This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.
This minimalist game chat intro brought to you by Philip Glass.

Phillip Glass? I thought Brian Eno was pitching today.

Laurie Anderson doing play by play by play by play by play by play.

Mike Rose is Mike Rose is Mike Rose.

And first prize for weirdest beginning to a game thread goes to...Well, this one.

JD Drew sitting this one out. An Ethier-Lofton-Cruz outfield today.

The Nats have their three infielder outfield out again today.

The MLB.com people already have a picture of Shawn Hill. He's listed at 6'2", 185, but I think most of that weight is in his face.

One minor complaint about Little is that he's doing a pretty lousy job of scheduling Drew's off days to maximize the offense. JD's last four rest days have all come against right-handed pitchers instead of lefties.

Speaking of Big-Faced Gameday Photos, looks like Gameday replaced the 2006 Gigantor Derek Lowe photo with last year's version.

I prefer John Cage to Phillip Glass. 4'33'' is the end all be all of minimalism.

hey, grady little seems to understand the concept of having a large enough sample size to make a conclusion! from today's steve henson article:

*"The Dodgers are 15-2 with Martin behind the plate. He sits, and they slip.

"There is a lot of coincidence there," Little said. "If that tendency carried over for a year or two, it would mean something."*

JD looked like he could use a day off. Other then Cruz we don't have a RHH outfielder so they might as well get the 3 lefties in against a RHP.

I love Philip Glass's music.

I also love this headline from espn.com:

Tracy blames Pirates' start on players

Well here it is saturday again. This is the one day I almost never see a ball game because Fox owns the afternoon and won't show The D's on the east coast.

13.
Yup. I had some hopes since it's in DC, but we're getting the Mets-Marlins instead.

In the nine years I've lived here, I've never once gotten anything other than a Mets or Yankees game on a FOX Saturday afternoon. It's Yankees 75% of the time and Mets the other 25%.

I checked the weather maps and it looks like we can't even get rain in Florida. Even a quick T-storm would be better than nothing.

here in the midwest, we are force-fed cubs and/or cardinals every saturday.

Probably nothing to see. The Dodgers look to be overmatched by Shawn Hill. I hear he's the second coming of Walter Johnson.

Or maybe he's the second coming of John Henry Johnson.

I'm sensing that SWAGGER is going to have a big game.

Oh goody. Doug Eddings.

Wow, we are really going to work on this rook pitcher-made hime throw 7 pitches.

Lowe had to sweat out 14 pitches!

I'm thinking the Dodgers lose this one in extra innings when Hamulack gives up a homer to Mike Vento.

I turned on the radio pre-game and caught the end of Monday and Steiner talking about somebody with a sore shoulder, and they were being cautious about it. Does anybody know who they were talking about?

24) Drew

Kids Attack!!

Gameday's kind of fun,waiting and then getting six pitches at once. Right now with Aybar its ball in play-no outs recorded-good sign.

Grady burnishes the cat.

Didn't anyone get the memo that Brian Schneider is not Matthew LeCroy?

Well that sucked.

Well thats that, but the youngsters seem to get this triple A pitching better than the vets.

:[

Nice play by Aybar

Isn't it just a matter of time before Damian Jackson ends up back on the Padres? He seems to be well-liked down south.

lowe strike zone today

Slowly working our way away from Fur-kel.

Yay, Rich Donnelly for once isn't pushing his luck by sending the runner.

And on a sac fly, it pays off.

Whew.

Donnelly may be learning...

37

I hear that Donnelly now salivates when a bell is rung too.

I would love to see a comparison of third base coaches around the league. I wonder who gets the most runners rhrown out.

What happened to Kent? Is it bad. Take away Kent and Drew tends to hurt the offense.

What happened to Jeff Kent?

Kent left the game, Rosenthal says it is due to some hand issue.

I think Lowe walked Schneider because he was upset about his second baseman.

Steiner was saying something about his wrist bothering him again but they don't know much more than that. Not sure it's serious, sounds like it's sore... but hard to know without details. Gosh.

Rosenthal just reported a problem with Kent's hand. In minimalist terms: :[

Sure, hand isn't important.

At least we got that left handed bat we needed so badly in the line up.

Monday was right about something (!!) - Aybar's footwork needs work, he makes easy plays hard (and he can also make hard plays easy).

And thats why Royce Clayton shouldnt be batting 2nd. Not only does he stink himself, with him batting behind Soriano, Soriano gets nothing good to hit from Lowe.

we're winning 1-0 (& I have a mean hang over)

I don't think Soriano would get good pitches no matter who hits behind him. You can get him out with bad pitches.

Royce Clayton vs RHP:
BA: .188
OPS: .486
ABs: 117

Robinson/Bowden are really made for each other.

It always amazes me every off season that Royce Clayton gets another contract.

Sprained left wrist for Kent, more evaluation later on.

The worst leadoff hitter ever?
http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Jclarh1010.htm

Or at least one who started in the leadoff spot over 1000 times.

That can be a very persistant injury, as we know. Lets hopes its not, and Kent thankfully is not one of these guys with elegant lean wrists.

Sounds like a trip to at least the 15-day DL. Wonder if they'd consider moving Aybar over to 2nd, and recalling Joel Guzman to play 3rd? Guzman had been playing 3rd a couple times a week for Vegas.

The worst hitter who batted either 1st or 2nd most of his career?

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Jrichb1020.htm

Yeah, let's hope it's a Werth-less injury. (Poor guy - talk about long term issues...)

I bet Guzman would be a likely candidate, ready or not - since he can play OF and IF.

and delicate tissues.

Lowe is keeping the ball down, he's pitching really well.

But with a 1-0 lead, I still fear SWAGGER.

Hopefully the Dodgers only need 1-2 runs today to win, bc with Drew/Kent out I'm not sure if they'll score any more.

63

but SWAGGER is a good thing Bob!

It always amazes me every off season that Royce Clayton gets another contract.

now you know how I feel about Izturis and wonder why anyone actually wants to keep him.

Cody Ross is starting today for the Marlins and batting 6th.

There's also another reason you may want to flip over.

Speaking of worst leadoff hitters, Juan Pierre is putting up some noteworthy numbers thus far:

.230/.267/.286/.553, 9 BBs, 19 Ks, including .184/.220/.218/.438 at the Friendly Confines.

Ooops, he's actually batting 5th. Still is another reason to check out the game.

King of the Hobos are more interested in seeing how long the magical spell the bats of Brayan Peña and Horacio Ramirez will last.

Can someone block the number to the Twins' front office on Ned Colletti's cell phone?

The law firm of Boof, Nathan, and Liriano would agree.

I know Drew wouldn't be expected to play the second half, but do you think he might pinch hit?

With Jeff Kent out you would think they might consider putting Drew in.

73,74 Great minds etc.

73

Second half?

Is there going to be halftime in this game? Will there be a marching band?

I wonder if Torii Hunter will actually get traded. I just can't see it happening.

Reggie Ambercrombie doubles for Fla.

76-

Steve Lyons just showed why he's one of those baseball guys who is completely illogical. Play Navarro because of the other names that were involved in the trade? Is he serious?

I've got a grand idea...play who gets the job done.

Ends no-hitter attempt.

Reggie Abercrombie breaks up Glavine's perfect game. It was only into the 6th tho.

76. No marching band, but there will be orange slices and capri suns for all to enjoy!

76. No marching band, but there will be orange slices and capri suns for all to enjoy!

76. No marching band, but there will be orange slices and capri suns for all to enjoy!

76.

Jamie McCourt is doing to dot the "i"

I don't know why I put "76-" in my last post.

Both Lowe and Hill pitching a hell of a game.

how close was ethier's flyout to being a homerum?

The Dodgers are wearing out Soriano in LF.

How did Martin get a double out of that? Is he really that fast?

79

Ditto, Martin is simply better

Yea Martin, even though it hasn't hit gameday yet. Takes pitcher out of lead-off.

79 by that reasoning we should definitely try and dig Deshields up and play him!

What trade are you referring to? I'm only watching gameday.

Crap!

79 While this shouldn't be true, there is some truth to the statement. Why do you think Lance Carter is on the team?

If Navarro was flat out terrible there might be an argument, but it's not like Martin head and shoulders above him. We're still talking about small sample sizes here.

Please, Grady don't bring in Beimel. That's all I ask.

Manderson! I knew he would be our nemesis. I think he's become a professional hitter.

I guess you're better off bunting with a guy OPSing .883, rather than taking the risk of letting him swing away.

Serves you right, Frank

We'll take it Frank.

This inning is awesome.

lol...it all started with the bunt.

96-

What? There's truth to his statement...but there shouldn't be. Lance Carter is a prime example. That guy isn't getting the job done...you don't keep him on the team just because you don't want your trade to look bad. How does that make sense at all? What would you rather have...your trade look bad, or Carter constantly giving up runs?

Yes with Martin it's a small sample size...doesn't change the fact that he's playing great defense and hitting...neither of which Navarro could do.

Gee, why do the Nationals have such a poor record?

I think Ryan Zimmerman needs to be pulled out of the game now to show him the folly of his ways.

Damian Jackson, apple of my eye.

I think Frank Robinson will be crying again after this one.

Stoneman wised up and realized that having Edgardo Alfonzo on his roster wasn't going to help his team and the Angels ate the salary even though the Angels thought he could produce.

But boy were they wrong.

Lance Carter is the relief pitcher version of Edgardo Alfonzo.

Well, Frank, at least you stayed out of the double play. Mission Accomplished.

103 I agree it shouldn't be true, but, well, it is.

Navarro has a .759 OPS this year, with a .378 on base. When Martin's average takes an inevitable hit, he'll go down to a similar level.

Wow, Lowe turned that around fast.

"Please, Grady don't bring in Beimel. That's all I ask."

what? Beimel's been really good for the blue!

The Dodgers deserve to win this game, if only for making the more correct baseball decisions throughout.

Bring in Lance!!!!

113

I think the Dodgers should win because the Washington Nationals are the personification of evil.

112 Small sample size.

How come Rauch doesnt pitch?
Isnt he the best Nationals reliever?

Furcal is making up for lost time.

Speed rules!

Furcal's hitting .333 in May over 100AB's. Wonder if that will last into June?

Surely thay can not retire Nomar for a fourth time.

Nomar has five sacrifices in his career! Bunt them over for Robles!

I sort of doubt Nomar will be bunting.

If this were 2005, Nomar would be bunting.

Then Steve would be swearing.

124
If this were 2005, Robles would have been hitting 3rd in the lineup anyway.

Ground balls are finding the holes this inning.

Bring in Drew!

So, will this game be the one that convience people that bunting is stupid?

Geez, I hate to see Robles ever in the game.

128
No, Lofton got a hit on his bunt.

So, will this game be the one that convience people that bunting is stupid?

i dont think its stupid with a banjo slappy at the plate.

Robles can't hit, so it sort of makes sense to have him bunt. But he can't bunt.

This will be the game to convince people that Oscar Robles is stupid.

Hey guys, I just tuned in to the game. Would someone be kind enough to just drop a note explaining why Kent is out of the game?

Thanks.

maybe aybar shouldve bunted.

Man, he is competing for the worst short baseball bunter, ha!

I don't know how stupid Oscar Robles. He seems fairly smart, but I don't know if he's at an Alex Cora level.

1-run against the Nationals should stand up.

He still had a .333 on base coming into the game, that's patient enough to justify not bunting.

I think the Dodgers should win because the Washington Nationals are the personification of evil.

Small sample size. They haven't been around long enough yet to determine if they are truly evil or just plain bad.

Geez, I hate to see Robles ever in the game

It could be worse.
Jackson, Anderson, and Clayton all in the same lineup might could compete with the Colorado for most banjo'iest of banjos.

I didn't even realize this was a day game in DC. Rats.

They haven't been around long enough yet to determine if they are truly evil or just plain bad.

Frank Robinson and Jim Bowden have been though.

Maybe Furcal should be closing.

That's some SWAGGER!

And now ... a rabbit is loose!

You bat Lowe to end the sixth, I'd think you get more than one inning out of him.I'm not watching so I don't know how he was looking.

Old Friend Alert

I'm afraid that I may have to call on some Old Testament wrath of God type stuff to eliminate the Nationals from the face of the earth.

I hope Sam won't be in the vicinity when it happens.

But if he is, free salt for everybody!

Last night I had as close to a nightmare as I've had in a long time. I dreamt that the Dodgers traded Nomar for, of all people, Juan Cruz (how he got in my head, I don't know). Nomar demanded the trade because he wanted to play 3rd base. Then I woke up confused. But I remembered that Nomar didn't really care whether he played 1st or 3rd, and I was the one that wanted him to play 3rd. My twisted dreaming somehow got Nomar to play 3rd, but for another team. It sounds like I can extract some moral/lesson from this story, but I'm not gonna read too much into it.

I am going on record here, if Ward jacks one out I will hunt down Baez and his family.

137. By my calculations his I.Q. is 82. Not as high as the wily Kelly Wunsch, but not as low as the box-of-hammerish Kevin Malone. Somewhere in the mid to slow Jeff Kent range.

150
I would have beaten you to it.

Baez sure is entertaining to watch pitch.

Cruz had a good seat on that one. A nice unobstructed view to watch the ball drop in.

But if he is, free salt for everybody!

Can I get my own pillar?

Joey Bishop at the Sands is entertainment!
Louis Prima at the Palladium is entertainment!

Danys Baez is Abu Ghraib on a grass field.

Hey guys, I just tuned in to the game. Would someone be kind enough to just drop a note explaining why Kent is out of the game?

Thanks.

Sprained Wrist for Kent

Please god-in play outs recorded. Its too much to hope for a DP.

"I don't know how stupid Oscar Robles."

*how dare you!& (just kidding) guys like Cora don't come around that often.

Danys Baez is Abu Ghraib on a grass field.

Bob, that is one of the best lines ever. Deserves to lead the Baez chapter in Best of DT II.

No one calls Daryle Ward old friend.

161

It was either going to be that or the less politically charged:
Danys Baez is Yakov Smirnoff at Branson.

Grrrrrrrrrr

Jose Cruz bunting.
Yuck.

The guy only leads the team in walks.
Come on Grits!

wierd.... kemp AND laroche are both out of todays suns game.

could they have been promoted?

Saenz! Sainz!

How did Majewski make the WBC team?
That just doesnt seem right.

Al Leiter was on the WBC team too. They weren't too picky after people started turning down the gig.

Yes

I bet steiner is going crazy about Olmedo right now. If only I were watching.

I don't know what happened yet.

163. Also very painful.

Nice insurance run.

171
Listening to Steiner.

Unless you have one of them magic radios.

Sheesh. Gameday v. slow. "In play, run-scoring play," it says, and I'm thinking "HR, single, double, what??" After several exasperating minutes, a throwing error? What happened?

Looks like another win for Baez. That guy gets it done.

If banjo hitting SS's are going to make errors, why not just put Soriano there bc at least with him, you'll get something of return on the offensive end.

The Nats could have a respectable lineup if Guillen and Church came back, and Clayton/Jackson/Anderson (2 of 3) all sat.

Saito, I hope

wouldn't the win be Lowe's?

Lowe's had some bad luck when it comes to getting wins. Another example of why wins are generally useless in evaluating pitchers.

I wonder how Baez feels about losing the closing job to Saito of all people. He wasn't too happy about being a setup man to Gagne as it was.

I couldn't take Steinday's homerism, so I switched over to the Nats' broadcast. These clowns are just as bad! Ugh.

I think Lowe would get the win, but don't jinx it.

If Saito can get the last two outs, it should go:

Win - Lowe
Hold - Baez
Save - Saito
Loss - Stanton

But ....

181
Yeah. I think it's kinda funny. The guy came in all bossy about not wanting to be Gagne's setup man, then came in and blew 5 of his first 14 save attempts, and is now relegated to non-closing duties. I love it.

But Lowe wasn't pitching when the Dodgers took the lead, was he?

177 That's funny, I read that as "Clayton/Jackson/Anderson all salt".

186 Baez took over for him right afetr they took the lead.

When Gagne comes back, maybe Baez will be pushed back further.

186
Of course Lowe wasn't pitching when the Dodgers took the lead, the Dodgers were batting. ;-)

Russell "don't ever get him out of there" Martin

188

duh!

Good Games by Furcal, Ethier, and Lowe.
Bad managing by Frank Robinson.
Bad news for Jeff Kent.

Thats the summary for today.

Sammy rulezzzzz

Woohoo! I can now go shave and shower, knowing the Dodgers won! What time's the game tomorrow?

I'm gonna bust a "Yankee" the dodgers win! duuuuuhhhhhhh Dodger win!!!! (I'm glad we have Vinnie)

192 why the "duh!"?

It's good to see the Nats lose. One never wants to see anything good happen to Frank Robinson.

198

I like the cut of that man's jib.

why bad news for Kent? Wasnt watching

Kent sprained his wrist somehow.

maybe theyll call up guzman to play every day in the OF/3b

Good evening all,
Just got back from RFK (via a wine tasting at the local packie). Lowe looked like he was keeping the ball down and missing away from the hitters. Several of the hits were of the "excuse-me" variety. He did well to keep the Nats down and make his teammates' "efforts" stand up for the win.

Hopefully whatever took Kent out will heal up quickly.

The AP story on the game has Kent as taking tomorrow off and being day-to-day after that.

This was also in the AP story:

Jackson's inability to lay down the bunt bothered Robinson most. Jackson's explanation: a case of the blahs.

"I'm not feeling well-rested, whatever excuse you might make to the boss," Jackson said. "I'm just not feeling good today, and you just can't do that in baseball. ... I just let the team down, all the way around."

Presumably, Damion Jackson was not crying when he said that.

201 There is a puerile joke in there somewhere.

205 Or at least a motocycle one.

I actually don't know the details of Kent's wrist spraining. So it could be a "truck washing", for all I know.

For what's worth I have been keeping track of this year's Dodgers record (sort of like Jon does on the sidebar), but because I live in OR and don't have the ability to get down for any games in person it has to be modified a bit:

When I watch the entire game from first pitch to last: Dodgers are 14-7.

When I get to catch some of the game, but not all of it: Dodgers are 7-7.

When I miss the game completely and only get to see highlights on ESPN News: Dodgers are 7-7.

Kind of a strange way it breaks down, but I know what I have to do. I must continue to watch every game . . .