Braves up 2-0 early vs. Dbacks

Careful, game actually starts at 6:05 you might miss Manny :)

Yeah, Go Dodgers!!!

.....{tumbleweed}.....

prediction: Kent and Manny homer tonight.

Nothing finer than the Angels blowing out the Yankees, sending them farther back in the standings while padding a first place lead. Except maybe the Dodgers beating the Yankees in the WS some year.

Prediction: 7 shut out innings for Hiro-san.

What is up with the early start? I like it, but it's weird.

I feel bad for Aaron Rowand.

8 Because he is a good player on a not good team?

This is like watching invisible baseball.

Hiya, kids.

5 - I wouldn't mind seeing an Angels/Dodgers World Series.

It's not as if Rowand had reason to believe he was signing with a good team.

7 - They do the same thing for Saturday night games at Angel Stadium.

I am thinking, these are not my father's Gnats and then Bonds in the booth says he misses being with these guys and I wonder who he knows on the team.

6 - one down, six to go.

14 Well, he did mention what a great guy "Scott" Rowand is...

Looks like it's Good Kuroda tonight.

Do they really need to keep the camera on Barry at all times? I'd like to watch the game, not watch Barry pretend like he's not bitter about the way the last 12 months have gone for him.

15 And then 2 more inning of rule 9 being in effect?

2-1 Braves after 4

Jeez, Bonds even misses Kent.

Manny with a solid at bat and a single

Is there anything to the rumor that they're going to do a Manny-dreds wig giveaway at Dodger Stadium soon?

Nice at bat for Manny.

21 I miss Bonds. :(

Wow, Barry just picked the Dodgers to win the west.

This ump's strike out gesture looks like kung fu.

26 - red meat for the crowd.

25 - and there you go, I was wondering when someone would admit that.

C'mon Blake. Drive these runs in.

This is my first game in over a week. Please, please, please win!

You gotta be kidding me, that went right off his knuckles.

HBP on an 0-2 count!

Hiro!!!!

KURODA!!

16 - His daughter thinks Rowand's stance is funny. I heard that there is a game actually going on.

Kurooooooooda!

C'mon, Bison.

Kuroda helps his own cause!

So is this Barry Bonds interview hour, or is this a baseball game? How long are they gonna be talking to him? They barely touched on Kuroda's basehit. grumble

This is beyond annoying. Bad enough I don't get this game on Prime Ticket, but now the radio station that ALWAYS has the weekend Giants games on doesn't have this game. It's giving me ESPN Radio's Game Night instead. All-Favre All the Time.

Hiroki taimurihitto!

"Let's go Dodg-ants." The funny chants they do have at this park!

36 As do I. The squat is a bit much.

c'mon matty, you need to stop taking those inside fastballs.

Is it normal to lob Rule 1 violations at the screen when Barry is being interviewed or is that something I should seek help for?

AZ takes the lead, 3-2.

Poor girl dropped her pizza.

Barry just knocked some girl's pizza to the ground in the stands. She was OK with it because he's Barry Bonds, but he'd better buy her another slice.

Room service loney.

Really nice DP! for Angel.

45

That wasnt his problem. No reason to swing at a pitch you cant do anything with. He fouled off 2 absolute cookies in his 2 abs (the first pitch of each one) that needed to be hammered. He just missed on both.

Bengie Molina: 5'11"? 210lb? Ha!

Well. I fell asleep before Kuroda drove in the game's only run, and I had to run out to get my laundry before my pants wrinkled just as Berroa turned the DP.

Anything else I missed? Sheesh.

The Bums are about the only team that might have been able to get away with signing Bonds. You know, in the longtime tradition of each team trying to screw the other. Yeah, Ned could have...oh wait. Nevermind.

53 - 511 lb, 210 cm, maybe.

25 i don't miss losing to the giants.

Manny, back at .500.

53 i was remarking last night that andruw jones is still listed at 210 lbs. that seems about 30 lbs off to me.

Manny smoked that ball... no pun intended.

That man is amazing.

It's so disappointing to see Manny only hitting singles. Where's the power production, dammit?

"Loss of input signal"? Whiskey tango foxtrot?

Ah, back to normal.

Yay Braves!

62 is his 1.000 slugging percentage not high enough for you, rob?

65 - I was being sarcastic.

This strike zone is a might bit liberal.

Sheesh.

Nobody is hitting with RISP beside Kuroda. Freaking pathetic so far.

I might have better luck rooting for Atlanta. Haren is out after 5.1 IP.

Are you west coasters getting Michael Phelps right now...?

66 ah. not over the top enough for me, i guess. i needed a juan pierre comparison or something, then i would've gotten it. anyway, my bad :)

Bases loaded, one out for ATL.

70 Negative. No Olympics until 8:00.

70 No, we're delayed 3 hours.

OK, I won't give any spoilers.

Man that was an incredible race. Set your Tivo, it was fun.

Bases loaded HBP. 5-3 ATL.

5-3 Braves on a hit batter. Chop chop.

70 Your ellipses indicates something, though. Something...worthy of interest.

Damnit, now you've ruined everything with your ellipses. Must. Not. Investigate.

How is it possible that the Dodgers always seem to miss Lincecum?

And how many ball parks have female PAs?

And this is what giving up a hit to a pitcher on an 0-2 count will do to you. Thats what killed Kuroda last time, too.

79
A gold, silver, and bronze medal were each given away...

81 - IIRC the Giants are the only one.

If Kuroda finishes strong, is he still a contender for the ROY? Or does Soto have that locked up?

Crazy play that plates two in Zona, with three scoring on McCann's RBI single with the bags juiced. 8-3 Braves.

In Phoenix, O-Dog just got hurt when he jammed his left wrist into the big body of Brian McCann. Looks bad.

Brett Butler! I loved him when he was a Dodger.

79 google news is your friend

Just for fun, what do you think the odds are of Manny, Hudson and/or Sabathia signing with the Dodgers?

And McCann just shook up Mark Reynolds on a slide!

89 I couldn't resist. AAAGH.

As long as Orlando Hudson is ready for spring training, that's all that matters.

Love them 7-pitch innings.

90 - Hard to say. The Yankees have a ton of payroll coming off the books (Giambi for starters) and will no longer be subject to payroll taxes thanks to their ridiculous, publicly-financed stadium. I could easily see them breaking the bank to sew up all three, though I wonder whether Cashman would go for Manny. Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia, though, would very likely end up in pinstripes.

95 - Translated, I could easily see the Yanks hitting the $250M payroll level next year.

Triple for baby face!

3-bagger for Ethier!

Triple! Andre 2 for 3 tonight!

Andre, all unnecessary slides on triples should be head first.

Starting to remind me superficially of this game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200208280.shtml

Time for Manny to bring in the bacon.

Old Man follows the plan.

95 Even Hudson? I think the Dodgers have a better chance of signing Sabathia, but that may be because I do think he wants to stay in the NL.

102 - when did Ethier get the nickname "Bacon"?

That sucked.

My, but that was disappointing.

What the heck??? Wow.

bleh.

80

is it a sign?

You guessed...poorly.

104 - it's amazing what a salve a few million a year can be. Of course, players for the Yankees end up getting a pretty sizeable haircut due to state income taxes.

In a race between Kent and a Molina, there are no winners.

The Old Man is Running?

Time for another Bigelow green tea and a reality check.

114 - Looks like I picked a bad time to stop sniffing glue.

May the Giants' offense be Dodgerian.

116 - before or after Manny/Blake?

115
Ha! Yes - and I tried to quit smoking and drinking today too!

I should clarify: sub-pre-Manny/Blake.

That works, too.

Robot. Made. Of. Nails.

Bison Gun!

BISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOT!!!!

Flyball DP! Sporky, you got your wish.

Robot Made Of NAILS!

OUT BY A MILE!!!!!!!!!!!!

arm!

While I'm at it, I want a CDMA iPhone.

I was really hoping this lineup would produce more than one run through the first five innings. And the one run was an RBI by Kuroda. Ugh.

My high expectations have once again run into LaRochian disappointment.

Kemp to Martin - YER OUT!!!

9-4 Braves, bottom of the 7th, one out, nobody on.

Wow - Has the word gotten around that Loney is going to take the first pitch or what?

Correia will not make it out of the 6th.

I just finished doing an oil change on my car, I gotta tell you it's not always fun doing the work but it's ALWAYS fun completed the task.

plus I save good money also.

134
Yeah, bet you saved about fifty bucks. Good job!

134 - Because I have zero mechanical aptitude, I consider paying $30 or so to be a wise quarterly investment.

2 hideous swings by Manny and Russ. Really bad.

Russell??

Man those are some ugly hacks.

Not a great throw but essentially a missed wave tag by Vizquel.

I don't like that hit & run thing by Torre.

136 - I used to do it for myself but the skinned knuckles and burned fingers just weren't worth it. Anybody want to buy a slightly used Jeepers Creeper?

How do you dispose of the oil?

Maybe we shouldn't be sending slow runners from first on 3-2 counts with less than two out. I'd rather take the chance of the GIDP than get nailed on a K,2-6 DP.

If the Giants were going somewhere, I think Vizquel would have buried his nose in that tag attempt.

142 - lots of places will take it. I used to take mine to Pep Boys.

in 6 seasons Correia's ERA is at 4.32

142
Flower bed?

Storm drain?

Toilet?

So politically incorrect.

145 Good to know. Thanks.

148 - don't tell me you change your own oil, too. That would make you, like, teh awesome, especially for a femme.

Kuroda's bat has a pristine appearance.

142

You take it to your local auto parts store... I didn't know this but you gotta change the screw every other oil change.

The Dodgers' best lineup of the year has scored only one run against a lousy Giants pitcher, and I just saw a mouse in my kitchen.

I am not pleased with either of these developments.

11-4 Atlanta 8th inning.

152 - why is your computer in your kitchen?

149 I don't, but it's largely because I don't know how to dispose of the used oil.

1st place is with in reach you guys!

woot-woot!

155 But I built my own PC and sewed my own quilt!

151 Is that a joke over my head or something? Or are you really saying you replace your drain bolt every other change?

157 - I killed me a b'ar when I was only three.

Or something like that.

154 I have a Manhattan apartment. The living room and kitchen are one and the same.

I wonder if Vinnie eats special foods to stay as sharp as he does...

158 - that sounds hokey to me, too.

160 - Beach or NYC? If the latter, where do you put your knees when you sleep?

I don't like Dave Roberts.

158

That's what the dude told me.

Clean shaven Dave Roberts looks weird.

I have to abide.

Déja vu?

Squeeze play.

165 - what kind of a car do you have?

it will be quite impressive if Kuroda gets out of this one.

Do you mean the drain plug?

166 Yes, he does. Very weird.

169 - so obvious even *I* saw it coming.

170

Acura 3.2S (2003)

Ugh the Dodgers lucky tonight.

Shucks.

A comedy of errors. WP K.

that's not that bad, hopefully we get a DP out of it.

Good repair shops will usualy replce the washer after each oil change. It is not neccessary but can help prevent leakage.

Gak.

Still 11-4 Snakes after eight.

That should be out 3. My prediction is done.

181 ^2

180 - note washer, not drain plug.

180.
I used to work at the Wal Mart auto shop and we used to change the washer all the time. If it was necessary, we would change the plug too.

163 NYC. Thankfully, I have enough space to lie flat when I sleep.

I used to think the "impossibly-small Manhattan apartment" thing was just a well-worn gag, like the line about Dodger fans arriving late/leaving early, etc. But I've actually seen apartments in my neighborhood where twin-size beds do not fit in the bedrooms, the kitchen sink doubles as the bathroom sink, and the toilet is wedged into the closet. And the rent is north of $2000 a month.

I don't think you find conditions like that in Manhattan Beach.

Come on. There are two out. Get the guy at the plate.

If you fill a pillowcase with them, drain plugs can be a good substitute for door knobs or nickle rolls.

Is there a worse "cleanup hitter" in the league than Bengie Molina...?

This inning is teh suck.

Why didn't Kent just throw to 1st base, Molina was running for crying out loud!

Kent must have forgotten who was running to first.

190 Kent, until very recently...?

That Chevron car has illegal red lights for turn signals.

If Berroa wasn't late to the bag then he'd been out at 2nd.

Man. He was just under both of those FBs.

Long swing by Kemp there.

This team has such a bipolar offense.

Ethier hits sooooo many warning track oppo fly balls.

Just a little bit stronger, man! Weight room!

hey all im new, but GO DODGERS

199 - yeah. I prefer my teams to have a CMOS offense.

201- Hello. How often do you change your drain plug?

Beet LA. Huh. Must be vegetarian expats.

Wow, nice poise, Billy Sadler.

Don't throw a parade or anything.

Reign it in, sir.

11-4 final in Arizona.

That was bush league right there.

Wow, the pitcher needs to realize he plays on a terrible team and is also terrible

203 Andrew Shimmin
Getting too personal too early.

That guy is a real loon.

If I struck out Manny, I'd have business cards indicating that I had made. And they'd be sweet.

Manny will adapt & if they throw him that slider again he'll go yard or get a hit.

Kuroda should give a little chin music to bowker

212 I'd get a tattoo to memorialize the event, but I'm not a major league pitcher.

210- I don't like to brag, but I'm pretty sure mine is stock. It was a simpler time, when people were allowed to make things with lead in them. I've made contingency plans to change it, but, as yet my car has not been attacked by a sniper.

Sporky's hard core. I'd only get a tattoo if I struck out Andy LaRoche. But it would be a frowny face emoticon tattoo.

Bison!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woooot!!

Kemp! Cannon ARM!!!!

Stupid, stupid, stupid baserunning by Vizquel.

Thank you.

2 assists OH BABY!!

I thought the Dodgers held the patent on foolish baserunning.

That's why you bean kids in Little League.

They have to learn!

Oh, and robot made of nails.

Kemp has a five star arm.

Bison is turning into a damn good Cfer. Now if he would just punish one of those belt high fastballs he has seen tonight.

That's right, keep running on Matt Kemp. It'll work eventually.

Is pro boxing more crooked than Olympic boxing?

217 - a week or two ago, I saw a guy at an Angels game who had a tattoo of his infant son on his rather meaty bicep. I have to wonder what his son will think of that when he's, say, 14.

That's what I mean by burying your nose in a tag. Good job Kent.

227 Different kinds of crookedness.

It all depends on what kind of crookedness you prefer.

If the bicep is still meaty enough, I bet he keeps his opinion to himself.

Think we can do a Aaron Rowand for Juan Pierre? They're both center fielders, and JP knows how to lead off.

What, no celebration?

Somebody punch the guy in the face.

I watched so much women's soccer this morning, that I actually saw a goal! It was quite a thing.

I think that's a 1st for martin, striking out 3 times.

One of the worst games of his career for Russ. He has been pretty poor since the break.

233 He went with the Derek Jeter smirk this time. He's versatile.

Martin now OPSing .793

234 - They're going to host a party on the mound with a tent and everything. I hear they're even gonna have hors d'oeuvres with stuff on little sticks, and fruity cocktails with parasols sticking out of them.

He's a talentless K-Rod.

Manny being Manny

Did the 4x100 IM final already air on the west coast?

I bet the Snakes are watching this one.

Casey Blake being ranged fielder.

Nice play for Blake.

Nice play by Blake to get the force.

Stone-hands Blake lucks his way into another good defensive play.

Blak with the D!

243 I've got some dude wreckin' shop on the pommel horse.

248 - sarcastic?

And Kuo is not in because....

bleh.

Will we ever get to first place?

If Bengie is 5'11", I'm the sovereign prince of Liechtenstein.

Kemp should have kept that in his pocket.

Nice move my Torre to walk Aurilia.

Put one of the other Old Men on for the DP.

This is high leverage, Joe. Just so you know. If you don't.

Torre being Torre

Molina is slow but he has the power..ughh!!! NO!!!!

Vin is enjoying this a little too much.

Fear the Bison.

uh, perfect throw.

What a freaking gun

251- Actually, no. But if he keeps being a jerk about catching things, and not throwing the ball into the stands, I may have to knock it off.

They are learning....damn!

Everybody afraid of Kemp cannon.

Another run saved by Kemp. Beautiful.

Kuroda!

Bison with the ARM!!! Feelin' lucky Winnie?

Bison the Intimidator keeps it even.

that last guy on the pommel horse was amazing

I think Kemp's arm is loose.

"Molina fails to come through, and he's been a big RBI man for the Giants." Vinnie, you could have omitted "RBI" and "for the Giants" and still be right.

267, i like the sound of that!! haha!

Good time to put Kuo, but its too late for that now.

The Giant lineup has one player OPSing over .800: Fred Lewis, at .801

beautiful pitch kuroda one more please!!

oh man, Kuroda got away with that one, wow

Letter high FB, who agrees?

HIRO!

BAM!!!! KURODA PLAYER OF GAME

Kuroda is FREAKING AWESOME.

HIRO!!!!1

BEAUTIFUL!!

Amazing job by Hiroki. I apologize to Torre.

Kuroda bears down!

that pitch was beautifully.

If that giants' kid showed emotion, why not Kool'Roda, g'head

I wanted Kuroda to point to the sky.

WOOOOOO!!! Kuroda pitching in the clutch!

Hiroki-san!!!!

Hiroki sutorakkuauto!

In Soviet Russia, bears Kuroda you.

Should have gone with the biggest Eckersley fist pump in history right there.

o.k. we gotta score here.

295. I've been saying that in every inning

I like how Russ finished off his series of signs with a fist pump before Kuroda delivered the pitch!

289

a moon walk would have been more impressive.

I Juanna Be Sedated.

Sweeney and Pierre back to back! what a dangerous combo!

Pierre, "stick it" to the giants!!!

Mehhhhhh!

... and Juan is still teh suck.

Oh, my, so the Dodgers are playing all their .000 OBP players in one inning. Great idea, Joe.

Can Sweeney make two outs so Kemp can lead off in the 10th?

It was cool to hear the excitement from Vinny in that inning.

Is Ozuna going to play SS?

Slappy McInPlayOut(s).

Well, whatever happens, it's good to see Kuroda pitching well again, even if it's against the Giants.

Let's do this!

I don't think Sweeney can hit home runs anymore.

C'mon Sweeney

This time it's for real

We're not going to get that Sweeney line, are we?

The Apocalypse is coming. Sweeney singles.

Woooo! Sweeney with a hit.

that hit was nice though.

Hmm... this seems like the classic "let the pitcher, take him out next inning"-situation.

Brian Wilson is the pitcher/douche that crosses his arms after a save, right?

Manny should donate some hair to Sweeney.

wow, that was close!

Or is Sweeny pinch-hitting for Kuroda?

Gameday has Kuroda hi....

There it goes. There's the pinch-hitter. Stupid gameday.

Warning track ugh.

So many deep flys tonight.

Just missed for like the 3rd time tonight for Kemp.

Gaaa...0-5.

Well it was a great defensive game so far.

316 - No, he sings "Little Deuce Coupe."

"Dear god can we please score, Love Eric" oh, was that out loud?

Fair!

that thing looked fair to me...

the umps should huddle up.

ball hit the line

Bah!!!!

Did it hit the chalk?

Meh. Bad call.

Well, that's a shame.

My brother just said that Ethier reminds him of Ricky Ledee. I'm going to kick his ass.

Ump is freaking blind.

It was fair.

as an um[ire, how in the world do you miss that call?

Maybe Eithier should lead off. He's working the count like a real lead off hitter does.

330 - looked fair to me.

Can't they just see if there's chalk on the ball?

333

Give 'em a Charley for me.

i think that ump must be cockeyed or something cuz from anyone'a view that was FAIR!!!!!!!!!

Well it was a great AB by 3.5.

Maybe we should hire people under 50 to be umpires.

WHAT A GOOD AT BAT FOR SUCH A CRAPPY HIT

if Kuo comes in I have full confidence he'll get the job done.

339 I'm pretty sure that's paint, and the play is over. Foul ball. Not much you can do except get a hit the next pitch.

Drat.

343

or at least check there vision every so often.

I've watched just about every Dodger game this season and as far as I am concerned that was the worst call I've seen an umpire make this season.

Kuroda did a great job tonight.

347 Can't wait for Instant reply.

Greg Brock were can I buy wiffle balls & bats?

or is somebody gonna bring 'em.

for those who dont know Orlando Hudson is out for year

Nice stress free inning by Kuo.

The Dodgers and Giants are headed for extras, and I ... I am headed for the gym. Night, all.

350

I don't think replay would work for a play like that. If the ump stops the action, you can't restart.

It's K-U-O-t-o-m-a-t-i-c.

351 Any sporting goods store should have them. Toys R us as well.

Make sure they are within wiffle standards. That's very important.

I would bet you could find a wiffle bat and ball at Walmart.

Very disappointing at Kuo for not getting K outs.

350 How would IR help on a call like that? What do you do with the runners when the video overturns it?

355 Icaros
They would just put the players back to where they were and blow a whistle to continue.

SEE YA!

Well done, old man.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. OLD MAN KENT.

Jeff Kent.

Sweeeeet!!!!

Oh my!!!!

Kent! You crazy Old Man!

Everything old is young again!

OLD MAN POWER....THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY!!!!

The old man can hit!!!!!!

Well, I haven't left yet.

That was certainly fun.

Kent biatch.

Twist that knife, Jeff. Twist it good.

WOW, that thing went half way up the bleachers.

Kuo has got to be one of the nicest surprises this season.

Kent power.

that thing was hit so hard..it almost tapped a hole in that coke bottle

I hate when there's an MLB.tv delay. I saw you guys whooping it up for Kent before I saw him hit the dinger.

Manny being Manny!!

Heh, 3 singles for Manny.

Manny! Single!

Kuroda, Kemp, Kuo, Kent.

Damn Loney was robbed.

361

If you're serious, I'd rather the blown call then have to see that.

Manny cant run, or did he just run towards second "boston style"?

than

Let's go Russ

I just want to point out that Kuo threw eight pitches in the ninth inning, and the first batter due up in the 10th is a lefty.

there is something missing in the crowd...oh yeah that dreadful "BEAT L.A." chant!!!!!!!!!!!

361 Ah... Women's lacrosse style.

are you gonna show up Icaros

Krukow and Kuiper are speculating that Kent's stare into the Giants dugout while rounding third was a message to their reliever Sadler...looking at Kent's expression while sitting in the dugout, I don't doubt it.

Often, when it is this tight I have trouble watching. But because I had to miss most of this game (sitting duties) I am enjoying it, and have resolved to watch and enjoy, win or lose!

Hey, these SF announcers think Loney has speed!

Freakin Torre and his hit and run. Way to totally ruin that AB by Russ. He had to swing at 2 balls. Hit and run on a 2-0 count is so idiotic I can't even express how bad it is.

388 - Joe Torre wonders what you're getting at.

392. I like that.

They're disrespecting Andruw Jones!

How far the mighty have fallen.

there is that smurck from jones.....

Why did they boo Jones?

391

Nah, I couldn't get up for the travel. Will miss it, though. If I had the power of teleportation, it'd be a no-brainer.

Pure disrespect here. Can't say I blame them.

400 Because there are a lot of Dodgers fans at the game.

388 - Moot now.

everything away for A.Jones

403

LOL.

Could Kuo please go another inning?

When you don't expect nothing for Andruw. You won't be disappoint.

I'm not sure about that last strike. But oh well. BRING IN BROX-TON.

388 Yup, and I just want to point out that Kuo is a better hitter

Classic Kent Home Run!

Coming into the game, for August Kent hitting .360/.385/.440

Feeble.

Somebody on BBTF mentioned Dale Murphy as a comparable collapse for Andruw Jones. I don't even think Dale Murphy fell off this big of a cliff.

That made no sense at all. None at all.

it's understandable, I just wanted K you with a ball I'm gonna end up buying at Toys R' us.

415 for 401

388 Jon, you couldn't make a better point, and this is the kind of missed oppurtunity that has mad me livid this year.

413 - That was me, I think, and I was mostly going for the "Braves CF suddenly tanking" thing.

Them Rays are pretty good...

Figures.

415

Whatever, I'm the Wiffle-Ball King of the Bay. I even built my own field in the backyard when I was a kid.

pesky Roberts. agh!

The ghost of Dave Roberts won't leave me be!

417 made, I mean--but mad is also appropriate

416 You don't get to pitch, man. We'll all get dominated.

I hate Roberts.

Broxton's gonna blow this.

There is no enteligencia behind Broxton's pitching...

Here hit it or try too.

413

Are you referring to Andruw or Joe?

BTW, that physics video you posted a few days ago is an internet phenomenon. It's everywhere I look all of a sudden.

422 - That's not allowed, Tripon.

Broxton WHY? is there something wrong with this guy?

Rats. honestly I feel bad for Broxton, I just really like the dude.

WHY NO MORE KUO?!

432- His left fielder is a hump.

Kuo/Lefty and turning Wynn around would have been nice.

I loathe Joe Torre.

431 Sorry, my bad.

Is this the aspect of Manny's D that we should fear?

Broxton Blows

This is Torrie thru and thru. He has such a definite style.

430 Remember where you saw it first. Geek cred.

I'm going to my room.

That's what happens. The snakes must be loving this.

Sigh... nice meltdown for Broxton.

YOURE KIDDING MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE THE SORRY 4TH PLACE GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Broxton is a Brain-Dead Heaver.
Long ago, some veteran Dodger coined that for John Wetteland.

Absolutely loathe.

Well, I'm depressed.

This is why I drink.

You guys are talking about Broxton like he's Danys Baez. He deserves way better than that from those of you doing so.

Yakety Sax

430

which physics video? I wanna see.

449 This game is sobering.

47 2/3 innings, 54 baserunners, 57 strikeouts. If you don't like that, you're not being reasonable.

Ummm..... for those of us on Gameday: What happened? Did Broxton throw a tailing fastball to first, or did he throw to the wrong base?

I've already prepared my mind for the loss...

...

I sense a wonderful post about conventional wisdom and Joe Torre coming from the philosopher king.

Take your base.

Bases loaded. The batter was hit.

THAT WAS A 97 MPH CHARLEY!!! HEY JOE...IM WAITING!!!!!!!!!!

Broxton doesn't have it tonight, why isn't he being pulled for a guy like Wade?

455- He threw home. If Russ could have held on, it would have been an out.

455 - He had no play at first, so he threw home and threw in the dirt.

is Broxton arm o.k. it looks like he is draging it or something.

maybe he is tired or something.

458 - No need to repeat myself.

A pox on Dave Roberts.

459 No. The batter before that: Burris.

454 Good pitcher, but not a closer.

The Snakes are loving this (ugh!!) I can picture them now.

465 Yeah, I guess that's our job.

462 463 Thank you very much.

Glad I didn't go to this game.

Hey all, Jones hit for Kuo and though with our bench it's debateable, basically you have to put a hitter up there to try and get more. If the inning would have ended sooner (dang Manny Ramirez) I bet we would have seen Kuo for the 10th.

462 Hard to hold on a ball when Dave Roberts sticks his foot right into his glove.

The Snakes are watching women's beach volleyball, I bet.

uh.

Can't believe Molina chased that.

Yesss!!!

I believe in you Broxton! Let's do this!

97 MPH. So much for a bad arm

468 - If you want to list all the ninth inning saves that he has blown that weren't the fault of a complete team defensive lapse, I can assure you it won't take you long at all.

474- It wasn't Martin's fault. If Martin doesn't make the play, that's a pretty fair case that the play was unmake-able.

473 Bat Ardoin for Kuo, and then have him catch in the 9th inning.

And the "Broxton is not a closer" junk is pure silliness. He had been perfect since Saito went down until tonight.

The D-Backs' collective mind is not paying attention to what's happening in SF. The focus is O-Dog's wrist.

Michael Phelps time.

Consarnit.

Well, this sucks.

oohh.

Get 'em next time Ox.

ONCE AGAIN..............THEY ARE THE GIANTS FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

484- I'm sure his wrists are quite lovely, but I'd still put my money on women in bikinis for attention catching.

I'm gonna cried now. I blame this on the offense tonight.

half game back...

It's o.k. lets suit up & show up tomorrow.

Oops. Looks like volleyball is over. More men's gymnastics. I find fault with this programming.

488 - Could you please release your Caps Lock key?

Giants win the penant!
Giants win the penant!
Well, now they are only 40 games out. :)
vr, Xei

This was the most frustrating game of the season so far.

Not second guessing the defensive alignment, but that ball is an inning ending DP if the infield is back. Tough loss.

483

your probably right, it's all good man, it's just kind of frustrating. letting out some steam that's all.

Man, we were THIS close.

496

I was thinking the same thing, oh well.

pfffffffffttttt.

Was that last hit a double play with the infield back?
vr, Xei

502. Guess it was. ;)
vr, Xei

495 Disabled List
Maybe not. It was toward the hole.

488, sorry i was showing my emotions, heck everyone is doin it. haha!

Our defense is bad.

496 I thought the same thing. Why is the infield up with one out and the bases loaded?

It doesn't help that Torre gave away three outs with the hit and run. This team isn't good enough to give away an inning per game.

All the attacks on Broxton here are ridiculous. He has been doing very well in Saito's absence so far. We can all be frustrated without blaming him for tonight's loss.

Let's face it. Joe Torre is a nice guy.(like some of our other leaders). But he has his leadoff guy, and he has his closer.
Kuo only threw a few pitches and was a lefty. This guy has a very low on base percentage? Come on, baseball isn't supposed to be rocket science! And if I didn't stay dumb, how would I get baseball people and writers to still like me? Sure, anyone with half a brain could have won this game, but I doubt they could have been lovable.

Well, I at least enjoyed seeing a bit of it.

I didn't cry when me own father was hung for stealing a pig, but I'll cry now.

I know that this site isn't the place for "closer mentality" talk, but I know what I've seen. Broxton melted down last year in the middle of the pennant race and I've seen him melt down in enough important games not to come to the conclusion that he is a talented pitcher but he just doesn't do that well under pressure. Some people just don't respond well to it, and I think Broxton is one of those guys. I'm not trying to fight about it because no one wants him to do well more than me. And I don't mean to beat up on the kid because I really like him. I know you will disagree and I understand why you will. I'm entitled to my opinion though. And I knew he was going to blow it after his first three pitches.

511 They guy gave up one clean hit and has been nails before this.

504

it was a standard hit towards 2nd base, easy DP but the infield was drawn in.

Hey, Broxton has great stuff and he keeps getting better. But anyone can see that when he gets put in a big situation, some of the time he has trouble getting it over.
Anytime in the majors you can't throw strikes, its a roll of the dice. I personally wish he had taken the time to pursue starting a while longer.But if he is lucky he may end up a closer, and if not he will certainly make middle reliever, which is a guaranteed pay day anyway, if not on the same grand scale.

Broxton career ERA in save situations: 2.97
Non save: 3.01

the bottom line is, it should of come down to broxton having to save this game. kevin correa is a 2 pitch pitcher, and a clone of brett tomko, we absolutely have to score more than 1 run in 6 innings off a guy like that. russell martin did a terrible job on defense tonight, with his pitch call to the batter broxton ended up hitting, 4 pitches in a row he called inside fastball when a slider down and away would have struck him out easily. I hate to bad mouth russell but he needs to sit down with donny baseball and look at some tape, hes trying to pull everything.

Broxton is our closer tonight, and I wouldn't be scared to see him again tomorrow night. BUT, he didn't have it tonight, and should have been pulled when he hit the batter for somebody like Cory Wade.

Hopefully we'll win tomorrow, and the D'Backs lose to the suddenly best team in the NL East Braves.

517 Pitchers require warmup time.

511 - Again, what are your examples?

Does anyone really want to see Kuo as closer? This could just be my Asian pride speaking but he seems to have the stuff and the mentality.

515

home many innings for each thing?

I like Broxton a lot man, I'm sure he'll do better, isn't this his first blown save? he'll be fine.

Broxton's got fierce stuff, has great numbers, but for some reason doesn't inspire me with games on the line. I know he's done a good job in these situations for the most part, so I'm not sure what it is. I think maybe we all expect perfection from him because we know that he's capable of so much.

Despite not really having it tonight, I think there was a real chance of getting out of that inning if they went for the double play. It seems like lately, Kent has just missed a number of crucial plays.

Painful loss tonight.

520 At least until he blows a save.

These are Broxton's career splits.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=broxtjo01&year=c

If Pierre had stayed in the game after his PH and replaced Manny, the Dodgers would have won. Or in a parallel dimension where Manny isn't a hump, they could have won, too. But maybe we'd all have lizard tongues and it would rain doughnuts in that dimension. No free lunches.

520

Your asking me? [looks around] yeah I think he is Kuolified.

Actually that was misleading because it includes hold situations too.

In his career Broxton has been much better in the eighth than in the ninth, but has been even better than that in extras.

Apparently this Phelps fellow is good at swimming.

Wow.

If you really want to quantify something, look at the early counts Broxton had tonight. I don't even have any idea what they actually are, but I just trust that the inability to get a strike or two early is the whole key to most pitching.

Why don't we use a one two punch (tag team) of Kuo & Broxton?

like one time we'll use Broxton & the other time we'll use Kuo.

Phelps is a god.

Given the traditional way that Torre uses his closer, perhaps not having Kuo in that slot means that he gets into more high leverage situations.

Again, tonight was a combination blown save for the Dodgers. Broxton wasnt sharp, Martin called a hideous inning, and the defense sucked. i'll try to break it down hitter by hitter.

Roberts- Ahead with 2 stikes, why call for a fastball on the outside corner? He's a guy trying to make contact and that pitch allows him the most time to get the bat on the ball. Silly, silly call by Russ who gets extremely fastball happy with Broxton on the hill. Throw him soemthing in the dirt or try to burn him inside. He doesnt have the bat speed to pull Brox's fastball.

Winn- Any regular left fielder makes that play. Manny turned 2 fly balls into hits and this one cost us. Terrible jump. No idea why Andruw didnt stay in the game and move Andre to left. Brain dead move by Torre that might have cost the team the game and will go unnoticed.

Buriss- just bad luck. Little chopper that is an out if there isnt a guy on 3rd base.

Thats really all there was, and the blame should be shared equally. For a while I've been critical of Russ' pitch selection with Broxton, and it showed tonight. And Manny should never be in left field in the last 2 innings when we have a lead. Never.

I take back 530 at least to some extent. I checked it out and it wasn't as much bad control as I thought. Brox mostly just didn't have it tonight.

513 Bluebleeder87
it was a standard hit towards 2nd base...
Kent took two steps and dove to his left. If he was playing back for the DP he would have been playing close to the bag...not at his regular position. He may have fielded it but may not have gotten two.

Hopefully Billingsley gets a CG win, so there'll be no repeat of this debate tomorrow.

Broxton's blown save really, really sucked, but what's more embarrassing is the fact that KEVIN CORREIA shut down the Dodgers.

There is a lot to what 3M says in 516.

When Ethier made the last out in the ninth the Dodgers had 4 outfielders still in the lineup. Torre could have left Juan in center and moved Kemp to right. That would have put the pitcher in the spot that hits last, the conventional move. I notice he didn't.

It didn't matter in the end, but I wonder if Joe was thinking defense.

540

He had another chance when Andruw hit in the 10th. Its a no-brainer to get Manny out of the field with a 1 run lead. He's the worst outfielder in the game and he showed it there. His value is all at the plate and if his bat doesnt matter in a certain situation (ie tonight), he cannot be in the game.

538

So true, sporky. I cant count the number of 89-90 mph elt high fastballs that we didnt crush. Add to that Manny and Russ chasing 3-2 sliders nowhere near the plate, and it really hurts. The game never should have come downt o Broxton pitching or extra innings.

The Dodgers started their "best offense" (available) and only scored 2 runs. That's the problem.

541
Maybe he just wasn't paying attention?

How do you remove Manny for defense in the 10th when Jones has PH for the pitcher and we have only Ardoin on the bench? You have to leave Manny in the game. We had a legitimate shot to move into first place all alone tonight. Not the "if the D'Backs lose today and we win" stuff. It was right there for us to take and we let it get away. That's the problem and that hurts more than any micromanaging. You have to win these games.

Why wasn't Phelps racing in this last one? Based on twenty minutes of watching swimming, I think he could have taken Park.

545

He hit for the pitcher. You leave Andruw in the 8 spot and put Broxton in the 4 spot for Manny. Put Druw in center, Kemp in right, Dre in left.

Well, that was poopy. I watched the last inning online while also watching DVDs*. I'm glad I had something else to get my mind off Broxton's blown save.

Icaros, Vishal, Jacob, I'm glad we were at last night's game and not this one, but sorry to anyone who was there (sorry Louis) for the bitter end and hope tomorrow is better.

These things happen. Best thing to do is move on quickly, and get a win tomorrow.

(* King Corn and The Bank Job, both very worth renting in their own ways.)

545 - No, I know that. It wasn't gonna happen with nobody on the bench. You're not going to move up the pitchers spot with an empty bench if the game continues you have Ardoin instead of Manny in the #4 spot.

549 was meant for 547

547 - I'd be in total agreement with you under different circumstances.

Guo never really started getting high leverage situations until right before Saito went down. It took more than half the season for Torre to use (arguably) their best pitcher in a way that he actually made a difference to a win/loss. I would still like to see Guo as a starter, but understand that now with Saito out that he is needed in the pen. He is being used much better now, I have to admit, but when it comes to personnel usage, Joe Torre lugs around a 500lb gorilla. It takes forever for the guy to "get it". And like an astute poster pointed out the other day, just because most other managers are just as bad, doesn't mean we can't hope for something better.
vr, Xei

So Broxton was 6 of 6 in his first 6 save opportunities filling in for Saito and then he blows this one and he's terrible? (And he was bad tonight, no doubt about that.) I don't get the throw him under the bus mentality. And I agree, it shouldn't have come to him in the 10th, there were many other moments they could've blown it open. Corriea's not a really good pitcher but from what I did see on TV today he threw some very good pitches, too. Whatever, it happens.

Michael Phelps, he's good at swimming.

John Lindsey quietly hit his 24th homer of the season for Vegas tonight.

551

I could not care less about the bench in the circumstance. With a 1 run lead in extra innings, I do whatever i can to protect that lead. The bench doesnt matter if you win the game. With Roberts/Winn/Burriss/Ochoa coming up, I do everything i can to improve my defense because those guys put the ball in play and are not home run threats. Most like you win the game, and if by chance the game is tied you still have Kemp/Ethier/Kent (i believe) coming up. Taking out Manny in that situation benefits the team more than leaving him in, no doubt about that.

This was a team loss: Broxton certainly; Torre on xanax, leaving Ramirez out there, taking out Kuo; our inability to hit Correia, all this and more commented on here ad nauseum, but 511 does have a point. I saw all those games last September as well, and I've seen virtually all of Broxton's appearances this year: the kid does have a problem with pressure. Career splits don't tell the whole story, i.e. inherited runners. Relief pitchers ERA's can be a very misleading stat. Broxton will grow (hopefully psychologically, or else I'll need a wider screen tv), the problem is Torre won't.

534 No idea why Andruw didnt stay in the game and move Andre to left. Brain dead move by Torre that might have cost the team the game and will go unnoticed.

Torre stated the night Manny arrived that he would not be replacing Manny for defense late in games unless Manny made him uncomfortable. Well, maybe Torre is now feeling sufficiently uncomfortable. We'll just have to wait and see what happens at the next opportunity.

What I found puzzling about Torre's statement was the fact that he has been watching Manny play left field for Boston for years. Why would he need more evidence?

You know who else is a choke artist? Katie Hoff. Never loses the race outside of the Olympics, never wins it at the Olympics.

It's like she just didn't want to be there.

556 - Still waiting for examples. What are all these appearances this year in which he has caved to pressure? What are "all those games last September"? What does that mean, and can you tell me that they didn't have more to do with a tired arm than his head?

New post up top.

534
Great points. The chopper by Burris is the epitome of baseball sometimes, just bad luck. What can you do on that play? I was surprised we even had a chance to get Roberts at the plate.

558 To be fair, both the first and second place winners beat the previous world record. It's not like she lost against the same level of competition she faces outside the Olympics.

DT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Pineapple Express= Stupid. Not funny. Lame. Trarded.

Plus, it begs the questions: (1) how many times can Seth Rogen play the same role; and (2) can he do anything else?

561- I was being Plaschke. Pay no attention to me.

Russel Martin with a 638 OPS since the all-star game and his BABIP at .328 is higher so he's not hitting into bad luck.

Brian McCann on the other hand has been a beast. The conversation about who the best catcher in the NL is should be a short one this winter.

Splitter.

559 Just a quick answer: his last three appearances were all shaky. The liberal 'Save' stat is not always a reflection of how well a closer closes. And yes, it doesn't help a young pitcher's psyche to have an erratic defense behind him. Also, I'm not so sure he's that tired. Or should be. Before the appearance in the last St. Louis game, he had six days off. And frankly, even though I made a (feeble) joke before, maybe if he were in better shape, he wouldn't fatigue as quickly as he seems to do.

USA Network showing Woman's Doubles Badmition. What could be better than that?

. . . and Singapore mops the floor with Team USA.

This was a far worse emotional loss than harmful one, as the status Kuo didn't change (I like that). However, I found myself having that familiar Dodger ominous solar plexus aggravated dread feeling quite early in the game. Having watched a zillion games played by the Blue, I have a certain interior feel for their process, which seems to buckle at movement beyond their comfort zon at just around hoverville .500. They had body language which indicated that they were not ready to assume the stand alone position. Eyes wide in that familiar deer in the headlights, Jim Tracy look we've all grown accustomed to. No doubt they will continue to ascend and eventually transcend the division, yet that doesn't help these distressing vomitous loses to the hated ones in front of you know who in the bay of cheaters. My day ends badly though I am grateful for the game itelf. Uggh. Tomorrow is another day, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace till the last weekend with the Black and Orange again. Oh my.