1-0 turnabout is fair play
Considering how the Angels suffered through a historically rough 1-0 loss last night (and describing it as such is in no way hyperbole), I guess it's only fair that the Angels would pin a frustrating 1-0 outcome of their own on the Dodgers. John Lackey took the mound for LAAOA and worked his magic "like a surgeon," in Joe Torre's words. Three hits allowed over one out short of a complete game shutout. Nine batters K'd. Just a pair of walks. Certainly the stuff a 1.44 ERA is made of and certainly the type of performance that'll cultivate the growing frustration felt by a posse of Dodger batters. Although really, if anyone has the right to feel frustrated by his place in the box score, it's a certain sinker ball specialist getting little to no help on a regular basis. This afternoon offered no exception, as Derek Lowe put forth another quality start with little to show for it. Good times.
The breakdown is below
The Good
- Derek Lowe: Seven innings. Five hits, one run and seven strike outs. Maybe it's just me, but that seems like the type of effort normally coaxing a "W." For Lowe, however, it's become another crummy day at the office. Seriously, who does this guy need to take out to dinner to get some run support? A peek at Lowe's game log shows that he's only had four games with more than three runs backing him since May began. That's just silly. Dude is watching his record (now 5-8) fall like "The Love Guru" on the box office chart. But unlike that flick, which only has Mike Myers to blame for the lame story, Lowe has been given little to no control over the way his season is shaping into a "two thumbs down" review.
- The ninth inning: Two walks picked up by Russell Martin and Jeff Kent. Delwyn Young nabbed a clutch hit to kick off the frame. A bases loaded opportunity to take the game in walk off fashion, with James Loney ultimately unable to cash in. But at least the Blue went down in spirited fashion.
The Bad
- Juan Pierre's knee: A sixth inning stolen base went horribly awry when Erick Aybar came down on the speedster's leg while trying to make the tag. The weight left Pierre clutching his knee in pain, then hobbling around with Torre and Stan Conte before the decision to leave the contest was made. "Obviously, for him to come out of the ball game, it's more than just a bruise, you would think. He wanted to stay in the game, but I just told him we have half a season left and I just didn't want him to injure something further. I'm just glad we were able to get him out of there. This was something very tough to give into."
Early word is that it's a left knee injury, with an evaluation and a likely MRI coming tomorrow. Pierre and Conte didn't make themselves available for comment after the game, so that's about all the specifics I can provide. But should any absence be longer than a day or so, Torre acknowledged that an additional outfielder would absolutely be needed, and most likely, the call up would be Jason Repko. So at least one reader will find a bright side to this development.
- The bats: To quote a great exchange from one of my favorite comedies, "Groundhog Day"...
Phil Connors: Do you ever have deja vu, Mrs. Lancaster?
Mrs. Lancaster: I don't think so, but I could check the kitchen.
To some degree, that just about says it all. Yes, credit and distinction must be given to the level of pitching faced, as Torre reminded us. It's certainly a fair enough to make this about John Lackey, who's about as good as they come. But at the same time, considering how the Dodgers have made a lot of pitchers look like John Lackey's doppelganger, the explanation doesn't wash without a little dirt still clinging. Same with Andre Ethier's take that the Freeway Series intensity brought out some playoff-level pitching on both sides. Fair enough, and no doubt this was a competitive weekend. But there have also been too many struggles against the the Mets, Padres and Rockies of the world. This team simply can't get its knocks on a semi-regular basis, any way you slice it. As BK recently noted, it's becoming easy to start writing your postgame reports during the second frame and simply plug in the names and numbers after the last pitch. More often than not, you won't have to do a revision.
AUDIO
- Joe Torre: Download joe_torre_postgame_angels_3.mp3
- Derek Lowe: Download derek_lowe_postgame_angels_3.mp3
- Chan-Ho Park (talking about resuming his middle relief role again, which I don't think he was particularly thrilled about): Download chan_ho_park_postgame_angels_3.mp3
- James Loney: Download james_loney_postgame_angels_3.mp3
- Delwyn Young: Download delwyn_young_postgame_angels_3.mp3
- Andre Ethier (picks up with him talking about a tightly - and in my opinion, incorrectly - third strike called on him in the ninth inning): Download andre_ethier_postgame_angels_3.mp3
AK
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AK
I know Lowe has been having a tough time, But I think he had two games in early June with some run support.
David
Posted by: David S | June 29, 2008 at 05:49 PM
David,
Thanks for the pick up. I actually had meant to write "save three games (all wins)," you had to go back to May 14... I guess something came out wrong in the editing process.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | June 29, 2008 at 06:27 PM
I see where Repko might finally be brought up to replace Pierre if he is injured. If that id true why don't they bring him up to replace Swny. What's the difference which side of the plate you bat from if you are batting .098?
David
David
Posted by: David S | June 29, 2008 at 06:31 PM
By the way, Repko is on fire at LV. His average after last nights game was up to .277. Not long ago he was under .220.
I suspect Repko has already been notified that he will be getting the call. He's not in the Las Vegas lineup tonight. Probably on his way to LA.
When Raffy comes back I hope it's goodbye Berroa. As much as I think Maza's arm doesn't play well at short, I'd prefer to see him rather than Berroa. At least Maza has a chance to put the ball in play.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | June 29, 2008 at 06:44 PM
The was posted on Tony Jackson's blog:
"Pierre on the 3 year DL PLEASE!"
My reply: "Ditto".
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | June 29, 2008 at 06:48 PM
REPKO! WE WILL BE IN 1ST PLACE IN A MATTER OF DAYS AND NEVER LOOK BACK!
Honestly though. May his style of play will rub off on a few guys and light a mini fire under the squad. You never know.
Posted by: Mike G | June 29, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Is LA big enough for REPKO?
Posted by: Benzojones | June 29, 2008 at 08:20 PM
i think repko is exactly what the dodgers need right now. they are falling into a dangerous habit of accepting their inability to produce any offense. my example being pierre and his "aww shucks" attitude when he makes a bad play. though i don't have the opportunity to watch any games, from the comments of the crew on this blog who seem to follow quite closely, i can picture him returning to the dug out, shrugging his shoulders, and raising his hands in fultility.
we all know repko plays with his heart on his sleeve. unfortunately this lead to furky's ankle not being 100% last year, but this is the only remedy i can see that might turn the team in the right direction. torre seems to be too lax with this approach. partly because of all the young players but also i think he feels he is completely secure in not losing his job.(ned is sweating bullets i hope) but i haven' t heard about any tirades from bowa about the team's performance and attitude. i thought that was what bowa did, dropped bombs on players/the team for torre so that he was viewed as the venerable manager and bowa was the muscle. hopefully repko can get some of these head hangers to follow his lead of playing with some passion.
plus he has got an absolute gun on him. no one taking an extra bag on balls to left.
where is aryan? he must be crapping his pants right now.
the blue have a shot. we need to stick with them and back them up.
go blue!
from a die hard dodgers fan living in japan
Posted by: el jeffe | June 29, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Sorry to say this, I wish no one harm...but, Please , Please let Pierre be out for the next 3 years!
Posted by: dodger55 | June 29, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Don't wory I here the doctors are going to tranplant a bionic arm and knee, but the only problem will be paying the residuals for the use of the intro music.
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | June 30, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Can Torre announce that Swn is his everyday pinch hitter???.... it worked for Pierre.
Posted by: benzojones | June 30, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Gentlemen the messiah is soon to arrive! I know this has been the butt of jokes all year long, but seriously Repko will make a difference. Aryan will pee his pants at this point. The guy plays balls out and i think that is what the dodgers need, a fire cracker. All of the recent dodger fan favorites played that way like LoDuca and Gagne. So many kids on this team are ho-hum about things, i am happy Repko is healthy enough to get back to the bigs and have a chance. Don't be afraid about him injuring anybody this year... they are all injured already. Also he does have over 1 year of experience in MLB unlike some of our young players, he has enough experience. Davis S. I agree, he should replace our pinch hitting teeny weeny Sweeny... < 0.1 avg is down right shameful, but he is needed batting 1 or 2. He can bat lead off and has great D and a cannon for an arm and can steal. He is too valuable on the field to be riding the bench. The second half starts with Repko-mania!
Posted by: poppinfresh | June 30, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Pop,
I agree let Repko play and DFA swn and make young our designated PH for both sides of the plate
Posted by: K T | June 30, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Pop,
Completely agee. Rekpo type is what this Dodger team needs. Too many rookies w/o the fire to win. They talk a good game but then don't do the little things to get it done. I love the raw talent but unless they start to really care and play like it, (EX. RUSSELL MARTIN SYTLE), the Dodgers won't amount to much. I wish we had 9 Russells out there... Repko is of the same mold. Hard nosed and gutsy player... will leave it all on the field. Wish Pierre well, but would trade in a Repko for a Pierre anyday. Even if we lose now, we'll definitely won't leave the game feeling like the Dodgers could have given more.
Posted by: Rob | June 30, 2008 at 03:41 PM