A fun game for The Count to watch
The Sesame Street mainstay would be in hog heaven right about now, assuming he doesn't bleed blue. Dude had oodles of New York Met runs to tally (and precious few on the other side), as the Dodgers got beat up 12-1. Mets starter John Maine looked otherworldly, pitching 8.1innings with just four hits and one run scuffing (the latter blemish not surfacing until one-third of the way into the ninth frame). "He throws a lot of strikes, and to me, that's the key for a pitcher. The thing they say more than anything else: The best pitch is strike one. And he had quality stuff on top of throwing strikes." Said "stuff" pretty much paralyzed the home team, an effect similar to Brad Penny's on his own squad and box score (more on that later).
But keeping things optimistic (and even a little realistic), the loss doesn't change the fact that the Dodgers won two of three games during this series against the Metropolitans (their fourth straight series triumph). If two out of three games can be won during two out of three series from this point on, chances are solid these fellas will be sitting all pretty-like come September.
The breakdown is below.
The Good
I could just write "nothing" and not even come off lazy, but for the sake of a little specificity...
- The ninth inning: Better late than never to get on the board. A pinch-hitting Andruw Jones blooped what became a right field double and was eventually sent home on Matt Kemp's hit streak-preserving single to center that finally earned Maine a hook. The previously mentioned Count will be tickled to learn the outfielder's now sitting on twelve straight games with a knock (Ahh, ahh, ahh!). Juan Pierre never made it across the dish, but did draw a walk that increased the (extremely light) pressure on Maine. The Dodgers may have mistimed this ultimately inconsequential sign of life, but at least it was displayed.
- James Loney: He got one of the team's quartet of hits and made a couple nice plays in the field. It's a bit of a stretch placing him here, but I like putting forth a little sunshine on this day of literal and metaphorical clouds.
The Bad
I could just write write "everything" and not even come off lazy, but for the sake of a little specificity...
- Brad Penny: A three up, three down first inning kicked off the game swimmingly enough. From there, the All-Star drowned. His second inning was a total struggle, lowlighted by four earned runs and 37 pitches, with the damage potentially worse had Carlos Beltran's rocket shot not have found Loney's glove. From there, he "regrouped" a bit by this game's standards, allowing just one third inning run when Angel Pagan's force out provided Beltran enough time to make the trip from the hot corner. But the fifth and final inning echoed Penny's second inning disaster, with a barrage of hits, walks and hit batsmen converging to equal two more NY runs and his early exit. Unfortunately, the bases were full when Penny headed for the showers and reliever Scott Proctor couldn't get the Dodgers out of the inning without four more runs coming, three of which were charged to Penny.
Cue our friend, The Count.
A career-high ten earned runs in all for the starter on the same number of hits. Ahh, ahh... ehhhhh.
"He wasn't very good," admitted Torre. "Hopefully, you won't see that for while." Penny offered no argument to any aspect of his Skip's assessment, whether you're talking about the quality of pitches ("Today I didn't give the team a chance.") or considering the matter closed heading into his next start ("It's not going to affect me. I'm gonna come back out, try to locate pitches and mix it up.") - The Dodger bats: The weather during this afternoon was on the chilly side for May, but compared to the local squad's woodwork, we're talking about a 110 degree scorcher. Half of the Dodger hits didn't even come until the ninth, which halted three consecutive innings without even a runner on the paths. A very rough day, but credit was given when due. "John Maine was pretty special today," praised Torre. "He was responsible for a lot of the flatness."
The "Sigh of relief"
- Angel Pagan getting out of that tumble in one piece: You always wish for the worst when it comes to your opponent's fate, but there are limits and that line gets crossed when it comes to injury. Pagan went over the left field sideline wall chasing down Andre Ethier's pop fly and required a few minutes before rising up and making it clear he was okay. Pagan was eventually replaced by Endy Chavez, but things could have been worse. Kudos to the Dodger crowd for their warm applause towards Pagan. Safe to say, that wouldn't have come were the Mets on the road in Philly.
The Audio
- Joe Torre: Download joe_torre_050708_postgame_mets.mp3
- Brad Penny: Download brad_penny_050708_postgame_mets.mp3
- Russell Martin: Download russell_martin_050708_postgame_mets.mp3
Also, some news. Esteban Loaiza on the DL with tightness and spasms in his shoulder blade. The move is retroactive to Sunday. Who'll be taking his place (likely a pitcher) won't be determined until Friday.
AK
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Proctor was, ah, pretty bad. I haven't followed this guy for a while (think Yankees). What is his deal? Anyone can have a bad day, but his intro today was awful--he could have laid down on the infield for a few minutes and let those guys walk across home plate. Obviously Penny didn't help too much either.
And AJ went 1-1. Go figure.
I agree that 2/3 or 3/4 for the rest of the season would be *sweet*. I live near SF and can't wait for the 4th of July series. The Giants suck this year, bwah ha ha.
Posted by: Eric M. | May 07, 2008 at 05:04 PM
I'd also put Chan Ho Park in "The Good." Three perfect innings with four Ks, in a game where his staffmates were getting plastered. If nothing else, he helped the game end faster.
Posted by: MBS | May 07, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I mean three Ks.
Posted by: MBS | May 07, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Eric M/MBS,
I thought about both of your suggestions (Proctor: bad, Park: good), but nixed a formal placing for either since they both ultimately took over when the game was basically out of hand. If the fortunes for both were reveresed, the game would have been the same. But I did mention that Proctor got hit pretty good in describing Penny's effort.
In retrospect, I should have probably should have just thrown Park in with the good, since he actually did do more than Loney, who I was trying to include for a sunny spin. I guess I kind of outhunk meself. Oh well. Live and learn.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 07, 2008 at 06:06 PM
The worst part of the game was Eithier--0-4. NOw Fat boy will be back for good.
David
Posted by: David S | May 07, 2008 at 06:39 PM
The Dodgers made Maine look like he should start the All-Star game, lol...
Why didn't Torre replace Loney with Sweetney? A perfect time to get a few extra ABs.
Posted by: Andy B | May 07, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Or, to stay on the Muppet theme, Torre could have replaced Loney with Sweetums.
Posted by: benzojones | May 07, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Don't worry all it still early and we did take 2 of 3, and wow Dewitt looks great
Go Dodgers
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | May 07, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Eithier was trying too hard to impress...instead of letting the game come to him
A good old fashion backside wooping isn't bad for the team to experience once in a while....It keeps their heads from getting too big and lets them see how they can play through diversity...they still took 2 out of 3
Posted by: K T USN (feeling retired) | May 07, 2008 at 11:19 PM
If anyone needs a good laugh, read Loaiza's comments:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-
sp-dodrep8-2008may08,0,3033239.story
As noted in the article, Loaiza reportedly said: "They want me to get better. They don't want me to get hurt because they really need me."
And Esteban, what exactly do the Dodgers need you for? Here's hoping that whoever replaces Loaiza does a good job, and provides the Dodgers with an excuse to release him. I've said it before and I'll say it again; eating the remainder of Loaiza's contract will not cost much more than keeping him, providing that he is replaced by a player making the minimum.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | May 08, 2008 at 12:34 AM
I wouldn't sweat that game at all - it just fits the historical trends. Penny is not a good day pitcher, and is not particularly strong against the Mets. Also, for whatever reason, the Dodgers are one of the worst hitting teams in the league in day games this year. That's something to monitor.
Posted by: Doc's Sports Predictions Guy | May 08, 2008 at 03:49 AM
The Dodgers are better off with Loaiza on the disabled list just like having Nomar on the DL as well. Hopefully, Penny has not started his post all star break swoon early this year.
Posted by: Lex | May 08, 2008 at 04:55 AM
Joe was smart enough to "rest" Jones against the Mets ace and not lower his average any further. This way he can stay with the plan to play him regardless of how bad he stinks up the field. Basically it's, "we're paying so he's playing". A bloop double doesn't really change anything but at least he didn't strike out.
Posted by: Jack | May 08, 2008 at 07:20 AM
I (for one) think Jones may have found his groove... it looks as though he as adjusted the arc on his verticle homers to the catcher enough to allow them to bloop into the outfield. It just took him a while to figure out the equation.
It's all math.
Posted by: benzo jones | May 08, 2008 at 08:42 AM
the dodgers are in a class unto themselves......what other so-called contender (pretender?) has its ace pitcher sporting an era approaching 5.......tremendous!..........and cleanup hitter "grandpa" hasn't got a hit in nearly 4 games!......better get furcal back PRONTO (B4 all the wheels fall completely off this colletti-gocart!)........realistically, dodgers are remaining fairly competitive, but one can only imagine how well they might be doing if they had any actual competent management (both front-office and on-field!)
Posted by: bigunit | May 08, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Andruw Jones has that goofy look on his face when he's hitting and I finally realized who he resembles.
His expression at the plate looks like the mentally challenged guy in the hut of the village torched in the movie Platoon.
Kevin Dillon's character rearranges his skull with the butt end of a rifle.
Sometimes I think that would be less painful than watching Andruw when he "hits."
Posted by: wausroamer | May 08, 2008 at 10:36 AM
wausroamer that is cold, i think he looks like Mr. Potato head.
Posted by: poppinfresh | May 08, 2008 at 11:40 AM