And the Hits Just Keep on Coming
I'm sitting at Chavez right now listening to the fireworks show (I say "listening" because the press box ceiling blocks my view of the display entirely, turning what I imagine is a great show into a complete freakin' annoyance because I can't hear my recorder), but when it comes to explosions, the Dodgers took care of that and then some during the game. The blue bats done went loco today, leading to an 11-3 thumping of the D-Backs. Aaron Sele regrouped after a first inning Orlando Hudson jack and an early 2-0 deficit, pitching 3 hit/0 ER ball from innings 3-7. Much success was a matter of recognizing that one pitch in particular needed some altitude killed. "Early in the game, my curveball was up and that's kind of my bread and butter and I had to get the ball down and really concentrate on that."
Of course, Sele could have probably afforded an off night the way his batsmen went haywire. Nomar extended his hitting streak to 16, J.D. Drew's is now at 10 and Andre Ethier alone accounted for a quartet of ribbies. The third inning was particularly fruitful, with just about the entire lineup contributing. Sele even looped a single to right after missing on two bunt attempts, which advanced leadoff batter Russell Martin to second (judging by his sheepish look when asked about it, the only person more surprised than the fans was Sele himself). From there, Rafael Furcal moved the runners with a perfect sacrifice bunt, Kenny Lofton singled in both fellas, and a tsunami of hits, walks and runs I'm too lazy to type out came pouring down. (But hey, here's a handy link!) End result? A five-run inning that turned the D-Backs into an open wound that never stopped bleeding.
And speaking of wounds, the Dodgers unfortunately suffered their share despite the win. Lofton's hammy flared up in the sixth (cue Matt Kemp's entrance). As noted before, Kent's last minute absence came courtesy of a sore oblique and according to Little, that's "one area of the body you don't want to push when you feel anything." And J.D. Drew ended up leaving the game in the seventh after fouling a ball off his foot (cue Jose Cruz Jr.'s entrance). It was probably something he could have played through (cue inevitable sarcastic blogger comments entrance), but with the game well in hand, Little thought they'd be better off simply shutting Drew down and icing his hoof. The trio is considered "day-to-day" for the time being, thus Little can't settle on a lineup before going home, as he's often inclined. "I'll have a couple of options on this desk before I leave."
For those keeping score, the hit batsmen tally tonight came in at an even 1-1.
And FYI. If you're a fan of chicken wings and have a sneaking suspicion L.A.'s bats are gonna go ballistic, it would be worth buying a ticket for the game. There's apparently a promotion where if the Dodgers score 10 or more runs, fans get a coupon for 10 free wings at participating Hooters restaurants. They said something about it over the loudspeaker after the game. I, of course, probably won't get my voucher because I'm busy writing up your summary and the ushers will have packed it in for the evening*. I hope the Blogging Nation appreciates such sacrifices I make to provide (hopefully) top notch info and entertainment.
More to come later.
—AK
*OK...Technically, the real reason I don't get the wings is because they only give them out to paying fans with a ticket stub, as opposed to dudes who got in free with a media credential. But the other explanation makes me sound like a much more dedicated martyr.
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L. Gonzales is a weenie. Did you see his cry baby tirade after the game Tuesday night? Get a grip on life man, this is baseball . . .
Posted by: Dodger Dog 4 life | July 04, 2006 at 11:25 PM
Why dont u shut up Luis Gonzalez and go take your HGH or whatever u put into your body to get those 57 homeruns. If Shawn Green had any guts or heart he would of charged the mound after he got beaned. But Shawn is soft and he will never charge the mound. If your stupid pitchers knew how to pitch inside then Shawn wouldnt have been beaned. Next time they should skip Shawn and bean Luis in the head. I hope there is a brawl tonight and Luis Gonzalez gets knocked out. Hope the Dodgers fans in the outfield gives him the Barry Bonds treatment tonight
Posted by: Steve Schmol | July 05, 2006 at 06:46 AM
“It was probably something he could have played through it (cue inevitable sarcastic blogger comments entrance)”
AK,
You’re not talking about me, are you?? HAHAHA!!!
I didn't even know why she had left the game. I figured Little was giving her some rest since it was a blowout. But now that you mentioned the foot thing....(HAHAHA)
Posted by: LoLo | July 05, 2006 at 08:54 AM
I don't know where all this animosity towards Green comes from. He is one of the best guys (both on and off the field) in the majors, and hasn't done anything during his career except be a model citizen and but up solid numbers. When he left the Dodgers, it was through a trade, and not free agency, so it's not like you can pin greed on him, either.
The D-backs definitely had it coming (and probably still do), but Green is the wrong guy to target. Even his post game comments (did anyone else find them incredibly cryptic?) were pretty mild; he just said the right things to defend his team. Green isn't soft or weak. He knew someone had to get beaned, and he is mature and professional enough to not take it personally. The last thing the D-backs need right now is more clubhouse drama with a suspension. I think he did the right thing. The Dodgers were the ones that screwed up last night.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 05, 2006 at 12:47 PM
The Dodgers screwed up last night? By protecting their batters? OK, YOU get hit with a fastball and explain to me how chummy you feel after taking one.
Five HBP's in 2 games is absurd! They are major league pitchers and have better control over their pitches than that. It’s not like it was the same pitcher either. While they might not have thrown at the hitters on purpose, they sure as hell didn't care that they were beaming them. That in itself deserves retaliation.
Green's comments really ticked me off. Stop whining and take it like a man. Jesus, even Barry knows when to keep his mouth shut (did he say anything after getting beamed after they hit Kent? No!)
Green is soft. He is VERY soft. That has always been a knock on him. The real reason he was mad last night was because they have gotten the snot beaten out of them 2 nights in a row and are in last place and sinking fast. Let’s call a spade a spade here. Even those guys aren’t dumb enough not to know that you can expect a bean ball after hitting your opponents 5 TIMES in 2 days.
Posted by: LoLo | July 05, 2006 at 02:18 PM
Lolo, I think you misunderstood.
The Dodgers didn't mess up because they threw at the D-backs, they messed up because they chose Green to be the target.
I don't think Green was especially mad last night, nor did it sound like he was whining to the camera. Despite what words may have come out of his mouth, he knew that some of those Arizona beanballs were on purpose, and he knew that his team deserved retaliation. However, since his last name isn't Guillen, he can't come out and say that in front of a camera.
If the previous two games of this series set the tone for tonight's finale, the Dodgers would do very well to pick a guy other than Shawn Green to hit.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 05, 2006 at 03:20 PM
OK, I do agree that could have chosen a better target than Green. I actually like Green. I was kidding when I said I wanted them to hit him (he's the first name that pops into my head when I think of Arizona). They should have hit Gonzalez! I can't stand him.
But they DID hit Green. I'm certainly not going to cry over spilt milk that they did. I did misunderstand you; I though you were knocking the Dodgers for protecting their players and praising Green.
I didn't like the fact that Arizona was whining about it. They should have kept their mouth shut about it. Bean ball is one of those taboos you don't talk about, but it's part of the game. They should have expected what occurred and taken the higher road by keeping their mouth shut like the Dodgers did. That was a load of crap to say that the Dodgers hit them on purpose and the D-backs are these poor innocent players who are too goody goody to hit other players. Again, I think the tirades have more to do with them being in last place and the fact that they have gotten the snot beat out of them the last 2 games.
Posted by: LoLo | July 05, 2006 at 03:43 PM