i hope jackson doesnt get completely killed.

im setting my standards low today so i wont get dissapointed and go in a week long depression.

don't be too surprised if Jackson pitches a good game...and we beat up on Willis again

it will make my week if that happens.

but for now, i will be a pessimist for the day so i wont be dissapointed.

EJ's prediction:

5.2 innings. 7hits 4Runs 3K's 2bb's

I expect at least Derek Thompson quality today from EJ. Anything less, and I will be disappointed.

I'm shocked by Omar Daal's exclusion from the 21st-Century All Star Team.

Kevin Brown is the only repeater. And with him, this makes a 3-man rotation. I know this is only an excercise, but since these are modern stats, such a roster is at least possible. With that in mind, who would make out the rest of the Dodger rotation?

Perez 2002 or 2003, and Penny 2005?

Perez at 3b instead of Robles...Tracy must really want to win this one...

A very un-Tracy lineup again today. Perhaps his body has been taken over by aliens?

7 Odalis or Carlos? ;-)

Four switch hitters in the lineup (Izturis, Bradley, Cruz, and Navarro). Everyone Willis faces will be batting from the right side.

I just noticed that Shawn Green is also a repeater at 1st and RF. I would keep him at first, and put the 2004 Steve Finley in right.

A good outing from Jackson and a fine defensive performance from Perez would make my day.

8 It's God's turn in the God vs. The Devil competition that began a few days ago...

Whats the LineUp today?

12 If no repeaters are allowed, I would put Karros at first and Green at RF.

Izturis ss
Perez 3B
Bradley CF
Kent 2B
Saenz 1B
Werth LF
Cruz RF
Navarro C
Jackson P

Another legit lineup from Tracy. This is about the best I could hope for against a lefty, save Cesar dropping to the 8 hole.

Odalis to the DL I assume since he isn't listed among the reserves on Gameday?

I'm surprised Repko didn't start, since he's got a HR against Willis.

In 2003. In Double-A.

Of course, he may have gone on the DL today to make room for Jackson. Anyone hear yet what the Dodgers' roster move was?

17. Exactly right. Someone slipped Tracy som smart pills for today's lineup. I can even forgive him for batting Izzy leadoff again, since Izzy is 5-7 against Willis.

Random Dodger game callback

August 22, 1918

With the season about to come to a premature end as the newspapers were filled with casualty counts from World War I, instead of baseball scores, two teams playing out the string, Brookyn and St. Louis, split a doubleheader at Robison Field. The Cardinals won the first game 4-3 and the Dodgers won the second one 5-2. Brooklyn was in fifth place at 53-62 and 22 games behind first place Chicago.

Because of wartime labor shortages, the government ordered the season to end on Labor Day. And on this day, the Secretary of War gave indications that he would allow the World Series to be played. But for the rest of the world, there wasn't much to be happy about. Fortunately, the war would end in three months, although baseball would play another abbreviated schedule in 1919.

In the opener, Brooklyn started Rube Marquard and he gave up 10 hits and walked four in 8 2/3 innings pitched. It was 8 2/3 because Marquard walked Bruno Betzel with the bases loaded to force in John Brock with the game-winning run. Brock, a seldom-used backup catcher, would go 4 for 7 in the doubleheader.

Brooklyn managed 9 hits off of St. Louis starter Bill Sherdel, including a triple from Hi Myers. Zack Wheat had three hits.

In the nightcap, Brooklyn started George Smith and he too gave up 10 hits, but he was able to scatter them around better and also issued no walks, so the Cardinals could only score twice. Brooklyn was more efficient using six hits and three walks to score five runs. The Dodgers left only one runner on base.

There wasn't much more of the 1918 season left and Brooklyn would win just four more games and finish 57-69, 25 ½ games behind the Cubs and in fifth place.

Zack Wheat was the Dodgers standout, leading the NL in batting average at .335, his only batting title. Jake Daubert led the NL in triples with 15. But the Dodgers season was symbolized best by third baseman Ollie O'Mara who batted .213, had an OBP of .242 and a SLG of .242. Brooklyn hit just 10 home runs overall. Pitcher Jack Coombs gave up 10 on his own.

Coombs played his last full year in the majors and went 8-14 with a 3.81 ERA. He also played some in the outfield and played both games of the doubleheader this day in right field. Coombs had won 31 games for the A's in 1910 and 28 in 1911 and he was the first Dodger to ever win a World Series game.

Burleigh Grimes had an outstanding season, going 19-9 with a 2.14 ERA. Marquard led the league in losses with 18, but had an ERA of just 2.64.

Brooklyn might have had a slightly better record if the whole season had been played out. But the early end kept the team from having a balanced schedule. So Brooklyn played just 54 games at Ebbets Field and 72 on the road, where the Dodgers went 24-48.

Thanks to the Washington Post, BaseballReference.com and Retrosheet

i hope jackson takes this start, takes off, and never gives the rotation spot back...

oh wait damn, im being optimistic again.

19. OP was DL'ed. That means EJ's gonna get at least 2-3 starts likely.

For those who missed it at the end of yesterday's thread, here's the last time these two faced each other:

http://jaxsuns.com/games/050303100455.shtml

OP probably hurt himself during his visit home, Think about it, He gets back on wed. starts does poorly and all of sudden he's hurt because he had to reach for a high throw? Are you kidding me? He hurt himself drinking.

I object to the 21st Century selections because I'm on one of those people who doesn't think 2000 is part of the 20th Century.

And would that surprise anybody here?

"I object to the 21st Century selections because I'm on one of those people who doesn't think 2000 is part of the 20th Century."
-----

Hey, your personal life is your own business, Bob...

2000 is not in the 21st century!

I am listening on mlb radio on the Internet. Soon as I found out it was Mo and Al, I switched to the Marlins station. Wouldn't you know it, Gentleman Al Downing is being interviewed on the Marlins station!

29- What part of Tokyo are you in Jeff?

26 I'm confused...2000 is NOT part of the 20th century, as you noted. So, you object because you agree with the statement that 2000 IS a part of the 21st century?

28 Okay, you cleared up your position, though you're wrong. ;-)

25. Oblique strains are nothing to joke about. Tim Hudson has been on the DL a few times this season with them, and also had them in Oakland as well.

I'm afraid OP's deal is gonna look like the worst move DePo made. Because his contract is pretty backloaded. I think next year he makes 10mils.

Perhaps I should have bolded the quote in 27 so people would get the joke...

"I object to the 21st Century selections because I'm on one of those people who doesn't think 2000 is part of the 20th Century."

31

I tend to detract from my dogmatic stances on unimportant matters by making typos.

28 reflects my true stance.

29. What time is it in Tokyo? You must be up pretty late! Its only Noon on Monday here.

yakface, I live in Yokohama Tsuzuki-ku, and work in Tokyo near Gotanda. Are you in country?

I was about 2 weeks ago, My parents Live in Chofu.

35 Ha ha, like I said, you're wrong. :)

Yakface, Chofu is a nice neighborhood.

Oldbear,it is 2am. I should be sleeping. But, we really need this win.

Are you a Yakult Swallows fan? I went to a couple of their games, it was great.

24. Eric Enders - The Marlins announcer mentioned the previous willis-jackson matchup in 2003 you referenced. He said that it was Willis' final minor league start.

Nice lead off batting for Cesar!

41. Yak, I am a Hanshin Tigers fan. My wife is from Osaka. But I do not dislike the Swallows. In fact they are my second favorite team whenever they play the Giants.

Izzy walks!!!

BAh

Why is Bradley out of the game?

No wonder we've had little success in the 21 century if that is the best lineup we could produce. It would be an interesting exercise to add up the VORP for all of the teams 21st century team and see where we sit.

At least we know that Lima would be the pitcher in the playoff game:)

Bradley is out of the game. It's because baseball is not his life. He is probably off to a poetry reading in South Beach.

There's a rabbit loose!

Bradley out of the game.

Bradley out of the game.

Bradley out of the game.

49 Get the shotgun.

So, are there any fans at this game? A Monday afternoon game on a really hot day.

I wonder if Bradley wanted out so he wouldn't have to play with Jeff Kent. He wouldn't go that far would he?

Does anyone know why Bradley left? Injury? Arguing with the ump after the double play? Throwing buckets of baseballs after the double play?

2K's 2hits 1 BB 1 Run odd.

cheap hit by delgado. but 1st inning nerves got to jackson. hopefully he'll calm down and when i get back from class, hopefully we won.

At 34 pitches per inning, Jackson should give us a solid three innings today.

I forget, but does Jackson always take this long when he pitches?

EJ's last pitch was clocked at 97, according to the Marlins announcers.

From the radio, it sounds like a pretty decent crowd. Probably lots of kids.

He probably hurt himself hustling.

56 - if it was after running out a DP, he probably has a pulled hamstring

I would assume that the Marlins gave away a lot of tickets.

Milton: irritated left patella tendon

The report on Bradley: hurt his knee mildly when lunging for first base in first inning.

65. according to marlins booth

66- In your face Kent!

To extend the earlier argument, 2000 definitely is NOT part of the 21st Century.

FWIW, I'm editing an interview with Vladimir Guerrero right now and the interviewer asked him the following question:

"MLB: Didn't you nearly go to the Dodgers until a last-minute snag?
VG: I don't want to comment on how close the Dodgers were. It doesn't matter now. I always thought that this is where I wanted to go. Long-term, you want to go where people have trust in you and play in an environment like Angel Stadium and for an owner [Arte Moreno] who is a fan of the game. It makes it interesting. It is a right fit."

69
The 626 crowd refuses to put 2000 in the 21st century!

Hi all. Back from a week of no computer and hardly any tv. Saw an occasional ticker, including the magical saturday when, waiting for the Dodger score, I turned to my wife and said "Man, I hope they put up 11 runs tonight." Honest. Course, I guess I should have said, "Man, I hope we can all just get along" or some such.

Anyhow, watching the scores, I expect the acceptance/denial pendulum was swinging fiercely this week . . .

My 4-year old wears a Dodger cap a lot of the time (not because of me or even the Dodgers, really, but because of his hero from The Sandlot). So we get other LA transplants coming up to make conversation every now and again. This last week I met a guy who was a big Dodgers fan growing up in the 70s, but quit rooting for the team, or even watching baseball after Steve Garvey went to San Diego. For no real reason, he says, he started rooting for the team again this year, got a new jersey (Izturis), got mlb extra innings, and "feel in love all over again" during the 12-2 run at the beginning of the season. Needless to say, he's a bit bitter at the moment.

Am I the only one sick of the Dodgers having so many anti-Gibsons on the team? JD Drew we all know about. Then there ODP going on the DL with a mild oblique strain and now Milton. First, he misses a month with a sprained finger, and now this.

It seems the only gamer right now (among the walking wounded) is Ledee.

68 or else Kent is thinking, "See what happens when he actually hustles?"

Kent Scores- In your face milton!

the drama of gameday's "in play, run-scoring play" line never gets old.

Milton: irritated left patella tendon
Milton: irritated Kent.

Gameday had some issues there because Jose Cruz's AB was skipped and we went to straight to Navarro.

This is a hard game to follow online. I think the Gameday operator is being affected by the heat.

69 Okay, pretend you're counting your fingers, only difference being, you're counting half a finger at a time. So, when you have gotten to 9.5 fingers, you are on your 10th finger. So, when you start the year 2000, it is the 2001st year.

69 Okay, pretend you're counting your fingers, only difference being, you're counting half a finger at a time. So, when you have gotten to 9.5 fingers, you are on your 10th finger. So, when you start the year 2000, it is the 2001st year.

Edwin needs to pound the zone right now. Bottom of the lineup. Keep the momentum going.

79

It's a calendar, not an odometer.

You guys are aware that, If you get 4 free trial issues of SI you get gameday audio for free, for the rest of the season. You just signup then cancel your subscription, you dont pay a penny.

Woo hoo! Everything was great there except for Cruz's baserunning gaffe. Even EJ gave it a ride.

Btw, about the blog topic today - kinda sad that Green gets the 1B nod given how little he played there, but just speaks to our inconsistency at the position so far this century. Chris Donnells? Wow..

78 Maybe the operator's just got first inning nerves. Hopefully, he/she'll settle down by the time Nate gets back from class.

78: Confused GameDay still less confusing then listening to Rick Monday.

82 Odometers count miles, calendars count time. What's the diff?

Dontrelle Willis is threatening to turn into the anti-Larry Jaster or, for our younger readers, the anti-Brian Lawrence.

97 mph fastball. He looks good this inning - more relaxed motion, ball lower in the zone, nice rhythm.

A smooth bottom of the second for both Jackson and Gameday.

The difference is that odometers start at 0.

There was no year 0. There was Year 1 B.C., and then there was Year 1 A.D.

So, the "2nd decade" didn't start until year 11 A.D.

...and the 2nd Century didn't start until 101 A.D.

and so on.

For me, the argument stating that 2000 does not mark the beginning of the 21st century is akin to the grammar rule stating that a sentence should not end with a preposition. As Sir Churchill famously said, "That is nonsense up with which I shall not put."

For me, the argument stating that 2000 does not mark the beginning of the 21st century is akin to the grammar rule stating that a sentence should not end with a preposition. As Sir Churchill famously said, "That is nonsense up with which I shall not put."

I use CBS Sportsline instead of Gameday...I have found it to be more accurate.

Everything I need to know about calendars I've learned from watching "Jeopardy!" and listening to the one hit by Zager and Evans.

92 -- Sorry, that argument fails, too. The phrase is "put up with": only someone trying to be funny would split it up.

Everybody else would say "I shall not put up with this nonsense."

People think 2000 marks the beginning of the 20th Century because it's a Big Round Number.

91 Yeah, you are right about the difference between an odometer and calendar. I was confused. I agree with Bob now. ;-) I've tried so many times to convince my friends that 2000 is NOT the start of the 21st century, that it looks like they convinced me instead.

96 "People think 2000 marks the beginning of the 20th Century because it's a Big Round Number."

You mean 21st, right?

96. Humma. Actually, Sir Winston WAS trying to be funny.

80, 98. That arument might work if we started with the year 0. Unfortunately, we started with the year 1.

Before anybody gets worked up over the 2000/21st century thing, I will say that my stance is based on my desire to be contrary and pedantic on an unimportant matter.

I was just upset that the only "000" year in my lifetime was a leap year. Stupid Gregorian calendar adjustment!

98. Sorry, I hadn't read post 97 yet.

Mark me down as part of the crowd that KNOWS the 21st century started in 2001.

I've also done the SI free-issues, free MLB Audio move in year's past. But, this year I signed up at the beginning of the year and paid the $15 (the SI offer wasn't yet available). I've found the $15 to be well worth it.

Is anybody watching the game on TV? How does Jackson look?

99 - I know. Of course he was. I just hate that example of why the grammar rule encouraging writers not to end sentences with prepositions is silly.

The rule may or may not be silly, but that example isn't why.

98- Yes, 21st. Typo.

Jackson looks very good. He was nervous and wild in the 1st inning, but since then he's throwing strikes, with a nice little slider and a fastball in the high 90's.

I am listening to the Marlins announcer. On the fly ball to center, I could have sworn he called Repko, "Petco."

We can quickly solve the 21st Century argument, by saying this is the Dodger team of the 00's.

Well, he just walked Easley ahead of Cabrera. He's tends to nibble too much after getting ahead in the count.

Jackson seems to be very afraid of Damion Easley.

Maybe he stole his lunch money once.

If allowed, I would let Damion Easley hit off a tee during his at bat. What's the worst that can happen?

108. Replace "solve" with "avoid."

Jackson looks to have one of those "heavy" fasballs when he's throwing right. It looks like it darts around downward in the zone. With command, he'll be everything he's advertised to be.

The Killer Tomatoe is unbelievably slow around the bases.

I hope Kent chews Saenz out for not scoring from first. Wait, it's Old Maid I'm talking about. Nevermind

114 Slower than Phillips?

Great, worst case, we get the speedy, patient Cesar leading off next inning!

Massive cut from Edwin. He's going for the Salami.

Good time for Jackson's first MLB hit.

or walk.

116

That run from 1st to 3rd on the Cruz double was in super slo-mo. Cabrera had a long run to the ball, way over in the corner. As he was approaching the ball, they cut to Old Maid and he was JUST rounding 2nd. I don't know what happened.

Edwin's fastball is nasty. It really moves around.

So is LoDuca resting his hammy or his heart and soul?

Perez just got himself benched for the rest of the season. Losing a ball in the midday sun is NOT scrappy.

Ugh. Tracy will never start Antonio at 3rd again. Ever.

120 Did he think the ball was going to be caught?

Speaking of LoDuca. Tracy sure seems to be pining for Paulie. He paid him a nice comment in today's paper.

That was not a baseball savvy play by Perez

Nice 12-6 curveball from Edwin. He seems to have more control of that pitch than his fastball.

Substitute compliment for comment in 126.

What did AP do? I didn't see an error in the box score.

Perez lost a foul pop from Delgado in the sun. He didn't get charged with an error.

He lost a ball in the sun in foul territory, and the next pitch Delgado hit for a single.

re:120, 125 There were two outs I believe. Should have been running on contact.

and that should solidify him as our leadoff hitter for the rest of the season :(

117. JeffinTokyo. quoting myself, "Great, worst case, we get the speedy, patient Cesar leading off next inning!" I just removed my tongue from my cheek.

With DW pitching, that foul that dropped could be the game. What do you think, was it an act of god or would an experienced infielder be expected to get it.

I must have jinxed Edwin - he hung that curve to Gonzalez.

I'm sure Saenz was running on contact. That just doesn't help him all that much.

Just when we thought there was hope with the skipper.

did Repko try to bunt before he struck out with 2 on, and no out?

Bradley is out?

Repko fouled off a bunt before he struck out.

boooooo

can one boo on a game chat?

Anyone see how far that Kent fly was? Looked like it was close to being out on Gameday.

"141. Gen3Blue
Bradley is out? "

After grounding into a DP in the 1st, he took the rest of the day off to get in touch of his inner self.

Or, if you want to go with the official story, he hurt his patellar tendon when he landed funny at first base.

How has Sir Edwin looked?

actually, I think the bunt was the right call with Repko. I would have given him two chances to get it down instead of the one he received.

76 If I remember correctly, last year we had the even more dramatic simple statement that the ball was "in play" and then the long, long wait until the complete text description came through.

bring out the tee dangit!!!

143
You can boo in game chat, but it won't do much good.

But we can wonder why Edwin Jackson has walked Damion Easley three times!

EJ is having trouble finding the stike zone. Oh-oh.

I get the impression that Angel is not a pitcher's umpire. The Marlins announcers have been B'ing and Moaning a lot tonight.

Jeff, they would have walked Kent though to bring up Saenz the DP. It's not like with Repko's speed you worry about a double play much.

152
You know you can pick the Dodgers broadcast if you want.

But since it would be Rick Monday and Al Downing, I would stick with Dave Van Horne and his sidekick.

Alex, If so, I would like my chances with Old Maid with the bases loaded and 1 out.

EJ is at 101 pitches and is STILL in there to face Delgado..

151 - you just now noticed this? He's been barely throwing more than half of his pitches for strikes all game.

154 Bob I am purposely avoiding Mo and Al. What I meant about the Marlins announcers is that they were complaining about Angel's strike zone, and to be fair they were conceding that he was pinching Edwin too.

Speaking of Tracy's compliment about Lo Duca,

He competed very well, Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said of Vargas, a native of Apple Valley who played at Long Beach State. "He threw strikes. He had a catcher behind the plate [Paul Lo Duca] I've seen more than once take a young pitcher and do good things with him."

How many young pitchers has LoDuca done good things with??? I remember Odalis Perez' season a couple of years ago which would qualify, but other than that nothing rings a bell. Am I forgetting any of LoDuca's good deeds with young pitchers??

147 - Yes, yes, yes! Repko should be bunting right there.

Maybe Tracy needed to be reminded that Repko was only subbing for the #3 hitter.

true Jeff, that isn't the worst possible thing, but I dont like that at the expense of giving up an our with Repko and an at bat with Kent. But oh well, someone mentioned how the Dodgers shouldn't be doing much bunting if for no other reason than they stink at it.

157 Sorry, yes, I just noticed. Committing the sin of actually doing more work and only occasionally dropping in for the 'cast. Forgive me, I will re-prioritize.

But this isn't a save situation! Brazoban is doomed!

161 - You'd have the pitcher bunt right there, though.

I consider Repko only a slight upgrade from a pitcher.

Repko is our best bunter but his failed bunt attempt probably cost us at least one run in that inning.

We do not need to see Brazoban here. Doom!!

Brazoban is our "long man" now?

Shouldn't this be Dessens time?

Was the the longest sub-5 inning performance by a Dodger pitcher this year (in terms of pitches thrown)?

Sure felt that way!!

I was hoping for a QS from Jackson today. We'll need him if O Perez is going to be out for while.

maybe LoDuca caught Jackson's game vs 'Zona? That's a funny quote. I can't think of any other young pitchers we've had.

167. I think Dessens and Carrara are our setup and LOOGY for now.

It's officially "Revenge of the Demoted Closers" now.

Alfonseca vs. Brazoban. Don't play with matches around these two.

EJ not so quality today. 4.2 5h 5bb 3ER 3K's.

Worst thing is he threw 107 pitches. Way too many.

How long is OP gonna be out? Will Edwin stay for another start or 2?

174. From Foxsports.com

Dodgers placed LHP Odalis Perez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Thursday, with a strained right oblique muscle. It looks like Edwin Jackson might be needed to make two or more starts. Perez won't be eligible to return until Sept. 2.

maybe Tracy's a genius and I can't figure him out, but why not leave Braz out there one more inning instead of wasting Dessens for only one inning with the pitcher's spot due up?

Nice to see Saenz can still bend down.

176. alex 7 said:
"maybe Tracy's a genius and I can't figure him out"

Heck no, and join the ever growing club.

176. It does seem little strange that Tracy will waste Braz with only one batter when we might need lot of relief pitching today. But I'm not surprised with Tracy's logic anymore this season.

Maybe Tracy didn't want Braz to pitch too much because he pitched an inning yesterday.

176 - He did execute the double-switch there, but he wouldn't have needed to if Braz would've gone out there one more inning.

Tracy just wanted to show off by proving he knows how to double-switch.

Won't waste Dessens. Double switch. Cruz Jr came out, and Valentin will bat 9th and play LF (Werth moved to RF).

maybe fanerman, but then why not bring in Dessens instead of Braz in the first place? Just don't like that Dessens will be pinch hit for after just one inning or that he'll lead off.

176 It was "smokejumper" type of use of Braz. I think he planned on using an EJ-Dessens combo all along. Dessens for 6-7, Schmoll for 8 and Duaner for 9.

Tracy probably felt he got lucky with Braz for one out and didn't want to take a chance or Braz wasn't feeling up to pitching anymore today (he did pitch 1 inning yesterday).

182 - But he did waste Cruz Jr and Valentin by double switching there.

thanks gobears, didn't notice that

182. GoBears: he still wasted Braz (and Cruz)

This is like Tracy PH for someone with Perez and then calling Ledee to PH for Perez. We could end up using Weaver as PH today.

172 - The theme continues...

188 Depends on whether you think Braz is up to it. I don't. I think it was the right use of Braz. I would have put Choi in at he 9th spot, though :)

wait, I'm just now figuring it out. Valentin went in for "I can hit now!" Cruz? yuck.

Tough strike out, but Valentin is still a great clubhouse presence. I just wish he would spend more time in there.

Cruz was having a good day for a change. I guess Tracy felt that there were no more hits from Cruz today.

This would really hurt if we lose this 3-2. Willis was very vulnerable today.

Valentin is almost as useless as Erickson now.

regardless of all the substitutions and battle of former quality relievers, the game will come down to a Choi pinch-hit appearance either in the 8th or 9th.

196. ddgr For me, the question is, who is more damaging? Since Scotty is throwing his gopher balls in the Nevada desert, Joe Valentine "wins" by default.

I think 181 had it right. If you're going to double-switch, then replacing the guy who made the last out (Cruz) was the right way to do it. I can't fault him for the way he used Brazoban. Haven't we been asking for a smokejumper? That's what he did.

i'd like to request another smoke jumper please...

Is Carrara warming up?

yeah gobears, I didn't see the double switch, the move makes some sense now. Regardless, it might not matter now. Might be Gamelmer Over this inning.

Easley 1 for 1, with 3 walks in front of Cabrera and Delgado is unacceptable.

did repko misjudge that ball again?

204 - omg, did Repko screw up another play in the outfield??? This guy has to be the worst "professional defender" outfielder I've ever seen.

how long will Tracy go with Dessens? if Tracy waits any longer this game might be out of reach.

And I stayed up past 4am (Japan time) for this? Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

someone please Repko know it's ok to stay on his feet to field a ball. While they're at it, please pass on that roller skates are not part of the official uniform.

Broxton is warming up, not Carrara.

Double-barreled action in the pen now! Carrara AND Broxton!

Broxton should come in only against middle of the order.

197 Amendment to your proposal: Two-run HR by Kent in the 8th, one-run PH homerun by Choi in 9th.

Carrara will come in to face LH batter.

212. Don't forget that we have Phillips available to PH with RISP.

208 Yes, can we now put to rest any references to Repko being a superior OFer?

If Repko is no longer a great defensive outfielder and can't bunt then what's his role? pinch runner?

And Alex Gonzalez gets an early shower.

Nice job by Dessens to limit the damage. Started the inning badly, tho.

Hey, silver lining time: maybe the 2-run deficit will reduce the probability that Tracy bunts the team out of a big inning.

Grasping at straws here.

Either the Marlins will have to play the gimpy Castillo at second and move Easley to short or Cabrera will go play third and Lowell will try his hand at shortstop.

It's freakin hot in Miami. I'm sure Gonzales could use an early shower.

In Repko's Gameday picture, his beard looks like a batman logo.

A 2-run HR by Kent would necessitate Repko getting on base.

Can't filed, can't hit, can run a little. Jason Repko is the Fred Astaire of baseball.

Huh, what happened to Easley? Did he exceed his getting-on-base quota for the day?

223. Don't forget Repko's scrappy and savvy. I'm not sure about savvy anymore for Repko.

Don't forget Repko's scrappy and savvy.

To make things easier, let's combine those two words into one: sucky.

I should just follow Gameday since it's several seconds ahead of the Audio.

Werth, a pinch hitter (likely Choi), and Navarro in the 9th!

Woo hoo!

We're running out innings, games, and weeks.

"As long as we are ONLY 5 games back with 5 weeks we are okay?"

Jason Repko > Cody Ross or Chin-Feng Chen

That's about it.

Can Gio have another good outing in him? I kinda doubt it.

Looks like Gio was determined to hit him based on the gameday pitch locations.

Gio has 5 scoreless appearances in a row. Has his luck run out?

Is Colburn making the mound visits, or is his knee still the size of a watermelon?

Dodger home record: 29-30
When Jon attended: 3-5
When Jon didn't: 26-25

Dodger road record: 24-34
When Jon attended: 1-0
When Jon didn't: 23-34

Has it occurred to anyone that we need to keep Jon away from Dodger Stadium and send him (and I guess the family too . . .) out of town for a series or two?

Jason Repko > Cody Ross or Chin-Feng Chen

That may be true, but Repko has been given twice the opportunity as those two players combined.

234 Small sample size. ;-)

I'll be at Dodger Stadium Wednesday.

The Dodgers are 2-6 when I go.

Let's see:
Beat the Giants
Lost to Dbacks
Lost to Nats
Lost to Cubs
Lost to Angels
Lost to Twins
Lost to Brewers
Beat the Giants

i miss eric gagne.

237 - The "bread" makes the "meat" worthwile in your Dodger Stadium sandwich there, Bob.

I didn't want to see any more chances from Cody Ross.

Chen has had a few chances in several seasons and he's been found wanting.

I hope we are playing the Giants Wednesday Bob.

232 I think the answer is obvious.

I'm 2-1. Beat the Phillies. Beat the Nationals. Lost to the Nationals. And that puts a lid on my season, I expect. Unless, you know, they get out here for the playoffs.

dp here or else Cabrera deposits an 88 mph fastball about 420 feet somewhere.

Mota - 2 IP, 5 K's. We need someone like him.

2 HBP and a wild pitch for Gio. He's the man!

oh geez, gameday just showed Easley getting plunked. way behind so I'll just sit quietly, wait, and read about our loss from you guys.

Easley? I thought that guy was out of . . . oh, never mind. Well, I hope his run quota has expired in any event.

although I must ask, is there any other pitcher on our staff that Tracy would leave in after a:

wild pitch
walk
and a hit by pitch?

he loves gio.

ok, what happened. Easley beat the throw to second?

On TV, Lyons mentioned after Gio's first pitch of the inning that he landed funny, and that that would make his pitches sail. Then, sure enough, Gio start sailing pitch after pitch. His left ankle. He's not right today.

240 At this point, I'd rather see you get a chance over Repko, Bob.

Carrara looks terrible...and possibly injured. We could be adding some more names to the DL. Perez has to make the error, especially on a DP, geez. Choi won't be able to tie it now...

Phillips isn't playing, so we'll win, right?

249 - And it's not like it's the bottom of the order coming up too.

Where's Schmoll? Isn't he supposed to be our best reliever (non-Duaner category)?

Tracy has given up on this game.

Great, so a one-legged 37 year old junk baller is our best option against Cabrera and Delgado?

Broxton? Schmoll?

Steiner said that Schmoll is not available. Overworked lately? I missed the weekend games.

Phew, finally out of it. 3 runs against Jones is a tall order.

Nice, efficient 30-pitch inning for Gio.

What did happen on the Cabrera play?

Bases loaded grounder to third, and the only play is at first?

254 Steiner said he's not available

I turned on the radio on my way home to hear Rpko, Kent, Saenz due up in the 8th. I started to fear something happened to Bradley... Anyone have any prognosis based on the replays? Has an announcer said something? We don't need more injuries, things are not looking up, especially for my state of denial

That was AP's third costly miscue today (even tho only one formally counts as an error). I love his bat, but this does show why JT is so reluctant to play him. Defense does matter even if it is harder to quantify.

261 What did he do now?

259 Perez booted the ball which was recovered by Izzy

257 Any other season, and you wouldn't say that

258 LOL. He laughs. He cries.

Perez's defense is horrible. I hope its just because he's playing out of position at 3B, and hope he'll be significantly better at 2B.

Robles?!

262- He dropped a foul pop up earlier and has since bobbled two potential double play balls that resulted in single outs.

Ledee on deck, where's Choi?

Robles must have dinked it into left judging by the gameday placement

di-owner gets on and Choi ties it with a 3-run homer. I WILL make it happen (must concentrate).

I give up today.

267- It wasn't dropped, it was lost in the Mid-August FL sun. He had the glasses down and was shading with the glove. Anybody could have muffed that one. It was just that hard of a play.

The two bobbles were bad though.

267- It wasn't dropped, it was lost in the Mid-August FL sun. He had the glasses down and was shading with the glove. Anybody could have muffed that one. It was just that hard of a play.

The two bobbles were bad though.

Game over.

Feel...my powers...slipping...away...
Falling...into the abyss...of acceptance...

267 - The numbers simply don't support that, bad game and all. His offensive production more than makes up for it anyway.

http://tinyurl.com/an9xw

267 Perez didn't drop a foul pop up. He lost it in the sun - never saw it, wasn't close to it. Sorry - I can't call that bad defense. That's just bad luck. Lots of players lose popups in the sun. Rememeber when best-fldg-percentage-EVER Mike Lowell took a sun popup off the face earlier in the season?

On the first "booted ball," he fielded it cleanly, just took a sec to get the ball out of his glove. Who knows if they'd have gotten the DP.

Only on the last one did he boot anything.

I missed most of the game and I expected a bad outcome, but some things are confusing me. Cruz looked like our most effective hitter today, why did Valentin replace him?!?! Where was Choi? Was he suppose to whack a slam off Jones in Perez's spot? I could care less if Jackson was hit hard, but the wildness is what killed him last season, not a good thing to see that back.

278 - Cruz was replaced in a somewhat-controversial double switch when Braz replaced Edwin.

Choi was in his usual spot.

Apparently Jackson was throwing in the high-90s with good movement (too good?).

Say it with me, folks.

A C C E P T A N C E

Actually, EJ wasn't as wild as his stats make him look. He AND Dontrelle were getting squeezed by the home plate ump. Then, inexplicably, the ump starts calling high strikes late in the game (maybe he got hot and wanted to go home). That change is why Gonzales got thrown out arguing. He struck out on a pitch that was a ball in innings 1-5.

The Padres have the 2nd worst record in baseball since June 1 (and that's with them going 10-8 in August!).

I'm not giving up until we are eliminated in this wretched division.

6 back in the loss column with Pettite/Clemons/Oswalt next weekend.

I think our season is done.

283 Don't worry, Clemens will be suspended for steroids. ;-)

The last "boot" by AP never should have happened because it was clear something was off with Gio. I think I'll pin that one on the Jims.

AP's horrible defense was directly related to 3 runs scored. I guess defense does have an affect on the game.

279, 281 Thanks. I'll try to catch Edwin on a replay later. He'll get Houston next time out, which is not very threatening, save for the middle of the order. However, he's facing Oswalt. That should be fun

283-

Well, we have 3 games vs. colorado first. and the Pads start a series against Houston today. I'm still hoding out some hope. I can't give up on the season yet. Not with the pads playing about as horrible as we have.

6 back in the loss column with Pettite/Clemons/Oswalt next weekend.

If it's Clarence Clemons on the hill, I'm betting on the Dodgers.

Yeah, clemons didn't look too good in his last outing.

286. Yakface - did you watch the game? I just explained that AP's "horrible defense" came down to one play - and they did get an out there. No, he's not Mike Schmidt, but I'll take him as a mediocre defender and good bat until one of the kids comes up and takes the job away.

I just can't see us running of anything like a 4 out of 5 win streak with as many different lineups as Tracy throws out there and our lack of pen. No consistency.

scream your hand if you cannot stand jose valentin or jayson werth... wow i think LA got a lot nosier

293. Valentin I'm not quite sure why he's still on the team. Same goes for Repko.

291- Yes I did watch the game and was shown that he is in fact like I've been saying a Ball Bobbler, he did it his last start too, He consistently bobbles the ball, it is costly and he should'nt be played till after the 6th inning as a late inning bat.

295. You got it backwards. If he's error prone but has a good bat, shouldnt he played at the beginning of the game so the team get the lead? Then be taken out for defensive purposes.

I can handle AP bobbling balls if he hits .325. We've been going with the all defense/speed/scrap lineup and were 6 games out.

What do we have to lose by playing the best offensive lineup?

scream your hand

Can someone tell me how to make my hand scream? Is this some evolutionary thing that my family missed out on?

298 - I've been screaming "YOUR HAND" for the last 15 minutes.

Human Resources wants to talk to me now.

I'll be right back.

298 - Reference 297, not 298.

296- Fine, you got me. But its just really hard to watch routine plays get botched because off BobbleHands Perez.

299 You sure?

301 - I didn't want anyone to get caught in the infinite loop there. ;-)

294 Repko gets a bum rap. That guy has a cannon for an arm and can run. His bat will come around with more consistent ABs.

I'm much more interested in showing Odalis Perez the door. Why did we sign that guy again anyway? I see that he cleared waivers and suddenly went on the DL. Activate and trade that guy.

i couldnt watch the whole game, but should edwin start the next time this rotation spot comes up?

304-I dont see why not, most of the balls were border line, and it was 105^F and honestly I'd rather see him on the mound than Peanut.

whos "peanut"?

Odalis.

oh..

i just call him chipmunk.

His nickname from back in his old hometown was peanut, so every time I've gone to a game that he's pitched at Im the guy yelling PEANUT. He hates it its great.

303 - He's known as a defensive specialist, but I've seen him repeatedly butcher balls in the OF.

Now, I was just arguing that APerez "looks" bad, but that it is misleading b/c his defensive stats show him being better. I don't know if this is the same situation - do Repko's defensive stats show him to be a superior OFer?

Still doesn't change the fact that he hasn't hown me anything offensively. At least with Perez you know that his bat will overcome his glove.

Today was the first time the Dodgers lost with Jason Phillips not in the starting lineup in a long time. vr, Xei

I would think the Dodgers have a fairly poor record overall when Perez starts because he missed most of the early part of the season and became a regular when the Dodgers were having bad months.

Which really doesn't prove much at all.

Hey, at least oldbear can't blame the loss on Izturis. He did his job as a leadoff hitter today.

312-I'm not saying that he's the worst pitcher we could send out there or that it's his fault he's getting knocked this year, I'm merely stating that he is in fact a Peanut.

Oh, and answer me this, How does it happen that as Peanut takes 3 days off to goto the Dominican and when he gets back he's hurt in a freak Bullpen high throwback? I think he hurt himself partying, Coincedence
? I think not!

I find it amusing that I'm actually defending Perez, since he's so frustratingly inconsistent.... but he doesn't "take 3 days off". If management didn't want him to, they wouldn't let him go.

I also doubt it was partying, since I've never seen or heard anything remotely along the lines of him being a party animal.

And frankly, what's the point of trumpeting this "Peanut" business instead of providing reasons for keeping him or getting rid of him? You say it's not his fault he's getting knocked? Why not?

He has, on occasion, been a stud pitcher. However, he also appears not to have a killer instinct and easily knocked off his mental game. I'd be fine if he was our fifth starter in a staff of stronger pitchers. He isn't, which makes his flaws all the more apparent.

So, Yakface, do you actively root against him when he pitches or are you merely frustrated that he's still on the team?

315 He has, on occasion, been a stud pitcher. However, he also appears not to have a killer instinct and easily knocked off his mental game.

Take your choice:
Odalis
Weaver
Lowe
Duaner
Yhency

First off He's a peanut, second I like that he's a dodger but I dont like his on field persona, when he's on the mound he projects the image of a baby( A peanut if you will) and you didnt even attempt an answer of my question about the timing of his injury, Honestly reaching up in the air wont put you on the DL, I used to skateboard and snowboard- getting beaten up by concrete and hard packed snow(Bruises the size of softballs) and still be able to go pitch in 98^ weather. He didnt hurt himself from a High catch he hurt himself in the dominican, it's as clear as day.

The timing of his "vacation" and the injury are suspicious, I'll admit that. However, I do not think he partied, or anything like that. Maybe this was known earlier and they wanted to test him against the Braves. Or maybe he tripped coming off the plane. Or maybe he fell down a fight of stairs carrying deer meat. Or maybe he's telling the truth, it's hard to say.

Whether the reason he got is legit or despicable, it does not change the undeniable evidence that Odalis is in truth and actuality a Peanut, for better or worse...

319- Got hurt. for some reason that part got deleted between the submit button and my post.

317 - I once hurt my back putting my socks on while standing up. I felt like I was going into labor.

I can certainly see how stretching high to catch a throw above your head can result in a muscle tweak (esp. when you're expecting it at your chest, and you have to adjust at the last minute). Plus, I think he was there on a family emergency, not to go clubbing.

And the Peanut stuff makes sense if its a nickname, but I think you're going overboard with it. Just a friendly criticism...

Peanut needs more rigorous examination to see it can become an officially Dodger Thoughts sanctioned nickname for a player.

So far, I think Goggles for Phillips and Scrappy for Repko are the only two that have earned that seal. It's sort of like getting ISO 9000 certification.

I dunno, he's a Professional athlete who no doubt stretches and does pregame warmups(even before the pen WarmUps) So a suprise grab high would'nt likely cause such a nasty sprain in his Obliques. And as for Peanut, do knock it till you tried it. Go ahead give it a whirl say it out loud while think Odalis, it's a keeper.

Dessperate Denial (on the edge of acceptance - one last stand)

Any rational person at this point would accept that the Dodgers chances of postseason are done for the year. With 38 games left, the Dodgers are 5.5 games behind San Diego, with Arizona also above us in the division. Baseball Prospectus gave the Dodgers a 6.74% chance of making the playoffs, and that was before today's loss. This week, we have home games against Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens coming up, followed by a trip to the Cubs. All in all, by all logical counts, we could be 7-9 games behind in ten days from now. We need to go 25-13 in our remaining 38 games just to finish .500, which I don't even think will be enough to make the playoffs.

The brightside... well, we are behind San Diego and Arizona. Unless one of them wakes up and goes on a semi-tear (.500 ball), we have a chance to catch up to them. But, if either one of them can go slightly over .500 the rest of the way, well, we have an almost impossible task. Wait, this is the brightside... this is our schedule the rest of the way:

3 games v. Colorado
3 games v. Houston
3 games at Chicago
3 games at Colorado
3 games v. San Fransisco
3 games v. San Diego
3 games v. Colorado
4 games at San Francisco
3 games at Arizona
4 games v. Pittsburgh
3 games v. Arizona
3 games at San Diego

That is as light-weight a schedule as anyone can ask for. The Houston series is the toughest series we have left. The DBacks still has to play the Mets, Phillies and the Brewers. The Pads have to play the Astros, Brewers and the Nats. 16 of our 38 games left are against San Francisco and Colorado. We need to go 13-3 or something amazing like that in those games to have a decent shot at being above .500 before the end of the year. Definitely not impossible, but, nothing the Dodgers are showing so far has me believing (hard).

Beyond those series, we take 4 of 6 from the Dbacks and the Pads and I think we should be set for the playoffs. All that being said, it would be almost fatal if we do not sweep Colorado before the Houston and Chicago series after that. So, I could be in acceptance by Thursday, or we can see how long the denial lasts.

323 - Granted, I am not a professional athlete, but muscles get tweaked doing weird things all the time. Look at Milton's finger problem earlier this year. He swung a bat. I'm pretty sure his body is accustomed to that routine.

It's mainly the timing of the injury and how he said he got it, it sounds like malarky.

Oh and does anybody know the severity of Bradleys injury?

326 - I love orange malarky on toast.

323 I'm simply saying I'd like some rationale as to why you think he didn't injure himself the way he did. Other than the fact you don't like him, and don't think "professional" ballplayers suffer stupid (and/or freak) injuries, you don't have any.

What about Wunsch tripping out of the bullpen?
The dude who went on the DL because his eyeball got scraped by a nasty feather from his goose-down pillow? Pathetic as it is, I once tweaked my back flipping through a photo album. You can be lean and limber and fit and still suffer tweaks, twitches, and other oddities.

As to whether baseball players seem less able to play through injuries than other athletes, that's up for debate -- but Perez certainly isn't alone in that regard.