Weekend in Cincy

What a huge win yesterday was in Denver. First-place ice cream for the front office in just about an hour (sorry to rub it in). But one hour after that, at 4 p.m., we start the three-game set against the Reds and Dusty Baker.

The team can’t afford any let downs just because we’re outside our division. And they can certainly use everyone’s support during the final month of the season, which kicks off with this homestand starting Monday.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

Furcal, SS

Kemp, CF

Ethier, RF

Manny, LF

Blake, 3B

Loney, 1B

Martin, C

Hudson, 2B

Billingsley, P

0 comments

  1. thinkingblue

    Thanks JOSH…. I will go out and have some ice cream myself aswell. It is over 100 degrees out here in Riverside, Ca so ice cream sound sooooo good. There should be no Let downs for the months of September & October and oh yeah for the last days of August! ENJOY YOUR ICE CREAM and we ALL SCREAM….LET’S GOOOOO DODGERS!

  2. scott_in_arcadia

    Nice lineup. Now let’s quit babying these pitchers and ahve them throw 115-120 pitches for a change and give the poor bullpen a little rest.

  3. magicofthesoul13@aol.com

    ice cream doesnt sound bad it was 104 degrees here in moreno valley yesterday and probably in the 90s again today. Its going to be an interesting series between the rockies and giants and we should beat up on the reds since we always do.

  4. enchantedbeaver

    Move everyone up one in the line-up and put Furcal 8th and its a stronger order. Ferk just doesn’t have it this year, and may never have it again as a base stealer. He’s strictly a pedestrian .250 hitter whom JoJo refuses to face reality with.

  5. enchantedbeaver

    I’d actually like to see Kemp batting leadoff scott. Worked great during last years September run. .300 hitter with some big pop and definite base stealing ability. Hudson though would be my 2nd choice. Ferk just doesn’t have the tools anymore. This Gordon kid they’ve got in the low minors sounds like a pretty good prospect (69 SB.) Maybe he’ll make it up the ranks and be ready for SS and leadoff by the time Ferk’s contract is up.

  6. trublu4ever

    JPD & Scott ~ all you have to do is let Joe know we want the switch and, it gets done! Afterall, he did move Matt up in the lineup.

  7. shad80

    I wonder what are record would had been like if Hudson was leading off. Kemp batting 2nd, Martin 7th, Furcal 8th. I think 10 to 15 more wins.

  8. scott_in_arcadia

    I want Joe to pick something and stay with it for crying out loud and stop resting 25 year old players in the prime of their lives!!!
    .
    .
    .
    If a player is not hurt or nursing an injury or totally sucking, then he plays, dang it!
    .
    .
    .
    And if a player is pitching a freaking shutout, you leave him in – I don’t care if he’s 5 years old!!!

  9. shad80

    Ouch the Angels are #1 with risp/risp and #4 with the bases loaded and we have a batting average at .224 tied with the Cards and Philly has a .226 with risp/2 outs that a freaking joke and these suppose to be the 3 teams that lead in each division. We must be #1 in lob with risp/2 outs but with the bases loaded .271 weird.

  10. shad80

    Of course the Angels are the #1 hitting team in the league with a .289 just freaking crazy and everyone of there regular are hitting over .300.

  11. scott_in_arcadia

    don’t forget shad, that the Angels picked the right Weaver, Aybar, and Izturiz brothers and our beloved Dodgers routinely pick the wrong one.

  12. boblee4014

    In 1920, Leon Cadore of the Dodgers pitched a game on May 1st that went 26 innings and ended tied 1-1 and Cadore pitched the entire 26 innings, and we baby todays kids.

  13. shad80

    I just love how are team batting average is .274 and Martin, Furcal and even Loney is having a dissapoint season so far but are obp/slg/ops is a lot better this year than last year.

  14. oldbrooklynfan

    Hi Everybody
    I don’t expect any let down because the Dodgers just play the same no matter what the situation is but I just hope we get as many wins as possible from here on in.
    I’d say nobody feels the pressure like we do, the fans, especially those who predict the big positive results.
    GO DODGERS^^^^^^^^

  15. shad80

    lol Furcal hasn’t stolen a bases in 27 games. The reason why he should bat 8. Furcal always played the first year of his contract not producing much.

  16. shad80

    n/m Furcal was good the first 3 years contract. I bet he’s playing hurt or haven’t recover from last year.

  17. enchantedbeaver

    This team needs to address some serious holes during the offseason and I sure don’t want Ned to be the one to do it.

    First and foremost on the list is a catcher than can play some serious D and hit a little. We need a Yeager that can call a great game, handle a pitching staff young, old, or knuckleballer, and can hit about .250 with 10-15 HR. I’d even take less HR and BA if he could throw like Steve-O.

  18. shad80

    Always a good thing to get there best hitter out but don’t like that Bills threw so many pitches to Stubbs when he had him 0-2.

  19. enchantedbeaver

    They also need to start dealing some prospects for some pitching. Hard to deal DeWitt when he’s the only viable replacement for Blake when he breaks down next year or the year after, but guys like Hu, McDonald, Abreu, Stults and the like may be able to be packaged with J. Martin for something.

    And the next GM HAS GOT to do something so we don’t have a bench of JP, Ausmus, Castro and Loretta. That’s just pathetic.

  20. messagebear@msn.com

    Why would you think that we can get a good pitcher for Martin. It seems like only Torre likes him, but I doubt that any GM would give much for Martin the way he has declined over just the couple of years he’s been around.

  21. carcyn@sbcglobal.net

    These are the little things that kill me.
    1st inning-Furcal 2 pitches and flies out.
    Lead off hitter and only looks at two pitches.

    3rd inning- Orland Hudson 2-0 count and swings away.
    So that he can ground out to second base.
    Why doesn’t he work the count. Possibility he walks and Chad can bunt him order.

    3rd inning- Rafael Strikes out like a fool!

    Didn’t the Dodgers scout this pitcher!!!!!!!!!
    He doesn’t not pitch pass the 5th inning, the deeper he goes in the game, the higher his ERA.

  22. herher

    Its not even worth watching when furcal and martin are up, they get out every damn time. Bring up Hu, hes hot

  23. enchantedbeaver

    Martin started backsliding last year, but this year he’s just dreadful. Even when he gets a little something going he can’t sustain it. I’d trade him and let him see if he can comeback with some other team rather than see him stink up another year here. Better one year too soon than too late, although that ship may have already sailed.

    Can anyone tell me why JoJo insists on Furcal leading off. He’s even worse than JP.

  24. boblee4014

    I was given a book yesterday by my son in Philadelphia for my birthday which was an Illustrated History of the Dodgers. Very nice, 290 pages and will be doing a lot of evening reading.

  25. enchantedbeaver

    Bear – I’m hoping for a #3 or #4 – best you could get for Martin and a couple of older prospects – maybe some small market team trying to dump salary?

    I’ve a question – does anybody think Ned lands another GM job if Frank lets him go after this season?

  26. carcyn@sbcglobal.net

    thanks for hustling for that bunt Looney.
    Maybe next time you can get down the linge faster, to create a play at second base.
    The guy running was heavy and slow.
    These dodgers don’t look to hungry…
    Bills doesnt not look dominant at all…

  27. enchantedbeaver

    I’m not far from wanting to trade Billz too. He should be a helluva lot better this year than he is.

  28. carcyn@sbcglobal.net

    Martin looks lazy.
    What’s that two pass balls already.
    Get that body in front of the ball………

  29. enchantedbeaver

    I’m thinking many of the young guns are overrated. Only ones I see playing up to their potential and taking the next step are Dre, Kemp and maybe Brox.

  30. dodge1612

    to be honest… I think bills is trying to be brad penny… great first half crappy second half… we need to trade him and loney this offseason…

  31. enchantedbeaver

    Criminy, they can’t even hit Homer Bailey. I gurantee this team gets stomped by either St. Louis or Philly – if they even make it to the playoffs at all.

  32. boblee4014

    Has anybody noticed that in this game we have one hit and we totally stink. Just thought I’d throw that out there.

  33. shad80

    SPLITS ERA W L Sv SvO GP GS CG IP H R ER HR BB SO BAA
    Home (2009) 7.13 1 2 0 0 6 6 0 35.1 32 28 28 6 18 23 .250
    vs. LAD (2009) 20.25 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2.2 8 9 6 1 2 0 .533
    August (2009) 6.75 1 2 0 0 5 5 0 24.0 30 19 18 4 10 14 .313

  34. enchantedbeaver

    I just can’t figure this team out. Are they overconfident? Do they think that all they have to do is show up? They’ll play 6-7 innings of crap baseball, then try and get it together in the 8th and 9th.

    They play with all the personality of their manager, and the temperment of the GM – the, we’ll get what we need later philosophy.

  35. messagebear@msn.com

    I really hope that when the rosters expand, we let Ellis play some games and see what he can do at the major league level. I think he ought to be able to match up with Martin. Of course, Torre for some reason thinks that Martin is just fine. The only way to fix that is to trade Martin in the off-season, so Torre doesn’t have that option again next year.
    As far as Loney goes, I really wish we would have pulled off that deal for Gonzalez – I think that Loney is still OK and may come around with some power, but Gonzalez has already arrived there.

  36. shad80

    Bailey did have something like 200+ in 91 innings in HS but I hoping we can’t get him in this innings. The major aren’t nothing like HS.

  37. truebluewill

    Obviously Bills doesn’t have his best stuff tonight. Hopefully he can gut out one more inning and we can get back into this thing.

  38. messagebear@msn.com

    I see where the Angels are trying to get Kazmir from TB. I don’t know what Kazmir is worth, but why do all the other teams go out and get what they think they need, and Ned sucks his thumb. I sure hope he’s gone at the end of this season.

  39. oldbrooklynfan

    I hope Billingsley was feeling O.K. and this was just a bad outing. You almost have to give him credit for going 5 and only giving up 4 runs, since he definitely wasn’t himself.

  40. Dodger4life

    LET’S GO DODGERS, LET’S GO!!!!!
    .
    RALLY TIME!!!!!
    .
    BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!!
    .
    RALLY
    RALLY
    RALLY
    RALLY
    TIME!!!!

  41. enchantedbeaver

    Of all the teams potentially going to the playoffs, ours is one of the most talented, and THE most unintimidating.

  42. truebluewill

    oldbrooklynfan ~ I think it was just one of those games for Bills. What’s getting me is that the Dodgers are getting shut out.

  43. trublu4ever

    I heard that about Kazmir too. The Giants are interested in Penny. I think they signed another pitcher today off the waiver wire but can’t remember who it is.

  44. shad80

    Bailey got potential but not with Baker coaching them. Bailey does have CY potental candiate with another team. He’s is a 1st round pick

  45. crzblue2

    Rosie,
    It was over 100 degrees here in Chatsworth and this morning at 6:30 when I left home there was so much smoke from Monrovia, Arcadia, Pasadena and La Canada from all those fires. I feel for the firefighters having to battle those fires.
    .
    I just came in to check the blog as i am still at work. Anyway, isn’t ironic that in the “You might be interest in”, it shows “Schmidt Returns” from this blog.
    .
    What is going on? why are losing?
    Emma
    http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/

  46. trublu4ever

    SUBMISSION ERROR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SUBMISSION ERROR!!!!!!!!!! WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO FIX THIS FRIGGIN BLOG?!

  47. shad80

    If Bailey even get his potential that make him a good pitcher in high school and college than he would be one soon.

  48. trublu4ever

    Thanks, dodger4life. At least Hoffman is back with his former manager. I’m in a major time warp again!!!!

  49. oldbrooklynfan

    It looks like the one thing that Homer Bailey has done so far tonight is make the right pitches at the right time.

  50. enchantedbeaver

    Bailey’s a freakin 3rd rate pitcher on a 2nd rate team with an ERA over 6. Getting nothing off of him with 2 on, no outs and your 3-4-5 hitters up is just pathetic. Getting nothing over 7 innings should tell you something – your hitting just plain stinks. Its not like they’ve been ripping the cover off of anybody. Only reason they’ve won a couple lately is because the pitching for the most part has been superior. A bad outing like tonight and the games lost from the get go.

    Honestly next year if JoJo and Ned are still at the helm, I can’t see any better than a .500 team. That’s about all they were last year, and that’s all they’ve been since June/July this year.

  51. shad80

    Why the Giants wanted Hoffman when they have no offense? It doesn’t matter Bailey was drafted high for the Reds is was a moment of time he was going to show his potential tonight. If he was pitching for the Cards he would put another Joel Pinero with help with Duncan.

  52. oldbrooklynfan

    Bailey so far has done everything the scouts say he has to do to beat the Dodgers.
    All we can hope for is a mistake or he tires.

  53. shad80

    Let’s give credit were credit and I’m surprise he let Bailey work out of that inning and surely there no excuses to make that pitcher tomorrow night a CY.

  54. oldbrooklynfan

    I don’t blame Baker for leaving Bailey in since he was not tired there was no reason to relive him.

  55. oldbrooklynfan

    Don’t forget the Reds are not playing under any pressure, they’re out of the race, so they’ll be loose and that makes them play better.

  56. truebluewill

    It seems lately Manny has been taking a lot of called third strikes. On a positive note: Furcal had three hits, maybe that will get him going, and Loney now has 2 homers in 3 games, maybe it’s the beginning of a power surge.

    One thing I don’t like is after the Dodgers beat the Giants 2 out of 3 in SF they lost the next 2 series. Now they win a tough series in Col. and start this series with a loss. I hope they’re not about to lose this series.

  57. oldbrooklynfan

    No, truebluewill, only if we won the game would I consider that strike out pass ball counting against the ’41 job.

  58. oldbrooklynfan

    It’s good to see Russell back up to the .260 mark and Furcal is close by.
    Loney’s 9th HR is very satisfying, I was worried about that, now he just needs one more for double digits

  59. Dodger4life

    LET’S GO DODGERS, LET’S GO!!!!!
    .
    RALLY TIME!!!!!
    .
    BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!!
    .
    RALLY
    RALLY
    RALLY
    RALLY
    TIME!!!!

  60. shad80

    That’s terrible first pitch from Bergmann coming into the 9th innings and what does he do? He give up a game winning homerun to Pujols wow that suck.

  61. shad80

    Gosh dback why could you scored that many run in the first 2 game against the SF. You can easy taken 2 out of 3 games and should had in the first place.

  62. nellyjune

    Good Evening ITD readers and writers!!!!

    We had our chances throughout the game to score runs and didn’t. What happened in the 9th inning would have been great if it would have ended in a win, but we shouldn’t have to get to that point in every game. It’s the opportunities lost in the previous 8 innings that are frustrating at times. However, there are two more games, and our goal needs to be to keep winning the series. If we continue to do that, we should be good to go.

    I believe jhall was going to try and go to a game in this series. Hopefully, it wasn’t this one.

  63. shad80

    This got to be a salary dump don’t know why TB would do this? I don’t understand why TB would do this consider that they robbed the Mets big time and they trade Jackson to Detriot and Is not like TB was out of the playoff hunt and they were only 3.5 games back from the WC

    This was another steal for the team that got Kazmir first TB and now the Angels unbelieveable. I guess Lackey won’t be back with the Angels hopefully we signed him next year.

  64. shad80

    ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Scott Kazmir(notes) was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night, giving the AL West leaders a major boost to their unsteady rotation.

    The Angels acquired Kazmir, a two-time All-Star, for two minor leaguers and a player to be named. The left-hander was 8-7 with a 5.92 ERA this season for the defending AL champion Rays.

    Tampa Bay receives left-hander Alex Torres and third baseman Matt Sweeney in the deal.

  65. Dodger4life

    That’s the one Nelly the white cut out with the blue background…..I should know him when I see him. He should stick right out…LMAO!!!!

  66. shad80

    Tomko was pitching very well and hate to say this but the Angels are a great hitting team and like I posted those risp and risp with 2 outs are very impressive stats.

  67. carcyn@sbcglobal.net

    I heard about my boys in blue. Manny struck out leaving the bases loaded, and once again had the appourtunity to be a to make something big happened.
    Since Manny got hit by that baseball on his hand, he has been so out of whack! What happend to the old Manny that would work the count. He swings at the very first pitch he sees.
    This Dodger team is in big trouble, they do not have that confidince, that they had early in the year. Everyone is pressing to damn much.
    Even Andrew is swinging at pitches out of the zone, because he knows Manny is not dependable any more.

  68. carcyn@sbcglobal.net

    I can’t sleep.
    I keep visualizing Eitherswinging at ball 4 in the 6th inning with no outs and two men on.
    Then Manny being the low ball hitter that he is, cant connect in that same inning. Upper cuts a low fastball.

    Then in the 9th inning, Either swings at a pitch that is about to hit his feet. Because he like all other dodgers hitters, do not have any faith in Manny. So they all think that they need to do step it up, since Manny can’t hit.

    Move Furcal to the 8th spot.
    Sit Marting down.

    Give Furcal some rest.

  69. Dodger4life

    We came up a little short once again…..Shake and Bake Time Boy’s……….
    .
    Get Over It…..The Eagles
    .
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3ORwO5xDUE
    .
    Nobody is promised tomorrow….. Nobody!!!!!
    .
    Sieze the day!!!!! This is the time!!!!
    .
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4g1bGITLc
    .
    NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!!!!!!
    .
    It has been a long time since we Rock and Rolled…….
    .
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyyLshCQUEU
    .
    Oye Como Va…….My Rythym Is Good For Partying!!!!!
    .
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpPb2cVswlI
    .
    COME ON BABY ROCK US ALL SEASON LONG!!!!!
    .
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4OXrmxDp44
    .
    GO GET EM BOY’S……START TO FINISH…….WERE HERE AND WERE LOUD AND PROUD!!!!!!!
    .
    GO DODGERS GO!!!!!
    .
    BRING THE RING BABY!!!!! BRING THE RING!!!!!!
    .
    Good Night and God Bless Everyone…..

  70. northstateblues

    The Dodgers have seemed to enjoy a flair for the dramatic over the course of the team’s career. No great dramatic story holds a person’s interest without a low point.

    For this reason, I agree with Kahli that Manny will come back. Now that it isn’t coming easy for him, it’s only going to make him hungrier. Maybe if Joe gets to the point where Manny’s riding pine for Juanpy, that’ll spark his desire to do great (while praising Juan Pierre all the while, of course).

    It likely won’t come to that, but Joe might remember the team’s production with Juanpy (mainly the first half of his 50 games in the sun), and look at our horrible, reprehensible, subhuman record of 2 games over .500 since Manny’s vacation ended.

    Whatever the case may be, Manny is not going to be content with his current status. When he stops trying to prove that he’s as great without “Potassium Gum” as he was with it, he’ll be back.

    Because, of course, nobody ever finds anything worthwhile until they stop looking.

  71. knouffbrock@frontiernet.net

    Pretty lackluster last night. I guess it is not a total surprise after the intensity of the series in Denver, but I expected a little more than that.
    *
    Plaschke brings up some interesting points this morning.
    *
    I also think Manny will hit. Obviously something is not right, but the Rocks are not quite breathing down our neck now, so there is a bit of time to figure it out. I think he is to good a hitter to completely disappear.

  72. messagebear@msn.com

    I’m sure we will make it to the playoffs with or without Manny*roid contributing, but I don’t expect us to do much against teams like the Cards or the Phils. As the last couple of months record indicates, we’re not a very good team overall, and we don’t have that solid #1 and #2 pitcher to make it interesting. When Wolf is your best pitcher, which he has been this last month or so, don’t expect to go very far in October.

    What really irritates me is how other teams in need are able to pick up a Lee and a Kazmir for very or no impact on their current team, but Ned presumably has to sit tight because Frank is tapped out on his money line. How I wish that miserable f’er never owned our team. “Parking Lot Attendant” my foot – he should be buried in the cement of one of his parking lots.

  73. truebluewill

    The Dodgers have been a strange team lately. After losing the first game against the Rockies, it looked like they could have been swept and wind up being tied with them. They bounced back and won the last two games to increase their first place lead. Now they’re starting a stretch of games against week teams, with a chance to pad their lead. So what do they do. Lose a game they should have won. Sometimes I don’t know which Dodger team we’re going to get. I hope it’s the one that when their backs are against the wall they come through and win the games they have to.

  74. knouffbrock@frontiernet.net

    Truebluewill also touched on something interesting. I’ve been wondering if this team is similar to the ’81 group in that they might not start to play until they are backed into a corner.

  75. perumike

    Let’s go Blue! We should be able to beat up on Maloney – 0-2, 6.11 ERA, 18 hits given up, 6 of which are HR’s. Let’s thrash him, especially in that tiny park!

  76. enchantedbeaver

    The problem isn’t that a team is going to have a slump during the season, its when they have their slump.

    Case in point, look at the Angels. They had theirs at the start of the season. Point 2 – almost to a man the Dodgers are more talented than the Angels. The difference is that Scioscia gets everything he can out of the talent they possess. Torre doesn’t. You might say that JoJo can’t swing the bat or make the pitch for them, but he should be maximizing their potential. They don’t need old grandad leaning against a rail saying its just one game we’ll get ’em tomorrow, they need someone that can motivate them to push past their boundries. Joe can’t even motivate them to play 9 freakin innings. Look at last night’s game – they played 1 inning with intensity. They even play half a game with that intensity they probably win. Its rediculous night after night to see them have one good inning and go into a shell, or wait until the 8th and 9th to realize they’re even playing a game.

    I don’t think Loney and maybe even Martin would be regressing if they had a different manager. And Kemp and Dre would be progressing faster. You want someone to manage personalities, hire Joe as your clubhouse man. You want someone that can motivate and manage a team and manage in-game, get someone else because Joe’s an abysmal failure.

  77. trublu4ever

    JPD ~ I’ll add to your case in point: when is Joe going to realize that Furcal is not our lead-off man? Look at how long it took him to move Russell down in the lineup. Look at how long it took him to move Matt up in the lineup. Taking one of our best hitters (Matt) and batting him 7th or 8th is idiotic. If Matt had been batting higher in the lineup earlier, we may have won far more games and not had the Rockies and the pathetic Giants breathing down our necks!

  78. enchantedbeaver

    Granted Tru – Kemp should’ve been getting the extra AB per game that he missed out on batting 7th and 8th, but with the talent this team possesses, they should have a 10-12 game lead even with Joe’s inane batting orders. I guarantee if Sciosia or someone like him managed this team, they have that lead because they’d push them to strive past their limits. One only has to harken back to the “wonderful” motivational speech Joe gave the very beginning of spring training. If I’d have been a player hearing that it would’ve motivated me to jump off the nearest overpass at rush hour.

    What this team is in serious lack of is a leader. Joe just needs a retirement home.

  79. messagebear@msn.com

    Arte Moreno and his assembled management team have balls and money to back up their decisions – Frank and his team have neither.

  80. oldbrooklynfan

    Hey, Howzitgoin’ Everybody!
    Well no harm done, we’re still 4 up on the Rox and 6 on the Giants.
    Tough game last night but we just have to turn the page and get ready for Charlie Haeger and his knuckler.
    I’ll be following the game through Charlie Steiner and Rick Monday as I usually do on Saturday afternoon.
    GO DODGERS!!!!

  81. truebluewill

    oldbrooklynfan ~ How are you doing? Hopefully we can get the offense going today.

    As I’m typing Manny just blasted one! WTG

  82. truebluewill

    Alright!! Sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly, for once the Dodgers showed good fundamentals that inning. I would like to see that more often.

  83. truebluewill

    oldbrooklynfan ~ This could be our break out game. Hopefully they’ll make a habit of this.

    Did you hear Oisk is at the game today.

  84. oldbrooklynfan

    Nothing unusual, the opposing pitcher finally gets started, I’m glad we got those 4 runs across the board.

  85. crzblue2

    Joe,
    Hearing Oisk is at Great American Ballpark brought a smile to my face. We got lots of fires here in Southern Cal. I really need to get ready to go to a party later on today and still need a birthday card.

  86. oldbrooklynfan

    I knew about 2 batters ago, that Haeger was on the ropes.
    The knuckler probably wasn’t moving the way it should and that makes it a good BP pitch.
    Well it looks like we have to start all over again.

  87. oldbrooklynfan

    I figured that it would be hard for Haeger to repeat those 7 inning start GEMS a third time in a row.

  88. lbirken@aol.com

    Let’s hope it is not back to the drawing board for Haeger and just one of those days, especially on a day the Dodger offense seems to have some life. Unfortunately if follows “one of those days” for Billingsley. I still have an issue with knuckleballers.

    Speaking of Carl Erskine, I had the pleasure of meeting him at Dodger adult fantasy camp when I attended and was lucky enough to play on his team. I was so impressed with him as a person. He was just great. I have a lot of respect for him.

  89. oldbrooklynfan

    I hope Maloney doesn’t just settle down now as some many starters do against the Dodgers after a rough start.

  90. truebluewill

    lbirken ~ I had the same experience with Carl Erskine a couple of years ago at an autograph show. Unlike a lot of players, who just sign with their heads down not acknowledging the fans, he was warm and friendly and chatted with me for a few minutes. He’s really a great person.

  91. oldbrooklynfan

    I hope that the Dodgers can get back at Maloney, they do as we all know have trouble doing that when an opposing pitcher settles down after a rough start.

  92. oldbrooklynfan

    Weaver should hold the fort until at least the 6th, before the short relievers take over.
    O.K. RAFFY nice shot.

  93. lbirken@aol.com

    So much for the notion the schedule favors the Dodgers because they face so many teams with losing records. Someone forgot to tell the Reds.

  94. trublu4ever

    Crap, we hate having a lead today! The pitching the past two days has really sucked. We have the hitting, somewhat, today and, the pitching is letting us down.

  95. oldbrooklynfan

    That should read.
    We know how the Reds fans feel, the Dodgers are famous for not scoring with the bases loaded and nobody out. Did it many times.

  96. carcyn@sbcglobal.net

    Loretta should have bunted the runners over.
    What the f… is Torre thinking.
    He need all the runs we can get.
    Poor play calling by Mr. Torre.

    Anyone else want to agree with me????????????

  97. truebluewill

    Weaver walks the tight rope and gets to the other side!!! Great job!!!

    lbirken ~ Your comment about the schedule favoring the Dodgers because they face so many teams with losing records, reminds me of 1969. On Sept. 4th the Dodgers were in 2nd place 1 game out of first going to San Diego to play the first year expansion Padres, who only won 52 games that year. They swept the Dodgers 4 straight. So much for easy schedule.

  98. oldbrooklynfan

    Who was the guy, that decided that if a man is on 2nd base he is considered in “scoring position”?

  99. lbirken@aol.com

    I have an idea. Why not start the inning with runners on first and second with two outs. That way the game would move much faster with a lot less wear and tear on everyone. Nothing much seems to happen anyway.

  100. lbirken@aol.com

    I admit most of our comments are out of frustration. None of us could do what these guys do on a day in and day out basis and because they make it look so easy most of the time we expect them to deliver most of the time. But for crying out loud, I would accept some of the time.

  101. oldbrooklynfan

    I once read somebody said that the best way to stop the Dodgers was to put a man on second before the inning starts.

  102. truebluewill

    carcyn ~ I agree. If Loretta sacrifices sucessfully, Kemp doesn’t get picked off and the Reds have to play the infield in. They were already ahead by a run they could of made something happen there.

  103. oldbrooklynfan

    I notice according to the comments many people get excited when there are runners on base.
    I never do until someone knock them in.

  104. northstateblues

    I swear, I saw Kemp in the batters box with 2 on, I started whistling the Clash riff that’s sampled in Paper Planes, and he hit the homer.

    I had a feeling that he’d just feed off of the positive and knock it out right then. Now let’s hope the BP holds, and perhaps the Dodgers should save some runs for tomorrow.

  105. lbirken@aol.com

    Remember when we all wanted Dusty Baker as the Dodger manager some years back. His image as a manager sure has been tarnished. Sure loved him as a player.

  106. crzblue2

    I met Oisk at Dodger Stadium and he just seems like such a likeable friendly person that I became a fan of his. I have read his book and saw him at Dodger Stadium for an Opening game when he played the harmonica also at the Coliseum in 2008. Oh yeah also at the Rose Bowl when the Dodgers had the Dodgers float. I missed getting his autograph but I bought his autographed baseball at the stadium.

  107. oldbrooklynfan

    Funny,
    I may not feel excited when the Dodgers have runners on base, but I get nervous when the other team does.

  108. nellyjune

    Well, this is a great inning!!! I was not too happy to see certain players out of the lineup, but I was okay with it after a while. Then to see Andre come up and get the lead off double to get this 5 run rally going and then Matt to top it off with the 3 run home run was just fantastic. I am typing this as O-Dog gets a homerun for himself. I sure hope jhall is there to see this game. That would be great!!!!

    GO DODGERS!!!!

  109. oldbrooklynfan

    Pierre is ineligible for the batting crown since he’s not playing everyday and loses official plate appearances, I wonder what he thinks about that.

  110. oldbrooklynfan

    Steiner is counting the chicks before the eggs hatch, he’s already given Weaver the win.
    3 Red OUTS to go.

  111. lbirken@aol.com

    Joe Pierre, judging by so many past discussions around I am not sure too many people care what JP thinks. Kudos to him for making the most of the playing time he has received and for his last few pinch hitting assignments.

  112. nellyjune

    Brennamen and Karros were saying the JP is the most valuable player on this ball club. Now, for the time he replaced Manny, yes…………I will give him that, but give me a frickin’ break! He is not the mvp for this ball club now. He isn’t even the mvp for this game. Yes, he batted well and drove in a couple of runs, but my goodness. Can we not talk about him like he is the savior on this team every time he plays.

  113. shad80

    I think Hanley Ramirez going to win that batting title .366 as long that Sandoval with his .331 doesn’t win it.

  114. trublu4ever

    I heard that too, NellyJune, and, almost lost my lunch! Meanwhile, no frickin’ team out there wants his highly overpaid contract, do they?!!!

  115. nellyjune

    Thank you oldbrooklynfan!!! How are you doing? With the start of the school year, I haven’t been on much, but things are starting to settle down somewhat so I will begin to be on during games and late night more often. In my new class this year, I have two Joseph’s (one goes by Joey and one Joseph) and a Joel (pronounced as if it rhymes with Noel). I also have an Eric this year, and they are all sweet boys.

    GREAT GAME DODGERS!!!!!

  116. truebluewill

    What are Charlie & Mo talking about? Of course you want the lead over the 2nd place team to be larger then the lead over the third place team.

  117. shad80

    I think Wolf would get career win #100 and a couple of more win and it would be nice if both of those players get career win #100 this season. Padilla is only 5 wins away from that milestone.

  118. truebluewill

    Great game by the Dodgers. Did anyone realize 6.2 innings scoreless innings by the bullpen. Great job!

    Now what will happen next? Will we continue to score runs in bunches or will we go back to 2 or 3 runs a game?

  119. lbirken@aol.com

    The boys finally turned this one around today. Let the Rockies and Giants stew on this one because one of those teams is going to lose some ground today no matter what!

  120. ramslover

    Great win after a frustrating game last night. On Mannys last at bat at night, I think he is thinking way too much at the plate and not being Manny. It was good to see him get the team going today.

    As for Haeger, I would like to see him get another chance, he has been a pleasant surprise…Great job by Weaver and the BP boys…they are awesome…

    Lbirken, like you, I had the pleasure of playing with Erskine at Fantasy camp in 04 and spend 3 more camps. He is truly a gentleman and he will always stop and talk to you and tell good stories. One of the nicest people you will ever meet. Branca is the same and Clem Labine was also.

    I tell you who is also a riot and great guy, Joe Pignatano, he is a blast…

    i cannot wait to win tomorrow!!!

    Nelly, my wifes 1st week went great…she loves teaching so far (it is early), I think she has found her passion!!!

    Teacher Rock!!!!

  121. shad80

    I was just watching extra inning and they was alot of Mets played that was horrible just about their horrible season.

  122. enchantedbeaver

    Life of the knuckleballer – two good games and one lousy one… and Weaver’s the damnedest pitcher I can recall getting himeself out of bases loaded no out jams… and its nice to see what the boys can do when they decide to play most of a 9 inning game.

    My sincerest wish is for JP to continue hitting .320-.330 this year and hope that somebody will want him with only two years left on his contract, preferably the Giants.

    That would warm my cold cold heart.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Yes, I do have one.

  123. nellyjune

    LMAO!!!! The Grinch of ITD? jpd – That was pretty impressive how Weaver got out of that 0 out, bases loaded inning, and our bullpen did their job well today too. ……….and yes, JP is doing a fine job in the role he is in on the Dodgers, and I would love to see him playing for another team next year.

  124. shad80

    Wow the Dback is spanking the Astros in those last 2 games. Wow the Dback scored 34 runs and given up 7 in the last 3 games.

  125. shad80

    Andrew Bailey pitching for Oakland OAK LAA
    A Bailey relieved M Wuertz. 4 3
    H Kendrick bunt grounded out to pitcher. 4 3
    C Figgins reached on infield single to shortstop. 4 3
    B Abreu flied out to left, C Figgins thrown out at second. 4 3

    Wow that was a stupid way to end the game

  126. boblee4014

    We need a win today and they 7 of the next 10 with Arizona (7 Games) and San Diego (3 games) to put some distance between us and the 2nd place team (either SF or the Rocs) and I’ll breath better.

  127. truebluewill

    Good morning everyone ~ So far the Rockies and Giants are 3-3 in 6 out of 7 games against each other. Just what we would want, knocking each other off. I hope the Dodgers continue to score a lot of runs today and keep the offense going.

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