez (6.0 dicey IP, with 3 ER, 2 BB and 3 Ks) to register the win, but not after the Dodgers dug into the bullpen's bot Tomlin-ing on Brandon League (who was ineffective: 0.1 IP and 2 H, 1 ER and 1 BB; I swear, sometimes that man is out to get me) before having Jamey Wright close the eighth and Pedro Baez allow one run but finish the Snakes off in the ninth. (J.P. Howell also pitched a scoreless seventh inning, with 1 K.)

The Giants beat the Rockies, albeit imperfectly, so the lead stays at five games with 29 to play (31 for SF). I suppose I should be freaking out about how anything can happen in this divisional race, but when late-season pickup Hernandez is winning games for us, I'm staying pretty Cole, man. I mean, it's enough to drive you crazy if you let it.

Post-Game 122 Thread: Down Goes Ryu

"Please, Hyun-Jin, don't let my colorful sign distract you and get you injured."

BRAVES 3, DODGERS 2

Taking the loss to the Braves wasn't so much of a big deal; it was a one-run loss (all three runs given up by Hyun-Jin Ryu (who went 5.2 IP and gave up 6 H, 3 ER, with 2 BB and 7 Ks). The playoff-contending Braves were bound to win one against us sooner or later, so to have us win the first five meetings before dropping a game is pretty impressive. And Ervin Santana, who took the win, is now 12-6; not too shabby.

What is shabby however, is Ryu's leg injury, suffered in the sixth inning when Ryu grabbed the back of his top right leg after walking B.J. Upton in the sixth. Ryu immediately motioned for a trainer; walked off the field under his own power, but something is off. Jamey Wright mopped up the game.

Carl Crawford continues to be on a positive roll, with an RBI in the second inning that was followed by a Miguel Rojas RBI, for a 2-0 lead. Despite 11 hits overall (two from Crawford, Dee Gordon, and A.J. Ellis, the latter of whom is still batting sub-.200 (.188)), the Dodgers couldn't score any more in the last seven frames.

Giants won, so the lead slims to five games against the Dodgers, who own the best record in the NL. We've got one more at Turner Field tomorrow morning, so go to bed early!

photo: Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images

Post-Game 116 Thread: Sweepy Angels

Not sleepy angels! Sweepy angels!

DODGERS 7, ANGELS 0

Hyun-Jin Ryu was on fire tonight in Anaheim, going 7.0 IP with only two hits (4 Ks and 1 BB), which allowed Jamey Wright and Pedro Baez to each take an inning and preserve the shutout. And from the offensive side of the table, plenty of Dodgers got involved: Hanley Ramirez with a 2-RBI single in the third inning (but then bizarrely was nailed on the basepaths later that inning, on a Matt Kemp sacrifice fly...double play (?); Juan Uribe RBI double in the sixth; Adrian Gonzalez 2-RBI single in the eighth; and Miguel Rojas RBI single in the ninth. Dodgers went 4-for-12 with RISP but the fact that they spread the offensive workload throughout the lineup not only chased CJ Wilson early, but also gave some breathing room to an overworked bullpen.

Dodgers sweep the Angels in Anaheim and take three of four in the Freeway Series. Given I was hoping for a split, I'll take it--it's clear that a lot of Dodger fans are starting to feel positive on the team, now 16 games over .500, and 3.5 games ahead of San Francisco:

Before we get too excited, however, let's recall that we lost two of three to the Cubs just before the Angels. Given we're 11-13 against the NL Central (the only division, including interleague play as one "division", in which we're sub-.500), and we're off to Milwaukee before four in Atlanta... let's just keep this in perspective.

Stay on target!

Post-Game 111 Thread: Gordon, Ramsie Cook Up A Storm

No, not this Gordon Ramsay.

DODGERS 5, CUBS 2 (12)

With the exception of Matt Kemp's two-run HR in the fourth, the Dodgers looked pretty weak offensively tonight: 0-for-13 with RISP going into the pivotal 12th inning. But with two out, Dee Gordon singled to center (off the glove of Cubs SS Starlin Castro, if I recall correctly), then stole second base. Justin Turner worked a full count and walked anyway, leading to Hanley Ramirez--who nailed a line drive HR to left field, winning the game 5-2.

It would have been great to have seen this highlight, but my f'ing internet feed dropped right as HanRam started his at bat. But enough about me. (Just saw the highlight, which I've conveniently embedded below, because I'm a giver (unlike mlb.tv). Why the Cubs' Blake Parker hung a curve up there for Hanley, who was waiting for it on a 1-0 count; I don't know. It was cool to see the ball go into the left-field Dodgers' bullpen, and see Chris Perez in there with his arms raised up. According to Vin, that was HanRam's first career walkoff HR.)

Hyun-Jin Ryu went 7.0 IP and had 9 H but only 2 ER, with 1 BB and 6 Ks. The Dodgers trotted out everyone after that (Brandon League, J.P. Howell, Kenley Jansen, Brian Wilson (who had an impressive business-like tenth inning)), but capped it with Jamey Wright, who had a very nice 2.0 IP with 2 hits but 2 Ks, most notably on Justin Ruggiano with two on and two out in the 12th. Thankfully, we didn't have to go to Chris Perez (who was next in, given Adrian Gonzalez PH for Wright in the 12th, striking out).

But it was a long, strange, rainy evening at the Stadium. As for a gutty win that barely gets us over a weak Cubs team? I'll take it.

Post-Game 86 Thread: Again, Fantastic Four Denied

Just a matter of time before this Four gets Byrned.

CLEVELAND 10, DODGERS 3

We just can't win our fourth in a row. The sixth time was not the charm for us, as Josh Beckett gave up three runs in the first and two more runs in the third, putting us in a 5-2 hole (we inched back two runs in the bottom of the first, off a skillfully-tweeted Adrian Gonzalez HR):

"How 'bout that Gonzalez homer?!"

— Sons of Steve Garvey (@sosgsosg) July 2, 2014

(Brilliant.)

But any hope of a Dodgers comeback, and overcoming this curse of the fourth consecutive win, was lost in the bottom of the fourth. With none out and already having scored one run in the inning, we had Yasiel Puig on first and Dee Gordon on third, and Gonzalez at the plate. Gonzalez then unbelievably flied into a 7-2-4 triple play, which not even Don Mattingly's meek challenge call could overcome.

Jamey Wright gave up two more runs in the sixth, and Paul Maholm gave up three more runs in his two innings of slop, but who the hell is counting at that point. It's amazing how all the confidence of June evaporated in the first game in July, but here we are: back in second place, and struggling to figure out why we have tetraphobia. I just hope we figure it out before Friday...the Fourth of July.

Post-Game 36 Thread: Deflated

GIANTS 3, DODGERS 1 (10)

Another extra-inning game. Another poor offensive showing (Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez each 0-for-4; Matt Kemp 1-for-4 with 2 Ks; Juan Uribe 0-for-3 and leaves early with an injury). Another poor bullpen showing (J.P. Howell and Jamey Wright team up for 2 ER and 3 BB in the 10th inning). And another loss, dropping the Dodgers 3.5 games back.

Lost in tonight's debacle was a pretty good showing by Josh Beckett (6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB and 4 Ks). It still goes up in the L column, however.

Post-Game 29 Thread: Twins Swept

Sorry I couldn't maintain the Star Wars theme.

DODGERS 4, TWINS 3 (12)

Well, imagine that, we did in fact get the sweep! It was a close one in the nightcap, with the Dodgers battling back from a 1-0 deficit in the sixth on a Juan Uribe RBI single to tie the game at 1, as well as in the seventh when Adrian Gonzalez homered to left to tie it at 2.

But the home runs really were clutch in the 12th, when Andy Scott Van Slyke hit a solo shot to leadoff the inning, and Drew Butera added a HR with two out to make it 4-2. The Dodgers gave one back in the bottom of the 12th when Kenley Jansen (who really, really needs a rest) let one run score on a sacrifice fly, making it 4-3. But Jansen shut down Trevor Plouffe and Chris Colabello to preserve the victory and earn the Dodgers a sweep in Minnesota.

Red Patterson went 4.2 IP over 87 economical pitches, but Jamey Wright notched the victory with three innings of one-hit, scoreless ball; Jansen got his 11th save. And what about errors? Two more (Uribe, throw; Brandon League, throw). Try and catch us now, Nationals!

photo swiped from here

Post-Game 19 Thread: Puig Show

DODGERS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 1

In what was certainly a rough week for Yasiel Puig after this revelatory news piece was published, Puig showed us some character by putting his head down this afternoon and just playing the game he knows. He did it with his arm, throwing out Miguel Montero from deep right as Montero attempted to stretch a single into a double. And he did it with his bat, jacking a three-run home run in the 6th that put the Dodgers ahead for good. Adrian Gonzalez (who extended his hitting streak to 15 games today) had just been intentionally walked to get to Puig, so Puig maaaaay have had a little extra pop in his swing after feeling disrespected, and he made Kirk Gibson pay for his decision.

Josh (Beckett, not the other guy) went five innings, striking out seven. He was pulled after only 83 pitches but afterward it was revealed that he has been very ill, receiving fluids, so this was a - wait for it - gritty performance by Beckett. He was quoted as saying those were the hardest five innings he'd ever pitched. Way to sack up, man. Jamey Wright relieved him and ended up with the win.

Notably, Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the ninth and seemed to be the Kenley we've come to know. Mowed some mofos down so quickly, he was clearly ready to go eat his easter ham.

In other news, AJEllis (!!!) was in full gear to catch Clayton Kershaw's long toss and 3-inning simulated game. Apparently Eliis is far ahead of his knee recovery timeline, which TFed doubters from around the world will rejoice in knowing. Kershaw came through the session fine with no soreness, so the next mark will likely be a rehab start.

Oh, and happy birthday, Donnie Baseball - this win's for you! Wait, it was for us. Well, it's for all of us.

Photo: @SportsNetLA

Post-Game 71 Thread: Chad Coughs It Up

ANGELS 8, DODGERS 5

The evening started out so promisingly: within eight pitches, the Dodgers had scored more runs (three) than they had scored in three games in Oakland (two). After an inning and a half, the Dodgers were leading 5-0. And Tim Lincecum was struggling in the first inning against the A's, giving up three runs.

But this is the Kemp-less Dodgers of June, and Chad Billingsley coughed up six runs, all earned, over five innings. The Angels tacked on two more off of Jamey Wright. Oh, and the Giants rallied in the ninth to beat the A's.

The Dodgers have lost four straight and their lead in the NL West is down to three games. It hasn't been this tight since April 19. Oh, and the Dodgers travel to San Francisco next. Are we sure Matt Kemp is the only missing piece here?

Post-Game 42 Thread: Dodgers Explode on Snakes

DODGERS 6, DIAMONDBACKS 1

Tonight was kind of an odd night:

• Prime Ticket had a technical issue that prevented them from broadcasting commercials for much of the game. (It was wonderful.)
  
• Sportscaster (and good son) Patrick O'Neal apologized to us on Twitter. (Unnecessarily, as he's a prince just for plugging the the #AJ2KC bandwagon.)
  
• The Kempless Dodgers hit three home runs: Matt Treanor had a two-run homer in the second, Andre Ethier had a solo shot in the seventh and James Loney had a two-run homer in the eighth. (Justin Sellers also contributed with an RBI-triple.)

Chris Capuano wasn't dominant but he was effective, getting his sixth win by allowing four hits and one run over six innings. He helped his own cause by spearing a nasty Jason Kubel line drive to end the fourth, just as the Snakes were getting ready to explode from their tin can.

Ronald Belisario, Javy Guerra and Jamey Wright provided relief as the 29-13 Dodgers continue their MLB-leading ways. Join us for another 6:30PM start tomorrow!

Post-Game 31 Thread: Bizarro Night

Hey look, I posted a DC comic!

DODGERS 6, GIANTS 2

Just another Dodgers victory, their 20th on the year, opening up a five-game lead on the second-place Giants. Tim Lincecum (2-3) took the loss and Jamey Wright (2-2) registered the win when Chad Billingsley failed to go a full five innings (85 pitches through four full).

In winning the rubber match against the arch-rivals this evening at the Stadium, it was all according to script: an 0-for-5 night from Matt Kemp (3 Ks, 5 LOB), and no RBI from #4 Andre Ethier or #5 Bobby Abreu (both went 2-for-4 and each had a double).

No, we got RBI from everyone you'd expect: one RBI from Juan Uribe (2-for-4 with a double) and James Loney (1-for-4), and three RBI from PH Tony Gwynn, who took a 0-2 count into the right-field corner for a bases-clearing triple. Just like Mattingly drew it up...in Bizarro World!

And that last RBI? From none other than Scott Van Slyke, who (according to the post-game show), woke up this morning in Tacoma expecting to play for Albuquerque. Van Slyke then took a 3p flight from Seattle-Tacoma Airport down to LA, landed at 6p, dressed for the game during the first pitch, was ushered into the game in the sixth inning to PH (his major league debut!), and hit a RBI single up the middle on an 0-2 count for his first hit in the majors, in his first AB. Welcome to the bigs, Scott!

Smile, Scott! You've made it to the Show!

oh, and you want to talk bizarro? kenny lofton is sharing the post-game show desk with lyons and o'neal. weird.

Post-Game 27 Thread: Cap To The Rescue

DODGERS 5, CUBS 1

I always liked how Ron Garney drew Cap.

On the precipice of their first three-game losing streak of the year, the Dodgers sent Chris Capuano to the mound to staunch the bleeding (as my Cub fan friend teased me yesterday via text, "you just lost to a triple-A team!"). And Capster did the trick, not only going strong through seven full innings (0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 Ks), but also lacing a two-run double into the gap to put the Dodgers up 3-0 in the second. Capster shielded us from yet another loss, so to speak.

Bobby Abreu got his first hit as a Dodger (a double); Dee Gordon had a double as well and went 2-for-5 to raise his average to .228. That leaves Abreu (.200) and James Loney (0-for-3, dropping his average to .212) in the Mendoza dust.

We also had our first Ronald Belisario sighting since 2010 (1.0 IP with a K). Jamey Wright coughed up the shutout in the ninth by letting Ian stewart double to the wall. But hey, we'll take it. Let's see if we can get the series win tomorrow...another morning fest at Wrigley.

Post-Game 25 Thread: The Gordon Saveth, The Wright And Elbert Taketh Away

ROCKIES 8, DODGERS 5

On a day where Clayton Kershaw uncharacteristically faltered (he left the game in the eighth, down 5-3 thanks in large part to serving up two Carlos Gonzalez HRs), Dee Gordon came up with a clutch two-out, two-on, bases-clearing double to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. But Jerry Hairston struck out to end the threat. Reliever Jamey Wright entered and walked the first two batters on ten pitches, followed by an advancing sacrifice. Scott Elbert then entered to restore order, but two scant pitches later, Jason Giambi had won the game with a three-run HR.

Dodgers drop the series and get the wind knocked out of them by the Rockies in the rubber match. They are 17-8 (tied with Texas for the best record in the majors) and now sit 3.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks, who just got underway in the District. Sigh.