It's not often that the Dodgers and Giants make a trade, and when it does happen, Dodgers fans are rarely accepting of former Giants until they establish themselves in LA. Well, as Vin Scully said, Mark Sweeney became a true Bum on Tuesday night, and he furthered the Dodgers' apparent mission to harken back to the days of their Brooklyn nickname.
It was another game, another pitiful performance by the Dodgers as a whole. Matt Kemp got things started by horribly misplaying a drive to right in the top of the first. Then Brett Tomko, Joe Beimel and Rudy Seanez combined to allow six runs on six singles in the sixth. And to top it off, Sweeney ended any hopes of a comeback when he managed to FORGET THE SITUATION WITH TWO OUTS IN THE NINTH AND THE TYING RUN COMING TO THE PLATE!!!!
The Dodgers' recent skid (3-11 in august) has forced me to be realistic about the team's chances this season, and after Tuesday, it's tough to even think about the playoffs as a possibility. For better or for worse, last year's miraculous comeback against San Diego has conditioned me to remain hopeful even in the bleakest of situations for the Dodgers. Going to the bottom of the ninth down four on Tuesday, I could not help but dream of back-to-back-to-back-to-back madness that could yield a much needed win and hopefully propel the team to better days ahead.
The hope was still alive after Rafael Furcal struck out with men on first and second, because with Juan Pierre up even an infield grounder would be tough to turn into a double play with Pierre's speed. All I hoped for was a chance to see Kemp up with a chance to be the hero and tie the game, or at least keep it going. But no, Mark Sweeney inexplicably lost track of the outs, got doubled off at first, and the game ended in the most fitting of ways for a team that can do nothing right.
Actually, that's not true. They have done some things right, and Tuesday was no different.
Andre Ethier, Kemp and Pierre had two hits apiece. Kemp partially atoned for his blunder with a solo home run in the first that was nice to see given his recent struggles.
Brett Tomko pitched five solid innings before losing control in the sixth. I do question Grady Little's decision not to bat for him in the bottom of the fifth, knowing that the heart of the Astros' order was due up in the sixth. Sure, Tomko was going relatively strong through five, but you had to know he wasn't going to be able to give you much more, and it had to be worth it to get a real at-bat rather than watch him feebly attempt to lay down a bunt.
And finally, I liked the lineup. Maybe not the order (I don't care how much he's struggling, Russ Martin should be batting higher than sixth), but the players on the field -- other than Shea Hillenbrand -- are the future of the team and are gaining valuable playing time despite the team's struggles.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The Real OC
This is what's really going on in Los Angeles of Anaheim:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/stadium-food-vermin-1797567-violations-health
http://www.ocregister.com/news/stadium-food-vermin-1797567-violations-health
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Blue Notes, Bonds Version
Bravo, Big Blue, and thanks for the field reporting and photo documentation. I'm not sure if Blue Notes can endorse violence towards Giants fans, no matter how pretentious and obnoxious they may be, but it must have been a great time at the Ravine last night.
I could only imagine what it was like at the Stadium while I sat in my crappy New York apartment/sauna. Watching the dramatics at home was fun, except for the coverage, of course. My choices were watching on ESPN's national broadcast (High-Def but inevitable bombardment by Barry coverage) or watching the MLB Extra Innings feed, which happened to be the Giants' local broadcast rather than the Dodgers'.
Unable to choose the best of the two excrutiating options, I went back and forth continuously thorugh the night. Chris Berman and Joe Morgan are the absolute worst announcers in sports, plain and simple. Berman loves to hear his own voice and Joe Morgan doesn't know anything about baseball.
ESPN continued to be offensive with its coverage of Bonds, choosing to show replays of his previous at-bat and solo shots of him throughout entire at-bats of other players. At one point after Bonds was pulled for a pinch runner in the eighth, Berman quipped, "With Bonds gone we are reminded that there is an actual game being played." I don't even know where to begin to respond to such an asinine comment.
The Giants' coverage wasn't much better, but at least that's expected from the local broadcasters.
Game Notes
Cheers to Mark Hendrickson, who has continued to be solid. He very well could've won the game if any Dodger other than Pierre and Furcal had been able to figure out Tim Lincecum.
Tough one for Matt Kemp, whose drive down the third base line was clearly fair and he really could've used the break. Instead, he remains in what is now an 0-for-19 slump.
Cool to see Lincecum dealing. His showdown with Russ Martin in the first inning was really awesome. He started out throwing at Martin's head, then he mixed in perfectly placed fast balls and breaking balls to strike him out.
Rajai Davis, the pride of Norwich Connecticut, wasted no time showing that San Francisco got the better end of the Matt Morris deal -- as if that needed to be proven. His speed was instrumental in keeping the Giants competitive, both on the bases and in center field.
Big props to Furcal and Pierre, who were really flying around the diamond. They combined for three hits, two walks and two stolen bases. Git 'r done.
I could only imagine what it was like at the Stadium while I sat in my crappy New York apartment/sauna. Watching the dramatics at home was fun, except for the coverage, of course. My choices were watching on ESPN's national broadcast (High-Def but inevitable bombardment by Barry coverage) or watching the MLB Extra Innings feed, which happened to be the Giants' local broadcast rather than the Dodgers'.
Unable to choose the best of the two excrutiating options, I went back and forth continuously thorugh the night. Chris Berman and Joe Morgan are the absolute worst announcers in sports, plain and simple. Berman loves to hear his own voice and Joe Morgan doesn't know anything about baseball.
ESPN continued to be offensive with its coverage of Bonds, choosing to show replays of his previous at-bat and solo shots of him throughout entire at-bats of other players. At one point after Bonds was pulled for a pinch runner in the eighth, Berman quipped, "With Bonds gone we are reminded that there is an actual game being played." I don't even know where to begin to respond to such an asinine comment.
The Giants' coverage wasn't much better, but at least that's expected from the local broadcasters.
Game Notes
Cheers to Mark Hendrickson, who has continued to be solid. He very well could've won the game if any Dodger other than Pierre and Furcal had been able to figure out Tim Lincecum.
Tough one for Matt Kemp, whose drive down the third base line was clearly fair and he really could've used the break. Instead, he remains in what is now an 0-for-19 slump.
Cool to see Lincecum dealing. His showdown with Russ Martin in the first inning was really awesome. He started out throwing at Martin's head, then he mixed in perfectly placed fast balls and breaking balls to strike him out.
Rajai Davis, the pride of Norwich Connecticut, wasted no time showing that San Francisco got the better end of the Matt Morris deal -- as if that needed to be proven. His speed was instrumental in keeping the Giants competitive, both on the bases and in center field.
Big props to Furcal and Pierre, who were really flying around the diamond. They combined for three hits, two walks and two stolen bases. Git 'r done.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber, you go and do something like this...
AND TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF!!!
Nomar Garciaparra may not have completely redeemed himself tonight, but he sure came close. After Luis Gonzalez tied tonight's Dodgers-Giants game in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning, Nomah sent a Randy "Don't Kill the" Messenger pitch inches over the left field wall for a two-run, game-wnning home run. The crowd went ballistic and, at least for a moment, the disappointing third baseman saw himself in the Dodger faithful's good graces. But tie breaking blast should not overshadow Mark Hendrickson's remarkable 6 2/3 inning performance to start the game. Hendrickson scattered six hits and three earned runs, and held His Juiciness hitless in three at-bats. Also of note, the leadoff duo of Furcal and Pierre produced the first four runs with timely steals and aggressive baserunning. Though i remain skeptical of the Dodgers' miniature ball approach, it is undeniable that when both Furcal and Pierre get on base, runs come almost effortlessly. Now, some pics of tonight's action.
The mullet that I followed into the stadium. A thing of beauty, really.
McCourt's PR campaign has turned defamatory. In honor of his new cancer cure foundation, The Boston Parking Lot Attendant, as the LA Times' TJ SImers calls him, has replaced the iconic THINK BLUE sign beyond center field with this THINK CURE. Is center field soon going to read THE DODGER DREAM FOUNDATION?
Barry warming up in the bottom of the first. He stayed at least forty yards from the left field foul line, which was patrolled by at least three security guards at all times.
The Ravine
A Giant fan getting what he deserves for waving his puke orange and black hat in the air.
Takashi and Russell celebrating after recording the final out.
Nomar Garciaparra may not have completely redeemed himself tonight, but he sure came close. After Luis Gonzalez tied tonight's Dodgers-Giants game in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning, Nomah sent a Randy "Don't Kill the" Messenger pitch inches over the left field wall for a two-run, game-wnning home run. The crowd went ballistic and, at least for a moment, the disappointing third baseman saw himself in the Dodger faithful's good graces. But tie breaking blast should not overshadow Mark Hendrickson's remarkable 6 2/3 inning performance to start the game. Hendrickson scattered six hits and three earned runs, and held His Juiciness hitless in three at-bats. Also of note, the leadoff duo of Furcal and Pierre produced the first four runs with timely steals and aggressive baserunning. Though i remain skeptical of the Dodgers' miniature ball approach, it is undeniable that when both Furcal and Pierre get on base, runs come almost effortlessly. Now, some pics of tonight's action.
The mullet that I followed into the stadium. A thing of beauty, really.
McCourt's PR campaign has turned defamatory. In honor of his new cancer cure foundation, The Boston Parking Lot Attendant, as the LA Times' TJ SImers calls him, has replaced the iconic THINK BLUE sign beyond center field with this THINK CURE. Is center field soon going to read THE DODGER DREAM FOUNDATION?
Barry warming up in the bottom of the first. He stayed at least forty yards from the left field foul line, which was patrolled by at least three security guards at all times.
The Ravine
A Giant fan getting what he deserves for waving his puke orange and black hat in the air.
Takashi and Russell celebrating after recording the final out.
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