Two solid for Billingsley
In the midst of his tough early-April, it was easy to forget that over the course of his first two Major League seasons, Chad Billingsley tended to round into form rather than dominate from the get go. That being the case, there's a strong possibility that the worm has officially turned for Bills, who put together his second consecutive excellent start, helping LA to a 5-1 series opening win over the Mets Monday night at the Ravine. He wasn't quite as sharp as he was in last week's win over the Marlins, but while he allowed five hits and four walks in his six innings of work, Billingsley only allowed one run to cross the plate, and as he's done in the past, did a great job of pitching with men on. Offensively, the Dodgers (who have brutalized left handed pitching) took plenty of shots at Mets starter Oliver Perez. Some, like Blake DeWitt's first Major League homer- just what are the Dodgers going to do with that guy?- that earned him his first Major League curtain call, went over the wall. Others, like a line drive off the bat of Jeff Kent, went into his stomach.
The box says other big blow was a two-run shot from NL Player of the Week Matt Kemp, who credited the presence of Juan Pierre on the basepaths for seeing a good pitch to hit. On the strength of his red-hot start to May, Pierre was in the lineup for Andre Ethier (himself putting up very solid numbers) while Joe Torre stuck with Andruw Jones (we all know how that's going). Ironically, that Jones is struggling is one reason he's staying in the lineup. To his credit, Ethier isn't complaining.
Torre is still adjusting to a new roster and may never become a true SoCal guy, but he's learning that working on this side of the country is a lot more fun than the alternative, writes the LAT's Helene Elliott. If he needs a reminder of what things are like back east, he just needs to look at Willie Randolph in the visitor's dugout.
Nomar Garciaparra is back to work, taking BP and doing baseball stuff. He'll need a rehab trip before returning, but it likely won't be long.
MLB.com's Tom Singer takes a look back at what was a bountiful '68 draft for the Dodgers.
Investigators are holding a little higher flame to the feet of Jose Canseco.
TONIGHT'S GAME: The Dodgers look for their second straight against the Amazin's, sending Hiroki Kuroda to the hill against Nelson Figueroa for the Mets.
Those looking to bask in the inability of the Padres to score runs will enjoy this column.
Granted, how it moved them in the NL West is more important, but the Dodgers have also made a run in Fox Sports' Power Rankings. And SportsHubLA's, too.
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Well now we have it. Jones is the man we are counting on. When Nomar comes back he will also be a starter. Better players will sit on the bench while they work there way through 'slumps.' Eithier, Dewitt, Young to be subs. I don't know if I can stand it. However---No matter what Joe says now I don't believe it is possible to stick with Jones if he is hitting (or not hitting) like now.Either strike outs or weak grounders. As for Nomar--I don't think he will hold up for long.
David
Posted by: david s | May 06, 2008 at 10:30 AM
What does DeWitt have to do to keep the spot at 3B? Surely he's earned it. He hadn't put a foot wrong before, and yet was sent down when they needed another pitcher, leaving them exposed at 3B (they were only saved by Martin's versatility). Now it looks as though he'll have to make way for Nomar again. Even if they don't send him down this time, surely he deserves to play until he loses the job?
Posted by: CleoMG | May 06, 2008 at 11:34 AM
It seems the only way to win a starting job is to play so good that they are embarrassed to keep them out of lineup. Like last year Kemp and Loney had to bat .400 before they got a real shot. Pierre doing the same. 'Forcing' Joe to start him. What can be expected of Jones? That he return tio last years 'form'??? I guess if he goes on a 'streak' the next 20 games and bats .270 he would then be batting about what he hit last year. Meanwhile Ethier already a proven .300+ hitter sits
David
Posted by: David S | May 06, 2008 at 11:49 AM
I have been trying to figure out a way to keep defending Jones' SLUMP.
It was much easier to just say that the whole team to some extent was struggling, as was the case just weeks ago. But now....I dont know what to say.
I understand that what Torre says but Jones is beginning to be a buzzkill which is the worsest for me.
The last few games have been beautiful... hits, stolen bases, homeruns.....Jones has gotten some walks but even the rare hit every 10 games isn't enough to get me up my seat and clap for him, which is saying a whole lot.
He should get pointers from the NL Player of the Week.
Even with most of my focus dedicated to the finess that is Lakers B-Ball, I've always got a TV tuned in to the BlueCrew.
Here's hoping for more of what we have seen the last couple weeks......
Posted by: MrsThinkBlue | May 06, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Cleo,
You hit the nail right on the head. DeWitt should be the man at 3rd, but with a guy like Nomar who has been sucessful in the past, he'll still get plenty of chances. It's just the way it is. Nothing against Nomar, but his time has come and gone.
In a perfect world, Nomar would be cut loose, LaRoche will come back healthy, and he and DeWitt will have a great righty-lefty combo.
Posted by: Aaron | May 06, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Torre says Pierre is playing over Ethier because he has the hotter stick. He says Jones is playing because he needs to get hot. If I look for consistency in Torre's actions, I see that PT is earned not by production, but by contract size.
Posted by: massdodger | May 06, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Give it up guys. AJ is staying in there, and I'm pretty sure it's not all Torre's decision. Colletti must know that he made a mistake signing the guy, but he can't let that mistake show or he loses his job. Benching AJ would only signify that he's admitting to a big costly mistake. Playing him every day is the only option.
Posted by: Artful Dodger | May 06, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Last night was really fun at the ravine - Gotta say Pierre is fun to watch when he's hot - Jones looked terrible at the plate and was booed mercilessly when he was up there. can we please sit him down Joe? Like everyone else I wanna see Ethier in there. JP is earning his keep, and so is Andre - Runnin Andruw out there everyday isn't doing anything for us except adding a couple K's to the box score.
Maybe we should all start chanting Kemp, Ethier, Pierre in the stands non stop? Might start to get the point across because the boos don't seem to have sunk in.
Dewitt's HR was awesome and the guys "freezing" him out when he got back to the dugout was hilarious - I thought that was a great sign as to where the clubhouse vibe is - really looks like these guys are havin fun. It's gonna be sad to see this kid get boxed out of a job. But Nomar will inevitably fall apart again.
Beimel, Broxton, & Saito looked really good last night too.
Johnny B was throwin 96, 97, and then floating in a change at 88! Ruthless!
All in all we got some amazing pieces to this club - just gotta put it all together right
Posted by: jukuren | May 06, 2008 at 02:52 PM
If Jones is going to stay in the starting lineup, he needs to sit every fourth or fifth day just to make sure the other guys get more playing time. I still don't see why it's ok to admit your 5-year 45 million dollar mistake and not your 2-year 38 million dollar mistake, but that's the size of things.
I'm just glad to see the team winning.
If Ethier wins a spot on the all-star team, then can he get back in the lineup?
Vote for Andre!
Posted by: SaMo | May 06, 2008 at 06:33 PM