Smokin' like a Kent
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2008 could very well be the last season for crusty vet Jeff Kent, but after games like last night's 7-6 win over the Marlins, it's pretty obvious he's not ready to get the shovel treatment quite yet. Kent went 2-5 at the dish and belted in a trio of scores, two of which came as part of a four-run blitz in the second inning. Throw in solo ribbies during the sandwich innings and one would figure Derek Lowe had been provided the foundation for an easy "W" beside him in the box score. Think again. Fielding errors from James Loney and Matt Kemp tagged Mr. Sinker with three unearned runs, with good ol' fashioned Marlin hitting adding another three. Suddenly, we've got a knotted contest, meaning a Broxton-less bullpen would have to hold serve until the blue bats eventually did their proverbial "thing." Blake Dewitt's eighth-inning hero attempt was gunned down at the dish, but Kent eventually brought home the tie-breaking seventh run one frame later.
Even more happy was the sight of Takashi Saito not only snagging the save but coming through in the dominant fashion fans have yet to see this season. And again, with Broxton potentially illin' for a few games, moving beyond the .500 mark will likely require Sammy at the top of his craft.
For the Dodger roll to continue tonight against the Marlins (4:10 p.m. PST), it would help if a roll began for Chad Billingsley. The kid's shown that he's capable of fanning batsmen in his sleep, but hasn't been able to compliment that heat with a fully rounded and effective performance.
Should Barry Bonds elect to film Bonds on Bonds II: Electric Bugaloo, he'll continue to have plenty of time on his hands.
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Trade Kent to a contender at the deadline this year and let him live out his fantasy.
He's not going to be back next year anyway.
Posted by: wausroamer | April 30, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Writing off the Dodgers as contenders a little early, aren't ya wausroamer?
Posted by: whodat807 | April 30, 2008 at 03:54 PM