A Wish Granted
Another busy day in Dodgertown yesterday, but it was one of those where you really get to appreciate how much this organization means to the fans. We had a 15-year-old fan from Torrance named Anthony Abramson visiting us with his family as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His wish was to come to Vero Beach and meet Vin Scully and we were able to do that for him, as well as provide them with a private tour of Dodgertown and tickets for the next few games. Make-A-Wish also sent them to Disneyworld for several days before they got here and it’s really great to see how much this visit meant to Anthony and his younger brother, Peter.
Unfortunately, the results of the game didn’t turn out so hot for the second consecutive night (it figures we’ve been on TV the last two games), but I’m not terribly worried. I do believe that by the time the real games start, we’ll be playing a lot better than we have the past few days.
As for today, it’s another busy schedule, as The Today Show from NBC is here to do a feature on Kim Ng. We’ve got a day game against the Orioles and since I got the lineup very early, here it is…pretty close to the expected Opening Day lineup.
Furcal, SS
Martin, C
Nomar, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzalez, LF
Repko, CF
Ethier, RF
Betemit, 3B
Tomko, P
Inside the Dodgers 
I know that Repko needs extra ABs right now, but Furcal and JP still aren’t penciled into the lineup back-to-back…when are we going to see this happen?
Otherwise, looks like the full starting lineup…hopefully Tomko can continue his solid spring and the Dodgers can get back to not embarassing themselves.
Considering Pierre and Furcal never take a day off, I think they’ll be ok after 162 games together this season and hopefully several more after that. Also, we already saw them together this past Saturday and saw what kind of damage they can do. It’s also around this time players start playing back to back games, Pierre played yesterday and my guess is we’ll see them together batting 1 and 2 this weekend. The return of Spring Training Updates coming in 2 hours! Don’t fall out of your chairs!!!
That’s a pretty good lineup.
Now’s the time !!! A trade is coming !! It’s about to happen !! I can feel it in my bones !! Who wants to bet, Tomko and Hendrickson are gone by the end of next week ??
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
I like the lineup too… let ‘er rip Alex!
Gary, either Tomko or Hendrickson, but not both. One of them will be gone.
BREAKING NEWS RAFAEL FURCAL IS HURT!!! MORE TO COME!!!
On a pop fly to short center field, Furcal went out to grab it, Repko sprinted in, Furcal caught the ball and landed very very very badly. Could be the ankle? A cart is coming out, Furcal is sitting up. Left leg being kept in place by Stan Conte, lower left leg it appears. Dodgers gather around him, place Furcal on the cart and drive him off the field toward the clubhouse. Furcal has hands clasped behind head in total frustration. Valdez comes in to play for Furcal. More to come.
NOOOO! Not Raffy!!
BTW… a very nice article from Sarah Morris today. A bit of a departure for her, giving her insight of the love MLB players have for the game of baseball.
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 1: Brett Tomko Pitching:
Corey Patterson pops to short (See above for the horrible news on Furcal)
Nick Markakis homers to deep left field, 1-0 BAL
Jay Gibbons flies to Ethier in right
Miguel Tejada flies to Gonzo in left
1 Run 1 Hit 0 LOB and 1 devestating injury End of 1/2 inning 1-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 1: Steve Trachsel Pitching:
Wilson Valdez flies to right
Russell Martin grounds to third
Nomar Garciaparra hits a ground rule double to left
Jeff Kent flies to right
0 Runs 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 1 1-0 BAl
im speechless about furcal.
we should move Betemit to short Nomar to third and Loney at first.
A HR off Bombko in the 1st?? Perfect.
What’s all the crying about the parking this year?? the price? Yeah, that *** (REALLY), but entering and leaving thru the same gate? I ALWAYS do that…so no problem there…
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 2: Brett Tomko Pitching:
Aubrey Huff flies to Ethier in right
Ramon Hernandez pops foul to Martin
Chris Gomez walks
Brandon Fahey doubles to left center, Gomez scores, 2-0 BAL
Trachsel strikes out swinging
1 Run 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 1 1/2 2-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 2: Steve Trachsel Pitching: (Update: Furcal has been taken to the hospital for X-rays)
Luis Gonzalez flies to deep right field
Jason Repko grounds to third
Andre Ethier walks, a balk advances Ethier to second
Betemit grounds to second
0 Runs 0 Hits 1 LOB End of 2 2-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 3: Brett Tomko Pitching:
Patterson walks
Markakis homers to deep center, Patterson scores, 4-0 BAL
Gibbons flies to Repko in center
Tejada doubles to right
(Update: According to the Daily News: Furcal has a sprained left ankle and has been taken for X-rays, but won’t know results for a few hours)
Huff flies to right
Hernandez hits a ground rule double to center, Repko of course dove for the ball trying to grab it, Repko got up, Ethier came over to him and called for help, Repko has been taken out of the game, he walked off on his own, Bigbie is in now in center Tejada scores, 5-0 BAL (Dodgers outscored 38-3 in the past 5 games)
Gomez grounds to third
3 Runs 3 Hits 1 LOB and another injury, 5-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 3: Steve Trachsel Pitching: (Update: Repko may of aggravated his groin injury)
Brett Tomko grounds to short
Valdez doubles to left
Martin flies to deep left center
Nomar grounds to second
0 Runs 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 3 5-0 BAL
wow……bad news for us. thank goodness we got guys that can step in right now. on a side note. i concede guys. chad billingley needs to be our fifth starter, just seeing that one inning from him against the mets was enough for me to see. that curve was nasty. tomko needs to be DFA’d if no one wants to pick up that bum. he CAN NOT BE THE FIFTH STARTER!!!!!!!
and kuo needs some work, reyes had him so flustered it was almost funny.
sorry for the triple post guys. but i cant help but notice that stat alex. 38-3 in the past five games. i dont care who we got playing you cant put up three runs in five games. thats eye popping.
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 4: Brett Tomko Pitching:
Fahey flies to left
Trachsel strikes out swinging
Patterson hit by the pitch
Markakis triples to deep left, Patterson scores, 6-0 BAL
Gibbons pops to short
1 Run 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 3 1/2 6-0 BAL
I am nervous about Furcal. I hope it is not serious. A serious injury to Furcal would put Pierre in the lead-off spot(ugh!) and open up a temporary roster spot for Wilson Valdez. Could Nomar go back to SS if Furcal were to miss an extended amount of time, giving Loney the first base job? I hope Furcal is fine and this is all moot.
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 4: Steve Trachsel Pitching: (Injury Update: Repko has a strained left hamstring)
Kent grounds to short
Gonzalez strikes out swinging
Bigbie flies to left
0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 4 6-0 BAL
Best wishes for Furcal…
(Tomko had 87 pitches in 4 innings)
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 5: Joe Mays Pitching:
Tejada reaches on an error by Kent
Huff flies to Kemp in left
Hernandez forces Tejada at second
Gomez flies to Kemp
0 Runs 0 Hits 1 Error 1 LOB End of 4 1/2 6-0 BAL
Love how we’re getting shut-out by team’s 4th and 5th starters. This is great.
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 5: Steve Trachsel Pitching:
Ethier flies to center
Betemit grounds to first
Kemp flies to left
0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 5 6-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 6: Joe Mays Pitching:
Fahey grounds to first
Trachsel bloop singles to right
Patterson singles to left, Trachsel to second
Markakis singles to right, Bases loaded
Gibbons popped up to short
(Injury Update: According to Daily News
Tejada doubles, Trachsel and Patterson scores, Markakis thrown out at home, 8-0 BAL (41-3 in 5 games)
(Injury Update: According to the Daily News, Repko is on crutches as a precaution for his strained left hanstring and will have an MRI tomorrow)
2 Runs 4 Hits 1 LOB End of 5 1/2 8-0 BAL
our offense is beyond anemic.
Reyes. Perez. Tracshel. Poster boys of mediocrity.
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 6: Steve Trachsel Pitching:
Valdez grounds to second
Martin walks
Nomar pops to third
Kent grounds to short
0 Runs 0 Hits 1 LOB End of 6 8-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 7: Joe Mays Pitching:
Huff strikes out looking
Hernandez grounds to third
Gomez singles
Fahey forces Gomez at second
0 Runs 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 6 1/2 8-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 7: Jeremy Guthrie Pitching:
Saenz strikes out swinging
Bigbie doubles down the line
Ethier strikes out swinging
Betemit strikes out swinging
0 Runs 1 Hit 1 LOB End of 7 8-0 BAL
Opening day lineup:
Pierre CF
Martin C
Nomar SS
Kent 2B
Gonzo LF
Loney 1B
Ethier RF
Betemit 3B
Furcal and Repko on DL, Bigbie and Valdez on the club as backup outfield/infield.
This actually gives a lot of people what they want (with the exception of Pierre at leadoff instead of Furcal) – Martin batting 2nd, Loney in the everyday lineup. Now if only Pierre could have hurt is ankle instead of Furcal…I know who I like better at leadoff.
Nomar will never play Short.
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 8: Joe Beimel Pitching:
Cervenak flies to center
Jason Dubois strikes out swinging
Jon Knott grounds to LaRoche at third
0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 7 1/2 8-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 8: Jeremy Guthrie Pitching:
Kemp grounds to pitcher
Valdez grounds to pitcher
Sandy Martinez flies to center
0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 8 8-0 BAL
Pierre CF
Martin C
Nomar 1st
Kent 2nd
Gonzo LF
Ethier RF
Betemit 3rd
Valdez/Martinez SS
opening day lineup
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Top 9: Chin-hui Tsao Pitching:
J.R House grounds to third
Freddie Bynum strikes out swinging
Terry Tiffee singles
Adam Stern walks, Tiffee to second
Ruddy Yan grounds to the pitcher
0 Runs 1 Hit 2 LOB End of 8 1/2 8-0 BAL
Orioles at Dodgers: Spring Training Update: Bottom 9: Todd Williams Pitching:
James Loney singles to left
Francisco Lizarraga strikes out
Andy LaRoche strikes out
Bigbie walks, Loney to second
Larry Barnes strikes out looking
0 Runs 1 Hit 2 LOB
R H E
Orioles
8 12 0
Dodgers
0 4 1
WP: Steve Trachsel
LP: Brett Tomko
Time of Game: 2:41
(Injury Update: Furcal has a sprained left ankle and x-rays are thankfully negative, now the question is how bad is the sprain)
Thanks for all the great news today pal!
It’s up to Grady whether Nomar will play SS or not…after all, he is a natural SS. That move, or one to 3b (which makes less sense since he’s never played it) opens up an everyday spot for Loney.
Crappy week of ST, huh? A whole bunch of no offense, a whole bunch of bad pitching, and now some injuries. Let’s be glad there’s still time.
I want to be optimistic about something here…these injuries make almost certain that Valdez and Bigbie can stay with the Dodgers. If they play well, it will benefit the team on the field or as parts to a trade package. Retaining valuable role-players is an important part of a successful club, and this will make it more possible for that to happen.
I’m all for Betemit or Nomar at short.
Do the right thing Grady.
(Injury Update: For Furcal, it’s considered a moderate sprain and he will be re-evaluated in a day or two when the swelling goes down)
Nomar’s range allows him NOT to play shortstop. I think the right move would be to move betetmit over to short, Nomar to third and Loney at first. Still Betemit’s range isn’t enough for a shortstop but he’d be better then Nomar and i trust Betemits bat more then i do Valdez.
too bad tony Abreu got hurt. He was playing well enough that he probably would have had a shot to start at SS while Furcal was hurt.
According to A Martinez Furcal back within a week. As you were….
yeah i just saw he’s pretty much day to day…from what i heard he was in pain like he got shot…what a *****.
From the Daily News:
It doesn’t appear Rafael Furcal (moderate left ankle spring) or Jason Repko (high left hamstring strain) will be ready for opening day, although trainer Stan Conte stopped short of saying that when it came to Furcal. “It will be longer than a week,” Conte said. “Right now, this is 100-percent medical. With respect to figuring out when he’ll be able to play, that is kind of the least of our concerns at this point.” The Dodgers break camp in a week. Do the math, and it doesn’t look good for Furcal leading off at Milwaukee on April 2. As for Repko, Conte said, “It will probably be measured in weeks.” … Tomko got lit up for six earned runs on six hits over four innings. The Dodgers got four hits, including a double each by Wilson Valdez and Larry Bigbie, the two men most likely to benefit from the injuries to Furcal and Repko. Valdez is hitting .358, Bigbie .364. The Dodgers, who fell to 13-11, have been outscored 41-3 in their past five games, all losses.
MAX POWER: not only will Nomar never play SS, he won’t play 3B consistently this year either.
Grady would be a fool to let that china doll of an infielder (love ya Nomaaaaaaah) play at a position that requires 50 times more strain on the body than 1st base.
Nomar rarely had to throw last year. You put him at SS or 3B and he’ll have to field the majority of the balls put in play.
ENOUGH of this.. “NOMAR at SS”, “NOMAR at 3B”. I’d be surprised if 1) Grady puts him there and 2) Nomar plays more than 50 games at that position.
If Furcal has a 2-3 week injury…why not put Nomar there for 10 games? 10 games won’t kill him, and again, that’s his natural position. That’s 10 more games that Loney gets daily major-league ABs and proves why they do or do not need to open up a position for him full-time next year.
Everyone can breathe for now:
Rafael Furcal could miss about a week with a sprained left ankle suffered Thursday.
Furcal: “I was relieved with the results. I had a similar injury in 2002 with the Braves in spring training,” Furcal said. “I may be out four or five days. I could play if it’s 80 percent. You don’t always play at 100 percent — sometimes you play hurt.”
graffitigenius…I disagree, even when you are anemic, you are still alive. The DODGER bats and run production in the last 5 games are/is dead. I hope they get it out of their system by opening day!!!!!
GO BLUE
Wow, if this is how you people react during ST your going to be miserable to live with during a long season of ups and downs. Baseball is all about adjusting to the circumstances around you during a long season. As Sarah said soooo well today “For the Love of the Game” guys !!! Give stuff some time to develop !! Sit back and enjoy the game, you have to BELIEVE in the team and accept the facts for what they are. If Furcal is hurt we’ll adjust !! If Tomko loses his grip on the #5 spot we’ll adjust. Trust in the Blue and the full 40 man rooster everyone !! This is why guys like Valdez, Bigbie and Seanez etc.. got invited to camp in the first place, just in case !!!
Go Ned !!
Go Dodgers !!
Well said, Gary.
Kuo has shoulder problems, Tomko ***** and Bills is still in the bullpen.
Typing in class…whoops! Little is somewhat backing off on Billingsley not being the 5th starter, with Kuo’s shoulder issue and Bombko and Andre the Giant being ineffective. Little said in an interview that Billingsley will start in the bullpen, “At least initially” so it seems that Billingsley may break through to where he belongs and a 0.96 era can do that. Back to listening…sort of…
Hey guys! Calendar check!! : )
Gary… if you say so, I will trust in the 40 man rooster! lol…
hey guys calender check!! cmon kssparkuhl. you can only say that so many times. thats like a cheap high school football team motivationary tactic. we can all concede that we got some question marks, and we cant put runs across no matter who we trot out there. it seems like after abreau got injured we just started packing up. all i can say is i wasnt as optimistic as i was a few weeks ago. then we got schmidt’s velocity way down……..whats next lowe forgot how to throw his sinker.
?????
We never should have signed Schmidt in the first place. They knew he was declining last year… its just that Ned slobbers over every Giant he can find (Tomko, Lofton, Mueller, Martinez, Schmidt, extending Kent, the trainer, need I go on?) regardless of how good or bad they are.. and we have to suffer the consequences. That being said, c’mon back to the rotation Bills!
If Ned had actually been here for more than a year, he might understand thats its not so easy trying to root for Schmidt, Lugo, and Tomko on a daily basis, players that I have grown to despise as a Dodger fan.
I don’t mind the Schmidt signing really. That game last year against Maddux where Martin hit the walk off made me gain alot of respect for Schmidt.
I think honestly that if Bills was in the rotation he could be our best starter. He is good! He has had a lights out spring and he seems to be more aggressive with his fastball and that knucklecurve of his is just filthy.
Graffiti… I’ll say that as many times as I feel necessary. After all it’s just spring training for Pete’s sake. It seems like we have players falling by the wayside already with injuries, and while this may be true on some accounts, do you not think we don’t have the personnel to fill in? Raffy won’t be out long, Repko will find his way out of the organization or just traded with this latest injury, but for the most part, we will see the guys in the lineup that will help us win. Valdez, Abreu, Bigbie, Billingsley, Loney… these guys are all here ready to pick up the slack.
And not to mention the fact that spring games get handled a lot differently than regular season games. With ten days to go in meaningless spring games, you can bet when the last three games come around that Grady will focus in on managing for the regular season. Right now it’s all about timing and executing. That’s why they have spring training. So what if we’ve been outscored a billion to one in the past week. Do you really think the Dodgers of 2007 won’t be scoring runs this year? Wait a few more weeks and let the season settle in before we start to press the panick button. That’s my point.
Go Dodgers!! And uh, Calendar Check!! :o)
Now were questioning the Schmidt signing??? WOW. Seriously guys, come on. Check any of the sports writers “top free agent moves of 2006/7” type write-ups. That move is very well appreciated by the scouts, GMs etc… its a great move. It makes the team a lot better, right now. Hes not the dominant pitcher is was in 2003/4, but he is still one of the NLs best.
Where’s alex??? Lowe- 2 ER in the first inning. Back to back doubles by Ramirez and Uggla.
No radio feed…but based on what I can tell from the box score…
Back to back doubles by Ramirez and Uggla led to the first run and then Cabrera and Jacobs had back to back ground outs to get Uggla home. Dodgers had the bases loaded with two walks and a HBP and Bigbie struck out to end the first. As of now it’s 2-0 FLA Top 3.
Alex… when there is a radio feed, where do you find it for the Spring games? I know the regular season is blocked online, but I was hoping to catch a few Spring games online. Thanks!
In the 3rd Valdez singled, Pierre moved him over to second, Nomar and Gonzo both failed to score him.
Well with spring training coming to an end the only games left by KFWB will be this weekend until the freeway series, so actually there are no more exclusive webcasts of games. I just listen through MLB.com cause I have MLB.TV which comes with Gameday Audio.
In the 4th Betemit doubled, Bigbie, Martinez and Stinnett failed to score him still 2-0 FLA.
Guy’s; for those of you, who are willing to do the math. Ck
out Ryan Zimmerman’s stats.
Compared to Soriano’s.(Aside
from Hr’s & steals),ck.other
offensive stats. That’s the 3rd base, we need. He’s not all that, expensive..Just a thought….Thx….
I’d prefer the cautious approach in st, remember back a few years ago when Pedro Guerrero broke his leg in the last st game, horrible…
Zimmerman is a sophmore this year. I’d wait a couple years before comparing him to Soriano.
Lowe has been amazing since giving up the two doubles in the first and the Dodgers have broken through on Annibel Sanchez to take a 3-2 lead. Betemit and Bigbie had two clutch hits to drive in the go ahead runs.
Martinez singles to score another and Pierre has an RBI earlier, 5-2 Dodgers Top 5.
Finally!!1
Valdez is stealing bases too. He’s looking better and better.
wow we scored runs.