The Tale of Two Johns

Dodgers @ Houston Astros
4:05 PM PT
Game 3


John Ely 
4-7
4.63


Wandy Rodriguez
11-12
3.77


Lineup:
Furcal 6
Theriot 4
Blake 5
Kemp 8
Gibbons 7
Lindsey 3
Johnson 9
Ellis 2
Ely 1


I'm still in awe over the miraculous win the Dodgers had last night in extra innings. They snapped their 6 game losing streak, and finally scored more than 2 runs. Now Dotel's scoreless outing cannot overshadow his usual horridness, so for now I still will feel my stomach churning every time Torre brings him in. Jay Gibbons' awesome catch and 2 run homer looks like it earned him a spot in today's starting lineup over Pod. Me likes. Gibbons is a much better outfielder and hitter than Pod in my opinion. Reed Johnson gets the start in right field over Ethier. 


The real story today is of the two Johns. John Lindsey finally gets his first MLB start at first base in place of Loney. His whole family will be on hand to watch at Minute Maid Park. Lindsey is the oldest non-Asian major leaguer to debut since 2002. A heart-warming story indeed. The day after Ned Colletti gave him the news that he was to be called up it was reported that "toward the end of batting practice, John Lindsey ran in from the outfield, approached Colletti from behind and shook him by the shoulders.

"Thank you," Lindsey said, looking Colletti directly in the eye. "Thank you."

The other story comes from young righty John Ely who will be making his first start since July 10th in which he gave up 6 ERs and was quickly sent packing back to AAA. Ely made his MLB debut on April 28th of this this year. He has pitched in 14 games, 79.2 innings, and made 59 strikeouts. Ely was impressive in his first seven starts with a record of 3-2 and a 2.54 ERA, but went 1-5 with a 7.49 ERA in his next seven. There's no question that Ely has great potential, and contributed greatly to the Dodgers as a fifth starter when they didn't have anyone. It's too bad the Dodgers gave up on him so quickly, but I'm happy to see him get another shot. I had the opportunity to see him pitch at Dodger Stadium May 22nd vs. Detroit. Ely will have to battle against Wandy Rodriguez who has had as been impressive in his last 14 starts, pitching six innings or longer in each one, going 8-2 with a 1.91 ERA, with 19 walks and 92 strikeouts in 94 1/3 innings. The Dodgers beat Rodriguez back on May 17, tallying four runs in his 6 2/3 innings. The winning pitcher on that night was...John Ely!

Watch for Ryan Theriot who has had success against Rodriguez. He has hit 4 doubles and a homerun in 29 appearances, hitting .370 vs. Rodriguez.

Go Blue:)