Extra! Extra! (5.30)
If a Dodger fan opened up a sports page and simply glanced at a box score, he'd naturally think that the 12-5 win over the Braves must have been all peaches and cream.
Well, not really. Sure, it was fun to see Ramon Martinez make the most out of a rare start. While the odds of him replacing Jeff Kent even after the incumbent returns to health are slim, going 3-4 with 5 RBI's certainly confirmed Grady Little's opinion that the guy can more than fill in when needed.
Speaking of filling in, recent AA call-up Matt Kemp fared a lot better yesterday than in his Sunday D.C. debut. First big league hit and stolen base, all in one shot. That'll come in handy when he's old and trying to recall his career highlights. Unfortunately, the seemingly easy win did come with some drama, courtesy of Brad Penny's exit stage left.
Spotted an 8-1 lead, Penny suddenly went from smoking to sputtering in the top of the fifth, giving up six straight hits and four runs. Grady Little decided he'd seen enough and pulled his hurler before he qualified for the win. Cue hissy fit. Time spent watching the game (and the win) didn't entire cool off the big righty, an issue Little and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said they'd address in-house. Hopefully, they can kill two birds with one stone and talk with Penny while he gets some treatment for his shoulder, which was killing him during the game (and likely the cause of his sudden collapse).
Tonight's game (FSN, 4:35 p.m.): Aaron Sele takes the mound this evening against Jorge Sosa. In four starts this season, Sele has yet to give up more than two earned runs. Sosa started out the season the pitching equivalent of a piñata, but has settled down in this last few starts.
Think there's no such thing as karma? Read this article and see if you don’t change your mind. Unlike Mr. Hochevar, Nomar apparently hasn't been pissing off the baseball gods.
You know where you are? You're in the jungle, baby! You're gonna die!
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AK/BK,
What's your opinion of the Penny ordeal. As Vincent Vega would say, "You gotz to have an opinion".
Posted by: LoLo | May 30, 2006 at 09:38 AM
Lolo,
First of all, I got to have an opinion on you pulling out the "Pulp Fiction" reference. Nicely done.
Assuming this doesn't become a sustained source of tension, I don't think it's a big deal. Obviously, Penny was being a little selfish and immature, but that's not the end of the world. At some point, we've all acted stupid in the heat of the moment, then sulked above and beyond the call of duty. But it was obvious why Little pulled him. Dude was getting shelled.
That being said, unless evidence starts popping up that this is turning into a Penny-Little feud, I would simply chalk it up to Penny making an ass out of himself and leave it at that.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 30, 2006 at 10:14 AM
AK,
I’m with you on that! I was kind of surprised to see some of the overreactions to this from the fans. Penny has been a good horse for us, so I am very inclined to give the boy the benefit of the doubt that he will realize that he made an ass out of himself and will promptly apologize for his behavior. Dude has been in the league long enough and realizes that he can’t go around doing that stuff. If he doesn’t apologize and things don’t get worked out then I can see some of the criticisms being warranted. But the calls for his head and the ones to trade him are ludicrous. Linking his actions to those of Meltdown is bologna.
One reason I think this won’t be a big deal is because of the veteran presences in the locker room. That is a big reason why Odalis has kept his mouth shut when in past years he has been very inclined to open his mouth. We have a strong clubhouse and this incident will be quickly forgotten.
I can chalk this one up to the fact that it was Memorial Day and emotions were already high. Maybe it was the heat. Either way I don’t think Penny did anything bad enough to “lose his L.A. privileges”.
Posted by: LoLo | May 30, 2006 at 10:37 AM
Not to be an ass, but umm.. Kemp got a hit on sunday. He struck out 3 times & at his 4th AB he got his first major league hit. Yesterday he went 2-3 with a stolen base & 2 RBIs. Maybe I read the article wrong or misunderstood it.. oh well.
Posted by: MrsThinkBlue | May 30, 2006 at 11:55 AM
I read that in order to bring Kemp up Lance Carter was sent down & Cesar Izturis was put on the 60day disabled list...is this true?
Has Izzy had some kind of set back?
ugh....
Go dodgers!!...
only a few hours 'til game time....
I'm going home... blogyatomorrow.
Posted by: MrsThinkBlue | May 30, 2006 at 11:58 AM
Mrs Think Blue,
You are indeed correct and I changed it. I read Sunday's box incorrectly. And don't ever feel sheepish or apologetic about calling an error to our attention. It keeps us on our toes. Thank you.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 30, 2006 at 12:18 PM
Great!! The Dodgers finally get some airtime on ESPN…and it ends up being because of the Penny tirade. It was the third subject on Around The Horn (right after the NBA playoffs), and I’m sure they will talk about it on PTI.
Beautiful! F**k’n Beautiful! As Tony Soprano would ask, “On your mutha’s birthday?!?”
Posted by: LoLo | May 30, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Izzy hasn't had a setback -- he's still plugging away at extended spring training in Vero. The 60-day DL thing is retroactive to Opening Day, and basically just seems like a little paperwork shuffle to keep the 40-man roster well-stocked with this flurry of injuries/crap pitching. I'd expect to see him back on schedule, accompanied by another paperwork shuffle to make room for him.
Posted by: Eric B. | May 30, 2006 at 04:03 PM
Man, this Dodgers line-up is pretty good. 1 through 6 is pretty solid. Throw in Kent and we have 1 through 7. They can hit for average and get base hits at anytime. Great 8th and 9th innings.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | May 30, 2006 at 07:26 PM
how about Either, the more you watch um the more your impressed, Aybar can just flat out hit & Kemp
still needs more seasoning but made some adjustments the 2nd time around & got a couple of hits, all 'n all great day for Dodger fans.
Posted by: bluebleeder | May 30, 2006 at 08:27 PM
hey everyone,
I'm lisntening to dodger talk after the game at the moment. Someone just called in wondering about a possible addition of Al Soriano to the team. Kind of has me thinking. It actually has me thinking of a few things.
1. If Ned wanted someone of Soriano's caliber, what would it take (I don't think Ned would be this foolish). For beginners Dionner, (as much as I liked him,{still do} he's suddenly expendable), one of our young outfielders(I suggest Delvin Young),and a pitcher other than OP, Tomko or Seo.
2. This isn't going to happen so I'll move on.
3. I'd leave the team as is(can we win it all, or do we need one more peice?) Kent will come back strong, even if he does need to recoup on the DL.
I count Izzy's return as part of as is. Let him take a Tony Phillips type role and play all positions except first. Upon Ceasers return, Kemp can digest his latte and cinnamon bun back in Jax while waiting for the full-course meal due at September call-ups. This means a 5 man outfield consisting of Drew, Lofton, Ethier, Cruz and Repko(Izzy going to be our emergency guy?).
4. Gange, I think OP is staying, that means no room for Hamulak. I also hope I get a chance to see Billingsy before call-ups, but that would mean an injury, suckiness or too many tirades(OK, I guess I have to go to Vegas).
5. Back to #1 and then I'm done. Other than Kemp, I'm sorry that's Kent, when was the last time we made a trade or picked up a free agent we were actually happy with.
Nomore, Nomore, Nomore.
Posted by: Pho 06 | May 30, 2006 at 09:53 PM