Today's game
First off, the lineup for today:
Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B
Drew, RF
Kent, 2B
Aybar, 3B
Ethier, LF
Martin, C
Penny, P
Second, if you like to eat (and who doesn’t?), you’ve got to check out Tommy Lasorda’s blog in which he just listed all of his favorite restaurants around the country. I went to Fior di Italia with him last week in SF, so I can attest to these being some pretty good places for grub.
Third, we’d like to extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Dodger scout Mike Brito, who had both knees replaced today. We’re hoping he’ll be back on his feet again soon.
And finally, with the American Idol finale airing tonight, our game notes have a reality TV theme to them, so for your enjoyment, they’re pasted below. Don’t ask me why I did this, as I never actually watch reality TV or any TV, for that matter.
FEAR FACTOR – In his last eight games, Jeff Kent is batting .440 (11-for-25) with two homers and seven RBI. Kent has hit 31 homers against Colorado in his career, the fifth-most among all active players according to STATS, Inc. Last night, he logged his 482nd double to tie Brooks Robinson for 60th place all time. He also registered his 1,341st career RBI, tying him with Gary Gaetti for 73rd place all-time.
THE REAL WORLD – The Dodgers lead the National League in runs scored with 242, nine more than Atlanta. After hitting .372 (54-for-145) with 16 walks in the last four games, Los Angeles also leads the NL in on-base percentage (.357) and is tied for the lead in hits (420) and stolen bases (42). The team ranks second in walks (197). Their .272 team average is third best in the National League.
EXTREME MAKEOVER, BULLPEN EDITION – Dodger relievers Jonathan Broxton and Joe Beimel pitched 2.0 scoreless innings last night and in the last eight games, the Dodgers’ relief corps has a 2.25 ERA (5 ER/20.0 IP).
THE AMAZING RACE – Kenny Lofton has stolen 18 consecutive bases without getting caught dating back to Sept. 16, 2005, the longest streak in the Majors, according to STATS, Inc. He scored two runs on Sunday to give him 1,384 runs in his career, surpassing Tony Gwynn for 82nd place all-time. He is two behind Lou Whitaker for 81st.
SURVIVOR – Nomar Garciaparra is the only first baseman in the National League with at least 100 total chances and no errors. He has 264 chances over 27 games at first base without making an error, making him one of only seven first basemen in the Major Leagues with 250 or more errorless chances.
AMERICAN IDOL – Over his last 10 games, Nomar Garciaparra is 8-for-10 from the seventh inning through the end of the game. He is batting .392 (31-for-79) with three homers and 21 RBI in 16 games this month and in his career, he has enjoyed great success in May, batting .318 (185-for-581). Garciaparra has reached base via walk or hit in 16 consecutive games and has a multi-hit game in nine of his last 15 contests.
CANADIAN IDOL – When Russell Martin is behind the plate, Dodger pitchers have posted a 2.89 ERA (42 ER/131.0 IP). The Dodgers are 13-2 in Martin’s 15 starts this season.
HE’S NO “AVERAGE JOE” – Non-roster invitee Joe Beimel has helped anchor the Dodger bullpen by holding No. 3 and No. 4 hitters to a .211 average (4-for-19) with no home runs so far this season. Against All-Star sluggers Barry Bonds, Brian Giles, Luis Gonzalez, Lance Berkman, Morgan Ensberg, Todd Helton, Geoff Jenkins and Vladimir Guerrero, Beimel has allowed just two singles in 12 at-bats (.167).
THE APPRENTICES – The six Dodger rookies on the current 25-man roster have made huge contributions so far this season. Offensively, rookies Willy Aybar, Andre Ethier and Russell Martin have combined to hit .311 (41-for-132) with five homers and 27 RBI in 44 games. On the mound, rookie relievers Jonathan Broxton, Takashi Saito and Tim Hamulack have combined for three wins and a 3.18 ERA (18 ER/51 IP), one save and 62 strikeouts in 52 games.
STARTING OVER – Over their past 18 games, Dodger starting pitchers have made 12 quality starts and posted a 2.57 ERA (32 ER/111.2 IP). Overall, Dodger starters lead the NL with a 3.55 ERA (105 ER/266.1 IP) and are 18-8 this season.
Inside the Dodgers 
I too can attest to Fior di Italia being a pretty good place for mega-nosh and quite the “food coma”. If you like oysters, you have to check out the Hog Island oyster bar.
Well, for someone who doesn’t watch TV, you certainly know all the names of the shows! I especially liked “Extreme Makeover: Bullpen Edition”.
I’m so glad the Dodgers are doing well and I can’t wait for a Dodgers/Mets game – “Glavine in the Ravine”!
BTW, this is a wonderful blog. Thanks again for the details on what everyone lugs around on roadtrips. I got tired just reading that post.
I don’t know about the reality tv comparison. Seems hokey. Your writing’s usually much better. And maybe it’s just me, but I can get the stats anywhere. I read this blog for the tidbits and insights. Stuff exactly like the food summary, what gets hauled on the road, etc. Best wishes to Brito. Both knees? Yikes.
I really like this post. I don’t think it’s possible to write constantly about insights, tidbits, situational things. At times I am sure hard facts are needed, useful and appreciated, especially when they are compiled in this way. I can read stats elsewhere too but not the way Josh has honed in on the Dodgers. They show a progression, a pattern for the Dodgers. This is a neat blog that connects us from far away personally to the Dodgers and to Dodger fans across the United States and in Canada. I feel this post today is creative and provides good info. It must have taken quite some time to compile. I read the blog daily gleaning any Dodger info, subjective or stastitical. Love being second in walks. Shows patience at the plate. Watching the Canadian Idol very closely.
Man your smart, I wounld have never thought of that “reality” stuff.
James Loney played yesterday in 12-3 win. had a very good game.
wes their a contest for guessing the first 3 picks for the draft?
I think the Dodgers may go for.
7 clayton kershaw lhp his perfect game the other night might get him drafted higher, 15 batters faced, 15 strikeouts
26 we need some catching help in the lower minors, high school catcher hank conger, a switch hitter with power from huntington beach cal. at 18 at least 5 years away, plan ahead.
31 kevin mulvey rhp villanova, good pitcher, sound mechanics, lossing record. but only 23 bb and 88 k’s.
others I like, but don’t think they will be around when the dodgers pick
tim lincecum,david huff, chris parelee,jeremy jefferress. would like to see the dodgers draft dallas buck from oregon state in the second. also if we dont sign hochevar,do we get another supplemental draft pick?
I love this post, too. I appreciate how you always give us something different, Josh. I like the game notes, too. I read this blog for the insider info, but it’s nice to see what the media gets as well. Keep up the good work!
I’m guessing this means that Sandy Alomar will go on the DL once Dioner Navarro is activated to buy time for the Dodgers as they choose their starting catcher. Martin’s playing well, certainly, but he should get a break sometime.
With Penny on the mound, there’s certainly a good game coming.
Keep streaking!
Just got in from the game tonight. WHAT A GREAT GAME !!! Everything worked !! Vets, Kids, hitting all around ( Go Nomar !!), Furcal kicks one then makes a highlight reel play behind second that was fantastic !! WHAT A GREAT GAME !!!
Go Dodgers !!!
Just got done watching the game. Holy cow! Just a great team performance overall. Player of the game was the entire Dodger team… how cool was that? Baez looked nasty again. Nomar: need I say more? Rookies!! They’re filling in quite nicely. Grady will have some tough decisions to make over the course of the next month or so.
Gagne and Izturis to start their rehab assignments! “Game Over” sounds very confident. It will be good to have him back in the pen. And I sincerely hope Izzy just lights up the minor leagues. The signing of Furcal was nice, but Izzy is a true artist at the position and a real fan favorite. Good luck to both!
Number Seven Later Today!! Go Blue!!
Just got up and checked the Dodger site and LA times. Pretty exciting to read what happened last night. Hope Izturis/Furcal situation doesn’t become source of friction. Chemistry seems great right now. Seems like a difficult one to solve. Furcal has great arm for 3B but would not like to see Aybar become odd man out so soon, and what about Mueller when he retutns? Bet GM Colletti didn’t anticipate that problem – too many quality players by end of May. Indicates he did a good job in a short period of time. Maybe Aybar will be the next Cody Ross although he can be returned to Las Vegas.
Nomar of old on board. Martin soon needs a rest although he probably doesn’t want one.
Can’t help but think what might have been with Hochevar. However, expect GM Colletti is correct on this one too. If it’s about the money before a career even kicks off, it will always be about the money. Too many guys like that around now. Too bad the Dodgers lost two draft picks on Hochevar.
Win or loose I’ve been a loyal Dodger fan since 1974 when Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey played. I hope one day I will finally be able to watch them at Dodger Stadium. I love the way they are playing as a team right now, it is awsome! I just started to read your post and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks.
tevanjar… I have been a Dodger fan since early fifties. Infield was Campanella, Hodges, Robinson, Reese, Cox. With my family visited Dodger Stadium in 1985 for five games. Played out my fantasy. The stadium is absolutely beautiful. It was almost like a religious conversion when I walked out to see the field. Not only that, the first person we met was Don Newcombe. How cool is that? Make a visit to Dodger Stadium one of your goals. You will never forget it. We travelled from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in Canada on our trip to LA. Have also seen the Dodgers at Vero Beach and Montreal before Expos left.