Looking for eight straight

First! I disappove of this lineup (not that anyone cares but) Cmon Blake deserves the chance to have a good game after last nights fiasco, and Bennet catching two days in a row? Dumb. Torre is just gone all cooky on us. OH and what did Ethier do to deserve to get benched?

I imagine Pierre playing in three games straight (and at the top of the lineup) has something to do with his little whine-and-moan to the latimes the other day. Well you can turn straight around and look at the GM that signed you for your troubles, no one else.

I know I hardly comment on the Line-up but I just want to say that I'll go along with it since I have no say in the matter and who's to question Torre these days?
As long as Ethier isn't taken too hard.
The biggest difference lately is the offense, which was by far the weakest link in the chain for this team for quite some time, has been looking real good.
We can all see the patience & discipline and the cut down on too much first ball swinging, which is helping to tire out these opposing pitchers.
After 7 wins in a row and cutting down the lead to 4 games, I would hope we don't get carried away and get our hopes up too high and keep concentating on taken it ONE GAME AT A TIME

I understand that it may be because of the lefty/righty thing, but Jones is getting chances to work his way out of a slump against everybody so why punish Ethier for not hitting well against lefties when you could allow him the same chances to work his way out of this particular issue (if this really is the issue and not just giving in to Pierre pressure). As to the DeWitt issue, I am clueless as to why this is happening. Well, I will stay positive and hope everyone gets their chances to get in the game, including DY.
GO DODGERS!!!

jspelk, did Pierre complain again the other day? Like while we were winning? I guess I want to complain about this lineup as well but winning trumps everything. Torre can play anyone he wants as long as we keep winning.

well u cant punish Pierre for roping vs lefties so far this year...and he has been playing well. My issue today is that Jones is playing instead of Ethier.

Even if we end up losing tonight or sometime in the future (and it's bound to happen sooner or later) there's no way I'm complaining about the management of this team. Torre, Easler, Bowa and company are doing a great job with what has been given to them. This is a tremendous run we're on right now and I hope it lasts. The season is full of highs and lows, we're on a high right now and lets all hope we don't crash down any time soon.

The only thing that I find troublesome with this equal play among four outfielders is that now Ethier may get out of sync, and that would be real bad, considering how he started out the season and contributed. He was always a good batter against left handers, but now he is not getting that practice. Torre may be well satisfied with using four outfielders, but does it really put the best three on the playing field at one time. This situation will not get any better unless somebody is traded, and that somebody better be Pierre as far as I'm concerned.

I think Joe Torre is giving everybody a chance to play.
Don't forget there is ONLY 8 slots to fill and he doesn't have the DH to work with as he had with the Yankees.
I expect Ethier and DeWitt to be right back in the starting lineup.
Anyone can see this if you're following it everyday.
And the fact that the team is winning shows that Joe knows what he's doing.
GO DODGERS!!!

My point exactly!! Jones isn't hitting off of anybody, left or right-handed. Okay, I will give him the double yesterday, but that was not the starter, Frances, who struck him out three times before that.

The A's are in 1st place. That's all that matters. Since DePo left and took his brilliant mind to SD I've been rooting against the Dodgers. Just look at my comments on Dodgerthoughts. Thanx Jon. You'll notice I never post anything positive. Why you ask? Because I want the Dodgers to fail. Maybe I should take the joeyp, oldbear root, and act like I want Dodger success. It would fool the newbies anyways. Go ROX!!!

PierreEW,
I do agree with you. I do see that every one is getting their playing time. I am just very pro Ethier/ Kemp, and I hate to see them lose ABs.
I am, after all, a Dodger fan, and I do want to see them win regardless of who is playing.

From real GM:

With high hopes, the Dodgers acquired Andruw Jones in this last offseason despite his hitting .222 with the Braves last season, but it seems 2007 was a banner year for Jones. He is now off to a .161 start as of May 2, with one home run and four RBI. Even in 2007, he managed 26 home runs and 94 RBIs. So far, Jones is on a pace to hit six home runs with 24 RBIs. Is it over for him at 30? Certainly, the Dodgers hope not, but all indications are that Jones is in more than a slump. He's statistically the worst-hitting outfielder in baseball thus far.

Depo and his brillant mind are in last place 9.5 games out. Sorry guys I couldn't resist.

Jones to me is the biggest puzzle right now.
This is one of the worst slumps I've seen in a long time.
I feel if after a time(I don't know how long they should wait)(I'd do it now) he should be sent for a complete physical examination.
After all the years I followed this game I can't understand why they don't consider this an unusually long slump.
Don't forget it started before last year.
This man was one of the best power hitters in the game and I'm sure they haven't just found his weak spots and he hasn't been able to adjust.
Something seems to be incredibly wrong, IMO.

pierre has been playing well so i have no problem with him playin but it should be over jones and not ethier

That's a good one, jungar!!
My friend is a Braves fan, and she is very happy with Kotsay.

I hope Ethier is reading this blog and knows how much we want him in there.

Alex, I think you hit the nail on the head. During a full baseball season there will be highs and lows. The key is to minimize the magnitude of the lows. We started out on a low Now we are an even bigger high that has closed some ground on the D'Backs and given us some seperation from the rest of the pack. Our offense is cooking even with Jones struggling bad. When he picks it up we will be smokin'. Can't complain about Pierre right now as he has played well and has outplayed Jones to this point. I have to say right now I would rather see an outfield of Pierre/Kemp/Ethier. I am not worried about Ethier. He will get 500 PA's. I think all 4 will get over 500 PA's when it is all said and done. Can't complain about the lineups when your kicking some major **** even if they do look bizarre at times.

Dodgers baseball for me............MEH!!!!
Not that I care anymore about this crappy franchise but this is the lineup I'd prefer seeing......

1. Bradley - 8
2. Choi - 3 (the kids a stud)
3. B. Giles - 7
4. Drew - 9
5. Aybar - 5
6. A Perez - 4
7. Guzman - 6
8. Navarro - 2

This is a lineup of eight guys that would produce for an .800+ OPS. DePo would have got this done.
Dodgers suck!

Nice post jhall,
Like I have mentioned before I live in Norcal(plus I live with Gnat fans) so as long as the Dodgers are winning and the Gnats are behind us, all is well.

dnelson
I like the lineup with Ethier & Kemp starting also, but this is a 25 man roster we're dealing with and unlike Little, Torre seems to want everbody to get playing time even horribly slumpridden Andruw, whom he feels, that the only way out of it is to play and play and play oh yes and play.
Will Ethier or Kemp and others lose there edge and go out of sync? Who know?
I look at it this way, Winning is the bottom line, once the losing comes back, than it will be time to worry.

Thanks, PierreEW - you always see the bright side of any issue,and we need that here at times.

BTW everyone, where's enchanted?

Thanks Nelson. Let's get 8!!!!!!!

I think jones plays because of his defence. Last year everything hit to pierre was a double because of his arm. Kemp is still learning centerfield and either has not played center. I think we used to have **** who could not hit a lick and he played every night. Jones sure looks smooth out there.

He does look good out there. I agree. But my gosh did the dodgers have to see JP in CF to know he isn't a good CF'er. We committed 50 million and 5 years. Thats just sad.

So I think Jones, in Colettis mind was brought here for the reasons Nomar was brought in after Drew opted out (needed 20+hr and 100rbi) . Not just defense. Coletti belives he can hit 30/100 or else you dont pay him more than 70 percent of tonights starting lineup. If you sub Hu for Kent or Ethier for Pierre, then Jones would be making more than the other 7 field players combined. For this we get an out of shape guy who has morek than walks and hits combined.

I'm looking at the bright side------ dnelson.
Because right now the bright side is facing us.
I don't know how long this consecutive streak will last, maybe hours, maybe days.
BUT this is the best team we've had in years.
Way better than in '04 or in '06.
It took a damned long time but anyone can see this is different.
We're not going to win them all and it's going to HURT more than ever when we lose.
From what I see our guys can stand up against any team anywhere.

Can't wait to get home so I can listen to Vin!!!!

So agreed PierreEW!!
GO DODGERS - IT'S ALMOST GAME TIME!!

Jungar--Yeah there was an article about how Pierre was unhappy and wanted to start and wouldn't even confirm wanting to stay with the team. He is, as we suspected, concerned with starting first, winning second. Not that most players wouldn't be, its not like he's "team player juan." Im just wondering when the 4 person outfield merry go roudn is going to end.

Oh hell dnel, I said I wouldn't say anything bad about Joe's line-ups while we're winning... JPs got an OBP of .358... AJ CAN'T be as bad as he looks...

I didn't say that I wouldn't rag on Ned though :)

Ragging on Ned is like stealing candy from a baby... or striking out Andruw

How the hell do you bunt into left field??

Is this team SOMETHING? OR IS IT SOMETHING? Time for our favorite song!

Jones is the most pathetic hitter I've ever seen...

Sweet!!!!!!

I just don't get it! Please play Ethier. Matt can play center.
I know - think positive!!lol!!

I dont get why JP doesnt do that EVERY at bat... Great Shot by Loney. Jones looks awful. He was behind on two straight fastballs, pulling his head off like an idiot.. He really looks lik ehe just doesnt get it.

Jones POSITIVELY stinks.

That was a nice AB by MARTIN to walk in a run before LONEY took back the team RBI lead with 22.

Positive - Good inning for Loaiza, and we are currently winning 4-0

Do we discuss Andruw or just egnore him.

How long is Torre going to continue with Jones before he sits him or sends him to AAA to get right? Are we going to play every game with 7 hitters and a pitcher? This is becoming a joke. They can pitch him any way they want.

You wonder how long Torre can keep Jones in there. I mean I wanted Jones on the team so I am not being critical on Ned for signing him, but at some point, isn't it unfair to the other players who are trying to win?

It's one thing to look bad, struggle a little, but even Vinny is like this is pretty bad. And he has seen alot. Normally I would say, well u got to get a good player going, but over his last 900, yeah 9 hundread ABs, Jones is hitting roughly .215

Jones sucks' so bad right now, it is hard to ignore!!!

I'm with PierresEW - examine Jones' eyes, reflexes, give him a catscan, an MRI... then hire a proctologist to pull his head out of his ***.

He needs Bowa cleat up his rectum!

That will open his eyes!!

Can't ignore Ferky & Juanpy's base running.
Ole reliable Kent and Kemp ties Loney at 22.

Another pair of runs! Always good to give Loaiza as many runs as possible to work with, but I prefer him as a 5th starter to Kuo. Kuo seems more valuable as long relief because he's able to keep us in the game.

Sounds like Schmidt isn't too far from a rehab assignment...

Good inning once again for the boys!! I am just glad we are winning right now, or I would be having serious issues about jones.

Rectum hell, he killed 'em both!!!

I've no idea what that's the punchline to, but I remember that from my mom.

Okay, I know we are winning, but that was a pathetic play by jones, and this is supposed to be his strength.

I may have to reconsider my stance...

There goes Pierre - even the rox announcers talked abut the arm - lol

TIME FOR KERSHAW.

I don't want to rush him, but this Loaiza is ridiculous. No stuff, period.

Ah crap, Bloaiza is back. Better get Kuo up.

IT'S ETHIER TIME!! It can't get any worse!!
I know PierreEW - positive - lol

Its Kuo time.

It'd been a FAN tastic week. Luv Marty at third. They need to think about bringing up May. I give Bennet the month to do something.

Oh Kershaw will stay in the minors, we still get to watch the 47 million dollar man throw 3-4 games of terrible ball before going back on the DL. Then Loazia again...Then maybe Kershaw.

Never know what you'll get with the Blomeister. He may well throw 2-3 shutout innings now, or he can pull a Bombko and just get shelled from here on out.

Freakin' unbelieveable...

HE DID IT AGAIN!!! HOW MANY TIMES DOES HE HAVE TO STRIKE OUT?

That's what Bennet has to do. Good job.

Jones needs to sit. Maybe he can be the highest paid minor leaguer

We are well on our way to the 10-8 game that someone predicted earlier...

Single season Dodger record for strikeouts: 149 Bill Grabarkewitz (1970). Jones projects to pass that mark in August.

Rats!!

EARLY August.

Nice HOOK by Torre.

This is not good!!

Smart hook and that oughta do it for Loaiza and I don't just mean for tonight. 6-0 lead and he throws 79-84 MPH meatballs. Bye Bye.

Ned the Furter goes out and takes this guy off the White Sox hands for $8M a season when Houlton could have done a better job. Geez!!! What a hoser.

Well Loaiza could have done that, bleh...

Yeah nothing more pathetic than watching Loazia/Tomko typpes. Whatever, he made more money by starting tonight than 1 out of 3 of us will make working 40 hours a week for 52 weeks.

So is he gonna wonder why Torre took him out this time? He should be DFA'ed.

Time to call Kershaw up. Why in the hell can't we blast some of these long ones when we have men on base. We single and double them to death.

Jones sucks big time. Time to send him to Las Vegas.

Can we stop thinking positive now? lol!! Everybody needs to go back to their spot (Martin, Ethier), and Pierre can stay, take jones out.

What is Kuo's problem????

The best thing to do right now is to............
BE COOL.

Looks like we play a 6 inning game tonite.

Okay - I will try!

They slam Home Runs.. We hit pop-ups. What the crap.

If I was Torre, Loaiza wouldn't be starting another game for me, and Jones would have to set AAA on fire before he started another game for the big club.

That 1-2-3 4th inning by Kuo is very soothing, I hope it effect the Dodgers the same way.

JOnes and bennett may as well bring up Mays and play dewitt would add to the team and martin won't be a third baseman

Thanks for keeping us positive PierreEW.

JAMES!!!!!!!

Wow nice 3 run-HR by Loney, team leader with 24 RBI

Loney fried their bolonga!!!!

L_O_N_E_Y 3rd HR ...........25 RBI Team's top.

That's a hell of a lot better. Let's keep it up...

In honor of leekfink:

My Loney has a first name,
It's J-A-M-E-S
My Loney has a second name,
It's L-O-N-E-Y
I love to watch him every day
And if you ask me why I'll say
'Cause James Loney has a way
With H-I-T-T-I-N-G!

andruw - good hit!!

About time that Fatty got a hit

Thank you enchanted - we needed that!

It's up to Kuo to bear down now.

Kuo with a RIDICULOUS fifth inning, when he throws strikes he's an elite pitcher!

ATTA-WAY Ta KUO.

Nice inning for Kuo. Let's get some insurance runs.

We need a long one now. Let's put this game out of reach

Let's go Jeff, James, Andruw!!

Got a good shot at scoring some more here.
The more the merrier.
Snakes leading in AZ
COM' ON Kent

I can't believe I forgot Russell!!

The thing I liked alot that inning was FURCAL's tag up and score on Kents shot fly tp center.

I don't see why Torre should get any credit for the winning streak. The success has come from playing the kids regularly, which we all knew should have happened from day one. If Torre had done that from the beginning, we would probably be in First Place now. And by continuously playing Jones and benching Ethier, he shows that he still doesn't get it. Colletti's signings of Pierre and Jones, neither of which we needed, and Torre's playing them has stood in the way of success, not furthered it. Pierre has been playing well lately, but I believe an outfield of Young, Kemp, and Ethier would have been more productive. And what has Torre done to give Young a chance? He's batting much better than Jones and sits on the bench. I believe Torre has been more of a hindrance than a catalyst for the team's success.

Isn't it good to see KUO, mowing them down?
Bringing us to the 7th.
We need to get Rocky outs.

That didn't help DY's chances of playing more often.

Looks like Loney and Kemp will lead the team in RBi's. What a fun battle is going to be.

COM'ON PROCTOR we got to keep up with the D-BACKS

We're in trouble. Gloom & doom

Lots of negativity on this team blog that is on their way to an 8 game streak. Goes to show you can't please everyone.... even some of your fans. GO BLUE!!

naaa we'll come out okay think positive

I'm glad Proctor is done. He scares me. Come on Broxton, close this inning out....

Like to see Broxton show he's all right, right here and get out of this inning.

I think we are all positive that the Dodgers are doing a fabulous job. The negativity is due to the things that management has done.

Good afternoon, good evening and good night!

Y_E_S

We did okay. Brox looked good

JONATHON IS AWEOME!! I AM VERY GLAD HE IS BACK!!

We're in a save situation.

someone, or some people, keep saying to send jones to AAA... and that's just not possible. you can't just send whoever you want to the minors, unless you want to risk losing them... so basically, play him and hope he does better soon, or bench him... those are really the only options...

i was just reading the earlier comments, and thought i'd say something...

russell up with the bases loaded and 1 out... let's go russ!

hopefully we can hang on to this one and make it 8 straight, and keep pace with the d'backs... go blue! =)

AND... russ comes through

Man that is some tough luck right there!

that would be no loss at all. he sinks - he had a good career but he's done, and fat.

Let's go JON 6 more outs.

Sara is absolutely right about minor league not being an available option for Jones. I would follow through on getting him an eye exam to make sure that there is not some plain physical reason. Other than that, he either improves or we have to live with a bad deal. If he can't produce in another couple of weeks, he should be just sitting on the bench.

Technically, I believe Jones has options that you could send him to the minors, BUT he'd have to accept the assignment because of his service time.

If it was just a matter of clearing waivers, with the way he's [not] hitting and the huge contract he has, I doubt anyone would claim him.

BIG BAD BROX'S BACK.
3 more outs.

Really in a bad situation in the OF. You've got two guys that are vastly overpaid. One can't hit and the other can't throw. Who do you play?

Also hard to sit Pierre right now. His bat is outweighing his defense.

I have to say the Fuentes is from my home town, and I always like to see him pitch. I am just glad that we were ahead and didn't need to see him any other time.

Let's go Saito close this out.
5 run lead.

Come on Saito. Don't give in to them. We need a DP.

Sammy wants to make this one interesting...

Nice catch Pierre!

Wow, that was close. Good catch... Almost popped out

Nice catch Pierre!!

Come on. No more of these. Good catch Kemp...