So my pen ran out of ink while writing down the lineups | Blue Notes - A Dodgers Blog

And while I'm fairly sure that Steve Garvey is starting at first and former British ski jumping sensation Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards is on the mound for the Blue, I can't be entirely certain. Fortunately, most of time when I was interviewing people I had the ol' recorder going, so the quotes can probably be trusted. Moving on...

Because he caught all 17 innings of Sunday's marathon win in San Diego, Russell Martin is getting one of those rare Russell Martin Days Off. Not that he thinks he needs it. Talking to Martin before the game, he said he came through the game just fine. No fatigue. Hunger, yes ("I should have had a Snickers, or something," he said). Fatigue, no. "That's why you get in shape in the offseason. I'd tell you guys if I was sore or anything, but really, I'm not. They were quick innings."

Yeah, Russ, but there were 17 of them. Martin shrugged off that point, unsure what to do with the awe expressed at his stamina by the media throng before him. Of course, we're a bunch who can't look at a flight of stairs without panting and sprints only when free food is involved, which probably puts everything in perspective.

Either way, it means there will be a rare Mike Lieberthal sighting on the field tonight. The veteran backstop will start, and catch his former Philly teammate, Randy Wolf, though that connection really didn't play into the equation. Grady Little said Lieberthal would have started no matter who was on the mound. It's been an April of adjustment for Lieberthal, who is learning how to be a true backup, one that doesn't play as much even as the average reserve. "It's my one World Series game every week and a half," he laughed, talking about his rare PT. "So there's pressure to do well." But seriously, Lieberthal said he feels solid, dependable defense is his more important function in a backup role, rather than offensive production. Download mike_lieberthal_4.30 on adjusting to backup life.mp3

No change in Jason Schmidt's status. He's not throwing yet, and is waiting for permission to do so. It's frustrating for sure, but at least the arrival of a new baby has taken the sting off of the inactivity.
Download jason_schmidt_4.30 on health, sitting.mp3

Little said before the game that he figures everyone in the bullpen is available in a pinch, though they'll try to stay away from Billingsley. They'll be paying more attention to length of appearances, trying to keep any RPs down to an inning at a time, save perhaps Joe Beimel, who could go a couple. Brett Tomko didn't throw on the side today, just in case he's needed. But needless to say, Little is hoping for a long outing from Wolf, the only downside being it would ruin the lefty's fun statistical oddity of having gone exactly six innings in each of his first five starts. Download grady_little_4.30 on pen.mp3

A little talk of Hong-Chih Kuo, who will take a rehab start on Wednesday, and Yhency Brazoban, who is also building his arm up again, an inning at a time. When they're ready, they'll perhaps join a pen that has pitched extremely well all season, with Sunday's game serving as just one example. It was a particularly good, and needed, day for Billingsley, who picked up the win and hopefully gave his confidence a positive jolt. Download grady_little_4.30 on Brazoban, Kuo.mp3
Download grady_little_4.30 on pen in general, Bills on Sunday.mp3

LINEUPS- Wilson Betemit is back and up higher in the order, though facing off against Brandon Webb is hardly an ideal recipe for slump busting (he's a career 0-4 against Webb). On the other hand, Rafael Furcal (5-12, HR, RBI) and Juan Pierre (6-17, 2 RBI) have had a little more success.

DODGERS-

Rafael Furcal- SS
Juan Pierre- CF
Nomar Garciaparra- 1B
Jeff Kent- 2B
Luis Gonzalez- LF
Wilson Betemit- 3B
Andre Ethier- RF
Mike Lieberthal- C
Randy Wolf- P

DIAMONDBACKS-

Chris Young- CF
Stephen Drew- SS
Orlando Hudson- 2B
Eric Byrnes- LF
Chad Tracy- 3B
Tony Clark- 1B
Carlos Quentin- RF
Chris Snyder- C
Brandon Webb- P