Post-Game 32 Thread: League Worst

"I Psuck."

DIAMONDBACKS 5, DODGERS 3

Just another Dodger loss. Despite Dodger pitchers allowing the leadoff man on base for eight of nine innings, somehow the team managed to enter the ninth inning tied at three. Enter overpaid, undertalented relief "pitcher" Brandon League, who gave up a two-run home run to Paul Goldschmidt. League's ERA is now 5.40. Dodgers lose six straight and have a 5-15 record in the NL West. Yay.

Dodgers tickets

At-Game Recap: Ryu and Ramirez Rock the Rockies (April 30, 2013)

Matt Kemp scores Jerry Hairston from second with a single to left center, tying the game at 1 in the first inning.

No pictures (of my own) from the Stadium this time, but I did want to scribe up some quick thoughts from a wonderful evening last night, when the Dodgers beat the Rockies 6-2.

• Hyun-Jin Ryu was dealing. There's something about his unusual, stunted delivery, coupled with his wide variance in pitch speed, which must make it difficult for pitchers to figure out how to hit him. It reminded me a lot of seeing an early Hideo Nomo on the mound, especially given the throngs of Korean fans who came out to support their countryman (there are a LOT of Ryu 99 jerseys in the crowd). If he can pitch at this level, it will be a pleasant surprise as well as a needed tonic for this team.
• Welcome back, Hanley Ramirez. His soaring fly ball to left in the bottom of the third inning was majestic, not only because he had grounded to first on his first AB of the evening, but because of how high it sailed as well before becoming a solo home run. As Vin put it, "A bobblehead home run from Hanley Ramirez!" To get Ramirez' first start of 2013 on his own bobblehead night, and then to knock that shot, cross the plate, and do the "I See You" hand gesture... wow. Man, adding that power bat to the lineup makes a big difference. Defensively, we'll have to see how Ramirez holds up--there was a defensive play he made in which his dish to second was a little shaky--but getting his bat is a big win.
• I am aware that they do the "Chopstick Challenge" (sponsored by a Japanese restaurant that I won't name) at games even when Ryu doesn't start. So it may not be just an Asian-targeted between-innings interstitial. Basically, it's a timed game in which a random contestant tries to move squishy baseballs from one bin to another, using only chopsticks), playing against a pre-taped video of a Dodger player doing the same act. That said, there's something about the overall theming of the "Chopstick Challenge" which is borderline offensive. The Dodger player against whom the contestant plays is often bowing like a karate student to a sensei; the font and bamboo graphic background used; it's just a little discomforting. I don't think we'd ever see a player-versus-Dodger "Torah Trial" or a "Relleno Rivalry" or any other ethnic or cultural group called out, so I'm not sure why a "chopstick challenge" makes sense. I think they need to reconsider this between-innings competition, and go back to a trivia question or guess-the-attendance or dot racing or something else.
• Psy was there. He's at 14:59 of his fifteen minutes, but it was still funny to see him ham it up for the crowd between innings. He even did the "I See You" gesture. What a gentleman.
• Scoring two runs in each of the first three innings? You don't see that from this Dodger team, even if Jorge De La Rosa is 0-8 against the Dodgers lifetime. I think they said that de la Rosa started 14 games against the Dodgers and the Rockies have lost every single one. Sounds like Matt Cain.
• Luis Cruz came in to PH to lead off the bottom of the eighth. He lined out to right field. Cruz is now batting .089. Please stop this madness.
• And, of course, I got my Hanley Ramirez bobblehead. Super-cool.

Post-Game 26 Thread: Psy Young

I declare Ryu's new nickname to be Psy Young. -N

— Sons of Steve Garvey (@sosgsosg) May 1, 2013

DODGERS 6, ROCKIES 2

Hyun-Jin Ryu: 6 IP, 3, H, 2 R, 2 BB, 12 K and an RBI single (after JUAN URIBE WAS INTENTIONALLY WALKED. LOLOLOLOLOLOL)

Hanley Ramirez: 2-4, HR, Double

Dodgers: .500 to end what was mostly a miserable April.

Photos via Psy and Hanley Ramirez.

Game 26 Thread: April 30 vs. Rockies, 7p

We see you too, ladies.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (2-1, 3.41) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (2-2, 2.86)

Hanley's back! (Well, technically, he was back last night, but let's not speak about that abomination again.) Not a moment too soon, as the Dodger offense continues to sputter along. On the other hand, "hovering around .500 by the time Hanley gets back" is probably what most expected, and that's where we are. Props to Hanley for keeping his promise to the fans and making it back for his bobblehead night, but let's hope he didn't rush things too much.


Oh, and as if we haven't ridden the Psy thing far enough, there's also this:

Who's going Dodgers Stadium tmrw!? Cause I'm going!! can't wait to see @hyunjinryu99 at the @dodgers game tomorrow!!

— PSY (@psy_oppa) April 30, 2013

Should be a fun night!

UPDATE from Sax: AC and I will be at tonight's game, separately. Let's go, Hanley!

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Images: KentuckySportsRadio.com and Dodgers

Game 11 Thread: April 13 @ DBacks, 5p

Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-1, 2.13) vs. Ian Kennedy (1-0, 4.15)

Hyun-Jin Ryu goes for the Dodgers on the same day PSY drops his follow-up to SoSG-beloved Gangnam Style? Coincidence? I think so!

Contrary to PSY, Ryu's second effort was far superior to his first.* (Though, I'm kinda digging the new track above.) Hopefully, he continues that form today.

The Dodgers are still seeking a mother-fathering cathartic moment to wash away Thursday night's fiasco. Not being a gentleman to Kennedy would be a good start.

*Yes, I'm aware Gangnam Style was not PSY's first song.

Gangnam Style Arrives at Chavez Ravine!

I'd swear I saw SoSG AC in one of those Dance Cam shots. I'mma bust this dance out next time I'm at the game.

And here's a fan video from that night: