Extra! Extra! (6.28)
Thus far, the Dodgers are 0-1 in the Mark Hendrickson-Toby Hall era. Of course, it's probably a stretch to blame last night's 9-2 loss against the Twins on the presence of the newest Boys in Blue, considering they won't even join the squad until the Anaheim series. Those seeking more accurate explanations might simply say Derek Lowe's sinkerball...sunk. The Metrodome's field (the baseball equivalent of a fake Christmas tree) didn't quite mix with Lowe's propensity to create groundballs, making them more or less radioactive. Four of the dozen hits he surrendered came courtesy of Joe Mauer and they all helped the Twins score — as Ferris Bueller's principal would say — nine times. But hey, it could be worse. At least Lowe didn't get hit by a grounder against his final batter.... Never mind. If it's any comfort to Lowe (and it's probably not), at least his teammates were also pretty lousy. They didn't exactly light up the box score either.
Today's game: In an afternoon delight, Odalis Perez reenters the rotation. The Twins ran out of welcome mats, so instead they're putting out ace lefty Johan Santana. Gee, no pressure, especially when Perez is hoping to make the rest of the league drool.
As noted earlier, the Dodgers made a move to help strengthen their now Tomko-less rotation a touch. The additions? Lefty starter Mark Hendrickson and catcher Toby Hall. The ridiculously tall Hendrickson supplies the Dodgers an arm both surging and capable of long stints, both qualities desperately coveted in the Land of Blue. Local product Hall provides a quality back up for Russell Martin. The subtractions? The exiled Jae Seo and quality trade bait Dioner Navarro. As one might suspect, Tampa's perspective is mostly focused on the young catcher.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire doesn't know why the AL is kicking the snot out of the NL in interleague play, but he ain't arguing.
Yo! What's the matter with you people? Get your boy Nomar a trip to Steeltown, why doncha!
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Why the heck does Little keep insisting on having Sandy catch for Perez? Does he think that because they’re both Latin that they are going to form this magical bond out there. It was back in April that Perez questioned the fact that Little paired him with Alomar. Unless Perez and Sandy have been going out Salsa dancing since then or sipping on Corona’s and/or Margaritas on the beach in Cancun I don’t see what has changed.
Doesn’t Little know we are trying to “showcase” Perez to the rest of the league. Then put your best catcher out there so Odalis can go 8IP with 0ER. Save Martin’s rest-day for when this Toby Hall bozo gets on onboard. Sheesh, Little really makes me scratch my head sometimes!
Posted by: LoLo | June 28, 2006 at 09:49 AM
Odalis Perez makes me sick!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lou Blue | June 28, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Lolo,
I am with you on the Perez issue. Its the top of the 2nd inning and Mr Perez has already been clovered with 4, FOUR runs!!!!!!! another long day today as we're playing against the "EN-FUEGO" twins.......
Why in the world didn't Colletti throw in Perez in the Hendrickson trade, should have done it as a souvenir. But you know what?? The Rays were not dumb enough to take an awful pitcher like Perez, specially with that kind of a contract. I wonder if Colletti doesnt' realize that by dumping perez and eating his salary would be more cost-efective than keep having him lose games for us. I don't know man!!!!! I GIVE UP!!!!!!!
Posted by: JC Blue | June 28, 2006 at 10:55 AM
PEREZ GAME UPDATE!!!!!!!
BOTTOM OF THE 5TH.
LAD 0
TWINS 6 RUNS, 11 HITS
PEREZ IS FINALLY PULLED FROM THE GAME!!!!!!! I can't wait for the post-game excuses from both Little and Perez...........
Posted by: JC Blue | June 28, 2006 at 11:37 AM
After seeing Perez pitch this afternoon, there's nothing left to do but get rid of him. I forgot where I read it recently, but some writer made a great point... the Dodgers would not "eat" his salary by cutting him. Perez is getting every dollar of that $27-million dollar contract. The only question is who will pay it? Unfortunately, we already know that answer... nobody except the Dodgers.
Clearly nobody's interested in him and I'm sure Colletti's offered to pick up a portion of the salary a la the Shawn Green dump by his predecessor. Arizona cut Russ Ortiz... time to follow our division rival's lead or follow them in the standings. Odalis Perez needs to be designated for assignment immediately... and cut 10 days later. His loser attitude only compounds his poor performance on the field.
Posted by: Stinger | June 28, 2006 at 11:45 AM
Message to Little and Colletti:
OK, we get it!! Odalis stinks and he's not part of our future plans. If you’re serious about shopping this guy, or maybe even serious about helping him right his ship then stop setting the guy up for failure!!
Posted by: LoLo | June 28, 2006 at 12:01 PM
Even if we lose this game, Saenz just injected some life into the team. I was seriously thinking about calling 911 and having them go around with an EKG just to make sure they were still alive. If nothing else, that double just became the silver lining of this terrible series!
Posted by: LoLo | June 28, 2006 at 12:35 PM
I beginning to sense a need of creating a
"FIRE PEREZ" website, what do you guys think?.......
Posted by: JC Blue | June 28, 2006 at 02:01 PM
JC Blue-
Like you say, you can't just throw Perez into any deal. The guy makes Jeff Weaver and his contract look appealing.
Lolo-
You can't "fire" Perez. He's our long reliever! (hahahahaha).
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 28, 2006 at 02:03 PM
BK,
You gotz to get an interview with Perez. Make him answer some tough questions. Make him spill some guts so he embarrasses himself and the franchise. Anything to get him “fired” or traded for an extra vendor. Screw your journalistic integrity, man!! Take one for the team!!
Odalis is baseball’s equivalent of the NBA player who has yet to commit a foul in his entire career (hello Rasheed Wallace). Odalis has yet to go out there and lose a game for his team. He’s that...damn…good! HAHA!! I’m with JC; I can’t wait to see the excuses tomorrow. I mean, if you can’t pitch well when you know you are “auditioning” for other teams, then you really SUCK!!!
Posted by: LoLo | June 28, 2006 at 02:38 PM
BK,
The “player to be named later” in our trade yesterday: Can we give them Carter back? HAHAHA!
(I'm being serious, by the way)
Posted by: LoLo | June 28, 2006 at 02:40 PM
Lolo-
While I'm on board with the trade (I think today's game emphasized the need for a starter- any starter), if the player to be named happens to be a really good one, I might have to reconsider.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 28, 2006 at 02:48 PM