106 David Ross is probably better than Danny Ardoin... lets pick him up.

Maybe next year, but unless Ross is interested in only a Sept. call up, I doubt he'll sign with the Dodgers.

Any hints on how to find out what network is playing the dodger games each day?

nevermind

2 Well, if I can believe my newspaper, Prime Ticket is not showing the game here (Hawai'i).

S'alright, men's four-man rowing is far more interesting than Dodgers-Giants could ever be.

TV guide channel should be shot in the face.

KCAL is airing the game locally for L.A. and Orange county.

Orlando Hudson officially will be out the rest of the season.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080810&content_id=3286304&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Now who plays second next year?

8 Hu's else but Hu?

9 Maybe DeWitt?

10 Only if we resign Casey Blake.

Matt steals number 27.

Hits like a leadoff hitter. Steals like a leadoff hitter.

Billz vs Cain is gonna be fun to watch for a long time.

7 If anybody in this league is an uber defender, it's Hudson. Big loss for the D'backs.

Dang how it made that catch!?

Great at bat and got robbed.

16 More or less my sentiments exactly. ;)

15 Hopefully Conner Jackson comes down with a month long flu.

- Andruw Jones is dealing with some aches in his surgically repaired knee and unavailable to play defense. He's apparently available to hit.

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

Hopefully the dodgers can ahem DL him, and give him a rehab stint.

WHAT THE HECK CAIN. WHAT THE HECK.

Ouch.

Right off the helmet. The dreads to the rescue.

Manny has been hit

Soul singer and arranger Isaac Hayes, who won Grammy awards and an Oscar for the theme from the 1971 action film "Shaft," has died, sheriff's officials in Memphis, Tennessee, said Sunday. Relatives found Hayes, 65, unconscious in his home next to a still-running treadmill.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/10/hayes.obit/index.html

They hit Manny, we hit...Randy Winn?

Not exactly retribution.

I hate Dave Roberts!

26 We hit Aaron Rowand 9 times. three times per at bat.

Why did the Dodgers trade Dave Roberts for nothing?

Webb has his runs. 2-0 D'Backs Bot 1.

Sacrificing in the first is about all you need to know about the Giant's offense.

Still, I worry.

It seems like all Ohchoa ever does is bunt.

Andruw Jones is dealing with some aches in his surgically repaired knee and unavailable to play defense. He's apparently available to bat.

Fixed.

30 Well that one is pretty much over. Unless the D'backs use Lyon.

I would rather have Juan Pierre than Roberts.

Per Diamond Leung:

>> - Jonathan Broxton is unavailable today having pitched in the previous three games, and Manager Joe Torre said Hong-Chih Kuo was his ninth-inning guy today. <<

http://tinyurl.com/39s5sz

Wynn doubles in Roberts.

Ugh. Why speed up his bat with a slider?

He was overmatched, man!

Probably off Torre's case after this, but a scary thought.

If the Dodgers make the playoffs, who are likely starters for Games 1 and 2?

I wouldn't bet against Lowe and Penny (if his arm's still attached). They have all this PVL factor, you see. They've been there, done that. Lots of playoff experience and all, too.

27 - and he looks silly clean-shaven. Dang

29 I logged in just as a point to bring this up, and then saw you post.

Maybe some of the JDT cognescenti will be able to tell us how we got NOTHING for Roberts and how much he has hurt us since...But those Depodesta trades were rally a good thing for our team--because they finally got us one (1) play-off victory....

1-0 GNATS...Nice.

Mind you that Dave Roberts was happy in LA and devastated that he was being traded....

He went on later that season to help Boston get to the World Series and win.

38

Seems like we always make Winn look like a good player. I think I even remember him tearing up the Dodgers when he was with Tampa Bay.

33 - He can now be declared officially totally useless.

At least make Cain work a little!.

25
RIP Chef

39 Didn't Torre used Wang for game 1 for his last year playoffs?

And Torre wouldn't use Penny and give him that pressure, he's still injured, and rehabbing.

Lowe might get game one, but Bills would surely get game two. Torre tends to handle his starting staff better than positional players.

People really miss Dave Roberts?

i change the channel for 10 seconds and martin already made out, what is wrong with him?

I'm pretty sure Dave Roberts is the pinch-runner on Bob's Dave Ross All-Star Team.

7 An even bigger loss today: Carlos Lee goes down and out with a busted finger from a stray Bronson Arroyo pitch. What horrible luck. Reminds us that despite our best efforts to reduce uncertainty in analyzing baseball (I'm thinking specifically here of Ron Shandler's "reliability" score, which provides a solid measure of how injury prone a player is -- a score that had C. Lee as a veritable stud up through today), sometimes we just get dealt a bad hand (ouch - accidental pun).

Uh-oh. What an offense this inning.

martin already made out, what is wrong with him?

I have no proof, but I've started to suspect that Martin's "making out" a little too much for his own good.

41 The thing was though that Roberts had nothing to do with aquiring Steve Finley. Encarnacion was jettisoned in the LoDuca and Mota for Penny and Choi trade freeing up room in the outfield. Besides, Grabowski had shown that he had no place on a major league roster. Trading Roberts for an veteran minor leaguer over releasing Grabowski made no sense at all. The only possible rationalization was that DePodesta was afraid Tracy would play Roberts over Werth, but by that time Werth was already getting more PT than Roberts.

Well Bills made Cain work it.

we need nomar back in this lineup, i think he will give manny protection, and I would rather see him come up in the first inning with 2 on and 2 out instead of loney, nomar is clutch and always has been, he just needs to stay healthy which probably wont happen. Kent-Manny-Nomar will be productive, especially how nomar swung the bat before he hurt his knee.

Lighten up Tommy. I can barely remember Depodesta. And I was a big fan of his. It's been awhile now.

48 Who would you rather have playing centerfield: Andruw Jones or Dave Roberts?

My point is that Roberts has always had speed and timely hitting. He always seemed to be coming up with a big play of some kind, whether it be offensively or defensively, right when it was needed when he was with the Dodgers.

Any news on Nomar? I can't even remember what he hurt this time.

50 If the namesake for the All-David Ross team is released, does that mean the team no longer exists?

However can this crisis be handled? :)

Marty, yes, I do agree, I should lighten up...but I do think back then I definitely took a rather large amount of guff from many here on this!

Consider it my "I told you so!"

(And I hate people who say that...)(ruthlessly plagiarized from the Coen Brother's Miller's Crossing)

58 Neither. They are both terrible baseball players. And I wouldn't want one of them on my team, let alone both of them.

Why in the world would I have to choose between those two guys?

this game is getting annoying.

54 Jason Werth: The next coming of Frank Howard......

here comes the roberts 2 run triple

wow, nevermind.

58 You seem to want to over look that they are both on MLB rosters....

WHAT?!

Come on Billingsley...It's the Giants.

And that Torre fears him (Roberts) enough, that he just intentionally walked him...

Roberts had one IBB last year, too. Baseball is a funny game.

63 It could get a lot more annoying

67 Yes. They are both on rosters. I would not want either one of them. I don't see what one has to do with the other. We agree to disagree, I guess. No worries.

70 EXACTLY....

Good pitch Billingsly.

thats all broxton had to do last night to ochoa, but martin called 4 straight inside fastballs and broxton finally hit him.

This IBB worked out better for the issuer than last year's did.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200708060.shtml

58 At that time, the Dodgers had just made the trade for Penny and Choi. And then they went out and got Steve Finley. The plan was to move Green back to the outfield along with Finley and Bradley and with Werth already penciled in as the 4th outfielder, Depodesta looked for an opportunity for Roberts to get more playing time.

Of course, as things worked out, Choi ended up more on the bench than playing and Green went back to first.

Nook Logan was also on a major league roster for a while.

Choosing between 2008 Andruw and Roberts is like choosing between a bunion or a boil.

Heading out to the afternoon practice to see the beginning of the post-Ben Olson period.

GB,
Don't get me wrong. In most cases Roberts should have been in earth's orbit as far as his major league career is concerned. the fact is--and Andrew hits it pretty good there: Baseball is a funny game...

With that, how many times have and of you seen a former player come back to haunt the Dodgers?

Another Andre triple!

They better cash in Ethier.

And Andre earns another start tomorrow.

Its going to be pretty hard for Torre to keep Ethier out of the lineup.

78 So, he's done for sure?

Arguing about Roberts over Jones is pretty silly. We might as well be arguing whether we want Vizquel over Berroa. They're both awful, who wants either?

83 I'm rooting for common sense to finally prevail.

77 So are you now a former employee?

Can we choose between 2002 Andruw Jones and 2008 Andruw Jones? No? Okay.

84
No results yet, but we should just move on. I say play Kevin Prince.

Do Andre and James both have more triples than Pierre now?

87 Yes!!!!!!!

c'mon jeff we need to get plate ethier.

thata boy.

Good job by the Old vet.

84 With his luck, I wouldn't be looking for a good report later today.

A veteran at-bat.

79 I saw Jim Eisenreich crush us for years.

We finally cash in an Eithier triple.

This is why the Dodgers should have their former players bumped off immediately after severing ties with the team.

76 Also, lets not forget that the trade was all based-off of the Dodgers getting Charles Johnson, which Depo completely screwed-up that deal. Wasn't it the key to the entire set of trades on that fateful Saturday?

(fateful for some)

Is Ben Olson really injured or is that he just can't find his way to the doctor's office for X-rays and got hit by a car?

Brock, where should sporky get her first Westwood meal as a UCLA grad student?

I say a donut at Stan's.

UCLA should just considering playing a running back in the QB position, and just try to run every down.

100 Are you back or sitting in some airport?

cain just got lucky, absolutely hung one to man ram.

Manny missed that by this ... much!

101 Jerry's! And then Diddy Reese cookies!

99 How can you completely screw up when you get rid of a scrub like Lo Duca?

100 He hurt his foot during practice again, on the same play, a play action hand-off.

102- I've been saying for years that UCLA should move to an option offense. Nobody takes me seriously, though, since I don't know anything about football.

If anyone knows where the doctor's office is, it's Ben Olson.

96 I try to forget the damage he did, including that one game where he helped bring Philadelphia back from the dead, what was it the Dodgers were winning that game like 11-2 in the 8th inning--or something like that.

(Where's Timmerman when you need him?)

76 So then why was Grabowski kept on the roster?

79 You just remember former Dodgers coming back to hurt us because they're former Dodgers. It's not like Roberts has been a great player since we let him go. The alternative would appear to be to hold on to mediocre players (using a roster spot!) so they can't come back to beat us rather than try to replace them with better players. That's not much of an alternative.

101 I'll be asking for a comprehensive list soon.

I'm trying to find dimensions for my apartment, but the dudes in the housing office know as much about their floorplans as I do about paleoichthyology.

109 I say we run the veer. It worked in the glory days.

I guess the one reason this game seems irritating can actually be a positive. Since the first, Matt Cain has actualy been making some excellent pitches, with good rythm and most everything down. Like Bills often does, and I hope he can get it going.

100
I have managed to steal the Spirit of St. Louis from the Air & Space Museum thanks to the help of some Army buddies.

I would describe it as more of a heist. So I got fueled up, used the Mall to take off and flew it back home.

The Smithsonian was so embarrassed they have put up a replica in its place.

My friends and I are now celebrating by watching the Dodgers game but having "Clare de Lune" playing in the background for effect.

I am somewhat worried that a guy who looks like Cesar Romero is following me.

Because he was a young talent whose numbers said he was also going to be the next coming of Frank Howard....

In reading the "Echoing Green" there is a fellow named Henry Colletti, who was the scoreboard keeper at the Polo Grounds and who later helped Herman Franks rig up a pitch spying system in the Stick. Relation to Ned not discussed in the book.

115
I remember going to games at the Rose Bowl where a guy kept yelling for Matt Ware to play quarterback.

99 Not getting Charles Johnson wasn't really an issue. They just aquired Mayne instead. Not that either was a capable MLB catcher by that point. Randy Johnson though was the big missing piece. I think it was going to be Penny and Werth for Johnson?

Chads pitch count is way up there now.

106 Jerry's! And then Diddy Reese cookies!

Thumbs up on Diddy Reise, but come on... Jerry's??? You're really recommending Jerry's Deli???

looking at the upcoming pitchers, the dodgers will miss ben sheets and CC sabathia when the brewers are in town next weekend.

120 Matt Ware running the veer > Ossar Rashaan running the spread >Bethel McGee Johannsen St. Monica running anything.

120 It wasn't me.

I feel like Jeff Kent is killing us defensively.

Has anyone noticed how in Depo's last season as Dodgers GM, that last half of the season he was pretty much silent. I see the same thing going on right now with Colletti.

123 Jerry's has a killer Reuben's. It costs $385, but it's tasty.

DePodesta was always somewhat quiet and aloof. That was what McCourt hated about him. They wanted a schmoozer.

Somewhere on the spectrum of GM skills, there is someone who is both personable and smart. It can't be that hard to pull off.

That Didee Reese Cookie/sandwich-thing, well a fair warning to all of you...it's got ice cream in it!

128 This is a really unfair conversation to have in the middle of a Giants game. DePo was trying to deconstruct the roster and fix the mess. It's not his fault he got canned two years into a five year rebuilding plan. It's an impossible argument to win, or have.

130
There's this guy up in Oakland, who wrote this book...

128 Getting Manny is being silent?

I'm an official Deli Snob. It is my official opinion that Jerry's sucks.

Now Brent's or Langer's, there's some deli for ya.

You just described Jon.....

anyone who trades for hee seop choi should be canned immediately.

Vin, I gotta take issue with you saying that Corriea pitches well.

132 If the Padres had just played a little better, the Dodgers (Depodesta) could have sold a rebuilding plan but since they were so pathetic and Tracy wasn't interested in a future that might not include him, it was a losing battle.

137
Anyone who trades for Lance Carter, Dennyz Baez, and Mark Hendrickson should be sent to a mental institution.

How did Winn not score from 3rd base on the grounder to Loney which he threw to 2nd to get the force out?

did he also sign that nakamura clown to play 3rd base?

133
the onlu problem with that is his name isn't Theo and he isn't from Boston. Those are very big factors for the McCourt's......

Wow, talk about a bail out. Good job Bills.

Nice pitching Chadster.

Great job by Bills to get out of that mess.

142 It was a minor league deal, he was depth.

140.

lol, touche. i agree they gave up and navarro way too quick, they could have kept martin at 3rd base, with navarro catching.

141 Winn wasn't going on contact, Loney caught the ball and looked him back.

Winn got a very poor break off of third when Loney caught the grounder. Loney also looked him back using the magical power of his crazy eyes.

.147, he was still our opening day 3rd baseman in 2005, and jose valentine? c'mon, depo and colletti are equally awful.

140 Anyone in particular you want me to focus on at practice today?

Did Loney swing on first pitches in both AB?

133 Beane didn't write Moneyball, whatever Joe Morgan says.

137--Thats insane. Choi was hitting great for Florida in 2004, was a young player, and hit ok in 2005 as well. Brad Penny was the main guy in that deal anyways.

loney has seen two pitches today.

154
I know, I was joking.

151--Valentin had hit 30 homers in 2004 & he had a good season for the Mets in 2006. Its not his fault he tore up his knee.

You're not going to win many arguments here. Ned is by far worse when you look at salaries spent & player acquisition.

I'd send Martin here.

Thank you Martin for not chasing balls in the dirt.
Good walk.

157 You had me worried ;-)

152
I am interested in Taylor Embree. He seems to be catching everything, but people say he's not fast enough and all this. Maybe he is the type of guy that just gets it done during games.

Thanks.

158 I wouldn't say far worse and if the Dodgers win the division this year, he'll have this job for a while.

158,

valentine hit 30 homeruns because he played in that launching pad in chicago and theres no way those numbers would translate in the NL west when you got 3 unbelievably good pitchers parks in dodger stadium, petco, and AT&T

162
The anti-Freddie Mitchell.

Of course, he time to send Martin, just to add another complication. Even if it ends the inning.

162 You got it.

I've seen the Exorcist about a hundred and sixty-seven times, and it keeps getting funnier every single time I see it.

Brandon Webb just doubled in two runs after the Braves intentionally walked Chris Burke in front of him. 6-0 D-backs.

I got a feeling the Dodgers won't be finishing the weekend in first place.

Should be " Now might be the time"
Ahh- incoherence

I think Dan Evans was actually the best Dodger GM in the last while. He had the least payroll flexibility and inherrited a barren farm. Yet his teams had the best records. Unfortunately, the NL West was much stronger back then so he didn't have any playoff appearences.

Nakamura started the home opener for the Dodgers, not Opening Day. That was Valentin.

And the Dodgers gave up on Nakamura fairly quickly.

Valentin made an error on Opening Day against the Giants that let the winning run score and that allowed Plaschke to declare the entire 2005 team and Paul DePodesta to be total disasters that required summary executions.

Good times...

Make him work, Casey.

Blake made him throw quite a few pitches.

I thought that pitch looked funny...

175 Indeed. You can't do that, Mr. Cain.

164 Not to mention that 30 homers was pretty much all he had going for him. He was like Tony Batista.

We need a six pitch inning here.

172 And the team turned out to be a total disaster.

Jose Valentin still insists that his injury toward the end of the 2007 season cost the Mets a playoff spot. He says he's the only one who can tame Jose Reyes.

Josh Lindblom (2008 second round pick) at Great Lakes:

19 IP
18 K
2 BB
1.42 ERA

Jose Valentin also looks like Zorro. You can't quantify that on the stat sheet.

180 - But a stallion must run, and run free...

158,

how could you defend valentins 2004 season, sure he hit 30 homeruns, but he also struck out 139 times, hit a whopping .216 with a .287 OBP, that doesnt seem like your prototypical moneyball type player. valentin was awful, the only reason he did OK with the mets was because he saw limited action and was a partime player.

I'm already on Brock's bad side about In N Out. I'll pass on the Jerry's argument.

The pest is at it again.

Has Vin mentioned where Rich Aureilla once worked this series?

Valentin had an sOPS+ of 109 for a SS in 2004.

171 I've been an Evans loyalist for years, but for me the Mitchell Report took away some luster. One thing suggested at the time but I think only confirmed this spring was that DePo slowly was trying to clean up that clubhouse, starting with the supplier. I wish that both McCourt and I had supported him more than we did.

BTW, I saw where Heart and Soul signed a minor league contract with Florida.

Do you think Lambo's ready by 2010?

oh my god what was that?

What the heck???

I believe these are known among baseball insiders as "bloop hits."

you see that in high school not in the big leagues

In 2005, Valentin had an OBP of .326, the same that JP had.

Was Plascke the one who called LoDuca the Heart and Soul, or the one who called him a drug pusher?

195 You've watched Juan Pierre for almost two years and say you've never seen one of those?

berroa HAS to catch that

You got to be kidding me.

I can't believe we are losing to the Job Squad.

Ugh ugh ugh. Billingsley can't get a break.

Chad Billingsley and Russell Martin are dumb baseball players.

juan pierre? that was berroas ball

This just seems to be the way things are going for us lately. What a frustrating season this has been.

Valentin was seen as an option when the team didn't have a big power bat. Yeah, he had some very obvious flaws, but considering how power starved we've been the last few years, you have to appreciate the effort.

Kemp had just as much responsibility to catch Burriss' ball as Berroa.

201 We are losing to the Brooklyn Brawler.

Whats with all the hate for Bills, Martin and Broxton? They can't be perfect all the time.

I rather have them instead of Kevin Correia, Steve Holm or Tyler Walker.

101 Enzo's on Weyburn. Best Calzone I've ever had.

208

Or Special Delivery Jones.

208
lol, awesome. I wondered if anyone would get that reference.

I'd get the bullpen up.

The Dodgers are Dukakis. The Giants are Bush.

kemp was shaded to right center because you dont expect burris to pull billingsley, berroa looked lost from the moment that ball went up in the air, he needs to get under that ball and catch it. that was not kemps ball.

Oh, SD wasn't part of the Job Squad, but he was a jobber.

Our defense is bad.

215 Sometimes there are just perfect spots to hit a pop fly.

217 I smelled what regfairfield was cooking about a hundred posts ago.

It was only a matter of time!

yeah but berroa wasnt even running hard after that ball, you dont think raffy is camped under that thing?

Bill Plaschke never wrote that Paul Lo Duca was the "heart and soul" of the Dodgers.
Three other LA Times sports writers did including Paul Gutierrez, Jason Reid, and Mike Di Giovanna did.

"Heart and soul" was quite popular among people who got letters published in the Times as well.

216
Barry Horowitz, the ultimate jobber.

You gotta pinch hit for Bills.
He's at 88 pitches, doesnt have but 1 more inning left.

220
If I say that Angel Berroa is a disgrace to humankind, you'll let this go won't you?

I can't believe we're losing to Paul Roma.

222

I'll take Salvatore Bellomo.

223 I know this goes on deaf ears a lot here but with 7 more games without a day off and knowing that your staff is not prone to going deep into games anyways you can't ask your bullpen to pitch 4-5 innings today.

A couple of gorks and an eighty-six hopper and we're right back in this thing.

Luck evens itself out eventually, right?

/Positivity

226
I only got to see him in ECW with the FBI, the Full-Blooded Italians for those not in the know.

no, bob.

3.5! Atta kid.

Ethier!

Ethier rocks!

You see there are some hitters who own pitchers. And then there's Andre Ethier vs. Matt Cain.

230
Then I believe there is no point commenting again for the rest of this game.

Ethier and Cain...together, sticking it to JP.

Both ears and a tail? Is that what vin said? As in, he got all of it?

So I am thinking that if the Dodgers make the playoffs Torre will finally be like, "Oh the heck with it let's play our three best outfielders."

Ethier is hitting .619 off Cain now.

227--Bills isnt going to go deep in thisbgame anyways. He's at 88 pitches.

Kuroda just pitched 8 innings last nite.
The bullpen is rested.

Manny time

238 - More like, "I need an outfield with playoff experience."

Vin must have loved Derek Bell.

This is a really slow game.

no thanks, bob.

Slightly OT, but is there any way I can convince people to stop saying "___ being ___"?

Manny hasn't homered in the last three games. I'm starting to get worried about him.

246 - If successful, you're just sporky being sporky.

246
I tried that like a week ago. I gave up that day.

So who do you want pitching right now, Chad or Jason Johnson/Ramon Troncoso?

246 What if somebody throws a ball and it hits a pigeon? Manny being Dave Winfield would be funny.

If something weird happens, I reserve the right to use the "being" thing.

I almost went with Manny being Chapman in the first, but that would have been in poor taste.

251 Manny being Cey.

250
Did they fuse them together to create some kind of ultimate mediocre pitcher?

I seem to be taking this with more equanimity than usual, and I'm actually enjoying watching both teams. I think the late game times account for the fact that I often sound like a crabby old east coast fan.
WFAN, the NY sports radio outlet I often hear, had an interesting segment with a few call ins about the Dodgers and their move for Manny. The two hosts decided that the Dodgers schedule, weakened buy many games with SF, San Diego, Colorado and even Pittsburg, made it pretty certain that with the addition of Manny the Dodgers would make the play-offs. What they didn't understand was that most of these games are division rivalries, and within this division there is a lot of good pitching, and most of the dismal teams play twice as well against the Dodgers as anyone else.
It remains to be seen if hitters from outside the division like Manny can make a lot of difference, but we can hope so.

take a pitch, James.

7 pitch inning.

251 I don't mind the funny ones at all. It's the inane derivatives that are getting tiresome.

250- The real question is: who do you want pitching right now, Jeff Weaver or Jason Johnson?

Sartre being Nothingness.

I just noticed, if you take away Kemp and Ethier, there is no offense.

Hey, he saw more than one pitch!

If it makes you feel better, just pretend Loney had the day off and Mark Sweeney played first base today.

Also, I think in the spirit of revisiting 2005, regfaifield and his Odalis Perez apologetics should be singled out for special derision.

I hate our team so much right now.

Why chase that pitch?

With Kent, Manny, loney, and Martin like 0 for 9 the only positive is Martin can still take a walk.

266 - add blake and berroa and it's 0-15

Getting the water to look like that must have cost a fortune.

250- Kuo

Doesn't Kent own Cain? Or is it more like a timeshare?

Actually, it doesnt matter who is pitching for the Dodgers bc the Giants lineup is awful.

But the Dodgers may have missed out on a big 5th inning by not pinch hitting for Billingsley. We'll never know.

Is Sweeney that much better of an option than Bills in that situation? Unfortunately I'm kinda serious about that.

And how many innings was Kuo going pitch today?

W-A-L-K W-I-N-N.

Well the Giants are doing the same thing so it'll even out.

Leaving Cain in at 99 pitches to pitch at most 1 more inning, instead of pinch hitting will come back & bite them.

Quality Start.

They go up to Winn finally.

Thank you for not throwing a slider to a guy that can't catch up to a fastball.

116 pitches in 6 ip.
Hopefully Bills isnt sore for his next start.

I can't imagine the Giants letting Cain face Ethier again.

Been quietly watching this one while I do stuff 'round the house. All I can say is: Let's go Dodgers, let's do this thing! You've hung around and now's the time.

Beautiful day here in SF, I will say that.

They shouldnt let him face Kemp.

Double for Bison! Damn fan! that could have been a triple!

Juan Pierre: Variations on a leadoff hitter

Umm, that's gotta be an alert of some color for Kemp, right? Orange?

Usher: "You're outta here, fool."

Would he have gone for three you think? Looked like two anyway.

Leave Cain in here to face Ethier?

285 No HR, no cycle alert.

Stunned. Make them pay Andre.

Get some pants that fit before you do something stupid and get kicked out of a game on TV.

Gee, I know its just one at bat, but an interesting comparison. JP:Kemp

283 Kemp was only nearing second when the outfielder would have reached that ball, so I think he would have held with a double.

Cain again helping Ethier stick it to JP.

That's a yellow alert for The Bison. Yellow Alert.

287 Really? The HR is easier than the 3B.

Why did they warm up the hook if they weren't going to use him here?

With Bison speed! it could have been a triple... or not.

294 I am but a messenger.

He has the single, double, and the triple. It could arguably be an orange alert, but I have a strict constructionist interpretation of the home run clause.

Dont you either have to:

A. Put Ethier on at 1st.
B. Pull Cain and bring in a loogy to face him.

Having Cain go after Ethier doesnt seem like the brightest strategy.

294 There is no color designated for the homerun; it depends on the batter. For Kemp, I'd think it would be orange but Bob is the boss.

I guess Bruce does not like to count on his bullpen at all.

Shimmin is the auxiliary cycleperson.

Kent wouldn't have missed that a few years ago.

Cain's got nothing left.

Kent/Manny will make him pay.

Yellow alert - Player needs triple for cycle
Orange alert - Player needs double for cycle
Red alert - Player need single for cycle

If a player needs a home run for the cycle, the level of the alert varies depending upon the determination of the Cycle Detection Warning System, which is headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Come on Manny! we need you!

I <3 Vin

COME ON MANNY. Save this heretofore lousy weekend.

C'mon Manny! {bite nails}

307
yup, he is pretty awesome.

Dusty Baker must still be managing the Giants.

SQUEE!!!!!

MANNY! OH MY GOD! MANNY!

Cheer that, jerks!

Yessssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MAN RAM!!!!

Well played, ManRam.

YES!!!!!

Bochy sucks. Letting him face Eithier was just dumb.

Poor Cain. {cue world's smallest violin}

Manny!

Yay, I love those gappers to the wall when we do them.

That was quite predictable.

Woo-hoo! Weekend saved!

(So far...)

Its bad when the fans at home have a better feel than the guys in the dugout.

MANNY!!!!!!!

Why are they walking Loney?

Do Cain and Lincecum even have pitch counts?

And he's still leaving him in.

Lets see Russell really make them pay now!

Bochy really hates his bullpen, can we just say that?

I've seen games this year where Cain or Lincecum lost after pitching well, right after the bullpen takes over. But still... leaving him out there vs. Ethier and Manny was pretty dumb.

Btw, I think I've enjoyed watching Ethier's at bats the last two days than I have almost anything else. He especially owns Cain but has just had some great at bats.

Maybe they can't count.

Cain's still in there & he's thrown 124+ pitches lol.

Cain still out there at 124 pitches?

Look like Bruce is channeling Dusty.

At the risk of a Rule 8 Violation, why is Cain still in?

325 Yeah, about 150 or so, right in that Lasorda zone.

Bah

Maybe the Giants bullpen called in sick.

martin, ugh,

When Cain was younger, JP refused to sign an autograph for him. "Someday," said young Matt, "you will pay." "And I will help you," said Bruce Bochy.

126 pitches in 7ip for Cain.
Likely leaves with the loss.

Bochy wow.

126 pitches. Cain is going to be feeling this one for a while.

It'd be cool to see Kemp and Ethier go 1-2 in every game.

Free Danny Ardoin!

Heh.

It's unreal. I watch most of the games Cain and Lincecum pitch because I enjoy them, and Bochy never takes them out at the right time. He waits until they finally implode after a bunch of pitches before pulling them, or like today does nothing at all. I know his bullpen blows but come on, protect your future.

341 I wish I may, I wish I might...

336 The Giants bullpen is sick (and not in that good/cool kinda way).

Troncoso in high leverage. Interesting.

Tron? Oh well, go Troncoso!

I rather have Park pitching right now.

Infield single to shortstop? Should Berroa have made the play?

343 I agree.

of course, Giants fans got all over him when he pulled Lincecum in a recent start after he'd pitched great but had reach like 115 pitches or something and then the pen blew it, suddenly fans were all over Bochy for that. But he's got to do that every time and not worry about being criticized for pulling a guy. Ah well, not our problem.

Though as a baseball fan I'd hate to see CainCecum blow out their arms.

349 - No chance. Up the middle off the glove of Troncoso.

349. No, Tron knocked the pitch down, so no play.

A 6-4-3 would be spectacular right here.

345 - Hopefully I didn't just jinx our bullpen.

So close!

Tough day for Bowker:
Just swung at ball 4.
0-4 with 6 LOB.

354 Nah. Tron doesn't need jinxing.

353 - If only the ball was hit just a little harder.

Beorra is dead to me.

356 Plus Bonds called him "Bunker" last night.

Nice pitch.

356 Tough day for Giants batters: 10 hits, three walks, only three runs. Winn is the only player with RBIs.

350 Exactly! I'm a Dodger fan and even I'm perplexed at the way he manages the 2 young pitchers. It's not like they are playing for anything this year, or even next year. They are arguably 2 of the best young arms in the game, and as a general baseball fan I don't like seeing them get abused like this. Lincecum is honestly my favorite player in baseball, despite being a Giant. It sucks watching him get pushed like this with so few professional innings in his career.

359 You're a tough crowd.

Good job Tronny. Sorry I doubted you.

WE 74%

I have a feeling the Dodgers may need a bit more offense. I hope Berroa and Ozuna don't have to bat back to back?

360 Bunker is a pretty cool guy. Eh protects marines and firebats and doesn't afraid of anything.

Nicely done, Tron!

My friends, my fellow conscripts, we have scored. I feel so much better.

350 363 I can't wait for the Lincecum vs. Kershaw match up. It'll be the battle of the 2006 draft, and will make Kansas City's mistake picking Luke Hochevar first.

367 - Ozuna's in Kent's spot no?

Arizona won again.

Stupid wind. I thought it was out for a sec.

372. They lost yesterday.

368 "Bunker" is a word that comes readily to Bonds' mind.

Almost Casey....

372 Again? They'd lost four in a row!

372 - First win since last Tuesday.

Wow, this is a horrible stategy that says--our pitching is invulnerable--its over.
(not that I think our options on the bench were that good)

How can Colorado give up four home runs to the Padres? For shame, Rockies!

Think Kuo closes today.

379 - If you're talking about bringing in Ozuna for Kent, it makes total sense to me. You want your best defensive options playing behind your relievers when you have the lead.

380.
Livan Hernandez was the SP for the Rockies!

380 - Livan Hernandez in Coors Field. BAD idea!

371 Apparently NO. Well Torre has thrown down the gauntlet again. Boy his jaw or chest target must be awfully sore.

Ozuna is a crusty vet.

Nice recovery for Ozuna.

381 Torre said he would

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

370 Agreed! Will be a solid matchup for the next several years. Then throw in Cain v. Bills and should have some good battles with the Giants. Of course I hope they keep throwing out terrible offenses to help us out!

Tron keeps on going.

Here comes Killer!

And the Giants can't run for Molina because they pinch hit for Holm.

And look who is coming up representing the winning run with the tying run on base...

383/384 - Oh man. No wonder! I didn't even look at the pitching line score. Yeesh.

380 I agree totally about the defensive replacements. But it ended up with a hopeless offensive inning. I guess I'm just not as confident as Joe that we need no more runs. I suppose it may make sense because he has few moves that are better.

Pinch hitting for Roberts? Thank you!

Is this Kuo three days in a row?

393 - Rich Aurillia

5-out save for Kuo? Too bad Torre didn't think of that last night.

I like the way that Manny quickly gets rid of the ball. Why spend a lot of time and motion in throwing, when you don't have a good arm anyway.

397 - no, he didn't pitch Friday, but he did go Thurs

399 Let it go.

Dave Roberts doesn't have one single plate appearance against a lefty this season.

Torre's going to break Kuo's arm, and Kuo's going to let him. :(

403 that's pretty amazing

Kuo!

Kuo is so good.

That's a new move. Mound Flip!

>|uo!

Hahahaha, gotta love Vin's gentle ripping of Tim McClenden.

Vin: "Tim, I love ya pal, but boy are you tough." This after he called a ball, and then a called 3rd strike on the next pitch.

So Torre should use Kuo more often, except if he does it'll be too often? Just want to make I understand this correctly.

Some of you are being unduly negative, especially in a game the Dodgers are currently winning, and 3 outs from winning 2 out of 3. But if it's cathartic for you to do so, I won't stop ya.

Taiwanese Assassin batting third this inning.

Joe, do not bring in Broxton in the 9th inning!

Orange alert in San Francisco. this is an orage alert.

Let's see if he replaces Manny in LF for bottom of the ninth.

And he brings a lefty in to face Kemp. That Bochy is full of surprises.

411 Yes, we want him to pitch in important game situations but not too much.

I think there are those who are worried about the Proctor/Quantrill effect by Torre.

415

Can't. Pierre has been used and Andruw is hurt.

Roberts' BABIP during the last 7 days = .600

401 Thanks Monk. It seems like Joe has finally discovered who his best option is. I hope he isn't too late/he doesn't wear him out.
Whatever the result, shame on our offense for it being close at the end of these two games.

413 He can't, Brox is out today.

I love me some Eithier. Hit the ball hard every time up, all you can ask.

Cycle alert cancelled. Stand down.

Kuo should change his number to STAR SIGN.

Kuo!

KUO'S BATTING A MILLION.

Good job of Torre letting Kuo go for the 5 out save.

God, I love Kuo.

Damn it Kuo!

Look at Kuo hustling down the line. Which means Manny gets an at bat.

Kuo is awesome.

He should be our primary pinch hitter!

423- Not so fast, mon petit frommage.

At least Kuo doesn't think the time for offense is over.

Hmmm didn't know Manny was on deck, so good job Kuo.

Who's a small cheese? Hu.

Question does your OBP go up or down on that?

The Giants don't care to win, don't they?

Manny with the productive K.

Nice hustle, Manny!

Nice hustle, Manny!

That was an awful pitch Manny just swung at.

Oops, sorry. I blame my cat.

Or Gary Bennett.

You could read a whole book in the time between when the pitch first hits the catcher's glove and when McClellan calls it.

443 Only Bob gets to blame his cat.

443 Only Bob gets to blame his cat.

How the heck did Eithier hold Wynn to a single on that?

How is Winn not on second? Sheesh, that's a break.

Some idiot try to throw some refreshment at Ethier.

Somebody tried to throw his beer on Ethier.

This can't happen two days in a row?

Is it appropriate to make closer mentality jokes yet?

Argh. Not again. I can't take the stress!

I would like to see how the haters are gonna blame this on Broxton.

452- You probably want Odalis Perez for a closer, Odalis-lover.

Martin's ball was foul. Winn's ball was fair. Game played in San Francisco.

QED.

GIFT!

not again.... im still hungover from getting over last night's loss.

Martin! nice catcha!

Yes! Russell

Nice play by Russ.

That's why you never bring in a guy just to bunt.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH.

AAAARGH

CASEY!!!!!!!! you idiot!!

(Mentally preparing)

Oh Blake...

Stupid bunt attempt when you only need one run! Thanks. Casey gives it back. Game should be over.
vr, Xei

Noooooooooo........that was ballgame

Terrible play by a mediocre defender

Good effort by Loney at least.

Bochy's doing it all today.
First, leaving Cain in.

Then invoking the Stupid Bunter Principle.

Definitely not a Ball of Fame-worthy bunt.

Easy DP blown.

Hall of Fame, either.

Ok, how do you play the infield?

What Guo really needs is a hard ground ball to third base for a game ending double play here!
vr, Xei

Bad time for Blake's much heralded bad defense to pop up.

What was Torre talking about out there?

These guys suck.

Blake's first error as a Dodger; he has 5 double plays.

Unbelievable!!!!

This is looking like a disaster.

We have angered the Gods.

If Ozuna doesn't break the wrong way the game is over there.

Bleh.

Come on K/Guo!

Ball you can't turn two on and you don't get the easy force at home?

Oh, fudge.

That slight movement to the left cost the team a double play.

How many outs should Kuo have this inning? Five?

The Giants radio announcers are stunned. They can't believe Blake blew that ball.

who's hurt?

Martin took the foul off his right hand.

How do you not bring in Ardoin?

492 Martin

Ozuna slightly bobbled that ball too, just enough to botch the DP. Our defense has absolutely blown this game.

well that sucked.

Our defense is bad.

Kuo doesn't have the closers mentality.

Bums

What the heck can you do about that?

Oh dear.

JT Snow: "What an unbelievable game!"

I blame Bennett.

Unreal.

Worst. Weekend. Ever.

That was horrible. Through like three players wickets. Sad, sad way to end the game.

Welp, I'm outta here. Some fresh air and time away from baseball will be nice. See you all here tomorrow night.

O.M.G.

"Last four hitters don't even get a ball outta the infield," says Snow.

Wow, that was Buckneresque.

I think I know what temporary insanity feels like.

To repeat, I hate this team so much right now. Our infield defense is absolutely killing us.

These last two games are remiscient of last year's Colorado series.

I wouldnt fault Torre or Kuo though.

Kuo got killed on balls in play.

I hate the Dodgers. And baseball.

Ugh.

Kuo never came close to striking anyone out that inning.

Back to back complete meltdowns. This series was an unmigitated disaster.

That was seriously depressing.

Can we just bring up Hu now? Please? Just please?

Cycle alert canceled in The City That Knows How. Stand down.

DeWitt's game saving play against the D'Backs from a while back has been negated. The Gods are not with us.

Man, despite all the bad mojo that inning I still thought for sure they were gonna win until the last two plays. BLEH.

Okay, first a twelve pack, and then some fresh air. Stupid, stupid Giants.

I need alcohol - stat.
Still, I'm going to say Arizona had a worse weekend than the Dodgers.

512 Kuo's strength is not having balls in play.

I flippin hate the Giants.

523 I hate our infield defense more.

511 Wow, pretty strong Molly. Maybe you'll like them more tomorrow?

Okay, take a deep breath. And have a good cry. Ciao.

That was just our infield defense being our infield defense.

And Bochy will be let off the hook for mismanaging Cain because our defense is nonexistent.

Okay, someone tell me this isn't at all like last year when the Dodgers lost a seemingly easy series against the Giants. Then went on to lose it completely into the ensuing weeks.

There's no reason why Pablo Ozuna should be on the roster over Chin Lung Hu. Neither player can hit, but Hu is a far better defender and a faster baserunner. I think even Jeff Kent would have made that double play.

526 (froths at the mouth)

And now all we have to do is face the Phillies and Brewers for seven.

It's just a game. It's just a game. It's just a game. (Lather, Rinse, Repeat)

A .500 team doing .500 things.

Bummer.

529 Ozuna has speed on his side. Or so I thought.

530 Sorry. But it had to be said.

Stand down he says? I am flat on the floor!

I blame Rich Aureilla, if he fields Kuo's ground ball cleanly, Kuo doesn't have to run the bases.

Look at our middle infield. Amazing, two bums that nobody else wanted. This looks real good for the rest of the year.

514 - Kuo was foolishly under the impression that the guys on the field in blue and gray were there to play defense.

This coming week:
The Dodgers come home to take on Philly for four games and then Milwaukee for three.
Arizona has tomorrow off, then has a Colorado-Houston road trip

4-5 record with Manny.

This is why Choi invented alcohol.

It was Berroa who couldn't pick up the ball after the ball ran though Kuo's legs. Ozuna's just a backup, but Berroa's starting. Why the heck is Berroa's here over Hu?

It's just really, really, really frustrating. This is by no means a team ready to go into the playoffs and make waves.

I showing some restraint by waiting until 5pm before I start drinking.

532 - Exactly.
Folks, we have known for months the Dodgers are a clownshoes team contending only because they play in a clownshoes division.
This, my friends, was a clownshoes game.

It is quite silly to have Berroa and Ozuna on your roster at all.

514--Kuo didnt yield any hard hit balls though. And he threw plenty of strikes.

Just one of those weird 9th innings. They usually prevail in the Dodgers favor, but not today.

does anyone have a "don't jump" book for me?

544
Yeah, I will wait till it at least the sun starts to go down.

Am I the only one that sees that this team doesn't want it that bad.

This is every Dodger Thoughts comment ever:

"That wouldn't have happened if player X was playing instead of player Y."

Silver lining: It's foolish to ascribe logic to Torre, but Ethier had a great game, and JP might be benched for the near future.

ok, positive thoughts, guys.

1. Nomar activated soon
2. Furcal and Saito activated in a couple of weeks
3. Rotation is: Bills, Lowe, Kuroda, Kershaw, Penny. All above average pitchers with Bills and Kershaw as excellent.
4. We get to go home to regroup.

I'm surprised no one gets motion sickness with all the ups and downs people have on this site.

550 how do you figure?

Nomar doesn't help the defense any though.

532 Sadly, I think I agree. I had hoped that the second half would bring improvement and that would lead to the Dodgers pulling away from the rest of the division. I'm coming to terms now with the fact the team has hovered around .500 all season because this is, in fact, a .500 team.

Sigh.

552 Games Juan Pierre starts this past road trip: 1-0
Other games: 1-4.

547 - Thanks for being rational and
553 - Thanks for being positive!

550 = Probably not the only one, no, but I don't feel that way at all. You can't quantify "wanting it" and there have been too many games this season where that clearly wasn't the case.

553 - That's right; Nomar is back on Tuesday.
Here's what Nomar hit between DL stays: 309/350/618/968 (55 at-bats).

558
With certain stats, I could even make Steve Lavin look alright.

554 I seriously do. I actually started taking Dramamine for it this weekend.

Blake DeWitt: late inning defense replacement.

558 What are you, some kind agitator?

556 - But he helps the offense enough to lessen the impact of a poor defense.

558 Why do you do this to me, sir?

I personally do not think Juan Pierre is our savior.

Mood when Dodgers blow a game and lose = resigned; deadly; angry or down.

Mood when Dodgers win a game = cautiously hopeful, expectant, up.

558--And you're usually the positive one on this site ;)

If Joe looks at that and believes Juan should start..

It is encouraging that Joe has started his best possibe lineup the last couple games.

Can Juan Pierre play 2nd base?

565 Might be true, guess I'm just looking at infield defense costing us this game today rather than Berroa's offense.

570 The guy throws left handed.

Everybody go look at some LOLcats for a while.

Berroa's defense doesn't really help us either. Sure he may be better defensively than say, Nomar, but Berroa's still below average.

Berroa's defense doesn't really help us either. Sure he may be better defensively than say, Nomar, but Berroa's still below average.

573 There's a two-headed cat at cuteoverload.com. It's not helping matters.

Another bright spot:

Jeff Kent just died a little on the inside.

Of the 45 games remaining, only 17 are against teams currently above .500.
Of Arizona's 44 games left, they have 10 against opponents with winning records. (Had LA won either last night or today, that number jumps to 16.)

I have a real cat on my lap right now. Highly recommend it as a calming device. Keeping me from drinking too.

Ben Olson has a broken foot and is out 8 weeks.

This may or not be good news depending on your views.

571 - Berroa, since taking over for Nomar has "hit" 231/302/333/635 in 39 at-bats, not including today's 0-for-4.

580 USC chances for winning the USC-UCLA game has decreased from 99.9999% to 99.9998 percent.

http://www.lolcats.com/view/9086/

Velez would have beaten any throw on that last play. Once the ball got through Kuo the game was over. Casey's error was the backbreaker, but he's been solid so far. It's just back to back frustrating walkoff losses.

574 I'm not appologizing for Berroa, he's terrible offensively AND defensively, he shouldn't be a starter on a major league roster. I'm just saying I don't believe Nomar's gonna be an adequate defensive ss. Yes I'd rather have a poor defensive ss that can hit a little, like Nomar, rather than Berroa, but I'd like to have someone I can trust to play some d.

http://www.lolcats.com/view/471/

585 - In the brief time Nomar played shortstop last month, I thought he did fine.

581 I agree, Berroa sucks. Please don't think I was arguing in his favor. My point was just that I don't see Nomar as our savior. Furcal on the other hand...

All this lolcats love is scaring me.

589 - It's making me feel better.

584 I agree. Totally.

I don't think Nomar is our savior either, but on defense he looked surprisingly decent when he was around. His problem has been staying healthy. And as was pointed out, he gives us more offense upside in lieu of Furcal than does Berroa, by a large margin. For the most part, Berroa has exceeded my expectations, but I would prefer to have Nomar in there for his offense and then Hu in there for his defense late. Today was just one of those things, though. Some speed on the basepaths + Casey muffed one, a seeing eye single, and so on. But I would like to have Nomar back, Hu backing him up, and then if we keep one of Ozuna or Berroa as last infielder that's fine.

thanks god they play tomorrow i wouldn't wanna stomach this game for 50+ hours

I should have said "exceeded my (low) expectations". Low bar.

The Dodgers have tough opponents in Philly and Milwaukee but Arizona's road trip won't be easy, in Denver and in Houston. Especially without Hudson now. All hope is not lost.

The most frustrating part is we were so close to first place. And now we're at least two games from having that chance again.

D'Backs go to Coors and then the Juice Box in Houston. We're at home and if our starting pitching keeps us in it we're in good shape. We don't face Sabathia or Sheets in the Brewers series.

594
Wow, we have the same record as the Astros?

Good thing there is no morality in baseball, because we totally do not deserve to make the playoffs if we are as good as the Astros.

There's no way the Chinese female gymnasts are as old as they claim to be.

591 I agree Nomar is our best option compared to Berroa. I'm just not a big Nomar guy in general though. He's not gonna stay healthy enough to be our everyday ss for an extended period of time, and I'm still not able to believe in him offensively, although compared to what la is running out there now I guess I need to concede I should.

What a way to lose 2 ball gammes. In 2 9th innings the Giants hit maybe 2 balls hard and the rest was just pure luck and Dodger futility. A large part of that crapiness points directly to Ned's acquisitions and their defensive play. For all Manny's greatness at the plate, his late jump on Winn's bloop yesterday probably cost ust he game. Today Blake, Ozuna, and Berroa all made defensive miscues that led to runs. Can anyone really tell me why those two are even on the team? Hu is so much better defensively and he cannot be much worse offensively (I don't think he would be nearly as bad as earlier this year. And even if he was, the difference defensively more than offsets the offensive shortcomings). All in all, this was just another painful Dodger weekend. Sometimes I ask myself why i put myself through torture for a team that has never done anything positive since the time I could talk (born in 1987). Then i look at the Way Kemp and Ethier played and I'm remnded that the future is still bright, and once most of the dead weight on the aquad is dropped, the future is even brighter.

http://www.lolcats.com/view/13383/

When is synchronized swimming? That is Walnut Creek's time to shine!

A girl who sat behind me in math and dated one of my friends is on the team.

Due to a 30th high school reunion, I was spared last night's agonizing loss. However, this game was so wretched on so many levels I don't know where to begin. For one thing, why were the OF playing so deep in the 4th when Ochoa is up, and why did Ochoa break in first on the pop fly? Also, Vinnie put the hex on Bills - with 2 outs and no one on, Vin said "just what Billingsley needed, a low pitch count inning", then follows 4 consecutive hits for the 2 runs. Also, I guess the Dodgers will continue to pitch to Winn no matter how many times he burns us, even when we have an open base. Then of course, the 9th was a nightmare that doesn't need to be replayed. Within 24 hours, the Dodgers played Santa Claus to the Giants and the D'Backs (indirectly) snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

I don't mean to ruffle the feathers of the posters here, but the differences between the AL Southern California team and the NL Socal Representative in the LA/Orange County region are obvious. The most glaring being, one team finds a way to win, the other finds a new way to lose!

There that is the best I can do without violating Rules, 1,6 and/or 8! I may have to head over to Dodger Blues to fully vent my frustrations over today's game!

NPUT

This went unmentioned, but was a huge part of that 9th inning. Again we get bitten by the guard the lines defense with the lead. 3rd time this year that I recall. Winn led off with a single, then Rowand is up and Casey Blake is practically standing on the foul line. You know so that he can easily field the foul grounders. Rowands double play ball goes right where a third baseman should be and ends up a single. You know the rest.

I'm not blaming Torre, I'm blaming "the book". Who decided that this asinine practice of not defending the area most likely to get a ball was a good idea?

Worst weekend ever? Hell, one of the worst road trips I can ever remember, as far as crushing losses go. Don't forget, only four days ago Ludwick destroyed our night and started all of this mishugas.
My friends, to be a Dodger fan in the modern era is to be one who endures hideous suffering, albeit not as bad as our Brooklyn bretheren, but very very close. Most teams simply lose games, but our losses are mortifying, almost a cosmic masochism to watch and endure. Year after absurd year, coaching staff after coaching staff, owner after owner, the results seemingly the same: a team in love with the idea of being at .500. It must be against some Dodger Way to actually move out of this self defining and self limiting team identity.
The absolute definition of average are the modern Dodgers, not lousy, not great, just simply good. Nothing really wrong with that, it is just what it is, in the end.
Hats off to the mean, and I don't mean the Gods.