Scott Akasaki's latest post - Air Conditioning and Bellmen

Thanks for the post, Scott.

It's good to have a leadoff batter with some Pop. Isn't it. Billz got two pitches too good hit it looks like to the 'Stros.

Great shot by RAFFY. See what I mean about having that Pop. Raffy should be our lead off hitter, especially if he prefers to be.

My man, Andreeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Is it still 3 to 1?

It's 5-3 LA. Bennett got a suicide squeeze. Love the squeeze!

Yes! That's more like it.

Top 3: Astros Batting: Billingsley Pitching:
Reggie Abercrombie bloops a single in front of Repko in shallow left center

Abercrombie steals second

Tomas Perez drag bunts a single to first, Abercrombie to third

Humberto Quintero 6-4-3 Double Play, Abercrombie scores, 1-1 Tie

Bourn homers to right, (fastball down and in) 2-1 Astros

Pence homers to left on a hanging breaking ball up, 3-1 Astros

Tejada strikes out swinging

3 Runs 4 Hits 0 LOB End of 2 1/2 3-1 Astros

Bottom 3: Dodgers Batting: Williams Pitching:

Furcal HOMERS to right (fastball up and in), 3-2 Astros

Ethier triples to left when Bourn loses the ball in the sun, Ethier hustling all the way makes it to third sliding, when most would have given up on the play or taken the double, ETHIER CAN DO IT ALL (except steal bases, lol)

Sweeney walks

Young singles to the opposite way in left, Ethier scores, Sweeney to second, 3-3 Tie

DeWitt on a hit and run grounds to third, Sweeney to third, Young to second

Repko singles between short and third into left, Sweeney scores, Young to third, 4-3 Dodgers

Bennett suicide squeezes in Young from third (brilliant call and execution), Repko to second, 5-3 Dodgers

Billz pops out to left

4 Runs 4 Hits 1 LOB End of 3 5-3 Dodgers

It was a great inning for the Dodgers. Including a beautiful suicide squeeze, you don't see much of that do you? We're up 5-3, I hope we can hold it.

Does Russell Martin have a nickname? If so, what is it?

Repko has to make this team.

Do the right thing Ned, trade Pierre. If no one will take him, cut him loose and eat the contract - you're eating Schmidt's anyway.

Man, imagine Jones, Kemp, & Ethier with Repko and Young as the 2 extra outfielders.

I can only imagine...

I meant to say above it's a great day for the Dodgers that inning. Let's hope they can win this farewell to Vero game. Whooes BillZ gave up another one.

What's happening in the top of the 4th?

russell's middle name is "coltrane", named after the jazz great. i remember people using that as a nickname, but they meant it like "coal train."

Top 4: Astros Batting: Billingsley Pitching:
Cruz Jr. walks, full count

Wigginton pops to DeWitt

Newhan homers to center (ball down in the zone, good pitch, balls are really carrying today, that probably is caught by Jones in Dodger Stadium), 5-5 Tie

Abercrombie strikes out swinging

Perez doubles to left

Quintero bloops to Young at second

2 Runs 2 Hits 1 LOB End of 3 1/2 5-5 Tie

good article on today's npr.org morning edition about the closing of Bero Beach. Quotes from Wills and Lasorda.

It's seems like the Dodger leads last for too short a time this spring, as the Astros tie it up.

I don't really know where Bero Beach is though

Raffy baby nice treble now let's hope they knock him.

Ethier does it and we're ahead again 6-5.

Does Treble mean triple?

Ethier did what?

Yes jegiboney. Trebles are triples in Bero Beach

Thank You very much. I will remember that.

Bottom 4: Dodgers Batting: Williams Pitching:
Pierre grounds to second

Furcal triples to right, (wow, it's a great sight to see him run at full speed again)

Ethier singles to right, Furcal scores, 6-5 Dodgers (hmm, Furcal and Ethier at the top of the lineup, that would be great)

Ethier steals second (ok, well that's it, he CAN do everything, this is the easiest decision in baseball history and I expect an announcement any day now Ethier is the starting LF, if not it really is all about the dollar dollar bill not winning and no words can change that FACT)

Sweeney walks, Loney runs for Sweeney

Young forces Loney, Ethier to third

DeWitt grounds to first

1 Run 2 Hits 2 LOB End of 4 6-5 Dodgers

Slappy 3-2 pitch, grounded out-Yawn. (What good is speed if you can't get on base?)
Furcal-lined a triple down the RF line

Andre "our left fielder" Ethier-hard ground ball through a drawn in infield for the RBI single, Ethier steals second but a good throw could have made it close.

Boy, Ethier is really going to make them look ridiculous if he's not starting the opening game of the season.

Good to hear that Carl Erskine played the harmonica for the national anthem today, too bad I didn't see it. How come he's wearing a blue cap today. I've got on my Dodger Kelly green St. Paddy's day T-shirt on . I don't have a green cap.

You can say that again Bear.

Yep, right now, if they don't start Ethier, they will be a laughing stock. It is past ridiculous.

Top 5: Astros Batting: Billingsley Pitching:
Bourn flies to left

Pence strikes out swinging on three pitches

Tejada grounds to third

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 4 1/2 6-5 Dodgers

I hate to add another negative vibe but why couldn't MLB-TV give us the home feed since this is the last game from Vero beach?

Maybe it's not, but with our luck here in the East it probably is.

Bottom 5: Dodgers Batting: Geoff Geary Pitching:
Repko flies to center

Bennett flies to center

Billz strikes out swinging

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 5 6-5 Dodgers

KCAL and FSN ****, they showed 2 games, I thought they said they would pick up a few more. To add to the matter, TIme Warners Dodgers On Demand is worthless, their highlights **** and the segments are 3 mins long. To make matters worst, they were done w/ Spring Training coverage 8 days into ST!

There is no home feed, only MLB.TV and the Astros radio network. The only way to watch this game is through a computer. Our radio network is in Arizona waiting since they went to China.

Right now we are a laughing stock. And we can thank Colletti for that. All I can say is he better straighten this situation out or else I can't blame ITD bloggers for the negative chatter. Keep it up guy, I'm with you.

Ethier - we the dead horsemen salute you!!

thunderbolt - you're right - at least he's "our" LFer.

Is it still 6 to 5?

I don't blame Pierre, he's an innocent buy stander.

BTW I see Colletti's LFer is 0 for 3.

It's obvious the guy can't bat leadoff. If he HAS to play at all, why don't they try him #8? - They can't even figure that out.

Yes, thanks to DeWitt, A nice play holding the runner, oowps they knocked the run in to tie it 6-6.

Biemel needs a beer. LOL

Loney's throw missed Abercombrie at 2nd after he was picked off first, strange DY covered the bag. He came around to score after stealing 3rd. Dodgers trail again 7-6

J.R House hits a 3-run homer to put tha Astros up 10-6.

Top 6: Astros Batting: Joe Beimel Pitching:
Victor Diaz doubles down the line in left

Danny Klassen grounds to Young at second, Diaz to third

Newhan (lefty) with the infield in grounds to Young who smothers the ball to his right and throws Newhan out holding the runner at third

Abercrombie singles to left, Diaz scores, 6-6 Tie

Abercrombie picked off but beats the throw to Young not Furcal and the momentum takes Young away from Abercrombie and he's safe

Abercrombie steals third, uncontested

Perez bloops a single in front of Ethier, Abercrombie scores, 7-6 Astros

#93 relieves Beimel

Quintero walks

J.R House homers off the scoreboard in left center, Perez and Quintero score, 10-6 Astros

Pence's pinch hitter pops to Furcal

5 Runs 4 Hits 0 LOB End of 5 1/2 10-6 Astros

Billings did not give up that 3 RUN HR, I missed who replaced him as I was posting at the time.

Oh thank Alex, I see it was Beimel.

Bottom 6: Dodgers Batting: Geary Pitching:
Pierre grounds to short

Furcal flies to center

Ethier grounds to short

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 6 10-6 Astros

Man...these Dodgers are really scaring me, I know its ST and all but we keep losing and we keep making errors, were too deep into ST to keep making errors and im afraid this might carryover to the regular season.

#93 is Eduardo Sierra who relieved Beimel and gave up the 3 run HR to House.

Some guy named Sierra gave up the 3 run bomb relieving Biemel.

Dear Dead horseman,

I come not to bury you to but to praise you. (i know a bad shakespeare). I said in earlier posts that the Pierre bashing was enough and that the management will make the right decision. Well Mr Ethier has done what he needed to do and that is to perform. He has put his bat where his mouth is and has clearly earned the right to be the starting LF.

If Torre does not see this, I would like to become an honrary member of the Dead Horse Society. I will not be able to restrain myself.

I do not care what you do with Pierre, trade him and eat 50 % of his contract or buy him out. It works in the NBA with guaranteed cntracts, players taking less to get to a team where they can play. The union will b... but who cares?

Thanks and Go Ethier!!!

Oh MY Bad it wasn't Beimal I see Alex you missed it too. He relieved Beimal he wore #93.

These are very bad announcers.

I submit myself for approval of the Dead Horse Society.

I see it's Proctor in there now.

Welcome aboard, Dodgerboy55!

Top 7: Astros Batting: Scott Proctor Pitching:
Maysonet strikes out swinging

Diaz strikes out swinging

Klassen grounds to Proctor

0 Runs 0 Hits 0 LOB End of 6 1/2 10-6 Astros

Long time lurker here, and I have been a Dodger fan for over 30 years!! If "trigger" is playing on opening day I might have to become a Giants fan!

I agree with the earlier post about the errors and the baserunning errors. that could very well be a problem when the season starts. That is why I was not excited about the china trip. it took away from the development of the team. You cannot have the team split in half and expect them to perform to top levels. There is a reason some of these guys have not made it to the ML.

I hope the next 2 weeks in Arizona prove fruitful. Maybe they can get some continuity and learn one another. The coaching staff needs to learn them also.

Welcome JNV. It is almost to that point. LOL

dodgerboy, you have seen the light. Welcome to the bright side.

I give them til opening day and all he.. breaks loose. I have alot of pent up frustration to let loose!!!

I would like to be sworn into the Dead Horse Society, as I add that I understand that Furcal would like to play for a team that would let him lead off. I hope the heck it's this team but it's hard to lead off if you have someone batting ahead of you. I'd hate to lose Furcal to FA. I call it the Juanpy Virus. Maybe I should change it to the Coletti Virus.

Thanks Jhall, My wife and I watched every game last year on MLB xtra innings and everytime Slappy got the ball deep in center we would both grunt out loud as he tried to get it to his cut off man! And now that AE is obviously the "MAN" for left field Ned needs to grow a pair and send him off. I could use him on my son's little league team!!! :-)

Bottom 7: Dodgers Batting: Ryan Houston Pitching:
James Loney strikes out swinging

Young walks, full count

DeWitt pops to second

Nook Logan grounds to third

0 Runs 0 Hits 1 LOB End of 7 10-6 Astros

What is up with bills?!!? he hasnt had a solid outing thus far. im guessing that its ST so hes trying to work and ploish some of his pitches but damm hes lookin like bombko! and ETHIER HAS TO START in lf. His numbers show it on offense and hes already had a couple assists in the of. pierre hasnt proven anything but his need for ABS to get hit hits. if pierre starts in lf hes gonna bring the defense and offense down. NEDDDDDDDD LISTEN TO YOUR FANS

I couldn't have said it better myself JNV.

PierreFarEast, I thought you were a founding member.

Lol, please don't compare Billz to Bombko, that's insulting not just to Billz but to all pitchers who strive to be as bad as Bombko.

To Think I was 10 years old when the Brooklyn Dodgers first came to Vero Beach & I will be 70 on the 27th of this month. I saw many games played here on T.V. through the eyes of the New York Mets over the past 50 years. The Dodgers & Vero Beach are Synonomous.

I would also like to be sworn into the Dead Horse Society~
And may the best Player roam Left field next year.

If Bilz didn't bring those 3 HR balls with him he would have had a pretty good game, as it it's only ST and he wasn't bad.

It is a sad day for us East coast Dodgers fans. If you have been there you would understand. It is still hard to believe!!!

Dodgertown I will miss you!!!

Top 8: Astros Batting: Rudy Seanez Pitching:
Newhan strikes out swinging

Abercrombie walks

Perez pops to DeWitt

Josh Johnson strikes out looking

0 Runs 0 Hits 1 LOB End of 7 1/2 10-6 Astros

Amen, DodgerBoy. It is the passing of a wonderful era.

Has anyone else noticed how Loney is struggling at the plate lately? I know he leads the team in hits, that is if Ethier hasnt passed him but, lately he is struggling. Last year he had a .411 BA, is he taking a laid back approach now that he knows he is going to start??

I heard that Torre cut 9 guys on Sunday, does anyone know who was cut?

Billingsley will be fine, he made some mistakes (down and in to a lefty and a hanging breaking ball) that were hammered. But, two of the three HR's he gave up don't go out in L.A, in the Florida wind and heat they do.

Let's hope they are letting Bills' work on stuff since he's already got a spot in the rotation.

The writing is on the wall for the LF spot for sure.

I wouldn't be surprised if other players come to Ethier's defense at this point. Start JP and you might have a mutiny brewing in the clubhouse.

PierreEW, my birthday is also March 27th. I knew you were all right.

I think you are right calistang, Loney seems to be complacent a little bit this spring.....

Loney knows very well what it's like to have a great spring and have it mean very little. He'll also be just fine.

That is funny jhall, my birthday was this past Friday march 14th, I knew I liked you guys.

Cool JNV. Happy Birthday.

Do we have any chance of winning the World Series?

#96 has just hit an HR for the Dodgers and the score is now 10-7. Sorry but the announcers did not give his name.

Loney is probably telling Ethier, keep working hard man, they'll still ignore you for some washed up vet. ha ha!

Thanks, you can call me Jim. This is pretty cool, I moved to the sacramento area 9 years ago from Ventura county where I was raised and it is hard finding anyone up here that has any baseball sense!! :-)It is great talking Dodgers baseball again, I forgot how much I missed it.
And Thanks to Josh for making this all possible!

****!!!!!! The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse are vindicated.

I think Tommy will be talking with Torre about Andre.

JHALL Glad to hear you have the same BD I have. I'm celebrating my 70th on Saturday, March 29th the day the Dodgers play at the Coliseum. ***Wow Furcal just hit his 2nd 3-Bagger of the day. A N D R E HRS and it is 10- 9.

Bottom 8: Dodgers Batting: Chad Paronto Pitching:
Bennett pops out

Non-Roster guy homers off the scoreboard

Pierre chops to second, 10-7 Astros

Furcal triples down the left field line

Ethier HOMERS to left (a little wind aided), Furcal scores, 10-9 Astros

(Unknown relieves Paronto)

Loney puts out

3 Runs 3 Hits 0 LOB End of 8 10-9 Astros

Do you think Plaschke will pull his head out of his *** now.

Preston Mattingly hit the home run in the eighth!

wow....I heard that kid Preston had some pop, he's supposed to be pretty big.

Congratulations PierreEW. Watching this game, I am grateful to have spent 10 of my birthdays at Dodgertown over the years. Truly a blessing and cherished memory.

Is it Ethier's fault that he only makes 500k?

And Loney flew out to Stephen Randolph to end the eighth inning

DODGERBOY55::: Ive never been there, but I've seen many games televised, which I call through the eyes of the Mets, from Vero Beach. In my 61 years as a Dodger fans. I even remember games televised by B'klyn annoucers when I was a kid before they moved to LA.

I think this is really Cape Canaveral.

one run to go...we gotta win this one!

The'Sros hit another 2-run HR and lead 12-7 and these Astro announcers are very happy about.

Db55,
I will also miss Dodgertown :-(.

I forget who asked for Russell Martin's nickname. It is Turtle.

Ok, so honestly, ladies and Gentlemen, who would take Pierre even eating part of the contract? When I was in Vero, I asked Mike Easler what we were doing about Pierre's weak arm? He looked at me and said "we moved him to Left". Then he said he had a weak arm too when he played, but he could hit.

Hopefully the best players are on the field on Opening Day. -emma

So, in Ned's mind is Ethier just making the platoon with Kemp easier, and Juan still starts in LF?

Sorry make that 12-9. All theis Vero beach Nostagia has screwed my thinking a lttle.

Top 9: Astros Batting: Greg Jones Pitching:
House doubles off the glove of a diving Young (now in left for Pierre)

Nick Gorneault homers to center, House scores, 12-9 Astros (eighth home run overall today, ridiculous)

Maysonet pops foul to the catcher

Diaz walks on four pitches

Klassen forces Diaz (5-4)

(Lefty Mike Myers relieves Jones)

Newhan (lefty) strikes out swinging on three pitches

2 Runs 2 Hits 1 LOB End of 8 1/2 12-9 Astros

At this point, I think Ned would look like a hero even if the Dodgers had to eat the whole JP contract. He's in a battle with DY for 5th best OF.

Ned, look at it this way: You've got 2 nice corner outfielders at a steal of a price. Just pretend your paying them JP's salary and Jp is making zero. That way Kemp and Ethier are only making 4.5 mil each. Still a bargain!

If making only $500,000 a year is an obstacle, I'm pretty certain that Ethier would be very appreciative of a raise or an extended contract, but why would you offer that to the 4th outfielder.

Last year I started a FIRE GRADY blog petition and let the numbers talk for themselves, this year I'm going with a starting outfield petition so we can actually see where the fans here stand. Please only vote once and keep a running tally after you vote. Here's my vote:

Starting OF for the '08 Dodgers:

Jones, Kemp, Ethier: 1

Jones, Kemp, Pierre: 0

Jones, Ethier, Pierre: 0

Pierre, Ethier, Kemp: 0

Other: 0

It's Ned's job. Start Pierre in left and founder in 4th place, and your gone.

charris,

It's either Jones, Kemp, Ethier or "Other".

COM'ON GUYS

Jones, Kemp, Ethier is the easiest decision in baseball history

Ciao Ned!!!!

It shouldn't matter what the players are making, It should matter to Ned and Co. what we as fans make. Because we PAY to see the best players play baseball. Swallow your pride Ned and listen to the people who pay the Dodgers bills.

Does anyone think that JP's consecutive games played record, aside from the money because remember they are paying Schmidt more and he has done even less, has anything to do with him winning (not earning)the starting job? I can't believe money is more important than winning. We were gonna make Nomar a super expensive sub, come on now, money is not the problem. I think Pierre is crying to the FO about this s***** record.

P.S. If you are a believer in JP starting make your voice heard, everyboy is entitled to their own opinion and shouldn't be chastised. By the way just copy and paste the different options on my post, it makes it quicker ;).

Jones, Kemp, Ethier without a doubt.

Jones, Kemp, Ethier!!! Easy as 1-2-3

Is the game over? I'm confused

Jones, Kemp, Ethier,

Dead Horsemen Roll-call!!

Jones, Kemp and Ethier
Here!!

#96 has just got a hit and it's 12-10 but two in the 9th.

2 out.

Even the Astro announcers seemed to be rooting for us.

Starting OF petition update:

Jones, Kemp, Ethier: 7

Jones, Kemp, Pierre: 0

Jones, Ethier, Pierre: 0

Pierre, Ethier, Kemp: 0

Other: 0

Keep the votes coming guys...the more the merrier!

Bottom 9: Dodgers Batting: Lefty Stephen Randolph Pitching:
Young walks, full count

DeWitt walks, Young to second

(Carlos Hines relieves Randolph)

Russell Martin pinch hits and strikes out swinging for the fences (save the dramatics for the season)

#94 NRI flies to left

Preston Mattingly singles under the glove of the shortstop, Young scores, DeWitt to second, 12-10 Astros

#90 NRI walks, bases loaded

Furcal grounds to second

1 Run 1 Hit 3 LOB

(That was a fun game for the final Dodger game at Dodgertown, don't really care we lost)

Astros

12 12 1

Dodgers

10 13 0

WP: Geoff Geary

LP: Joe Beimel

SV: Carlos Hines

Time of Game: 3:04

Jones, Kemp, Ethier: 8
Jones, Kemp, Pierre: 0

Jones, Ethier, Pierre: 0

Pierre, Ethier, Kemp: 0

Other: 0

Well they loaded the bases, which, seems to be hard luck for the Dodgers, but the couldn't make, they lose but as usual, in these games they are not out hitted.

Jones, Kemp Ethier: 9

Ethier, Jones and Kemp with Repko as #4.