The Dodgers and Padres tried and tried again, but after four rain delays totaling over three and a half hours, the game was finally suspended tied at 2-2. It will now resume on Saturday at 8:35 ET with the Dodgers batting in the top of the ninth and Matt Kemp on first with no outs.
All of the rain delays made for a hard game to watch, as seemingly every time the teams got back on the field, the rain returned with them. 11 pitchers were used, including six for the Padres, who did not allow starter Clayton Richard to return to the mound after the delay (Ted Lilly did return).
The offense was few and far between for both teams, who clearly have a hard time capitalizing on baserunners. The Padres had a chance to get things going in the first, as Jason Bartlett and Orlando Hudson singled with one down. Bartlett stole third, but flyouts by Jorge Cantu and Ryan Ludwick stopped any rally.
That wasn't quite as sad as what the Dodgers then did in the second. Matt Kemp, who seems to be about the only one hitting anything, led off and doubled. Still with nobody out, he soon scampered to third on a wild pitch. How did the Dodgers respond? Strikeouts by Juan Uribe, James Loney, and Marcus Thames. Way to come through and score that run, boys.
The first run scored came on a gift from the Padres in the fourth. Casey Blake again hit in the #2 hole and walked leading off. After a whimpy little pop up from Andre Ethier, Kemp also walked. As Uribe was hitting, both men executed a double steal in which catcher Nick Hundley threw the ball clear into center field, allowing Blake to score and go up 1-0.
Lilly hadn't given up a run through four, but wasn't exactly that sharp either. He was chased in the fifth, as Will Venable led off with a single and went to second on an error by Kemp. A groundout and an RBI single by Hudson later, and it was 1-1. Cantu soon doubled to put two on, which brought out Mike McDougal from the 'pen. Ludwick's RBI groundout made it 2-1.
The Dodgers did come back, thanks to Kemp. Blake singled with one down, and soon went to second on a passed ball. A single by Either put runners on the corners. With the rain again coming down hard, Kemp just got one over short for an RBI single, knotting the game at 2. Of course, that still gave time for Uribe to strikeout and Loney to ground out, ending the inning.
Not much happened after that, as Kemp ended up singling off of Heath Bell to begin the ninth. It's unknown who will be back on the mound considering both teams need to finish the first game before going right into the next game tonight. Hong-Chih Kuo was the last pitcher used for the Dodgers, but I'd be surprised if he came back out. I'm hoping Bell is gone, too.
If you're a Dodger, you have to be kicking yourself for blowing so many opportunities with runners on. They were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, which is only slightly better than the Padres' 1-for-12. In other words, both teams were terrible with the sticks.
I'm glad Kemp can hit, as a 3-for-3 night upped his average to .409. Uribe (.111), Loney (.154) and Thames (.182) are doing absolutely nothing. I know none of these guys will battle for any batting titles, but they have got to do better than that. They look just horrible.
As I was watching MLB Network yesterday, one of the analysts (I believe it was Dan Plesac) said that if the Dodgers want to contend, Kemp and Either have to each hit 30 home runs. After watching a game like last night, that's looking true. Kemp is doing his part so far. Ethier is hitting .320, but with no extra-base hits and only two RBIs. He has to pick up the slack.
Then again, maybe he was doing some foreshadowing when he complained before the season that bad year would leave him non-tendered. Here's an idea for you, Andre: hit the ball, and get your money. It might work.
After completion of the suspended game on Saturday, Hiroki Kuroda will take the ball for his second start of the season. He got he win last Sunday against the Giants, so he'll look to build on that. Let's just hope someone other than Kemp shows up at the plate.
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