Truly The Bums

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.