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About Jon
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
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12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Sigh of the Times
2008-08-30 15:40
by Jon Weisman

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 5:10 p.m.
Tonight's Lineups
Not available at press time!














Comments (296)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-08-30 15:52:54
1.   Andrew Shimmin
Utah is the chokingest choker who ever choked.
2008-08-30 15:53:23
2.   Bluebleeder87
With Bills pitching today I feel confident we will pull of a W. From what I've read in the comment section Haren tends to fall off a bit in the 2nd half. veremos.
2008-08-30 16:08:04
3.   Alex41592
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
Manny, LF
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Casey Blake, 3B
Blake DeWitt, 2B
Berroa, SS
Billingsley, P

Drew, SS
Young, CF
Jackson, LF
Dunn, RF
Reynolds, 3B
Tracy, !B
Snyder, C
Ojeda, 2B
Haren, P

2008-08-30 16:20:04
4.   dzzrtRatt
I guess Jon wasn't kidding about how busy he is.
2008-08-30 16:20:58
5.   bigcpa
Would be nice to see DeWitt win the 2009 2B job this September and remove one of several question marks hanging out there.

Meanwhile, Jayson Werth is officially a disaster for Colletti. .279/.377/.517 with 20 HR and plus defense playing a key role for a playoff contender. To me this is Exhibit A of the case against Colletti. Some GM's are looking to bring guys like Werth into the org. Others are letting them walk to make room for 39-yr old Luis Gonzalez or dealing them for Casey Blakes. It is not pure hindsight to think Werth/Ethier could have platooned in 2007 to see what we had with both.

2008-08-30 16:28:30
6.   Gagne55
3 I like Tracy's position.
2008-08-30 16:31:13
7.   Gagne55
1 Utah won today.
2008-08-30 16:36:57
8.   Andrew Shimmin
7- I'd say the escaped, ingloriously. But, sure, "won" is another way to look at it.
2008-08-30 16:41:57
9.   silverwidow
Red Sox DFA old friend Eric Hull.
2008-08-30 16:43:16
10.   Alex41592
Benches clear in Miami. Cody Ross is involved.
2008-08-30 16:47:50
11.   Alex41592
10 - Cody got hit by the pitch and exchanged words with Schneider and Pelfrey. Benches did clear but it wasn't a big deal.

And then proceeded to get picked off by Pelfrey.

2008-08-30 16:50:21
12.   Louis in SF
5

I always liked Jayson Werth with the Dodgers and was sad to hear what he had to say about the medical staff of the Dodgers during the last series in Philly. There is much to blame Colleti for, but in fairness Werth was out for almost a year with the wrist injury and at the time it seemed very unclear if he was going to be able to make it back. Once he did the ill advised signing both Gonzales and JP, there was little room for Werth. You are correct had Ned even only signed one there migh have been a chance for Werth.

2008-08-30 16:58:05
13.   Tripon
1 Utah won 25-23.
2008-08-30 16:59:31
14.   scareduck
5 - have to agree with 12 . Werth was injury-prone and getting older.
2008-08-30 17:04:10
15.   timm
1 I hope my Bruins choke a win Monday night.
2008-08-30 17:05:35
16.   Tripon
Way I see it, you get similar production from Ethier and Wreth. And Ethier is younger and less injury prone over Wreth. While its possible both could have played on this Dodgers team, lets be realistic and see that Ned would have never allowed that to happen, as he keeps on signing veteran players and especially veteran outfielders regardless of how many the team has. Besides, I would rather have Delweyn Young over Wreth too, he's younger and has a tie to the area.

Can't keep them all. This ani't pokemon where you can keep your rarely used monsters in some closet somewhere.

2008-08-30 17:05:46
17.   D4P
Werth was injury-prone and getting older

All the more puzzling that Ned didn't give him a big contract.

2008-08-30 17:06:18
18.   Paul Scott
The thing that was great about Werth was he was just like every other outfielder DePo gave us. He was a plus defending center-fielder with patience and power. The outfield of Bradley, Drew and Werth had no peer defensively. Even the fourth and fifth outfielder's under DePo shared those characteristics (though LeDee was too far past his prime to be a plus defense center-fielder).

I think giving away Werth had more to do with what Colletti (and presumably White) like to see in a ballplayer than it did with an injury. Injured players are easy to keep around if you otherwise like their game. Colletti just was not interested.

2008-08-30 17:07:02
19.   bigcpa
14 Well instead we gave $1M to Olmedo to be the lefty masher and picked up Brady Clark for OF depth. Like Kyle Blair it's another case of saving $500K but giving up some tremendous option value. Werth is putting up $12m/year Rowand-level numbers.
2008-08-30 17:08:25
20.   Paul Scott
"Way I see it, you get similar production from Ethier and Werth."

No, you don't. Either lacks Werth's patience and is lighter on power. Either is also not nearly the defensive player Werth is.

2008-08-30 17:08:45
21.   Tripon
http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/

Tony Jackson speculates that Kent tore his knee and its a career threatening(Or is it career retiring?) Injury.

2008-08-30 17:09:25
22.   gpellamjr
Why would Dunn, rather than Jackson, end up playing 1B when they put Upton in the lineup?
2008-08-30 17:13:00
23.   Tripon
22 Because Dunn was starting in RF while Upton was away. And its an easier move for the D'Backs to just move Dunn to 1st and bench Chad Tracy. And Jackson said he has a preference for playing in LF.
2008-08-30 17:13:14
24.   Andrew Shimmin
Anybody know how the Michigan game turned out?
2008-08-30 17:15:35
25.   Tripon
24 25-23 Utah.
2008-08-30 17:16:49
26.   Andrew Shimmin
Manny needs a chinstrap for his helmet.
2008-08-30 17:17:33
27.   Tripon
I didn't even know the game started. hah.
2008-08-30 17:19:37
28.   twerp
At the time--and probably still--Ned no more would sign Werth or anyone remotely like him over PVLs than he could outswim Michael Phelps.
2008-08-30 17:19:52
29.   Tripon
This seems familiar.
2008-08-30 17:21:03
30.   Andrew Shimmin
Colletti didn't have to sign Werth. He just had to not cut him. Werth was non-tendered.
2008-08-30 17:21:13
31.   ucladodger
What Matt needs to work on for next year is not getting himself out. He didnt see a strike from Haren that AB, but fell behind in the count and grounded out weekly
2008-08-30 17:25:19
32.   Tripon
Those D'Backs, always changing home unis whenever they want.

Actually, I like the D'Backs black, even if they make them look too much like the White Sox unis.

2008-08-30 17:29:51
33.   CanuckDodger
18 -- God, you'll resort to the most far-fetched nonsense to blame Logan White for something. Werth was still hurt when he was released, even by Werth's own admission, so trying to find deeper meaning in the Dodgers letting go of a hurt player who was arbitration eligible is just dirty pool. The only blame belongs with the Dodgers medical staff for not making a correct diagnosis, but since it took a trip to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic to get the correct diagnosis, maybe the blame can't be too severe. No professional sports team can be expected to have the medical expertise of the Mayo Clinic.
2008-08-30 17:32:52
34.   Alex41592
A rare 5-4-3 DP for Dunn.
2008-08-30 17:32:55
35.   Tripon
Wow, we actually turn a DP. That's been a while.

Blake to Blake to Loney.

2008-08-30 17:34:53
36.   Tripon
Logan White. Eats Babies and kills geese for a living.
2008-08-30 17:36:52
37.   Andrew Shimmin
Werth wasn't arb eligible, was he? He was a September callup in 2002, spent about two months of 2003 in the big leagues. Then was only called up for good in June of 2004.
2008-08-30 17:37:36
38.   Tripon
Q:mike from durham asks:
I see Andrew Lambo was promoted to AA (where he has 2 HRs in 4 games) and that he is going to be playing in the AFL (as one of the youngest players in the league) are the Dodgers giving thoughts to having him skip High-A and starting him as a 20 year old in AA next year?
A: Moderator: I love Lambo's bat, and feel like I got some bad info when I wrote him up draft-wise in 2007, when all I heard about was the "Dazed & Confused" makeup issues regarding Lambo. His bat is ready to be challenged, yes, and as one of the very few low Class A players in the AFL (Aug. 6 is the cutoff date for that), he's going to be challenged. How he handles the AFL will be key to his '09 assignment.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2008/266783.html

2008-08-30 17:43:09
39.   CanuckDodger
37 -- At the time Werth was released, I THOUGHT it was reported in the press that Werth would have been arbitration eligible, but you may be right. At the time, I don't remember anyone here making a big fuss about Werth being released, because nobody was confident he would recover from his injury.
2008-08-30 17:44:49
40.   Tripon
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2008/266782.html

Pedro Baez, of Odgen made it in this week's prospect list.

2008-08-30 17:46:24
41.   Tripon
Manny shows some defense!
2008-08-30 17:51:11
42.   Andrew Shimmin
39- He was probably out of options, but I'm pretty sure he didn't have service time enough to get arbitration. If he had, he would have gotten it after 2005, since he didn't play in 2006.

There wasn't much ire on the day it happened, because it had mostly been exhausted before that, and exhausted more thoroughly on Pierre. If you set your neighbors house on fire, and also steal his newspaper from the driveway, the latter offense isn't going to get the same reaction as the first.

2008-08-30 17:51:55
43.   D4P
If you set your neighbors house on fire, and also steal his newspaper from the driveway, the latter offense isn't going to get the same reaction as the first

Something tells me you speak from experience.

2008-08-30 17:52:24
44.   thinkblue88
MANNY!!!! YESS!!!!!
2008-08-30 17:52:26
45.   Tripon
Manny homers to make it 1-0 Dodgers.
2008-08-30 17:52:38
46.   Andrew Shimmin
The latter offense isn't going to get the reaction it would have if you hadn't done the former, I mean.

Hey look, they scored.

2008-08-30 17:52:38
47.   Alex41592
MANNY LASER!
2008-08-30 17:53:56
48.   Tripon
http://proxy.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3558370

Buster Onley has the Dodgers having the 4th best bullpen.

2008-08-30 18:00:05
49.   Andrew Shimmin
43- I never once stole a newspaper.
2008-08-30 18:06:54
50.   Gagne55
Has anyone ever done a study on how pitchers fare the inning after running the bases?
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-08-30 18:07:19
51.   Paul Scott
33 Certainly no more than the extent you go to worship him. That said, I don't see anything far fetched about assuming that White was involved in the decision to release Werth. He was in player development at the time.
2008-08-30 18:10:41
52.   Gagne55
Stolen without a throw.
2008-08-30 18:11:15
53.   Gagne55
No DTers here tonight?
2008-08-30 18:12:05
54.   Alex41592
I'll take a DP here for the run.
2008-08-30 18:12:32
55.   thinkblue88
please oh please score.
2008-08-30 18:13:42
56.   Alex41592
Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola are broadcasing right next to each other. That's kind of neat.
2008-08-30 18:13:46
57.   Gagne55
54 I don't trust these fielders enough to be confident with a one run lead. DP > K though
2008-08-30 18:13:47
58.   Andrew Shimmin
Time for a delayed double steal.
2008-08-30 18:14:07
59.   Alex41592
56 - broadcasting*
2008-08-30 18:15:08
60.   Gagne55
I'd rather have had a run scoring DP than that.
2008-08-30 18:16:12
61.   Deuces are Wild
Why are we not scoring from 2nd on singles to CF? Did someone see the play? I'm only on Game Day.
2008-08-30 18:16:24
62.   thinkblue88
yesss!!

thank you!

2008-08-30 18:16:27
63.   Alex41592
2 BASE ERROR! 3-1 DODGERS!
2008-08-30 18:17:00
64.   Gagne55
That dive into first was so unnessecary.
2008-08-30 18:17:07
65.   Andrew Shimmin
Tracey is worse, defensively, than Loney.
2008-08-30 18:17:14
66.   thinkblue88
BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2008-08-30 18:18:08
67.   Andrew Shimmin
61- The ball was lined right at the Bison. He had to hit the dirt to get out of the way, and lost too much time doing that to get home.
2008-08-30 18:18:14
68.   Alex41592
Bills is so smart to allow SCY to hit that triple off him.
2008-08-30 18:18:25
69.   Gagne55
I wonder how much the scoring on a triple affected Haren. It's not like he never has innings like this.
2008-08-30 18:19:12
70.   thinkblue88
That is a very low strike zone tonight.
2008-08-30 18:19:41
71.   Alex41592
Ooh, hung a splitter and Russ fouled it straight back.
2008-08-30 18:19:57
72.   Gagne55
Easy DP.
2008-08-30 18:20:02
73.   Tripon
Martin hits into a DP, but we score two in the inning!
2008-08-30 18:20:49
74.   Deuces are Wild
67 Thanks for the info. I was afraid that Larry had lost his huevos, like he held up Manny in DC the other day when we would have tied the game 2-2. Good to see that Bills drove Berroa in from 2nd - there shall be no apologizing this time!
2008-08-30 18:21:50
75.   Tripon
Berroa didn't score, he went to 3rd. And then a Martin DP ended the inning.
2008-08-30 18:22:19
76.   Deuces are Wild
My mistake - Berroa didn't score on Bills' single - maybe Larry DID lose his huevos!
2008-08-30 18:23:07
77.   Gagne55
76 Upton haz cannon?
2008-08-30 18:23:24
78.   Tripon
Don't tell Vic the Brick that, he'll throw his pancho at you.
2008-08-30 18:24:31
79.   Gagne55
78 Which comment are you responding to?
2008-08-30 18:25:04
80.   Alex41592
76 - It was hit right to Dunn on a line and he was playing shallow.

However, with Dunn in right field that's a risk Bowa should've taken.

2008-08-30 18:25:11
81.   Tripon
http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/prosports/mlb/dodgers/ Among other things, Diamond expects Kent to miss the rest of the year, and McDonald to be called up in Sept.
2008-08-30 18:25:16
82.   gpellamjr
I hate Daron Sutton's stupid face.
2008-08-30 18:25:19
83.   Gagne55
76 Aren't 'huevos' eggs?
2008-08-30 18:25:47
84.   gpellamjr
65 Worse, even, than Loney?
2008-08-30 18:26:05
85.   Tripon
79 Whichever comment that had Larry Bowa in it. Guy doesn't talk about the Dodgers until the Manny trade happens and suddenly he's an expert on the Dodgers woes.
2008-08-30 18:28:49
86.   Bilshaw
bills nasty breaking ball!
2008-08-30 18:30:05
87.   thinkblue88
filthy.
2008-08-30 18:32:09
88.   Tripon
We might win this game. Amazing. Please let it happen. Please.
2008-08-30 18:32:57
89.   Andrew Shimmin
84- I missed the Loney defense thread last week. I was trying to recapture the magic.
2008-08-30 18:33:10
90.   Bilshaw
Get more runs, Please!
2008-08-30 18:33:40
91.   Deuces are Wild
83 They are indeed, but you can also use the term as a synonym of 'cojones'
2008-08-30 18:33:40
92.   Alex41592
88 - It's the fifth and a lead is nice but lets not go completely crazy.
2008-08-30 18:34:36
93.   JayB
Vinny - "The D-backs strike out alot, the D-backs strike out alot, the D-backs strike out a lot, the D-backs strike out alot....................." Enough already!
2008-08-30 18:34:52
94.   thinkblue88
Oh man, dude is amazing.
2008-08-30 18:35:34
95.   Andrew Shimmin
Manny is a better hitter than Dave Ross.
2008-08-30 18:35:52
96.   Gagne55
lol Manny secured his helmet with his hand in the middle of running to second.
2008-08-30 18:35:54
97.   D4P
Some kind of alert for Manny. Bob is sure missing a lot of cycle stuff these days.
2008-08-30 18:35:59
98.   Deuces are Wild
Manny only needs a triple to go all Christian Guzman on the DBacks
2008-08-30 18:36:45
99.   thinkblue88
98.
Cristian.
2008-08-30 18:37:33
100.   Paul Scott
Think Manny can get that elusive triple? Maybe he could use an aero-helmet for the rest of this game.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-08-30 18:38:05
101.   Gagne55
Yellow Alert for Manny Ramierez in Arizona. This is a yellow alert.
2008-08-30 18:38:40
102.   fracule
95 I would challenge that he is also a better hitter than Cody Ross.
2008-08-30 18:38:57
103.   Tripon
TWO RUN HOMER FOR KEMP!
2008-08-30 18:39:01
104.   thinkblue88
woo hoo!! matt kemp!! opposite power!
2008-08-30 18:39:03
105.   Alex41592
100 - In Chase Field if he hits it to the right center field gap he's got a shot.

MATT KEMP! OPPOSITE FIELD BLAST!

2008-08-30 18:39:10
106.   Andrew Shimmin
Matt Kemp hits pretty good, too.
2008-08-30 18:39:27
107.   Tripon
Also, a runner in scoring position scored. Can't forget that.
2008-08-30 18:39:35
108.   silverwidow
Freaking Bison.
2008-08-30 18:39:35
109.   Paul Scott
/cheer Kemp
2008-08-30 18:39:37
110.   Gagne55
I remember the game in Arizona in which Izturis fell a double short of the cycle. After getting the homer triple and single he had a base hit and got thrown out trying to extend it to a double.
2008-08-30 18:39:54
111.   fracule
Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiison!!
2008-08-30 18:40:03
112.   ucladodger
Amazing what patience will do. No reason to swing early in the count on pitches you cant do much with. Make then come to you, as even the ebst pitchers make mistakes.
2008-08-30 18:40:04
113.   gpellamjr
95 Granted. But imagine if we had Manny and David Ross!
2008-08-30 18:40:25
114.   Andrew Shimmin
102- Hey, if you want to get all controversial and stuff, be my guest. I'm about consensus building.
2008-08-30 18:40:25
115.   Tripon
Matt Kemp is a better hitter than Shane Victorino.
2008-08-30 18:40:26
116.   Tripon
Matt Kemp is a better hitter than Shane Victorino.
2008-08-30 18:41:00
117.   Gagne55
113 We wouldn't even need to have Ardoin!
2008-08-30 18:41:02
118.   Tripon
113 We'd all be grumbling that we traded away Russell Martin for Juan Pierre?
2008-08-30 18:41:26
119.   Deuces are Wild
110 I remember watching that game - was it 2004?
2008-08-30 18:44:14
120.   Gagne55
119 I think it was actually 2003. Izturis was actually a somewhat competent hitter in 2004. And I think I remember it being in September and Izturis being the worst hitter on the terrible hitting team.
2008-08-30 18:44:14
121.   Andrew Shimmin
119- 2003

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200309080.shtml

2008-08-30 18:45:23
122.   Gagne55
Or actually, I remember Finley throwing out Izzy trying to stretch it. And I'm pretty sure the game was in September which would mean it couldn't have been '04.
2008-08-30 18:45:44
123.   Tripon
Kinda amusing that a DePo led team had Izturis as its shortstop. I suppose there was no better options, but Izturis isn't the first guy I think of concerning saber metrics.
2008-08-30 18:46:32
124.   Alex41592
Also, it was the game before the great Edwin Jackson/Randy Johnson showdown.
2008-08-30 18:47:19
125.   Alex41592
Smooth DP.
2008-08-30 18:47:26
126.   thinkblue88
Ace.
2008-08-30 18:48:02
127.   Bilshaw
Great DP!
2008-08-30 18:48:11
128.   CanuckDodger
51 -- No, White was not in player development at that time. He has never been in player development, as a matter of fact. He was the amateur scouting director, and while he no doubt had some say about Dodger prospects, Werth was never a prospect in all the time he was Dodger property, but a full-blown major leaguer, albeit a young one. There is no evidence that Colletti ever consulted White about any players like that, and such consultations certainly fell outside White's job description at the time.

As for your lame attempt to make what you do seem like just the flip side of the coin of my "worshipping" White, nice try -- in being "pro Logan White," and with enthusiasm, I am in the same company as basically everybody that pays any attention to the game of baseball, including the Baseball Prospectus crowd. Your attempts to tear down White put you in the company of nobody: you just look like a lone nut quixotically tilting at windmills.

2008-08-30 18:49:31
129.   bigcpa
The stage is set for Bills to finish with a sub-3.00 ERA. Final 5 starts vs. AZ, @ SD, @ Pitt, vs SF, @ SF. Misses Coors. He needs to throw 30-35ip of 2.25 (8 more ER).
2008-08-30 18:50:18
130.   Gen3Blue
I'd like to say something here, but I don't dare.
2008-08-30 18:50:26
131.   Gagne55
124 That was a really memorable series. I also remember the "Paul Quantrill imploding with Gagne sitting in the bullpen" game which was the third game of the series.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200309100.shtml

2008-08-30 18:51:57
132.   Tripon
Where did that pitch hit Berroa? Snipes does not look like he's in pain!
2008-08-30 18:52:20
133.   Gagne55
123 Depo came too late to get any players before '04. Fortunately for him, Bradley became available at just the right time.
2008-08-30 18:53:01
134.   Andrew Shimmin
Beimel wishes Bob Melvin were the Dodgers' coach.
2008-08-30 18:53:07
135.   Deuces are Wild
121 Thanks for sharing that box score. A couple of comments: I remember how frustrating that team was, and still they were 76-66 with that win; what I would give for this year's team to be 10 games over .500; what a lousy-hitting line-up, only steroid-boy Paul LoDuca was over .280; and look at steroid-enhanced Kevin Brown's 2.44 ERA.
2008-08-30 18:55:58
136.   Tripon
Russell Martin has warning track power.
2008-08-30 18:57:05
137.   Gagne55
Might as well link the Jackson-Unit game as well.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200309090.shtml

2008-08-30 18:57:46
138.   Deuces are Wild
131 That was a tough one - which implosion had a Quentin McCracken HR? I thought it was this one, but in must have been in '02...
2008-08-30 18:59:49
139.   Alex41592
Holy moley.

Manny Ramirez (Red Sox & Dodgers) vs. Arizona this season:

17 for 31 with 3 HR's.

2008-08-30 19:00:27
140.   Gagne55
138 I don't rember that one to be honest. I remembered Finley off of Quantrill. And that Finley was I think 8 for 10 off Quantrill coming into the AB.
2008-08-30 19:00:38
141.   Tripon
Jeff Kent would never make that play. We now know that Blake DeWitt has range.
2008-08-30 19:00:57
142.   Deuces are Wild
It's amazing that we couldn't catch the Marlins that year - I remember a couple of implosions vs. them that year. Like a walkoff from an unknown catcher - Castro? Must have been Juan Pierre's mojo...
2008-08-30 19:01:32
143.   Alex41592
140 - That HR made him 8 for 10 with a HR lifetime.
2008-08-30 19:05:40
144.   Gagne55
142 Off of Victor Alvarez. And it wasn't the backup catcher; it was a utility guy.
2008-08-30 19:05:53
145.   gpellamjr
The difference between the coverage Dunn gets from his new home announcers and that which he received from the jerks in Cincinnati is remarkable.
2008-08-30 19:06:23
146.   Andrew Shimmin
Tripon is catching the fever. I agree. Blake DeWitt is defensively superior to Jeff Kent.
2008-08-30 19:06:24
147.   Deuces are Wild
140 I'm sure this is the one I remembered from '02. It was actually a triple that cost the Dodgers the game. We would have been up 4.5, but we ended up being up 2.5 games.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200207030.shtml
2008-08-30 19:06:29
148.   Gagne55
In Dodger stadium that would have been at least three rows deep.
2008-08-30 19:07:42
149.   Gagne55
147 The Arizona game I remember best in '02 was the "Odalis Perez throws a shutout and hits a homer to win 1-0" game.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200208280.shtml

2008-08-30 19:08:06
150.   Alex41592
Dodgers actually won 5 of 7 from the 2003 World Champs. The only two losses were extra inning walk off losses.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-08-30 19:08:42
151.   Tripon
Whatever fever it is. I don't care if Blake DeWitt can't hit on the major league level this Sept. All I want to see is him gobbling up balls between first and 2nd. Let him be a black hole, at least he'll be a slick fielding black hole.
2008-08-30 19:10:16
152.   Bilshaw
Stopper Ace Chad.Great Job
2008-08-30 19:11:15
153.   LogikReader
My rally cap is firmly planted on! I've had my cap on since the first pitch, hoping for the best. I've been busy with this game, plus the two college football games ('Bama is SLAMMING Clemson!).

Great game so far for our Blue... I hope we can hang on.

2008-08-30 19:11:34
154.   Deuces are Wild
144 That was actually Mike Mordacai (walk-off HR off V.Alvarez.)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO200308130.shtml
The castro HR came the night before. Unbelievable back-to-back losses on walk-off HR's.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO200308120.shtml
2008-08-30 19:11:50
155.   Gagne55
Also form '02: who could forget Mark Grace taking the mound?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200209020.shtml

2008-08-30 19:12:10
156.   Tripon
When will this crowd learn that Manny lives off your boos!
2008-08-30 19:12:43
157.   Tripon
ANOTHER HOMER FOR MANNY!
2008-08-30 19:12:46
158.   thinkblue88
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
MAN RAM!!!!!!!!!
2008-08-30 19:12:48
159.   Gagne55
Stop at third Manny!
2008-08-30 19:12:55
160.   natepurcell
ARE YOU SERIOUS!!?!?
2008-08-30 19:13:07
161.   Alex41592
This is an EPIC series for Manny Ramirez!
2008-08-30 19:13:20
162.   silverwidow
Manny is a decent hitter.
2008-08-30 19:14:03
163.   Alex41592
18 for 32 with FOUR HR's. This season!
2008-08-30 19:14:28
164.   Deuces are Wild
155 Remember that he made that Mike Fetters impression?
2008-08-30 19:14:46
165.   Gagne55
Then there was Gagne's blown save against Arizona in '02. I'd bet nobody thought he'd convert the next 82.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200208260.shtml

2008-08-30 19:15:23
166.   fracule
So, how many of those one run loses do you think would be wins if we had Manny earlier?
2008-08-30 19:15:35
167.   Gagne55
164 Yes! I do remember that!
2008-08-30 19:16:16
168.   Alex41592
165 - Last blown save to Arizona and they were the team to break the streak. Crazy.
2008-08-30 19:17:55
169.   Gagne55
Gagne's streak also ended against Arizona in this game a.k.a. the return of Gio Carrarra.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200407050.shtml

2008-08-30 19:19:58
170.   I Love LA
wow we are actually scoring? Manny is finally just being Manny tonight. Amazing. Where was all this in the past week?????
2008-08-30 19:20:00
171.   Tripon
Blake DeWitt is awesome. That is all.
2008-08-30 19:20:04
172.   Andrew Shimmin
Loney nearly threw that ball away.
2008-08-30 19:20:06
173.   Alex41592
What a smart play by DeWitt. Good defense.
2008-08-30 19:21:33
174.   thinkblue88
ACE!
2008-08-30 19:22:13
175.   Gen3Blue
I guess what I want to say is that the offense needs to be at its best right now. If they do nothing these next two innings they deserve what they get, since our pitching has been non-existant in the late innings.
2008-08-30 19:22:18
176.   Gagne55
Then there was the Ventura and Saenz hit PH grand slams in back to back games against Arizona.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200409070.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200409080.shtml

2008-08-30 19:22:55
177.   Kevin Lewis
8 inches outside. Hyperbole
2008-08-30 19:24:27
178.   Gen3Blue
And remember, Arizona's relievers have been bad.
2008-08-30 19:25:44
179.   Gen3Blue
Are we going to let Pena mow us dowm?
2008-08-30 19:27:40
180.   Gagne55
flares!
2008-08-30 19:28:02
181.   Andrew Shimmin
The kid stays in the picture.
2008-08-30 19:28:02
182.   thinkblue88
no way billz is going another inning?
2008-08-30 19:28:40
183.   Gagne55
182 Would you rather see Park?
2008-08-30 19:29:30
184.   thinkblue88
183
kuo, wade,
2008-08-30 19:29:48
185.   Gen3Blue
I saw the "ey" and I thought it was Sweeney.
Oh my!
2008-08-30 19:30:29
186.   thinkblue88
that was scary....
2008-08-30 19:32:47
187.   eusmus
107 pitches, young pitcher, 5-run lead, runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out ....
2008-08-30 19:33:05
188.   Alex41592
Heilman gives up 4 walks (2 IBB) in the ninth to give the Marlins the victory.
2008-08-30 19:33:32
189.   Gagne55
He's at 107 pitches?!
2008-08-30 19:34:17
190.   Tripon
I rather see Chad go all 9 innings. No point to use Kuo or Broxton in this game.
2008-08-30 19:34:37
191.   Gagne55
I have a bad feeling about this.
2008-08-30 19:34:49
192.   thinkblue88
189
its not crazy high, but still,

and there we go, lead off double.

2008-08-30 19:35:26
193.   Alex41592
Don't worry about Bills until he gets to about 120. Drew has good numbers vs. Bills.
2008-08-30 19:35:37
194.   Gagne55
Bring in Kuo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2008-08-30 19:36:05
195.   silverwidow
I still think it's a dumb move.
2008-08-30 19:36:26
196.   Tripon
Okay, maybe this wasn't the best idea.
2008-08-30 19:36:47
197.   Gagne55
Billz is toast. He's done. Fuel tank is empty.
2008-08-30 19:37:00
198.   thinkblue88
why? why? why?
a pinch hitter should have been used the inning before.
kuo should have started the inning.
2008-08-30 19:37:12
199.   Tripon
Well, Torre knows its a mistake.

Was Bills in there because Kuo still needed to warm up?

2008-08-30 19:37:59
200.   Alex41592
Not Torre's finest hour. Conor Jackson murders left handed pitching. If you're going to pull Bills wait one more batter.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-08-30 19:38:13
201.   ucladodger
There was no reason to bring back Chad. He usually doesnt go much over 100 pitches, plus we could have pinch hit forh im with men on 1st and 2nd with 1 out the previous inning. Kuo and Broxton havent worked much lately, so I really dont get the thinking behind letting Chad hit and pitch the 8th.
2008-08-30 19:38:21
202.   gpellamjr
That was a good play by Manny to make it close at 2B.
2008-08-30 19:39:16
203.   Alex41592
I understand using Bills with a five run lead. It just didn't work out.
2008-08-30 19:40:20
204.   nick
bills bats with two on after having throw 100+ pitches??

joe torre, I though I knew ye....

2008-08-30 19:40:37
205.   Andrew Shimmin
Plus, they could have brought Kuo in to pinch hit.
2008-08-30 19:41:35
206.   Alex41592
Nice pitch Kuo!
2008-08-30 19:41:47
207.   Gen3Blue
Time for Biemel. Even if there isn't a lefty. Then Kuo. But come on Ho Chi, I'm with you all the way.
2008-08-30 19:41:52
208.   Tripon
Kuo strikes out Conner Jackson. Kuo is officially a vet because that pitch was iffy.
2008-08-30 19:42:27
209.   ucladodger
205

Love seeing Kuo hit. And watching Bills try to bunt is really, really painful. He needs to take some lessons from Kershaw on that front.

2008-08-30 19:45:38
210.   Alex41592
He restores Kuorder.
2008-08-30 19:45:43
211.   thinkblue88
woo!
kuo!!
2008-08-30 19:45:54
212.   Tripon
Kuo contains the damage. Kuo is still Cinderella.
2008-08-30 19:47:07
213.   thinkblue88
it's too bad people have given up on this team. even if we don't win the division, missing games like this is silly.
2008-08-30 19:48:19
214.   CanuckDodger
14 pitches from Kuo, and every one of them a fastball. This is why he should stay a reliever.
2008-08-30 19:48:55
215.   Andrew Shimmin
DT is commonly slow on the weekends. I don't think today's quietness is a silent protest.
2008-08-30 19:49:14
216.   Gen3Blue
Why can't we do any offense here?
2008-08-30 19:50:18
217.   LogikReader
Guess what I have waiting for me after the Dodgers game:

Chariots of Fire! dum dum dum dum daaa dum (psh psh psh psh...)

2008-08-30 19:50:51
218.   Gagne55
Walking Manny?
2008-08-30 19:51:44
219.   Gagne55
Yellow alert cancelled. Sit down.
2008-08-30 19:51:56
220.   Tripon
That is a Pyrrhic victory for the D'Backs fans.
2008-08-30 19:53:34
221.   bigcpa
Because of the slow hook, Bills needs 7 1/3 scoreless innings to reach 3.00 ERA.
2008-08-30 19:56:13
222.   Gen3Blue
I hope our relief pitching is great. Because it seems to be written in stone that if we are ahead, our offense must not do anything.
2008-08-30 19:56:40
223.   fracule
I'm giddy with anticipation.
2008-08-30 19:57:01
224.   Tripon
He is Hung-Chin Kuo, and he is a monster that cannot be stopped.
2008-08-30 19:57:36
225.   Gagne55
I think the Diamondbacks strike out a lot.
2008-08-30 19:57:42
226.   thinkblue88
wow, kuo is awesome.
2008-08-30 19:58:01
227.   MonkeyBlue
Our losing streak over?
2008-08-30 19:59:00
228.   Bilshaw
hard stuf & great command Kuo!
2008-08-30 19:59:02
229.   Tripon
can't wait for Eckstein to join the D'Backs. It'll make their team weaker.
2008-08-30 19:59:13
230.   LogikReader
I have to disagree with Vin here. He doesn't say it, but he's implying batters strike out more and it's a problem. I don't think it's as big a problem as it is perceived.

Can Kuo hang on??

2008-08-30 19:59:28
231.   Tripon
Wait, why is Broxton warming up? Torre, stop this maddness!
2008-08-30 20:00:48
232.   silverwidow
You Spin Me Right Round Baby Right Round Like a Record Baby Right Round Round Round.
2008-08-30 20:01:01
233.   Alex41592
231 - If the Diamondbacks get another man on base it will be a save situation. He'll probably hook Kuo after Drew.

Nevermind! KUO! A WIN!

2008-08-30 20:01:11
234.   MonkeyBlue
Slinging and slanging!
2008-08-30 20:01:27
235.   Tripon
We finally win a game. Amazing. Lets see if we can win tomorrow.
2008-08-30 20:01:33
236.   thinkblue88
5k's in 2ip.
damn kuo is something else.
2008-08-30 20:02:54
237.   Alex41592
ESPN2 game tomorrow night at 5 p.m. Lowe and Webb. Yes, that means Joe Morgan. I wonder if Vinny will do radio. Probably not.
2008-08-30 20:03:05
238.   fracule
Now, to the Padre game to root on the Friars.
2008-08-30 20:08:41
239.   silverwidow
Lambo has a double and a triple tonight.

Meanwhile, DeJesus has 3 walks and 2 steals.

Awesome.

2008-08-30 20:10:20
240.   Sam DC
Woot.
2008-08-30 20:15:01
241.   natepurcell
239

Lambo has lots of XBHs!

2008-08-30 20:15:41
242.   jasonungar07
I wish the dodgers would lock up Chad long term now. He needs to pitch the next 10 years with us.
2008-08-30 20:16:17
243.   Alex41592
Tony Jackson has a list of callups for Monday:

Andruw Jones, Scott Proctor, Chin-lung Hu, A.J. Ellis, Delwyn Young, James McDonald, Eric Stults and Clayton Kershaw.

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/

2008-08-30 20:18:04
244.   natepurcell
Dejesus also extends his hitting streak to 22 games.
2008-08-30 20:19:46
245.   Tripon
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/winter-baseball/arizona-fall-league/2008/266760.html

Scroll to the bottom for info on Dodgers prospects to the AFL. Comments on DeJesus, Lambo, Lucas May, and Scott Elbert.

2008-08-30 20:21:54
246.   JRSarno
Thanks, Manny.
2008-08-30 20:24:27
247.   Gen3Blue
I have to admit I value defense at certain positions more than most. But imagine the strength we have in the middle infield with DeWitt,Hu, and DeJesus, if Coletti doesn't mess up. Of course I have to state that he may have already messed up with these Pto beNL, but the chances are good he didn't.
2008-08-30 20:24:41
248.   Bilshaw
Career High 13 Win today. Congratulation Billingsley
2008-08-30 20:31:51
249.   Gen3Blue
I'd say the Dodgers have two world class hitters,in Manny and Kemp. I'm just afraid I don't want much to do with Manny's 38-40 age seasons.
2008-08-30 20:33:09
250.   Gen3Blue
Detinitely congrats to Bill's and many more great years.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-08-30 20:34:01
251.   ToyCannon
Not that I'm ancient but in my time I don't remember a Dodger prospect jumping from Low A to AA and doing what Lambo has done during his first week in AA.
If that draft was held again I think he'd be a top 15 pick.
2008-08-30 20:36:06
252.   ToyCannon
http://tinyurl.com/6nl85v
2008-08-30 20:38:43
253.   Gagne55
Andrew Lambo-Future MLB Star

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16439536916&ref=ts

2008-08-30 20:39:44
254.   ToyCannon
243
Glad to see Ellis getting the call. This might be his only chance to get some major league time.
D Young has been el fuego during the past week and Proctor might even be able to help if healthy.
Webb was destroyed by the Padres in his last start. We can hope he's tired and that we somehow figure out a way to win this game.
2008-08-30 20:40:32
255.   Tripon
252 Does anyone know what Lambo's bonus is? I'm surprised that Lambo's character issues made him drop to the 4th round. From the stuff I read about him (here on DT and elsewhere) it sounds more like he's just er, odd. Like James Loney odd, or Manny odd. Which shouldn't affect his draft status.
2008-08-30 20:41:17
256.   Tripon
254 En fuego, not el Fuego. El Fuego is The Fire. En Fuego is on fire.
2008-08-30 20:42:50
257.   Tripon
I'd like to see the backup catcher's spot go to Ellis next year. No point on spending money on that position for no reason.
2008-08-30 20:50:30
258.   Gen3Blue
(Rarely) I put on ESN to see the baseball results, and most of their time is devoted to football. These students must be so eager to learn that they go in August. When I went not many colleges started before Sept.
2008-08-30 20:55:33
259.   ToyCannon
255
He had several problems which have been documented over and over. Doesn't change the fact he was of the best HS players (hitter and pitcher) in Southern California but you could understand about the character issues. Luckily our scout dug deeper and made the recommendation.
2008-08-30 20:57:39
260.   ToyCannon
257
Shouldn't you watch Ellis play before making that determination? For all we know he's been a career minor league catcher for the right reasons.
2008-08-30 20:57:46
261.   CanuckDodger
255 -- Lambo's signing bonus was $164,250.
2008-08-30 20:58:02
262.   Tripon
Chan Ho Park said he wants to be a starter again -- and he said that if he has to choose this winter between staying with the Dodgers as a reliever or signing elsewhere as a free agent to be a starter, he would likely move.

Well, see you in San Diego Chan Ho Park.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-dodfyi31-2008aug31,0,2577884.story

2008-08-30 20:59:49
263.   Tripon
260 He can't be any worse than Gary Bennett or Ardoin has been this year(and I actually like Ardoin's play for the most part when he's catching.) But you're right, its just I can't see Ellis getting much time behind the plate unless its an extra innings game, or Ardoin's hurt.
2008-08-30 21:07:07
264.   Tripon
Manny Ramirez after homering twice got out of his clubhouse chair, raised both arms fists clenched and declared, "Thank you Joe for cutting my hair!"

http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/prosports/mlb/dodgers/

2008-08-30 21:10:19
265.   MC Safety
243 Seeing James in the bigs playing for the hometown Dodgers is going to be something. Hope he gets to a start a game at home in front of family and friends. Man, it's sure been a lucky 13 years since the 1995 Long Beach Little League Major Giants. Never would have thought anyone on that squad would be playing in the bigs one day. Talk about a rag tag bunch. Here's to another 13+ years of success in Dodger Blue.
2008-08-30 21:12:30
266.   Tripon
Maybe James McDonald starts a couple of games in place of Kershaw.
2008-08-30 21:16:29
267.   bhsportsguy
Baseball America had Lambo ranked as the No. 29 prospect in California (No. 162 overall).
2008-08-30 21:17:09
268.   LogikReader
264

The haircut HELPED him hit better? If yea, wow, go barbers!

2008-08-30 21:20:29
269.   fanerman
Victory!
2008-08-30 21:21:03
270.   ToyCannon
267
Just goes to show that even with all that knowledge you still miss.

Ex-Top Giant prospect Jerome Williams not doing to bad for our Vegas team.

2008-08-30 21:23:02
271.   ToyCannon
SS Juan Gonzalez got the save tonight for Jacksonville when the Suns scored 3 runs in the 12th. I wonder how many position players have ever nailed down a game?
2008-08-30 21:23:37
272.   Andrew Shimmin
Oregon's stupid shoes make me crazy. I always think there's a flag on the play.
2008-08-30 21:34:48
273.   Andrew Shimmin
How old is Bill Macdonald? FSN may not have the budget to get him into the Fred Roggin fountain of eternal youth.
2008-08-30 21:41:29
274.   Tripon
Tony Jackson said that Bills won't pitch again until next Sat.(six days of rest) because Lowe who pitches on Sunday will pitch on Friday on normal's day rest with the off day on Monday.

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/

I assume the decision was made to give Bills an extra day of rest. The guy already is reaching career numbers in innings pitched.

2008-08-30 22:29:41
275.   underdog
Greetings from the Russian River!

Caught the game in the archives just now. I'm speechless about Manny in this series. Incredible. Even Darren Sutton said he couldn't find words to describe it.

And thank the Lord, a win for pete's sake.

Kudos to Bills, too.

One at a time, folks.

Have a great weekend.

2008-08-30 22:32:40
276.   Alex41592
274 - It was done so Lowe doesn't have to pitch in Coors Field. Great decision.
2008-08-30 22:41:17
277.   Tripon
Third baseman Andy LaRoche, out in favor of Doug Mientkiewicz, took extra grounders in the afternoon as infield instructor Tony Beasley addressed his footwork.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08244/908382-63.stm

2008-08-30 22:55:03
278.   silverwidow
Bills is set to pitch the season finale (9/28 vs. SF).
2008-08-30 23:00:28
279.   Gagne55
277 Mientkiewicz plays third?
2008-08-30 23:27:52
280.   Gilberto Reyes
So what happened to all the people who gave up on the season last night after the Dodgers lost that "must win" game?
2008-08-31 00:43:22
281.   LoneStar7
I saw smiles in the dugout tonight, I wont give up hope as long as they don't

Glad I got to catch todays game on tv with a friends mlb package, tomorrow is a huge test though..

2008-08-31 00:50:17
282.   ibleedbloo
I just returned home after being gone for about a week. Over the last week I was in 3 major U.S. cities, I saw four baseball stadiums, some of our country's most historic land marks, and also some of our country's biggest tourist attractions.

None of that, however, compares to what I did when I laid-over in Phoenix.

http://tinyurl.com/me-and-mr-scully

2008-08-31 06:59:33
283.   scareduck
282 - that is awesome.

Man, does Scully look tired.

2008-08-31 07:33:24
284.   D4P
Watched a good movie last night. A French (er, Freedom) thriller called "Tell No One". It's a bit like "The Fugitive", but more of a plot-twisting mystery and with an even happier ending.
2008-08-31 08:10:13
285.   Bob Hendley
Caught the game (saying that makes me feel like Bennett) from the coast of Oaxaca with salamaders climbing the walls. Would have joined them if we hadn't won. Great to have that monkey off our backs. Looking forward to the kids getting here and hope that Torre knows how to use them effectively.
2008-08-31 09:59:48
286.   Paul Scott
We still have about a 24% chance to make the playoffs. Not too bad. Not hopeless by a wide margin.
2008-08-31 10:01:24
287.   Andrew Shimmin
Vin wears a pocket square to the airport. Of course.
2008-08-31 10:03:25
288.   D4P
Some people wear pens to picnics.
2008-08-31 10:12:20
289.   Andrew Shimmin
I would have let them in the car, but I didn't trust the neighborhood enough. Having my car stolen would have been bad enough--if I'd lost my pens, too--well, that would have been devastating.
2008-08-31 10:20:57
290.   D4P
Losing pens : Car stolen :: Having newspaper stolen : House burning down
2008-08-31 10:39:45
291.   Andrew Shimmin
290- Well, I disagree, but would defend to the death your right to say that.

Unless I had something better to do. Which, while it's not usually a good bet, you know, having to die because of an analogy would be pretty powerful incentive to join a book club, or something.

2008-08-31 10:45:10
292.   D4P
291
I didn't mean for you to disagree, by which I mean that I didn't mean to imply that stolen cars and burned down houses are worse than losing pens and stolen newspapers. I was just trying so summarize your recent dichotomies, without making any value judgments.
2008-08-31 10:50:11
293.   Andrew Shimmin
292- Oh, well you got it backwards--

stolen car : stolen pens :: stolen newspaper : burnt down house

2008-08-31 10:56:26
294.   D4P
293
I thought the stolen pens and newspapers were supposedly worse than the stolen cars and burnt houses.
2008-08-31 11:01:20
295.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2008-08-31 11:35:41
296.   Andrew Shimmin
294- Pierre was the house, Werth was the newspaper. The paper was irritating, the house was inexcusable.

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