You will notice from the title, that this isnt going to be in the normal pre-game format. Im not posting the Lineups today. dont worry now ha ha the post game will be in the regular format.
The news today was too big to be posting about a meaningless game tonight. Baseball sources confirm, and its already posted on the Dodgers web site, so it looks official. Joe Torre will be stepping down, and Don Mattingly takes over as team manager. I have mixed feelings about this.
Your Probably expecting me to be mean or sarcastic making fun of Torre and Mattingly, but Im not. and this pre game post is going to be short. Ive already said before that I dont think Mattingly is the right guy for the job, largly based on his lack of any managerial experience of any kind. other reasons are more worst case reasons, like Mattingly will be another torre clone, making stupid lineup decisions, and blowing up the bullpen. However maybe that wont happen? well have to wait and see.
Im still angry though. Im angry that the coaching staff will be getting a reprieve for all the teams failures, and that our hitting coach, is getting a promotion, without looking at the teams offensive failures this season.
Im angry that Tim Wallach isnt getting a chance, and maybe never will. if he becomes the next Mike Scioscia Im going to be pissed.
however I am glad that Torre is gone. not only because of his terrible Managing ive already said all about him before, but because him and the dodgers are moving on, and its obviously time. I will look back at the torre era as an exciting time, but also a time of great frustration, controversy, and dissapointment.
Torre couldnt win us a world series, and thats what he was brought here to do. However he did Lead the Dodgers to back to back division titiles and NLCS appearances.
Its up to Donnie Baseball to do that now. We still have to support him. Im hoping he will suprise us. Maybe he will want to do things his own way? maybe bring in his own coaches. whatever he decides to do, He has to find a way to bridge the gap between the players and the coaches. Instead of the coaches publicly critisizing the players, benching them, or airing dirty laundry, they must unite under everyones goal, to get the Dodgers back to the world series. I hope that DB can learn to motivate and believe in his players. Instead of trying to followin the footsteps of Torre, maybe he should try to follow in the footsteps of Tommy Lasorda.
I read something on another blog site about Torre, and how just because someone is a good manager of people doesnt mean that person is good at managing baseball. ive never heard anything more true about torre than that statement. some people will ask if Torre is worthy of going to the hall of fame? I dont know and I dont care. All I care about is the Dodgers and rebuilding this team to get back to the world series where we belong. We have to keep hope, were all in this together.
Tonight the Dodgers take on COL in the first of the final three game series between these two teams at Dodger stadium. Ubaldo Jimenez going for his 19th win goes up against Hiroki Kuroda. I will be doing what I do every night, watching and rooting the dodgers to victory.
Our Love and Passion for the Dodgers will never diminish, no matter who manages, or how many times the gaurd changes. I hope that Donnie Baseball creates his own unique style, and leads the team to success. I hope the Dodgers get to the world series next year. I hope the Dodgers win.......i hope:Go Blue!
PS-I spoke earlier about the worst case scenerio, that would actually have been Torre coming back for another year. Im breathing a sigh of relief on that!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Dodgers in a Fog as The Giants Take First Place
Dodgers 2 4 0
Giants 10 15 1
W-Sanchez (11-8)
L-Lilly (8-11)
HR-Mitchell (1)
HR-Huff (25), Posey (14), Guillen (18)
The Dodgers used 7 pitchers in yet another pathetic loss dropping them to 3 games under .500. The Giants pounded out 15 hits and 10 runs as they took the season series win the first time since 2005. Ted Lilly only went 3.1 innings, giving up 6 runs off 7 hits, striking out 3. Two of those hits were back-to-back homeruns by Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey in the 3rd inning. Jonathan Sanchez pitched 7 innings, allowing only 2 runs off 4 hits, and striking out a career high 12 batters. It seems to be easy to get career high strikeouts when you're pitching against the Dodgers this season. Furcal, Blake, and Johnson all struck out three times each, and Kemp struck out twice.
Furcal leadoff the game with a double. When Theriot went to bunt him over, Uribe playing 3rd base tonight, threw it away drawing the error allowing Furcal to score. In the bottom of the 1st, batting practice off Lilly ensued as Huff tripled, and Posey doubled him home to tie the game at 1-1. The third inning got nasty after Renteria reached safely on a bunt single, Sanchez doubled, then Huff hit a 3-run homerun. Posey then hit a solo shot to give the Giants a 5-1 lead. The fourth inning continued the rout when Guillen singled and Sanchez was hit in the hand by the pitch. The bullpen parade of champions began at this point with Troncoso who promptly gives up a single to Renteria loading the bases and then predictably walks in another run to make it 6-1 Giants.
The fifth inning began with Russ Mitchell's first career homerun which bounced off the foul pole making it 6-2 Giants. Jeff Weaver comes in to pitch the bottom of the 5th, and Burrell singles and Guillen continues the homerun derby for the night with a 2 run homerun making it 8-2 Giants. Then we get to see Sherrill for one batter, and Belisario as well who surprisingly strikes out Posey. Dotel gives up a single to Guillen again in the 7th, but manages to somehow not give up any runs. Jon Link comes in next in the 8th and looks horrendous as he allows back to back singles to Fontenont and Renteria, then a Sanchez double scores another 2 giving the Giants a hefty 10-2 lead and the win they needed to move into first place in the NL 1/2 game ahead of San Diego.
Reed Johnson was atrocious tonight. Striking out three times, and playing horribly in left field which created a black hole where once there was once a great outfielder named Andre. There's not much to do but wait until next season at this point. The fog rolled in, and the Dodgers were left in a daze. Tomorrow we'll be home to take on Colorado with Kuroda on the mound. Go Blue:)
Giants 10 15 1
W-Sanchez (11-8)
L-Lilly (8-11)
HR-Mitchell (1)
HR-Huff (25), Posey (14), Guillen (18)
The Dodgers used 7 pitchers in yet another pathetic loss dropping them to 3 games under .500. The Giants pounded out 15 hits and 10 runs as they took the season series win the first time since 2005. Ted Lilly only went 3.1 innings, giving up 6 runs off 7 hits, striking out 3. Two of those hits were back-to-back homeruns by Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey in the 3rd inning. Jonathan Sanchez pitched 7 innings, allowing only 2 runs off 4 hits, and striking out a career high 12 batters. It seems to be easy to get career high strikeouts when you're pitching against the Dodgers this season. Furcal, Blake, and Johnson all struck out three times each, and Kemp struck out twice.
Furcal leadoff the game with a double. When Theriot went to bunt him over, Uribe playing 3rd base tonight, threw it away drawing the error allowing Furcal to score. In the bottom of the 1st, batting practice off Lilly ensued as Huff tripled, and Posey doubled him home to tie the game at 1-1. The third inning got nasty after Renteria reached safely on a bunt single, Sanchez doubled, then Huff hit a 3-run homerun. Posey then hit a solo shot to give the Giants a 5-1 lead. The fourth inning continued the rout when Guillen singled and Sanchez was hit in the hand by the pitch. The bullpen parade of champions began at this point with Troncoso who promptly gives up a single to Renteria loading the bases and then predictably walks in another run to make it 6-1 Giants.
The fifth inning began with Russ Mitchell's first career homerun which bounced off the foul pole making it 6-2 Giants. Jeff Weaver comes in to pitch the bottom of the 5th, and Burrell singles and Guillen continues the homerun derby for the night with a 2 run homerun making it 8-2 Giants. Then we get to see Sherrill for one batter, and Belisario as well who surprisingly strikes out Posey. Dotel gives up a single to Guillen again in the 7th, but manages to somehow not give up any runs. Jon Link comes in next in the 8th and looks horrendous as he allows back to back singles to Fontenont and Renteria, then a Sanchez double scores another 2 giving the Giants a hefty 10-2 lead and the win they needed to move into first place in the NL 1/2 game ahead of San Diego.
Reed Johnson was atrocious tonight. Striking out three times, and playing horribly in left field which created a black hole where once there was once a great outfielder named Andre. There's not much to do but wait until next season at this point. The fog rolled in, and the Dodgers were left in a daze. Tomorrow we'll be home to take on Colorado with Kuroda on the mound. Go Blue:)
Is It April 1, 2011 Yet?
LA Dodgers @ San Francisco Giants
7:05 PM PT
Game 3
Ted Lilly
8-10
3.58
Jonathan Sanchez
10-8
3.29
Lineup:
Furcal 6
Theriot 4
Blake 5
Kemp 8
Loney 3
Mitchell 7
Johnson 9
Barajas 2
Lilly 1
Let me first address this sickening trade rumor regarding Ethier wanting to go to Boston. Ethier, as you may well know, is my favorite current player. If Ned Colletti actually trades Ethier away, I will a) lose a lot of hope in the future of this team b)scream. Ethier's family is in Arizona, and he has a house in LA, so I highly doubt he would want to play in Boston. Ethier commented on the rumors and said,"It's obviously hearsay," he said. "Especially at this point, it doesn't even make sense to comment on something like this."
He also will not be a free agent until 2012. Let's drop this stomach churning thought and assume he will be back in blue next season.
More Ethier rumors were addressed in a LA Times article in which Don Mattingly "wondered" if Ethier had been bothered by leg problems in particular a sore knee. Once again, more secretive injuries like Padilla's bulging neck disc and Furcal's "he's not going on the DL" back injury which then put him on the DL. Another reason why we need a clean sweep of this coaching staff along with Torre.
Although Ethier scored the Dodgers lone run last night off of a 2 out 9th inning homer, he is out of the lineup with Reed Johnson replacing him in right field. Russell Mitchell gets the start in left field.
It will be another battle of the southpaws today as Ted Lilly faces off with Jonathan Sanchez. Sanchez defeated the Dodgers Sept. 5th pitching seven shutout innings. Last time out against the Giants on Sept. 4th, Lilly gave up 2 runs in 7 innings in a no-decision. The Giants are up 9-8 in the season series with the Dodgers before tonight's final showdown between these two rivals. Go Blue:)
7:05 PM PT
Game 3
Ted Lilly
8-10
3.58
Jonathan Sanchez
10-8
3.29
Lineup:
Furcal 6
Theriot 4
Blake 5
Kemp 8
Loney 3
Mitchell 7
Johnson 9
Barajas 2
Lilly 1
Let me first address this sickening trade rumor regarding Ethier wanting to go to Boston. Ethier, as you may well know, is my favorite current player. If Ned Colletti actually trades Ethier away, I will a) lose a lot of hope in the future of this team b)scream. Ethier's family is in Arizona, and he has a house in LA, so I highly doubt he would want to play in Boston. Ethier commented on the rumors and said,"It's obviously hearsay," he said. "Especially at this point, it doesn't even make sense to comment on something like this."
He also will not be a free agent until 2012. Let's drop this stomach churning thought and assume he will be back in blue next season.
More Ethier rumors were addressed in a LA Times article in which Don Mattingly "wondered" if Ethier had been bothered by leg problems in particular a sore knee. Once again, more secretive injuries like Padilla's bulging neck disc and Furcal's "he's not going on the DL" back injury which then put him on the DL. Another reason why we need a clean sweep of this coaching staff along with Torre.
Although Ethier scored the Dodgers lone run last night off of a 2 out 9th inning homer, he is out of the lineup with Reed Johnson replacing him in right field. Russell Mitchell gets the start in left field.
It will be another battle of the southpaws today as Ted Lilly faces off with Jonathan Sanchez. Sanchez defeated the Dodgers Sept. 5th pitching seven shutout innings. Last time out against the Giants on Sept. 4th, Lilly gave up 2 runs in 7 innings in a no-decision. The Giants are up 9-8 in the season series with the Dodgers before tonight's final showdown between these two rivals. Go Blue:)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Offense useless again in 2-1 loss to Giants
Dodgers 1 4 1
Gaints 2 7 0
WP-Cain-12-10
LP-Billingsley-11-10
SV-Wilson-43
HR-Ethier-22
Another day another pathetic showing by the Dodgers Offense, as the Dodgers lost the second of the three game series to the Giants 2-1.
Billingsley was unable to pitch a shutout and as predicted, got zero support from the offense and the bullpen. So of coarse Bills has no heart right? and hes scared of the Giants, because of a lack of V-energy when looking into his eyes you see how scared he is.....oh brother
it was a typical game a scoreless tie between Billingsley and Cain until the 7th inning.
however Bills did pitch out of a couple of jams throughout the game.
in the first inning, with two on and two outs, Furcal made a diving stop of Juan uribe's grounder into teh hole, to prevent a run from scoring and loading the bases. but Bills struck out Sandoval to end the inning.
Bills was helped out by two more good defensive plays, a sliding catch by ethier down the right field line in the 4th, and a nice catch on the warning track by Gibbons in the 6th.
but in the 7th the Giants scored the first run of the game, and really thats all you need to beat the Dodgers.
with 1 out ishikawa Pinch-hitting for Cain, doubled, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch.
then Cubs reject and close friend of Ryan Theriot fisted a broken bat RBI single over the head of his good buddy Theriot.
Bills went 7 innings allowing only 1 run on 6 hists, walking two and striking out 7
Cain went 7 innings also only allowing only 3 hits with no walks and 5 strikeouts.
The Giants added another run in the 8th inning thanks to the horrendous Dodger bullpen.
Torre once again dipping into the Dredges of a terrible bullpen, Brought Sherrill in to pitch the 8th.
Sherrill as usual couldnt retire either of the two batters he faced.
Huff slammed a Sherrill Meatball for a double, and then Posey was walked intentionally. Jansen was brought in and got uribe on a flyout, but then the Shoddy Defense couldnt come up with a big play. I know I know shocking right?
after a wild pitch advanced runners to second and third, Sandoval's grounder to second scored Huff as Theriot's throw was too late to throw him out.
up 2-0 the Giants brought in Closer Brian Wilson to pitch the 9th. with two outs and the bases empty, Ethier hit a home run, but it was too little too late. Gibbons struck out for the final out, as Wilson picked up his 43rd save.
the Offense is pathetic, and changes need to be made in the offseason to ensure that this doesnt happen again next year. The offense could only muster 1 run on 4 hits. with Ethier's home run being the only extra base hit. as the offense drew zero walks.
SO Ned its time to break out the wallet and sign some hitters. but good hitters please and not washed up retreads.
Im not going to comment on the NL west race tonight, because I dont care anymore. the Dodgers are out of it, and we are trying desperatly to make sure the Giants DONT win the division or make the playoffs.
and fine we lost tonight, and the stupid Giants fans continue to wear those stupid hats and cheer on their mediocre franchise. but remember two things Giants fans.....
1.regardless of the outcome of tomorrows game remember we can still screw you buy losing all three games to SD and all six remaining games against COL. what? do you really think were going to beat those teams? Ha!
2. most important. always remember Giants fans, you have never won a world series in San Francisco, and never will. it wont happen EVER. weve won 6 world series, and 5 championships in LA, youve won zero in frisco. ZERO. sure we might suck this year, but you will never ever win a world series and will be playing golf in October right along with us.
Lilly vs. Sanchez tomorrow Night. until next time Dodger fans.........
on a side note there are stupid rumors floating around that Ethier is interested in signing with the Red Sox in order to join his buddy Pedroia once he is a free agent in 2012. Dont worry these are just rumors and not true, Ethier has already said he is not interested in Joining the red Sox. and theres no way the Dodgers would trade him, unless of coarse he starts hitting really really well, then hell be gone, because we cant have any "good hitters" mucking up the works at the ravine. cause with Ned and Joe its all retreads all the time!
Gaints 2 7 0
WP-Cain-12-10
LP-Billingsley-11-10
SV-Wilson-43
HR-Ethier-22
Another day another pathetic showing by the Dodgers Offense, as the Dodgers lost the second of the three game series to the Giants 2-1.
Billingsley was unable to pitch a shutout and as predicted, got zero support from the offense and the bullpen. So of coarse Bills has no heart right? and hes scared of the Giants, because of a lack of V-energy when looking into his eyes you see how scared he is.....oh brother
it was a typical game a scoreless tie between Billingsley and Cain until the 7th inning.
however Bills did pitch out of a couple of jams throughout the game.
in the first inning, with two on and two outs, Furcal made a diving stop of Juan uribe's grounder into teh hole, to prevent a run from scoring and loading the bases. but Bills struck out Sandoval to end the inning.
Bills was helped out by two more good defensive plays, a sliding catch by ethier down the right field line in the 4th, and a nice catch on the warning track by Gibbons in the 6th.
but in the 7th the Giants scored the first run of the game, and really thats all you need to beat the Dodgers.
with 1 out ishikawa Pinch-hitting for Cain, doubled, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch.
then Cubs reject and close friend of Ryan Theriot fisted a broken bat RBI single over the head of his good buddy Theriot.
Bills went 7 innings allowing only 1 run on 6 hists, walking two and striking out 7
Cain went 7 innings also only allowing only 3 hits with no walks and 5 strikeouts.
The Giants added another run in the 8th inning thanks to the horrendous Dodger bullpen.
Torre once again dipping into the Dredges of a terrible bullpen, Brought Sherrill in to pitch the 8th.
Sherrill as usual couldnt retire either of the two batters he faced.
Huff slammed a Sherrill Meatball for a double, and then Posey was walked intentionally. Jansen was brought in and got uribe on a flyout, but then the Shoddy Defense couldnt come up with a big play. I know I know shocking right?
after a wild pitch advanced runners to second and third, Sandoval's grounder to second scored Huff as Theriot's throw was too late to throw him out.
up 2-0 the Giants brought in Closer Brian Wilson to pitch the 9th. with two outs and the bases empty, Ethier hit a home run, but it was too little too late. Gibbons struck out for the final out, as Wilson picked up his 43rd save.
the Offense is pathetic, and changes need to be made in the offseason to ensure that this doesnt happen again next year. The offense could only muster 1 run on 4 hits. with Ethier's home run being the only extra base hit. as the offense drew zero walks.
SO Ned its time to break out the wallet and sign some hitters. but good hitters please and not washed up retreads.
Im not going to comment on the NL west race tonight, because I dont care anymore. the Dodgers are out of it, and we are trying desperatly to make sure the Giants DONT win the division or make the playoffs.
and fine we lost tonight, and the stupid Giants fans continue to wear those stupid hats and cheer on their mediocre franchise. but remember two things Giants fans.....
1.regardless of the outcome of tomorrows game remember we can still screw you buy losing all three games to SD and all six remaining games against COL. what? do you really think were going to beat those teams? Ha!
2. most important. always remember Giants fans, you have never won a world series in San Francisco, and never will. it wont happen EVER. weve won 6 world series, and 5 championships in LA, youve won zero in frisco. ZERO. sure we might suck this year, but you will never ever win a world series and will be playing golf in October right along with us.
Lilly vs. Sanchez tomorrow Night. until next time Dodger fans.........
on a side note there are stupid rumors floating around that Ethier is interested in signing with the Red Sox in order to join his buddy Pedroia once he is a free agent in 2012. Dont worry these are just rumors and not true, Ethier has already said he is not interested in Joining the red Sox. and theres no way the Dodgers would trade him, unless of coarse he starts hitting really really well, then hell be gone, because we cant have any "good hitters" mucking up the works at the ravine. cause with Ned and Joe its all retreads all the time!
screwing the giants part 2
Dodgers lineup
Furcal6
theriot4
ethier9
gibbons7
blake5
loney3
kemp8
barajas2
billingsley1
Billingsley 11-9 3.65 vs. Cain 11-10 3.19
The Dodgers look to knock the giants further out of the playoff race, in the second game of the final series against our hated rivals.
The Dodgers coming off of one of the most dominating pitching performences and one of the most pathetic offensive showings in the same game. Kershaw was masterful, and now the Dodgers give the ball to another one of their young rising stars. Chad Billingsley takes the hill against Matt Cain.
Billingsley like the rest of the Dodgers starters since the all-star break has been outstanding, but as we all know in order for their starters to get a win, they must pitch a shutout, since the offense is just terrible, and the bullpen blows all leads.
I should do a post on how pathetic the Dodgers offense is this year, or Stac can. regardless the team has no offense, none, zip, zero hitting. oh sure they have a few good hitters, hit machine is good, and Loney is consistent at times, ethier is their all-star power bat. collectivley they are horrid.
one change in tonights lineup, theriot returns at second base and bats second. otherwise the cards shuffle, but its the same hand. and most likly the same result, either Bills pitches a shutout or they will lose 1-0, or 2-1.
however its possible they could eek out a couple of runs, perhaps Uribe can boot a couple of more grounders? and if Bills can shut down the giants mediocre lineup, well then wouldnt that just piss you off giants fans? this has to be frustrating right Giants fans? watching your hated rivals, who are out of the playoff race, knocking you further and further out of the race at home, shuting out your mediocre lineup in front of a sellout crowd, all wearing those idiotic panda hats, idolizing a below average over wieght infielder? I mean this one has got to be a lock right Giants fans?........ Right?.........GO BLUE!
on a side note, it looks like POD is done for the season and perhaps with the Dodgers. its reported that he has Plantar Facitis, basically its turf toe. The same injury that Charlie Haeger had earlier this season. POD has flown back to LA to consult with his doctors.
Furcal6
theriot4
ethier9
gibbons7
blake5
loney3
kemp8
barajas2
billingsley1
Billingsley 11-9 3.65 vs. Cain 11-10 3.19
The Dodgers look to knock the giants further out of the playoff race, in the second game of the final series against our hated rivals.
The Dodgers coming off of one of the most dominating pitching performences and one of the most pathetic offensive showings in the same game. Kershaw was masterful, and now the Dodgers give the ball to another one of their young rising stars. Chad Billingsley takes the hill against Matt Cain.
Billingsley like the rest of the Dodgers starters since the all-star break has been outstanding, but as we all know in order for their starters to get a win, they must pitch a shutout, since the offense is just terrible, and the bullpen blows all leads.
I should do a post on how pathetic the Dodgers offense is this year, or Stac can. regardless the team has no offense, none, zip, zero hitting. oh sure they have a few good hitters, hit machine is good, and Loney is consistent at times, ethier is their all-star power bat. collectivley they are horrid.
one change in tonights lineup, theriot returns at second base and bats second. otherwise the cards shuffle, but its the same hand. and most likly the same result, either Bills pitches a shutout or they will lose 1-0, or 2-1.
however its possible they could eek out a couple of runs, perhaps Uribe can boot a couple of more grounders? and if Bills can shut down the giants mediocre lineup, well then wouldnt that just piss you off giants fans? this has to be frustrating right Giants fans? watching your hated rivals, who are out of the playoff race, knocking you further and further out of the race at home, shuting out your mediocre lineup in front of a sellout crowd, all wearing those idiotic panda hats, idolizing a below average over wieght infielder? I mean this one has got to be a lock right Giants fans?........ Right?.........GO BLUE!
on a side note, it looks like POD is done for the season and perhaps with the Dodgers. its reported that he has Plantar Facitis, basically its turf toe. The same injury that Charlie Haeger had earlier this season. POD has flown back to LA to consult with his doctors.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Clayton Kershaw Pitches First Career Complete Game Shutout
Dodgers 1 1 0
Giants 0 4 1
W-Kershaw (12-10)
L-Zito (8-13)
The Dodgers manage to squeeze out a win in San Francisco off of an almost extinct offense which tallied one base hit by Matt Kemp in the 2nd inning. The lone hit had nothing to do with the run which they scored in the 6th inning off an error by Juan Uribe. The "rally" in the 6th inning began when Reed Johnson was hit in the hand by a pitch from Zito. Clayton Kershaw who was unbelievable tonight (we will get to him in a bit) bunted Johnson to second. Kershaw has 17 sacrifice bunts this season. Zito then pitches around Rafael Furcal, and then walks Ethier to load the bases. Casey Blake hits a ground ball to Uribe who drops it drawing the error and allowing Johnson to score. The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead, and that would turn out to be the only run Kershaw would need to pitch his way to his first career complete game shutout.
It doesn't get sweeter than beating the Giants at home with their fans roaring the annoying "Beat LA" with only 1 hit. Clayton Kershaw was incredible, and pitched 9 innings, allowing 4 hits and striking out 4 and making 111 pitches. His start had been pushed back, and this extra rest seemed to invigorate him a bit. Clayton also now has collected over 200 strikeouts this season, the most by a Dodger lefty since Fernando Valenzuela. He's also within the top three in the league in strikeouts. The Giants' lefty, Barry Zito,went 5.2 innings, allowing 1 run off 1 hit, striking out 5 and walking 3. This was Zito's 9th loss in a row.
While we were watching Clayton's finest game to date, we cannot overlook the fact that the Dodgers' offense was pitiful. Furcal lead off the game with a walk, but Ethier then hit into an inning ending double play. Ethier would also strike out twice in the game. In the second inning Kemp was caught stealing once again after he had the only hit of the night for the Dodgers. Blake lead the way with 3 strikeouts tonight. With this lack of offense, Kershaw's victory seems even more miraculous. The Giants now fall to 1 1/2 games back of San Diego in the NL West after San Diego took the win over Colorado. Chad Billingsley will go up against Matt Cain in game 2 tomorrow. Go Blue:)
Giants 0 4 1
W-Kershaw (12-10)
L-Zito (8-13)
The Dodgers manage to squeeze out a win in San Francisco off of an almost extinct offense which tallied one base hit by Matt Kemp in the 2nd inning. The lone hit had nothing to do with the run which they scored in the 6th inning off an error by Juan Uribe. The "rally" in the 6th inning began when Reed Johnson was hit in the hand by a pitch from Zito. Clayton Kershaw who was unbelievable tonight (we will get to him in a bit) bunted Johnson to second. Kershaw has 17 sacrifice bunts this season. Zito then pitches around Rafael Furcal, and then walks Ethier to load the bases. Casey Blake hits a ground ball to Uribe who drops it drawing the error and allowing Johnson to score. The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead, and that would turn out to be the only run Kershaw would need to pitch his way to his first career complete game shutout.
It doesn't get sweeter than beating the Giants at home with their fans roaring the annoying "Beat LA" with only 1 hit. Clayton Kershaw was incredible, and pitched 9 innings, allowing 4 hits and striking out 4 and making 111 pitches. His start had been pushed back, and this extra rest seemed to invigorate him a bit. Clayton also now has collected over 200 strikeouts this season, the most by a Dodger lefty since Fernando Valenzuela. He's also within the top three in the league in strikeouts. The Giants' lefty, Barry Zito,went 5.2 innings, allowing 1 run off 1 hit, striking out 5 and walking 3. This was Zito's 9th loss in a row.
While we were watching Clayton's finest game to date, we cannot overlook the fact that the Dodgers' offense was pitiful. Furcal lead off the game with a walk, but Ethier then hit into an inning ending double play. Ethier would also strike out twice in the game. In the second inning Kemp was caught stealing once again after he had the only hit of the night for the Dodgers. Blake lead the way with 3 strikeouts tonight. With this lack of offense, Kershaw's victory seems even more miraculous. The Giants now fall to 1 1/2 games back of San Diego in the NL West after San Diego took the win over Colorado. Chad Billingsley will go up against Matt Cain in game 2 tomorrow. Go Blue:)
Dodgers and Giants Clash for Final Series
LA Dodgers @ San Francisco Giants
7:15 PM PT
Game 1
Clayton Kershaw
11-10
2.99
Barry Zito
8-12
4.14
Lineup:
Furcal 6
Ethier 9
Blake 5
Kemp 8
Gibbons 3
Barajas 2
Carroll 4
Johnson 7
Kershaw 1
Clayton Kershaw takes the mound going for his 12th win in the final series between rivals Dodgers and Giants. The Giants are up 8-7 in the seasons series with the Dodgers. Last time these two clubs met at AT&T Park, the Giants swept the three game series. Earlier in the month the Giants also took 2 out of 3 at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw looks to help uproot Barry Zito and the Giants and spoil their chance at the Division Title. The Giants are a fraction out of 1st place behind San Diego with Colorado close behind as well. The Dodgers only have 18 games left in the season which are entirely NL West opponents. Their last series with Houston wrapped up their NL Central games, and they finished 23-19 against them this season.
Reed Johnson is in left field today, playing for Pod who has an injured foot. It's great to see Jay Gibbons in the lineup once again. He will be playing first base tonight instead of Loney. Jamey Carroll, another utility guy, will be at second base tonight instead of Theriot.
After a frustrating season, there has still been a few bright spots. The starting rotation (Kershaw, Billingsley, Kuroda, Padilla, Lilly) have been excellent since the All-Star break. Hong-Chi Kuo has had an incredible season, and was the only member of the bullpen to deserve any praise. Although Kenley Jansen has also pitched very well, and I would like to see more of him next year. I feel that more credit is due to both Jamey Carroll and Jay Gibbons. Carroll has performed incredibly well in the absence of Rafael Furcal this season. Carroll could easily be a starting shortstop, and deserves recognition for always playing hard even with a broken finger! Jay Gibbons has hit 5 homeruns and 15 RBIs in his 43 at-bats since the Dodgers recalled him. It makes me sick to think of how much time Torre wasted on Auto Out aka Garrett Anderson instead of Gibbons. Gibbons is indeed an interesting story. He played with the Baltimore Orioles from 2001-2007. In 2007 he was cited in the infamous Mitchell Report. In 2008, he performed so poorly that the Orioles cut him. They claimed it was a "baseball decision" and not because of the steroid allegations. I read an interesting fact that "on June 12, 2008, Gibbons wrote an emotional letter to all 30 MLB clubs, asking to return to baseball, promising to donate his salary to charity. The only team that gave him a chance was the independent Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, a team unaffiliated with MLB. He played in 27 games for the Ducks, hitting .280 with 5 home runs in 107 at-bats." The Dodgers gave him a chance, and signed him to a minor league contract prior to the 2010 season. With the Isotopes he hit 19 homeruns, had a .347 batting average in 94 games. LET JAY PLAY:)
There's nothing I'd like to see more than a sweep of the Giants here at the end, one last hurrah for our boys in blue!!
7:15 PM PT
Game 1
Clayton Kershaw
11-10
2.99
Barry Zito
8-12
4.14
Lineup:
Furcal 6
Ethier 9
Blake 5
Kemp 8
Gibbons 3
Barajas 2
Carroll 4
Johnson 7
Kershaw 1
Clayton Kershaw takes the mound going for his 12th win in the final series between rivals Dodgers and Giants. The Giants are up 8-7 in the seasons series with the Dodgers. Last time these two clubs met at AT&T Park, the Giants swept the three game series. Earlier in the month the Giants also took 2 out of 3 at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw looks to help uproot Barry Zito and the Giants and spoil their chance at the Division Title. The Giants are a fraction out of 1st place behind San Diego with Colorado close behind as well. The Dodgers only have 18 games left in the season which are entirely NL West opponents. Their last series with Houston wrapped up their NL Central games, and they finished 23-19 against them this season.
Reed Johnson is in left field today, playing for Pod who has an injured foot. It's great to see Jay Gibbons in the lineup once again. He will be playing first base tonight instead of Loney. Jamey Carroll, another utility guy, will be at second base tonight instead of Theriot.
After a frustrating season, there has still been a few bright spots. The starting rotation (Kershaw, Billingsley, Kuroda, Padilla, Lilly) have been excellent since the All-Star break. Hong-Chi Kuo has had an incredible season, and was the only member of the bullpen to deserve any praise. Although Kenley Jansen has also pitched very well, and I would like to see more of him next year. I feel that more credit is due to both Jamey Carroll and Jay Gibbons. Carroll has performed incredibly well in the absence of Rafael Furcal this season. Carroll could easily be a starting shortstop, and deserves recognition for always playing hard even with a broken finger! Jay Gibbons has hit 5 homeruns and 15 RBIs in his 43 at-bats since the Dodgers recalled him. It makes me sick to think of how much time Torre wasted on Auto Out aka Garrett Anderson instead of Gibbons. Gibbons is indeed an interesting story. He played with the Baltimore Orioles from 2001-2007. In 2007 he was cited in the infamous Mitchell Report. In 2008, he performed so poorly that the Orioles cut him. They claimed it was a "baseball decision" and not because of the steroid allegations. I read an interesting fact that "on June 12, 2008, Gibbons wrote an emotional letter to all 30 MLB clubs, asking to return to baseball, promising to donate his salary to charity. The only team that gave him a chance was the independent Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, a team unaffiliated with MLB. He played in 27 games for the Ducks, hitting .280 with 5 home runs in 107 at-bats." The Dodgers gave him a chance, and signed him to a minor league contract prior to the 2010 season. With the Isotopes he hit 19 homeruns, had a .347 batting average in 94 games. LET JAY PLAY:)
There's nothing I'd like to see more than a sweep of the Giants here at the end, one last hurrah for our boys in blue!!
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