Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Drew, RF
Martin, C
Anderson, LF
Betemit, 3B
Maddux, P

today's line up from Dodgers.com, Martin batting 5th? WHAT!? I like it.

For those wanting to fight the good fight from Washington:
Tonight at RFK:
Phillies
Rollins 2B
Victorino CF
Utley 2B
Howard 1B
Conine RF
Burrell LF
Lieberthal C
Nunez 3B
Myers P

Nats
Castro 2B
Lopez SS
Soriano LF
Zimmerman 3B
Vidro 1B
Schneider C
Logan CF
Church RF
Ortiz P

And the Phillies traded Bobby Abreu because why?

i'm hoping someone updates us from the other games Jon mentioned up top.

4 See sports.yahoo.com, cbs.sportsline.com, www.mlb.com, www.espn.com, etc.

The Phillies got tired of Abreu clogging up the basepaths with all his walks.

Or maybe he was just clogging up the payroll?

I was so shocked when I saw that the Astros were only 2.5 back yesterday.

We get to root for Astacio tomorrow in DC!

this is great i don't care how things come out, just the fact that we're in this thing makes me happy. i will get mad here & there but in the end, i'll be happy we maid it this far.

6

old friend Astacio, for shore.

3 He doesn't break his face running into metal railing.

They like that in Philly.

I was so shocked when I saw that the Astros were only 2.5 back yesterday

I was shocked, shocked, to see today that the Padres are 3.5 games ahead of the Cardinals.

Abreu's numbers for the Yankees:

AVG .342
OBP .438
SLG .508

I hate the Yankees, so the Phillies are by extension dead to me for gift wrapping him and sending him to New York. Too bad the Dodgers weren't willing to take on that payroll this year. They could have used Lidle and Abreu in exchange for the salary dump.

Interesting, just following up the revenues issue, can you imagine the capital gains tax of the Mara family if they ever sold their share of the NY Giants, they bought the team for $500 back in the 1920's.

Al Davis, Lamar Hunt and the Rooney family also paid very little in comparison to what their team is worth.

Jerry Buss of course made is money many times over since he bought the Lakers, Kings and the Forum for $20M in 1979.

The Cardinals being in #3 spot has made it possible to have a bigger family reunion of sorts in two weeks. My brother who lives in St. Louis will be out covering the Blues playing against the Ducks and Kings. He said that if the Cardinals were playing the Dodgers or Padres that weekend, he would have been conscripted into that, but the Cardinals will almost assuredly be at home that weekend.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch uses approximately 500 reporters to cover the Cardinals in the postseason. I think my brother once had to write what he described as "Sidebar #7" for a game. I think it involved Ray King at the time.

10 Padres and Cardinals...I know that there is a Springfield Shopper headline relating to the church in here somewhere.

Jerry Buss of course made is money many times over since he bought the Lakers, Kings and the Forum for $20M in 1979.

wow, & the guy still has a tip on his shoulder.

wow, & the guy still has a tip on his shoulder.

oops sorry i meant Al Davis.

The Padres and Cardinals could be headed toward their Division Series meeting. The Padres are 0-6 in those games. Conversely, the Cardinals are 6-0.

17
I'm missing the word "third" in that comment. Put it wherever you think it makes sense.

Pat Gillick at a press conference after the Abreu trade:

"Realistically, it'll be a stretch to think we'll be there in '07," Gillick said.

18 The Third Cardinal. The Catholic Decency League's remake of the Carol Reed classic.

19

was he hammered in Phillie for saying that? i bet he was.

the Dodgers working "the final countdown" under Maddux, i respectfull hate that song!!

22 My favorite magician uses that as his theme song.

Phillies pick up where they left off:

2 on, 1 out, Ryan Howard up. Top of the first.

I'm guessing McCourt wants to beat Gillick's Phils real, real bad.

Ok, ran 10 sims of tonight's Dodger/Rockie game. Dodgers won 8 out of 10. There were alot of late inning heroics and bullpen disasters in many of the games. According to the sim the Dodgers are a 1.5 run favorite to win tonight's game. Win I asked the computer to Automatically select the Dodgers lineup it kept wanting to go with.
1. Furcal, 2. Lofton, 3. Anderson, 4. Nomar, 5. Kent, 6. Drew, 7. Martin, 8. Betemit, 9.Maddux. vr, Xei

Rule #1 when playing the Phillies. Don't let Ryan Howard come to the plate with men on base. Otherwise he will clear the bases for you. vr, Xei

I apologize now for whatever the beleaguered and decimated Nationals may wreak. Or wrought. Or whatever.

Phils wasting no time in DC, 2-0 in the first.

26

you have a computer that does that? i'm not kidding do you really

Sam, is Mike O'Conner a decent bet to pitch well in a couple days?

23
But has he ever baked himself into a loaf of bread...?

Pat Burrell just being Pat Burrell.

32
Well, it all went downhill after he started sleeping with the legs.

And he goes through doves like you wouldn't believe.

Jim Edmonds in the lineup for the Cards tonight. I'm feeling good about tonight.

"I wish I were a Brett Myers winner"???

23

what kind of guy get's pumped up to that song?? i'm not joking that song reeks so bad!!

30. Yes, it does many things. :) Or I program it to do many things.
vr, Xei

26 You know, a 1.5-run money-line favorite usually gets you better than even odds at a sports book.

If you have faith in that computer simulator of yours, you might have something fairly profitable on your hands.

Nationals trying to come back.

37
This program you speak of, how can I get my hands on it?

38

this is baseball though so i doubt it.

38. it's just for kicks and giggles.
40. you could ask me for a copy. The GUI needs alot of work (xeifrank@yahoo.com).
vr, Xei

If Xeifrank's computer says that the Dodgers are a 1.5-run favorite, I take that to mean that his comptuer thinks the Dodgers should win by 1.5 runs 50 percent of the time, and win by less than 1.5 runs (or lose outright) the other 50 percent of the time.

If you can get better than 50-50 odds at a sports book, you will be profitable in the long run with that information. (As long Xeifrank's computer is smrt.)

I, too, would like to know how to get a copy of that program.

42

you did prodict the score the other day. but still....

2 on for the Phillies... they've got 6 hits through 1.2 innings.

I feel like the Dodgers are the Rohirrim holed up in Helm's Deep, the evil Philly hordes are streaming and yelling outside, storming the keep, and the Nationals are the Elves getting slaughtered out in front.

Who will be our Gandalf to the rescue?

Pittsburgh enjoys messing things up.

43

i'm scared of things i don't know, stuff like that fraiten & confuse me (caveman lawyer SNL)

The program needs a little more work before I'd feel comfortable relying on it's predictions. It does a decent job simulating hitters tendancies as you pretty much have all the data necessary in your OBP, 1B/2B/3B/HR rate, speed and splits. I am going to redesign how pitcher skills come into play. vr, Xei

11 - I saw Cory Lidle pitch in Baltimore. I took my girlfriend, who's a Yankee fan, and the pitching matchup was Lidle vs Bedard. Surprise, surprise, she saw the only game of the series that the Yankees lost. We don't need him; we already have Brett Tomko.

49 Yes, but if the cost of acquiring Abreu was to also take on Lidle ... I'd do it.

For the record me & my stupid mind have prodicted when the Dodgers will hit a pitcher, (what inning the Dodgers would hit a pitcher)

51

for the record i'm just saying #"s say only half of the story i'm sure all of you know that.

Phils threatening again.

Aybar doubled on a popup to Reyes

If there are any make-up or tie breaker playoff games, they would fall on Yom Kippur (Mon). Is Mike Lieberthal the only player potentially affected by this?

Phils leave runners at corners. 2-1 Philadelphia thru 2 1/2.

Old Friend Alert: David Ross with two moon shots off of Dontrelle in the third.

55 Lieberthal is not a practicing Jew.

If this is how the Phil-Wash game is going to go for 9 innings, I'm not sure I can handle it... not to mention once the Dodgers start playing... not to mention 5 more days of this.

59

what's the score??

2-1 Phils but they're getting a ton of runners on.

2-1 Phillie top of 3rd

58 According to some website I just found, Jason Marquis and Brad Ausmus are Jewish. News to me.

firefrankrobinson.com ??

Jason Marquis is definitely Jewish, but I think Brad Ausmus doesn't consider himself so. I think he's Jewish in a Sarah Hughes sort of way.

64
Such a website would be superfluous.

I had no idea Ausmus could ice skate. He looks so clumsy at bat.

63

Jason Marquis being Jewish does not suprise me at all, Brad Ausmus is a bit of a suprise.

Zimmmmmmmmm

65 - but didn't you see Krauthammer's column? Everyone's Jewish!

Ryan Zimmerman for Rookie of the Year!

63

does it suprise you that i'm mexican?

Zimmerman for ROY!!!

Zimmerman's got to be Jewish, right?

72
You're Mexican in a Ted Williams sort of way.

74
I wouldn't think that's the case. Zimmerman is actually a fairly common name in Germany.

71
I thought about saying that. But then what would I do with the number 16 written on my hat?

Curse Prime Ticket with a thousand curses; it's not showing the game out here today or tomorrow.

Maybe if I don't pay any attention to Gameday or DT the Dodgers will win.

75

nah Bob, i'm mexican in a full blooded sort of way. :o)

76

you're name seems jewish Bob??

i'm as mexican as Koufax is jewish.

washington up 3-2 over the phills!! Yes!

I'm as Mexican as Koufax is Mexican.

80

Sorry, I am a member of The One, True, Holy, Catholic, And Apostolic Church.®

(A Delaware Corporation)

Well, to try to steer this back to my original question - Carpenter pitches for StL today, so he'd get the ball in any tiebreaker game on Monday (as opposed to Marquis). If Brad Ausmus were to miss a playoff game, which he wouldn't because he's an ice skater, no big whoop. And Lieberthal is good to go Monday as well.

Roberts double, Carpenter WP, Giles ground out and Padres lead 1-0.

The Cardinals actually would play a makeup game Monday, not a tiebreaker.

84 Heh. A Delaware Corp indeed.

(I'm no longer a shareholder; I divested myself or it excommunicated me a long time ago.)

Zimmerman and Gary Majewski are probably Jewish-enough for Fred Malek, the would-be owner of the Nationals.

84

Timmermann?? please explain.

83

& vise versa, we all love baseball & that's the bottome line

87 - who was that game against?

89
There is the problem of Gary Majewski being on Cincinnati.

92 Not at the time the owner was decided.

87 Correct me if I'm wrong, the Astros or Reds could still tie StL for the division.

Disregard my 94. I get it now.

90
I doubt you will find anyone named Timmermann, with my spelling, who is Jewish. Timmermann is the German spelling of the name. If there were Jews in Germany with that name, well, there was some unpleasantness there about 60 years ago.

There are a lot of people named "Timmerman" (with one n) and they tend to be Dutch or Danish.

The Germans added an extra n to nearly every surname that ended in "-man" back in the 18th Century for some reason.

84

I'm buying Bob all his cousin's books for Christmas.

97
If you make it past the first 10 pages in any of them, you win a prize!

Try this one!
http://tinyurl.com/lg6zz

Its nice to have Pujols on your side. It happens so infrequently. Its too bad that Juan Encarnacion, and his 314 obp, is hitting behind Sir Albert.

Don't diss Juan Encarnacion, aka The Walking Man!

so you're a fellow catholic? i don't practice religion at all for my own personal reasons.

I'm sure the Giants and Barry Bonds would be very happy if they had to board a plane on Sunday night and head to St. Louis to play a makeup game that means nothing to them. Man, I hope that happens.

it's still 3-2 Washington yes

98

The title alone freaked me out!

Not to jinx us or anything.

96
With respect to the names, look into the possibility of added letters to identify gender.

Russians, I believe, us Petrov or Petrova (for example) as a way of differenciating males and females.

It's a possibility.

Vinnie just sayed "it's time for Dodger baseball" let's see what history will write/baseball gods have for us.

Geeze.... the Cards had better get their rears in gear... The Stros are coming up quickly on them...

they've taken the field.

106 "ovich" for male, "ovna" for female. The ones you cite are diminutive forms, I think.

I base this on two years of HS Russian 40 years ago (40 years ago? Egad!).

Never in doubt with Ramon Ortiz. He's so steady!

Jeez. Ramon Ortiz was wriggled out of some serious doo doo this evening. 10 hits through 5. Who's left in the Nat bullpen after they traded all their relievers to Cincy?

Ok... so I've got three Gameday windows open, DT in a fourth and the game running in quicktime.

I need a bigger monitor.

112
There's Rauch, Rivera, Wagner, and Cordero.

nice start for the Dodgers, base hit by Furcal

Tied up in Saintloo.

the Dodgers are not messing around today!

I love triples.

Perhaps the humidor is malfunctioning.

anyone nervous?

I'm not able to watch the game at the moment, but I love how Lofton sprints around the bases with that odd galloping gazelle gait of his.

nice 2-0 Dodgers

lEAD-OFF hits, one of the reasons I've come to accept and even love Furcal. How many times has scored a run in the first inning and had it given back in the same inning. It must be a modern record--Bob?

119

let's hope so, maybe there glove's are melfuctioning also!!

123
I have no idea. The most runs in any baseball game are scored in the first inning however.

119
All the hits have been grounballs.

123 all the typos were honest typos and not inebriation, believe it or don't.

I must have missed when the Rockies traded Kaz Matsui for Hideki Matsui. Talk about your lopsided deals.

(vin called kaz hideki)

125 Thats interesting, and may have something to do with batting order.

Drew is not fooled by the Rox pitcher.

Jennings has nada tonight.

Kaz has been Hidekian in his Colorado stint. .355/.398/.484 over 93 ABs.

bases loaded no one out, & the pads looking on the scoreboard! yes!

For all you Shinjo fans...

http://tinyurl.com/edlp6

And Kazuo Matsui has outhit Hideki Matsui over the same period of time since the former joined the Rockies on the major league team!

wow talk about a fast start. now let's actually DO something with the bases juiced, boys

wow!!

All right who paid off the Rockies?

133
I believe the Phillies are the team with a keener interest in the out of town scoreboard.

you gotta love it simply because you know the Phills & Pads are score watching.

Martin singles on groundball to pitcher? What? Somebody explain, por favor!

speaking of the phillies, just noticed they have 2 runs on 10 hits. that's got to chap their hide.

Don't get cocky, do I need to repeat 7-0?

The Dodgers need to put up at least a 5 spot on the board or else this will have been a disappointing inning.

141- Jenkins booted it, but didn't get called for an error. Which he probably would have preferred.

Wow. They keep hitting 350ft foul balls. Just straighten it out...

Martin singles on groundball to pitcher? What? Somebody explain, por favor!

Jennings blooped it

as an aside, atkins and holliday have had terrific seasons. things should be looking up for the rockies in the coming seasons. although i think that's been said before. just don't let him carry anyone's deer meat up the stairs.

145 Thanks. Anderson's fly-out must have been awfully short not to score Kent from 3rd, huh?

ugh betemit, where is olmedo?

Betemit has stunk it up for a while already, Jon i echo you're thoughts about starting Saenz!!

Terrible at bats by Betemit and Marlon.

150
Personally, I do not wish to see Olmedo Saenz attempt to track down hard hit grounders to third at Coors Field with Maddux pitching.

the tomato is also kind of a DP threat w/ his wheels, but i'd also like to think that he'd at least get a SF out of that situation.

Ortiz is at 106 pitches through 6. I would assume that the game is in the hands of Gigantor and Cordero now.

Or else I will find myself angrier at Frank Robinson.

I'm gonna try not to point out that we had the bases loaded with nobody out and didn't score.

Whoops, I guess I just did point it out. Force of habit. I'll take the 3-0 lead.

you start seanz at 3rd and let him get 2-3 at bats before taking him out in later innings. betemit has been killing us.

154

i hear you, but darn it does it hurt seeing Betemit makes those kind of outs.

156- I hope that doesn't come back to haunt us, but with this pitching staff specially in Colorado it probably will.

Billy (7.15 ERA) Traber in to pitch for the Nats.

I missed the top of the inning, and I can't watch the game on TV anyway.

Could someone please describe how one triples on a ground ball to right?

just noticed martin notched his 61st rbi that inning. not bad, considering how long grits had him buried in the 8 spot.

Hideki Matsui

Vin needs to retire. It would be sad to see what happened to Chick Hearn happen to him.

163 Blasphemer

161
Presumably the ground ball was hit very hard and rolled into the corner.

160 - the aforementioned traber led off by hitting victorino with a pitch. ye gods.

156-They scored one, bases loaded no outs. More would have been nice, though.

OK, just getting back online. Gosh, what a snoozer at RFK.

Ryan Zimmerman -- not Jewish.

Nats bullpen -- scary, yet sometimes good.

Mike O'Connor -- rookie, went to GW here in town, had a strong first few starts but has been shaky since. Lets just say, none of the starters the Nationals are running out there this week, or ever really, are real intimidating.

163 - I think we may have a #11 on the TFYN list

how did holliday miss that pitch?

161 You hit it really hard inside the line and it rolls down into the corner.

Then you run. Run Really Fast.

Pads 2, Redbirds 1

From the discussion on Dodger.com. today they don't know whether to play Nomar, Kent, or even Muellar at first base next year. We shouldn't bother developing players like Loney and Navarro cause we certainly won't get anything for them (except a Hall). We will probably keep a squad of small market teams going and smiling.

Don't often hear,"Pretty good fastball at 84 mph."

great pitch by Maddux to strike out Holiday

Ow! Sounds like Shane-O might be handing his roster spot back to Rowand, not sure I like letting him run after getting hit in the foot like that...

Andy Pettitte meanwhile is shutting the Buccos down, and Jim Tracy is looking so old and haggard he can only be described as Leyland-esque.

And now it's time for...DENNY CRANE!

K!

And, I just noticed that I called Jennings, Jenkins. I wouldn't mind retiring, but I don't think it's in the cards.

Maddux should throw in inside fastball here!

Rolen, Edmonds, Belliard due up

177
Didn't you mean
K! + SB + E2!

pop up also works!

too many pitches.

181: Gameday failed me -- the details were slow in coming.

Victorino (Maui-born! Maui-born!) was once Dodger property.

I've seen more Phillies coverage on our local tv sportscasts than I have Dodgers', because of Victorino.

184

gameday is dead to alot of us.

Furry is an animal.

Now, just hypothetically saying, if you're the Nationals, and you can get two 1-2-3 innings, you can get out of this without facing Utley or Howard again.

Chad Cordero, fine closer, not known for his 1-2-3 innings, however.

187

he's a monster

Ronnie Belliard!

first pitch 2-run shot by Belliard. 3-2 Cards

keep the pitch count down this inning Maddux.

191

good news! YES!

All our ducks are lined up at this ever-changing moment. This sure is fun.

167 After they scored the one run, the Dodgers still had the bases loaded with no one out. And failed to score.

Ryan Church: I'm an excellent bunter.

It occurs to me that, unlike last year, our pitchers haven't given up too many homeruns to the other side's pitchers (he says, as Jennings grounds out).

Nats strand Logan at 3rd in the 7th. Still 3-2.

Carpenter keeps on keepin' on through 5. Still 3-2.

I don't have kids but I've heard it said that having two is manageable but three is out of control. Just too many to keep track of at the same time.
That's how I feel about the games tonight. I can't keep up!

199 - i know how you feel. i'm trying to take notes in class at the same time, too! :\

gigantor in to face the phillies' bottom of the order. one more inning and then it's chad cordero. c'mon nats!

199 Just know that it's lookin good for the Blue. :-)

196 I'll just further note that Church is probably top five on the team in OPS (.872), though limited at bats.

There are some Dodger fans at the Nats game holding pro Dodger signs.

Going to the 9th in Washington 3-2 Nats!

Oooh -- the CS gets us back on track to avoid Utley!

205 Err.. Going to the bottom of the 8th, jumped the gun.

From previous thread...

103. Greg Brock
"I think the Dodgers just need to execute. It's all about execution."

Um, you might be onto something there. Who did you have in mind? Lugo? A few pitchers?

Cardinals have the bases loaded, one out, Edmonds and Belliard due up. And the Nats are going to take at least a one-run lead to the 9th.

Oh! And look what we have in St. Louis!
My remote is burning up.

more run more runs more runs! jennings really hasnt fooled anyone, except betemit.

edmonds!

5-2 Cards now. Still bases loaded, still one out.

on the Dodgers notes it said Betemit is on a short leash.

213 - molina the younger made it 2 outs. yutz.

The Cardinals were unable to score with the bases loaded and one out in the 5th.

This despite the fact that they scored two runs with the bases loaded and one out in the 5th.

OK, now I'm annoying myself with that.

Yadier Molina has been awful offensively this year. I wonder if the Cardinals will consider going after Toby Hall. Molina is a fantastic defender, but he is a black hole in the lineup.

Enough with the double plays already. At least it gets Maddux off the bases.

why grady.

now that zim over in DC has crossed the 100 rbi mark, is it a given that he's getting the NL ROY?

214 "How on Earth did the Dodgers get Wilson Betemit for Danys Baez? Wow!"

:)

Aaaargh! Double plays!

Why did Furcal swing 3-0? Jennings was clearly losing his command. Instead of walking and loading the bases, Furcal truly killed the rally.

223 - in fairness to furcal, if he really wanted to kill the rally, he would have HRed

This is shaping up as another game in which we score a few runs early and then do nothing at the plate again. It seems to happen too often. Most recently, see last Saturday night.

Jon has been conspicuously absent all week. Has he mentioned that he has something else going?
Something else? What else is there?

221- one of my favorite quotes from Vin. Despite Betemit's recent struggles, I still think it was a great trade.
224- that's why I used the word "truly"

6 pitch inning for Maddux

Was that really a 4-pitch inning for Maddux? Wow!

225 I don't think it is. The bats have certainly not gone silent like they did in that game. I think we will be scoring more tonight.

225
yeah usually they just shut it down. but so far in this game they have had runners on and the double plays have just killed them.

I notice Greg has about 56 through 4 innings. Does this mean they have to pull him soon?

My memory of # of pitches going in was wrong. Whoops.

Chase! Utley! Error!

4-2 Nationals.

232 - progression

1st inning - 26 pitches
2nd inning - 14 pitches
3rd inning - 10 pitches
4th inning - 6 pitches

225 This has been typical this year. But often we have given the lead up within 1 or 2 innings, so lets hope this is not in the pattern.

235 With that progression he has 3 or four or maybe maybe more innings left. I looks like a reverse Fibonacci.

jennings clearly doesnt have his best command tonight. hopeully we can add onto the lead.

nice at bat by Lofton

Fasten your seatbelts ladies; it can be a bumpy night with Cordero on the hill.

235 - 5th inning: 2 pitches? maybe someone bats out of order. at least that's how it works in my softball league.

11-pitch walk for Lofton. Cora-like.

Great at bat by Lofton. Nice steal too.

See 230

NOmar!

there we go, keep adding on.

Yeah-- Lofton--oh well--wasted.
Boooyaahhh!
Well Nomar screwed that rally.

boy, nomar really wants to erase all pennant-push memories of steve finley..

Nomar and Drew are now tied for club lead in RBI with 93.

So the Dodgers will indeed have a 20 home run hitter this year

Lead-off double for the Phils.

251
Dodger folklore hero!

Remember when it looked like no Dodger would hit 20 home runs?

Rollins pops up. 1 out.

Did that foul get the ump's foot?

Another great at bat that leads to walk.

Victorino down on strikes, two outs!

Campy and Piazza? or--

225 I am delighted to be wrong.

HAHA, i was watching the nats game, and there was a dodger fan with a 42 jackie robsinson jersey on with a sign that read "DODGER FAN, LETS GO NATS"

Come on Cordero!! Suck it up, we need this.

4-3 Nats. Howard up. Utley on first.

Utley singles, drives in one. 4-3, Nats.

Utley singles. One run in. Ryan Howard up. 4-3 Nats. Two out in the 9th.

{gulp}

nooooo, ryan howard is now the winning run.

damn chase utley and his ucla goodness...

Is Ryan Howard a good player?

Frank, give the bse to Howard, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

PHILS LOSE!

NATS WIN!!!!!!!

put howard on! put the bat in conine's hands!

Thank you!

Pitch 2 - In play, out(s) recorded
Woo-hoo!

Vin Scully is doing one of his patented simulcasts -- the Dodger game along with the Phillies' game, at least this inning.

Probably the most fantastic thing about the Dodgers contending this time of year is hearing Scully do one of these. Oh, joy.

Howard flies out!

{whew} The door's open, boys!

YESSS!!!

33% of Today Agenda, DONE!!

Howard flies out.

That's not "Game Over." More like, "phew, it's over."

Its over Nationals win. I knew Russ Ortiz could do it.

Trouble in Padre land...

6-1!

Merlin does it again...........

Woohoo! Marlon Anderson is the new Lou Johnson!

278 - that was Ramon Ortiz.

Russ Ortiz comes in to relieve Hayden Penn.

Bob, when Ortiz gave up 3 hits to the first four batters, what odds would you have given for a Philly loss.

Hey--The nats were playing Phillie!

How big a lead is a "Tomko-safe" lead?

in that situation, I'd have walked Howard, even if it moved the tying run in scoring position and winning run on base. Fortunately, I'm not Frank Robinson.

SD bases loaded, one out for Bard.

286 6 runs.

A moment of joy, and now back to disconcerted irritation.

Padres have the bases loaded with one out in the 7th. Carpenter is on the ropes.

Really? Walk Howard to put a guy on second? Aren't the chances that he gets a double or better lower than the chances of Conine getting a single or better?

Marlon Anderson can be Lou Johnson when he homers in Game 7 of the World Series off of Jim Kaat.

Since Jim Kaat is 68 years old, this is easier to do.

288 Bard is a double play threat, right?

286 You need at least 5, but I hope Maddux can use his wiles to get through six, and maybe we can add a few more runs but then you probably go to Beimel, Broxton and Saito because you have to win today to get that 1 game lead.

286,289 Nah, A dozen.

Bard doubles. 2 runs score. 5-4 Cards.

bullet one: dodged.

san diego is rallying in st. louis, however :/

Bard is a double threat...

I consider the division to be an afterthought right now, I won't consider it until we tie up San Diego, right now its getting in that matters.

291 In a typical situation yes, but with the game on the line, I'm not so sure. Howard is clutch.

297 Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy did I blow the Afflac trivia question.

Hard to believe the Pads got Bard AND Cla for Doug Mirabelli (hitting .190, BTW).

Given that I am Dodger fan and have $500 on Carpenter to win the Cy Young, that was a really bad result....

8 pitch inning for Maddux

I would guess that is it for Maddux, save him for Saturday...

299 I doubt the Dodgers can knock off the Mets. Winning the division is an accomplishment. A wild card don't mean much on its own.

306 Stop.

Apart from Betemit's .261, the BA of Dodger starting position players tonight ranges from .280 to .303.

Much improvement over recent years. No gaping holes.

303 Think of it as Bard and Cla for Loretta.

Buccos down to their last out.

Howard was not clutch tonight.

5-4 Cards...so far...

294 Maddux is serving up just what the Dodgers need -- effective innings.

Early in the game, Scully was speculating that the old guy would run out of oxygen. When Maddux's bunt failed and he wound up on base, I think Scully was afraid Maddux was going to expire right in front of us.

As it turns out -- no worries. Maddux lives!

2nd & 3rd, 2 out for Cameron.

Houston wins, 7-4.

And the Astros take this one. Ahhh who else thinks this is the best week of the year?

307 I will stop, sorry Greg.

307 I want a division championship. It isn't time to focus on the WC yet.

303 By trading with a team that considers Beckett and Lowell better than Sanchez and Rameriez

It's our old friend Tom Martin.

uh oh probably two Padres have just scored. at least one.

Cards blow it!

Cameron doubles. 5-5.

carpenter's pitch count is now 119

Its pretty obvious that Furcal is the Dodgers best player, and that's appropriate because he is also the Dodgers' highest paid player. When was the last season where the Dodgers best player was also their highest paid?

Not last year, Drew and Gagne made more than Kent. Not in 2004, Beltre wasn't the highest paid player and Green wasn't anything special. 2003? Gagne was better than Kevin Brown and Shawn Green. Did Brown make more than Green every year prior to '03? The last time must have been before Brown was signed, I guess, I didn't pay attention to the payroll prior to about ~03-04.

Cardinals better pull it together... for their own sake.
Greatest. Collapse. Ever.

pads up 6-5 thanks to Cameron double

There have to be a lot of anxious Cardinals fans these days.

padres take the lead on cameron's double. 6-5.

This is a good sign that we are hitting again, I hope this carries through for the week.

I know that Reyes and Rollins will get some consideration as the best NL shortstop but I don't think Furcal has stand aside for anyone since May 1st.

Oops. 2 runs scored. 6-5 Padres.

sometimes I think the Madres made a deal with the devil.

They really don't have a good lineup, yet they're managing to not only win 5 in a row but bash Carpenter no less.

LaRussa may choke this division away, he has no faith in his bullpen.

where's that auto refresh when you need it... apologies

324 Nah. Phillies, 1964.

Houston could be in first by Thursday.

NL MVP Rob Bowen scored the go-ahead run.

Boy, that was some stubborn sticking with Carpenter that inning. Wonder if the Old School approves?

Reds win!
Hearing footsteps, St. Louis?

I h8 the Cardinals. Laying over for San Deigo, argg. If they don't split this series, then I hope they don't make the playoffs at all.

316/317. I care about one thing and that is the postseason. Once we're in the postseason, we can worry about how we play the Mets or the Cards or the Astros or whoever. For right now, we are fighting for our life and postseason is LIFE.

I had both good guys going today (Carpenter and Ortiz) in one fantasy league where the pitching stats are going down to the wire. I was expecting a meltdown from Ortiz and a gem from Carpenter, but somehow it ended up being the other way around (sorta). Maybe I underestimated the Pads' road prowess.

what's with Lofton and long ABs tonight? I like this

Blum strikes out. 6-5 Pads going to bottom of 7th. Rolen, Edmunds, Belliard due up.

335 Jon get out of here, go watch last night's Studio 60 again.

Just kidding.

The Padres are so scorching hot they've fried GameChannel. It's claiming that Bowen is batting, has just scored, while the bases are loaded.

All the while during the Padres' four-run inning, the St. Louis fans received the twin blows of watching the HOU-PIT and CIN-FLA games go final. Ugh.

344 They may go one week with the magic number remaining at 5.

The scored gave Loney a hit?

346 - scorer

I think it's a fairly safe bet that if the Dodgers make the playoffs, it'll be against the Mets. I don't see the Pads relinquishing a two -game lead all of a sudden, especially with four games left against the Arizona Deadbeats.

344-

The cards deserve to lose the division at this point...I never could stand them, but I'll be damned if I don't want them to kick the tar out of the Pads.

Jim Edmonds for comeback player of the week!

342 - The Dodgers are 0-1 on the days I've watched Studio 60.

337 "Laying over" probably isn't a good choice of words, it's tough to play when you have both your hands around your throat.... gurgle ......

348-

Those games are in Arizona and it's not as if the Pads absolutely own the Dbacks...not to mention they're going to have to face Webb on the last day of the season I believe.

I just want to get into the playoffs...it'd be a little more sweet if it was the division title, but I'll take the WC...but I really don't think the division is completely out of the question yet.

323 Furcal since August 29 -- 43-for-103 for .417, including tonight's 3-for-4.

351 If you watched when it was actually scheduled, you'd be 1-0.

I believe the Padres are 25-52 alltime in Phoenix.

Rodriguez ph for Molina. Edmunds on 1st, 2 out.

And he grounds into a force play. Going to top of 8th, 6-5 Pads.

it would be really nice to see Pujols hit one ten miles in the bottom of the 8th.

356-

Thanks for the numbers...knew it was something absurd like that but didn't feel like looking it up.

is it still mathematically possible for the NL central winner to have a losing record?

353 You're right. 2 games, if it stays 2 games, isn't insurmountable. It would be sweet indeed if Arizona reared up and kicked the Padres out of first, while we're beating the Giants.

Nice hit Russ! Another triple!

Russell makes a statement....

Maddux, go get some rest and be ready for Saturday!

Are we Tomko proof yet?

354 - Furcal is having one of the best Septembers/Octobers in Dodgers history. Ranks right up there with Mike Marshall in 1985: 340/384/667/1051, with 11 homers and 37 RBI

Finally a big lead so we can throw some slop out there for these late innings.

10-1!

10-1 in humidored Coors. Is it a laugher yet?

For those of us without benefit of sight or sound tonight, will someone please describe Martin's triple?

The problem is, with SD holding the tie breaker it's really 3 games. If the Dodgers and Padres tie (assuming the WC isn't an issue), the Padres get the division title.

363 I think he can go one more inning, I mean unless you think this will be a game filled with Carrera, Dessens and Stults, though Stults and Hendrickson probably are not bad bets for action tonite.

if our bullpen cant hold this lead the team should just quit baseball and forfeit the season.

364 - Tomko should not be allowed anywhere near a game until next year.

marlon anderson is a baseball god

369 Merlin......I hope Andre can enjoy this but Marlin simply has to be in there right now.

the wizard strikes again!

Anderson gets closer to Sweet Lou status.

brett tomko, elmer dessens, hamulak and the rest of the gang are standing around with their gas cans just waiting to come in.

I think this game is Tomko proof.

365- do you have Brian Jordan's September numbers from his only healthy year is as a Dodger. All I know is that he had 30+ rbis.

373 Nate, have you heard anything about Kody Kaiser, is he ineligible since he transferred to a NCAA-1A school.

360 - That makeup game in SF might wreak havoc with that situation, but why not? How sweet would it be, after winning 100+ the last two years, for some NL Central team to come out of that division with like 82 wins?

Martin's hit was a left-centerfield gapper that seemed to take a long time to bounce to the wall. Like it had backspin.

Okay now everyone is hitting.

I think the team slugging percentage could get a boost from this game. The Dodgers were .002-.003 short, but that's still hard to make up this time of year.

1st & 3rd, none out in StL. Roberts up. Sledge hit for Meredith and singled.

Get ready to see Matt Kemp, Oscar Robles, Toby Hall or Diaz, Lugo and Repko tonight.

For those watching TV -- does Coors seem unusually dark tonight?

380

i have heard nothing at all. Sorry.

384 And extra basehits? They needed the runs to hit 800.

55 triples for the Dodgers.
That's more than they hit the last two seasons combined (21 + 30).
That ranks third since moving to LA:
67 - 1970
65 - 1962
55 - 2006
52 - 1969
50 - 1958

382 Thanks.

388 And Kyle Orr?

364 2 more runs; remember, a dozen.

Heh, heh, heh, heh....
https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/440134.html

Bring in Kemp for some ABs and let stults pitch!

Here's a weird play:

Dave Roberts reaches on a fielder's choice out, first baseman Albert Pujols to catcher Gary Bennett to third baseman Scott Rolen to first baseman Albert Pujols. Josh Barfield out at 3rd. Terrmel Sledge to 3rd.

Here's the scary thing about the postseason, and it's rapidly becoming a possibility:

- the Cards slump and get overtaken by the Astros for the NL Central title.

- Padres win the West and the Dodgers get the WC.

Dodgers have to play the Mets, while the Padres....... play the 'Stros.

I'll take the Mets if the other option is the Cards, but if the Astros get in, I'd rather play them. Seesh.

379 - Jordan in September '02: 347/396/571/967, with five homers and 30 RBI.

At what point does somebody ask to cut open Marlon Anderson to prove he's not simply a robot replacement for the real human being?

Numbers pre-Dodgers:
215 ABs, 59 H (.274 AVG), 5 HRs.

Dodgers (up to this point in the game):
50 ABs, 20 H (.400 AVG), 6 HRs.

(At least, that's what I'm pretty sure the numbers are)

388

from kevin goldstein at pgcrosschecker.com

A single player in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds also remains unsigned, though Canadian first baseman Kyle Orr, picked in the fourth round by the Dodgers, has agreed to terms on a $450,000 bonus. The deal has been in place for several weeks, but it hasn't been officially reported to the commissioner's office as Orr wasn't eligible to play in the minor leagues this summer because of the embargo on temporary visas to foreign players. Orr is with Team Canada at the Olympic qualifier in Cuba and is scheduled to report to instructional league with the Dodgers later in September, when the signing will be announced.

What's the record for triples by a catcher? I think Martin has four (depending on how quickly MLB updates stats).

401
I'm guessing that it's a lot more than four.

399 I'm glad he's one of those good robots, instead of some Phillip K. Dick/Isaac Asimov type bad robot.

400 is from 8/31

401

I'm thinking Biggio in his catching days perhaps

Bring out the oxygen mask for Maddux!

398- thanks. Marlon Anderson spits on those numbers.

Hey, I am a robot - and Marlon is not of our kind.

387 It's looked dark to me, too.

Call it a night, Greg.

A quick check shows that Mickey Cochrane had 12 triples in 1928.

Triples by a Catcher in a season
C

TRIPLES YEAR 3B
1 Buck Ewing 1884 20
T2 Buck Ewing 1888 15
T2 Buck Ewing 1890 15
T2 Fred Carroll 1887 15
T5 Jack Rowe 1884 14
T5 Lave Cross 1891 14
T7 Chief Zimmer 1892 13
T7 Johnny Kling 1903 13
T7 Buck Ewing 1889 13
T7 Tim McCarver 1966 13
T7 Charlie Bennett 1885 13
T7 Billy Taylor 1882 13
T7 Duke Farrell 1893 13
T7 Buck Ewing 1883 13
T7 Jim O'Rourke 1887 13

(Tim McCarver???)

386- When I visit Coors Field, the first thing I notice is how dark it seems there. That and how small it feels.

Padres just refuse to lose. 7-5 in the 8th now.

Maddux must be exhausted. He's thrown 75 pitches; get the man a leather recliner and an ice cold Gatorade.

Gonzales singles. 7-5 Pads. 2 out.

SEASON
MODERN (1900-)
C

TRIPLES YEAR 3B
T1 Johnny Kling 1903 13
T1 Tim McCarver 1966 13
T3 Eddie Ainsmith 1919 12
T3 Ted Easterly 1914 12
T3 Mickey Cochrane 1928 12
T6 Ivy Wingo 1917 11
T6 Ivy Wingo 1916 11
T6 Cliff Bolton 1935 11
T6 Mike Grady 1904 11
T10 Yogi Berra 1948 10
T10 Ted Easterly 1909 10
T10 Al Todd 1937 10
T10 Bill Dickey 1931 10
T10 Darrell Porter 1979 10
T10 Chief Zimmer 1900 10
T10 Bubbles Hargrave 1922 10
T10 Bubbles Hargrave 1924 10
T10 Lou Criger 1903 10

I thought this even before the bottom of the 6th. Why was Maddux still out there? He's gone five for the win, we were up by 10, and he's going to pitch on three days of rest Saturday if necessary.

I disagree with Grady for letting Maddux throw that inning. I really think it would have been worth it to let him out early and be rested for Saturday and then keep Bills in the bullpen for the week. As has been said, if we can't hold a 10 run lead, we should pack it in anyway.

412 McCarver was considered so annoying by infielders that second basemen would routinely let him take third, just to be rid of him.

Bubbles Hargrave was the Joe Mauer of the 1920s.

Grady: Can we get Martin out of there?

If anyone had told me Raffy would overtake Nomar for team lead in BA at the All Star break I'd have asked what he/she was smoking.

Furcal .304
Nomar .302

The Dodgers have 7 LOB so far. 9-10 would put them on a good pace to break the team record.

These are all L.A. team records.

420

LOL!

I'm shocked Gibson or Carlton never punched his lights out.

Bases loaded, 2 out in StL.

As the year has gone on I've developed a bitter hatred for Adrian Gonzalez.

It's not just that he's on the Padres...
It's not just that he seems to get a big hit whenever it screws the Dodgers...
It's not just that he finally started showing his projected power while on the Padres...

I think it's that menacing smirk that's always on his face.

John Roseboro had 44 triples in his career. Campanella had 18. Scioscia managed to hit 12.

The Cardinals have to face Chris Young, Doug Davis, Capuano, and Sheets from Milwaukee, You have to wonder if they can even win 3 out their next 5 games at this point.

Wonder if some of those St. Louis fans are not thinking about the 1964 collapse of the Phillies. I want to make sure that the Dodgers don't get caught in the middle..we need to win out, and all of my Giant friends in SF have one thing on their mind, wreck our season. If we come in and win 2-3 if Philly is not far enough out of it it could get ugly.

3rd out recorded. 7-5 Pads going to bottom of 8th, pitcher's spot up first.

I agree this may be a safe lead for Tomko.

For those who care about the AL West, A's are up 5-0 in the second, and the Angels are losing by that same score in their game in the 2nd

Just to solidify my point from last night, Joe Nathan is pitching AGAIN tonight in a save situation (TM). He pitched yesterday in an 8-1 game even though he'd pitched the two days before, so today makes it 4 days in a row. Way to go Gardenhire, way to go.

Linebrink in to pitch for SD. I was wrong, Bennett (C) hitting first, then top of the order for the Cards.

For those looking to get Maddux out, are we really much more in favor of letting Maddux pitch on 3-day's rest (even if he only went 5 today) over Billingsley? His WHIP is still scarily high, but he's been probably the 3rd best starter on the team in the 2nd half, after Lowe and Maddux (not counting Kuo's amazing callup to date).

Oakland 5, Seattle 0
Texas 5, Angels 0

both games only in the second.

434

and Nathan is in the process of blowing the save (and my win for Santana in my roto league!)

433 sorry didn't see you'd already reported this.

436
I don't like it.

436. I am. STRONGLY. But I have already whiped that horse and won't do so anymore unless someone else requests reasons (like the fact that Maddux nearly no-hit the Giants last time he faced them... did I say that?)

Do you let Tomko throw some more or are we safe to go to Carrera, et. al.

Good the Twins need to lose so they stay the wild card, so the A's dont have to face them.

Anyone know if Trevor the Great is available to go for #480 tonight?

433-

one of my best friends will be delighted...he can't relax until the A's clinch.

Do you walk Pujols, yes.

2 out in StL. Toguchi doubled, Pujols up.

Come on Pujols...

Twins win 3-2.

Nathan doesn't blow saves, especially against the Royals. He was just making it interesting.

Lugo makes his free-agency push.

443 Twins keep pace, they are like the Dodgers, a tie gets them the wild card so they need to win out like the Dodgers.

If Kemp goes fishing for breaking balls off the plate, so help me...

Pujols flies out to center.

Grits must not care about DJ's pursuit of another 100 walk season

How close was that Kemp ball to going out?

Gameday put Kemp's fly out over the fence.

I am shocked that he pitched to Pujols, he flew out but I am still shocked.

can someone explain to me why in the heck Larussa has Encarnacion hitting ahead of Rolen? Doesn't seem to make much sense to me.

Ubaldo????

The pitcher's name is Ubaldo???

About 5 feet shy of the fence, 15 feet short of a homer.

Tony LaRussa has no faith in his bullpen because he essentially has no bullpen. Adam Wainwright and pray for rain, right?

At this point, I am more fascinated by watching the Cards demise, in fact, I think the Padres would rather face them than the Astros considering the possibility of facing Clemens, Oswalt and Pettite.

459 Larussa is in on the conspiracy.

The A's still can't run the bases. Swisher just stopped halfway on a sac fly and then kept going and was tagged easily.

459 - Encarnacion, believe it or not, has been the better hitter of late.

Which tells you all you need to know about why the Cardinals are slumping so badly.

465

Jeremy Giambi the 3rd base coach?

440 - Duly noted. =P

441 - I won't ask you to go through all your reasons, I'll just trust that you have some (though the last time Maddux pitched to San Fran, he gave up 6 runs, 4 earned, in 6 innings - that great game was on Aug 13th, and he pitched against them again on the 19th).

Ok, I'm off to cook dinner. I am assuming the Dodgers will win this, with an 8-run lead.

Am I crazy?

9 LOB! Woo hoo! Back on a record pace!

if the Cards don't get in it'll be one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen. It seems like six days ago they were up by 8 games...oh wait, that was six days ago. It's just so weird...and I sure as heck don't wanna see Clemens, Pettitte, Oswalt in a 7 game series.

470

There goes Bob .... LOBbying for LOBs ...

I'm crazy but I am beginning to feel much better about our chances.

They just read a stat on the Cards broadcast ...

they are the first time in ML history to have 3 different 6-game (or more) losing streaks and still be in first place

Personally I'm hoping for a Philly collaspe and then we can relax this weekend.

474 Are they the first team to 7 games in 7 days too?

Which tells you all you need to know about the powerhouse NL Central.

I know many Cards fans who would gladly forego a playoff appearance this year if doing so resulted in La Russa resigning or being fired.

Vinny Castilla, apparently his loss caused a 6 week meltdown until the Padres picked up Russell Branyan to fill his spot.

I will give Maddux this much, he has the highest batting average on the Dodger pitching staff amongst players with at least 5 ABs.

Though Aaron Sele (.222) has a better OBP among the same group.

The best-hitting Dodger pitcher at the moment, though, is callup Eric Stults, who is rocking a .667 AVG (.667 OBP, and, you guessed it, .667 SLG, for a 1.333 OPS - Marlon Anderson, eat your small-sample size heart out!).

Rich Harden may be about done in Seattle.

Hoffman is in, one out in the bottom of the 9th.

Mascara Man bats as the tying run in St. Looie.

You get the feeling that the Giants are just mailing it in until Friday.

Did anyone else read 482 as "St. Loogie"?

483 - That could be it... Then again, Brandon Webb might have something to do with it?

485 Where was that Webb last week against the Padres?

And the Cardinals go meekly.

Deathwatch has begun in St. Louis.

RIP Ralph Story. I enjoyed almost anything he did on TV.

484 - Ah, yes. The patron saint of allergy sufferers.

I wonder if tonight's game might have cost Carpenter his Cy Young bid. Webb now has a pretty significant edge on him in ERA and would have a 2-win edge if he ends up winning tonight.

Can we file an application for realignment to the NL Central?

At least the NL West won't get the doormat of the NL award this year.

471 One week ago, St. Louis led Cincinnati by 7 and Houston by 8.5. They now lead Houston by 1 and Cincy by 2.

Hoffmann for cy young

491 I think so, actually had Lowe won one of the two no-decisions he has in September, he could have made a late run.

They showed Haupe's homer about 6 times in a row, but it couldn't keep the next guy from flying out.

Hmm. My other post seems to have disappeared so I'll ask again. Can someone with a grip on historical collapses explain how any could be bigger than what the Cards would be facing if they blew what I believe was an 8.5 game lead with about 12 games left?

St Louis ignomious collapse does nothing to help the D's.

Jake Woods is not helping his old teammates.

Yes, that's in the books, now I can go home.

Unbelievable collapse by the Cards. I think this is bigger than the shot heard round the world, if only because of how little time was left. If St Louis had won 5 games in 12, then even if Houston was perfect they would still win the division. This has been a cool season in so many ways.

ok folks .... saying good night from the east coast ...

498 - Indeed.

The Cardinals beat the soup out of the Dodgers in our team's post-ASB collapse, and now they're doing a collapse of their own at the worst possible moment for the Dodgers.

Still... it couldn't happen to a more deserving manager. (La Russa, I mean.)

502. Good night east coast, see you next week! =)

Question: Does anyone remember the nearly unbridled enthusiasm felt by some Dodger fans upon the return of Jason Repko back in July?

Boy, that seems like a long time ago now.

What a strange season this has been. After Saturday's loss, I was pushing the panic button. Three days later, we're back in the Wild Card lead. Never before has being a Dodger fan been as much work as it has this season.

How soon they forget 2005.

So if we win the wild card and the Astros take the central (with a worse record than us) do we still play the Mets in the first round? I guess I'm asking, does best record play wild card or does it play the worst record?

507 I guess it doesn't matter since we can't play the Padres, we MUST face the Mets if we win the wild card. I think.

It's the season of the Potemkin teams. From time to time, and at different times, certain mediocre teams look good. But if you look too hard, they turn out to be two-dimensional. True of every contender in the NL except the Mets.

It wasn't that long ago that Arizona was considered a contender. The Giants.

Houston's just having its moment now, and their timing is, once again, exquisite.

509 - Have you seen the Mets' rotation these days? Kind of scary to think that as dominant as they have been all season, right now they are only 8 games ahead of the Padres!

509.

Hopefully, we can play the part of the contender from here on.

Don't like to bring up negatives on a plus night,but why again did Colletti give up two good prospects for Lugo and then he rarely ever gets in a game?That doesn't even qualify as a two month rental.

Speaking of the Central, wouldn't it be crazy if the Reds get in? Not impossible -- it would require a slump by both the Cards and Astros, though.

512.

Like Jon has mentioned, Ned is extremely obsessed with depth, or can also be described as prone to being overprepaired, and making mistakes like that.

497- In the famous collapse of the 1964 Phillies, I believe they were 7 games up with 12 to play before they lost 10 in a row and the pennant.

The Cardinals were up 8.5 games with 12 to play. So I suppose that would be bigger.

The Phillies collapse may be so famous because for the decade before their collapse they were absolutely terrible, and their resurgence was such a shock throughout baseball (kind of like the 2006 Tigers.)

So espn.com reports that a long Utley foul w/2 on 2 outs in the 2 second and a score at the time of 2-0 (Deuces!) was actually a homerun that everyone missed (Umps, Phillies). Except the articles says two unnamed Nationals admitted hearing it hit the pole.

The Post gamer doesn't have this (yet).

510
Awfully shaky. I'm not sure how confident I would be heading into the play-offs with Martinez (4-7 since May 1; 2 stints on the DL), Glavine (40-years-old; 3-5, 4.68 ERA since the All-Star break), and Hernandez (listed as 36, but could be 50 for all we know) as my top three starters. Add in the fact that the Met line-up struggles mightily against left-handed pitching, and it's not hard to see how they could get knocked off before reaching the World Series. The National League play-offs are going to be wide open. Now let's pray that our Dodgers are in the mix!

516 - The Nationals bullpen is in on the CONSPIRACY!!

2-run game-ending homer for Alou keeps the Giants from falling into fourth place.

517. Exactly. Winning the West would be nice for pride reasons. But other than that, I couldn't care less who we get in and who we have to play - other than to make travel plans =)

There are no teams in the NL that we are incapable of beating.

There are no teams in the NL that we are incapable of beating.

Except the Cardinals.

521. Bring 'em on.

i honestly feel the dodgers could beat the mets, realisticly the dodgers should want to play the cards. but they OWN us, its just one of those things. we cant beat them, everything goes wrong for us and everything goes right for them.

and the dodgers have been playing in playoff games for 3 weeks, the mets havent played a meaningfull game in like 3 months.

521.

There are no teams in the NL we are incapable of beating (except the cardinals in techincal terms) and teams we are incapable of losing to (except the reds in technical terms).

I think it's a fairly safe bet that if the Dodgers make the playoffs, it'll be against the Mets.

That would be correct.
The Padres have essentially a 3 game lead with 5 games left since they own the tiebreaker.

Its a Dodgers-Phillies and Cards-Astros race until the end.

Dodgers team offense records update:

Hits:
Record, 1515 in 1970
Current, 1495

The Dodgers need over four hits per game in their last five to break the record.

Doubles:
Old record, 286 in 2002
This year, 296!

Total bases:
Record, 2362 in 2000
Currently, 2337
They Dodgers need to average more than 5 total bases per game to break the record.

Extra base hits:
Record, 504
Presently, 497
7 extra base hits in the last five? There are two more games at Coors. And AT&T Park is good for doubles and triples.

Batting average:
Record, .272 in 1974
Presently, .274
The Dodgers were 17 for 41 and that changed the figure by one point! It doesn't change much.

Slugging percentage:
Record, .431 in 2000
Presently, .429
It went up two points tonight, but it took a lot of work.

OBP
Record, .342 in 1974
Coming into the game, the Dodgers were at .346 and it's too much
trouble to update it, but it certainly went up today with 23 men
reaching safely.

LOB
Record, 1223 in 1982
Presently, 1191
The Dodgers need to leave more than 6.4 runners per game to break the record.

These would all be LOS ANGELES records.

Big night, almost a huge night, but still big.

For those following this story ... the Times has gone back on their plan to give non-Times writers Times Staff Writer status.

http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2006/09/times_rethinks_staff_writ.php

So, Doubles is broken; Total Bases, BA, OBP likely to change; XBH and LOB maybes but leaning towards unlikely, SLG unlikely to change?

I think the Dodgers will break the extra base hit record. LOB will come down to the last game.

Is your finger quivering above the "enter" key Bob?

i dont think it's possible to overstate how big this game was. Only up by 1, but with only 5 left we're in the driver's seat....we take care of business, we're in.

And honestly, I'd love to see the Cards collapse if only because it's a once in a lifetime type thing, and because I can't stand larussa.

Goodnight sweet Angels.

533 I'll drink to that.

bye bye halos. :)

Antonio Perez for team MVP? There isn't a better pinch runner in the game.

i'm just glad we took over the wild card position.

the Cards are a freaking Joke!

for some reason i'm glad the Pads are winning 6 in arrow they can't go with out a loss the rest of the year & the Dodgers should take advantage.

What are the MVP voters going to do if both the Cardinals AND Phillies miss the playoffs?

539

they will vote for NOMAR!! but seriously what's going on with the Cards?

alright peepz good night, great win today.

532 - I think the Cards are going to collapse. with Izzy their closer out, LaRussa's bullpen is in full meltdown mode right now. LaRussa had to stay with Carpenter even though his ace's tank was on empty because he can't trust his bullpen to get anyone out. I think the Astros take the Central now.
BTW - The Padres are now 17-7 in September so they are winning the division by playing great baseball. Dodgers are 12-12 this month. We need to sweep Colorado and take 2 from SF to assure at least a WC. I respect but do not fear the Mets. I would fear a team like the Astros coming in to the playoffs on a full head of steam. Baseball is a strange game. Last year's ALCS combatants are both eliminated as of tonight.

Probably something to repost later today but in today's Orange County Register, G.D. says he's staying.

Drew said the clause has hardly come up in discussions with his agent, Scott Boras, since the original negotiations. He couldn't imagine any reason for his opinion to change between now and the end of the season, prompting him to use the opt-out option.

"You know what - I don't think so," said Drew, who also has a limited no-trade clause. "Ultimately it's my decision, and we're happy where we're at. We love our house in Pasadena. My wife is happy. She's made a lot of friends in our neighborhood and with the other players' wives. That's really the thing that was nerve-wracking about it (free agency) for me.

"At some point, you make those commitments and you stick to them."

http://tinyurl.com/p9gbz

Personally, I think it's the proximity to Bob that will be the determining factor.

Also, according to the same article, Andy LaRoche will have surgery for his torn labrum (another article said on Ocotber 5th) and it will take 3-4 months if no other damage is found during surgery, he could be ready to swing a bat by spring training.

Probably something to repost later today but in today's Orange County Register, J.D. says he's staying.

Drew said the clause has hardly come up in discussions with his agent, Scott Boras, since the original negotiations. He couldn't imagine any reason for his opinion to change between now and the end of the season, prompting him to use the opt-out option.

"You know what - I don't think so," said Drew, who also has a limited no-trade clause. "Ultimately it's my decision, and we're happy where we're at. We love our house in Pasadena. My wife is happy. She's made a lot of friends in our neighborhood and with the other players' wives. That's really the thing that was nerve-wracking about it (free agency) for me.

"At some point, you make those commitments and you stick to them."

http://tinyurl.com/p9gbz

Personally, I think it's the proximity to Bob that will be the determining factor.

Also, according to the same article, Andy LaRoche will have surgery for his torn labrum (another article said on Ocotber 5th) and it will take 3-4 months if no other damage is found during surgery, he could be ready to swing a bat by spring training.

543 Sorry, see what happens when you post so early in the morning.

Matt Kemp said he will play winter ball for Estrellas in the Dominican Republic.

"I want to go," Kemp said. "It's a good chance to work on things, to get some more at-bats. The more, the better -- to help me figure things out about my swing."

546 - dodgers.com dodger report

544
"Later in the day" is not 55 seconds. ;-)

The last paragraph of the Cardinals game story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website:

"Trailing, the Cardinals went quietly the rest of the way. When the game ended, Busch Stadium was only half full, as if those who gathered could correctly guess the ending."

But I thought St. Louis fans never left early.

549 Also the Giants really don't want to have to go to St. Louis on Monday to play the make up game but if they do, the way the rotation is set up, it would be old Cardinal friend, Matt Morris against Anthony Reyes.

549 - To be fair, their team left early for the offseason. I hate all that hype about "the greatest fans in baseball!" though, plus I don't like La Russa, who might be the rbi of managers. Highly visible and influential, but I wonder how valuable he really is. Go Reds (over the Stros who would be dangerous in the post season)! in short.

Terrell Owens tried to kill himself? Sorry to hear this, but who would've thought this guy was the type to have personal problems.
vr, Xei

549 I watched the end of the game on DirecTV and it was eerily quiet. The Cards had a runner on, Edmonds at bat, trailing by two runs, and I would have thought the fans would be screaming their heads off, cheering him on. Instead, they sat there rather timidly. I lost some respect for the Cardinals' fans.

552 - In a strange way, this is about the only thing that could make me sympathetic to TO. Think about how lonely it must be as T.O. the much scruntinized biggest jerk/worst teammate on the planet. It is worst than simply being famous, he is infamous. Hopefully everyone will back off a little bit now... yeah right.

On the subject of lame fans, I believe today marks the first time I ever agreed with TJ Simers about anything. How is it that a team draws 3.75M fans but can't come close to selling out their last game (where they give away free stuff) in the heat of a pennant race? And then playoff tix go on sale and don't sell out? 4HR Monday was a sell out. Because they gave away an $8 blanket. If L.A. just didn't care about baseball, so be it. But then how are the Dodgers always among the league leaders in attendance? It's like people would rather see a Tuesady night in May against the Brewers than a game where the season is on the line. I do not get it.

Boy I just saw the controversial "no home run" call in that Phils-Nationals game. Was nearly impossible to see that it had hit the yellow foul pole, even on replays. It seemed to have slightly dinged it and was slightly deflected but I can't imagine how an ump could have called that with confidence live. Phils had plenty of chances throughout the game anyway.

Nomar is probably out for tonight. What's odds on seeing Loney? Pretty low I'd guess; we'll probably be treated to Lugo at Second, batting in Nomar's spot, with Kent at First. Third is a loss no matter who they put on it. Things we need for next year: Starting pitcher; relief pitchers; third baseman; center fielder; thirty-homer guy. Sounds like A-Rod, Soriano, Zito, et al. And bankruptcy for McCourt.

555 - Your last conclusion isn't true - those midweek games against the Brewers et al draw poorly without a giveaway. Giveaways drive attendance strongly throughout the season.

I have to think that there was enough skepticism about the Dodgers' chances of making the playoffs - as well as winning a playoff game - that a lot of people just weren't ready to shell out.

557 - Nomar said last night that he was going to play tonight. I hope Loney would play over both hands wrapped around his neck Lugo... but you never know.

558 I've been going to Fan Appreciation Day my whole life and I can't remember it not selling out, despite the fact that the Dodgers were almost never in contention by then.

557 If we play Kemp, Loney, Martin, Ethier, Broxton, Saito, Billingsley and Kuo, McCourt could probably get all three of those guys you named and stay under $100M.

When the Dodgers needed a lift the youth have given it to them. Loney should play tonight.

And, Billingsley should start before Penny gets another start.

Hopefully Little has told Billingsley to be ready to start the "Penny" game in the third inning. Actually, if I am going with the "hopefully" thing, I should have said hopefully Penny will pitch a nine inning shutout.

556 There is an easy way to construct the foul poles to make calls much easier for the umpires to make. The shape of the pole should be aquare or better yet triangular, with the 60 or 90 degree angle facing home plate (the angle, not a flat side). A ball hit exactly on the line of that angle will bounce back toward home plate; this is a very unlikely happening, but the proof that it is a home rum will be easily vissible. Balls hit on the fould side of the angle line will be deflected well into the stands (foul territory). Balls hit on the fair side of the angle line will be well deflected to the fair side. Laser beams could also be set up to detect a ball that is foul.

561 Greg: Add Meloan and Elbert to the rotation in the second half of 2007 and Penny becomes trade bait.

561 I haven't done the math so I'll take your word for it. If so, and Colletti doesn't do it, then he is the biggest fool ever.

555. I agree that those mid week games don't sell out without shiny objects. But on fan appreciation day they give away shiny objects. And my questions is: given that it's the last 10 days of the season and the last home game and the team is basically tied for a playoff berth, does that mean less than a bobblehead of Ron Cey?

566 is for 558. Errr. I always do that.

561 Just imagine:
Martin
Loney
Kent
Furcal
A-Rod
Soriano
Kemp
Ethier
Lowe, Zito, Penny, Billingsly, Kuo, Broxton, Saito, Biemel, Stults, Maddux (?), Gagne (?).
LaRoche, Lofton, Repko, Saenx, Betemit, Hall (?)
That's a Yankee style team...

565 Assuming Betemit and Hendrickson get arbitration, the Dodgers payroll starts at 80 million in 2007. There's no way we could get all the guys you mentioned under 100 million.

569 Colletti would be crazy to risk arbitration with Hendrickson...

Betemit hasn't shown me that he's any better than Aybar; more power, less OBP; fielding is a wash. That trade gets a "No harm, no foul" mark.

568 And for half the price!
Just eyeballing it, it looks like the 100M range to me. Remember, the Yankees might want some of our players before they hand over A-Rod. And as popular as Kemp is here, he's not doing well now and there's no guarantee he'll be ready next April. But that overall mix is something the Dodgers have been planning for two or three years.

In the Daily News today

"I'm tired of leaving my wife at home with no nanny and no cook to take care of four kids by herself." - Jeff Kent

What do professonal athletes spend their money on?

560 - I agree. I'm not sure why it didn't sell out.

565 - I am assuming that someone from our team is traded or something?

New post up top.

572 Here's where we stand:

Everyone currently under contract+Betemit - 73.855 million.

A-Rod: 20 million
Soriano: ~15 million
Zito: ~12 million

Unless you majorly backload those contract and ship off Drew or Kent to get A-Rod, it's not slipping under 100 million.

574 Perhaps it's because prizes have been terrible under McCourt. They did get better this year, however.

Just for the record, here's my opinion on Colleti's trade and FA signings (I may forget some):
Furcal, Lofton, Nomar, Anderson, Ethier, Maddux, Sele = Good ones
Seo,Baez, Carter, Hamulack, Hendrickson, Hall, Lugo, Tomko, Lugo (deserves 2 slaps on the wrist for that one) = Stinkers
Like I said, I've probably overlooked a few. Which probably means they aren't too much one way or the other...

577 I understand there is a back load with A-Rod going back to Texas. I think the Yankees (and presumably the Dodgers) pay only (!!!!) $16M of his contract. And I was hoping to trade Penny and Tomko for A-Rod. These are day-dreams, man, don't take them too seriously and pour reality all over them. Please don't rain on my parade.

The Dodgers and to a smaller degree since they have less seats to sell, the Angels have increased their tickets sold for the last several years. The Dodgers have shown a 16% jump in tickets sold since Frank and Jamie bought the club, curiously they benefited in the second half of 2004 with a surprising team in contention, somehow got through 5 months in 2005 before attendance dropped off in 2005 and then this year, had the most crowds ever over 55,000 tickets sold since they started recording it that way in the history of the club.

While this is going on, the Padres, who despite building a new ballpark and being in contention for the last few years has steadily shown an attendance drop of over 10% since Petco opened.

The Dodgers have now led the NL in attendance for 3 straight years, which has to be a first since the late 80's prior to the building of the new parks and the addtion of Colorado to the league in the '90s.