It seems pretty remarkable that Billingsley has never had an ERA over 4 in any of seasons (or even partial minor league stints) on his way to and with the Dodgers. His closest was a 3.95 mark in 13 starts at Las Vegas, but just keeping your ERA under 4 in that park is an accomplishment.

One game at a time.

(a little revenge on the Rockies for last year would be sweet.)

I spit in the eye of 1982. If we lose, it will be because we didn't have the horses for the complete season.

Unless we get unlucky, in that case I'll apologize for my outburst of optimism.

Chad has also thrown 489 more pitches than last year - 379 more strikes, 110 more balls.

I have to admit, there is a part of me that hopes that the Astros, Phillies, and Mets all pass the Brewers and Cubs in the standings.

Bad Metro Link train collision in Chatsworth. At least 2 dead. Apparently the train hit another freight train.

Ah Jon finally brings up 1982. The Braves had a 10.5 game lead on the Dodgers on 7/29/82. By 8/18/82, the Dodgers led by 4 gams. And as Jon noted above, the Braves gained back 6.5 games by September 3rd.

The lowest magic number the Dodgers had while still in first place was 7.

Wow, a night for Eric Young. OK.

There seem to be some bugs in the new mlb.tv format. I ain't gettin nuthin!

6.
Thoughts and prayers go to the families. Fox11 says at least 7 dead. Tough....

6 10

it looks pretty bad... i'm surprised it's only 2-7 people.

Andre Ethier is lovely.

Andre Ethier is on a serious tear man.

Interesting. Wikipedia credits Burke with inventing the high five.

DP. J.Francis doesn't look all that impressive, hopefully it's just a matter of time.

14 I've heard that before. Wasn't it him and Dusty Baker?

I hate Coors Field.

I think I'm staying in tonight. It's raining. And I miss Dodger Thoughts.

9 The newly available feeds simply aren't working. Given how finicky MLB.tv has always been for me, I guess that's no surprise.

16

nah, he invented the cooler "high five" (tm)

Why is this not on Prime Ticket out here? And Sunday's game isn't on that channel either.

Bereft, I am.

Burke high-fived Baker after he had hit a home run. Later that game, Burke hit his first career home run, and Baker gave him a high five.

May be the Dodgers' outfield body bump will make it into Wikipedia.

classic case of Billingsley leaving the ball up.

I seem to have to listen to some typical homers for this game, but Bills has to share the blame. Now that he left those two guys on, I hope he can figure it out. He is inately better than Francis.

o.k. blue, let's get some runs.

i remember riding the Metrolink once from Newhall back to L.A. (Union station) I really enjoyed the trip.

Nomar humbly gets things started with a walk.

Let's bring 'em in Kemp.

Hmm, didn't know Michael Jordan was credited with creating the fist bump either, but that's in wikipedia too.

swung on & missed 1-1 count.

I've had a 3 & 4 pack but never the elusive 6 pack.

oh so close...

kemp!!! nice

nice!

& triple for Matt Kemp.

It's pretty cool, it seems (of late) that when ever they opposition scores a few runs the Dodgers come right back with a vengeance.

Well, that inning seemed to subdue the Homers a bit. Lets go Bills.

Looked like the play was at second.

Hello all from Upstate NY- I've been a season-long observer of DT and thought I'd finally contribute (at least a greeting) to the conversation. I'm watching as usual on MLB.TV and I've been energized by the Dodgers recent strong play! Go Blue! (Maybe deciding to comment was a bad idea, as the Rockies have just tied the score).

37

Welcome.

the way Francis looks these days I'm sure we'll be o.k. as Vinnie would say "pull up a chair" man.

37 Don't worry, it was because I just turned the game on.

37 Welcome! And it's not your fault, I blame Coors field. ;-) Chad got out of that one relatively cheaply though. Pull up a chair indeed.

37 Welcome.

Manny is determined to hit the ball instead of taking some of those pitches.

No score after 2 in Arizona, at least the Dodgers are building up a pitch count against Francis, Chad needs to get that 3rd out a little quicker.

Darn, I thought the Beard hit that out for a sec.

Oh well.

Dinner time. Hope I come back to find the Dodgers winning.

Rumored for weeks to be Cincinnati-bound, [Micah] Owings on Friday officially became the third player to complete the trade that sent left fielder Adam Dunn from the Reds to the Diamondbacks.

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/mlbcom_reds_get_owings_to_complete_dunn_deal/

No mlb.tv (keeps coming in and out), so I have Vin on the radio. Makes me feel like a kid again, just no warm glow from the tubes.

37
Welcome to the fray!

46 Tubes? Is that radio a floor model?

Matt Kemp getting the line drive stroke back!

Burn After Reading fun little comedy.

Bison Power!

Great to see Matt hitting again. He makes the team so much more potent whehn he is going well.

Now in the 4th, I have the dynamic duo on the airwaves, complaining about not being able to sleep because of the altitude. Bison!

Nice going guys. 3-2 Dodgers.

50. Sounds like a good rent.

Trains, hurricanes - not a good night.

In minor news:

http://tinyurl.com/4m5gxz

Saito to be activated tomorrow; Kuo got a cortisone shot Wednesday.

Dunn just made a very strange looking catch but saved an extra base hit.

That train wreck happened about 1 mile north of where I work. My wife called and told me stay off Topanga so I took Canoga. I literally passed a convoy of police cars headed north. Then the strangest thing, 3 parking enforcement vehicles with their lights on followed the convoy. I didn't even know parking enforcement vehicles had blinky lights.

We have had a lot of train crashes with cars but I don't remember two train crashing in this area before.

48 - Back in the day (1960s), as a kid I would snuggle up to the hi-fi to listen to the games. (An immense piece of furniture).

DeWitt has made Larry Bowa very happy tonight.

Whaled on it for Berroa is a little line drive single to left field.

I was close to my transistor but never was able to warm up to the hifi.

Damn Angel! way to chase that one

Am I the only one that really wants to see Kemp steal home every time he's on third?

Remember when Berroa had gotten his average up to 240? Already seems so long ago.

64
He should come charging in Ted Lilly style.

Where is Kuo's left below?

3.5 done in Arizona. 0-0
3.5 done in Colorado 3-2 Dodgers

http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/home/944949.html

You too can play Iron Chef America on the DS.

65 He did single his first time up.

59 Hi-fi's were the one thing a kid could never touch when I was young.

70
Yup, he whaled on that hanging curve, but that was one bad at bat with a runner on 3rd and one out.

Penny
Saito
Now we just need Furcal

He's a guy who can play hurt and still be better then what we got. He can rest the back in the offseason.

72 I agree.

Wow, talk about a squeeze job. How does Francis, a lefty, get that call on a change-up, but Chad cant get it on 2 fastballs? I guess the outside corner is non-existant tonight

64 No, you're not!

Sigh...

67 - Ha, it's below something!

75 Baseball just need to slam QUESTEC down the throats of the baseball umpires and be done with it.

And wow, that' a bad throw by Bills, and Nomar not able able to catch it.

67 his left below Wednesday. That's a very different place.

Damn Bills is walking a tight rope, but Rockies are bailing him out.

Those Pheiten necklaces are apprently the new steroids.

That or Joba is just a poor pitcher.

Dunn fouls out and leaves Young at 2B, still scoreless after 4.

I hope the Dodgers can score some more runs this inning.

Bills seems to have matured a lot this year. A year ago that wild throw to first would have caused him to lose concentration against the hitter.

It seems like Manny will homer off Jeff Francis this inning. He saw too many pitches last time around not to have a good result this time.

Talking about altitude:

Denver - 5,280ft (the ole Mile High)
Mexico DF - 7,349ft (where I am)
Bogota - 8,661ft (I'll be there next week)
La Paz - 11,942ft (how do they do it?)
Mt. Whitney - 14,505ft

I think Jeff is done for tonight.

85 Stopping in between parties. :)

Vinnie plugs Andre's blog. A true sign of the times

Heh, Vin talking about Ethier's blog.

86 I did a little construction work in Quito, 9,200 ft. Drink a lot of water.

Break! for the Dodgers.

my favorite kind of fielder's choice, at least when the Dodgers are on offense.

The Rockies infielders are poor fieldersssssss

Webb appears to be pitching better tonight but still no score after 4.5

Be patience Manny! you'll get your hit!

Manny looks a tad slow turning on the fastball.

Ruh-roh.

DP. Blargh.

hey, guys, that's not Juan Pierre in left, what are you thinking?

Well this inning turn to crap.

Anyone read Martin's lips as he walked past Bowa?
"My bad."

102 More like a certain four letter word that started with an 'F'.

Also, for any anime fans in the house.

There's going to do a remake of Full Metal Alchemist based more closely on the manga series.

104. Nice. I enjoyed the series.

105 You should read the manga series if you get the chance. It splits from the anime ep around ep 26, and its simply a much more enjoyable read. And the best characters get left out of the anime series. Also Greed gets to return later on in the series.

Greed is just awesome.

Chad appears to be settling down.

Webb strikes out, still 0-0 after 5.

Fellas, we could use some more runs.

106
Interesting they are remaking the show already. I missed some episodes in the middle, but it got good at the end.

stop hitting the ball directly to the Rockies.

106. No money for Manga. I only watched the series on Cartoon network.

109 The manga series its based on is ending soon.(Well its in its stretch run, there's enough material to last a year or so.) And if you watched the FMA movie, there isn't much room to make a sequel to it the first FMA series. ...Well unless they want to tell the story of Edward Elric meeting Martin Luther King Jr.

Remaking it at least allows them to make new material for the series, and besides, now they get to introduce the crazy Chinese prince who has Chinese ninjas who can constantly kill homunculus without breaking a sweat.

111 There are koff koff other ways. Not that I'm recommending it mind you.

Scoreless after 5.5 in Arizona.

Wow, every one hits it on the dot. This is how baseball works. I went to grill a sandwich with Manny coming up and two on--no outs. When I got to take a look the D's had done nothing, but the Rocks were also out. It seemed like I saw Kemp and DeWitt hit it on the screws and make outs, and Colorado up again. Oh well, back to my sandwich before it burns.

Come on! The Giants are beating Peavy 1-0. Are you kidding me. I need these Giants to lose, lose, lose. I want them to lose like the Duke Brothers.

Calm down Bills.

Chad is pitching on guts tonight.

does honeycutt actually say anything of note when he's out there? i'm not very impressed with him as our pitching coach.

My super's kid just started kindergarten a few weeks ago. (Apologies to Jon's little pups, but he is the most adorable human being on the planet.)

Anyway, I just ran into him while I was taking Pirate on a walk and asked him what he learned today at school. He said, "Friday I am happy because I get to sleep for as long as I want tonight! Friday, we dance!" And he started jumping around.

It reminded me of that Onion article Jon posted not too long ago.

This should be Bill's last innings. That he lasted 6 innings in a game like this is marvelous.

whewww! yay billz!!!

96 pitches for Bills. You think Torre going to give him another inning?

Arizona scores on an infield hit, a two-base throwing error and a drawn-in infield grounder to left.

119 - I always picture the scene from Bull Durham when Honeycutt goes to the mound. "Candlesticks make a nice gift"

I'd pull him, and Wade or TronTron in there.

Chad will probably have to wait until Pittsburgh to lower the ERA into the 2s. Heck of an outing tonight though.

Wow not Sweeney? Why not the great PH Sweeney?

125 Me, too. maybe you could find out where she's registered and maybe a place-setting or maybe a silverware pattern. Okay, let's get two! Go get 'em.

119 Why? It's not like his pitching staffs don't get results. Coaches probably get too much blame and too much credit depending on how the staff is faring, but it seems like he's done pretty well and the pitches like him. I don't see much reason to see him as a poor pitching coach at any rate, though we aren't privy to those mound meetings.

wait, wait, wait. I'm confused, isn't this the spot where we're suppose to see Sweeney?

Great job by Chad tonight. Obviously didnt have his best stuff and an inconsistent zone, but he got through it. A truce ace.

Padres sent RHP Brian Falkenborg outright to Triple-A Portland.
Falbenborg had a 4.22 ERA in nine appearances since joining the Padres a month ago. He goes to open up a spot for Scott Patterson.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&line=249583&id=2937

Oh, and kudos to Chad for surviving Coors, or at least faring much better than in previous stints. Nicely done, ThunderThighs!

Berroa feature:

http://www.pe.com/sports/baseball/dodgers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_W_dodgers_12.3d3b5ac.html

133
My fantasy team thanks Chad.

Why are they asking Young to bunt? If you want a bunter, you might as well use Pierre.

Let's go Pee Wee!

Let's go Peanut, er, Pee Wee!

they've been working Young away, think they come inside?

DY with the walk. nice.

Then again, Pierre wouldn't walk.

Nice walk.

I can't believe Vince Young's conversations with his therapist are on espn.com.

139 - er, guess not.

"I thought you were kidding" - best squeeze play story ever.

Joe is going to show he can win without our core of young players, or die trying!

Pee Wee gets the job done (getting Wesley Sr. to second).

This is hilarious.

Silly commenters. Coors is obviously a pitcher's park, that's why we're playing for one run.

143 - I saw that, and my first thought was wow, broke the psychotherapist-patient privilege. And not to law enforcement but to the boss. and then to the news.

143
Next year on "In Treatment":

Tuesday
Vince

Why is Martin bunting? Have this guy hit!

Why the heck are they asking Martin to bunt?

139 - Yes, inside was how they were pitching Pee Wee before. (before he lost his roomie and got injured).

148 - 3-2 in the 7th, i don't mind playing for the run. I'm not too keen on having Young AND Martin showing bunt.

Poor Martin--he is being ordered to make an out. Last year he would have just hit a home run.

Its Andre time

Good job Joe.

Its time for Dre to bring the runs in.

154 - that second sentence should have "though" in it, either at the beginning or the end, whichever you prefer.

1-0 Arizona going into the 7th.

59 . 71 . Man, those prehistoric hi-fi's were great! My parent's had that 6 inch tall spindle where you could stack a bunch of records on top of each other. then it would drop them one after another onto the spinning pile. Destroyed many a Beatles or Donavan or Joan Baez or Jefferson Airplane record, I'm sure.

155 - in Joe's defense, he's had Pierre in the lead off spot most of the season, probably just confused.

Sadly, it looks like Webb found a cure for what ails him, the Reds.

149- I think there may be provisions within the patient/doctor confidentiality clause wherein the doctor can alert the authorities if he believes the patient poses a legitimate threat to himself or to someone else.

Still, broadcasting a depressed football player's thoughts of suicide on flipping espn.com isn't going to do much to help the problem. Especially in the macho athlete culture. I don't know him or his situation, but I feel horrible for him.

I wonder if the shrink is a team employee...

Damn!

Ethier must be back to doing "that Oakland thing".

Working the count like a pro, and ripping pitches for power.

What percentage of houselholds in LA get Kcal and not FSN? All games should be on FSN for out-of-towners.

That 2-0 strike call really screwed Dre there.

It's up to Manny to fire up the grilli.

Manny is Manny.

Alright Manny!!

Single off the right field wall.

Not pitching around Manny is a huge mistake.

Middle of plate fastball...

I can guess that result.

Manny with a nice single.

168
If you don't have cable, you probably don't like the games being on FSN.

Key off the wall single scores his pal Angel, 4-2.

Alright Manny!

Hawpe! Duck!

Long single, but we'll take that insurance.

174
I was wrong, not a HR.

164 - I know the privilege pretty well, at least here in California (and it's pretty standard, nationally), having written more than a few motions about it. Even if the shrink was a team employee, he can't disclose the contents of the discussion to the Titans without permission from Young. Danger to self or others allows disclosure to authorities - and even then, what you're allowed to say is very, very limited.

Long night for the Bearded Warrior.

Big insurance run.
Dodgers just need 1 win in Colorado, & its looking good right now.

No clue why the Rockies just didnt intentionally walk the guy. He's just too good to pitch too, especially with Casey Blake on deck

176 How many people still don't have cable in LA?

182-Yeah, that's what I thought. So the doc could have had cause to call the police if Young said "That's it! I'm going to kill myself!" and then stormed out of his house with a gun. Right?

186 - five, six, maybe?

1-0 Arizona going to the 8th.

186 I think he's saying that not every person in SoCal gets KCAL.

185- Manny's OPS'ing 1.250 in sept.
Blake at .653

A. Gonzo ties it up 2-2 in SD.

What? No one cares about the SF/SD game?

185 Managers don't like IBB with runners on 1st and 2nd, do not ask me why.

Big out right there.

Park in Colorado with a 1 run lead is scary.
2 run lead is fine.

If Holiday gets on, you gotta bring in Beimel to face Hawpe.

Go to your stats. Find by far the Dodgers best RBI man. He is not playing. He has been cool, so I might commend you Joe, as long as we win. I have to take a walk.

I'm relieved that Holliday only got a single. But now I'm nervous, with Hawpe and Atkins up next.

193

I understand the "baseball" logic, but its silly. Manny is just too good and Blake is slumping right now. With 2 out, our chances of scoring with Manny up and 1st and 2nd are higher than with the bases loaded and Blake up with the way both of them are going.

187 - in that spot, yes. He had no obligation to, but he could if he reasonably believed that Young posed a danger to himself or someone else. Not to get side tracked, but when I say "reasonably" there's a strange legal definition - the standard is if a reasonable member of the practice with similar training and experience would have came to the same conclusion, he'd be ok.

193.
That is something I never understood. I used to think it was some type of rule.
But I guess managers just don't like to do it.

His name is Bako. Paul Bako.

Torre has fallen in love with Elbert. Seems like he's pitched every day.

193 It would have loaded up the bases.

I don't know why its acceptable to walk a batter when there's a guy on 2nd and first base open, but not okay when there's a man on first. But hey, I'm not a manager of the baseball game.

Quick pull for Chan Ho Park.

Park's getting pulled for... Scott Elbert.

He's sooooooooooooo going to make the post season roster.

Wade is up, The heck? Let this guy rest. Wow what a quick pull, why wasn't as quick when Penny was pitching?

Paul Bako doubles with one out in AZ.

Elbert over Beimel?

Eh thats cool.
Go with the kid.

OK Joe, good call...

186 - My brother doesn't have cable.

204 A poor offensive team at San Diego vs. a high powered offense in Denver.

I like Joebert's faith in Elbert. Now let's just keep giving him reasons to have that faith, Scott.

204 Because the Dodgers had a 4 run lead.

MEMO
TO: Scott Elbert
FROM: Scott Proctor
Heaven help you, rook.

208 Your brother, the same brother where the only place Gargoyles is still played on TV is on Toon Disney? (Yes, I grew up watching Gargoyles. Still love the show.)

198 - the IBB is a dumb play, in my opinion. The odds are that a player will make an out (if you control for IBBs). Bases loaded means your pitcher has less room to work with (a walk brings in a run), and if the hit does drop, two runs are likely to score.

Oops, I thought he was bringing in Beimel.

This Pevey fellow is not a very good pitcher. Gives up another HR. Now 3-2 Giants. Ugh!

213 - Yep, he gets his Gargoyles on the sly.

203 - walking a guy with first base open sets up a force at second, particularly useful when there is only one out.

Wasn't Bonds walked once (IBB) with the sacks full?

Best base stealer in baseball, folks. Crazy to think that about Holliday. good job, Elbert.

I don't have cable either. I have a dish.

You can't change pitchers here.

The telecast didn't seem to realize there was a strikeout.

218 that play is still available if you walk a guy, like say Pujols.

Hu's in at 2nd, Blake out at 3rd, DeWitt moves to 3rd. Cory Wade comes in to pitch. Elbert is out. That's some managing there.

You got to be kidding me?

OK, Hawpe struck out.

Never mind...

219

Yes, as was Josh Hamilton this year.

213
And he wrote one episode of Jem.

Jem, the first love of my life.

219.
Josh Hamilton was IBB a couple of weeks ago with the bases full.

226. Yeah ok I didn't know it too.

219
Josh Hamilton got an IBB with the bases loaded this year.

Webb has shut down the Red Machine through 8, if Melvin takes him out and they lose, well, he might have to get some bodyguards.

Allergies are making me slow and sluggish.

232 - Brandon Lyon is warming up.

Professor Gerald Fasel, Astrophysicist annoys me.

232
But I still have Brandon Lyon on my fantasy team.

That is not a fantasy that makes you happy.

How was that a strike? Umpire is terrible tonight.

228 I love the current Spectacular Spider-Man series. Its what Brand New Day(the current direction Marvel taking with Spider-man in the comics, starting with wishing away Peter Parker and Mary Jane's marriage. Don't ask) should have been.

Now if Greg Weisman could only introduce Kitty Pryde....

Corey Wade is awesome. How great has he been this year?

219 - I always remember it as a story about Mel Ott.

I am not a fan of the intentional walk. the only play i hate more in all of sports is taking a knee to end the first half of a football game.

Cory Wade. I like that guy.

232 Well, they hit for Webb and Salazar tripled with no out.

235
Is that the Sharp TV guy? If so, I would like to purchase the TV that would allow me to watch his demise.

236 Maybe "fantasy" is the wrong word for it then? My FF team last season was more like a "catastrophe league" than "fantasy."

Cory Wade rocks.

The Rockies will have a lot harder time trading Helton than the Dodgers trading Jones.

Mr. World Series MVP up with one out and a runner on 3rd.

238 - Second that. No new episodes until March I think, that is going to be a long wait. That cartoon truly is spectacular!

240 - You don't like K's either, as I recall.

I need a ruling from the judges, who am I suppose to root for in Notre Dame vs Michigan?

249
Michigan.

248 - I don't like hitters striking out, I like my pitchers to strike guys out.

DeWitt getting IBB'ed. This game has officially entered Biazzro World.

I'll tell Greg about all the good comments he's getting.

250 - but won't that open the door to "Is Michigan back?" talk? and really, shouldn't Michigan be banished to the lower level bowls, at best, for the next decade?

Just joining the party; why wasn't Loney the starter today? What with his extensive history of mashing at Coors...

243. Exactly. I think your on to something. We could tie slabs of raw meat to him and put him in a lion cage and sell it on pay-per-view.

Well, that worked out well for the Rockies.

Well, that worked out well for the Rockies.

255 Something like 1-20 vs. Jeff Francis and some not-good at bats in there.

255 - because he's not good against Francis.

255
1 for 15 against LHP Francis.

255 Nomar scored twice so he filled in pretty well for Crazy Eyes.

You can say that again.

Well, that's Wesley Snipes for ya -- sometimes he'll surprise you with something good, and then a lot of times he bombs.

254
Better for Michigan to be back than Notre Dame.

252 - Seems reasonable strategy to me.

253 Tell him I love his Eddie Brock too even if he was a bit emo in the season finale, and ask him why Peter Parker left Eddie Brock out of the most important people list when he needed to fight off the Symbiote. That is er, if you remember.

262
Speaking of "Crazy Eyes" and the Greg Brock-hated eyes on the scoreboard occasionally shown at Dodger Stadium, I think Loney should bat to Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face."

251 - I should clarify: my issue with strike outs is how they are considered really good for pitchers but don't matter for hitters. (I'm relatedly skeptical of BABIP)

I also think that strike out pitchers should be given more rope, particularly when it comes to pitch count, over the course of the game

Wade just carved him up. Brilliant

Man is Wade such a working horse for us.

Bases loaded for Dunn with one out.

Also the Crowd is dead.

where has Brock been, lately, by the way?

Where did Cory Wade come from? What is his story?

Whew, Ianetta just missed getting that one outta there.

And then with a Rule 1 violation as he enters the dugout on the Rockies FSN broadcast.

273 - Cambria?

Where would this team be without Wade? Such a rock in the middle innings.

Angel's throws make the dude nervous.

Berroa has made as many bad throws as good ones tonight.

In my opinion Wade is doing what he always did in the minors--not throwing many balls.

253
Ask him if I can meet Jem.

253 - Pleas do Jon. Spectacular Spider-Man is like a breadth fresh air. The first season was excellent on every level and I can't wait for season 2.

Big mismatch here with Corpas vs Hu.

274 - From Indianapolis. Went to Kentucky Wesleyan U. Pitched very well in Jacksonville and never had to go suffer in the PCL. Don't think they expected him to necessarily stay around as long as he has, and pitch as lights out, when they first called him up.

276 You are not far off.

The success of Cory Wade for the Dodgers makes me wonder where a guy like that be without the use of the MLB draft. Its not as if a guy like Cory Wade would command a higher salary bonus if he was an FA signing instead of the 10 round pick that he is.

273 - Too busy spreading his wisdom to another captive audience, his students instead of us. ;)

Walk! Reverse psychology strikes again!

Cal Poly-SLO?

Jon

I hope your brother has gotten his $40 coupon from the govt for his digital converter box.

Great job again Joe.

First time I've typed this this season -- Good eye, Hu!

Russell needs to never bunt or be asked to bunt ever again.

I love bunting in Coors field! Joe Torre is awesone!

Jeez just let Martin hit!

Corpas made a crazy play.

And Russell Martin should never be allowed to bunt again. And Torre should just stop asking for it. Seriously. What the heck.

289 Nah, he is just chilling in that general area.

Mike "Hot Rod" Lincoln in for the Reds.

Andre Ethier. Not being asked to bunt.

292 - He was batting with only one?! I had heard that he had a problem.

I always like it when guys like Wade kind of come out of nowhere to make a good career for themselves.

Bowa, why did you stop Hu at 3rd?

WHAT the heck man? ugh needed that run.

I'm actually relieved to see the Dodgers be conservative running on Hawpe's arm for once.

Bowa what the heck are you doing out there?

Hu didn't score, but boy, Manny sure is good with runners in scoring position.

Come on Slappy...please please

Doesn't Joe know there is no such thing as a 200 foot sac fly?

Well I doubt Pierre is going to strike out.

i was just about to ask if there was someone other than Sweeney to use here, and now we get Pierre.

I think I actually prefer Pierre here.

Bowa had a tough time deciding whether to keep Hu going or not, I would've just kept running and assume he's not gonna catch it but it was close to being caught.

Nice pop up.

There's our Slappy McPopUp.

As for Hu not scoring, that was some pretty bad baserunning.

Great decision Joe! I'd rather have Kuo hit than Pierre.

This Pierre guy looks familiar.

Mark Reynolds has been driven to drinkin' because he just Kd on a curve from Hot... Rod... Lincoln.

And then Linc threw a wild pitch to let in a run.

Martinb is my golden God, and I love him to death, but towards the end of the season he looks like a horse that needs to be put down.

If Hu doesn't score on that play, he or the third base coach need something: being put down doesn't begin to cover it.

At least it wasn't a double play.

BPTS.

Pierre being Pierre.

does Loney look more trim, lately, or is it just me?

The D-Backs have scored on a walk and now a wild pitch this inning, Bob better hope they don't score again or his save situation goes away.

I can't believe the Dodgers are winning this game in spite of Joe and Larry. Why Pierre there? I guess the good news is Joe didnt go with Jones.

Better Pierre Than Sweeney, is what that meant. But apparently, not much better. Good ol' Slappy McPopup.

Don't let that lead get bigger than 3. I want my cheap save from Brandon Lyon!

Hey, if I get win from Billingsley and a save from Lyon, it's win-win-win!

323 - Who else would you use?

YES!!

Loney save the day! OMG!!!!!

Loney = Coors RBI machine!

Loney, I love you. 3 innings of work, and he has 3 RBIs.

Loney!!!!!!11

Big big hit. Love me some loney! Quite a night for the first base combination.

It was all set up for Loney to drive in all the runs.

326 Arodin, A.J. Ellis?

James Loney should never get another day off, ever.

Excellence, thy name is Loney.

Wild Game James.

Yessssss! Googly Eyes comes through!

326 That's what I was just thinking -- who are our top pinch hitters? Nomar and Young? Then who?

Also, Jayson Repko.

Thank God. Getting no runs out of that inning would have justified every manager, coach and probably poor Hu being executed with piano wire.( As happened in 1944-or was it 45).

My uncle who is doped up on Vicodin, a morphine drip, and some other stuff after an intense shoulder surgery was impressed enough by that Loney double to say ,"hey hey." That just made me laugh.

James Loney has 18 games with 3+ RBI. Seven of those games are against Colorado.

http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/JPXU

His top 3 games are in Coors.

Wow. He fast.

I love me some Loney.

I love me some Vin Scully calling Loney's play.

339 - I guess they could have gone with Repko

323 What were Torre's terrible moves tonight? I must have missed them. There was that one puzzling bunt attempt, if that was his call. Other than that I don't know. And Pierre trumps Sweeney, Jones and most of the other feeble choices there. Delwyn already PH and drew a walk. I thought the pitching changes all matched up well tonight, and i liked bringing Loney in as well as Hu. Other than that.

Bowa's kinda of a fool, though.

343 If Helton wasn't there, I would imagine the Rockies pushing hard for Loney even if they had to trade with a division rival.

Who on the Dodgers drives in the runs?
Sure Manny--but who else?

326. Repko

I like Vin rubbing in the fact that the Snakes no longer have Valverde.

Scott Procter's in the game. He still has a year left on arbitration doesn't he?

I personally like Repko, too, but vs. a righty and with Pierre looking up at you with his veteran puppy eyes, it's probably hard to refuse.

Lyon strikes out Bruce, 2 down.

Berroa's little decline is paving the way for Fircal's return. Soon.

349 - Besides Ethier and Loney and Kemp you mean?

Ugh. Proctor. Please get the guys out in front of Holliday, Hawpe, and Atkins.

James Loney is now batting .30000000000000, giving the Dodgers another batter batting at least .300000000000.

Tying run comes to the plate in Phoenix.

Dusty's favorite Corey Patterson up.

LOL...the ump's delayed call fooled Vinny.

Ball game! Wooo the winning conitnues!

Infield single! Bases loaded!

Tony Gwynn railing on about how Lincicum should not win the Cy Young cause Giants suck. Now they are talking about MVP based on players impact to his team and Pods announcer says Manny deserves consideration. He says the way Ethier is now hitting, Manny responsible for nearly 100 RBI. Gwynn compleatly dis' the idea.

Slappy! FTW!

We win!

Okay, off to play some Wii Tennis and throw my arm out before bed.

At least 15 dead in the Train wreck.

Bases loaded, 2 outs for Jeff Keppinger.

This is why I'm dumping Brandon Lyon from my fantasy team.

Bags full of reds two outs in Zona, hopefully another melt down.

Lyon's last two fastballs: 85 and 87.

That was his pitch, darn it.

Opposite-field single eludes Ecks, plates two.

What a nice, clean and efficient Dodger win. Pretty cool.

Single by Keppinger, Reds score 2, 3-2 Zona, Reds still batting.

I love Brandon Lyon.

BoMel brings the hook; Qualls enters.

I both love and hate Brandon Lyon now.

2 run single.

Brandon Lyon is the best closer ever.

Zona going to the bullpen, Lyon melts down again, enter Rauch.

358

He needs that one-trillionth of a hit to put him over 300.

381
Rauch is not getting into any important games for the DBacks the rest of the season unless Melvin is desperate.

My error, Qualls not Rauch

Too bad the DBacks scored 2 runs on a walk and a wild pitch to give them a cushion. Lyon with a 1 run leads is probably a negative win expectancy.

If AZ played 8 inning games they would be a lot closer to the Dodgers.

Wow Lyon is god awful.

My gosh, flat Riunite is pretty bad. Sort of like sweet vinegar.

Qualls gets him on a slider in the dirt.

Darn, a walk and a wild pitch were the diffrence.

Why aren't the D'Backs using Qualls in the 9th before this? Seems like he's their best relief pitcher.

390 Though I doubt Lyons would have stayed in so long if it was 1 or 2 run lead.

356 Udog exactly right you are.
Loney 80 rbi. Wade 14 pitches - 10 strikes
We win!! Thats what I like.

All the DBacks relievers have had their ups and downs this season. Qualls started off really well this year, but then had a bad May, an OK June, and a bad July. He's been good since then.

LAT-
Dodgers win!
D-Backs win.

Take the number down by 1.

Magic number is 13.

Bobby Thigpen's record will live another day.

Who cares what Arizona does as long as we win.

397 Every Ariz. loss makes its more likely to clinch during our last home stand. I do not want the last series at San Fran to be meaningful games for us. That'll be a nightmare waiting to happen.

396 Saves?
395,397 Yeah Dodgers win!! Thats it for me!

398 - Yes, I am sure that underdog (who has tix) would be happy to forgo the stress.

398 - Very True, you know they are eyeing that final weekend in hopes of taking us out.

I had an unfortunate DVR malfunction tonight so it's been nice to re-live the game I missed through you all. A couple comments -- I never cared for Vince Young until now. Running that story is pretty appalling and he deserves some privacy and some time. On a lighter note, did I read correctly that Martin was asked to bunt twice? I hate bunting. I coach 3rd for my son's fall league team and I felt obligated to give his best friend the bunt sign last Friday (kid on 1st,1 out, he's the fastest kid on the team, we needed one run, etc.) After the sac he apparently had some unkind words for me in the dugout (my son the tattle-tale!). I was going to give him a little light-hearted hard time about it but then thought he was totally right. I would have been mad too. I promised him it will never happen again.

http://tinyurl.com/4e7c8k

The Dodgers are among the teams that have scouted Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who said this week that he would bypass the draft of his native professional league and sign with a major league club. A team source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the Dodgers were taking a wait-and-see approach with the 22-year-old right-hander who pitches for Eneos Oil of the Japanese corporate league, as they've heard that he has already decided to sign with the Boston Red Sox. Tazawa is expected to command a signing bonus of at least $1.5 million.

Tazawa's decision has sent shock waves through the Japanese league, which previously hasn't had to deal with top amateur players leaving the country.

Listening to "We Are The World" right now. God I love that song.

Speaking of unfamiliar roles, Torre said Brad Penny will continue pitching relief. Penny's first bullpen appearance since the 2006 playoffs lasted three batters Wednesday -- a walk, a broken-bat bloop single and an infield single.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080912&content_id=3463292&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

NPUT