the ball dons't fly out of Colorado anymore

Starting lineup:

Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B
Drew, RF
Kemp, LF
Aybar, 2B
Guzman, 3B
Martin, C
Tomko, P

since the beginning of May, Jennings is 2-5 including two losses to the Dodgers. His two wins were both shutouts against Houston and San Diego. In the five losses he has a 5.02 ERA.

I think this is a prime opportunity for Bret Tomko to get back on track, the Rockies offense has been terrible recently and the offense should score against Jennings. Billingsley starts tonite for Las Vegas, btw.

Here's hoping the Destroyer hits the ball hard today.

Destroyer = Kemp?

4- Joel the Destroyer (aka JtD) = Joel Guzman

4 5

Perhaps the Destroyer nickname should be given to Kemp after his good start.

Kemp has a nickname (M. Bison) and he's too young to have two.

I don't know but Bison dons't sound good to me.

I was on vacation during the genesis of Kemp's nickname. What is the background of "M. Bison"?

who thought if "Bison" anyway?

9

I think some announcers thought of that name (I don't like it though)

The Braves' broadcast team said that Kemp looked like a buffalo. Bob insisted that they meant bison. I don't remember who extended it to the video game character M. Bison. I'm on record as mildly opposed; I like that there's a theme, but after bull and bison, it gets tricky.

caribou, bear, M lion, and condor are next.

Dodger Stadium will be a National Park where animals can roam free once again!

13- NO CONDORS. And mountain lions are gangling little beasts, compared with bulls and bison. Somebody could be a bear, that'd be alright. Is caribou in reserve for Martin, or whoever that Canadian 1B who just got drafted?

What about moose?

It would be nice to see Guzman get a couple of hits in a game before he goes back to Vegas next week. I think it would help him to leave on a good note.

[16] mussina's already got taken that one.

-got.

12 How many times have you had to do this summary? It seems like last time we decided Bob didn't actually raise the objection, but rather someone suggested that he would. Am I wrong?

20

That is correct.

I'm pleased to know that I hold such sway over people's opinions that they fear my displeasure with them.

I think I should go into the political arena where some of my better ideas can be implemented.

Apparently the Constitution prevents me from getting a bill of attainder passed to punish Frank Robinson and Russ Ortiz.

Here's a little pregame project... A frined gave me an autographed baseball today asking me to identify it. Names I recognize include Arkie Vaughn, Cliff Melton and Lefty O'Doul on the sweet spot. I don't have my encyclopedia with me. Any help?

Arky Vaughan was a HOF shortstop for the Pirates and Dodgers.

Lefty O'Doul had some gaudy batting averages in the 20s and 30s and was a longtime manager in the PCL and is in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Cliff Melton won 20 games as a rookie for the Giants in 1937, but never was that good after that.

I'm going with Matt the Magnificent.

Or possibly Matt the Marauder.

Looks like Steve has the right Mattitude.

20- Ah ha! I wasn't around for that thread, so I've been recompiling from secondary sources. I missed yesterday, too, but read through the whole thing. 200 some odd posts on Odalis is a fairly depressing way to spend a Saturday afternoon. But Tomko will redeem it, I have great faith.

23- Found my Total Baseball. This ball is clearly from the Pacific Coast League. O'Doul is the manager and Vaughn and Melton are players. I think. Apparently, O'Doul managed there from '37-'51. Vaughn played in the bigs from '32-'48. So maybe Vaughn went down after his career and coached?
Others on the ball include Dick Lajeskie (played for Giants in 1946) and Steve Nagy (Charles' Dad?)

Is Gagne available to pitch tonight? What's his injury outlook?

i just saw the fastest half-inning in major league history. 3 pitches from carlos silva, 3 outs.

fastest, pitch count-wise anyway.

29
Gagne update.

http://tinyurl.com/fddf6

good job kemp.

alright KEMP!!!!!!!! This guy should be playing every day for now...he's earned at least that much.

It's Arky Vaughan, not Vaughn. The most famous Vaughn is Mo.

Or Robert.

Arky played in the PCL in 1949 for San Francisco. I suppose he got offered a fair amount as the PCL paid pretty well at that time.

He died in a boating accident in 1952.
You should take a look at the BB/SO ratios for Vaughan. He was an extraordinarily tough out and had great plate discipline.

Is Ardoin hurt, or did they send him down?

22 That is a 1949 Seals baseball. O'Doul was the manager and Vaughan and Melton were players on the team.

Team photo:
http://www.sportsartifacts.com/pcl49sealsph.JPG

Ardoin got hurt in a game in L.A. He got his knee tweaked in a home plate collision.

looks like I'll be throwing Gagne back on the DL in my fantasy league...i knew I should have taken Wagner lol

silly rookies.

WOW. Martin just gave them a gift.

Is anyone else having problems accessing the Gameday audio feed? Every time I try to get the KWFB feed, I get an almost blank window that says, "Please reload page to view media." I can load the Rockies feed fine, but I'd much rather listen to Vin.

Also, what the heck was Martin thinking about?

BTW, I'm not trying to be a pedant about Arky Vaughan's name as much as I'm trying to pay tribute to his career. He was a very good player and is often forgotten.

He was third in the MVP voting to Gabby Hartnett and Dizzy Dean that year.

34- Thanks Bob! So it must be '49 Seals. Knew of Vaughan from when I had him in a fantasy league. Ball might even have some value considering it has a HOFer who died in '52.
Thanks for your help. On with the game! Oh wait, we're winning already.

44 The ball is worth a lot. Balls with O'Doul's signature alone go for several hundred dollars.

36- whoops. Thanks Eric!

How many reasons do we have to hate the Rockies? Their fundamentalist administration (or se we hear), their terrible announcers, and, worst of all, the humidor--- is there anyone who likes this thing?

33

I still don't like how he swings at those curve balls (kinda reminds me of Beltre when he first came up)

42 explain?

What happened? Yahoo said Aybar out at home on a Martin single.

is it just me or does it seem like we are getting thrown out at home a lot more than other teams? I'm sure I could find stats on it somewhere... just not sure where.

I think Vin like the humidor. Because I think he likes to say "humidor."

When I look at careers like Vaughan's and you look at past MVP votes, I think to myself, "They pick the wrong guy a lot."

47 I like the humidor.

Aybar was stopping at third, but Martin had rounded first too far and Hawpe threw behind him.

With Martin a dead duck, Aybar decided to try for home and was out.

53 Thanks. The things you miss while at work on a Saturday.

49- Martin got himself in a rundown, rounding first. Aybar sprinted home as a distraction/last ditch attempt to score before Martin's goof ended the inning. He didn't make it.

52 I just don't understand it. Do they change the balls to make up for the offense at Wrigley? Do they juice the balls for PETCO? Maybe they should use superballs at Dolphins Stadium so they can go out into right-center. What's the justification for it?

we are going to need more then 3 runs tonight.

I hate you Brett Tomko.

Tomko thruw a juicy one right down the middle

Heh heh.

56
The Rockies justification is that the balls are kept in a climate-controlled environment because at Denver's altitude, if the baseballs are left alone, they will no longer meet major league specifications.

new ball game.

I'd like to thank Tomko for distracting attention from my failure to refresh before posting.

Tomko is junk! (posted this in the other thread)

I thought Lowe was pitching today. Why would we pitch Tomko in Coors?

If Bilingsley pitches well in his start tonight, please call him up.

one to many fastballs my Tomko, it's cool we'll get 'um back.

61 Are there major league specifications for the moisture of the baseballs (I think the moisture is the issue)?

67
The specification is that the balls would dry out and get too light.

it's gonna be one of those games peeps

I hate it when the balls dry out.

Here's a Tracy Ringolsby article about the humidor back when the Rockies stared using it:

http://tinyurl.com/f9hj2

Tomko is in the lineup tonight for his offense.

72

let's hope he hits one out tonite

Jeff Kent for Jose Castillo. Tracy needs more veteran hitters and Jeff Kent deserves to play for an organization like the Pirates.

52 me too

Jeff Kent deserves to play for an organization like the Pirates

Send him back to the Giants.

Quintanilla rolled out of bed for his Gameday photo.

From that Ringoslby article:
"A couple of years ago, in fact, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros called baseball at Coors Field 'a joke' and said the ballpark should be exploded."
Not that I disagreed with Karros' sentiments, but his remarks are oddly phrased.

How are your hamstrings DJ?

65-

couldn't agree with you more

wow kemp.

On Gameday, Kemp's at-bat took less than a second.

Play him every day!!!!

Hooray! Bison's first non-HR extra base hit.

77

no kidding, hahahaha!

Does Kemp remind anyone else of Mondesi (in a good way)

Send Wilber down to the minors now!

Guzman had a pretty AB.... up until that last pitch.

Guzman had no idea which pitches to swing at in that AB.

Russell!

its okay, martin picks up guzman. thats good for team chemistry!

Hurdle is a moron for pitching to Martin.

Tomko's gonna hit it out.

Tomko made me look bad (thanks Tomko)

88 Besides the last one they weren't that bad. The called strike two looked like it was outside, and the rest were too close to take.

nice little inning for us, Kemp is on freakin fire.

Don't worry Tomko will give the lead back soon.

I think the Dodgers have to make a trade for a front line starter. I believe the team, as is, will likely get into the playoffs. But if we want to get deep into the post season and possibly win it all, we will need to be able to go toe to toe with the Cardinals, Yankees, Red Sox, the cream of the league. Look, I love watching the Rookies as much as anybody. The best thing about them is that they signal that we are good now and will be good for the foreseeable future. The BAD about the Rookies is that they are inexperienced in high pressure situations. I can't wait to see Billingsley. But I don't want to see him start Game 3 of the WS in Yankee Stadium in his 10th MLB start. Lowe and Penny fit the bill. One more and we could compete with anybody. Maybe Billingsley can start Game 1 of the 2007 World Series.

93
Your baseball psychic powers failed. Mine work better live at games.

Darn these Denver announcers. Their first instict was to call Martins hit cheap. Their arse on a band-box.

90 Martin is all about chemistry + heart and soul. Those are the important tools for a catcher :)

100
...you reveled the secret 6th and 7th tools. Now we have to kill you.

Hold your breath

nooooooo.

Owwww.

I think Bison really is hurt. They should have taken him out. :(

the "wonder Kemp" is alright.

I almost had a heart attack. Hey Matt, just act like Garrett Anderson on those foul balls okay?

97 I think Colletti will make a trade. I figure Kemp is untouchable, but I don't know who else is available/unavailable.

What is Kemp doing????

scary

He looks to be fine. I'd guess he'll be sore for a couple of days but no way is he seriously injured.

Tomko seems to need to give up 2-4 runs early and then he settles down. We can afford this if we get the bull-pen straight.

We can't afford to lose Matt Kemp. But you can't tell him to take it easy either.

What exactly happened to Kemp?

doesnt look like any interior damage. cuts and bruises are okay. torn ligaments and broken kneecaps are not.

what is that laser gun?

Hooking foul ball, Kemp was out of reach, but still slid legs first into the wall.

What exactly happened to Kemp?

crashed into the foul wall chasing a fly ball.

114

Most of us just use Bactine and a Band-Aid for something like that.

But not in a high-tech major league dugout!

Please remember-we don't need to trade and we shouldn't trade with anybody unless they need to trade.
There will be several teams that need to get rid of good starters if they fall out of contention or reach free agency.

Old Friend Bryan Corey pitched for Texas tonight.

114- That thing shoots a liquid ice.

117

it looked like there were performing surgery out there with those weird machines.

UH OH DREW!!!!!!

Drew just torn his knee.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

DREW????

Thought I heard the sound of shattering glass.

There it is... finally JD Drew's career ending injury. It took longer than I thought.

this is a weird day no?

my young 20s heart cannot take this. stop torturing me baseball gods!

I can't believe how these two old cripples looked running the bases.
I respect them both as wonderful hitters, but this could be a disaster for our team.

What happened here? Not a single comment about Aybar sacrificing with no outs and a runner on second in Colorado! Listen to me Gracy, never sac bunt! Never! And never give away outs at Coors!

127 Or else, he'll just walk it off and play on.

whew

Stick Kemp in CF now.
Everyday.

126

that's cold

"I have never seen as many blasts off Colorado bats die at the Coors Field outfield walls as I saw Friday."

How many have we seen off the Los Angeles bats today?

So a double and triple for Drew, the Cycle Squad has been notified. Please monitor this channel for alerts. No alerts have been issued. This is just "chatter" picked up through intelligence channels.

What are you guys talking about?
Drew didnt even come out of the game.

Jon needs to put a Space Mountain style warning at the top of this thread. You people are scaring the bejesus out of anybody not watching every play in real time.

FIRE MATT KEMP!!!

Now what's the commotion about Drew? Those of us following on Gameday are in the dark.

Dont you mean Lofton?

141 and are terrified.

kemp gets too anxious with ducks on the pond.

139 - You must be this tall to read DT...

We know that Drew's papier-mache knee just torn into a million pieces. He stayed in the game because he wants to be a gamer and doesn't want to be chewed out by Kent.

137 I bet your were awesome to play with as a kid.

Jose Cruz in the last two half-innings.

"I'm ready Skip, put me in... oh, never mind..."

"I'm ready Skip, put me in ... oh, never mind...."

I think we all owe him an apology.
Sorry JD.

The movie "Death becomes Her" comes to mind.
Every Dodger fan should see the conclusion.

*tore

The Bomko has arrived.

Bring on Izzy!

I take it JD is ok?

Another blast off the wall.

That was a great play by Drew, holding him to a single

Drew looked fine fielding Closser's single off the RF fence.

Tomko is the bomb! This time he can't blame it on Alomar either.

Kemp, with bases empty: 357/438/571/1.009 in 14 ABs.
Kemp, with runners on: 316/300/789/1.089 in 19 ABs.
Kemp, with RISP: 417/385/917/1.301 in 12 ABs.
Kemp, with RISP and two outs: 333/333/833/1.167 in 6 ABs.

one out only!!

Billingsley on line 1.

And while I was researching Kemp's splits, this got ugly in a hurry.

smart baseball!?!

Grits is amazing!

somebody stole a sign. hahaha!

Dear Mr. Hurdle,

Thank you

Sincerely,

Dodgers fans

Clint Hurdle is an idiot.
Jason Jennings is actually a pitcher that can swing the bat. You wouldnt want him bunting.

That was friggin stupid.

And Tomko finds another way to stink

Gameday says: "With Jason Jennings batting, Omar Quintanilla caught stealing home."

what on earth happened there?

Thank goodness Hurdle averted further damage.

169

Pitchout on an attempted squeeze play.

169: Pitch out, caught the runner

Is this accurate?

Grady calls two pitchouts, indicating that he knows Jennings (who can hit) is going to squeeze. Hurdle then proceeds to squeeze anyway.

169. It was a botched suicide squeeze. Dodgers pitched out twice, and got him the 2nd time.

Dumb decision to pitch out.
Even dumber to try the suicide squeeze.

Give Grits credit tho for recognizing beforehand how much of an idiot Clint Hurdle is.

good move grady, Seo?

I guess the Midas touch only lasts about a month and a half.

Man Hurdle really is an idiot.
This could have been a huge inning.

I think the Dodgers need to trade for a front line starter...

"Heartbreaking for Bret, he has pitched poorly now for four straight" - Vinny

Less than a month ago, Tomko's ERA was 2.88, it's now 5.20 with a runner still on.

Tomko's at 5.20.
But he is a veteran innings eater.

181 He ate something tonight but it wasn't innings.

174

wow you really dislike Hurdle.

Tomko was grinding it out, but he just couldn't get it done. He's still a grizzled veteran who has been through all the wars in my mind.

Will Seo Seo keep the ball in the park?

Tomko has a 2-year deal, right?

7-5 Rockies, that's nothing we'll get 'um back.

180-There's no question of that. But the idea of who Colletti would take to be a "front-line starter" (and what we'd give up to get him) curdles my blood. As it stands we've got three guys in or near our rotation who can't pitch, and another who'll soon remember he can't either.

I'm not ready to give up on Tomko

ruggiano goes yeard for jax earlier in the game to give him 8th. Laroche, being jealous, homers in the 8th to give him 8 on the year as well.

187

i think zito is a front line starter. especially in the NL. But i would rather throw a ton of money at him in the offseason. With the 10 mil we save on declining gagnes option and the kids filling most of the holes in the lineup, we can afford zito especially when you know hes going to give you 220 above average innings.

Re: 184

I don't want grizzle--I want someone who can pitch.

I've never thought of Tomko as a gamer--it's not as if he has any sort of spectacular post-season success.

Heck, after Seo's heroics in the WBC, he probably has a better claimn to being clutch than Tomko.

WWSH

They took the error away from Aybar.

Steiner is trashing Aybar making it sound like he is the one who gave up 7 runs.

Mets and D-Backs just getting underway...

Guzman hits it pretty hard. too bad it was relatively next to holliday.

192

it was a colective effort.

Seo holds 'um & we chip away.

191- I was being sarcastic

Odalis got booted from the rotation for less than this.

The difference between Odalis, Seo, and Tomko is that 1 is capable of being really good. The other two arent. However the 1 that is capable, was also the first one pulled from the rotation.

Todd Helton is now 2-15 vs the Dodgers this year.

The Metropolitans have hung 3 runs on AZ's Brandon Webb in their first at-bats.

"T" bone had a 24 game hitting streak?

When you come to Colorado, you can't score a small buch of runs and then relax as we did, and you can't make stupid statements like my " Tomko will be OK after he gives up 2-4 runs" or something similar.

200

With the unhittable Alay Soler tossing in the hitter's graveyard that is Chase Field, you can take that lead to the bank!

I think its been like 15 years since Vin bought a new suit.

204
Maybe that's what he means when he says "let's go back to this one."

200

that's way I love this game.

An Old Friend!

Hurdle, twice this season has left Jennings in to face Nomar after having pitch counts above 105.

Right now Jennings is at 105 facing Lofton.
Will Hurdler leave Jennings in to give up the lead for a 3rd time vs the Dodgers?

We'll seee.

In Laroche's last 142ABs, he is hitting:
338/456/528 6hr 27bb 16k

for the season hes at:
296/408/456 8hr 41bb 32k

his power is gradually increasing which is a great sign.

what are you talking about?? those are cool suits (sp?)

Re: 197

Ooops! Sorry about that...

WWSH

KLoft just dont hit into a DP.
Nomar's hitting over .400 vs LHP.

they had Lofton played perfectly, I thought that was gonna be a hit.

Wow, LaRoche is walking a ton this year

Some pitchers that Ned should target
John Patterson
Ben Sheets
Oliver Perez
Tony Armas
Joel Pineiro- we may be able to get him really cheap
Erik Bedard- definitely a guy I'd gamble on
Livan Hernandez- but I wouldn't give up much for him

John Patterson is the guy from Washington right?

Ben Sheets has a history of back problems so I wouldn't trust him, Livan Hernandez sounds interesting.

210.

Tonites ensemble looks like it was taken from Craig Sager's collection.

Beimel's luck is regressing.
The grounders he's getting are finding the holes. He's really not being hit that hard.

218
Sounds like another lefty pitcher on the Dodgers...

I'm kinda o.k. with that walk (set's up the DP) but Helton is batting.

he got that fast ball up there 90.

Beimel was Odalis'ed tonite.

The best left handed reliever in baseball now has a 4.58 ERA.

Dear Grady,

Why is Broxton your mopup reliever and Beimel is allowed to pitch in important situations?

Sincerly,
Concerned in Irvine

The Bull is coming in with the Dodgers down by 5 runs.

Interesting. Isnt this a spot for Baez?

Aybar made a diving stop and threw the runner out at 1st, but I'm sure Steiner would blame Aybar for allowing the run to score.

Cycle Alert: Condition ORANGE

Condition ORANGE

Bob I think your prodiction of Drew going for the cycle looms closer now. 3rd,2nd,1st already.

Pssh. It's not a real J.D. Drew cycle unless he blows out a knee.

picture perfect swing by Aybar.

Keep chipping away.

Aybar starts a new hitting streak.

I have made no predictions about anyone hitting for the cycle. I just alert people to the possibility.

How about Odalis + a cash for Matt Clement. Both are having terrible years. Brad Radke is another possibility though I think he is less likely to rebound than Odalis.

NOT AGAIN!!!!

this is the rockies plan, to kill all our rookies so they have a chance to win in the future.

oh no

that kind of reminded me of Werth.

its okay guzzie! you're fine.

What was that caulk gun the trainer was using on Kemp?

233

it's fun making prediction though, speacily when you guess right. whoo hoo!!

239 Still sprays liquid ice.

I think the only way it would make sense to trade Odalis is if one of the following conditions is met:

A. You trade him for a better pitcher.
B. You trade him and shed his salary.

I dont think trading for Matt Clement or Brad Radke does either of those things.

Russell gave that thing a ride!!! YEAH!!!!

We're back in it!

Russ makes it 11-9!!!

Steve Lyons must be furious about that homer.

In the Tuscaloosa Super Regional,
North Carolina won a spot in Omaha in dramatic fashion. Chad Flack hit a three run homer to put North Carolina up in the 8th. Then Alabama's Alex Avila answered with a 3-run homer of his own to put the Crimson Tide back up in the 9th. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Flack hit a 2-out, 2-run homer to give the Tar Heels an 8-7 win.

246

Why is that, GSFRB?

Martin/Kemp/Aybar are 6-10, 2DB, 1HR, 8RBIs.

Cruz better do something here because he's pinch hitting for one of our best relievers.

Beimel is at least predictable. He gets a stikeout , a hit or a walk.
But middle relief guys are so unpredictable it is crazy.
One truth is this-over the last several years we have gone from having the best middle relievers in BB to having the worst!
Or perhaps the most unpredictable. And we have given most of the good in trade (This is somewhat mitigated because they are so unpredictable). But think of Mota, Sanchez and at least two before them who I can't remember names. I think they are regarded lightly because they are unpredictable. But if your starters can not go eight innings, this is not a light matter!

Joe Table!

The Reds only scored 2 tonight so we are picking up ground in the "leading the league in runs scored" department.

248 Because Martin just killed the rally.

248 - Lyons once declared in a comeback situation, a double was preferable to a home run because the jack emptied the bases. Or something just as dumb.

Ten more runs and we catch the Yankees for most runs scored in the majors!

Of course we all expected this right? I mean it was Ramon Ramirez pitching. In 27 2/3 innings this season, he has now allowed a total of 7 ER. Against the Dodgers this season, he has allowed a total of 7 ER.

Holy cow! We can't sit Martin! He's become the soul of this team. What are we gonn do.

So...we've already used three guys out of the pen (Seo, Beimel, Broxton), Gagne's unavailable, and we've got 3 innings left to pitch if we want to win? So it's Saito for three innings? Or do we just put Baez in and concede?

258- What are we going to do? Uh, play him.

Cycle Alert cancelled!

Stand down

Stand down

Whats cool about tonight is most of the damage has been done by guys that werent even pencilled in to start the year.

Martin hitting for some power is very encouraging. Kemp/Aybar seem to play well every game.

little takes drew out when he has the chance for the cycle and the win for the team!!?!?

What the ........ Grits took our 2nd best hitter out of the lineup!

Drew's day is over (darn it!!)

Taking Drew out in an 11-9 game?
Either he's hurt or Grits is conceding.
WTF.

It's not like Drew came out for a "strategic" reason.

259 Oops, forgot about Kuo getting called up.

the humidor had a melfuction tonight!

I recall Bill Simmons complaining about Grittle's double-switches removing good hitters, and their inferior replacements coming up at key moments later in the game.

267

oh but it was.

Kuo has found his arm slot for that 95mph fb.

If anyone gets on in the top of the 8th, then Kuo's night lasted an inning.

Kuo's been excellent since beeing recalled.

Kou makes these guys lool really really bad!!WOW!!

[271] how's that? kuo is due up 4th. sure, you can bat saenz for him, but why take drew out for that?

Struck out the side.
Where was this guy two innings ago?

Don't pass Kuo, don't collect $200

I hope Kuo stays in for another inning of total domination.

We have close to the best run scoring machine in MLB. We are well up there towards the best starting pitching.
Logic dictates-we must have some of the worst relief pitching. And while this is a chancy area, I come to see we have been working on this for a while now.

We have the best left-handed reliever in the league and Hong-Chih Kuo!

hong-chih wow.

Furcal, Lofton, Nomar, Saenz probably due up in the 8th.

The dodgers only have Martinez, Saenz, and Alomar left to pinch hit. And only Baez left in the bullpen.

[281] lol

fuentes might have something to say about that though. and maybe mike gonzalez, too.

Why are people suprised to see Drew out of the game? He was clearly hurt sliding into second.

There's a reason there a *K*in Kou.

I thought Drew and Garc screwed their knees?

280- I think there is reason to belive the stats are lying re: starting pitching. We have two strong startes and three VERY questionable ones.

Saito is available in the bullpen too and if the game went really long, I would think Perez would pitch since he's not pitching until Saturday.

As for Drew, his knee had to start hurting him, so Little didn't have much of a choice.

283- Don't forget Sammy.

285. BC Drew stayed in and got another hit at the plate. And didnt seem to have any trouble fielding in RF.

Middle relievers are vastly overrated. I wouldn't go so far as to call them interchangeable, but they're as close to dime-a-dozen as any position in the game. They're pitchers not good enough to start or close.

More importantly, the need for middle relievers wouldn't be so great if our starting pitching could give us some innings. If Tomko wasn't terrible today (and going by his track record, this is not as anomalous as you'd hope), then there's no need to bring Beimel/Carter/Baez/batboy in to pitch.

The Dodgers biggest need is a starting pitcher who can give six solid innings each time out. That's already an improvement over 3/5ths of their existing rotation.

Need a rally killing HR Saenz.

this ump has a high strike zone.

#280-nearly the best starting pitching....uh!!!!

Penny and Lowe and three days of snow

Joel Hanrahan,I'm tellin'ya...

So, it's up to Baez to hold them.

Old Maid with another awful at bat

another very professional strikeout.

he didn't pull the trigger on that fat one right down the middle.

About the only good thing I can say about Baez is that he hasn't given up any home runs this year

Freeman choo choos his butt back to the dugout

billingsley in trouble in the 4th, first and third and no outs.

298- that's why he's the Professional Outmaker™

Hahaha, Steiner almost got hit by a foul ball!

"Foul ball....RIGHT BACK HERE!!"

way to go miltie.

300

spoke to soon brotha

Piedra rocks Baez.

About the only good thing I can say about Baez is that he hasn't given up any home runs this year
Now there is nothing good I can say about Baez. The roider just gave the Rockies a 3 run lead. Game over.

Baez reminds me of that old movie "Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead (To Me)". Thanks, Danny.

It's ok, the meat of our line-up is coming up!

Didnt Peidra do that last year against the Dodgers? Maybe it was 2yrs ago. The Ex-Dodger farmhand/roider just kills the blue.

this ump has a high strike zone.

CB Bucknor screws Kemp on 2 outside pitches

That was a BS call on Kemp. Umpire must want to leave early.

Pinch hitting for Aybar?

nate- is Nomar's brother considered much a prospect? He still hasn't shown much power in his career.

Guzman has a better k:bb ratio then Kemp.

Good at bat by JtD.

315

I dont really consider him anything special.

And I'll tell ya, if I was a young 21 or 22 year old pitcher in base ball today. I'd say, you know I'm more comfortable as a reliever than a starter. Thinking to myself, I'd rather hang around up here with the stars and only make a few million. My god, to be a starter I'd have to go back to the minors for a year or two.

this ump hates rookies.

Oh, the shame

This ump just killed the Dodgers 9th inning rally.

this ump had a weird strike zone.

Kemp probably should have walked, Martin definitely should have walked.

Kevin Kennedy is so full of hot air, I'm surprised he doesn't float away.

We deserve every loss we got putting an incompetant on the mound. Thats not to say a few pitchers won't improve with exposure.
But I give- I know we have the 3rd or 4rth
best ERA in the national league. Our starters must be even better, but I can't find that breakdown quickly. Any help.

Is Tomko's spot in jeopardy? That's 5 straight bad outings. Do we have any other choice or are we just stuck with Tomko?

This team is pretty predictable.
perez/seo/tomko mediocre
beimel/baez mediocre
carter/hamulack junk
penny/lowe/gagne superstars
kuo/broxton good prospects
drew/kent/nomar superstars
furcal decent for his position
navarro decent for his position
cruz/mueller/alomar/ledee mediocre
martin/aybar/ethier good prospects
saenz good for the bench

Surprises:
lofton but its still early
martinez but its still early
sele but its still early
repko
saito
kemp

I'm kinda disapointed at Tomko today, but hopefully he comes back & redeems him self.

Go Dodgers!

In the last four years these relievers have made roughly
Carter 1,500,000
Baez 17,000,000
I hate to look further, but this is the place to hide and make a few mil. to live off. A light is beginning to shine on this
middle reliever market, and I hope it is never the same.

i don't know why i'm asking, but what did kennedy say?

329 I hope he doesn't come back.

Russ Ortiz and Pedro Martinez tomorrow. If the Dodgers aren't in first place by tomorrow night they'll never be there.

Tomko is a warrior. I am sure he will improve next time and we can all taste the fruits of victory !

How did Billingsley end up doing tonight?
Better than Tomko? Better than Odalis' last outing?
vr, Xei