On a meaningless night for the Dodgers, it was the San Francisco Giants who gave their fans at least SOMETHING to make them cheer about.
The Giants came back from a 5-4 hole in the 9th to force extras and Dave Roberts' single with 2 down in the 10th won the game, 6-5. Obviously, the game and result means absolutely nothing to the Dodgers, as nearly everybody on the bench got in the game at some point.
Still, it was a bit disappointing that some of their main relievers didn't get the job done against practically a Triple-A team. The positives was the start by Derek Lowe and the relief appearance by young James McDonald. Lowe got some work in, going 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. McDonald came on next and gave up only 2 hits in 2 innings.
From there, it wasn't as pretty. The other day I talked about how good Scott Proctor looked. Last night? Not so much. He got only 2 outs while giving up 2 runs on 3 hits. Chan Ho Park tried next, but he gave up 2 runs and got 2 outs as well. Jonathan Broxton came on in the 9th, and while an error by Russell Martin didn't help, he still blew the save and didn't look that great. Maybe they're just working the kinks out, at least I hope...
There were 3 homers hit by the Dodgers, though with only 5 runs scored off of them, you probably wouldn't have guessed that. Jeff Kent hit a 2-run shot in the 4th to score Blake DeWitt. With closer Brian Wilson in to start the 9th up 4-2, James Loney rocked a no-doubter to right to get within 1. Danny Ardoin got the start at catcher and singled, part of his 2-3 night, and A.J. Ellis pinch-ran. Martin pinch-hit and hit one out to left to give the Dodgers the lead.
On this night, it didn't matter, as Omar Vizquel's 2 out double in the 10th off of Jason Johnson set up Roberts' winning single. I get the feeling that Vizquel can play until he's 80 and still contribute. Age is no factor with that guy.
Today is potentially a big start for Greg Maddux, who is most likely trying to pitch his way onto the postseason roster. As I've said in the past, he really has been a disappointment with LA, sporting a 1-4 record and 5.71 ERA. He'll be opposed by Matt Cain, who has been rumored to be dangled in the offseason for a bat (which I believe is the right thing to do, in case any Giant fans out there are wondering).
In my mind, the Dodgers have to decide on Clayton Kershaw or Maddux. Do they go with the young arm with great stuff or the veteran who's "been there, done that"? If Maddux struggles against an inferior Giants team today, it would be hard to find a spot for him.
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