Park's perfection phinished
(As is quality alliteration, but I digress...)
Hopefully, Chan Ho Park's chances of making the team weren't predicated on a scoreless spring (really, that's an unfair standard), because though he made a good run at it, for the first time in the preseason, Park's ERA rose above 0.00. The Diamondbacks touched him for three runs in four innings in their 8-7 win over the Blue Friday afternoon. It was, generally speaking, a bad day for Dodgers pitching. Hong-Chi Kuo allowed two runs in a 1.2 innings, Mike Koplove allowed a homer in only a third of an inning of work, and Rudy Seanez allowed a dinger of his own, contributing to two runs in a single inning on the hill. Better news from the sticks: Andrew Jones had a good day, including his third ST homer (overall, he was 3-4, and a triple short of the cycle), two more hits for Rafael Furcal, two for Matt Kemp, with a pair driven in.
On the other end of things, there is perhaps some frustration on the part of Juan Pierre over what very well might be diminished PT this season. Worth a read, but I'd avoid overreaction. Does he want to start? Of course. Every player does, and I'd be more worried if he didn't. But judging by the linked article, he smartly avoids the subject as much as possible. I'd have to hear him myself before I judged.
There's no question Pierre won't be happy if he loses the gig in left. But there's a difference between answering a question about it and becoming a bad guy in the clubhouse and a problem. That could happen, but don't assume that he's already turned into one.
BK
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
BK, I think the volatility of the lakersblog readers is getting to you. One sentence to introduce the story on Juan Pierre's PT and a paragraph and a half imploring readers not to go ballistic in the comments? Not so necessary on this blog.
Posted by: wreakjavik | March 22, 2008 at 03:49 PM
If JP could handle himself as a second baseman, he could increase his playing time. Seriously though, Abreu did some great things on defense today. Even when Kent is healthy, there is a big difference on defense with Abreu playing. I think that JP will be fine. He might "walk a little salty" at times, but if Joe Torre can handle the Yankee circus, then JP should be a walk in the park.
If one of the other outfielders gets hurt, we will be happy to have JP to step in.
Posted by: gary | March 22, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Furcal
Ethier
Loney
Jones
Kemp
Kent
Martin
Dewitt/Garciaparra
Without Pierre I think this lineup rivals any team. 1-8 have 15-20+ HR potential and all our outfielders have great arms. If we were flush with Arod type hitters then Pierre could fit. As it is now, we need power anywhere we can get it. Bye Juan - we hardly knew ye.
Posted by: bt1 | March 22, 2008 at 11:41 PM
200 hits five years, lifetime .300 hitter, WS ring. 50 stolens bases roughly per year. leading active game consecutive streak, gets to part at 6:15 am today, uh Juan Pierre leading off and playing left...no brainer for this team.
Posted by: Hollywood Mark | March 23, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Nice lineup BT1. I'm sold.
Posted by: Troy | March 24, 2008 at 09:58 AM
I hope Chan Ho makes the team. A lot of Korean fans will come out to support him, I hope Torre does the right thing!
Posted by: ray | March 24, 2008 at 09:20 PM
As a LA born and raised lifelong Dodger-hater, I implore the Dodgers to heed Hollywood Mark's opinion regarding Juan Pierre; that WS ring alone should be worth about 5 wins or so and his early arrival at the ballpark might be worth 10!
Posted by: Tully Moxness | March 25, 2008 at 10:10 AM