Yes, the Dodgers definitely missed Manny Ramirez last night.
I'll be the first to admit to all of the critics that his lack of presence was indeed felt as the Dodgers looked helpless in trying to score runners on base. The Giants used strong pitching and just enough hitting to get the win, 3-1. That's now 2 losses without Manny, and 48 games to go.
Chad Billingsley was the starter, and while his final line wasn't bad, he battled some control problems as the night wore on. He went 7 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K. Granted, none of the 8 hits he allowed went for extra-bases, so he caught a break there. He just wasn't as dominating as he's been this season.
The game was scoreless after 5 innings of play. Barry Zito, like Billingsley, let runners reach base, but stranded them. I'll give credit where credit is due - after ragging on him endlessly for quite awhile, he has pitched very well lately to earn a respectable 3.57 ERA. Has he finally figured things out? For the Giants to win, and considering the high price tag it cost to get him there, they better hope so.
The scoring started in the 6th as Edgar Renteria and Randy Winn singled to open it up. Pablo Sandoval flew out deep to Matt Kemp, but Renteria advanced to 3rd. Andre Ethier had to make a running catch into foul territory off the bat of Aaron Roward, but Renteria tagged up and scored to go up 1-0.
The Dodgers got it back in the bottom of the 6th, as they too used singles to lead off by Matt Kemp and Russell Martin. But, Martin showed some horrible baserunning by easily getting gunned out trying to advance to 2nd while Kemp went to 3rd. After Mark Loretta struck out, Casey Blake just got one out of the reach of a diving Fred Lewis in left to even it up.
Billingsley went back to work in the 7th, but got knocked around. The bases were loaded with 1 down on singles by Juan Uribe and Emanuel Burriss, and an intentional pass to Fred Lewis. Renteria hit a sac-fly RBI to make it 2-1. Randy Winn walked to load 'em up, and Joe Torre elected to keep Bills in the game. Too bad a dinky infield single by Sandoval to score another made that decision look bad.
It wasn't a pretty sight in the last few innings as the Dodgers put men on base, but either K'd or grounded into double plays. The 9th ended when Rafael Furcal grounded into his 2nd DP of the game, putting an end to a miserable night at the plate for the men in blue.
Overall, the Dodgers could only muster 1 run despite getting 9 hits and gathering 5 walks. They also left 9 men on base, including 5 in scoring position with 2 outs. Their only stolen base attempt was gunned down, and they hit into 3 doubles plays. Those are just some ugly numbers.
As the game wore on, and certainly afterwards, I couldn't help but think that these were the Dodgers we had to endure on a nightly basis before Manny arrived last year. You get the feeling that every run they get, they will have to scratch and claw for. Nothing looked easy.
I know the critics who say the Dodgers will tank without Manny will point directly to this game, and they have some good evidence to back up their claims. It's still too early to say how they'll do, because we should keep in mind that they scored 9 runs 2 nights ago without him. But what they really need is guys like Ethier and Kemp to start hitting for power. If they don't, then a lot will have to go their way if they want to consistently put runs up and win.
It's a FOX game this afternoon, as Eric Stults takes the mound. He put in a good outing against the Diamondbacks last start, and with the team looking for their first post-Manny win, he needs another solid one today.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
The home streak is over, so let the Manny blame begin
The start of last night's game with the Nationals sure seemed to be an end to the bad mood surrounding Chavez Ravine. A 6-run 1st inning, including a grand slam, will cure any and all ills.
Then the bad day got even worse - the Nationals came all the way back and won, 11-9. The loss ends the Dodgers' home win streak at an MLB-record 13 straight games to open the season.
It was pretty much a case of the worst possible timing on Earth. A staggering 6-0 lead heading into the 6th wasn't enough to hold off the team with the worst record in baseball. The bullpen that has been fantastic lately completely imploded. Surrendering 11 runs in 4 innings isn't exactly the best way to make fans forget about their already horrible day.
First, the good part of the game, and it was all in the 1st inning. After Rafael Furcal struck out to start it off, Orlando Hudson walked. The new #3 hitter Andre Ethier singled to send O-Dog to 3rd. James Loney singled to score Hudson, and it was 1-0. A walk to Russell Martin loaded the bases and set the stage for Matt Kemp.
And boy did Kemp deliver with a grand slam to right center, his 2nd granny this season. A triple by Casey Blake and a sac-fly RBI by Randy Wolf made it 6-0, and all was well in the world again.
Neither team could do much of anything until the 6th, when Josh Willingham homered, giving Wolf his only run of the night. Overall, Wolf finished at 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. He once again got a no-decision thanks to the shoddy bullpen work, so that's 5 straight starts without getting a decision of any kind. With a 3.59 ERA, he deserves more than just 1 win.
The meltdown started in the 7th with Ramon Troncoso, who saw his string of scoreless innings come to a halt. He gave up 3 singles and an RBI groundout to Christian Guzman to make it 6-2. Will Ohman came on with 2 outs to get the lefty Adam Dunn out, but that didn't happen as Dunn hit a double to score 2 and make it 6-4. Just like that, it was a new game.
Still, the Dodgers had the lead, but that went right down the toilet thanks to a horrendous 7th inning. The trio of Cory Wade, Brent Leach, and Guillermo Mota pretty much did nothing right. Doubles by Austin Kearns and Nick Johnson plated 2 apiece, and Adam Dunn and Elijah Dukes each had RBI singles. All of that added up to a 10-6 advantage for the Nats. Some meaningless runs were scored after, but the game was over.
Any baseball fan that reads about this game will automatically think, "They're going to suck without Manny now." Well, the bullpen did last night, but they've been great lately. They were bound to have a bad outing at some point. The offense put up 9 runs without Manny, and they've won without him a couple of times earlier this year when he sat. And Randy Wolf again pitched a good game.
I'm putting the positive spin on this because I really do believe the Dodgers will be able to play good ball without Manny there until July. I'm not foolish enough to think the offense will be as good. The reason Manny was brought back was to provide consistent pop in the middle of that order. But if guys like Kemp, Ethier, Loney, and Martin can continue their progress, I know they can win ballgames.
The Dodgers will now welcome in another NL West rival tonight, the Giants. Back in April the Dodgers swept 3 from them to start their home streak, and the Giants took 2 of 3 in San Francisco at the end of the month. The ace Chad Billingsley and his spotless 5-0 record takes the mound against Barry Zito.
Then the bad day got even worse - the Nationals came all the way back and won, 11-9. The loss ends the Dodgers' home win streak at an MLB-record 13 straight games to open the season.
It was pretty much a case of the worst possible timing on Earth. A staggering 6-0 lead heading into the 6th wasn't enough to hold off the team with the worst record in baseball. The bullpen that has been fantastic lately completely imploded. Surrendering 11 runs in 4 innings isn't exactly the best way to make fans forget about their already horrible day.
First, the good part of the game, and it was all in the 1st inning. After Rafael Furcal struck out to start it off, Orlando Hudson walked. The new #3 hitter Andre Ethier singled to send O-Dog to 3rd. James Loney singled to score Hudson, and it was 1-0. A walk to Russell Martin loaded the bases and set the stage for Matt Kemp.
And boy did Kemp deliver with a grand slam to right center, his 2nd granny this season. A triple by Casey Blake and a sac-fly RBI by Randy Wolf made it 6-0, and all was well in the world again.
Neither team could do much of anything until the 6th, when Josh Willingham homered, giving Wolf his only run of the night. Overall, Wolf finished at 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. He once again got a no-decision thanks to the shoddy bullpen work, so that's 5 straight starts without getting a decision of any kind. With a 3.59 ERA, he deserves more than just 1 win.
The meltdown started in the 7th with Ramon Troncoso, who saw his string of scoreless innings come to a halt. He gave up 3 singles and an RBI groundout to Christian Guzman to make it 6-2. Will Ohman came on with 2 outs to get the lefty Adam Dunn out, but that didn't happen as Dunn hit a double to score 2 and make it 6-4. Just like that, it was a new game.
Still, the Dodgers had the lead, but that went right down the toilet thanks to a horrendous 7th inning. The trio of Cory Wade, Brent Leach, and Guillermo Mota pretty much did nothing right. Doubles by Austin Kearns and Nick Johnson plated 2 apiece, and Adam Dunn and Elijah Dukes each had RBI singles. All of that added up to a 10-6 advantage for the Nats. Some meaningless runs were scored after, but the game was over.
Any baseball fan that reads about this game will automatically think, "They're going to suck without Manny now." Well, the bullpen did last night, but they've been great lately. They were bound to have a bad outing at some point. The offense put up 9 runs without Manny, and they've won without him a couple of times earlier this year when he sat. And Randy Wolf again pitched a good game.
I'm putting the positive spin on this because I really do believe the Dodgers will be able to play good ball without Manny there until July. I'm not foolish enough to think the offense will be as good. The reason Manny was brought back was to provide consistent pop in the middle of that order. But if guys like Kemp, Ethier, Loney, and Martin can continue their progress, I know they can win ballgames.
The Dodgers will now welcome in another NL West rival tonight, the Giants. Back in April the Dodgers swept 3 from them to start their home streak, and the Giants took 2 of 3 in San Francisco at the end of the month. The ace Chad Billingsley and his spotless 5-0 record takes the mound against Barry Zito.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Pierre is now seeing why he wasn't traded
Juan Pierre didn't want anything to do with staying in LA once Manny Ramirez was given a 2-year deal. With young studs Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier claiming the other outfield spots, Pierre knew that his playing time would tank.
Despite all of that, Ned Colletti wanted to hang onto him as an insurance policy. Today is exactly the type of reason why.
Think about it - who would be the starting left fielder if Pierre wasn't there? Xavier Paul has been tearing up the Minors, but he's very raw. Jason Repko isn't bad, but he's more fragile than glass. Is there even anybody else that could possibly step in? I can't think of anyone.
So Pierre will now get a chance to prove that he's still an impact player. We all know that he has great speed and can be a terror on the bases. But we also know the flip side - a really weak arm and an OBP that will never be that great. Like it or not, that's what he brings to the table.
I think people are too hard on him, and I'll be the first to admit that I certainly have been on here as well. When the Dodgers lose and you see Pierre not getting on base and making rainbow throws from the outfield, it's easy to point the finger at him. But I think now is the time Dodger fans embrace him and accept him for who he is. He did win a ring as a leadoff hitter with the Marlins, so he knows what it takes to be a winner.
The early plan is to keep him at the bottom of the order... literally. Joe Torre has him in the #9 spot in the order for tonight's game against the Nationals. It's a page out of Tony LaRussa's playbook, and if the Dodgers can keep winning with that order, it'll keep happening.
I can honestly say that I am willing to give Pierre a chance to relax, play ball, and show everyone why he was signed to such a rich deal to begin with. Getting on his case too quickly probably won't be the smartest thing to do. Let's see how he contributes and helps the Dodgers get some wins.
Despite all of that, Ned Colletti wanted to hang onto him as an insurance policy. Today is exactly the type of reason why.
Think about it - who would be the starting left fielder if Pierre wasn't there? Xavier Paul has been tearing up the Minors, but he's very raw. Jason Repko isn't bad, but he's more fragile than glass. Is there even anybody else that could possibly step in? I can't think of anyone.
So Pierre will now get a chance to prove that he's still an impact player. We all know that he has great speed and can be a terror on the bases. But we also know the flip side - a really weak arm and an OBP that will never be that great. Like it or not, that's what he brings to the table.
I think people are too hard on him, and I'll be the first to admit that I certainly have been on here as well. When the Dodgers lose and you see Pierre not getting on base and making rainbow throws from the outfield, it's easy to point the finger at him. But I think now is the time Dodger fans embrace him and accept him for who he is. He did win a ring as a leadoff hitter with the Marlins, so he knows what it takes to be a winner.
The early plan is to keep him at the bottom of the order... literally. Joe Torre has him in the #9 spot in the order for tonight's game against the Nationals. It's a page out of Tony LaRussa's playbook, and if the Dodgers can keep winning with that order, it'll keep happening.
I can honestly say that I am willing to give Pierre a chance to relax, play ball, and show everyone why he was signed to such a rich deal to begin with. Getting on his case too quickly probably won't be the smartest thing to do. Let's see how he contributes and helps the Dodgers get some wins.
Major League Baseball to Manny: Take a 50 game break
A 21-8 record, 13-0 at home, a 6 game lead in the NL West, and a team that was rolling and not showing any signs of slowing down.
And now this.
Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs. He won't be anywhere near a ballpark until he's eligible to come back July 3 in San Diego.
I was at work when I found at, and everything from my cell phone to my email to other teachers popping by with the "good" news seemed to hit me at once. Manny. Drug addict. Suspended. What was he thinking? What an idiot! All of those comments and everything in between is what I heard today.
To be completely technical about all of this, Manny was caught using human chorionic gonadatropin (HCG), which is a women's fertility drug. It's not to be confused with HGH, human growth hormone. HCG is typically used for steroid users who are off a cycle to restart their body's natural testosterone production. Seems like Manny used a bit too much, and a positive test was triggered.
In addition to getting a nearly 2-month vacation, he'll also forfeit about $7.7 million of his $25 million contract this year. I know most people will laugh at that because he's still a multi-millionaire, but that's still a pretty big chunk of change.
Of course this is all disappointing. How can I not be pissed off that the Dodgers' best player just did something really stupid to cost his team? But I guess the silver lining is that this season is only 29 games old. When he comes back, he'll still have half of his games left, which covers 3 months. So it's basically like getting a pretty bad injury, but not season-ending.
In today's baseball age, I can't say this is terribly surprising. Ever since the infamous home run chase during the summer of '98 by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa was pretty much proven to be a fraud, the general public has been conditioned to be let down. I was watching a Syracuse basketball game this winter when news of A Rod broke, and my surprise didn't last long, just like today. Makes me wonder who the hell isn't cheating anymore? Sad.
So yes, this will be a black cloud over the organization for the entire year. But to say that the Dodgers are automatically done is not doing their homework. They still have a solid club that is more than capable of winning in the weak NL West. Manny will come back in the #3 spot when the summer heats up, and the Dodgers will still be the favored team to win the division.
I can only hope that Manny does the smart thing and just lay low until he comes back. Then he really needs to pick up where he left off, because if he doesn't play well, his long season will get even longer.
And now this.
Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs. He won't be anywhere near a ballpark until he's eligible to come back July 3 in San Diego.
I was at work when I found at, and everything from my cell phone to my email to other teachers popping by with the "good" news seemed to hit me at once. Manny. Drug addict. Suspended. What was he thinking? What an idiot! All of those comments and everything in between is what I heard today.
To be completely technical about all of this, Manny was caught using human chorionic gonadatropin (HCG), which is a women's fertility drug. It's not to be confused with HGH, human growth hormone. HCG is typically used for steroid users who are off a cycle to restart their body's natural testosterone production. Seems like Manny used a bit too much, and a positive test was triggered.
In addition to getting a nearly 2-month vacation, he'll also forfeit about $7.7 million of his $25 million contract this year. I know most people will laugh at that because he's still a multi-millionaire, but that's still a pretty big chunk of change.
Of course this is all disappointing. How can I not be pissed off that the Dodgers' best player just did something really stupid to cost his team? But I guess the silver lining is that this season is only 29 games old. When he comes back, he'll still have half of his games left, which covers 3 months. So it's basically like getting a pretty bad injury, but not season-ending.
In today's baseball age, I can't say this is terribly surprising. Ever since the infamous home run chase during the summer of '98 by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa was pretty much proven to be a fraud, the general public has been conditioned to be let down. I was watching a Syracuse basketball game this winter when news of A Rod broke, and my surprise didn't last long, just like today. Makes me wonder who the hell isn't cheating anymore? Sad.
So yes, this will be a black cloud over the organization for the entire year. But to say that the Dodgers are automatically done is not doing their homework. They still have a solid club that is more than capable of winning in the weak NL West. Manny will come back in the #3 spot when the summer heats up, and the Dodgers will still be the favored team to win the division.
I can only hope that Manny does the smart thing and just lay low until he comes back. Then he really needs to pick up where he left off, because if he doesn't play well, his long season will get even longer.
At 13-0, Dodgers set new MLB record at home
The Dodgers found themselves locked in a tight game for the first 5 innings of Wednesday's night game against the Nationals. With both Clayton Kershaw and Daniel Cabrera doing their best to avoid messy situations, it was a battle to see which team would blink first.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, the Nationals' pitching lived up to their reputation - pathetic.
A bunch of walks and hits were strung together, and 7 runs later, the Dodgers were able to cruise to a 10-3 win. Now they stand alone in the record books as having the most home wins to start a season in Major League history at 13... and hopefully counting.
Kershaw started and immediately had to work out of a jam in the 1st. Christian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman singled, and Elijah Dukes walked with 2 down. "Stone Cold Steve" Austin Kearns couldn't come through with a K to end it.
The Dodgers loaded the bases themselves in the bottom of the 1st on a bunt single by Rafael Furcal, a double (again) by Orlando Hudson, and a walk to Manny Ramirez. Andre Ethier grounded into a DP, but still got a run home. After James Loney struck out, it was a pretty big opportunity lost.
The Nationals were able to knot it up at 1 in the 3rd thanks to a Ryan Zimmerman sac-fly RBI. A bases loaded walk with 2 down to Ethier in the 5th gave the Dodgers the edge again, 2-1.
The 6th is when the Dodgers went off. Russell Martin started it all with a single. With 1 down, consecutive walks to Casey Blake and the pinch-hitting Mark Loretta again gave the Dodgers a big chance to score. This time, they more than cashed in. Raffy singled to plate 1, and O-Dog drew a walk to force in another. Manny scored 2 with a double to make it 6-1. Ethier was given the free pass to load 'em up again, and Loney hit a 2-run single. The scoring ended on a fielder's choice RBI by Martin, who lead off the inning. In all, 4 walks, 4 hits, and 7 runs to make it 9-1.
Kershaw came through with his 2nd straight great start, going 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K. 3 starts ago his ERA was 7.29, now it's 4.91. He hasn't given up a homer in his last 2 as well, and combined with not giving away too many free passes, he's now figured it all out. Just hope it stays that way.
A couple of minor notes about the bullpen. James McDonald relieved and pitched a scoreless inning. That was his first appearance since not even getting out of the 2nd inning against the Padres on April 30. Brent Leach made his first Big League appearance, not allowing a hit in an inning. Good to see those 2 come out and pitch well.
Let's see if the momentum keeps up as Randy Wolf takes the mound. He hasn't even earned a decision since a win over the Diamondbacks on Easter Sunday, April 12. He's pretty much the #2 guy behind Chad Billingsley now, so he'll look for another solid start.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, the Nationals' pitching lived up to their reputation - pathetic.
A bunch of walks and hits were strung together, and 7 runs later, the Dodgers were able to cruise to a 10-3 win. Now they stand alone in the record books as having the most home wins to start a season in Major League history at 13... and hopefully counting.
Kershaw started and immediately had to work out of a jam in the 1st. Christian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman singled, and Elijah Dukes walked with 2 down. "Stone Cold Steve" Austin Kearns couldn't come through with a K to end it.
The Dodgers loaded the bases themselves in the bottom of the 1st on a bunt single by Rafael Furcal, a double (again) by Orlando Hudson, and a walk to Manny Ramirez. Andre Ethier grounded into a DP, but still got a run home. After James Loney struck out, it was a pretty big opportunity lost.
The Nationals were able to knot it up at 1 in the 3rd thanks to a Ryan Zimmerman sac-fly RBI. A bases loaded walk with 2 down to Ethier in the 5th gave the Dodgers the edge again, 2-1.
The 6th is when the Dodgers went off. Russell Martin started it all with a single. With 1 down, consecutive walks to Casey Blake and the pinch-hitting Mark Loretta again gave the Dodgers a big chance to score. This time, they more than cashed in. Raffy singled to plate 1, and O-Dog drew a walk to force in another. Manny scored 2 with a double to make it 6-1. Ethier was given the free pass to load 'em up again, and Loney hit a 2-run single. The scoring ended on a fielder's choice RBI by Martin, who lead off the inning. In all, 4 walks, 4 hits, and 7 runs to make it 9-1.
Kershaw came through with his 2nd straight great start, going 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K. 3 starts ago his ERA was 7.29, now it's 4.91. He hasn't given up a homer in his last 2 as well, and combined with not giving away too many free passes, he's now figured it all out. Just hope it stays that way.
A couple of minor notes about the bullpen. James McDonald relieved and pitched a scoreless inning. That was his first appearance since not even getting out of the 2nd inning against the Padres on April 30. Brent Leach made his first Big League appearance, not allowing a hit in an inning. Good to see those 2 come out and pitch well.
Let's see if the momentum keeps up as Randy Wolf takes the mound. He hasn't even earned a decision since a win over the Diamondbacks on Easter Sunday, April 12. He's pretty much the #2 guy behind Chad Billingsley now, so he'll look for another solid start.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Dodgers claim share of MLB record
With 3 runs in the 1st inning, the Dodgers scored more than enough runs to win 3-1 and get their perfect run at home to 12 games. That win will put the Dodgers in the record books once again as they now have a tie with the 1911 Detroit Tigers for the best home start in MLB history.
The 1st inning swayed from "uh-oh" to "whoa" by the end of the frame. Augie Ojeda lead off with a double off of Jeff Weaver. The old man came back with consecutive K's and a pop up to end any threat.
With 1 down in the bottom of the 1st, Orlando Hudson continued his scorching ways with a double, and the runs soon followed. Manny Ramirez was intentionally walked (in the 1st inning?!?!) to set up a potential double play ball by Andre Ethier. But, Ethier singled home O-Dog for the 1-0 lead. James Loney grounded out, but Manny still scored from 3rd. An error by Josh Wilson off the bat of Russell Martin got the 3rd run in.
The Diamondbacks used a wild pitch by Weaver to score Max Scherzer to make it 3-1. It was still only the 3rd inning, and plenty more game was left. The Dodgers would only get 3 more hits after the 1st inning, so the DBacks sure seemed like they'd have their chances to end the streak.
But thanks in large part to leaving 6 men in scoring position with 2 outs, the DBacks never could break through. 9 men were left on total, and the Dodgers' bullpen was against light-out to keep the score at 3-1.
Weaver earned his start partly because he has pitched really well in the Minors at in relief duty last week, and because James McDonald faltered so badly. Whatever the reason, he was great last night, going 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Combined with Eric Stults the night before, and that's 2 great starts from the bottom of the rotation. On a night where the bats weren't doing a whole lot, Weaver was money when they needed him most.
Ramon Troncoso pitched 1.2 innings scoreless, and he hasn't given up a run since April 18, making his ERA 0.98. Ronald Belisario struck out the side in the 8th, and Jonathan Broxton K'd 2 in the 9th to go 8-8 in save situations. There's still a lot of youth in those players mentioned, but boy are they rock-solid right now. Just hope it keeps up.
While the record is obviously sweet, being an MLB-best 20-8 and 5.5 games up in the NL West is just as nice. They've completely dominated the rest of the division at 19-6. That's just plain impressive.
With a win over the Nationals tonight, the Dodgers can find themselves in sole position of 1st place in the record books at 13-0 to start the season at home. It's up to young Clayton Kershaw to get the job done. After getting rocked in his previous 2 starts, he bounced back for 7 scoreless his last one.
The 1st inning swayed from "uh-oh" to "whoa" by the end of the frame. Augie Ojeda lead off with a double off of Jeff Weaver. The old man came back with consecutive K's and a pop up to end any threat.
With 1 down in the bottom of the 1st, Orlando Hudson continued his scorching ways with a double, and the runs soon followed. Manny Ramirez was intentionally walked (in the 1st inning?!?!) to set up a potential double play ball by Andre Ethier. But, Ethier singled home O-Dog for the 1-0 lead. James Loney grounded out, but Manny still scored from 3rd. An error by Josh Wilson off the bat of Russell Martin got the 3rd run in.
The Diamondbacks used a wild pitch by Weaver to score Max Scherzer to make it 3-1. It was still only the 3rd inning, and plenty more game was left. The Dodgers would only get 3 more hits after the 1st inning, so the DBacks sure seemed like they'd have their chances to end the streak.
But thanks in large part to leaving 6 men in scoring position with 2 outs, the DBacks never could break through. 9 men were left on total, and the Dodgers' bullpen was against light-out to keep the score at 3-1.
Weaver earned his start partly because he has pitched really well in the Minors at in relief duty last week, and because James McDonald faltered so badly. Whatever the reason, he was great last night, going 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Combined with Eric Stults the night before, and that's 2 great starts from the bottom of the rotation. On a night where the bats weren't doing a whole lot, Weaver was money when they needed him most.
Ramon Troncoso pitched 1.2 innings scoreless, and he hasn't given up a run since April 18, making his ERA 0.98. Ronald Belisario struck out the side in the 8th, and Jonathan Broxton K'd 2 in the 9th to go 8-8 in save situations. There's still a lot of youth in those players mentioned, but boy are they rock-solid right now. Just hope it keeps up.
While the record is obviously sweet, being an MLB-best 20-8 and 5.5 games up in the NL West is just as nice. They've completely dominated the rest of the division at 19-6. That's just plain impressive.
With a win over the Nationals tonight, the Dodgers can find themselves in sole position of 1st place in the record books at 13-0 to start the season at home. It's up to young Clayton Kershaw to get the job done. After getting rocked in his previous 2 starts, he bounced back for 7 scoreless his last one.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
11-0 at home gives Dodgers new National League record
The Dodgers rode back-to-back jacks from Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier in the 1st to cruise to an easy victory over the Diamondbacks, 7-2. The win not only puts the Dodgers at 19-8, but sets a National League mark by winning their first 11 at home. Next up is the MLB record of 12 set by the 1911 Detroit Tigers.
I'd say that signing of Manny has worked quite nicely.
The runs were scored in plenty of different ways: homers, doubles, errors, and sac-fly's. They also managed to go 1-10 with RISP and hit into a triple play by Casey Blake. Plus their pitcher is a fill-in until Hiroki Kuroda comes back. And they still won by 5. Everything that could go right is right now for LA.
After Stults worked around a double by Connor Jackson to start the game, Manny and Ethier hit solo shots with 2 down to grab the early lead. A Josh Wilson single in the 2nd would cut the lead to 2-1.
The bottom of the 2nd is when Russell Martin walked and Matt Kemp reached on an error by Wilson. With the runners on the move, Wilson made a nice backhanded catch of a liner, which he turned to 2nd then on to 1st to get 3. The Dodgers rolled the dice and paid for it, but with the way they've been putting up runs, it was worth the gamble. It obviously didn't hurt them in the end.
The 5th brought in 2 more runs thanks to the sac-fly. Kemp and Blake singled to start, and after Kemp stole 3rd, Stults got a fly ball deep enough to score him. Manny eventually lifted one to right field that plated Blake, and it was 4-1.
Mark Reynolds cut into that with a homer to make it 4-2 in the 6th. The Dodgers got right back to work, though, when Martin singled and scored on a double by Kemp. Tony Clark's error off the bat of Rafael Furcal scored Kemp to put the game away. The 7th run was scored on a double by Manny.
Stults improved to 3-1 by being efficient, going 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Nothing special, but for the bottom of the rotation, it's plenty good enough. The bullpen of Ronald Belisario, Guillermo Mota, Cory Wade, and Jonathan Broxton gave up only 1 hit the rest of the way. Wade's return has really sparked them as that's a very solid unit right now.
On the line tonight is a share of the MLB record with the Tigers. Jeff Weaver makes his return to the starting rotation to the Dodgers for the first time since 2005. I'm glad to see him stick it out after suffering through the Minors last season, because they need his arm to give them innings right now.
I'd say that signing of Manny has worked quite nicely.
The runs were scored in plenty of different ways: homers, doubles, errors, and sac-fly's. They also managed to go 1-10 with RISP and hit into a triple play by Casey Blake. Plus their pitcher is a fill-in until Hiroki Kuroda comes back. And they still won by 5. Everything that could go right is right now for LA.
After Stults worked around a double by Connor Jackson to start the game, Manny and Ethier hit solo shots with 2 down to grab the early lead. A Josh Wilson single in the 2nd would cut the lead to 2-1.
The bottom of the 2nd is when Russell Martin walked and Matt Kemp reached on an error by Wilson. With the runners on the move, Wilson made a nice backhanded catch of a liner, which he turned to 2nd then on to 1st to get 3. The Dodgers rolled the dice and paid for it, but with the way they've been putting up runs, it was worth the gamble. It obviously didn't hurt them in the end.
The 5th brought in 2 more runs thanks to the sac-fly. Kemp and Blake singled to start, and after Kemp stole 3rd, Stults got a fly ball deep enough to score him. Manny eventually lifted one to right field that plated Blake, and it was 4-1.
Mark Reynolds cut into that with a homer to make it 4-2 in the 6th. The Dodgers got right back to work, though, when Martin singled and scored on a double by Kemp. Tony Clark's error off the bat of Rafael Furcal scored Kemp to put the game away. The 7th run was scored on a double by Manny.
Stults improved to 3-1 by being efficient, going 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Nothing special, but for the bottom of the rotation, it's plenty good enough. The bullpen of Ronald Belisario, Guillermo Mota, Cory Wade, and Jonathan Broxton gave up only 1 hit the rest of the way. Wade's return has really sparked them as that's a very solid unit right now.
On the line tonight is a share of the MLB record with the Tigers. Jeff Weaver makes his return to the starting rotation to the Dodgers for the first time since 2005. I'm glad to see him stick it out after suffering through the Minors last season, because they need his arm to give them innings right now.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
10-0 at home
The heading speaks for itself.
The Dodgers rested Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake, Russell Martin, and Rafael Furcal on Sunday afternoon, and still easily defeated the Padres, 7-3. The pitching of Chad Billingsley along with a 3-run 1st lead the way.
To put the streak in perspective, it eclipses the 9-0 mark set by the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers for best in team history. The last National League team to start 10-0 was the 1983 Atlanta Braves, managed by... Joe Torre. This English teacher really likes the irony in that. Since last year's All Star break, they are 33-9 at home. Holy crap!
After Bills set the Padres down in order to start the game, the Dodgers went to work. Leadoff hitter Juan Pierre, getting more starts lately, singled up the middle. Orlando Hudson immediately cashed him in with a long double. That was followed by a double from Andre Ethier, who scored on a James Loney single. Just like that, it was 3-0.
That's really all Bills would need, as he finished with 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8 K. He even added an RBI single and run scored in the 6th. He's been simply fantastic in every sense of the word at 5-0 this season. I'd say the playoffs from last year have had zero negative impact.
The score was 3-1 until the bottom of the 6th when the Dodgers put it away for good. With 2 outs, replacements Brad Ausmus and Juan Castro singled. Bills then hit the RBI single to score Ausmus. Pierre added an RBI single, and O-Dog doubled again to score 2 for the 7-1 lead.
About the only blemish was that Will Ohman gave up 2 hits and a run in the 8th without getting an out. No biggie, as the newly unhittable Ramon Troncoso came on for 2 scoreless frames. Where in the world did he come from? It wasn't long ago I was talking about him possibly being demoted, and now he's pitched his last 13.2 innings scoreless. Good for him.
It's always good to get a win over a division opponent, but to do it with 4 regulars resting for the sweep, it's extra special. There's no rest for them, however, as they welcome the Diamondbacks for 2 (not a typo). Eric Stults will look to rebound from a rough start against Doug Davis.
The Dodgers rested Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake, Russell Martin, and Rafael Furcal on Sunday afternoon, and still easily defeated the Padres, 7-3. The pitching of Chad Billingsley along with a 3-run 1st lead the way.
To put the streak in perspective, it eclipses the 9-0 mark set by the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers for best in team history. The last National League team to start 10-0 was the 1983 Atlanta Braves, managed by... Joe Torre. This English teacher really likes the irony in that. Since last year's All Star break, they are 33-9 at home. Holy crap!
After Bills set the Padres down in order to start the game, the Dodgers went to work. Leadoff hitter Juan Pierre, getting more starts lately, singled up the middle. Orlando Hudson immediately cashed him in with a long double. That was followed by a double from Andre Ethier, who scored on a James Loney single. Just like that, it was 3-0.
That's really all Bills would need, as he finished with 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8 K. He even added an RBI single and run scored in the 6th. He's been simply fantastic in every sense of the word at 5-0 this season. I'd say the playoffs from last year have had zero negative impact.
The score was 3-1 until the bottom of the 6th when the Dodgers put it away for good. With 2 outs, replacements Brad Ausmus and Juan Castro singled. Bills then hit the RBI single to score Ausmus. Pierre added an RBI single, and O-Dog doubled again to score 2 for the 7-1 lead.
About the only blemish was that Will Ohman gave up 2 hits and a run in the 8th without getting an out. No biggie, as the newly unhittable Ramon Troncoso came on for 2 scoreless frames. Where in the world did he come from? It wasn't long ago I was talking about him possibly being demoted, and now he's pitched his last 13.2 innings scoreless. Good for him.
It's always good to get a win over a division opponent, but to do it with 4 regulars resting for the sweep, it's extra special. There's no rest for them, however, as they welcome the Diamondbacks for 2 (not a typo). Eric Stults will look to rebound from a rough start against Doug Davis.
Leach gets the call over Elbert
Scott Elbert had his chance to make an impression and couldn't get the job done. So with Hong-Chih Kuo on the DL, it's lefty Brent Leach who will get his chance.
Leach had been in Double-A Chattanooga and put up some really good numbers. In 13 IP, he's given up 1 run while striking out 17 and walking 8. He's done all he can to be given his chance, and now it's here.
As for how long he'll be up is anyone's guess. We all have to wait to see what the timetable for Kuo's return is.
Leach had been in Double-A Chattanooga and put up some really good numbers. In 13 IP, he's given up 1 run while striking out 17 and walking 8. He's done all he can to be given his chance, and now it's here.
As for how long he'll be up is anyone's guess. We all have to wait to see what the timetable for Kuo's return is.
McDonald and Weaver swap spots
Joe Torre has made the decision to place the struggling James McDonald back in the bullpen and give his next start to Jeff Weaver. The move can't be too surprising given how completely opposite each pitched Thursday night against the Padres.
I talked about this yesterday and my guess was that Weaver would be kept in the bullpen, but I can certainly understand the move. McDonald will now be the long reliever, which makes sense given the return of Cory Wade to pitch late innings. Plus Ramon Troncoso hasn't surrendered a run in his last 10.2 innings.
Who knows how long Weaver will last as a starter, but it could be permanent. An why not? He's a veteran who knows what it takes to win in the NL West. All the Dodgers are looking for is someone to give them some steady innings, which is what McDonald just couldn't do. Each man should be comfortable with their new roles, so it's a good thing.
I talked about this yesterday and my guess was that Weaver would be kept in the bullpen, but I can certainly understand the move. McDonald will now be the long reliever, which makes sense given the return of Cory Wade to pitch late innings. Plus Ramon Troncoso hasn't surrendered a run in his last 10.2 innings.
Who knows how long Weaver will last as a starter, but it could be permanent. An why not? He's a veteran who knows what it takes to win in the NL West. All the Dodgers are looking for is someone to give them some steady innings, which is what McDonald just couldn't do. Each man should be comfortable with their new roles, so it's a good thing.
2 straight walk-off wins
The Dodgers found themselves locked in another pitcher's duel Saturday night against the Padres. With both teams unable to crack the opponent's starting pitcher, it would come down to a battle of the bullpens.
Despite the Dodgers' shaky start to their season in the 'pen, it was the Padres that crumbled for the 2nd night in a row. Andre Ethier's walk-off single with the bases loaded and no outs gave the Dodgers a 2-1 win. The 9-0 home start matches the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers for best in team history. Whoa.
A day after Jake Peavy and Clayton Kershaw put up blanks, Chris Young and Randy Wolf were nearly as good. Young lasted 7 innings giving up 1 run. Wolf finished at 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Wolf's road was a bit more rocky, but the bullpen of Ramon Troncoso, Cory Wade, and Guillermo Mota picked him up perfectly.
It took 2 hitters for the Padres to get on the board, as the younger Gonzalez, Edgar, launched a solo shot to left for the 1-0 lead. The Dodgers would strike back in the 3rd when Wolf "helped his own cause" (famous baseball saying for the pitcher got a hit) doubled to lead off. Rafael Furcal's single to right tied it at 1.
That's the way it would stay for awhile, though the Padres did have their chances. 2 walks were stranded in the 5th. In the 6th, they again got 2 walks and an infield single by Adrian Gonzalez to load the bases with 1 down. Troncoso relieved and got a huge double play ball from Kevin Kouzmanoff to end it.
The bullpen deserves a ton of credit, which was boosted by a healthy Wade. Troncoso went 1.2 innings, Wade 2, and Mota got the win with a scoreless 10th, stranding 2 runners. With Hong-Chih Kuo's status up in the air, it's good to see guys like Mota be relied upon, in addition to the much-improved Troncoso. Maybe the bullpen woes are close to ending.
For the 2nd straight night, the Padres chose not to pitch closer Heath Bell, and it's cost them. This time it was Luke Gregerson who blew it late. With the top of the order up to start the 10th, Raffy and Orlando Hudson singled. Manny Ramirez was given the free pass, setting the stage for Ethier. And he left no doubt with a hit off the right field wall to end it.
At 9-0 at home, the Dodgers obviously have the best home record in baseball. They hold a 4.5 games lead over the Giants in the NL West, and that's with Raffy hitting .258, Russell Martin .224 (raised after going 3-4 last night), and Casey Blake .225. It's all about timely hitting right now, and the Dodgers have found every way to get the job done.
Today's game will mean a lot, as this team looks to set a franchise record by starting 10-0 at home. That in addition to a 4-game sweep of the Padres, who started this series in 2nd place, would be extra sweet. Chad Billingsley will get the call looking to improve to 5-0.
Despite the Dodgers' shaky start to their season in the 'pen, it was the Padres that crumbled for the 2nd night in a row. Andre Ethier's walk-off single with the bases loaded and no outs gave the Dodgers a 2-1 win. The 9-0 home start matches the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers for best in team history. Whoa.
A day after Jake Peavy and Clayton Kershaw put up blanks, Chris Young and Randy Wolf were nearly as good. Young lasted 7 innings giving up 1 run. Wolf finished at 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Wolf's road was a bit more rocky, but the bullpen of Ramon Troncoso, Cory Wade, and Guillermo Mota picked him up perfectly.
It took 2 hitters for the Padres to get on the board, as the younger Gonzalez, Edgar, launched a solo shot to left for the 1-0 lead. The Dodgers would strike back in the 3rd when Wolf "helped his own cause" (famous baseball saying for the pitcher got a hit) doubled to lead off. Rafael Furcal's single to right tied it at 1.
That's the way it would stay for awhile, though the Padres did have their chances. 2 walks were stranded in the 5th. In the 6th, they again got 2 walks and an infield single by Adrian Gonzalez to load the bases with 1 down. Troncoso relieved and got a huge double play ball from Kevin Kouzmanoff to end it.
The bullpen deserves a ton of credit, which was boosted by a healthy Wade. Troncoso went 1.2 innings, Wade 2, and Mota got the win with a scoreless 10th, stranding 2 runners. With Hong-Chih Kuo's status up in the air, it's good to see guys like Mota be relied upon, in addition to the much-improved Troncoso. Maybe the bullpen woes are close to ending.
For the 2nd straight night, the Padres chose not to pitch closer Heath Bell, and it's cost them. This time it was Luke Gregerson who blew it late. With the top of the order up to start the 10th, Raffy and Orlando Hudson singled. Manny Ramirez was given the free pass, setting the stage for Ethier. And he left no doubt with a hit off the right field wall to end it.
At 9-0 at home, the Dodgers obviously have the best home record in baseball. They hold a 4.5 games lead over the Giants in the NL West, and that's with Raffy hitting .258, Russell Martin .224 (raised after going 3-4 last night), and Casey Blake .225. It's all about timely hitting right now, and the Dodgers have found every way to get the job done.
Today's game will mean a lot, as this team looks to set a franchise record by starting 10-0 at home. That in addition to a 4-game sweep of the Padres, who started this series in 2nd place, would be extra sweet. Chad Billingsley will get the call looking to improve to 5-0.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Another setback for Kuo
Like I've thought all season long, it looks as if the struggles of Hong-Chih Kuo are at least partially related to health. He's been placed back on the 15-day DL with elbow problems, which is the same one that's had two Tommy John surgeries on it. Not good.
To say I'm worried would be an understatement. He's a complete shut-down reliever when he's all good, as evidenced by last season when hitters would be lost against him. But it was obvious things just weren't right from the start of this season. You don't go from a 2.14 ERA last season to 6.75 this season without something being up.
I can only hope I'm getting too carried away here, and that a couple weeks or so of rest will make him better. With Cory Wade back, the Dodgers would ideally like to see the combination of Kuo and Wade pitch the 8th and get the ball to Jonathan Broxton to finish off games. Let's hold out hope that that will be the case as the season wears on.
As for his replacement on the roster, look for Scott Elbert to turn quickly around from being sent down earlier in the week and make his way back to the big club.
To say I'm worried would be an understatement. He's a complete shut-down reliever when he's all good, as evidenced by last season when hitters would be lost against him. But it was obvious things just weren't right from the start of this season. You don't go from a 2.14 ERA last season to 6.75 this season without something being up.
I can only hope I'm getting too carried away here, and that a couple weeks or so of rest will make him better. With Cory Wade back, the Dodgers would ideally like to see the combination of Kuo and Wade pitch the 8th and get the ball to Jonathan Broxton to finish off games. Let's hold out hope that that will be the case as the season wears on.
As for his replacement on the roster, look for Scott Elbert to turn quickly around from being sent down earlier in the week and make his way back to the big club.
Wade is activated, so we once again say goodbye to DeWitt
Cory Wade is healed and activated off the DL, ready to help a bullpen that has had some adventures getting the ball to Jonathan Broxton. Needing to make a move on the roster, poor Blake DeWitt has yet again been sent back to Triple-A Albuquerque.
The return couldn't have come at a better time, with the combination of most of the rotation getting hammered early in games and the setup men generally not getting the job done. And the Dodgers are still 16-8. Go figure.
Wade appeared in 77.1 innings last season, compiling a 2.27 ERA with a .202 BAA. He became more and more trusted as the year went on, so his health is key. Ronald Belisario has tried to fill his shoes, and for a guy that has never been at the Major League level before, I think he's done pretty well. But Wade's presence is literally a big "relief."
As for DeWitt, he's really a victim of the circumstances, as his bat is just not needed now. The starting lineup is set, and the bench is full of veterans like Mark Loretta, Juan Pierre, and Brad Ausmus who have been key guys before and are capable of coming on late and getting the job done. His time will come at some point.
The return couldn't have come at a better time, with the combination of most of the rotation getting hammered early in games and the setup men generally not getting the job done. And the Dodgers are still 16-8. Go figure.
Wade appeared in 77.1 innings last season, compiling a 2.27 ERA with a .202 BAA. He became more and more trusted as the year went on, so his health is key. Ronald Belisario has tried to fill his shoes, and for a guy that has never been at the Major League level before, I think he's done pretty well. But Wade's presence is literally a big "relief."
As for DeWitt, he's really a victim of the circumstances, as his bat is just not needed now. The starting lineup is set, and the bench is full of veterans like Mark Loretta, Juan Pierre, and Brad Ausmus who have been key guys before and are capable of coming on late and getting the job done. His time will come at some point.
Weaver is back in LA
The up-and-down journey for Jeff Weaver hit another peak on Thursday, as he was recalled by the Dodgers to help steady a struggling staff. To make room on the 40-man roster, Doug Mientkiewicz was switched to the 60-day DL.
Weaver wasted no time in getting to work, as he came on in the 2nd for an ineffective James McDonald and pitched 4 fantastic innings of shutout ball, K'ing 4. Talk about making an impact in no time.
Give Weaver this - he doesn't give up. He started his career as a young stud with the Tigers. With so much going for him, he went to the Yankees and proceeded to really struggle in the New York spotlight. Needing a fresh start, the Dodgers luckily got George Steinbrenner take trade him for Kevin Brown, and he became an effective starter for 2 years. He's bounced around to the Cardinals and Mariners, before being out of baseball altogether last season. And now he's back.
There's not a whole lot he hasn't experienced. In case you've forgotten, he was the guy on the mound in Game 5 of the 2006 World Series for the Cardinals, getting the win against his old team, the Tigers. He's pitched in many places and many big games, so I think he can handle pressure situations.
Even with the rotation struggling at times, I would think Weaver would be asked to be the long reliever, especially after how well he did Thursday. But stay tuned, because that could easily change at any moment.
Weaver wasted no time in getting to work, as he came on in the 2nd for an ineffective James McDonald and pitched 4 fantastic innings of shutout ball, K'ing 4. Talk about making an impact in no time.
Give Weaver this - he doesn't give up. He started his career as a young stud with the Tigers. With so much going for him, he went to the Yankees and proceeded to really struggle in the New York spotlight. Needing a fresh start, the Dodgers luckily got George Steinbrenner take trade him for Kevin Brown, and he became an effective starter for 2 years. He's bounced around to the Cardinals and Mariners, before being out of baseball altogether last season. And now he's back.
There's not a whole lot he hasn't experienced. In case you've forgotten, he was the guy on the mound in Game 5 of the 2006 World Series for the Cardinals, getting the win against his old team, the Tigers. He's pitched in many places and many big games, so I think he can handle pressure situations.
Even with the rotation struggling at times, I would think Weaver would be asked to be the long reliever, especially after how well he did Thursday. But stay tuned, because that could easily change at any moment.
A check swing, and a walk-off win
Russell Martin sure needed some good news. Stuck in a 2-for-23 slump, he found himself up with the bases loaded and 2 down. With count run to 3-2, all he needed was for a break to finally go his way.
And it did. Duaner Sanchez pitched one high, and Martin checked his swing in time to score Orlando Hudson for the game's only run, 1-0. With the win, the Dodgers are still undefeated at home at 8-0.
The game was highlighted by a fantastic pitching duel between Jake Peavy and Clayton Kershaw. Both men have fantastic stuff, but have also been hit hard lately. Last night, they both figured it out.
Peavy pitched 8 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and K'ing 8. Kershaw had 7 scoreless innings with 4 hits and 3 K's. For Kershaw, it was especially important to pitch well deep into the game considering Eric Stults and James McDonald combined to go 4.1 innings the 2 nights before. And with news that Hong-Chih Kuo is back on the DL, it's more pressure on the starters to get quality innings.
There's not a whole lot to say about both offenses, as Peavy let 3 men reach base and Kershaw 7, which included an error by Rafael Furcal. The Padres had a couple of threats to score. In the 2nd, Chase Headley and Henry Blanco singled but were stranded. And in the 4th Scott Hairston lead off with a double, but a double play did them in.
Fast-forward to the 9th where Sanchez took over for Peavy. Raffy greeted him with a single, but Hudson grounded him into a forceout. Hudson did take 2nd on a wild pitch, however. That lead Manny Ramirez to get the intentional pass, setting the stage for James Loney... who struck out. With 2 outs, Matt Kemp walked to load 'em up, and Martin got the winning walk. Looks like the old Dodger Sanchez ain't what he used to be.
The bullpen did their job, including the 8th inning! Ronald Belisario started it and got an out and a walk, so Will Ohman came on for the final 2 outs. Jonathan Broxton pitched a 1-2-3 9th, getting the win in the process.
The Dodgers are off to their best home start since the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers won their first 9. They ended up losing to the Yankees in the World Series that year, but that happened like every year back then. We know history won't repeat itself this year since the Yankees' pitching is atrocious.
Randy Wolf will take the mound tonight looking to equal that mark from '47 against Chris Young. With the rotation shaky, Wolf and Chad Billingsley are the only sure things right now, so a big start by Wolf would be nice.
And it did. Duaner Sanchez pitched one high, and Martin checked his swing in time to score Orlando Hudson for the game's only run, 1-0. With the win, the Dodgers are still undefeated at home at 8-0.
The game was highlighted by a fantastic pitching duel between Jake Peavy and Clayton Kershaw. Both men have fantastic stuff, but have also been hit hard lately. Last night, they both figured it out.
Peavy pitched 8 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and K'ing 8. Kershaw had 7 scoreless innings with 4 hits and 3 K's. For Kershaw, it was especially important to pitch well deep into the game considering Eric Stults and James McDonald combined to go 4.1 innings the 2 nights before. And with news that Hong-Chih Kuo is back on the DL, it's more pressure on the starters to get quality innings.
There's not a whole lot to say about both offenses, as Peavy let 3 men reach base and Kershaw 7, which included an error by Rafael Furcal. The Padres had a couple of threats to score. In the 2nd, Chase Headley and Henry Blanco singled but were stranded. And in the 4th Scott Hairston lead off with a double, but a double play did them in.
Fast-forward to the 9th where Sanchez took over for Peavy. Raffy greeted him with a single, but Hudson grounded him into a forceout. Hudson did take 2nd on a wild pitch, however. That lead Manny Ramirez to get the intentional pass, setting the stage for James Loney... who struck out. With 2 outs, Matt Kemp walked to load 'em up, and Martin got the winning walk. Looks like the old Dodger Sanchez ain't what he used to be.
The bullpen did their job, including the 8th inning! Ronald Belisario started it and got an out and a walk, so Will Ohman came on for the final 2 outs. Jonathan Broxton pitched a 1-2-3 9th, getting the win in the process.
The Dodgers are off to their best home start since the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers won their first 9. They ended up losing to the Yankees in the World Series that year, but that happened like every year back then. We know history won't repeat itself this year since the Yankees' pitching is atrocious.
Randy Wolf will take the mound tonight looking to equal that mark from '47 against Chris Young. With the rotation shaky, Wolf and Chad Billingsley are the only sure things right now, so a big start by Wolf would be nice.
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