Tagged: Lakers

And that’s how you end a losing streak…

What an incredible finish today. Facing the prospects of a five-game losing streak and our first four-game sweep at home against the Cardinals in decades, Chad Billingsley came out dealing. But after the Cards took a 1-0 lead on a bloop hit in the top of the ninth, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp came through in the bottom of the ninth, as they have consistently all season.

Andre’s double to lead off the inning extended his hitting streak to 14 games and then Matt Kemp deposited a pitch over the wall in dead center field for his second career walk-off homer. That will hopefully  make him feel better about his Lakers losing Game 1!

It was hardly the type of four-game series we were all hoping for but hopefully this game will get the team back on track . The Braves come to town tomorrow night, Tuesday night (Fernando Fleece Blanket), Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon (half price food and soft drinks).

Hope to see you all out here…

Fenway musings

Manny just got a half standing ‘O’ and half standing boo in his first at-bat before flying out to center field on the first pitch. But one thing is hard to debate…this place is a pretty unique and as a fan of the history of the game, you can’t help but be impressed.

The Green Monster is massive and certainly looks like you could hit one over it yourself, though obviously it’s not that easy. Definitely have to take a trip inside it tomorrow.

The bomb that David Ortiz hit past the 420 sign gives you a pretty good idea of just how far you have to hit it to go out to right-center.

There’s a lot of media here for Manny…everyone was curious whether or not he would speak to the media, but I’m more curious to see what he does in the batter’s box this weekend.

A good amount of Celtic green in the crowd and while I feel bad for them, well…no I don’t. Go Lakers.

More importantly, there’s a lot of Dodger blue in the crowd, so thanks for showing up here to support your team.

 

Day baseball

In case you forgot, today is a day game in Cincinnati so tune in now to PRIME Ticket or KABC while you’re in the office or hanging out on a summer morning.

After the game, the team flies to Boston, of all places, where everyone will surely have their eyes on Game 7 of the NBA Finals. We all wish the Lakers luck tonight in the finale and hopefully Los Angeles will have another championship by night’s end. If not, we’ll be stuck watching the parade on Saturday in Beantown.

A full day at the yard…

For those who missed the WIN clinic and luncheon, it was a very cool event and I know a few ITDers were there, so weigh in with your thoughts. But one of the best parts of the day was a great story told by Joe Torre, Orlando Hudson and James Loney that had not been told anywhere publicly, to my knowledge.

At the luncheon, it came out that on July 31, Don Mattingly played a joke on James Loney and told him that Joe Torre wanted to see him in his office. Seeing as how it was the day of the trade deadline, according to Orlando, Loney said, “I told you guys I wouldn’t make it,” and glumly walked back into the clubhouse and into Joe’s office. Only after a few more anxious moments did Joe let Loney know that Mattingly was only playing a joke on him. It sounded much better coming from them, but that’s why you’ve got to show up at these things when we tell you about ’em!!

Speaking of Joe and Donny Baseball, it’s hard to believe we have two former MVPs on our coaching staff. I do believe this is the only time in Dodger history that we’ve had that distinction.

Anyway, still no medical update on Billingsley, but I know Casey Blake is out of the lineup because his wrist is bothering him again (you couldn’t tell from his three-run homer last night). Yet another piece of info divulged by Joe Torre hours ago at the luncheon.

Here’s the lineup:

Furcal, SS

Ethier, RF

Manny, LF

Kemp, CF (check out his podcast/interview with the Lakers’ website…if you like hoops, you’ll enjoy this one)

Loney, 1B

Hudson, 2B

Abreu, 3B (first big league start in two years)

Ausmus, C (day off for Russ after the long game last night)

Kershaw, P

 

 

We love LA

While 100,000-plus people were celebrating the Lakers’ championship at the parade, there was a quieter salute taking place today at Fire Station 20, as we took Rafael Furcal over to visit the station that is responsible for Dodger Stadium. What a cool visit, with Raffy actually getting on a truck as they were heading off to a fire.

David Ely was there for MLB.com, so you should see a story up soon on dodgers.com, but it was a pretty cool experience for Raffy, who has been working to secure a fire truck for his hometown in the Dominican Republic.

He’s hitting second again tonight as we take on the A’s with free parking again (and a salute to firefighters at the stadium).

Pierre, LF

Furcal, SS

Hudson, 2B

Loney, 1B

Blake, 3B

Ethier, RF

Kemp, CF

Martin, C

Kuroda, P

Random Sunday stuff…

Rubber match here and it’s going to be a warm one here. Let’s hope Chad is economical with his pitches, given the humidity. And fortunately, no lights are needed in a day game, as last night’s two-hour, 28-minute affair was hardly that.

Here’s hoping the Lake show can wrap it up tonight and be crowned champions. That would mean no game on Tuesday and everyone can take advantage of the free parking at Dodger Stadium in the homestand opener against Nomar’s A’s. And hopefully we could bring the team out for a celebration at the stadium.

Birthday wishes go out to Big Newk! He’s 83 today, and I don’t know another 83-year-old who can pull off class like he can. The hat, the suit, the aura. It’s pretty impressive.

Last chance for you Martinistas to take part in Under the Lights tomorrow night…Russ will be at the ballpark hosting the batting practice event with Jamie Hoffmann, Ron Cey, and Steve Garvey.

All of the regulars are in there today, with Joe T. saying that tomorrow’s day off is enough. Russell shifts over to DH and Ausmus will do the catching. Here’s the lineup:

Pierre, LF

Furcal, SS

Hudson, 2B

Blake, 3B

Ethier, RF

Kemp, CF

Loney, 1B

Martin, DH

Ausmus, C

Billingsley, P

I love the 80s

It’s Fireworks Night at the Ravine and we’ve got an 80s theme so hopefully you’ll be here…rain seems to have gone away for the day, which is cool.

Thanks to some big Dodger fans over at the NBA, we got the chance to stop over at practice today for the Lakers and Magic and see how media operations run in the NBA. We’re all pulling for the Lake show, including Sasha Vuajcic, who is throwing out first pitch tonight. And of course, Kareem, who was wearing his Dodger hat at Staples today and is a big Dodger fan.

And while we’re on the subject of LA legends, Tommy has updated his blog so take a peek.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

Pierre, LF

Furcal, SS

Hudson, 2B

Blake, 3B

Loney, 1B

Martin, C

Ethier, RF

Kemp, CF

Milton, P