Today's game
First, we got word that Eric Gagne was experiencing back pains today so he was taken to St. Vincent’s hospital, where he will be seen by Dr. Watkins. We’re hoping it’s nothing serious and that he recovers quickly.
Also, a speedy recovery wish goes out to Dioner Navarro, who was in a car accident today in Tampa with his wife and baby boy. Fortunately, all three were safe from injury despite having the car roll over twice on the freeway.
Here’s the lineup:
Furcal, SS
Izzy, 3B
Nomar, 1B
Drew, RF
Kent, 2B
Ethier, LF
Kemp, CF
Martin, C
Penny, P
Inside the Dodgers 
i guess grady has relized Ethiers his best man to play left field for now.
5 Points
1) Today is Venezuela’s Independence Day, 195 years after declaring their independence from Spain. So happy Independence Day to Cesar Izturis and Giovanni Carrara.
2) Kent is known for playing through pain, and feels fine enough to hit tonight. Also, he wants to re-establish himself as the toughest Dodger; oblique injuries may put Nomar, Tomko, and Albert Pujols on the DL, but he’s Jeff Kent.
3) Kenny Lofton, after being taken out with a hamstring issue, isn’t up to Kenny speed. Kemp has a nice, laid-back oppurtunity to rebound from his slump tonight.
4) Penny is going for his 10th win tonight, and is probably the Dodgers best shot at their first 20 game winner since 1990, when it was Ramon Martinez. Martinez came in 2nd in the Cy Young voting to Doug Drabek of the Pirates.
5) The Dodgers have three all-star shortstops at the top of the lineup. Nomar should be an all-star first baseman too.
So much for Grady saying moving Furcal down wouldn’t be a ‘one game fix.’ It lasted one game. I think the fact that Furcal pouted the entire night might have something to do with his move back to the top of the lineup.
If Furcal doesn’t produce tonight against a team we are dominating then he should be moved down in the order. He needs to do what is best for the team, not his ego.
Think SWEEP !!
Go Dodgers !!
Kemp back in there is sweet, He’s kind of do for a four bagger que no?
Andy LaRoche played in Las Vegas last night. Good news. James Loney hitting very well. Good sign. No pouting at being sent down. Fourteen 2006 draft picks playing with Ogden, Gulf Coast and Bridger Hunt is with Columbus. Someone mentioned Abreau and DeWitt for future at 2B. Both had good nights. Fortunately being in a wide open division with no power house lets Ned try things like Giovanna. No need to panic and part with kids.
I think all this intensity surrounding the beanball and raised tempers Arizona started (intentional or not) might have breathed a little life into the Dodger team. I like to see guys fired up a little bit- gives these guys a chance to bond and pull together as a team. Lets get the last laugh (for this series) tonight and SWEEP!!!!
>>euhlman@bwr.eastlink.ca<<
agreed, panic moves are bad moves (simple logic)
I really like this lineup. I think it’s up to Furcal to prove himself now in the leadoff slot. It’s the second half of the season, and he’s supposed to get better in the second half. If he can’t cut it, then put him down in the order, but for more than just one game. I still wouldn’t mind seeing him traded for a decent starting pitcher. It’s also time for Kemp to get his hitting displine back, stop swinging at bad pitches, and maybe forget about hitting for power until he can get his stroke back. If he keeps slipping, there’s no doubt he will need to find himself at the AAA level. I hope he can recover quickly, because I’d love to have a reason to keep him with the Dodgers right now and for good. Let’s get a SWEEP tonight!!!
i think i was only mentioning those in light of saying that aybar is not the future at 2B for the Dodgers. I wouldn’t trade him away for garbage, but he is no more than a utilityman. He can play 3B, 2B, OF, probably 1B and SS too if needed. But he is not good enough to be a full time starter. The middle infield at Jacksonville is the future. They are fun to watch.
p.s. scott elbert is now in Jacksonville. i cant wait to go see him. too bad i wont get the chance till mid august at the earliest.
I’m expecting a good day from Kemp.
Must be fun to watch Hu and Abreau. Mattingley is at short but will probably have a position change and Dewitt 2B at Vero Beach. Good to have options. You are probably right about Aybar. There is a demand for good utility players so Aybar has a future. Seanz and Martinez prove their worth. Some time ago I emailed the Jacksonville Suns asking for info on team sets of cards. There was a set issued last year as a promotion to first 3000 to attend a specific game. However, I did not receive a reply. Elbert has pitched very few innings in his last number of games. Wonder if he was hurt. Will be good to see how he does at AA with a team that scores some runs for him.
SWEEP! Furcal needs to be moved back down he needs to hit his way back up the lineup. I’m still trying to figure out the logic of having the SS that leads the league in errors at short and a gold glove shortstop at third? I know we have to eat his contract but Soriano moved to left we can’t keep having that guy killing us at short defensively! Especially when we have a gold glover right there! C’mon Grady you know what you have to do! GO DODGERS!!!
Ok, Kent isn’t starting, so I don’t think he’s all better. Is he about to spend time on the DL?
Wishing Navarro and his family a full recovery….very scary.
well ethiers helpin himself out with that bomb.
I’m very concerned about Eric Gagne’s continuing health problems. I’m no doctor, but I wouldn’t be so sure this lower back pain and having spine checked isn’t connected with the arm nerve pain Eric’s been having. My chiropractors have told me for years about how the nerves are all connected and that pain in one place could be stemming from somewhere else. MAYBE the problems actually began in his spine, but manifested themselves elsewhere first? In any case, please keep us posted Josh, and I hope Eric feels better soon. I also agree with “Ever”…that WAS scary about Dioner and his family! I’m very glad to hear they are ok.