Brian Schneider's game ending GIDP was hit very sharply. That ball gets through Utley and Beltran Perez scores from 2nd base with only 1 out. The Nationals could easily have stolen that game. I think the Phillies will be worn out today--if not physically, emotionally.

first comment :D

I got beat by 11 seconds. :-(

Go Blue! :)

Continuing from the other thread, I think it makes sense that the Dodgers are going back to the California A league, for obvious reasons. What to do about their spring training location is a sep. discussion/decision, but this will probably be the beginning of the end for VB. But separate from that, I do like that they're coming back "home" as it were.

1 If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas.

1

agreed

It's Loney, and not Lugo....
Furcal, SS

Lofton, CF

Anderson, LF

Kent, 2B

Drew, RF

Martin, C

Betemit, 3B

Loney, 1B

Penny, P

1 Won't the Nationals also be exhausted?

1 It was an atom-ball, but you'll never get hits if you hit them right at 'em.

It's raining in Pittsburgh and the start will be delayed. For as long as it takes, I imagine.

Anderson hitting 3rd? Doesn't take long for somebody to prove themself, I guess.

7 I like it. I love that we can sit our arguably best hitter and still have a lineup that has danger througout. (I mean as long as Lugo sits). Our 7 hitter hit a 460 ft HR yesterday and our 8 hitter hit .380 at AAA. I'll take it.

9 The inverse rule to Willie Keeler's 'hit 'em where they ain't'

Is Bob going to update on the offensive records today?

Regarding some previous threads on possibly locking up the WC before playing Sunday:
C'mon fellow DT posters, you have been Dodger fans long enough to know Dodgers don't do things that easily. This is coming down to the last day. If the Dodgers have two paths to take to the playoffs, they choose the more treacherous, difficult path possible. I mean if they wanted to be easier on themselves, then they would have taken 2 out of 3 in the series with the Brewers, Cubs and Pirates this month instead of losing 2 of 3. Add up those 3 additional wins and we are 2 up on SD and 4 up on PHIL and would have clinched a tie for the WC at worst. It is just the Dodger way, to go right to the edge of the season and either bring us unbridled joy or painful heartbreaking agony! We just have to live with it.

4 Looks like Dodgertown is now D. Ray Town...

http://tinyurl.com/h9p7l

I hope the offensive records are updated. I gotta know who's leading the league in nose-hair.

I did at the end of yesteday's game.

The Dodgers are slugging .430. The LA record is .431, so they better get to it.

The XBH, hits, and BA records should all fall this year.

Won't the Nationals also be exhausted?

i think he's talking over the long haul.

Okay, update above links to the two minor league affiliation stories.

Personally, I think the biggest news of the day is that Bob sometimes wears more than one pair of socks on the same day.

My question: at the same time?

reds at marlins? is that really consequential?

Plaschke's column today is actually worth a read. Although I can't believe Drew gives him the time of day after being called JD Ghost for two years.

I'm in Victorville, which is adjacent to Adelanto. I'd be excited if a Dodger team came to Adelanto although I'm sure it would inflate the offensive numbers as we're at 3000 feet up here north of the Cajon pass.

22 I understand it's Ladies Night in Miami.

What if you're wearing dress socks during the day and want to go out for a long walk later?

[25] i'd be all for someone posting pictures, but the gameday doesn't really do anything for me :)

22 Thanks to the miracles of the NL, the Reds are somehow still alive with four games left.

4 & 16, On one hand, it will be sad, another passing of an era but from a practical aspect, I understand the logic. Also, it will be more convenient and less expensive to see by beloved Blue in Arizona, spend a weekend in spring training than to spend about a week in Florida, more expense for lodging, flight, ect..

[28] mathematically perhaps, but not realistically.

A fellow Victorvillian here too, (though I hate to admit it). It would be great to have them in Adelanto. 3 out of the 4 mentioned destinations are within 40 miles of us

23 - Yeah, that was a fun column.

22 - Uh, no, probably not. Forgot that they lost last night.

The sound of Adelanto makes me think of the heroine in the race from "Free to Be, You and Me," Atalanta.

Come on, you know what I'm talking about.

The Reds could lose today and not be eliminated.

i have family in Porterville, wich is really near by Visalia, i also have family in San Bernardino, it would be sweet to have them in either.

I thought the Tigers' defenders could play good defense. The defenders haven't caught a ball yet.

"I think Nomar's injuries are behind him"

OOPs!!!
Spoke a little too soon maybe.
Looks like Scareduck had it right...(injrury in the behind) :) thanks for the assist.
What a great night of Baseball last night, I showed my boys (9&10) how to get all pumped up in a Pennant Race. We were switching back and forth from Vin, to ESPN, and back again almost on every pitch. Truelly awsome.

26

Just call him Bob "Two Sock Shakur" Timmermann

(stop me before I pun (badly) again)

26

i've been guilty of wearing dress socks with shorts & walking to the corner market.

39

nowadays, you are liable to get rounded up by Homeland Security for that ...

And yet today, I'm not wearing any socks at all.

I have the day off, for the record.

On the Big Blue Wrecking Crew discussion boards, someone mentioned that Kershaw's contract requires him to play in Florida his first two years. Does this mean that he has to go to Jacksonville now? Absolutely terrible. What I really hope is that whever the Dodgers end up isn't in the high altitudes.

blue jays up 2-0 still batting top 1 against rogers in det. (2 tiger errors already)

40

atleast i'm not wearing my dress shoes with my dress socks.(sandles)

34 - However, with two teams ahead of them, the likeliness of the Reds winning the AL Central are microscopically slim. The Astros are the team most likely to take advantage of the "Collapsing Cards".

the Nats had a golden apportunity last night, oh well.

42- There's still Vero Beach. It's a jump, too, but not as bad.

45
I'd reread your comment there.

The Reds would be about 30 games out in the AL Central.

Did Pujols lock up the MVP with that (potentially) season-saving homerun last night?

-test-

47- And that's why you should always read the update to the post.

how do you get the line threw a word?? i saw Bob do it the other day.

3-0 JAYS top 2nd .... Rios RBI single ... action in Tigers pen

Albert Pujols played in the Midwest League in 2000.

I didnt know his real name is actually "Jose Albert Pujols"

52- In the comments? Or at the Griddle?

I think the Dodgers A team should play here in San Francisco so I can see them more often.

Er, wait, is there a team here already?

Er, wait, did I just jinx this weekend's series?

But seriously - I know we already had a conversation awhile back about possible locations for a Dodgers Cal league team, and there are plenty of options... maybe you can pitch your respective favorites to the team while they're deciding.

55

i saw him do that in the Griddle, he put a line in the middle of a word, pretty cool.

48 - Sorry about the typo, I of course meant the NL Central. Must be the effects of the flu I've been fighting off. In the AL, the only games that matter are games involving the Tigers, Twins and possibly the Yankees regarding overall home field. All other AL games are now inconsequential.

I do hope Tim Salmon will get enough chances to hit HR #300, it will be a nice farewell to a class gentleman and good guy. Farewell to the KingFish!

35 Considering that the Columbus team is leaving beacuse of "a bad field", I would be very surprised if the high-A team ended up in Visalia. Recreation Park there is O-L-D-Old. The sod and playing surface was redone not too long ago, and the metal and wood bleachers replace with real seats. It's a very quaint place for baseball, though.

That said, the Oaks are currently a TB club, so who knows...

Does anyone have access to park factors for a comparison of Vero to Midland, Mich.? VB, from what I remember, is something of a launching pad, and I know the player development trend is to put your teams in pitchers' parks.

57- He has full html privileges over there. That's why he can post real links, and italics. Commenters get bold and underlining, but not all the rest of the toys.

Bakersfield was a Dodgers Class A affiliate for awhile.
Maybe they'll go back there.

Its kinda strange. I think the Midwest League is a step up from the Sally, but I also think the Califorina league is a step down from the FSL.

The FSL is probably the best Class A league, when it comes to which teams send their best talent there.

The "strikeout" feature is only available if you can put in full HTML, which you can't do in comments.

59 Visalia is also at ~300 feet, and the park, IIRC, was rather big. 405' to center, deep in the alleys, with tall fences. You have to deal with the heat thinning the air, but that's about it.

Getting back to Pittsburgh and Houston, Pittsburgh hosts Cincy this weekend and Houston only has a 2 hour flight (same time zone) to Atlanta for a night game tomorrow so I think they can wait out this game for as long as it takes today.

For the Astros, the question is what they do with Oswalt, its good for them that they delayed the start only to not waste Oswalt today.

i remember seeing the Porterville high school baseball field & was amazed at how great it is, puts L.A. high schools to shame.

65
I don't think "can" is the right verb. I think they "will" play this game. Somehow. At sometime.

i thought for sure the tomato would be in the lineup today.

33: I knew.

I don't know if any other former sci fi nerds read, but Spider Robinson did an online chat at the Post today. Not a great chat, but quite sentimental for me.

Melancholy Elephants, God is an Iron -- brilliant stuff. Not quite Varley's Persistence of Vision, but still great.

http://tinyurl.com/zpoko

As I said in the previous thread, I think the issue in Vero Beach dealt with some attendance issues (65,000 for 60+ home games) and since the Dodgers operate their high A club, they could shop around for a good deal, I read San Berdoo really wants them to go there.

I also think that there may have been some issues with how the VB club was handled this year so maybe moving them closer to LA will help with the oversight.

Wait, did no one else spot this in today's Inside the Dodgers entry?
Cracked me up.

"Meanwhile, the team is on fire. Literally. Grady Little just informed us that during last night's game, while Derek Lowe was waiting to hit, his pant leg actually caught on fire from a small space heater in the dugout. You can't make this stuff up."

67 You're right, I should not only said "will," I should have said that even if they have to play tonight, they will play the game.

Don't know how much I can contribute during the game but this is a big one, it would be great to have a Dodger victory on the board for the Phillies and Padres to see before they start their games.

Will Carroll at BP today:

"A writer asked me earlier this week if I knew 'anything on or off the record, confirmed or denied, that would explain why Brad Penny looks like crap.' At the time, I didn't, but reports have come out since that Penny is dealing with either a back or an oblique problem. Dodgers sources say that Penny has had some back 'tightness,' but none of them would even go as far as calling it spasm. It's worth keeping an eye on. "

Wow, not another oblique. I think we've had enough of those this season for a lifetime.

75 - Baseball is a game with alot of twisting motions.

11. Gagne55
Anderson hitting 3rd? Doesn't take long for somebody to prove themself, I guess.

Unless you're a rookie. Ten years of mediocre stats > good minor league stats plus a good rookie year. Do you suppose the fact that almost all managers were failed or mediocre at best players influences their decisions to prefer "season (but mediocre) veterans" to higher performing rookies?

74
Even the speculation on a Penny injury is somewhat oblique.

Do greenies heal oblique muscles or something? I dont get it.

78 - Ab...solutely hilarious Bob.

76 - Thank you.
does everyone think its safe to say penny is pitching for his spot in the postseason rotation today?

77
I remember when Marlon Anderson was still an underperforming rookie on the Phillies.

81 - 76 was accompanied by a somewhat resigned shrug, for what it's worth...

81 - Absolutely.

By the way, did anyone else hear Grady Little on Jim Rome's show this morning?

Maybe they should try setting Brad Penny on fire; seemed to have helped Lowe get through it yesterday, if only obliquely.

81 - His spot is secure either way in my opinion. No way Grady yanks Penny in favor of... Kuo? Bills? I think Penny will get a start in the postseason (should that happen) and maybe even the game 2 start if Maddux and Lowe do end up pitching in San Fran.

78

I (heart) Bob ....

(in the literary sense)

86, what are you kidding me? i think grady would easily take kuo over penny right now.

If Pedro Martinez's spot in the Mets' rotation is secure, I think Penny is safe unless he is "officially" denoted as hurt.

84

Jim Rome makes my skin crawl .... I'm mad that my local ESPN radio station ditched GameNight to put his show on ...

I would have loved to see the Dodgers' A-affiliate back in Bakersfield! Plus they could just send guys on a hour-anna-bit drive over the Grapevine for rehab and stuff.

But well, having them in California at all is already nice.

86- I'd pitch Kuo against the Mets. They can't hit southpaws.

7-0 Blue Jays still batting top 4

Pedro is going to the bullpen. Or might even be left off the roster for the 1st round.

89 There is a report on ESPN.com that Pedro will not start in the first round.

84
Did Grady say anything enlightening? Did he crack any good jokes?

88 - I would, I am not sure that Grady would. I think Penny will get a start unless he gives up 6-8 runs today.

95

Theo Epstein is satisfied ...

77 I don't think Marlon Anderson is the Dodger starting LF of the future but he has been hitting and you can't really argue his being out there right now.

69 I've never read as much Spider Robinson as I should've, but I'm quite interested in his "co-authoring" of Heinlein's manuscript. And I should give some of his other novels a try -- his "Rah RAH R.A.H.!" essay is one of my faves.

I thought that Kuo was not on the postseason roster. Has something changed recently?

http://tinyurl.com/hbvkw

who ordered the minor league park factors around here?

(you're welcome) :-)

101
Kuo was called up on 8/31 so the Dodgers wouldn't even have to lie to get him on the roster.

101 - The postseason roster hasn't been set yet - wouldn't be until after the last regular season game.

99 Almost always when Nomar sits and Lugo plays, Little hits him third in Nomar's spot. Why isn't he doing that with Loney, with his .380 average (albeit AAA)? Anderson has played well, been a real surprise and big help, but in the three hole, I'd prefer someone with a higher OBP than Anderson. Lugo hitting third? That defies any attempt to explain, but for God's sakes, I'd hit Kuo there before Lugo! I'm not upset with Anderson there, just saying I'd have put Loney in that spot. Another case of Rookie Prejudice as I see it.

101 - Unless something horrific happens tomorrow I don't see how Kuo couldn't be on the postseason roster.

99-That is very true. Sometimes I wonder about levels of rookie fetishism, around here and elsewhere. I love our young players to pieces, imagine Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp to be deeply germane to the future--and variously germane to the present--yet the decision to start Marlon Anderson over both of them, considering how Anderson's played since we picked him up, doesn't seem to me to represent any failure of imagination or managerial foolishness. It just seems like common sense. The term "seasoned veteran" gets applied sarcastically, but who would you rather have coming up--now, not next year or three months ago--with a game on the line, Nomar (gimpy leg and all) or Matt Kemp, guaranteed to see nothing but outside breaking pitches he hasn't yet proven he can hit?

I'd take almost anyone off our bench in that situation--Ramon Martinez, even--before I would Kemp. Yet I'd rather keep Kemp, for the long haul, than I would 80 percent of our ballclub. Marlon's an intelligent choice, for today, is all. For today.

105 - Loney actually might be a good #8, he always makes contact so that will give anyone on base a chance before the pitcher's spot comes up.

... if we make the postseason that is. (Sorry, I'm feeling even more superstitious than usual.)

And wow, that'd be amazing if Pedro isn't even on their postseason roster - could they add him if they then made the championship round?

84 Entering The Jungle insures good karma... or so Rome says.

104. I thought he had been called up 9/1, not 8/31. I meant I thought that he was ineligble for the post-season roster, poor choice of wording on my part, sorry about that. Since Bob corrected me anyway, it's not an issue.

I just don't think you can look at September and determine that Grady has any problems playing rookies.

Generally, he played them in May and June due to injuries but once Ethier and Martin (especially Russ) established themselves, in they stayed and through the first part of September Ethier played nearly every day.

Now, I will say that had Ethier's slump happened before this time, he would have probably been allowed to play through it, it just happened that Anderson starting hitting almost from the time he got here so he replaced Ethier for the time being.

I know that I believe you said that you temdend to comment from the heart so I won't take the talk too seriously but I don't think labeling Grady as having a bias against young players is valid.

Actually according to MLB.com, Kuo was called up on 8/30. Hamulack was sent down at the time.

And you can change your roster between rounds of the playoffs.

I believe that choice to call up Kuo a day before the deadline was done with the playoffs in mind, actually. It wouldn't have made much sense otherwise.

Here are the numbers...
PENNY vs. KUO in a series against the Mets:
Mets probable starters (Wright, Lo Duca, Reyes, Beltran, Valentin, Floyd, Green and Delgado) vs. RHP: .290 BA, .792 team OPS
Mets probable starters vs. LHP: .268 BA, .739 team OPS

Penny's stats since August 18 (33 IP): 32 ER, 5 HR, 17 BB, 36 K
Kuo's stats since September 2 (27.1 IP): 8 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 36 K

I'd go with Kuo over Penny at this point.

107 I think most fans who populate places like DT tend to like rookies because they have taken the time to follow them from their signing and also if they are astute fans, they know they are inexpensive and also present a higher ceiling than "established" veterans.

I think the difference between Russ and Andre and guys like Kemp and Loney is that Russ and Andre have 3 to 4 times as at bats as the other guys so they should have both the confidence and some knowledge on how teams are going to pitch them whereas Kemp is going to see breaking balls and Loney is mostly a mystery.

Grady was pretty good, but he didn't let anything really good fly. He did a lot of coach-speak and talked about how great Nomar and Lowe have been recently. Nothing too big, but it's nice to get some potential Jungle Karma.

Dan Patrick is having fun with TO's publicist using the word "statue" instead of "stature" in the sentence, "When I see man of that statue (sic)"

I was thinking that we should do a "guess the playoff roster" contest, should we actually get into the playoffs.

As long as Kuo was on the 40-man roster, it's not even an issue. And even if he weren't, the Dodgers could make it work.

Given how Merlin has been hitting I think it is about time to move him up to the 3 spot. Ride the wild wave when you can, it may never happen again. Funny how such an inconsequential pickup may be the catalyst that propels the Dodgers into the postseason. I can never recall a late pickup like this having such an impact. Especially a player with such a mediocre history. Winn was acquired by the Giants at the trading deadline so he doesn't count.

400/452/855/1307 OPS
That is just sick I don't care if it is only 55 at bats.

144 Kuo was called up because the night before the Dodgers played a loooong extra innings game and they thought they would need extra bullpen help.

115
those are some great stats that get right to the point. its OBVIOUS who the choice should be.

122 Obviously anticipating more Kuo talk in the future.

120 Jon, isn't it time for you take your break away from DT until the game ends, if I am correct, it has seemed to work out the last few days.

122 How did you know what post 144 would be about in post 122? Do know what the Dodgers' final score will be today too?

Aren't the Dodgers the only West Coast team that does not have a team in Arizona? The Vero Beach history all started with Brooklyn, they should have moved to Arizona when the Giants did. For me this is about time. I love the Arizona spring training league. The stadiums are great, especially the new fields in Surprise and it will be easier for residents in LA to make the trek to ST then to fly to Florida.

Sam, Telemachos: If you're sci-fi fans you might be interested to learn that John M. "Mike" Ford died over the weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/p3k3s

The website, http://www.japanesebaseballdaily.com has a report, but without a link, that the Orix Buffaloes are interested in getting Mariano Duncan to manage their team next year.

The guy who runs that site, Gary Garland, does stop by the Toaster from time to time. Orix was 52-81-3 this year.

And we're underway with Furcal singling to right. Kim seems like a good bet to steal against.

128 I saw that, from your link a couple of days back. Very sad to hear.

"How Much for Just the Planet?" is one of the more delightful -- and certainly the most subversive -- story to come out of the official Star Trek canon. (Even if it ended up getting Ford blacklisted from the ST universe).

Ugh. I know Kenny has been good with a bat this year, but I just don't root for him at all. I never feel good when he is at bat.

Anderson as a 3 hitter, take 1

DP- Lofton.
Furcal's September might be the best month he's ever had in his career.

95ABs- close to a .400 average with an OPS over 1.000

Nice patented DP by Lofton.

I love the second by second comments when the game is going on.

If we truly had second by second comments for an entire game, we'd usually get 10,800 comments.

I noticed that only Penny and Kim have pitched in all 6 series between the teams this year.

137 You get the gist, but I did exaggerate.

aiye

leadoff double by Kaz

Great start by Penny. Good to see that he isn't wasting any time in proving that he shouldn't pitch in the postseason. If I was Little I would be one batter away from having Chad warm up.

134
This is his best September, at least

Season AB Hits BA OBA Slug%
2000 104 32 .308 .429 .462
2002 80 17 .212 .259 .350
2003 100 32 .320 .369 .440
2004 101 24 .238 .286 .337
2005 103 33 .320 .383 .437
2006 98 38 .388 .436 .663

Penny definitely seems to have a stiff or sore back.

"Definitely seems" is a great way to hedge what you say by the way.

137

Ah, a literalist ....

(I've found my home)

Two batters in Penny still hasn't gotten a single strike past anyone.

143
Wouldn't just plain "seems" be a safer way of hedging?

145 - Whew. A called strike to batter three.

Vin made a cute comment about fans seeing both sides of the Penny this year ...

nice K by Penny

A strike out? What's Penny thinking?

Wow, I am the anti jinx. My negativity is a good luck charm.

Bring on Bills.

Well trade you Pedro for Penny ...

That's it. Bring in Billz.

146
"Definitely seems" lets you both hedge and seem assured of what you're saying!

No seriously Grady, take Penny out of the game.

At least this game isn't important.

At this point the question is no longer whether Penny should make the postseason roster -- it's whether he should be allowed to pitch for the Dodgers ever again.

You guys still want Penny to make a postseason start?

The dark side of playing through pain. This is why I hate the whole: "he's a gamer" tag on some guys. Penny isn't playing the same game that everyone else is. In pitching, like golf, the lowest score wins.

wow, this is gettin gugly fast

What reliever on our roster can warm up the fastest?

really gugly

DePo should have listened to his scouts!

anyone up in the pen yet?

I smell a Plaschke column cooking.

Billz is warming.

I feel my lunch coming up.

Dodger broadcasts don't show the pitch speeds?

I have the utmost faith in Mike O'Connor.

166 In this case, for once, his righteous indignation will be justified.

I thought we traded Odalis Perez to the Royals.

158 - "ever again?"

169
I think it depends upon the production facilities available at each stadium.

167 - Thank god. This is daytime television after all. This should be TV-MA for sure.

173 I meant what I said... call it a little vindictiveness mixed with common sense.

Kim has 8 hits on the year .... uh oh

And herein lies Rich Lederer's point about K/9. Penny is doing pretty well in that stat.

If Penny finishes the pitcher off, do you let him come out next inning?

2006 ERA

Penny: 4.33
Hendrickson: 4.26

You'd have to assume Penny will at least be shopped this offseason. He's not a "Ned guy", and if he can get good value from a team that needs pitching, I wouldn't put it past him.

179 Absolutely not. The game is still winnable at this point if we get another pitcher in there.

178

Javier Vazquez is the same way this year .... 7.5 Ks per 9 / ERA around 5

Absolutely pathetic first inning, Penny.

This isnt out of character for Brad Penny.
In 2003 with the Marlins, he was struggling bad at the end of the year and McKeon actually pulled him from the rotation. i'm not sure if he started in the NLDS or NLCS.

But he did come back and pitch great in the World Series.

So is this "Penny for your 'Dodger Thoughts'"?

That was sad, man, sad. You gotta give him a shot in the 2nd, though. If a run scores and the situation is ugly, though, I'd yank 'im. Bring on Stults! Haha.

The worst of all is that Little is wiling to cook everybody's goose, to throw away the hard work by everybody all year on this team, in order to "show Penny he believes in him" or something. To be a player's manager or some such. How about the other 39 guys on the roster, though?

I hope after this Penny designates somebody else for that game ( should it be needed ).

Is Penny secretly being paid by the Padres/Phillies? I'd bring in Billingsley next inning. I can't remember the last time Penny had a good start.

You have to wonder if Penny is tipping his pitches. How's his command? Is he able to locate his pitches or is he just throwing the ball down the middle? I've read that he hasn't been able to throw a good curveball in a while. Now is not the time for Penny to experience these kind of problems and he's been like this since the all star break.

6 straight balls for Kim to start the 2nd.
Thats the way to protect a lead.

185 - he started in each of the first two rounds, but got pulled from the rotation in the NLCS (thus 2 relief appearances).

Mr. Consistency!

189 - You have to go all the way back to Sept 13, a 7-innings of shutout ball against the Cubs.

Oh, you meant against a major-league offense?

what happened i had to go run a chore?

YAHTZEE

DJ has been a beast this month.

189 He doesn't even have to tip his pitches. That's exactly the problem -- batters have figured out that a very straight fastball is coming basically every time. They can look fastball all day long and just ignore the off-speed pitch which he throws once in a blue moon, because it's never in the strike zone anyway.

well atleast we have men @ 2nd & 3rd & nobody out.

Apparently no one can remember past September 14.

Penny threw 7 shutout innings in a 6-0 Dodgers in at Wrigley Field on 9/13.

Here we go boys! It is funny, we started the year as the get out ahead team, and we are ending it as the comeback kids.

Does anybody else think of saying "JD Drew" like those old "A.D. Do!" commercials?

197 I dont understand why Penny is comfortable with using only 2 pitches and why Honeycutt doesnt seem to think this is a problem.

194- Penny's line says it all: 3 runs, 4 hits, 2 walks, 3 K, 1 inning.

Here come the Tigers.

7-6, Blue Jays after being down 7-0.

wow! pure dumb luck there.

Penny's game log for 2006:
http://tinyurl.com/hupjk

YES! Echoes of the Nats 14th inning.

what a collapse by Penny i swear.

gameday doesn't want to say

Gameday says "in-play no out recorded". It has to be a pretty special play for that to occur with 2nd and 3rd, no out...

What'd Martin do?

209- What happened, how can there be no outs or runs on contact?

204
But Sean Casey hit one of them rally-ending homers.

ok, Kim forgot how force plays work

i hope Kim throws a wild pitch here.

Wow Robles in the on-deck circle.

Cuadrangular!

thank you Loney!!!

in play, run-scoring play

OHMYLORD

would you guys send Penny back out there now!!

See, I knew Loney was back there for a reason.

Penny's in trouble. I don't think they let him bat with runners on.

On the other hand, Loney might prosper in the 8-hole.

Yah!

JAMESSSSSSSSSSSSS

The battle for first base in '07 is on!

Oh. There you go.

Loney hit a hell of a 2nd career homer!

He knows how to fill in for Nomar. :)

James Loney is a GOLDEN GOD.

Wow, that totally looked like it would be a lazy fly ball. Does the Coors effect have much more bearing during the day?

Opposite field grand slam for Loney.
Thats um. a big hit.

Screw the nickel, let Billz take over.

Loney has no power?

bluto!

Penny will be playing Blernsball next year at this rate.

Grady just answered my question.

Loney is a decent hitter...

Definitely bring in Billingsley next inning!

All hail King James!

Big Game James.

201 - http://www.all-baseball.com/dodgerthoughts/archives/016810.html

I'm suprised they are pulling Penny this early after that Loney hit.

Loney channels HSChoi

This is a team of density.

236 - I don't think Robles is going to be the starter

203 ...but his peripherals were fabulous!

I hope he's okay. I think Penny is hurt or maybe just in a slump. If the Dodgers make the post-season, I think he'll surprise everyone. In a good way.

The Baseball Hall of Fame's Spanish-English baseball dictionary says the Spanish equivalent of "grand slam" is "grand slam".

240 - except Loney already has more career triples

I can't believe that Robles is the first pinch hitter off the bench. I thought rosters expanded? I am sure he is a good guy, but seeing him on the time reminds me of evil days.

Actually, I might take Penny over Robles as a hitter.

Wow, that totally looked like it would be a lazy fly ball.

Maybe they arent using the humidor balls today.

For those watching on TV: Is Penny flipping his lid in the dugout? Or does it seem he took himself out?

246 - In the first inning with the bases empty?

Not exactly "Saenz time".

Well Penny did a good job of kicking my fantasy team in the shins. Thanks Brad.

Penny's hitting a mighty .185 to Robles' .156

Penny 2006: 9.81 hits and 7.05 Ks per 9

Here are the top 10 worst H/9 while averaging over 7 Ks per 9 in a season

HITS/9 IP YEAR H/9 IP SO/9 IP
1 Glendon Rusch 2001 10.86 7.84
2 Aaron Sele 1999 10.71 8.17
3 Doug Drabek 1996 10.68 7.03
4 Mark Leiter 1997 10.64 7.29
5 Bobby Witt 1996 10.59 7.08
6 Pedro Astacio 1998 10.53 7.31
7 Tom Gordon 1996 10.39 7.14
8 Javier Vazquez 1998 10.24 7.26
9 Javier Vazquez 2000 10.21 8.10
10 Dave Stewart 1994 10.19 7.49

After Matsui got his double, the cameras briefly switched back to Penny and he looked like he was trying to stretch out his back.

He definitely seemed that he might have possibly hurt or slightly damaged his back or possibly something akin to an oblique.

250 - True, but there are other people... Young, Ethier, Lugo, Kemp, Repko or even Martinez.

246 But that's exactly the situation in which you use your last guy off the bench. Which Robles basically is, along with Delwyn and Einar Diaz.

is it just me or are we coming back alot more these days?

Way to sack up out there today, Penny.

There's gonna be Billz to pay now!

Loney and Garciaparra's recent slams are KILLING the team's chances of breaking the LOB record. Just killing it!

And now the real game begins.

Billz's push for a slot in the playoff rotation begins... now.

Well, HR/9 and Bb/9 are pretty important peripherals, and they werent fabulous for Penny in the 1st.

Hah. Also funny to hear the juxtaposition of Vin calling Loney's grand slam vs. Steiner calling the 5th HR miracle hit from the other Monday.

FIRST PITCH STRIKES

Young Chad.

bluto!

201 There was a long , very funny discussion of that, veering into a whole poppourri of similar type commercials, around the time he was signed.

they should change the pitcher every inning, keep the Rockies from getting comfortable.

Penny was holding his head in his hands, right up until Loney's hit. He looked miserable.

I hope Honeycutt told Bills this was probably going to happen.

238 - trying to see how that ties with Loney's jack.

253 - Seeing your list, I couldn't help but check...Bobby Witt also allowed almost 4.5 BB/9 that year too. While pitching in Texas.

Anyone want to play over/under on his ERA that year?

Just throw strikes Chad!

266 - thanks. I hope they also referenced the "Stephen!!! Jack Stephen!!!" stuff that had the same actor...

I can return now.

This is strange how all of sudden in the last month and how the balls are flying out of sudden.

269 - never mind.

Looking at my schedule, this could be the day a DT comment thread goes over 1,000. Unless I sneak in a quick post after the game.

Somebody needs to tell Chad that he's facing Cory Sullivan!

268 Do you think he really needed to be told? Even my little five-year-old nephew knew it would probably happen.

how's Chad looking so far?

Jack Stefanonanovich was there.

I believe Jack LaLane made an appearance, not sure why.

The guy has a .322 OBP!

276 - Sullivan is "only" hitting .305 against LA this year.

Seems like he gets 4 hits a game against us.

You can't walk Silky Sullivan, Chad!

278 Not completely warmed up.

Hmm. This seems very similar to something, but I can't remembe what it is.

DP Bills!

279 Don't forget Jack Stefanski.

Those were great commercials.

253

same table, with ERA and bb/9 info added in

HITS/9 IP YEAR H/9 IP SO/9 IP BB/9 IP ERA
1 Glendon Rusch 2001 10.86 7.84 2.16 4.63
2 Aaron Sele 1999 10.71 8.17 3.07 4.79
3 Doug Drabek 1996 10.68 7.03 3.08 4.57
4 Mark Leiter 1997 10.64 7.29 3.15 5.67
5 Bobby Witt 1996 10.59 7.08 4.33 5.41
6 Pedro Astacio 1998 10.53 7.31 3.18 6.23
7 Tom Gordon 1996 10.39 7.14 4.38 5.59
8 Javier Vazquez 1998 10.24 7.26 3.55 6.06
9 Javier Vazquez 2000 10.21 8.10 2.52 4.05
10 Dave Stewart 1994 10.19 7.49 4.19 5.87

Since MLB.tv is a little behind, I'm trying to figure out whether 285 is an exhortation or a statement of fact.

Jack Stefanonanovich was there.

"me & spraklets water making friends"

That was a big out.
If Atkins takes, its bases loaded none out.

Jack Stepanino was my favorite.

I like the idea of different pitchers each inning. Get me Hendrickson, stat!

This is just my opinion and I have no scientific facts to back this up, but I think it is hard to go deep into games when you go to full counts against every batter.

285 - I don't want to seem like a jerk, but that's a little annoying to those of us following along online.

Wow, two big outs.

Pitch 1 - In play, out(s) recorded

It's a beautiful morning!

Holliday gift?

Pitch 1 - In play, out(s) recorded

Another Perfect Day In La!

(exhale)

Chad Billingsley just got two first pitch outs.

first pitch swinging is perfect. keep doing it rocks!

293 i am sorry

Thank you Chad, a Rocky start, but you did put down 3-4-5 no problem.

Thank you Rockies.
3 pitches 3 outs.

Maybe their impatience will mask Bills potential wildness.

Proof that Grady Little reads Dodger Thoughts: he has done exactly what was proposed here last week, namely hit for the starting pitcher the first chance possible, then use your 'real' starter for the next five. :-)

I repeat:

http://www.all-baseball.com/dodgerthoughts/archives/016810.html

301 - Like I said, not trying to be a jerk. Try prefacing with "c'mon let's get a..." or something to that effect.

299 - What? No exclamation point?

Plus Kenny can't hit into a DP if he is leading off.

you kind of can't blame Penny if he's hurt, he's just trying to be a good soldier & take the ball every 5th day.

anyone think that broxton is available today? i would guess not, but he may be needed.

293 I agree. There's got to be some sort of system that differentiates posts of "fact" and posts of "please God I hope this happens"

Provided LA gets that far, is there justification for keeping Penny in the rotation? The guy hasn't pitched well in two months, and it's getting old wondering, every fifth day, whether this is the game where he snaps out of his funk.

286. Not if you're named Steven.

If there is one thing that is universally loved by people of all ages, it is poorly thought-out nicknames.

307- I'm still trying to comprehend it.

Any word on Penny's health? I hope he hasn't pulled a Gagne.

Brad Penny DIPS ERA pre-All star break: 3.54
Brad Penny DIPS ERA post-All star break: 4.45

Like I said a couple days ago, lucky in the first half, very unlucky in the second half.

Lofton steals #30. He's only 28 homers away from a 30-30 year!

Howdy- I just got on-I forgot it was a day game! Apparently Penny didn't start, or worse sucked the first inning up.
I still say we should try Loney.(ha ha)

315 - but his pitching definitely dipped a bit. :)

I'm late....Did Penny just get knocked out? Did he get hurt? Someone fill me in.

When did Loney hit his first home run? I just noticed this was his second.

i like our chances of scoring this inning

318 Oh yes, he has been pitching worse, he just shouldn't be nearly this bad.

Anderson walks. 1st & 2nd, no one out.

Kim's got nothing today.
50 pitches, Only Marlon Anderson has swung and missed. He did it twice.

Bills has proved himself a True Dodger, getting himself in trouble and then pitching himself out of trouble against the heart of the Rockies order. Way to keep true to the nature of the Dodgers! :)

Also, thank you Loney for getting the team back in the lead so quickly! Is this Gehrig subbing in for Pipp? all over again?

Hmm Penny isn't the only pitcher struggling.

315 In Penny's case, though, I don't think it's merely that he has been hit-unlucky. Those extra hits have not been lucky dunkers that happened to fall in somewhere. They have been absolute rockets, balls that were smoked because the batter knew exactly what was coming. That's something DIPS can't really account for.

305 I was wrong, no Jack LaLane. Must've been a something different, or perhaps a follow up.

That also reminds me of the time we talked about the afterschool game "pow" where you'd call up and yell pow, pow, pow into phone.

It was interactive!

Clutch HBP by Kent!

Adee do!

oh boy, bases loaded with no outs once again

I like our chances against the Rockies' pen.

Anyone up in the Rox pen?

Drew's been on fire, gotta like the Blue's chances in this situation...

bluto

Gotta hit Olmedo here.

Dodgers may get double digit runs today.

C'mon, J.D.! This is looking great!

Ignore the first question in the above post...

Hampson?

bluto

The Dodgers next extra base hit will tie the LA team record at 504. That was the 2000 team.

The 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers had 541 XBHs.

The 2003 Red Sox had 649 XBHs. The 2003 Red Sox scored 961 runs.

And the manager of that team was Grady Little.

(Any resemblance between that comment and the work of Jayson Stark is purely coincidental.)

Its always nice to have a pitcher like Justin Hampson waiting in the wings, when you are batting that is.

334- are you kidding me? Drew has been the Dodgers best hitter this month.

322 - yeah.

I was hoping someone would acknowledge the pun, but no dice I guess.

328 - cherished memories

Anyone know wh's going on in Pittsburgh? Is that one gonna get underway any time soon?

325 What is it, whoever plays first for Nomar, hits a home run in his first at-bat (small sample size).

334- why? They already hit Kent.

327 MLB.com doesn't have groundball to flyball ratio, so I can't say if Penny is allowing more ground balls, but far more outs in the second half have come on the ground than in the air. Maybe those rockets were getting caught in the first half.

Admittedly, it does seem like he's giving up far more hard hit balls recently, but I can't say for sure.

Rain is in the forecast for Pittsburgh all day, all night, and into the morning. It may just be a matter of how hard of a rain they want to play in. It could be Game 4 1977 NLCS rain.

the opponents batting stats for this pitcher are 3 homers for 50 AB

341 Oh, I did.

338 - But how does this affect Frank Tanana?

Drew with the RWI.

wow thay walked in the run.

Selfish walk by DJ :)

Double Digit runs..i'm caling it.
I'm thinking 13 runs today.

J.D. Drew gets an exciting clutch walk.

Way to come in and shut down the opposition Justin.

what's the record for must grand slams in a game?

UGH.

What happened with penny? Can someone PLEASE answer for me?

Drew! Drew!

Wonder what Simers will say about JD's recent play...Probably nothing.

bluto

346- http://tinyurl.com/hpwkh

you can add them up if you want the ratio

Single, walk, second grand salami of the game by Loney?

Why is gimpy Kent trying to score on that?

He was safe!

Lousy baserunning by Kent or lousy base coaching by you-know-who?

That replay showed Kent was safe.

As Murray Chass points out in today's NY Times, the Dodgers wouldn't be the only playoff team with their #1 pitcher a question mark. The Mets, Yankees, Tigers, Cardinals and A's all have issues with their top starter.

346 - oh yes they do. It's on the second page of the stats.

I'll be damned, Kent did beat the tag.

364 - Vinny says it was a bad call.

358 - Smacked around. Pinch hit for in the next inning.

Probably due to back spasms. Definitely ineffective.

Kent was robbed. Umps are in on the conspiracy.

It wont matter since this games gonna be a blow out, but you never want to make the 1st out of an inning at home plate.

Kent doesn't think much of Kaz's arm

He was safe, but it was still an unconscionably dumb play with nobody out.

No team has ever hit more than 2 grand slams in a game. There have been two games where there were 3 overall.

Hmmm.

Do you pitch to Loney here?

bluto

367 It's ground outs to air outs. No clue why they use that.

370-

GAH! If we get into the playoffs we really need him to be at the top of his game.

Another hit by Loney!

358 There's been no report. Scully is talking like the Dodgers took him out only because he was pitching so poorly and they didn't want to risk further damage in a key game. He was in the dugout, looking very depressed. But there's no report yet to suggest a new injury.

I'm guessing Loney lit this guy up in the PCL this year.

Loney is having a nice day today.

Come on Loney, you have to get the triple on that one to pad your totals.

James drives in six all by his Loney-some.

did Rich Donnelly strike again or was that Kent's idiocy

XBH #504!

James Loney is SO HOT RIGHT NOW.

Time for the day's first beer! Or bong hit. Am I allowed to say bong hit here?

double and homer by loney

372 Even now, with this team don't ever say we may not need a run:)

Loney again? My goodness!

Loney should start the next time Penny's place in the rotation comes up.

375

Didn't one guy once hit two GS's in one inning? That's one record that will never be broken.

bluto

Stupid Kent....

Loney could have had 7 rbis right now!

No reason to send him.

I think I will ride my bi*cycle* home today.

A low stress game for the Dodgers has to feel good going into SF.

Loney is having quite a week today.

384 - apparently it was E-Holbrook

o.k. Bills you're coming up to pitch just throw strikes!

392
Fernando Tatis, against the Dodgers

392 I think that was Tony Cloninger, a pitcher for the Braves.

Imagine if you're the Phillies watching this score.

Loney's got no power. and who wants a .360 hitter with no power, anywat?

384
Since Kent was really safe, I don't think you can blame anyone.

392 - Against the Dodgers. Chan Ho gascan was pitching.

387 Only if you share.

392

i remember that game very well, Park was the pitcher.

Wow! Loney is bucking for "Hero of the Pennant drive" with this performance, 6 RBI by the 3rd inning, YES!!!

Can someone tell Donnelly that Kent and Nomar can't move like they used to.

Game on in Pittsburgh.

393- I shouldn't blame Kent, it's Rich Donnelly's fault. I think he may be a worse 3B coach than Glenn Hoffman.

Nomar, I told you I'd be true
But Loney's got a big ol' bat
So I'm leavin' you.

Penny's back acting up apparently, stiffnesss.

MLB.COM does have it, its here ... http://tinyurl.com/zdct7

I did the parsing for you

SEASON GO/AO
2000 1.33
2001 1.54
2002 1.29
2003 1.24
2004 1.14 (FLA)
2004 0.93 (LA)
2005 1.21
2006 1.28

Since Kent was really safe, I don't think you can blame anyone.

true........Loney makes it all better anyway though...

The thing about Tatis is that both were off the same pitcher, which is a record that will never be broken if they play baseball another 5 million years.

Of course, the logical extension of that statement is that if baseball is played for another 5 million years, there will never be another manager as clueless in handling his pitching staff as...

412 That's ground outs to air outs.

387

i'm on my 3rd my self.

Can't hate on Tulo too much. Ex-Dirtbag, you know. Especially when he K's in a critical situation against the Dodgers and fails to advance the runner the other time.

What are they thinking, bringing him up from AA?

First pitch strikes rock.

bluto

403 - Even if he had been called safe, it was still the wrong decision.

Wow, down by 5 runs and your swinging at the first pitch.

If we were down 8-3 I'd be saying it's an insourmountable lead, now we're up 8-3 and it doesn't seem like nearly enough.

We probably always remember the guys thrown out but I am sure (as Vinny says) evens out during the year.

419 Dino Ebell would have sent Loney too.

I love the fact that John Kruk and Buster Olney will doom the Dodgers playoff chances now dead because of the fact that Penny could be done for the year...

I don't think you can ever send a runner home with under two out unless you think he's gonna score standing up or you really hate who's on deck.

chad loves pitches. he always throws so many.

on Gameday, Chad threw 3 balls at once.

If the throws them one at a time he has a better shot at hitting the strike zone

someone needs to tell bills to throw strikes with a 5 run lead.

424

What's wrong with Penny?

bluto

425
.... or you like futile collisions at the plate

fake & a look annoys stadium crowds

I believe the LA record for RBI in a game is 8 by Ron Cey against the Padres on July 31, 1974. Cody Ross had 7 RBI in a game earlier this year.

Gil Hodges had 9 RBIs in a game in 1950. He also hit four home runs in that game.

who's hurt?

Tigers lose 8-6.

Once again speaking to the depth of the team... we could be without Nomar or Penny going into postseason and I would still feel good about the team.

Injury?

Kaz fouled one of his knee, but he's up again.

what's the injury delay?

Gameday reports injured back for Penny

422 I don't really get it. We shouldn't worry about making reckless and stupid baserunning decisions because it will all even out in the end anyway?

Sounds like a good philosophy. For team that wants to finish last.

Jays hang on to beat Tigers, 8-6.

424 - I can see it now.

"The Dodgers have been getting it done on pitching all year, and now when they need it most it fails them. This is a huge loss..."

"Yeah, Krukie, that offence is suspect especially with Nomar out. He has carried them all year long..."

437 - thank you

437. *off

anybody here making the trip up north for the finally?

why am i even trying to get work done, i think i've looked at the same line of code about 5 times now.

439
Eric must not be a disciple of Rex Hudler.

435 - we could be without Nomar or Penny going into postseason and I would still feel good about the team.

Dare I say...I feel better about the team???

443 For a second there, I thought you were really mad at somebody.

i love that the Pads & Phills are score board watching today.

I've got home and away hits highlighted on Gameday, and the field looks like the face of a patient on "House."

432 - checking my copy of the media guide, you are correct, sir. I bow to your staggering grip of that bit of trivia.

I think that Penn's injury is mostly to his pride (although stiffness in his back could be interpreted in a way that is accurate as well).
Remember that he had a start earlier in the year where he got shelled and then complained about pitching with a bad shoulder or elbow or something. When asked further about it and if he shouldn't be pitching at all, he changed his tune.

358 Now Scully is saying Penny had a stiff back, "couldn't get loose." So it's not a new injury, it's the same old one acting up.

The Dodgers have been slooooowwww to acknowledge that Penny's hurt, though.

Gameday had an "Injury delay" listed, and then said that Brad Penny left the game two innings before. Did they examine Penny in the middel of the field to cause a delay?

445 - I've worked on the same paragraph of a document since the Phillies game started yesterday. :)

447 I would feel better without Penny, but I would prefer a healthy Nomar to Loney this year. Next year, after more time in the bigs, Loney may be my choice.

Gameday had an "Injury delay" listed, and then said that Brad Penny left the game two innings before. Did they examine Penny in the middel of the field to cause a delay?

Sorry for the repetition!

446 No, I don't like making outs at home either (especially since it always seems to be Nomar or Kent) but I don't think it impacts the results as much we think it does.

And please, I am not a disciple of the Hudman.

Remember Jon's 3 modes of Billingsley?

I'm going to classify them as if they're soft drinks.

I'm calling the strand lots of runners version "Chad Classic"

Letting the runners score is "Caffiene-free Chad"

Lots of K, only 1 or 2 BB is "Dr. Chad"

So, a question: Is Penny's injury today one of the better injuries that's ever happened to the Dodgers? It gives them an excuse to leave him off the roster, while allowing Penny to save face. Otherwise, Ned may not have had the cojones to leave a "proven veteran" off the postseason roster. Now, he has the perfect excuse to do so.

457 - he is kind of a big fellow . . .

Oh Tom Martin, where would you be if you were right handed?

Penny would be the tiebreaker starter on monday if there's a tie.

Dodgers will still find a way to make this game interesting, knowing their MO for testing the fates.

464 Not after today, I would hope. Bills has got to get that start over Penny. I would almost rather give it to Tomko at this point.

Stranding lots of runners should be "Dimpled Chad"

453 No, I have seen back issues mentioned for Penny for a while but this is the first time he went out so early. It must be a game by game issue since he has mixed in some good starts (last one two weeks ago in Chicago) with the bad ones. I think the bigger issue is to find anything slow to balance his fastball.

456 - but I would prefer a healthy Nomar to Loney this year

A healthy Nomar. He's probably at 60% right now, and is only going to get worse.

the best part about if Penny is hurt is he cant start game 1 in Shea Stadium where he would have been DESTROYED,... kuo would be a much better choice.

425-

Couldn't agree more.

Like the Sports Guy said...there needs to be a common sense coordinator on the bench at all times. Sometimes these coaches pull off moves that have people with even the lowest knowledge of the game scatching their heads.

469 Even at 60% right now, I probably still would rather have Nomar. If he continues to get worse, then that is a different story.

469 Even at 60% right now, I probably still would rather have Nomar. If he continues to get worse, then that is a different story.

I'm highly disappointed in the Dodgers LOB totals for this game. Mighty disappointed.

i wanna see Ethier get a chance alreay, i love how much Anderson has contributed but let's give Ethier a chance already.

Certainly and so do I.

In response to "dare I say"

It gives them an excuse to leave him off the roster,

With Tomko, Carrara, Hendrickson, Dessens in the Dodger bullpen, I dont think there's any excuse to leave Penny off the playoff roster. Even if he doesnt start, he's still better than most of the bullpen.

No fair double-posting to jack up the comment total :)

No fair double-posting to jack up the comment total :)

I'm not quite getting why Penny's injury is some kind of plus for the Dodgers going into the playoffs. Do you think his first half was a fluke? Here's what we're left with:

Lowe -- great
Maddux -- great, but can only pitch so long
Kuo -- looks good, but how will he hold up in a playoff game
Billingsly -- I guess we'll see today, but like Kuo, a lot to put on his shoulders

If Kuo and Billingsley can't cut it, we're left with Sele and Hendrickson. If Penny is left off the roster, it's probably the AL's seventh best lefthander who'll take his spot.

I would take Penny into the playoffs, and have Bills right behind him in case.

would almost rather give it to Tomko at this point.

Wow.
Just wow.

Ha

474

They could have the 7 the Rockies have left on ...

478. I think I'm goof for at least one spelling mistake a post. :)

Sullivan becomes a different player when he plays against us.

477 - Good point. Penny could come in with the same mentality he had in the All-Star game - 99 MPH cheese for 1-2 innings at a time.

I guess if Penny can't get his back right, then Lowe, Kuo and Maddux with Bills and Sele as longmen would be our playoff rotation against the Mets or NL Central winner depending on whether we end up West winner or WC.

These rockies are swinging at everything. I think they want to get the game over with.

477 At this point, I trust all of those guys more than Penny except for possibly Hendrickson.

how can the Dodgers let Sullivan reach base 3 times so far?

any Kemp sightings anywere?

487 - Flip flop Billz and Kuo if the opponent is StL. I can't imagine that the Cards, with Pujols and Rolen, have the same trouble with lefties that the Mets do.

sullivans OBP 1.000

489. What is your reasoning?

480- Maddux has not been great this month. Lowe and Kuo have been great, but Maddux has been average at best.

I agree that I'd rather have Penny on the postseason roster than BJ. If Penny figures out why he's been stinking it up, then at the very least he could be a valuable arm out of the pen in the first round.

I just wanted to say hi to everyone and be part of what will be a historic night in Dodger Thoughts Comments history.

490 Especially in front of the No. 1 Dodger killer at the moment, Matt Holliday (I hate that guy, he's like a one man wrecking crew).

I didn't get to see the game last night, so I was wondering, why did Grady use the plodding Delwyn Young as a pinch runner instead of, say, Matt Kemp or even a pitcher. Did he not realize how slow Delwyn is until that play at the plate?

I think Bills at times is afraid to throw strikes. He has good stuff and should be OK eventually.

496 What are you going to do? Post from a blackberry while streaking the field and holding a beach ball?

486 - Wow! That's a good idea for the short term for this year. Will be a good alternative to the gas cans of Gio, Tomko and Dessens. Penny can bridge the gap he normally creates by pitching the 6th and 7th, then we can go to Broxton and Saito in their roles.

I think Mia Hamm just started packing.... I'd like to have Nomar back next year but there's just no place to play him. Loney is demanding first base and with that bat, he'll get it. Maybe we can get the DH in so there's places for guys like Nomar and Saenz.

Ohhhh boy

great

Bills making it interesting.

501 - But if he normally creates the gap, will there be a gap to bridge?

I just blew your mind. :-p

that helps

the rox tend to fall asleep! NICE!!

great...8-5. I'd love to have one win where I don't almost end up comatose.

The thing with Penny, at least in my view, is that he needs to develop another pitch. I'm no expert...although I did pitch in college and have worked with a lot of pitching coaches..

When you're pretty much only fastball, curveball you've gotta be able to get your offspeed over for a strike which Penny doesn't do all that well. So, all these teams just sit on his fastball which is why he gets into so many deep counts...not enough control, and teams constantly fouling off his fastball that they can't quite catch up to.

The problem is, they WILL catch up to it which is what they're doing now. I don't think there's anything mechanically wrong with Penny, I just don't think his stuff his all that great once teams see him two or three times...could be wrong, but just my two cents.

Troy Tulowitzki singles on a line drive to right?.......

This is a joke.

To distract us from worry, there was a zombie rights protest march in Austin, apparently. And then it was disrupted by an anti-zombie pirate protest.

I love geeks.

http://tinyurl.com/gdjbk
http://tinyurl.com/qldf4

Don't throw Vinnie Castilla a fastball Bills!!

we're being dinked to death.

LOl...The Clint Hurdles are funny to watch at times.

What the hell is he throwing up there? Watermelons?

512 - Austin is weird. And they like it that way.

Oh dear, 5 1/3 innings from our bullpen? May Choi have mercy on us.

Well, now what?

don't throw Castilla a fastball Bills I TOLD YOU!!

Jeff Baker has to feel like a complete dunce.

Grits better not be bringing in Sele or BJ.

Mark Donohue feels ambivalence over Castilla's single. He's glad the Rockies got the RBI, but he's also glad he won't have to see Castilla play anymore.

Thanks for the help, Chad.

This game is killing me. Who is coming in now?

It wasn't the pitch so much as the count. 2-0 fastballs are delicious.

509 - Tuesday's game doesn't qualify?

Put Loney on the mound!

525- Sele is coming in.

This game is very Coors like. Lots of balls dropping in for both sides.

Were in good shape the best loogy in baseball is coming in.

529- Sorry it's Biemel instead.

re: Rockies free-swinging??? Not typical for them this year ....

Team bb k bb/k
Pittsburgh Pirates 452 1172 0.39
Florida Marlins 484 1218 0.40
Milwaukee Brewers 489 1204 0.41
Chicago Cubs 387 909 0.43
Atlanta Braves 515 1133 0.45
Colorado Rockies 531 1063 0.50
New York Mets 523 1045 0.50
San Diego Padres 549 1073 0.51
Philadelphia Phillies 605 1171 0.52
Cincinnati Reds 605 1169 0.52
Washington Nationals 587 1132 0.52
Arizona Diamondbacks 494 947 0.52
Houston Astros 572 1052 0.54
San Francisco Giants 491 868 0.57
St. Louis Cardinals 516 893 0.58
Los Angeles Dodgers 583 928 0.63

528 I'm with you-the guy threw in the 90's in HS

Five innings to go, six pitchers already used. Whoever you're rooting for, you're gonna see some relievers you don't like.

Martin fell asleep there PERIOD!

I agree with Grits bringing in Beimel here because he's a groundball pitcher and Matsui is awful against LHP.

535

Is Mel Rojas in the park?

Joe Beimel looks like that dude in high school who was cooler than everyone else but ended up working as a gas station attendant.

536 - Perhaps it's butterflies, I know I have a few.

512 What an appropriate post number for a post about Austin.

I've got one of those "Keep Austin Weird" t-shirts, but it's not doing much good because it's getting all gentrified anyway. As long as they don't do away with Eeyore's birthday party....

536 - Yeah!!! Where's that other kid catcher we had? ;)

Is it too early for a "# of Players Used" update? :-)

Does anyone else get scared whenever Beimel comes in, depsite his success this year?

Guess he is the best option here.

539

I bet chicks still dig 'em though.

Beimel just threw the Dodgers 100th pitch.

541 I just watched the movie Slacker last week, and if that movie was any sort of indication of the culture of that city, then Austin definitely is weird.

544 Not me. Though I may live to regret those words today.

uh-oh UCSB in the house. Surprised Sullivan is out.

another dinker

This team doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

Betemit is not an excellent third baseman.

544- it's scary that he strikes out very few batters, but it's a little comforting that he is able to get a lot of groundballs.

we had Beltre Betemit, so that play doesn't jive with me.

At this rate we'll definitely eclipse 1,000 posts before the game's over.

For those that wanted Sele, you're wish is granted.

The Dodgers are being singled to death.

541 - are you in Austin? For some reason, I thought you lived in New York.

Can Atkins strand 8 men on base in 4 innings? We shall see.

Oh man, Sele coming in to face Atkins with the bases loaded? I think I just threw up in my mouth...

547 It's 15 years outdated, but it was certainly accurate then, though it's become less and less accurate as time has gone by.

I used to live in the big white building that's in the background of the opening scene.

539

His stubble still beats Rick White's beard though (shudder)

Blown save for Beimel?

I feel ill.

This game is ensuring Im not getting any work done this afternoon.

i still like our chances!

551
I guess the Dodgers aren't the same well-oiled machine as the Padres, Phillies, Cardinals, and Astros!

Unbelievable.

Well, at least the Rockies bullpen stinks. I'm predicting we come out ahead, 15-13.

And the game is tied. Thus ends any potential "who do we award the win to" debates from the amateur scorekeepers here.

558 At this exact moment I'm in El Paso. But I do live in Cooperstown, and used to live in Austin.

I would have used Dessens, Sele has been awful lately.

563 I think blown saves have to be in the 6th inning or later.

Great, Sele blew it

the rox pitching blows!! we'll see what happens!~

I'm beginning to think that in this inning none of the Rockies hitters deserve a hit, but then again none of the Dodgers pitchers deserve to record an out.

It's the paradox inning.

567. Despite our best efforts at blowing the playoffs, they keep dragging us back in. :)

Hmmm .... I wonder if Retrosheet guys know if there has ever been a game with a "crooked #" in each inning?

0 4 4 0
3 0 0 7

Does anyone else think we're getting to eight-at-bat territory?

I'm thinking 30 runs by the end of this one...

567

They don't deserve it either, but it's hard to believe much in a team that dropped series to Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Chicago when it counted most.

Giving up a 10 spot in Coors field is one thing. Doing it by giving up 8 bleeding singles in 1 inning is some other thing.

575

i'm just hoping the Dodgers are patient.

576 - the resistable force meets the moveable object.

The inning is over and all I can is, well, that happened.

See, someone had to hit the ball up in the air to save us.

What are the odds that 10-8 will be the final score?

576

"Paradox Inning" .... wasn't that the ST episode in which Bones exclaims "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor not a pitching coach" ?

Rockies have 10 singles in the first 4 innings.

579 By the end of this game, Ethier will qualify for the batting title.

this game is not fun at all to watch...

548 Well, at least I foresaw my own stupidity.

I wonder how many games have ever had at least 8 pitchers in the game at the start of the 5th inning? Could this be a record?

I'm thinking 30 runs by the end of this one...

this is mid 90's teritory.

Billingsley was Odalis'ed today.
Pitched alot better than his line indicates.

I have to go to a staff meeting at 4 p.m. - could spell trouble.

578
Not exactly what you're looking for but this was the Dodgers-Rockies linescore for June 30, 1996

LA N 005 141 013 - 15 18 4
COL N 013 411 222 - 16 20 1

why does Hurdle have to manage this one like a playoff game?

XBH 505, a new LA record!

597 - Weren't there a couple of fights in that game?

Today is like batting practice for both teams. Maybe they did stop putting the balls in the humidor. The Rox did score like 20 runs last week.

Astros grab a 1-0 lead in the 5th.

Thanks, Tulo!

And they said Coors Field is a pitchers park...

I hope LaRoche is ready to take over 3rd at some point next year.

Hmm... this game might end more quickly if they just put the balls on a tee and had the players swing at them.

This team does not let you breathe. This team causes widespread lack of production in the workplace when they play games like this. It might take 17 runs to win this game, Dodger bullpen is going to be blown out due to this game.
590- Loney might too! LOL :)
Like I said earlier today, down to the last game we go!!

Slowly chipping away

We need to get the bases loaded for Loney again.

596 - holy moly, good luck. Hope you still have your job at the end of the day.

600
Not that I recall. There were a lot of stolen bases. The Rockies stole 10, 6 of them by Eric Young.

97 RBIs for Drew!

whats the record for times w/ bases loaded no one out in a game? wow

How does one (especially a slow, 40-year old white one) score from 2B on a single to SS...?

I called 13 runs after Loney's GS. It may be 15-18 runs.

597

I almost broke my TV remote that night. I also remember becoming about as sick as I've ever been for two weeks after.

I think it was a coincidence, but I'm sure the stress from the game didn't help.

I hate Coors Field with the fury of a thousand campfires set afire.

I'm surprised they haven't put Coors kegs at each base, given the softball pitching going on.

587. I'm gonna go with .0000000001

Can anyone tell me why Penny only lasted an inning? I just checked in.

I'm thinking of June 15th, 1993.

Old friend alert!

Mike Venafro coming in!

Ah good old Mike Venafro.

I mean bad old Mike Venafro.

620
That was the one where Charlie Hayes got into a fight.

Among other people.

The UCLA Business Forecast, the Los Angeles Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce have just called upon the DA to arrest Vin Scully, Grady Little and Jon Weisman for putting the LA economy into a deep recession today.

616. How do you set a fire afire? A fire like that wouldn't deserve to burn.

again .....how many pitchers does hurdle have? Clint, this isnt game 7

2-0 Astros after Oswalt drew a bases-loaded walk.

621 Mike Venafro? Excellllllent.

Now gameday has Kent at 3rd? Did he score or not?

I think you have to bring in Old Maid right now.

old friend alert in Venefro.

Gameday just took away a run. What gives?

614 - Kent did not score, despite whatever online game updater you are watching says. Unless Steiner is lying to me.

624 LOL. ARG! Gotta go to work in an hour. =(

I can't help notice how much Ramirez looks like O.Perez today.
By the way-could Penny go Perez's way? I doubt it. But MLB has to seriously address the question of guaranteed contracts for pitchers. It really could kill the sport.

I count 9 relievers still available for the Rockies.

Now here is where you bat Saenz.

This would have been a great game to live-blog. Drat.

Of course, I haven't really done that since I started having comments at DT.

If Betemit doesn't clear the bases, Loney could have his career game in a year and still qualify for a rookie next year. I think Sudakis did it in 67.

625

That's why it's such a furious fire.

Now, we have nine pitchers and it's in the 5th. Seriously, this must be a record. And Venafro won't last the inning. We are looking at 10 for sure.

this game is going to drive me insane.

636 Or not.

Loney! Go for 10 Ribbies.

624
I'm going to double check the UCLA Anderson Forecast when I get to work tomorrow to see if that was in there. It came out today.

So I guess Kent was on third. Good job by Betemit.

619 - stiff back.

Loney & the BI*CYLE* also bases loaded.

... ooh .... ANOTHER crooked-number inning ...

yeah!

(#s geek)

Big game James.

Loney for ROY!!!!!1

Loney is now at 7 RBI and at Condition Orange on the Cycle Alert.

RBI 7 for Loney.

This is total batting practice.

This has been a wild and crazy finish to the season.

One measly rbi for Loney…

There's the crooked number for the 5th.

I dont know if I like Nomar here, DP?

If Nomar hits a grand slam will anyone feel comfortable about the lead?

20 runs
24 hits
4+ innings

I would have used Old Maid here

So much for the game winning grand slam.

This is the best game I've ever neglected work to follow on GameDay.

658 - now that the point is moot, no.

At least he didn't hit into a double play

656

its not just another crooked # ...

its another crooked # without the other team scoring in the same inning ...

and no "1-run" innings ...

(geeked)

Grrrrrr.

Still only 3 LOB for the game.

I think we're gonna set of all of the single-season offensive records Bob's been tracking in this one game.

Crud

646 I believe the second word was unnecessary.

damn, I would have taken a Nomar DP

I don't think any lead is safe today. To that end, please don't bring in Dessens or Carrera, I don't want to see the first ever triple digit score.

That was bad luck for Furcal.

Was that double play bad baserunning or really good fielding?

But Furcal does

If this game goes on long enough, J.D. Drew has a shot at a .900 OPS this season.

Wow. Over 670 comments, and we're only in the 5th inning of an afternoon game.

The thing with showing only 50 posts at a time is intensely annoying in a thread moving this quickly.

660 - Batting for the pitcher, you want to use the guy who won't be taking the field. Usually that's Saenz, but with Nomar ailing, Saenz may need to be in the field later.

i'm feeling nestolgic here, it truly feels like the mid 90's

Look! They're bringing a pitching machine out of the bullpen...

Days like this are why I will hate it when I have to give up working from home. I love baseball in the daytime.

677 - Even if Jon posts something new, this is the official game thread so I assume we would still use it all night long.

Old friend Mark Hendrickson in to pitch.
In a game like this, it doesnt hurt. They've gotten 10 off of Penny/Billingsley, maybe in some inverse karma Hendrickson will shut them down.

You mean the 1897 record by the Cubs of 36 runs scored in a game is in danger?

Uh oh.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Is it possible to not give up a run with hendy on right now?

NOOOOO!!!!!

I forgot BJ was on our team.

The thing with showing only 50 posts at a time is intensely annoying in a thread moving this quickly.

i kind of have to agree.

This is Hendrickson's moment to shine, if he's gonna have one.

I just don't want to miss out on the day we go over 1000.

So, do we have a nickname for Loney yet? I'd like to suggest James "King of the Gods" Loney, or something else to suggest his divinity.

3-0 Astros going to the bottom of the 5th. Houston scored on a two bases-loaded walks.

What is the record for most combined runs scored in a game where neither team scores in the same inning?

I'd rather have Nomar remain in the game at first and have Loney pitch.

And to think, we've already used one of our best relievers in Beimel. Nothing but Hendricksons, Carraras, Dessenses, Stultses, and Tomkos until possibly the 9th if Broxton's given a day off and they don't want Saito pitching 2 innings.

What the heck just happened?

i'm already on my 9th beer, i think i'm gonna break my personal best of 12 beers for a 9 inning game NO LIE.

So, what would everyone's reaction have been last night if I told you Grady would pitch Hendrickson in the 6th inning of a tie game?

674
Hard line drive, hard to fault the runner.

Bob, Vinny just referenced your Dodger/Rockie 15/16 game line.

This one could go higher as the pitching could actually get worse since Broxton is unavailable for us and all the Rockie relievers blow except for Fuentes.

684 It looks like Hendy is still bad.

I still hate this game....

699 You're doing God's work.

695 If we break any records today, Rob Neyer will spell them all out in his next useless facts article. No, seriously, that's what the article's called.

699 What are the rules? Drink for every hit? Finish for a Dodger run scoring play?

702 - I don't think a 7 pitch walk is necessarily proof that he is bad. Lets see if he can get out of the inning unscathed, something only Billz has done and even he only did for a little while.

705 That's Jayson Stark.

699 Hey, as long as you're not faking it.

679- that's a good point but the Dodgers still have some flexibility on the bench and even in the game right now.

-Marlon Anderson can play (move to) 2B, 1B.
-Lugo can play SS, 2B, 3B, OF (I think)
-Repko and Ethier can play the OF
-Delwyn Young can play OF, 2B (though not well)
-Ramon Martinez can play all 4 infield positions

705 - Isn't he behind the E$PN toll-booth?

705 - I thought that ws Jason Stark's column. "Totally useless info"

684 Isn't Hendrickson a current friend?

whatever happened to osario

711 Perhaps the first time somebody's had the gall to charge for something that's specifically described as "useless."

Well, maybe not.

699- easy there cowboy. At least you aren't mixing.

708 Darn, I was debating whether it was Neyer or Callis and it turned out to be neither. The useless info really is pretty useless so I've only read it once or twice.

712. Why go out for burgers when you got steak served up on the griddle.

712

Would it surprise anoyne to know I've gotten stats into that Useless Info column 4 times in the past 3 years?

(yes ... I have no life)

Is this like the 50th 3-2 count in this game??

714 He pitched poorly in AAA.

Sweet, a bagel!

yes ... the crooked # or nothing streak continues!

Season on the line...Mark Hendrickson. No more needs to be said.

Its a good thing the Rox are in a hacking mood bc Hendrickson could have been in some real trouble that inning.

I don't know about you all but this tight rope act is making my dizzy.

I'm just glad I finally got a lap top so I can keep up with you guys while watching the game.
I can't imagine how long it would take me to read all the comments tomorrow.

Grady is using a strategy that I've always wanted to see implemented. Keep changing pitchers until you find somebody who can get outs.

241 pitches thrown through five innings.

Yeah, sounds like your typical Penny start.

706

The rules are there are no rules. just hang out.

Mark Eaton, how I've missed you!

Wow!

Hopefully the score isn't symmetrical about the 5th innings, I would hate to lose 18-20.

Is it me, or does Hendrickson's Gameday photo make him look like the actor Richard Masur, who played the Princeton admissions offer in Risky Business, and was Bonnie Franklin's love interest on One Day At A Time? I believe he occasionally plays a judge on Law and Order as well. (Masur, not Hendrickson.)

Humidor my balls.

Ray King says he's thick not fat

lol

Lofton--what a buy.

Lofton homers - this game is officially insane.

M-V-P M-V-P

Lofton!

If Ray King's parents were creative, they would have named him Rey King.

Lofton wants to make Mark Hendrickson a winner.

back to back

merlin!

I cannot believe this game

yes ,,,,, ANOTHER crooked # .... !

735 - Please! (channelling Henny Youngman)

The streak continues!

What do you say? We play to twenty, win by two?

Ray King's Gameday photo looks like...never mind, Marlon!!!

Marvelous Marlon does it again!

Ray King, thank you for stopping by.

Marlon Anderson is just....

"King has been reduced to a pauper here on back to back at bats."

-- Vin Scully, a few seconds ago.

Anyone take the under on this game? Is it possible to bet on the over/under for the rest of the game?

My dad never liked Ray King on the Braves.

I love him on the Rockies.

730 Ah... The calvinball of drinking games. I gotcha...

Vinny always seems to be at his best when King is pitching.

"He's rumored to be 235 pounds...."

why couldn't this game have been played at night so I could jump then sulk then jump around my living room? instead, i have to hide my exuberance at work. lame

742

given the gopherballs, RaKing would be better

Well... I've got to run. Need to stop by Costco to pick up a pie on my way home. Have fun with this....

I know this is Coors Field, but wow, this is getting ridiculous.

Somewhere in Denver, the minimum wage "humidor technician" is sitting on his couch with a bong in his hands watching this game, wondering to himself, "did I forget to turn that thing back on last night?"

I was about ready to say that, by game's end, the scoreboard may look as if it were an NFL game being played. But scratch that. We may be in for an NBA-style shootout.

I don't like it. Mesa likes to hit people...

mmmmmm pie.

Jose Mesa? awesome.

what's Loney's line so far? anybody!

We might see twenty different pitchers in this odd game.

Forget not turning on the humidifier, I am wondering if someone accidentally drained all the moisture out of the balls. Perhaps the Rockies put the ball in an oven last night?

I can leave work and listen to Vin in the car but having trouble leaving DT right now. Read you at home

750 - how about 21 and win by 2? That way it's like ping pong.

breaking news, i just broke the record for going to the john during a game!.

The bookies should've put a line on this games.

Please, keep adding runs.

This is an old-school Coors game.
Hideo Nomo made, IIRC, his second career start there. Final score was something like 15-14, Dodgers.
Piazza: "He'll be OK after we tell him all stadiums over here aren't like this."

game*

770 How do you manage that trick? Or do you mean Charlie and Rick?

Jose Mesa.....lol

and so it contnnues

every ten minutes or so, I find myself looking at the TV in disbelief - muttering - were still in the (fill in the blank) inning.

forget 1,000 posts. at the rate this game is going I think we should be shooting for 2,000.

Cycle Alert!

Jose Mesa has 24 siblings!!???

Jeepers ... his own team!

Seven Dodgers have extra-base hits so far.

578 - Hmmm .... I wonder if Retrosheet guys know if there has ever been a game with a "crooked #" in each inning?

I have not been able to find such a game.

You guys realize that Hendrickson very likely will bat for himself.

784

thank you for checking!!!

785 - I do not think a 4 run lead is safe at all. I don't know if I would trust a 8 run lead right now.

I hope the Dodgers are saving some runs for this weekend.

Sweet Baby James!

Gil Loney!

I actually have to watch/read this game on Seattle Post Intelligencer's website on their scores section because it is the only website I can go to. I have ultimate fun-blocker at my work and can't go to any sports websites. This was the only website I could find after hours of searching one day. I also keep refreshing this to try and get updates. The Dodgers station out in Irvine in my building also gets pretty much no reception. I wish I could watch this game.

Wow!

I think Loney likes Colorado.

no way

Oh ferpete's sake! Mind boggling.

well that will work. WOWSERS!!|

I like this Loney fellow

Time to go after Bottomley and Whiten's records of 12!

Loney must have been taking notes from Nomar.

Wow! Loney is the man! 9 RBI in the game!

WOW!!!!!!

Loney with 9RBI's.

I am failing to even comprehend this right now.

I am failing to even comprehend this right now.

I am failing to even comprehend this right now.

Say good-bye Penguin, move over Gil Hodges you've got some company.

Has a number 8 hitter ever knocked in 9 runs???

Bob I'm waiting on you.

Dodgers slugging percentage in this game so far: .966

699. Your personal best is 12 beers? Wow, how do you expect to achieve anything in life when you set such low goals? j/k

Between them, Loney and Betemit have 12 RBIs.

So does that mean the rest of the team is crappy?

Joe Table just had his legs kicked out from under him.

798 A Sunny Jim alert!

The most crooked numbers in a single game was a April 24, 1996 game between Minnesota and Detroit, Twins 24, Tigers 11.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B04240DET1996.htm

The Dodgers team slugging perecentage has gone up from .430 to .433 so far.

Jayson Stark will DEFINITELY note that this is most likely the 1st game in baseball history to have an 8-run swing one way (from 0-3 to 8-3), a 7-run swing the other way (3-8 to 10-8), then an 8-run swing BACK (8-10 to 16-10).

Is this game going to wind up being as memorable as The Four-Homer Game?

Great, another KC Royals reject

In honor of Bluebleeder's commitment to drunken sports viewing, I think I'll crack open a nice cheap beer at 2:42 on a Thursday afternoon.

This bozo just walked Hendrickson, wow.

Every starting position player has a hit.

Loney has more than doubles his RBIs for the season.

12 of 16 RBIs are from the 7 and 8 hitters in the lineup.

When all is said and done, I don't think Penny's outing was as bas as it originally appeared. This is just one of those crazy games!

Imagine IF Grady had started Lugo at 2nd and Kent at 1st today.

803, etc.

Obviously the game was not the only thing I failed to comprehend. Although I will defend myself by insisting I only pressed that sucker twice.

803, 804, 805 - in triplicate.

Let me get this straight, they bring in a reliever to pitch to Hendrickson. And then he walks him. Unreal

Hokey smoke, Bullwinkle. This is one heck of a game. It was 10-9 when I left work.

So, did they lose the key to the humidifier?

Hendrickson even gets into the act.
Not sure how a 6'10 guy can be walked, but it is the Rockies.

Not to jinx but wouldn't this be a heck of a way for Hendrickson to get his 1st Dodger win or did I miss one.

the humidor melfuctioned today.

So, anything going on in the ballgame?

You know it's not your team's day when you walk a relief pitcher who was tall enough to play in the NBA.

This is the third 4 run inning the D's have had, and it is still a game- disgusting.

I am glad the "experts" had blown a few early comments about Loney into the surity that he had no power for th ML's

They were right in that he didn't have quite the skill to pull his power to make it a triple.

I remember several players who had many more HR's their first year in the ML than AAA. Starting w/ J.Rice and Fred Lynn.

This is the third 4 run inning the D's have had, and it is still a game- disgusting.

I am glad the "experts" had blown a few early comments about Loney into the surity that he had no power for th ML's

They were right in that he didn't have quite the skill to pull his power to make it a triple.

I remember several players who had many more HR's their first year in the ML than AAA. Starting w/ J.Rice and Fred Lynn.

9 RBI, and Loney may get another couple of at-bats.

825
Hendrickson has one win as a Dodger.

The record I would most like to see broken by Loney would actually be if he went 7 for 7. Of course, I'd love a triple thrown in there for good measure.

The Dodgers smell blood. I think they want 20 runs today.

817

salud!

ps for the record it's my day off.

So who's building the golden Loney shrine? We might have pawn off the Marlon Anderson one that was just resurrected.

We're all proud of you, Adrian Gonzalez Jr.

So be honest now--in those desperate moments when the Dodgers fell behind 10 to 8, is there anyone here who suspected we would once again have a comfortable lead? (Assuming the word "comfortable" can ever be truly applied at Coors Field.)

I would be a neat trick for a guy to go 7 for 7 while batting 8th.

I guess they should have left in Venafro, lol

833
He's already moved in with the greatest 1st baseman in Dodger history so he might as well give Wes Parker some company in the cycle department.

Hendy running was almost comical. :o)

Isn't it odd that Drew, the player with the highest OBP on the team, made the only out this inning?

I hope my Raiders can score 17 in a game. Heck, 17 in the season the way things are going.

815

Considering the context in which the four straight homers occurred--bottom of the 9th, down 4, playing the team your trailing by 0.5 games, facing Hoffman (at least for two of the homers)--that game probably has to get the nod.

However, that being said, this game will be plenty memorable.

Well Hendrickson runs better than Kent and he might have been able to reach that looper... :)

Furcal kicks the extra point. 17-10 Dodgers.

I just got off the phone with my dad, who is now Tivoing the game after going back to work with the Dodgers up 8-3. I had a hard time concealing my excitement as the Dodgers scored all the runs in this inning. All I could tell him is that I hoped he set the Tivo to record extra-long.

If Loney gets another RBI, he will be in rarified territory. Only 12 people have ever got 10 RBIs in a game. The last was A-Rod, last year April 26

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_rbi1.shtml

837
Yes, this game had a Dodger victory feel to it.

838 He might get the chance. No real reason to pull him out of this one even if it becomes a laugher.

"You wanted a late afternoon pick-me-up...and I delivered."

Raiders 17, Broncos 10 ... middle of 3rd quarter.

im at work, enjoying beer, and lamenting not getting direct tv. gameday is not doing this one justice.

FWIW, there are zero comments at Bad Altitude right now.

834 - double wings at Hooters!

837 Not comfortable yet.

837 We have a comfortable lead? Have you seen the guys we're trotting out there?

Unfortunately this game is far from over, and the D's better not give up on offense yet. But I am out of food and Jim Beam and must take a brief trip. I am sure I won,t miss much of this game.

854
To be fair to Mark, he doesn't host game chats.

This puts the pressure on the Padres and Phillies tonite.

I just hope the Dodgers dont end up scoring like 1 run this weekend after scoring 40 runs in 3 games against the Rox.

And the Rockies defence decides to start helping. What a wild one.

837 Oh sure. It was a two-run lead. That's a virtual tie at Coors, especially with the relief pitching Colorado's got.

Scully also has been suggesting the Dodgers have gotten into the Rockies' heads. I don't know if that's true, but by now they must feel like maybe they should've tried golf.

I dont think I've ever heard of a laugher at coors field.

819 - That would've pushed Marlon out of the #3 spot, and we can't have that.

A double play - what's that?

858
I never knew Jim Beam was an important part of the food pyramid.

whoa, that'll teach me to do my job for an hour. when did the football game break out?

BJ is proving why he's the 3rd or 4th best 6'10+ pitcher in the National League.

863 I thought of that after I posted that word. But then I thought, they're all laughers at Coors Field.

double wings at Hooters!

do we really go for the wings??

853 You're not an airline pilot, are you?

854, 859 - Purple Row has 43 comments:

http://www.purplerow.com/story/2006/9/28/112430/578

847 - I set my TiVo for 3 1/2 hours. I twon't be enough.

Staff meeting in 67 minutes.

I think this game really puts that Nomo no-hitter into perspective.

New post up top, but continue chatting here.

Vin hasn't seen anything like this since he announced a game that was highlighted by a dramatic touchdown catch in the end zone by Dwight Clark.

I have to go accounting now, the Dodgers better pull this one out...

I have a meeting in 7 minutes. The game better be over by the time I come back at 4.

Clearly, Atkins got that single because the Dodgers were getting into his head. Otherwise, it would have been a two-run jack.

I know it's unrealistic to expect a 1-2-3 inning, but it would be nice.

871

i can tell you stories about pilots, i use too manifest cargo flights in LAX.

This would be a bad time to give up a field goal. Block it Hendy!

Once again, I must point out that Coors Field is now a pitchers park.

875 - yes, it is crazy.

806 - the record for RBIs by a pitcher in a game is 9, so I'm guessing that a number 8 hitter has also accomplished this feat.

873 IIRC you said that after the 4-homer game, too.

I'm tellin' ya... 4 hrs, 15 minutes. You almost never miss anything that way.

So, forecast calls for a good lot of rain out here.

I've been cleared by work and wife to go to the game. I was just getting ready to leave.

Then I saw this (radar map): http://tinyurl.com/qxey6

So what should I do?

What the heck Kent, why didn't you step on 2nd?

How do you miss the bag?

Hey guys, I just got back to my desk and there seems to be something wrong with my Gameday. It says that the score is 17-10 LA. Did I miss several touchdowns? I'm glad to see Penny and Bills pitched well! Um... the Humidor is obviously in storage somewhere.

880 I was hoping Hendrickson would pitch like he did during the Saturday night Padres/Dodgers shellacking when he had 8k's in 4IP. But I guess thats too much to ask.

What on earth was that?!?!

I refer to Jon's new post.

i wonder how Kent would have reacted about Kent doing what Kent did, would he have yelled at him self??

Hmmm, putting this a little more simply, I just walked around where I could see outside and its pouring.

A thousand times rats.

Kent is wondering how he missed the bag too.

stupid Kent .... he screwed up the crooked # or nothing inning pattern!

886 I'm with Enders on this one. Mine is always set to 4.5 hours. The Dish DVR, you can specify if you want a program to record 30, 45, 60 or 90 minutes past it's end time, and for Dodgers games, always pick 90.

886 - Yes, I'm slow to adapt.

It's nice to see Kent smiling at least.

This post and the post after it have set the record for largest comment differential.

That was possibly the dumbest play I've ever seen by a future hall-of-famer.

ok .... workday is over for me .... see you later folks

897 - perhaps you forgot about the seven in the top of this frame?

The sixth inning was 39 minutes long.

887
They'll play the game, Sam. Come hell or high water. They'll play.

People will come, Sam.
People will come.

Sam, if it's rained out do they hold off on a make up game unless it's necessary?

894

he didn't so i guess he gets a free pass.

894

he didn't so i guess he gets a free pass.

pitching change? why is the baker AB taking so long?

Sam I'm thinking exactly the same thing... I live a short walk from the stadium and I was planning to go tonight.

907
Unless RFK is under a foot of water, they'll play. Sometime.

906 "They will most definitely come."

Glad to see you closed the comments, Jon. That would have been the blogger's version of intentional grounding.

What happened on the Kent play?

People will just reach into their pockets and hand you a $20 bill without even thinking.

People will come.

Yeah, I just don't know I can justify leaving my wife to the dinnerly bedtimes duties alone just so I can sit in an empty rainpouring stadium waiting for a game to start that I will not be able to stay awake to watch.

And I've got my Ghame Over shirt on!

It kills me that the Dodgers seem to think they have enough runs.

Oh, Yahoo is playing catchup. Just blew through the top half of the seventh in about 15 seconds.

Gameday is totally borked. I think this game shorted it out.

915
Kent grabbed a bouncer near second, ran to tag the bag and stepped over it for no apparent reason.

it is pretty nasty out here. My roommate just came in, jacket & glasses pretty well soaked

This post and the post after it have set the record for largest comment differential.

i think it's safe to say i have the record for most beers drank during a 9 inning game, so far.

By the way, in the belated and obvious statement of the day, James Loney's had a pretty good day, huh?

It ironic how Penny was so terrible and it's Hendrickson who comes to our rescue.

From a Nats chat: "[Backup catcher Robert] Fick was just on TV and they said they told him 830ish for the game tonight."

915 Vinnie seemed to think Kent was juggling, realized he had no play at first, and just missed the bag.

everytime a ball gets hit i hold my breath.

925 We've got low standards if 2.0 IP, 1 ER is to the rescue.

I can't even see anything watching on MLBTV. Those shadows are ridiculous.

929 All things are relative.

And I've got my Ghame Over shirt on!

i just got a flashback of my good buddy with you're comment.

That was a super reception by Tomko to snag Loney's very high toss. I think Loney's still all googly eyed from his 9 RBIs.

Loney must have thought Hendy was still pitching, he threw that ball so high.

Just a reminder - Broxton threw 36 pitches in 2 innings last night. Saito threw 17 pitches in the 9th.

i can't believe it, a 1-2-3 inning.

Come on Betemit. Get on so you can score on Loney's triple!

Tomko with the best Dodger pitching performance of the night. Who'd have thought?

Drats. Loney coming up second, so no record possible.

Yet.

11 pitches, 1-2-3 for Tomko

Whoops, I mean double!

I just got home after being out all day. What's been happening?

The 4 most (only?) effective pitchers today:

Hendrickson
Tomko
Tom Martin
Mike Venafro
Jeremy Affeldt

That's quite a group.

Brett Tomko is BACK :)

I think Tomko pitches better in low pressure situations (4 runs or more difference).

Go for 10 RBIs, Loney!

Ninth pitcher for the Rockies.

Nate's not around but does anyone remember if Troy Tulowitski was supposed to be a good player? He was the 7th pick overall in the 2005 draft.

That rookie is no good. He doesn't deserve to bat!

What's wrong with Loney? No triple?

James, you should be ashamed of yourself! ;-)

I am listening to the game via XM and Rockies radio. The Rockie broadcasters are saying Loney has tied a franchise record with his 9 rbi.

Stan from Tacoma

Now lugo gets a hit.

Lidge closes out a 3-0 win for the Astros.

This server is going to get pounded this weekend.

DFA Loney.

am i crazy for thinking maybe Loney still has one more AB?

Even Lugo gets a hit. I again defer to Jon's new post.

952 - he owns the LA record now.

952 Yeah, for the record Ron Cey had the LA record with 8 and 9 was the all-time Dodgers record.

Hey, why is Russell still in there? Not that the game is over yet but would have been good to rest him some.

I can't believe even Lugo got a hit. By the way you can blame me for the stop of scoring. Believe it or not, all of the Dodgers runs today have been scored when I was out at lunch or just in court. Nothing has been scored while I have been at my desk. Maybe I should leave again?

948 I think he progressed rather quickly, he was drafted last year. He is the heir apparent to the shortstop position.

Bob - that's a helluva hyperlink you have on your new Griddle post. :)

960 I hope he can get a rest starting in the bottom of the 8th.

Sam DC -- I'm in Washington too and I just tried leaving my office to walk to the Metro, then turned right around and came back inside. It's pouring. I don't see how they get the game in. I was planning to just buy a ticket at the gate and I'm glad I didn't buy one ahead of time.

961 If they come within 2 runs, you must leave the room immediately.

Nice to see Repko in there