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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

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
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Inevitable as the Tide ...
2008-05-06 15:46
by Jon Weisman

... and therefore probably not something to get upset over, however unaesthetic it might be. Still, expect naming rights for several elements of the upcoming Dodger Stadium renovation to be up for sale, writes Don Muret of the Sports Business Journal. (You need to be a registered user to read the entire story.)

I don't believe the sales will keep ticket prices down, because the Dodgers will no doubt continue to charge what the market will pay. But if selling naming rights to portions of the park helps keep the Dodger Stadium name intact, so much the better.

Here's a story excerpt:

The money from creating those branded areas will be used to help pay for construction, said Dennis Mannion, the team's chief operating officer. … Los Angeles sports marketer Randy Bernstein estimated the team could pull in $3 million to $5 million annually from doing as many as 20 deals for the new development and existing inventory….

Mannion is in the early stages of a long journey to sell secondary naming-rights packages without changing the Dodger Stadium name.

"I think right now the organization is philosophically opposed to naming rights for the ballpark, but anything could change," Mannion said. "The establishment of the Dodger Stadium brand is really important for us."

In doing so, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, a Boston native who tried unsuccessfully to buy the Red Sox in 2001, is following the lead of his hometown team in selling premium spaces but keeping the name of a beloved ballpark intact.

* * *

Forty-four Dodger Thoughts readers voted today on their ideal starting lineup for this moment in time. Here are the results, as tallied by Eric Stephen.

C – Russell Martin (44)
1B – James Loney (44)
2B – Jeff Kent (43), Blake DeWitt (1)
3B – Andy LaRoche (28), DeWitt (18)
SS – Rafael Furcal (44)
OF – Matt Kemp (44)
OF – Andre Ethier (44)
OF – Andruw Jones (29), Juan Pierre (8), Delwyn Young (5), Jason Repko (1), LaRoche (1)

* * *

Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.

Update: Rafael Furcal was scratched tonight because of a stiff back. Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise has more dour news on Jason Schmidt, Tony Abreu and Scott Elbert.

Comments (523)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-05-06 15:48:33
1.   Xeifrank
NPRH!
2008-05-06 15:53:48
2.   Eric Stephen
Jon, the final vote (44 entries):

Unanimous in bold

C - Martin
1B - Loney
2B - Kent (43 of 44 votes)
3B - LaRoche (28) / DeWitt (18)
SS - Furcal
OF - Kemp
OF - Ethier
OF - Jones (29) / Pierre (8) / Young (5) / Repko (1)

LaRoche got one vote in LeFt, and DeWitt got one vote at 2B.

2008-05-06 15:55:16
3.   D4P
Nomar got novote.
2008-05-06 15:55:22
4.   cargill06
2 i'm not sure if it was tounge in cheek but i just don't get the negativity about kent
2008-05-06 15:57:40
5.   Eric Stephen
4
I'd say 43 of 44 wanting Kent in the lineup is not bad (I didn't count Xeifrank though, who had Hu at 2B, which would make 43 of 45). Or are you referring to 27indingo's dissenting opinion?
2008-05-06 15:57:48
6.   bryanf
4 I don't think there was any negativity. One person voted DeWitt to play second in order to keep both him and LaRoche in the mix. Kent's starting at 2B was nearly unanimous.
2008-05-06 15:58:14
7.   Jon Weisman
2 - Third base doesn't add up.
2008-05-06 15:59:13
8.   bryanf
7 I thought so too at first but the extra votes are explained by the vote for DeWitt at 2B and LaRoche in LF.
2008-05-06 15:59:51
9.   bryanf
8 Similarly the missing vote from 2B and OF.
2008-05-06 16:00:34
10.   Eric Stephen
Speaking of Tide, I'd like to see the condiment stations be sponsored by Tide. They could use a slogan something like "nothing gets those ketchup stains out like Tide with Bleach!"
2008-05-06 16:01:14
11.   Eric Stephen
7 ,10
See the final sentence of my post.
2008-05-06 16:01:20
12.   Eric Enders
No, Jon's right, all the other positions add up to 44 while 3B adds up to 46.
2008-05-06 16:01:38
13.   Eric Stephen
In 11 , I meant 9 , not 10 .
2008-05-06 16:03:11
14.   bryanf
11 ,13 Yes I was amending my statement trying to explain that the last line explains both the extra votes at third and the missing votes in OF/2B. Anyway, I should have let you answer for yourself but I was so proud of myself having just figured out the math. :)
2008-05-06 16:03:18
15.   Eric Stephen
In other words, 3B should be 27-17 in favor of Andy.
2008-05-06 16:04:59
16.   Eric Enders
OK, I get it.
2008-05-06 16:05:01
17.   underdog
Coach (pleased): "Well, then it's anonymous!"

--Cheers

2008-05-06 16:09:36
18.   bryanf
Much less confusing way of putting it. :) Thanks Jon.
2008-05-06 16:10:15
19.   Eric Enders
Should I be nervous that Clayton Kershaw leads off Will Carroll's "Under the Knife" column today? How long before Will begins treating Kershaw like Billingsley, insisting that his goofy-looking grin and cowlick make him injury prone?
2008-05-06 16:11:06
20.   bryanf
Interesting that the ratio for LaRoche to DeWitt is almost the same as Jones to not Jones.
2008-05-06 16:11:31
21.   68elcamino427
Two more absentee votes after the 15:53:48
for Young on the previous thread:)
2008-05-06 16:11:49
22.   Xeifrank
Tonight's Win Probabilities (for the Dodgers):

Simulator: 53.50%
LV Hilton: 55.56%
AccuScore: 60.70%

My simulator uses Zips projections as input. Zips must be fond of the Mets offensive juggernaught. :) And it's assuming another Juan Pierre start.
vr, Xei

2008-05-06 16:11:59
23.   Eric Stephen
19
Maybe it can be a badge of honor for Kershaw. I'd be more nervous if Peter Vescey reported it though. :)
2008-05-06 16:12:04
24.   StolenMonkey86
How unanimously would we be regarding batting order? Given the majority winners Martin, Loney, Kent, LaRoche, Furcal, Ethier, Jones Kemp.
2008-05-06 16:13:42
25.   Eric Stephen
24
Hey man, one tally per day! :)

Not everyone submitted lineups in batting order, so it would be difficult to go back and get that info.

2008-05-06 16:14:18
26.   Kevin Lewis
Do we have a real lineup?
2008-05-06 16:14:50
27.   Don Tordilla
Matt Kemp was on Kennedy and Dibble's show on XM 175 today in the 2pm hour and I don't think anyone here has mentioned it. Kennedy mentioned people calling him the Bison and asked him about it, but Matt was responding to another question and didn't reply to it directly. Matt spent a lot of time crediting Easler (sp?) and of course Kennedy talked about hiring him back when he was a manager. Seemed to be ok with Torre's distribution of playing time, but of course he's not in Andre's spot now. Also mentioned how badly everyone feels about the booing of Andruw, but he was sure that Andruw would be fine. I was at last night's game and I have to say the booing is almost Bondsesque...
2008-05-06 16:14:58
28.   StolenMonkey86
25 I know, and not everyone voted for all 8 players on the list.

That is to say, I'm asking for new submissions and I'm volunteering to do the tallying.

2008-05-06 16:15:20
29.   68elcamino427
Furcal
Martin
Kemp
Loney
Kent
Ethier
LaRoche
Jones
2008-05-06 16:16:06
30.   StolenMonkey86
26 - Neither Inside the Dodgers blog has one, which was part of the inspriation for 24 .
2008-05-06 16:16:09
31.   bryanf
27 Wish I could have heard that one.
2008-05-06 16:17:24
32.   underdog
19/23 - Well, here's what Mr. Carroll has to say about Kershaw and the Dodgers:

>>Is there any logic to the "Kershaw Decree" the Dodgers are employing with their young lefty? It's a marketer's version of the "Joba Rules", a limit of 25 innings per month limit designed to have him ready for September in the big leagues. Apart from that long-term goal, I guess this would also hold true if he was needed before then, but I'm not sure how exactly this is intended to work. Minor league starters average about five starts per month, meaning Kershaw would only get five innings per start; on the other hand, if he was skipped once, the workload goes up to six innings per. Of course, Kershaw threw 26 innings in April, so maybe the decree is new. Wait, no, he threw 6 2/3 in his last outing, leaving him only 18 1/3 to spread over an expected four starts, something that would nearly necessitate a tandem arrangement with somebody else on the staff. In that last outing, he threw an estimated 96 pitches, so even being low on the estimate—and I'm sure someone has the actual count—wouldn't make that a terribly taxing arrangement. If the goal is to keep his seasonal totals around the 150 mark, I can at least grasp that, though I'm sure that following some sort of logical program would be better than seemingly arbitrary edicts.<<

At least he's not currently predicting Billingsley's arms will fall off any day now.

2008-05-06 16:19:17
33.   underdog
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7477

It almost sounds like he wants desperately to criticize the Dodgers again, as usual, but can't quite figure out exactly what to rip them about so, thus, this.

2008-05-06 16:19:28
34.   Xeifrank
Do minor league teams have a roster limit size of 25 like the big league club does?
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 16:22:01
35.   Eric Enders
So Eric's gotta count those last two votes for Pee Wee, right? An absentee vote is still a vote. Also, you know all those old ladies in Palm Beach County who voted for Pierre really meant to vote for Young.

Anyway...
Furcal
Martin
Kemp
Kent
Loney
LaRoche
Ethier
Young/whoever

2008-05-06 16:22:30
36.   StolenMonkey86
At least he's not currently predicting Billingsley's arms will fall off any day now.

And DeWitt-LaRoche keeps us from grumbling too much about Pierre (as does Pierre hitting .500 in the last few days). New topics for discussion.

ESPN was discussing whether Ozzie's latest rule 1 violation rant is distracting his players. That's an old topic of discussion.

2008-05-06 16:25:14
37.   StolenMonkey86
35 For the purposes of my tallying, I was focused on the more trivial aspect of arranging the batting order given which players are on the field. I will count "whoever" as a pick for Jones.
2008-05-06 16:27:13
38.   StolenMonkey86
35 - "Leading off and playing center field for the Dodgers - Pat Buchannan."
2008-05-06 16:29:31
39.   Gilberto Reyes
Amusing headline today at ESPNEWS for MLB...

Wife: Rodriguez fainted during first daughter's birth

Perhpaps A-Rod deserves some of it and is an easy target, but the media sure enjoys to go after this guy!

2008-05-06 16:31:57
40.   bhsportsguy
32 Too busy to search this but isn't some type of study of pitcher's work loads increasing by 10-20% a year especially those under 25.

Kershaw pitched 122 innings last year, increasing to 150 would be slightly more than 20%. It makes sense to me.

2008-05-06 16:33:20
41.   KAYVMON
Count me down for this money-making idea. McCourt is too PR conscious to rename Dodger Stadium, so thankfully, we won't have to worry about that. When the renovations were first proposed, I was weary that thier price tag would inhibit the Dodgers ability to increase/keep their payroll, somewhat akin to what has happened to Arsenal in the EPL.

I think there is a misguided assumption that the Dodgers have a lot of money coming off the books this offseason, when in fact the money being saved from Nomar, Loiza and Kent coming off the books will have to go the Broxton, Saito, Martin, Ethier, Beimel arbitration funds (and I think that might be a net loss, maybe even a significant one for the Dodgers). In regards to keeping Furcal and giving him a raise, I think the decision would and should come down more to whether the Dodgers think Schmidt or McDonald can be an effective starting pitcher next year. A significant payroll increase will be needed to both resign Furcal and get a starting pitcher of worth.

2008-05-06 16:36:08
42.   StolenMonkey86
Furcal
Loney
Kemp
Kent
Ethier
LaRoche
Martin
Jones
2008-05-06 16:37:47
43.   Gilberto Reyes
Has anyone got tonight's lineup yet?
2008-05-06 16:38:13
44.   KAYVMON
Oh, and:

C- Martin
1B- Loney
2B- Kent
SS- Furcal
3B- LaRoche
LF- Ethier
CF- Jones
RF- Bison

Send both Hu and DeWitt back to the minors. DeWitt to learn how to play 2B, and Hu to get the at-bats. We need some kind of protection in case Furcal's contract demands are too high and/or Kent breaks down before the end of the year.

2008-05-06 16:39:47
45.   StolenMonkey86
Not to ask something painfully obvious, but is it more important to limit the number of innings, the number of pitches, or the number of pitches in an inning for a young pitcher?
2008-05-06 16:42:32
46.   Gilberto Reyes
44 What do you mean IF Furcal's contract demands are too high? If he keeps his performance up, I can't see the Dodgers signing him to the multiple year high salary deal that his agent will demand.
2008-05-06 16:45:55
47.   El Lay Dave
So if Furcal is not re-signed, who will be batting leadoff for the 2009 Dodgers? There will be one experienced candidate still under contract....
2008-05-06 16:45:58
48.   Kevin Lewis
43

Nope

2008-05-06 16:46:50
49.   blue22
41 - Won't that trio take about $26M or so off the books? I don't think that arbitration raises for Broxton, Saito, Martin, Ethier, and Beimel will get to that amount. They're all first-year arbitration players. Though Russ will have quite a case as the defending NL MVP. :)
2008-05-06 16:49:13
50.   Humma Kavula
49 How can Martin and Furcal both be MVP?

Oh, I get it -- they'll tie in the voting. Interesting prediction.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-05-06 16:52:37
51.   StolenMonkey86
If he keeps his performance up, I can't see the Dodgers signing him to the multiple year high salary deal that his agent will demand.

I could. Colletti will already be handing 2nd and 3rd to a couple of kids, adding shortstop into the mix might be too much for him. On the other hand, Furcal might just bolt for someone offering him 5 years (I don't see Colletti offering anyone more than 3 years).

2008-05-06 16:52:46
52.   Eric Stephen
StolenMonkey, here is my preferred batting order:

SS Furcal
C Martin
1B Loney
RF Kemp
LF Ethier
2B Kent
3B LaRoche
CF Jones

2008-05-06 16:53:54
53.   Eric Stephen
Per Diamond:

Rafael Furcal has been scratched from the lineup due to back stiffness he has been experiencing over the past few days.

2008-05-06 16:53:58
54.   El Lay Dave
49 It's Beimel's third arbitration year coming up. They submitted these figures: $2.15M / $1.7M and settled before the hearing at $1.925M.

If Saito puts up a season like the last two, he'll have quite the case also.

2008-05-06 16:55:18
55.   Jon Weisman
Tonight's lineup:

Pierre, LF
Jones, CF
Kemp, RF
Kent, 2B
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
DeWitt, 3B
Hu, SS
Kuroda, P

"Furcal out with a stiff back."

2008-05-06 16:55:20
56.   Eric Enders
No lineup yet, but you wanted bad news? I got bad news.

Diamond Leung reports that Furcal has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to a bad back. And that Jason Schmidt, Tony Abreu, and Scott Elbert all had setbacks in their injury rehab.

2008-05-06 16:55:52
57.   Xeifrank
44/53. Good thing we didn't send Hu down to the minors. vr, Xei
2008-05-06 16:57:19
58.   Jon Weisman
57 - Why - we could have seen Martin at shortstop then.
2008-05-06 16:57:25
59.   fanerman
Hu's at SS!
2008-05-06 16:58:22
60.   El Lay Dave
I wonder if Ethier was going to start against the right-hander until Furcal was scratched. Who else would Torre feel comfortable batting leadoff?
2008-05-06 16:58:50
61.   El Lay Dave
59 Hu else?
2008-05-06 16:59:08
62.   KAYVMON
46- Well, he is going to regress (unless you think the team's collective good karma from the Troy from West Virginia and Bison acknowledgements will sustain his out of his mind play over 500 ABs, which is entirely possible, and is the reason Im expecting a title this year, :) ). But resigning Furcal is the easy choice to make which makes the probability of it happening pretty high.

49- You're right in that I forgot to take into account Lowe's contract ending (which by the way must be one of the best free agent deals a team has gotten over the length of a contract and almost, but not really, evens out the Pierre and Jones' signings) Still though, those guys together should get at least $ 20 million, so it should be a wash.

2008-05-06 16:59:28
63.   Jacob L
60 As with all questions, the answer is Martin!

Can't say I'm shocked about Schmidt.

2008-05-06 16:59:35
64.   bigcpa
If Pierre and Kemp remain in a state of hotness through October 2009, it looks like Ethier will have to hang around as Jones insurance. So maybe in 2010 Ethier gets a shot at starting.
2008-05-06 17:00:02
65.   blue22
54 - Huston Street just avoided his 1st year of arbitration by signing a $3.3M deal with Oakland this offseason. I'd expect Saito could swing something similar to that.
2008-05-06 17:00:33
66.   Gilberto Reyes
51 I agree with you that the 5 year deal will probably be where the Dodgers lose out on Furcal.

55 Pierre will have to step it up even more tonight to replace Furcal. Interesting position in the lineup for Jones!

2008-05-06 17:01:00
67.   Jon Weisman
65 - I kinda have been thinking Saito might retire after this season. Nothing to base that on, just a hunch.
2008-05-06 17:04:40
68.   StolenMonkey86
56 - I didn't want bad news. I wanted good news. Actually, I wanted ten million dollars, a private jet, luxury boxes at Dodger Stadium, and world peace. But I would have settled for good news. Or at least no news. That is not what I wanted at all. And now I see that Andruw is batting 2nd. It doesn't end.

I'm going to cry in a corner now.

2008-05-06 17:04:45
69.   Jacob L
67 Great. Furcal's hurt. Pierre and Jones are at the top of the lineup. Ethier sits again. And Jon kinda sorta thinks that Saito is ready to hang it up.
2008-05-06 17:05:41
70.   KG16
67 - I've kind of thought that too.
2008-05-06 17:06:00
71.   jasonungar07
Hey Dads..I am taking my 5 month old to his first game tommorrow.

Any non obvious advice? Does anyone know if I can bring in a stroller?

Will any of you be there, would love to meet you guys..I have a feeling I won't be in my seat all game! We are sitting inner reserve, section1, row A.

2008-05-06 17:06:28
72.   Eric Enders
67 If that happened, Saito would probably go down in history as the most-beloved Dodger among guys who spent three or fewer years with the team. Him or Kirk Gibson.
2008-05-06 17:08:24
73.   Eric Stephen
71
That's very cool. My only advice is to make sure you hold on to the foul ball with the one hand that isn't holding the baby. You get booed ("buwed"?) if you drop either one.
2008-05-06 17:11:02
74.   Jon Weisman
71 - I'd just carry in your car seat.

Diaper changing tables, at least on the Loge Level, are rather scare and dimly lit. But it's all doable.

2008-05-06 17:11:09
75.   Jacob L
71 I think not, on the stroller front. If you've got a baby bjorn or something like that, that's a good way to go. Other than that, I can't think of anything outside of the normal routines for being away from home for a few hours.

Those are nice seats! I'll be there (no kids, though). Will try to stop by. Have fun.

2008-05-06 17:11:12
76.   Eric Enders
The best advice would probably be "don't drop the boy." Who was it that said that again?
2008-05-06 17:14:26
77.   Marty
71 Make him pay his own way. You can't start too early.
2008-05-06 17:15:11
78.   Jim Hitchcock
71 Probably best to limit the youngster to no more than two Dodger Dogs. It's best to build tolerance slowly.
2008-05-06 17:16:31
79.   bhsportsguy
71 No problem on the stroller according to customer service.

Row A means lots and lots of sun with no possibility of shade. You may want to move as I would think the game will not be that heavily attended.

2008-05-06 17:17:15
80.   bigcpa
Matt Kemp leads the majors in LD% at 30.9%. Pierre is 4th at 29.2%- a career high.
2008-05-06 17:18:18
81.   El Lay Dave
Career WHIPs under 1.0, 150 minimum IP.
http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/udHs
Sammy Saito leads with 0.847. (fun with small sample sizes)

65 Outside of his age, if Saito puts up numbers that somewhat resemble the last two season, he will have a stronger case than Street. His career ERA+ is 254, which means something since he typically pitches whole innings, Streets WHIP/ERA+ is 1.031/160.

2008-05-06 17:19:58
82.   still bevens
Diamond's injury news isn't too horrible. Abreu seems like a concern tho. What could possibly be wrong with that kid that would sideline him for 6-8 months or however long its been since it popped up last season.
2008-05-06 17:20:04
83.   jasonungar07
thanks guys. yeah car seat is good idea for sure. I do have a baby bjorn thingy as well. Huge fans mom and sis will be going so i have help..yeah we should be good. i am as most know a stay at home dad..so pretty used to things just wondering about anything special..so thanks again...

LOL Marty.

2008-05-06 17:22:57
84.   bhsportsguy
My hunch is that Furcal takes tomorrow off too, will give him almost 4 days off until Friday night's game.

Abreu remains the second biggest mystery aside from Andrew Bynum's knee.

2008-05-06 17:23:02
85.   still bevens
Joe rolls the dice again.

Pierre, LF
Jones, CF
Kemp, RF
Kent, 2B
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
DeWitt, 3B
Hu, SS
Kuroda, P

2008-05-06 17:24:43
86.   underdog
85, meet 55 .

And for the Pollyanna-ish prediction for your evening:
Andruw Jones will hit either a double or a home run tonight.

/Pollyanna-ishness, off.

2008-05-06 17:24:49
87.   El Lay Dave
82 I had no idea that a Philadelphia hernia surgery was nearly as bad as a Dominican appendectomy.
2008-05-06 17:26:57
88.   Marty
At least it wasn't a Colombian necktie
2008-05-06 17:28:25
89.   ToyCannon
72
Jimmy Wynn
2008-05-06 17:32:31
90.   Eric Stephen
Taking a kid to a game is great. I have never been with a 5-month old (I don't have kids, but I'm an uncle 14 times over!), but one time I was with my nephew when he was 7 or so at Qualcomm Stadium. We went to use the restroom, and he was at a urinal for one of the few times (at that point) in his life. He looked at the guy to his right, kind of sizing him up, and then just calmly nodded his head -- he's only 7, mind you -- and said to the man, "Nice shoes."

I almost fell over laughing.

2008-05-06 17:33:05
91.   Eric Stephen
72
I'd like to nominate Eddie Murray for inclusion in said club.
2008-05-06 17:33:07
92.   FirstMohican
This is a little random... I'm heading to Puerto Rico in June, and am wondering if anyone knows of any baseball related things to do or see there. I'd like to catch a game, but I don't know if there are any leagues other than the winter league.

Also, any other non-baseball related travel tips are welcome too! Thanks!

2008-05-06 17:33:32
93.   Eric Stephen
91
Never mind, I must have blocked out 1997 from my memory.
2008-05-06 17:34:30
94.   KAYVMON
72 Have we forgotten the Magician so soon?
2008-05-06 17:35:36
95.   underdog
92 I wish I could help you (I've always wanted to go there) but maybe this instructional film about PR will help you. It's a little dated, mind you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkUGodtoUxo

(SFW, but also dangerously funny.)

2008-05-06 17:37:51
96.   D4P
95
I hope that features Menudo...
2008-05-06 17:37:56
97.   kngoworld
I posted tickets for Sundays game on the exchange thread.
2008-05-06 17:39:00
98.   bhsportsguy
I'm sure I'm asking for it but nothing on another day off for Ethier.

Apparently he should have been more "Pierre-like" in his response to his playing time in the LAT article.

Actually, with Furcal out, Pierre was a cinch to play.

2008-05-06 17:40:48
99.   underdog
98 I really think that last point is the key reason. I hope it is anyway. Heck, though, why can't Ethier bat lead off? Since Torre's thought outside the box in other ways so far this season, why not that? Or Kemp for that matter. But, well, whatever. Go Dodgers!

Gonna miss the first part of the game. Hope Hiro brings his A game tonight.

2008-05-06 17:42:45
100.   Andrew Shimmin
Thinking that Pierre needs to start if Furcal doesn't is aggravating, not mitigating.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-05-06 17:43:59
101.   underdog
They should make Pierre play short just to really make him earn it.

No, wait, on second thought, forget that.

2008-05-06 17:45:42
102.   Humma Kavula
101 Would Pierre even be able to make the throw to first?
2008-05-06 17:45:42
103.   El Lay Dave
100 Since JP has a .400 OBP this season, I can understand that in this situation tonight, leading off a hot JP makes some sense. Still, Ethier's LH bat against a RH starter is needed to offset Hu's potentially weak bat. It should be the excuse that Torre needs to give Jones the day off and bat Ethier 2nd, in RF, with Kemp in CF.
2008-05-06 17:45:44
104.   bryanf
67 I think so too...it's Broxton's time to shine.

No Ethier again. Ouch Joe. Ouch.

2008-05-06 17:46:35
105.   underdog
The injury news isn't tragic, though hopefully Furcal just needs the day off. Schmidt will hopefully be back at it soon. Elbert I wasn't expecting much from but sounds like it's not a serious setback either.

As for Abreu, it's starting to sound like he just doesn't have the stomach* for baseball.

(*muscles)

2008-05-06 17:47:06
106.   El Lay Dave
102 Hey, he had an 8-3 assist in Colorado!
2008-05-06 17:48:00
107.   Ken Arneson
71 Three times this year I've seen dads holding a baby in one hand, and trying to catch a foul ball with the other.

Don't do that. If a foul ball comes near you, turn away and shield the baby with your body.

2008-05-06 17:49:50
108.   Bob Timmermann
107
I thought you were supposed to use the baby as a type of glove? Can't you fashion a baby bonnet that has a webbing of sorts in it?
2008-05-06 17:50:19
109.   Andrew Shimmin
103- Do you think he's going to OBP .400 over the year? How about over .350?

If you win two consecutive games of black jack by hitting on 18, does that mean you should do it the next time?

2008-05-06 17:51:06
110.   Bob Timmermann
109
How do you know that Joe Torre isn't a card counter?
2008-05-06 17:52:36
111.   LoneStar7
wait so Raffy's back is stiff? Where was this even reported
2008-05-06 17:53:26
112.   Bob Timmermann
111
There are links up top.
2008-05-06 17:53:29
113.   Andrew Shimmin
At least with DeWitt, I get where the wishful thinking is coming from. With Pierre, I don't. Did he really get better over the winter? Is Matt Kemp lighting a fire under him? I don't get the mechanism. I get thinking that Jones is done, and so Pierre should play in his place. But I don't get finding Pierre's current OBP indicative of anything but a statistical noise.
2008-05-06 17:54:55
114.   Andrew Shimmin
"A statistical noise" is what SABR-types make to the Ch-i, instead of a joyful noise.
2008-05-06 17:55:37
115.   El Lay Dave
109 Twenty-one is random, especially when the house shuffles up 2/3 of the way into a eight-deck shoe. Baseball is not random.
2008-05-06 17:56:44
116.   D4P
At least with DeWitt, I get where the wishful thinking is coming from. With Pierre, I don't

His P/PA thus far is 3.89, compared to his career average of 3.43 and previous career high of 3.69.

Perhaps (just perhaps) this is indicative of a different, more patient approach at the plate.

2008-05-06 17:58:00
117.   Bluebleeder87
OMG!!! the V. Tech pitcher throws a NO-NO gainst the USA team, wow, just wow.
2008-05-06 17:58:53
118.   Marty
I think Kemp did light a fire under Pierre. Unfortunately it appears he used Ethier for the torch.
2008-05-06 18:00:12
119.   Dodgers49
Maybin, Mitchell overpower Suns

>> The Dodgers have informed the Suns they want ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw to make several bullpen appearances in the current series, the first of which could come today. .... The 10-run difference makes this the Suns worst defeat of the season ... Suns RHP James McDonald (1-1, 5.27) will oppose Mudcats RHP Chris Volstad (3-0, 2.61) in tonight's second game (7:05 p.m.) of the five-game series. <<

http://tinyurl.com/4lmgb6

2008-05-06 18:00:28
120.   Marty
Out here in Bal'more I'm being treated to a Nationals/Astros game on TV. 2-1 Astros.
2008-05-06 18:02:09
121.   bhsportsguy
119 James McDonald matched Volstad, he pitched 7 innings, gave up 0 runs, 5 hits, no walks and 9 strikeouts. 0-0 after 7 1/2.

Kershaw has not pitched today.

2008-05-06 18:02:35
122.   Bluebleeder87
Here is some info regarding the Virgina Tech. pitcher who just NO HIT the best hitting team in the WORLD >>>Angela Susan Tincher (born December 16, 1985 in Low Moor, Virginia) is a pitcher for the Virginia Tech softball team.

Tincher is a senior. She stands 5'7" and graduated from James River High School. From Eagle Rock, Virginia, Tincher is Virginia Tech's first All-American softball pitcher, and she was only one of two pitchers to strike out more than 500 batters in the 2007 college season.

After her 2006 season, she was an All-American, ACC Pitcher of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and ESPN The Magazine Second Team Academic All-American.

Tincher ranks third behind Cat Osterman on the NCAA Division I Softball career strikeouts list, and she is the highest ranked active player on the list.

*On March 26, 2008, Tincher pitched a no-hitter against the United States Olympic softball team, ending the Olympic team's streak of 185 consecutive pre-Olympic exhibition victories. Tincher struck out 10 batters and walked one during the game, as Virginia Tech won by a score of 1-0.3 Tincher also has a goal of becoming an Olympic softball player.*

2008-05-06 18:04:39
123.   Chiron Brown
With Martin's recent OBP I'd have no problem with him leading off.

If nothing else had done it, seeing Pierre try to beat out a bunt by sliding into first the other day would be enough for me to bench him for an extended period.

2008-05-06 18:05:52
124.   bigcpa
119 Several appearances in one series sounds like they're prepping him for a Joba role with the big club as opposed to just minimizing his mileage.
2008-05-06 18:07:48
125.   Bluebleeder87
Why doesn't ESPN2 put classic or re-peat on there ticker or something, curses.

fell free to delete it Jon, sorry about that.

2008-05-06 18:08:57
126.   El Lay Dave
123 I didn't see the play, but the chatter here was that there was as reasonable chance of a tag play being made and thus the slide was potentially justifiable as tag avoidance.
2008-05-06 18:09:09
127.   LoneStar7
112 haha oops, no excuse for missing a blatant link lol, anyway I'm hoping its just a little soreness that will pass.

The guy has been swinging big though and making breath taking throws across his body, so I'm not surprised that he may be a bit sore

2008-05-06 18:09:50
128.   Bluebleeder87
wait so Raffy's back is stiff?

this is the first I here of it as well, hopefully it's nothing serious.

2008-05-06 18:13:51
129.   MC Safety
121 Nice result right there for James.
2008-05-06 18:22:30
130.   imperabo
107 What if you're also holding a beer, and you can't turn fast enough or it will spill? Should you headbutt the ball?
2008-05-06 18:23:20
131.   El Lay Dave
When did Tony Jackson's Daily News blog start linking to other blogs on the side? It links the following, in order:

Dodger Thoughts
Dodger Blues
6-4-2
True Blue LA
L.A. Times blog

2008-05-06 18:24:27
132.   Bob Timmermann
131
I noticed it a couple of days ago. Tony admits he's not all that computer savvy, so he probably never knew how to do it or if he should.
2008-05-06 18:32:36
133.   ToyCannon
The Olsen and Olson Twins sure threw some dandies this week. Olsen finally starting striking out guys, and Olson finally stopped walking guys.
2008-05-06 18:32:37
134.   Dodgers49
Dodgers' DeWitt finds himself in new situation

>> Torre acknowledged the possibility that DeWitt could stick around as an oft-used backup, just as he did for eight days until Torre and general manager Ned Colletti decided to go back to a seven-man bullpen and called up Cory Wade on April 24.

"When Nomar comes back, I think in order to protect him, we can't think in terms of six or seven days a week," Torre said. "But the decision we have to make, obviously, is how it would work.

"Do we go back to 11 pitchers again? We'll just have to wait and see." <<

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9165744

2008-05-06 18:35:00
135.   ToyCannon
130
With the way the bats are turning into spears I'd be reluctant to take an infant to a game if I was sitting 10 rows in between the bases unless I'm behind the screen.
2008-05-06 18:36:26
136.   Bob Timmermann
One day the Marlins will bring back Josh Johnson and they will have the pitching pair of Olsen and Johnson.

Much hilarity will ensue.

2008-05-06 18:37:27
137.   Andrew Shimmin
I'd be reluctant to take an infant to a game because most parents (incapable of taking a joke) would press charges.
2008-05-06 18:40:42
138.   KAYVMON
Assuming Schmidt is still hurt/sucks going into next year, how well do McDonald and Meloan need to pitch this year for us to feel comfortable making the 5th spot a Kuo/Meloan/McDonald combination? I think the bar is not that high considering the other option is Ned going to the free agent market.
2008-05-06 18:45:01
139.   Gen3Blue
Ummmfff. Looked at the DTV baseball games list and the Dodgers were so far down that for a minute I was afraid I was blacked out again. But there are two listings so I will probably have a choice of Vin again, which has been good for me and also for the D's winning chances. In range of the FAN here I have listened in off and on thoughout the day, and Mets fans are doubting their lin-up more than they are trying to lay anything on the Dodgers.
2008-05-06 18:49:21
140.   Sam in SC
extra innings viewers on cable are stuck behind the cleveland @ NYY games. I am sure it will run long.

we should get Vin when we finally get there, though.

2008-05-06 18:53:07
141.   Sam in SC
great! indemand just moved us to a free channel (777)!
2008-05-06 18:53:41
142.   Dodgers49
The greatest Draft in baseball history

http://tinyurl.com/3febar

2008-05-06 18:56:17
143.   Bob Timmermann
Down go the Padres. They presently hold the worst record in the majors, although the Rockies could join them with a loss.
2008-05-06 19:00:09
144.   PDH5204
Jon, re the vote, seems that some are as smitten with "the kids" as some others are with "the PVL". One can say whatever one wants about Dewitt, but hard to advocate benching a guy hitting .295 and OBP'ing at .382. And we don't call that "wishful thinking", we call that getting the job done. Oh, and before I forget, my long-range prediction re Mr. Hu...the Taiwanese Cesar Izturis.
2008-05-06 19:01:37
145.   Gagne55
Karl Ravich is making rule 9 violations.
2008-05-06 19:04:05
146.   Andrew Shimmin
144- If he's OPSing over seven hundred after three hundred PAs, I'll wear corduroy pants to the DT picnic.
2008-05-06 19:04:17
147.   Eric Stephen
140 ,141
Yeah, I have the Dodger game on "Game 7", which is 816 for me (my EI channels run 810-822). It was scheduled to be on "Game 9" but the Yanks/Indians game is running long.

Kudos to Extra Innings for seemingly rectifying a problem that crept up a lot last year.

2008-05-06 19:05:22
148.   Bob Hendley
I will do my nightly tango with mlb.tv and hope for the best.
2008-05-06 19:06:19
149.   Bob Hendley
Make that the tengo/no tengo.
2008-05-06 19:07:29
150.   Eric Stephen
145
Ozzie Guillen's profanity laced tirade tonight might be one of happiness.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-05-06 19:10:04
151.   Sam in SC
147 it has crept up a couple of times this year, too. I was actually thinking they switched it to pacify the NY fans.
2008-05-06 19:10:40
152.   Linkmeister
This is bizarre. On FSN I have the Angels-Royals game with the Angels broadcasters, and on FSNW (Prime Ticket) I have the Royals-Angels game with the Royals broadcasters.

Whiskey tango foxtrot, over?

2008-05-06 19:10:59
153.   Bob Timmermann
Can you actually have a tirade that doesn't have profanity in it? Wouldn't you just end up sounding like the insane version of Ned Flanders?
2008-05-06 19:12:04
154.   Gen3Blue
140 SAM! I am so glad. I thought DTV had managed to monopolize EI like they were trying to do. Great if they aren't.
2008-05-06 19:12:27
155.   Marty
Nats go up 4-3 on an Aaron Boone pinch hit home run
2008-05-06 19:12:55
156.   Gagne55
150 Rule 9 being relevant making rule 1 relevant!
2008-05-06 19:14:53
157.   old dodger fan
155 It left the park, literally. Huge blast!
2008-05-06 19:15:13
158.   Gagne55
Cleveland is making it a game in the Boston Palace.
2008-05-06 19:15:15
159.   PDH5204
146 That may be, but let the kid start to play his way out of the job before he gets canned. And you know as well as I do, that if he gets canned, and he will, he won't be in favor of LaRoche but Nomar [he of the .226 and .323 line].
2008-05-06 19:15:17
160.   underdog
okay, watching MLBTV via a wireless connection just doesn't cut it.

Unless you like...

watching the action...

very slow...

and...

stuttery...

2008-05-06 19:15:59
161.   Gagne55
Although looking at the score one would think it was halftime, not the end of the third.
2008-05-06 19:16:10
162.   underdog
So slow I missed that home run. Just as well.

C'mon Hiro!

2008-05-06 19:17:07
163.   Gagne55
Through 8 innings, rule 9 is still relevant in regards to Floyd!
2008-05-06 19:17:13
164.   Disabled List
I get MLB.tv through a wireless connection, and it usually works just fine. Not always, but usually.
2008-05-06 19:17:23
165.   dzzrtRatt
Kemp: Good fielder.

And Vinny is praising him for showing more emotion.

2008-05-06 19:17:48
166.   old dodger fan
122 Only 1 college offered her a scholorship (50% at that though they upped it to 100% after she made all ACC). Then she no-hit the national team and everyone wondered aloud why she wasn't on the team.
2008-05-06 19:17:49
167.   Eric Stephen
C'mon Dodger fans! No reason to boo on that try by Andruw. It's getting ridiculous!
2008-05-06 19:18:17
168.   StolenMonkey86
153 - What about the end of the fillibuster scene from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?"
2008-05-06 19:18:20
169.   Marty
165 Emotion on catching a fly?
2008-05-06 19:19:22
170.   Disabled List
God, I hate the Eastern Conference. 53-52 at the start of the 4th quarter???
2008-05-06 19:19:24
171.   underdog
164 Hrm. It's weird, it's a strong connection too, quite nearby. Dunno why it's so choppy.

But it...

is...

choppy...

Did they boo him for picking up that single? Sheesh. They're turning into Mets fans out there.

2008-05-06 19:19:49
172.   StolenMonkey86
Did Andruw show emotion when Beltran singled?
2008-05-06 19:20:14
173.   LoneStar7
167 definitely has been a little much, that was a pretty unathletic play though in center field lol
2008-05-06 19:21:47
174.   dzzrtRatt
169 Well, we know Vin is a lip-reader. Maybe Kemp muttered something to himself, something like, "I dedicate this one-handed catch to my mentor, Tommy Lasorda. God, I love the Dodgers."
2008-05-06 19:21:48
175.   PalmdaleSteve1
174

Booing...that was for Andrew bobbling the catch...ball actually bounced in front of him on a now choppy Dish fed TV.

2008-05-06 19:21:55
176.   Disabled List
171 You could be getting interference from another wireless signal; that happens to me a lot. Try resetting your router.
2008-05-06 19:22:05
177.   Eric Stephen
173
That ball was a low line drive. He had a quick jump -- AS ALWAYS -- but he made the choice not to dive because he was going to come up short. It did look awkward, but it was anything but unathletic.
2008-05-06 19:23:26
178.   dzzrtRatt
173 You thought so? I saw it that most CF's would have pulled up and let it bounce. Jones dove for it and came up short, but you'd have to be pretty good to make the attempt and come close.
2008-05-06 19:24:10
179.   Gen3Blue
One of the regulars here( was it UD) mentioned going to Metsblog last night and I investigated today, finding something I have seen before. Mets fans were saying it was so good to have someone like Vin after suffering through the "Homers" of Arizona.
Other team's fans have said this before and it confirms my impression of Vin.
2008-05-06 19:24:28
180.   KG16
um, what happened to Beltran? Vin just pointed out that he's not in centerfield
2008-05-06 19:25:23
181.   Sam in SC
171 try plugging directly into your DSL or cable modem. it could be your actual broadband connection.
2008-05-06 19:26:11
182.   Sam in SC
171 that would at least eliminate or prove your wireless router as the cause of the latency.
2008-05-06 19:26:26
183.   LoneStar7
I appreciate andruws defense greatly, didn't mean to sound too harsh, I'll say this much..it looked unathletic while watching it, but for a man of his stature to get that close is athletic in itself.

and there we go, shows a little patience and gets on base.

2008-05-06 19:27:12
184.   KG16
wow, nice story about Figuroa and 9/11.
2008-05-06 19:27:12
185.   StolenMonkey86
180 - gameday says he is
2008-05-06 19:27:38
186.   Eric Stephen
Excellent slide by Andruw at 2B.
2008-05-06 19:28:10
187.   underdog
That's what I normally do when at home but I'm at my g/f's and her set up is a little awkward to do that with.

But thanks!

And I've decided when Druw bats I'm better off following it on Gameday anyway - maybe it'll bring him luck. At the worst I won't have to hear any boos.

2008-05-06 19:28:29
188.   KG16
185 - well, didn't look like him in center on Pierre's fly ball. Maybe he's at first?
2008-05-06 19:28:32
189.   Gen3Blue
Boy that Kemp must be pretty fast. That was hit hard. And Jones helped too.
2008-05-06 19:29:05
190.   StolenMonkey86
Gameday's moving about as quickly as Olmedo Saenz towards the salad bar. What happened?
2008-05-06 19:29:45
191.   LoneStar7
186 yea that was good, whats the exact rule on the slide, I take it you can stand up like that and sort of knock a player off balance.

where do they draw the line though, no hands or intentional kicks?

2008-05-06 19:29:54
192.   KG16
Kemp having fun with the green light
2008-05-06 19:30:41
193.   El Lay Dave
Interestingly, Jones is on a pace for a career high in walks.
2008-05-06 19:30:43
194.   underdog
The Bison rumbles in for a steal. (Trying MLBTV again.)
2008-05-06 19:31:06
195.   Disabled List
ESPN is very interesting right now.
2008-05-06 19:31:32
196.   underdog
Well if nothing else, they're getting Figueroa's pitch count up already.
2008-05-06 19:31:45
197.   Marty
Gameday frozen. It is not stronger than a robot made of nails.
2008-05-06 19:32:02
198.   KG16
wow, Wright just saved a couple of runs, even if Loney still gets a hit. Geez, that guy is good.
2008-05-06 19:32:41
199.   Eric Stephen
Well, there goes my chance to say Morneauneau for Gavin Floyd!
2008-05-06 19:32:44
200.   underdog
Nice play by David Wright to save a run. Bases now loaded. I think. I only get about every fifth frame of this movie.
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-05-06 19:32:52
201.   Gagne55
Just beyond a diving Swisher... Sorry Floyd.
2008-05-06 19:33:14
202.   Disabled List
Mauer with the ultimate Rule 9 violation.
2008-05-06 19:33:28
203.   KG16
195 - and just as I turn over to ESPN, not so interesting.
2008-05-06 19:33:52
204.   Eric Stephen
Apparently Beltran was a very late scratch. Pagan is in CF, and the lineup is a bit different. Alou got the single to CF last inning; not Beltran.
2008-05-06 19:33:54
205.   Sam in SC
martin flies out. that play by wright saved at least a run.
2008-05-06 19:35:40
206.   Marty
Houston ties it up 4-4 on a balk during the "fake to third, fake to first" play.
2008-05-06 19:36:01
207.   Bob Timmermann
Ahh, the reason Gameday was so slow was that they were trying to fix the Mets lineup since Beltran isn't playing.

There should be no further interruptions.

2008-05-06 19:36:27
208.   Gen3Blue
Well, Wright may have saved a game right there.
I was going to say that Andruw has tangible worth even in this slump by the number of walks he is getting. I doubt this would happen unless pitchers are still wary of his power.
2008-05-06 19:36:59
209.   underdog
179 Oh and yes, Gen, I and Jon and several others looked over there and noticed their praise for Vin. Was nice to see, even if it's nothing we didn't already know. Not quite the same level of awareness about Chad Billingsley, however. But baby steps, I guess...
2008-05-06 19:38:30
210.   Eric Stephen
And there it is...flu-like symptoms for Beltran.
2008-05-06 19:38:41
211.   El Lay Dave
I sure Bob was already ready with the last no-hitter where the pitcher yielded a run. Now we'll just have to wait, or look it up ourselves.
2008-05-06 19:40:44
212.   underdog
C'mon Kuroda! Time to wake up.
2008-05-06 19:41:10
213.   Bob Timmermann
211
1993 by Darryl Kile.
2008-05-06 19:42:07
214.   Eric Stephen
Not the best fielding inning for Kuroda.
2008-05-06 19:42:35
215.   Sam in SC
ruh, roh. loaded and no out.
2008-05-06 19:42:59
216.   KG16
bad throw by Kuroda there and DeWitt still almost got the tag down while in the air.

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those nights...

2008-05-06 19:43:02
217.   El Lay Dave
213 Do the eight-inning, CG, no-hit losses still count as no-hitters these days?
2008-05-06 19:43:09
218.   Eric Stephen
"...up to his hips in alligators."

-Vin

2008-05-06 19:43:51
219.   KG16
217 - they should, being a complete game and all
2008-05-06 19:44:26
220.   Marty
Why did Gameday freeze this time? Did Beltran come in?
2008-05-06 19:44:27
221.   ucladodger
Hiroki looks positively dreadful tonight. No life on his fastball, can't control anything else. To be honest, his stuff hasnt looked good at all since his first outing. His splitter was terrific that night, and it hasnt been close since.
2008-05-06 19:46:06
222.   Eric Stephen
Easy as 1-2-3!
2008-05-06 19:46:17
223.   Sam in SC
that home to first double play will take the steam out of a rally.
2008-05-06 19:46:35
224.   KG16
nothing like the 1-2-3 double play to work towards getting out of a jam, of course, not out of the woods yet
2008-05-06 19:47:16
225.   Marty
The Gameday guy must be doing it with a baby in one arm.
2008-05-06 19:47:30
226.   underdog
Boy he really looked out to me on that force at third. Did I miss something?
2008-05-06 19:47:45
227.   Icaros
225

That's gross.

2008-05-06 19:48:29
228.   ucladodger
226

Blake never tagged him. He came really close, but didnt quite get his back.

2008-05-06 19:49:48
229.   El Lay Dave
221 Kuroda's command was good in his last start, I thought.
2008-05-06 19:50:15
230.   Bob Timmermann
217
You have to throw a complete game of nine innings or more with no hits to get credit for a no-hitter.

Such was the edict. If you want to give David Palmer credit for a 5-inning perfect game, you can do so. And you can come to my meeting where we can discuss Jae Seo's save he recorded for the Dodgers.

2008-05-06 19:50:51
231.   old dodger fan
Whew. That could have turned out a lot worse.
2008-05-06 19:51:25
232.   Eric Stephen
226
Kuroda's high throw pulled Blake of DeBag.
2008-05-06 19:51:44
233.   Eric Stephen
"off", not "of".
2008-05-06 19:54:48
234.   ucladodger
229

His command was good, but his stuff just wasnt as crisp. In SD, his fastball had a nice little hop to it at 92-93, and the split was sick. Hasnt really had that since that game.

2008-05-06 19:54:49
235.   Jacob Burch
Don't you hate it when spelling gets in the way of wit? It seems like everytime I have a copy+paste worthy zinger online, I make some silly typo.

Blake of DeBag is a good medieval name, though.

2008-05-06 19:55:07
236.   LeeLacy
The Solution crosses the .300 threshold.
2008-05-06 19:55:39
237.   El Lay Dave
DeWitt is now a .300 (.304) hitter.
2008-05-06 19:55:47
238.   dzzrtRatt
Whoever looked up all those round numbered appearances of Joe Torre at various MLB stadiums that Vinny just rattled through should have put their time to use on behalf of homeless children or something.

Baseball stats are one thing: They have predictive value and enhance the entertainment value of the game. But the miraculous record of Joe Torre managing at the x,000th game at all these different stadiums is a fact pattern I would have been content to leave unteased from the history books.

2008-05-06 19:55:51
239.   Eric Stephen
Wow, Lebron can get to the rim whenever he wants. But two missed layups in the final minute, and 2-17 from the field tonight.
2008-05-06 19:58:02
240.   LoneStar7
239 yea that was pretty ridiculous, maybe they were scared of fouling, but he coasted to the rim twice in a row..
2008-05-06 19:58:47
241.   Eric Stephen
I smell a tie.
2008-05-06 19:58:59
242.   Gagne55
Celtics score 76 and win???
2008-05-06 19:59:03
243.   dzzrtRatt
Pierre's game, such as it is, is making contact. Sometimes it works.
2008-05-06 19:59:34
244.   Eric Stephen
240
It looked like Lebron was fouled as he drove to the hoop (pre shot) on the 2nd missed layup, too.
2008-05-06 19:59:57
245.   Indiana Jon
241 I taste it in my Kool-Aid.
2008-05-06 20:00:30
246.   LoneStar7
boom, Pierre helps us chip back at it, good to see there. Don't want them to sit on that lead, and for both teams to get lackadaisical.
2008-05-06 20:02:48
247.   Greg Brock
Jones tboughts:

Don't pitch to me don't pitch to me. Don't pitch to me. Don't pitch don't pitch don't pitch.

Throw to first. Thank god. Oh God, he has to pitch to me again. Here we go...

2008-05-06 20:03:45
248.   Sam in SC
base running blunder. smites forehead
2008-05-06 20:03:49
249.   LoneStar7
thats a bloody shame
2008-05-06 20:03:52
250.   Indiana Jon
? Come on Juan.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-05-06 20:04:02
251.   Eric Stephen
Best infielder decoy since Chuck Knoblauch / Greg Gagne in the 1991 World Series.
2008-05-06 20:04:05
252.   El Lay Dave
230 So Ken Johnson is the last guy to throw a no-hitter and lose then. Might be awhile before we see that again, and it's already been 44 years.
2008-05-06 20:04:22
253.   Greg Brock
Picked off...Hooray! Next inning!

A. Jones

2008-05-06 20:04:37
254.   Jacob Burch
Bill Plaschke sees that as a sign of JP's superior hustle.
2008-05-06 20:05:01
255.   El Lay Dave
248 249 back-to-back works.
2008-05-06 20:06:24
256.   fiddlestick
Deked. Unbelievable.
2008-05-06 20:07:25
257.   Eric Stephen
256
Deked

I was going to use that word but I was unsure of its spelling.

2008-05-06 20:08:04
258.   Sam in SC
how did 90 year old alou get to third on that play?
2008-05-06 20:08:07
259.   Eric Stephen
If DeWitt catches that throw, was Alou out?
2008-05-06 20:08:29
260.   Greg Brock
Catch the ball, DeWitt. Twice.
2008-05-06 20:08:36
261.   Sam in SC
259 the throw was there in time, it appeared.
2008-05-06 20:08:55
262.   old dodger fan
88 pitches in 2 innings. A long night for the pen in store.
2008-05-06 20:09:08
263.   fiddlestick
Man, with the defense and the baserunning tonight. Who are we, the Rockies?
2008-05-06 20:09:19
264.   Eric Stephen
The speed of that hit, plus the high bounce made me think it was an automatic double play, but Kent wasn't even close to it. He was far enough away to make me mute my snide remark about how a normal 2B would have made that play.
2008-05-06 20:10:20
265.   Marty
Angel Pagan is an interesting name. I wonder if he's conflicted?
2008-05-06 20:10:21
266.   Eric Stephen
Looks like Kuo will have to get the win tonight!
2008-05-06 20:11:21
267.   fiddlestick
258 Alou hustled the whole way and Andruw looked like he assumed he stopped and he fielded the ball facing away from third. Had to grab it and turn to throw. But if DeWitt picks it, he's out.
2008-05-06 20:11:44
268.   Eric Stephen
265
I hear the Mets just singed a good prospect, Diety Q. Atheist.
2008-05-06 20:13:16
269.   Sam in SC
oh, for heaven's sake.

what isn't going to happen tonight?

2008-05-06 20:13:21
270.   Greg Brock
You've got to be kidding me.

This run brought to you by Little League. Joke.

2008-05-06 20:13:22
271.   Eric Stephen
Alou took 3rd on Andruw.

Alou stole home.

Both times he should have been out. Grrrrr.

2008-05-06 20:13:56
272.   LoneStar7
I was really annoyed, then realized furcal wasn't there
2008-05-06 20:14:26
273.   Gen3Blue
I was about to point out how this base running distraction helped Andruw and messed up the opposing pitcher and did all this good stuff. But as usual with JP I wind up seeing how this base running stuff usually kills a team.

I believe most knowlegable fans know that realistically the Dodgers have a chance if they get the most at bats to Furcal,Kent,Loney, Kemp, Martin, Ethier and here is the problem---A healthy LaRoche, who DeWitt is doing a good stand in for. Some of Management may know this too, although I'm not sure they have the guts to admit it.

2008-05-06 20:14:46
274.   Marty
OK, how did THAT happen?
2008-05-06 20:16:07
275.   fiddlestick
Moises Alou is one old loosed rabbit.
2008-05-06 20:16:31
276.   ryu
"M. Alou stole home, A. Pagan stole second"

What the heck happened?

2008-05-06 20:17:10
277.   ucladodger
So the Mets have 1 run and 2 runners on by 3 high chopper and a walk. this game isnt fair, sometimes.
2008-05-06 20:17:16
278.   Marty
That was a straight steal of home? Did Kuroda go into a windup?
2008-05-06 20:17:26
279.   fiddlestick
269 Catcher's Balk?
2008-05-06 20:17:50
280.   Eric Stephen
276
The order of that is reversed. It was the old double steal. Pagan stole 2nd, drew a throw from Martin. Alou broke for home on the throw to 2nd, and Hu double clutched before throwing -- high -- to the plate. Alou scored rather easily.
2008-05-06 20:18:45
281.   El Lay Dave
I wonder who has stolen home and been older than Moises Alou. When he stole home a couple years ago he was "the oldest player to steal home since Paul Molitor (41 years 270 days) in 1998." But he is just a couple months shy of 42, or about 41 years 300 days.
2008-05-06 20:19:01
282.   fiddlestick
Pagan stole 2nd, Alou broke on the throw. Hu double clutched and threw high to Martin.
2008-05-06 20:19:36
283.   Kevin Lewis
That makes more sense. Gameday listed the steal home worst.
2008-05-06 20:19:37
284.   Marty
Tell those boys to be more careful out there!
2008-05-06 20:19:44
285.   Eric Stephen
This seems like one of those Lowe games where a lot of balls find holes, and everything kind of collapses on itself.

4-1 can be overcome, given how the offense has been performing lately. But Kuroda needs to get out of this pickle and quickly. He is not long for this game.

2008-05-06 20:20:03
286.   LoneStar7
big at bat, we need to this keep this in reaching distance
2008-05-06 20:21:10
287.   ryu
Sounds like good recognition by the Mets manager, with the inexperienced Hu at SS.
2008-05-06 20:21:31
288.   El Lay Dave
285 Walking the pitcher, esp. with two out, doesn't help.
2008-05-06 20:22:21
289.   Sam in SC
I guess that could have been worse. not that it wasn't extraordinarily painful, mind you . . .
2008-05-06 20:24:27
290.   Eric Stephen
I'd pinch hit for Kuroda when he bats -- and he will bat -- this inning.
2008-05-06 20:24:57
291.   Eric Stephen
290
Or I should say when his spot comes up.
2008-05-06 20:25:34
292.   ryu
How are you so confident about Kuroda coming up to bat this inning?
2008-05-06 20:27:58
293.   fiddlestick
Ned's Turner Field overlay says that ball would have been out there.
2008-05-06 20:30:11
294.   Xeifrank
is it Guo time?
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 20:30:30
295.   Sam in SC
david wright is killing the dodgers so far tonight.
2008-05-06 20:30:36
296.   Disabled List
Doesn't smell like our night tonight. The Mets are getting the breaks tonight, we're not.
2008-05-06 20:31:05
297.   fiddlestick
Wright is really amazing.
2008-05-06 20:31:08
298.   Gen3Blue
Kemp should have been going there....
Oh well, it doesn't look like our night.
Figuroa is great.
2008-05-06 20:31:20
299.   dzzrtRatt
cmon lonely
2008-05-06 20:33:20
300.   fiddlestick
Wow, did they have Loney played to pull or what?
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-05-06 20:33:32
301.   Sam in SC
martin could do something here . . .
2008-05-06 20:33:39
302.   dzzrtRatt
Nelson Figueroa is no dummy. He wants no part of another Russell Martin magic moment.
2008-05-06 20:34:22
303.   LoneStar7
Blake could make amends here
2008-05-06 20:34:47
304.   KG16
ok Blake, time to show you're no fluke
2008-05-06 20:35:38
305.   El Lay Dave
Another big spot for DeKid.
2008-05-06 20:36:59
306.   Jacob Burch
Solution!
2008-05-06 20:37:11
307.   LoneStar7
delivers!
2008-05-06 20:37:13
308.   El Lay Dave
According to baseballlibrary.com, "St. Louis Browns coach Jimmie Austin‚ 46 years old‚ participates in the nitecap and contributes to the win by knocking in a run with a double and then stealing home. ... he is the oldest to steal home." Sept. 26, 1926
2008-05-06 20:37:14
309.   underdog
Come on Johnny On the Spot!
2008-05-06 20:37:20
310.   Sam in SC
I could live with this kid at third for a while.
2008-05-06 20:37:27
311.   Disabled List
Andy LaWho?
2008-05-06 20:37:43
312.   KG16
scorcher past a diving Delgado
2008-05-06 20:37:46
313.   dzzrtRatt
DeHitt!
2008-05-06 20:38:04
314.   natepurcell
Was that considered a line drive or is that going to go down in record books as a groundball?
2008-05-06 20:38:11
315.   underdog
Thank you Toreador Delgado for that effort!
2008-05-06 20:38:16
317.   LeeLacy
The Solution delivers!

The Dodgers' productivity with the bases loaded has been astonishingly good of late.

2008-05-06 20:38:20
318.   Sam in SC
well, the prediction that the pitcher's spot would come up this inning very nearly came to pass.
2008-05-06 20:38:36
319.   Jon Weisman
It's something else, I tell you.
2008-05-06 20:39:06
320.   Eric Stephen
292
ryu:
How are you so confident about Kuroda coming up to bat this inning?

My hubris has gotten the better of me.

So close. Hadouken!

2008-05-06 20:39:10
321.   old dodger fan
302 Looks like he out DeWitted himself.
2008-05-06 20:39:21
322.   KG16
314 - that's a good question, can we get a ruling from the judges?

Vin called it a line drive (tivo is awesome in that respect)

2008-05-06 20:39:30
323.   fiddlestick
Delgado got screened.
2008-05-06 20:39:52
324.   ryu
290 Oh, so close!
2008-05-06 20:40:16
325.   underdog
Kuroda's been more all over the map tonight than Christopher Columbus, but maybe he can still pull things together.
2008-05-06 20:40:36
326.   natepurcell
322

Vin isn't the one laboring on his line drive %.

Honestly, that was a line drive but it will most likely go down as a gb...

2008-05-06 20:40:54
327.   Eric Stephen
If it weren't for the stinkitude of Andruw thus far, this would be the perfect situation for the Dodgers. Both Pierre & DeWitt getting playing time because they are playing well.
2008-05-06 20:41:20
328.   68elcamino427
DeWitt, cool as a cucumber. The kid can hit.
2008-05-06 20:41:25
329.   El Lay Dave
He's DeWitt, he's DeLightful, he's De-Lovely!

Maybe that's too much.

2008-05-06 20:42:29
330.   Eric Stephen
Sweeney (whither Pee Wee?) was due to bat for Kuroda last inning, presumably with men on base. With Kuroda leading off next inning, does he bat now? I say no.
2008-05-06 20:43:50
331.   Icaros
He shouldn't have even started this inning.
2008-05-06 20:43:58
332.   KG16
326 - i know, just figured i'd play the "What Vin says is Gospel" card.

One of the problems with LD/GB/FB is figuring out what is what at the margins. DeWitt's hit should count as a line drive, but since it hit the ground in the in field, you're right about it being counted as a ground ball.

On an unrelated note, I dislike the flying Alous.

2008-05-06 20:44:01
333.   Eric Stephen
I have DeWitt's seasonal line currently at .313/.396/.450.
2008-05-06 20:44:45
334.   underdog
Sigh. Or not. He's looking closer and closer to being shipwrecked on Haiti with every pitch.
2008-05-06 20:44:55
335.   LoneStar7
well good move I think, it was just an off night for Hiro, hopefully He'll be back in better form next time.
2008-05-06 20:45:25
336.   68elcamino427
Pee Wee had a really nice at bat last night. it seemed as though Pee Wee got the bat on the ball as many times in the one at bat as Jones does in a week.
2008-05-06 20:46:13
337.   underdog
I typed that before he was pulled. Not an impressive day for Hiro at all.
2008-05-06 20:46:18
338.   alexx
That was DeWitt's fifth error of the season? That seems like a lot.
2008-05-06 20:48:17
339.   ROC
Vin also said: "Delgado, diving at an echo..." and caused my wife in the background to ask if this Delgado is a slow or aging fielder. If she doesn't become a baseball fan, she will at least become a Scully fan real soon.
2008-05-06 20:48:49
340.   Jacob Burch
With them using Kuo instead of a long reliever, will we get to see Bat-Flip lead off next inning?
2008-05-06 20:48:53
341.   ryu
If there's any point in time we can afford to have Jones struggling, I think now is that time. The team, to some degree, is able to cover up for Jones' "stinkitude," to borrow a term from 327 .

Just hope Andruw snaps out of it when everyone starts to cool off at the plate.

2008-05-06 20:49:12
342.   68elcamino427
Kuo - Nasty
2008-05-06 20:49:13
343.   LoneStar7
wowzers, big time pitches there
2008-05-06 20:49:57
344.   Eric Stephen
"Hi Joe, Hong-Chih here. Just thought you should know I'm currently one of your five best starters. Just thought you should nuo."

-Kuo

2008-05-06 20:50:05
345.   LoneStar7
340 i was just hoping for that myself haha
2008-05-06 20:50:09
346.   fiddlestick
Delgado must have got screened again.
2008-05-06 20:50:38
347.   68elcamino427
341
I just hope Jones snaps out of it period.
2008-05-06 20:50:45
348.   Xeifrank
Guooooooooooosome.
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 20:50:49
349.   natepurcell
Holy snikes!
2008-05-06 20:50:49
350.   Eric Stephen
If Kuo homers tonight, I'll buy a Kuo jersey shirt at the game this Saturday.
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2008-05-06 20:51:07
351.   neuroboy002
Nice work Kuo. That boy done good.
2008-05-06 20:51:19
352.   natepurcell
Kuo= smokejumper?
2008-05-06 20:51:46
353.   fiddlestick
Man was that dominant.
2008-05-06 20:52:05
354.   KG16
338 - his fielding percentage was .956 coming into tonight, that doesn't seem too bad for a rookie at the hot corner.

By comparison, his counter part on the Mets (the Gold Glove winner) had a .954 fielding percentage last year. And currently has a .932 fielding percentage this year, including 6 errors.

2008-05-06 20:52:39
355.   El Lay Dave
Six pitches, two Ks. That is some restoration of order there.
2008-05-06 20:52:52
356.   Greg Brock
Kuo is the girl with the curl.
2008-05-06 20:52:52
357.   LoneStar7
350 haha If he does the bat flap, I'll get a couple friends together and paint Kuo on our chests
2008-05-06 20:53:16
358.   underdog
I hope Hiroki was taking notes on those two at-bats, such as they were.

Time for a dinger, Hong-Chih!

2008-05-06 20:53:29
359.   KG16
come on Nelson, hang a change up here.
2008-05-06 20:53:43
360.   CanuckDodger
Gameday had Kuo's first two pitches to Pagan at 96 MPH, and the third at 97 MPH.
2008-05-06 20:53:44
361.   Ricardo
That was awesome, now it is time for the bat-flip version 2008.
2008-05-06 20:54:14
362.   El Lay Dave
354 LaRoche's is .959, FWIW.
2008-05-06 20:54:19
363.   dzzrtRatt
It
is
only
the
fourth

inning.

2008-05-06 20:54:29
364.   underdog
Or not.
2008-05-06 20:54:30
365.   Bob Hendley
Shew!
2008-05-06 20:55:06
366.   Gen3Blue
From spring training, I thought Kuroda was going to be good, but he has just looked overwhelmed by American ball; on the other hand, had Kuo been groomed as a starter, they perhaps would have an ace right now, although his schedule has been awful and it would be hard to set it right at this point.
2008-05-06 20:55:49
367.   natepurcell
360

Kuo was throwing cheddar.

2008-05-06 20:56:08
368.   Eric Stephen
Hey, if Juan wants to start emulating other Joe Morgan traits other than the chicken wing, more power to him.

Speaking of power...

2008-05-06 20:56:50
369.   KG16
And that is going to count as a line drive for Pierre.

I said earlier this was going to be one of those nights, now it's looking like one of those nights.

2008-05-06 20:57:11
370.   LoneStar7
yipee! good contact
2008-05-06 20:57:15
371.   Gen3Blue
Yes, Mr Bino, the Mets still have their starter in.
2008-05-06 20:57:29
372.   68elcamino427
Jones snaps out of it!
2008-05-06 20:57:48
373.   Sam in SC
thank you again, david wright.
2008-05-06 20:58:04
374.   underdog
That was a gift pitch but still, glad to see an actual hit there from Smiley McWhiff!
2008-05-06 20:58:16
375.   natepurcell
freaking A, go back to New York David.
2008-05-06 20:58:17
376.   LoneStar7
dang hes just a vacuum over there at 3rd
2008-05-06 20:59:26
377.   68elcamino427
Wright pulls self defense move on a Bison blast.
2008-05-06 20:59:35
378.   El Lay Dave
366 "overwhelmed" is too strong a work. In seven starts, he's gone 6 or 7 innings five times, with 4 quality starts and only one of those of the 6 IP 3 R variety.
2008-05-06 20:59:46
379.   underdog
Figueroa is living in a tree, man. They've got to knock him out of it soon.
2008-05-06 21:00:06
380.   KAYVMON
David Wright needs to have a drink and chillout.

At the beginning of every series, we should have Kuo pitch two innings just to screw up the other team's confidence.

2008-05-06 21:00:17
381.   Icaros
374

I like that name even better than Slappy.

2008-05-06 21:00:22
382.   fiddlestick
376 A regular roomba.
2008-05-06 21:00:48
383.   Eric Stephen
The 51 pitch, 17 K relief appearance is still possible!
2008-05-06 21:00:48
384.   Eric Stephen
The 51 pitch, 17 K relief appearance is still possible!
2008-05-06 21:00:54
385.   Xeifrank
What are the odds that Guo strikes out every single batter he faces? 5:1?
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:01:19
386.   El Lay Dave
Graig Nettles, er, David Wright, has brought the leather this evening. He is allowed to excuse himself at any time now.
2008-05-06 21:01:21
387.   Greg Brock
Nobody ever accused Kuo of having lousy stuff.
2008-05-06 21:01:22
388.   LoneStar7
goodness, I know that was against a lefty, but still, thats good stuff.
2008-05-06 21:01:30
389.   KG16
9 pitches, 3 strikeouts

and counting

2008-05-06 21:02:37
390.   Xeifrank
Take that!
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:02:48
391.   Indiana Jon
Sometimes Kuo just looks unhittable. Oh yeah, and I love that little kick, skip thing he does after throwing it by somebody too.
2008-05-06 21:02:57
392.   ryu
Does Kuo always seem to do well against the Mets? I think he beat them in the playoffs a couple of years back, didn't he?
2008-05-06 21:02:58
393.   underdog
While it seems like Kuo should be our 5th starter right now, it is nice to have him as an option coming out of the bullpen for games like this.
2008-05-06 21:03:07
394.   KG16
that breaking ball was sick, not Minotaur sick, but, sick.

d'oh, HBP, fast ball to the knee... ouch

2008-05-06 21:03:16
395.   Icaros
Something about Mets uniforms just brings out the best in Hong-Chi Kuo (oops, hit a guy).

The reverse is true for David Wright.

2008-05-06 21:03:27
396.   Xeifrank
On a scale from one to ten, how bad does it hurt? vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:03:38
397.   Greg Brock
386 There isn't a single player on the big club I wouldn't trade for David Wright. Any two players, even.
2008-05-06 21:04:10
398.   Xeifrank
Ok, don't walk the pitcher again.
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:04:38
399.   underdog
392- No, in a crucial game late in the season though. The Dodgers didn't win a game vs. the Mets in that playoff series. But he has certainly done well against them.

Owie! I have a feeling Mets fans might cynically feel like Kuo just did them a favor. But I do hope he's okay.

2008-05-06 21:04:40
400.   joemc
i got an idea for a drinking game:
every time charlie steiner has to correct himself- 1 drink
every time charlie steiner doesn't realize he is wrong- 10 drinks
Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2008-05-06 21:04:45
401.   KG16
397 - there's a joke in there, but I'm going to behave and let it go...
2008-05-06 21:05:30
402.   Xeifrank
Typical Guo outing. Strikes out a ton and wild beyond belief all at the same time.
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:06:04
403.   Eric Stephen
The key to the game tonight: getting Figueroa out.
2008-05-06 21:06:10
404.   natepurcell
Now that is really annoying.
2008-05-06 21:06:31
405.   underdog
Uh, I think we jinxed Kuo here.

Walking the pitcher, are you kidding?

2008-05-06 21:06:47
406.   El Lay Dave
Nelson Figueroa has just doubled his career walk total. 77 PAs.
2008-05-06 21:06:50
407.   Indiana Jon
397 I almost agree, but no way on Billingsley and Kemp.
2008-05-06 21:07:11
408.   LoneStar7
come on, lets get it back together now
2008-05-06 21:07:32
409.   scareduck
400 - every time Charlie Steiner mispronounces "Encarnacion" -- 5 drinks.

I do like his XM radio show, though.

2008-05-06 21:07:39
410.   El Lay Dave
Walking Figueroa is usually associated with Staples Center, not Dodger Stadium.
2008-05-06 21:08:19
411.   LoneStar7
407 or Martin with either of those two
2008-05-06 21:08:26
412.   Eric Stephen
Old friend Shane Victorino up with one on and 2 out in the 9th, 6-4 Snakes.
2008-05-06 21:08:47
413.   natepurcell
410

Haha.

2008-05-06 21:08:57
414.   El Lay Dave
Sometimes Kuo is a manic-depressive pitcher, fast and violent mood changes.
2008-05-06 21:09:12
415.   Eric Stephen
410
After the Coliseum game, I walked Figueroa for 4 miles because we couldn't get a cab back to where our car was parked.
2008-05-06 21:09:49
416.   natepurcell
411

Martin and Dewitt or David Wright and Gary Bennett?

2008-05-06 21:10:09
417.   Xeifrank
How many wild pitches has Martin saved tonight?
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:10:57
418.   Xeifrank
Strike three called!!! Sit down, will ya! :)
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:11:09
419.   LoneStar7
whooo! great pitch one more out here now
2008-05-06 21:11:14
420.   JoeyP
Kuo got a gift there.
2008-05-06 21:11:33
421.   El Lay Dave
415 Good thing you've been in training.
2008-05-06 21:11:36
422.   natepurcell
pshhh, that was a strike. good call.
2008-05-06 21:11:40
423.   KG16
I wonder if Kuo got a full season of starts if he could challenge Ryan's record.

Or with pitch counts has the single season strike out record jumped into the unbreakable category?

2008-05-06 21:12:14
424.   scareduck
415 - one time I overshot my subway stop in Jamaica, Queens and walked back to the station I should have gotten off at via surface streets, at night. The next day I told the guys I was working with at the Long Island Railroad and they were impressed I survived without getting stabbed. The morning of the day I arrived there, somebody had been stabbed to death on the steps of their office. Great place, Jamaica.
2008-05-06 21:12:30
425.   natepurcell
Kuo's fastball is plus plus plus, 90 on an 80 scale.
2008-05-06 21:12:54
426.   Jon Weisman
From MetsBlog's comments:

"this guy makes sandy koufax look like ollie perez"

2008-05-06 21:13:06
427.   LoneStar7
416 well i was referencing the package idea. Wouldn't give up martin and Kemp or Bills for Wright
2008-05-06 21:13:40
428.   El Lay Dave
425 Pretty impressive for an arm that has been operated on that often.
2008-05-06 21:13:48
429.   natepurcell
This is going to be a fastball....
2008-05-06 21:14:21
430.   Eric Stephen
"Welcome to the Chris Farley show, I'm your host, Chris. Tonight's guest is Dodger pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo. Hong-Chih, remember that time when every out you recorded was a strikeout? That, that was awesome."
2008-05-06 21:15:00
431.   scareduck
Sit down, buddy.
2008-05-06 21:15:13
432.   Xeifrank
Man, if somehow Guo could harness his wildness, he'd be one of the games top pitchers. vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:15:15
433.   Jon Weisman
Shazowow!
2008-05-06 21:15:19
434.   Jacob Burch
"And Ryan Church saying things that are not in church..."

I have to wonder why I would always struggle when asked who my hero was before...

2008-05-06 21:15:31
435.   JoeyP
The ump has a large K zone tonight.
Those last two calls to Reyes/Church were rather fortunate.
2008-05-06 21:15:41
436.   natepurcell
The Mets strategy: Pray that he doesn't throw strikes.

They can't hit him.

2008-05-06 21:15:44
437.   Jon Weisman
Mets have left 10 runners through five.
2008-05-06 21:15:50
438.   68elcamino427
Kuo = Hot Wheels Power
2008-05-06 21:15:55
439.   KG16
"Ryan Church saying things that aren't said in Church"

- Vin Scully.

Wow, really, explain to me again why Kuo isn't starting. Actually, if you could, explain it to me like I'm a six year old.

2008-05-06 21:16:07
440.   El Lay Dave
There was never any doubt! (Shew!)

That was big, did not want Church to reach and have to face Wright there.

2008-05-06 21:16:09
441.   Eric Stephen
Updated 2008 K/9
Kuo 12.09
Billingsley 11.76
2008-05-06 21:16:49
442.   old dodger fan
426 They must not have a rule 6.
2008-05-06 21:17:06
443.   underdog
Really? On replay the called 3rd strike looked like a strike to me, and Reyes seemed to know it. Not sure about the Church 3rd strike, though.

Still, atta boy HCK!

2008-05-06 21:17:38
444.   Eric Stephen
Well, I guess some people named James go by "Jim". :)
2008-05-06 21:17:40
445.   KG16
442 - or they're predicting the future?
2008-05-06 21:17:41
446.   Icaros
Haha...Vin called him Jim Loney.
2008-05-06 21:17:44
447.   whodat807
Does Kuo have a nickname? If not, can it be SHAZAM? Cause that's what I want to yell when he strikes these poor bums out.
2008-05-06 21:17:59
448.   Ricardo
Throws harder than a robot with nails!:P
2008-05-06 21:18:29
449.   underdog
438 Is anyone still playing that game? I got sort of burned out on it awhile back. Was fun while it, or I, lasted, though.
2008-05-06 21:18:47
450.   Xeifrank
This year, unlike previous years, Guo's numbers are better out of the pen than starting. I am pretty sure it's small sample size stuff as we are talking a dozen innings or so either way. His K/9 (this year) was 13.5 pitching out of the pen heading into tonight's game, and that is going to climb.
vr, Xei
Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2008-05-06 21:19:21
451.   Eric Stephen
447
Just like when the Minotaur comes up, I can envision newspaper headlines with the first letter of Kuo's last name repeated to signify the number of strikeouts.
2008-05-06 21:19:21
452.   Xeifrank
447. No, that's not his nickname. :)
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:19:23
453.   LoneStar7
As great as Kuo has been though, I don't want to let myself get too dazzled. We know hes got awesome stuff.

But we also know theres a reason hes not in the starting line up.

2008-05-06 21:19:46
454.   El Lay Dave
447 It's hard to pass on Kuofax.
2008-05-06 21:20:01
455.   CanuckDodger
The last pitch to Church was 98 MPH, according to Gameday.
2008-05-06 21:20:52
456.   Eric Stephen
450
Kuo, as a reliever: 20 Ks, 11.2 IP, 15.43 K/9
2008-05-06 21:21:05
457.   KG16
453 - the short sightedness of the front office is not a good enough reason for me.
2008-05-06 21:21:07
458.   Icaros
Jim Loney just missed that one.
2008-05-06 21:21:14
459.   underdog
I know the Mets could easily have more runs than they do tonight, but I feel like the Dodgers should, too, vs. Admiral Nelson Figueroa.
2008-05-06 21:21:19
460.   Vaudeville Villain
435

Huh. They looked pretty clearly like strikes too me. This is why baseball is such a difficult sport to judge strictly on what you see.

2008-05-06 21:21:50
461.   Eric Stephen
453
But we also know theres a reason hes not in the starting line up

Actually, we don't. All the reasons given by management so far have not passed the sniff test.

2008-05-06 21:21:55
462.   Bob Timmermann
I don't know if I feel better knowing that Roy Campanella shaved his face with Neet.
2008-05-06 21:22:07
463.   Bob Hendley
Isn't there a rule against us arguing balls and strikes?
2008-05-06 21:23:21
464.   KG16
462 - I think that was kind of a cool story. But then I'm one of those guys that has a five o'clock shadow before lunch...
2008-05-06 21:24:24
465.   Eric Stephen
Three hits company tonight for DeWitt!

Tonight's first base umpire: you guessed it, Jim Joyce.

2008-05-06 21:24:25
466.   El Lay Dave
457 Kuo does walk about 1 guy every 2 IP, career, which is a bit wild. But after seeing the slop that Loaiza throws up there, I can't see not starting Hong-Chih over Esteban.
2008-05-06 21:24:28
467.   dzzrtRatt
Solved!
2008-05-06 21:24:46
468.   Bob Timmermann
IPHR!
2008-05-06 21:24:46
469.   Jacob Burch
The solution appears to be a second career home run....
2008-05-06 21:24:53
470.   Vaudeville Villain
Haha, wut?
2008-05-06 21:24:57
471.   KG16
WOW
WOW
WOW
WOW
WOW

not THAT is a home run ball right there

2008-05-06 21:25:00
472.   Sam in SC
an inside the park HR for dewitt. tell me I didn't just see that!
2008-05-06 21:25:04
473.   Eric Stephen
I'm giving Blake a one-man standing ovation right now.
2008-05-06 21:25:18
474.   natepurcell
ODFOIHFFHFOF!O!-79239R2@^93635!!
2008-05-06 21:25:18
475.   skybluestoday
My goodness!
2008-05-06 21:25:21
476.   ROC
That is a well earned MLB homerun #2.
2008-05-06 21:25:23
477.   68elcamino427
DeWitt gets all of his hits with two strikes tonight?
2008-05-06 21:25:30
478.   whodat807
461 I wouldn't mind so much if they had been handling him with any sort of consistency. Why trot him out there because he's better suited for starting pitching and then yank him two starts later because he's all of a sudden more suited for the bullpen?

My. God. Was that just an inside the park home run?

2008-05-06 21:25:36
479.   Bob Hendley
Oh my goodness!
2008-05-06 21:25:37
480.   Icaros
I won't believe that DeWitt can't play a passable second base until I see the carnage with my own eyes.
2008-05-06 21:25:41
481.   dzzrtRatt
This will speed up the game considerably.
2008-05-06 21:25:47
482.   madmac
woohoo!
2008-05-06 21:25:49
483.   Ricardo
I love you Blake!
2008-05-06 21:25:51
484.   natepurcell
But guys... it wasn't a line drive :(
2008-05-06 21:25:57
485.   underdog
Oh man.

Didn't see that coming.

Insider the parker!

Church is once again saying things not fit to say in Church.

2008-05-06 21:25:59
486.   ROC
Get the kid some oxygen.
2008-05-06 21:26:09
487.   fanerman
INSIDE THE PARK! SOLUTION!
2008-05-06 21:26:11
488.   trainwreck
Inside the parker!!
2008-05-06 21:26:19
489.   JoeyP
That was crazy.
2008-05-06 21:26:22
490.   underdog
Missed it by... that much.
2008-05-06 21:26:22
491.   Xeifrank
461. 5th starter not needed til May 17th right? Guo started a few games but was unable to get past the 4th inning in any of them. True, he was on a pitch count. A tight one the first two outings. My belief is that Guo was rushed into the rotation and should've been in the pen, even until this time. I am worried about putting too much stress on his recently repaired arm. I wouldn't have started him at all until May 17th. He's definitely better than Loaiza and Park, but there are other considerations in my opinion. vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:26:37
492.   LoneStar7
461 well I know its debatable, and I certainly wouldn't mind him putting him back in with the way esteban pitches in his last outing.

But personally, I dont think he has proven that he can be consistent enough to give us 6 innings or so. But he certainly deserves a chance if he gives us another inning like the last two..

2008-05-06 21:26:48
493.   PDH5204
Tell Shimmin to wear corduroy.
2008-05-06 21:26:50
494.   Vaudeville Villain
Wright airmails one.
2008-05-06 21:27:01
495.   Sam in SC
AIRMAIL!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks, david ;)

2008-05-06 21:27:04
496.   scareduck
Oh, my, but that was fun.

Andy LaRoche is gonna have to homer in every game from now 'til the All-Star break.

2008-05-06 21:27:20
497.   StolenMonkey86
aw shucks. I was hoping Kuo would get another at bat so he could get his average back up.
2008-05-06 21:27:26
498.   dzzrtRatt
You watch this guy DeWitt on this magical mystery tour and you realize the truth is, nobody knows anything.

He's even got Wright wrattled. Maybe he's worrying about his All-Star slot.

2008-05-06 21:27:27
499.   Jacob Burch
Can I change my roster vote to DeWitt?
2008-05-06 21:27:31
500.   Bob Timmermann
I would like to mention that when FSN uses X-MO while that graphic was showing on the scoreboard in the fence that I really thought I was going to end up on the floor convulsing.

And I don't even get seizures that are caused by flashing lights. Instead, it was just annoying.

Show/Hide Comments 501-550
2008-05-06 21:27:43
501.   ROC
And the worm turns over at 3B for the Mets. There's only one thing that would make this inning more perfect...
2008-05-06 21:27:50
502.   underdog
480 Or LaWitt, er, DeRoche. LaRoche! Whatever. One of them can play 2nd and the other can play 3rd, I'm telling ya.

Keep both these boys. It's gonna be fun.

Oops, I guess Wright is human after all.

2008-05-06 21:28:04
503.   Lexinthedena
Man, I'm lovin' Freshy Fresh!
2008-05-06 21:28:23
504.   Eric Stephen
491
I'll give you that, but if he has time to prepare for the rotation I think he could be very effective 5-6 innings at a time as a starter.
2008-05-06 21:28:23
505.   fiddlestick
And Wright throws it away.
2008-05-06 21:28:25
506.   whodat807
This is one bizarre inning.
2008-05-06 21:28:26
507.   joemc
LaRoche who?
2008-05-06 21:28:35
508.   Ricardo
I was almost saying that Wright is their best "pitcher".
2008-05-06 21:28:35
509.   jasonungar07
phhhf, Nomar would have hit it out on a fly.
2008-05-06 21:28:42
510.   underdog
500 Are you able to watch flashy anime, too, or do you get seizures?
2008-05-06 21:28:50
511.   Bob Timmermann
An IPHR and a steal of home in the same game. It's baesball, 1906 style.
2008-05-06 21:29:14
512.   Jon Weisman
NPUT
2008-05-06 21:29:15
513.   LoneStar7
and wow i can;t believe we actually just took the lead on a two run inside the parker..
2008-05-06 21:29:19
514.   natepurcell
What's Dewitt's current season line?
2008-05-06 21:29:26
515.   neuroboy002
Crimine. I wish I had cable. I bet that insider was fun to watch.
2008-05-06 21:29:32
516.   68elcamino427
DeWitt tonight, three for three with four rbi's!
2008-05-06 21:29:33
517.   Bob Timmermann
510
I had no trouble watching the Battling Seizure Robots or whatever they called it on the Simpsons.
2008-05-06 21:29:35
518.   fanerman
502 Now THAT is The Solution.
2008-05-06 21:29:36
519.   Eric Stephen
Our 3B is hitting a robust .321/.402/.494!
2008-05-06 21:29:41
520.   Xeifrank
Guo gonna pick up his 2nd straight win in relief?
vr, Xei
2008-05-06 21:29:45
521.   LeeLacy
Jon needs to ask the "ideal starting lineup" question again tomorrow. I wonder what the results are going to be for third base?
2008-05-06 21:30:14
522.   StolenMonkey86
ok Hu was batting 8th. yay, Kuo's still batting
2008-05-06 21:31:08
523.   Gen3Blue
Two true things.

Kuo is almost unhittable if he keeps getting it over.

DeWitt has got to be hard to get out of here.

2008-05-06 21:31:16
524.   Gen3Blue
Two true things.

Kuo is almost unhittable if he keeps getting it over.

DeWitt has got to be hard to get out of here.

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