Abreubetcha!!!
If Tony Abreu (among others) has a problem with losing his semi-starting gig to Nomar Garciaparra, he chose the proper method of protesting his worth. No blasting Grady little through the media. No trade demands. No sit-ins with songs by Joan Baez playing in the background. Instead, he shut his yap and hit a game-winner 10th inning homer to secure a 6-5 win over the D-Backs. Subbing for Big Jon Broxton with two Blue batters already downed, Abreu found the perfect time to hit his first big league long ball. Pretty clutch move for a youngster (although Abreu's preservation of the milestone required the help of a savvy veteran). The second string hot corner man's heroics not only vaulted his squad to the top of their division, but helped cover for another fella wet behind the ears. Chad Billingsley's second start quickly littered the box score with a decent chunk of runs and two Snake homers in as many innings.
Can the Dodgers extend the cushion between them and Arizona? The first step is the one taken by Derek Lowe, who'll be throwing against reigning Cy-Man Brandon Webb. It's a toss up as to which hurler has the bigger "mo' better blues" when it comes to outperforming his respective record.
The Glendale spring training facility, heretofore a serious nightmare to plan, is becoming more of a reality. 2009 or bust, baby!
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Someone please tell Billingsley that it takes three strikes to record an out. Being ahead in the count 0-2 is not an excuse to throw three balls then groove a fat one down the center of the strikezone.
I say it will take him two more shaky starts until he really finds his legs, so let's hope the offense can keep bailing him out for the next couple of weeks.
I didn't see the game last night, but Abreu definitely needs to go back to AAA and learn how to deal with the breaking ball on the inside half of the plate. One of these days he's going to strain an oblique trying to check his swing, or he'll end up bashing his toes with his bat.
Let's sweep the D-Backs out of their house (again!)
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | June 27, 2007 at 01:19 PM
I have to admit that Grady Little is doing an excellent job in managing the team. He gave Betemit all kinds of chances before going with Nomar at 3rd base.
I still haven't given up on Betemit but I can understand Little's moves.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | June 27, 2007 at 02:56 PM
Mak
You are right, Billingsley kept going 0-2 in the count and then running it to 3-2 it was crazy!!
Mak
It is not like you to get down on a player, but I guess Abreu did it. Now you know how I felt about Betemit.
Posted by: Package | June 27, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Package,
I'm not down on Abreu by any means. He's the second baseman of the future, and he's a pretty valuable utility infielder today.
It's just that the league has found the holes in his swing, and aside from mistakes like last night, opposing pitchers will continue to throw him that breaking ball under the hands to get him out. He just isn't going to be able to make the necessary adjustments unless he plays every day, and Las Vegas is the only place he get the chance to do that. I have no problem with Abreu on the major league roster right now, but he should be the first to go when Ramon Martinez comes back.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | June 27, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Come on Little does things sometimes that dont make sense.....He took so long to put in Loney.....He still doesnt put in Kemp consistently.....He & Ned are in love with Pierre.......Ya Billingslty is doing bad but why was he in the bullpen in the first place?.......Maybe its tough when u have a young guy coming out of the pen (and remember for a while he wasnt doing good) when he may want to start.....and when u keep having him come out the pen he gets used to it, or maybe loses his confidence i dunno......
Little is a good manager....but....sometimes he doesnt give good players consistent playing time..........He did this to Repko , Eithier, & Kemp last year......and this year hes doing it with Loney, Kemp, & now it seems Eithier (all though in all fairness Eithier did kind of cool down compared to last year)
Posted by: Aryan | June 27, 2007 at 05:10 PM
Now that was stupid. Little pinch hit for the pitcher with a right handed Saenz. I don't get it...the pitcher was right handed. What is up with a hot hitting pinch hitter Betemit?
That was stupid.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | June 27, 2007 at 09:11 PM
Mike-
Betemit is hitting .206 this month. I'm not sure I'd call him hot hitting. As a PH he's been better, but has cooled overall since his hot start in that role. The only reason (other than gut feel) to PH Betemit over Saenz would be to try and draw a lefty into the game- theoretically AZ would have countered with a lefty to turn Betemit around- then Little could have put in Saenz, except the D Backs didn't have a lefty warming up. Just Cruz and Valverde.
I understand your position, and Betemit certainly was an option, but didn't have a problem with it. Overall, Saenz has a longer track record of solid PH work.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 27, 2007 at 10:11 PM
why isn't nomar batting 8th or left bench
Posted by: K T USN | June 27, 2007 at 11:10 PM
missed opportunities w/ men in scoring position or bases loaded....enough said
Posted by: K T USN | June 27, 2007 at 11:25 PM
I said as a pinch hitter.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | June 27, 2007 at 11:49 PM
If I remember correctly he hit a home run in his last at bat or was that 2 at bats ago?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | June 27, 2007 at 11:50 PM
Mike-
Like I said, Betemit was certainly an option. My point was choosing Saenz was also a perfectly reasonable choice. And you're correct, Betemit homered Tuesday (I believe).
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 28, 2007 at 01:18 AM
If the Dodger hitters are going to continue to flounder when Derek Lowe pitches, could they kindly let everyone know? That way, Little could start Bombko, or resurrect Lance Carter or Kaz Ishii to pitch. Wouldn't be wasting excellent pitching and would also reduce frustration over being unable to score, despite nine hits and six walks.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | June 28, 2007 at 07:23 AM
Well, at least Lowe probably felt like everything was normal in the world again. All that run support he had recieved in the last few starts probably freaked him out.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | June 28, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Yahoo is reporting the rumor that the Dodgers are after Teixeira. I may be the only one but unless he can play 3rd, I am not for this deal. Loney is proving to be our long term answer at 1st. Tex will not come cheaply in terms of our youngsters and he is a Boras client which is a HUGE negative IMO.
Our hole is at 3rd and I know that there are not many good options out there for 3rd right now. Our weak spots right now are Nomah, Kent, Pierre, and Raffy (maybe needs some time on the DL?).
I would like to see Kemp get some starts at Pierre's expense.
I have no idea what is up with Kent or Nomar other than that they are not carrying their weight right now.
Gonzo was a great pick up by the way despite the fact that he blocks Kemp to some extent and I am still gloating over the fact that Gonzo is having a better year than Drew at half the price and triple the enthusiasm.
Ned has done a good job of protecting our future. I hope he does not go overboard now.
I would try to protect Martin, Brox, Billz, Loney, & Kemp unless we get a long term deal on a REALLY big impact player.
Just my thoughts.
Lex
Posted by: Lex | June 28, 2007 at 09:39 AM