Bats too quiet in a Webb of trickery
The title sounds like a bad spy novel parody, but it nonetheless sums up the issue. Derek Lowe took the personal "L" in the 2-0 loss to the D-Backs, but it's hard to ride the sinkerball specialist's performance too heavily. His 6.2 innings yielded just two runs, one of which came when James Loney's throwing error allowed runners to advance for an eventual sacrifice. The problem wasn't at the plate but Brandon Webb's effect on the Dodger dish (where Loney and Gonzo's mutual three hit nights led to a dry run reservoir) and the base paths (where a baker's dozen were left stranded). You can break down and analyze the box until your mind and eyes bleed, but at the end of the day, that's still the score (literally and figuratively).
The Dodgers look to take the Arizona series, regain their grip on the NL top spot, and serve youth, all in one fell swoop. If Randy Wolf can outduel (and outlast) another Randy you may have heard of, that would be a step in the proper direction. Wolf's trying to snap a two-game losing streak. The Unit just wants to throw without throwing out his back.
Between a new starting gig and a stat clip putting him in company with the Bambino, it's safe to say a certain youngster thinks everything's "coming up Loney." And if James need further lessons on enjoying the ride, he can look no further than the example set by Luis Gonzalez.
Some answers to the questions ailin' ya.
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
The veterens are not doing their jobs out there. Somebody has to come up and get the BIG HIT. That is 2 losses in the last week where all the Dodgers needed was one big hit to either win or tie the game. Leaving that many guys on base is just horrible. I blame the veterens, because its there job to get it done. Kent, Nomar, Saenz, Furcal, Pierre... GET IT DONE!
Posted by: Dodger Fan | June 28, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Forget the veterans - let youth be served. Nomar and Kent are clearly and quite painfully faltering. Sitting Kemp and/or Abreu late in the game and having Garciaparra bat in a "do or die" situation is just crappy managing. Bases loaded and he can't get the ball out of the infield? Enough already! Hitting Olmedo (who I think is great) in a potential double play situation when you've got Kemp available? Ridiculous management.
P.S. Sit Pierre as well. There is no doubt that Matt Kemp can play center field as well or better -- is nearly as fast, and definitely will hit better. Enough resting on past laurels and "respect for our elders" -- we need the management to get serious about winning and stop being so sentimental.
Posted by: LossLeader | June 28, 2007 at 10:45 AM
i dont think theyre gonna sit pierre any time soon. at least not for an extended time. he just signed a huge deal. it would look stupid for the dodgers to bench one of their highest paid position players. its not like the kid is bad either (offensively at least). he is one of the most consitent players in the last five years. he'll finish the season around .300 and he'll steal 50 bases.
Posted by: joeshmofromcocomo373 | June 28, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Looking forward to that day when Pierre reaches those numbers and, for that matter, that Furcal gets healed. But at the rate we're coughing up close games, there may not be any post season for these guys to worry about. As for losing face over bad business deals, that is, in my worthless opinion, no reason not to sit slumping players. But seriously, as long as the Dodgers continue to draw 3 million plus fans every year, there is absolutely no incentive for management to spend the big bucks to field a championship team.
Posted by: LossLeader | June 28, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Wow, talk about a waste of 9 innings...
These guys should be begging Lowe's forgivness. And it's time for NoMah to start batting eigth.
Posted by: Andy B | June 28, 2007 at 12:34 PM
the dodgers need to beat the good pitchers not just the 4th and 5th starters, in the playoffs thats all that they are going to face, other teams aces. Im sorry lowe on behalf of all the dodgers and their fans for playing like a little league team whenever u pitch ur guts out and continue to get losses in ur column. He deserves better than that
Posted by: bigtaxdizzle | June 28, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Let's see what the kids can do. We're seeing too much of what the vets aren't.
Posted by: kailuadodgerfan | June 28, 2007 at 02:29 PM
The Dodgers HAVE spent big bucks! Furcal, Pierre, Schmidt, ....they just haven't quite worked out.
Furcal and Pierre cannot bat 1 2 like that. Pierre has to bat leadoff and Furcal, injured or not, second. then Martin, Kent, don't give up on him yet, Gonzo, who I was wrong about, Loney, who I was right about, Ethier, and then whomever plays 3rd, with Kemp batting against lefties in place of Ethier.
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | June 28, 2007 at 02:48 PM
But yeah, Kemp in center and Pierre on the bench would be best but it won't happen.
Posted by: DODGER 1955 | June 28, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Nice to see the Blue taking some licks to Johnson. He has owned us over the years. I think that Pierre should be the 4th outfielder. Also nice to see the guys starting to work the pitch counts.
Posted by: Lex | June 28, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Here we go with Bomko!!! No lead is safe!
Posted by: Butch | June 28, 2007 at 06:19 PM
Bombko is brutal! Says he wants to start, but can't protect a six-run lead. His uselessness forced Little to (wisely) go to Saito and stop the foolishness.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | June 28, 2007 at 09:37 PM
Why does it matter if PIerre is making more money?....I mean with this lineup Kemp has a possiblity that he can help us more then Pierre, so if he can POSSIBLY DO BETTER, then what difference does it make how much Pierre is making?......I mean......Put Kemp out there & pretend your paying him PIerre's salary.......what difference does it make who the money's going to?
And keep Eitheir in there to
Posted by: Aryan | June 28, 2007 at 10:49 PM
What a difference a day makes.
2 consecutive nights of 13 LOB. It was a disaster in the 0-2 loss against Webb, but no big deal in a 9 run outburst.
This team is always going to leave a ton of runners on base, but I just wish the bats weren't so streaky. Between the last two games (miniscule sample size, I know), the Dodgers scored an average of 4.5 runs while leaving 13 LOB. I'll take an average of 4+ runs a night with our pitching staff, but some consistency would be nice. With better timing, the Dodgers could have easily swept Arizona, and they would have a 1 game lead going home for the Padres this weekend.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | June 29, 2007 at 09:26 AM
How about them Pads, picking up more scraps from the Dodgers table. Milton Bradley to shore up the outfield on the "Dodgers South"?
He is definitely an upgrade over what they've got now, but I wonder how long it'll be before he accuses Maddux of bad leadership, Wells of being a racist, and breaks his hand on Michael Barrett's face.
By adding yet another ex-Dodger, though, Kevin Towers has guaranteed us yet another heartbreaking, late season loss that may cost the division.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | June 29, 2007 at 09:54 AM
The comments made on this blog never ceases to amaze me. Last year, Furcal had a rough start, but finished like the stud he is. This year, he hurts the ankle in Spring Training and came back too quickly because the team needed him back ASAP to add the sparks the Dodgers were missing the first few weeks. Furcal is their emotional leader, so I don't know why Dodger 1955 says he's a bad signing. Are we watching the same games? With a bum ankle, the guy runs like a bull into the outfield to make sure the play is made and it is because he makes the play. Yes Furcal has slowed down. Yes Furcal hasn't been stealing bases. Yes his bat is a little cold right now, but the guy is an excellent ballplayer that is playing hurt.
Next year when Schmidt is all healed up, you anti-Schmidt Dodger fans will be singing a different tune. The guy is tore up and once he's better, he'll be back to throwing those nasty pitches. I'm just as disappointed as the rest of you guys, but I've seen Schmidt pitch for the Giants on a regular basis and the guy is good. So I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and so should the rest of the members of Dodger Nation.
Pierre is a disappoint, but I'm not counting him out. He'll come back strong after the All-Star break. I'm counting on it!!!
Ugh!!! Its so hard to watch Kent and GP at the plate. I'm so happy Loney is now the starting 1st baseman. I wonder when Grady Little will wake up and realize that Nomar is no longer the player he was back in Boston. I like GP, but I'm not happy with his lack of production. It's hard to watch him come up to bat in a do or die situation.
I hope the Dodgers can come up with either a sweep or winning the series this weekend against the Padres. I bet the Padres will have Milton in their outfield at least for one game this weekend. I can't believe these teams are dumb enough to take a chance on him, especially with what he's demonstrated on the field the past few years. Then again, who cares? I just want our boys to win!!!
Posted by: SFDodgerFan | June 29, 2007 at 10:50 AM