Nine large
With 17 hits, including a homer and five doubles, the L.A. attack was robust enough that most pitchers would have felt plenty of support. But what made Monday's 10-2 win in Houston so sweet for L.A. came from a guy who went 0-5. Chad Billingsley came up Godzilla big, going the distance for his first career complete game and helping take a little heat off a bullpen more worn down than that rock hammer Andy Dufresne used to escape from Shawshank Prison. Even better? He only needed 109 pitches to do it (as opposed to 113 through five), mixing in killer offspeed stuff to go with his patented heat. Billingsley might have liked to get his shutout- lost in the ninth on a two-out Luke Scott homer- but in the end, nine innings of work was reward enough. So check the box score to catch up on a big night for the the Dodger O- four hits for Jeff Kent, three for Nomar, three RBIs for Gonzo, a three run jack for James Loney, etc. This space, this morning, is reserved for good mound news.
That would include a clean MRI for Takashi Saito. While the Blue closer hasn't yet thrown, he was happy to see there was no structural damage. Once the pain is completely gone, he'll pick up a ball. With Saito still out, Eric Stults was thanked for his efforts on Sunday with a demotion to Vegas in favor of reliever Eric Hull. They just need the rubbery arms of a bullpen man. 
Given how tight the NL West has been all season, the two game lead L.A. now has over San Diego in the NL West must seem massive.
With the tragic death of minor league coach Mike Coolbaugh, safety for base coaches is in the spotlight. In the end, says Rich Donnelly, it just comes down to paying very, very close attention to batted balls.
Get your motor running, head out on the highway...
TONIGHT'S GAME: Mark Hendrickson doesn't exactly have a rep as an innings eater, but maybe he can give the Blue nine more? Okay, they'll probably settle for six. He'll take on Jason Jennings (1-6, 4.76) for Houston.
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MATT KEMP NOT IN LINEUP AGAIN..........do any of u people care?
Posted by: Aryan | July 24, 2007 at 10:41 AM
It doesn't matter if I care or not. Grady doesn't read this blog and harping on something day in and day out isn't going to change things. We know your position on this issue and I'm sure there are many of us that would fill the lineup card without Pierre's name. But until McCourt names this Blog as the next manager it's a bit out of our hands.
Posted by: Butch | July 24, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Why is Gagne available? The Rangers just signed him. I haven't been keeping track, how is he doing this year?
I read a nice little blurb in the AZ Republic editorial section this morning about Bonds. Just because he breaks the record, he's still no Hank Aaron. Appropriate.
Posted by: Andy B | July 24, 2007 at 11:21 AM
I sometimes question the intelligence of some Dodger fans. How can you people continue to harp about Juan Pierre's game? The guy leads the team in stolen bases, runs scored, hits, and tied with Raffie for team lead in triples. The only thing left for him to do to convince you idiots is walk on water. JP has been hot since the All-Star break and mark my word, he will be the difference maker come September. He's not a power guy, so don't expect him to lead the team in RBIs or homeruns. I've been saying all this time that he'll warm up and the guy is HOT!!!
I'm glad to see CB was fantastic last night. He's finally looking like the young stud he is. I am so looking forward to this kid maturing into a good starting pitcher.
As far as Gagne, he's back to normal
Posted by: SFDodgerGirl | July 24, 2007 at 01:11 PM
SFDG,
It's not a question of intelligence it's a matter of perspective. It depends on whether your perspective is only for the offense or defense or total contribution.
I don't dislike Pierre as much as others but I get very frustrated watching every team take base after base on him. Any ball hit to center is almost a guaranteed double and even a short fly ball to center will score a runner from third.
It's almost painful to see a ball get past Furcal and Nomar with both Gonzo and Pierre barely able to reach the cut off man. This is where I'm concerned with regard to Pierre.
I do like his offense and his baserunning. He has definitely shown he can be disruptive on the base paths. You have to have guys on base for the RBI guys and he does a good job of getting on base and getting into scoring position.
So, the question is from a total contribution perspective, does he generate more runs with his offense than he gives up with his defense? Not something that I've seen anybody able to quantify.
Posted by: Butch | July 24, 2007 at 06:49 PM
SFDodgerGirl,
The constant JP bashing by some people does get annoying, but I do understand where they're coming from. To me, his defensive shortcomings in CF will vastly overshadow what he can do defensively. His bad jumps, poor positioning, and weak arm are really frustrating to watch, especially when opposing baserunners advance on any flyball hit in Pierre's territory.
But, like you say, his offense has picked up a lot in the past month (except for his multiple-flyout games), and he can do some damage on the basepaths, so I haven't said anything negative about JP in a while. I think the most frustrating part of the deal for the complainers is the fact that Kemp and Ethier are rarely in the lineup at the same time. Unfortunately, Kemp made us all painfully aware that he is not (yet?) ready to take over defensively in CF, and Ethier has been nothing but a corner OF during his short baseball career. In any case, Pierre is here to stay for the next few years, so I guess we might as well make the best of it.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 24, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Oops, I meant his defensive shortcomings will overshadow what he can do OFFENSIVELY.
Posted by: Makoto Ueno | July 24, 2007 at 10:48 PM
SFDodgerGirl & Mak,
Are u both kidding me?......The reason people harp on PIerre is because the Dodgers have 4 outfielders, and he isnt in the top 3.......what i mean is.......MATT KEMP & ANDRE EITHIER CAN HELP MORE THEN PIERRE CAN........And both MATT KEMPT & ANDRE EITHIER should play everyday
I dont think PIERRE is a bad player.....but....the problem is......MATT KEMP & ANDRE EITHIER have better stats then PIERRE........and.....not only that......but they both have the potential to help the Dodgers offense more then PIERRE can
I mean do u really think PIERRE should play everyday but MATT KEMP & ANDRE EITHIER should not?
Posted by: Aryan | July 25, 2007 at 12:32 PM