And an old man shall lead them
(NOTE: No Purple, Gold and Blue Show today. BK is out of the country and I have to be somewhere at that time. Thus, we're gonna have to cancel the show for this week. But fear not, as I'm pretty sure my plans to discuss a slew of injuries and a lack of hitting will hold until next week. AK)
It wasn't quite a walk off for Jeff Kent, as the 7-6 win over the Astros took place in Houston. But the crusty vet had family and friends in the crowd and maintains an abode in the reasonably near Austin area, so it was almost a home game for him. And either way, Kent's 11th inning solo shot was the difference maker in the victory, one that prevented momentarily gained wind from adopting other sails. Indeed, the Dodgers had been riding high for much of the game. Young Clayton Kershaw tossed 5.2 innings of very controlled pitches, an effort further cushioned by a five run lead, three ribbies of which came from Russell Martin. The kid was seemingly on the verge of entering his first big league "W" into a box score when removed for Brian Falkenborg with a couple of men on the bags. Unfortunately, his fellow rook served up a three run long ball to Ty Wiggington, a sign that trouble could be brewing . From there, Delwyn Young couldn't quite snag a shot from Carlos Lee, which turned into a double, two more runs and a 6-6 tie. But then a second baseman just trying to run with the pups came through to save the day. And given how the team was already dealing with bad news (see below), it was nice to have a little sunshine drift into the visiting clubhouse.
And what's this bad news, you may ask? Well, Raffy Furcal's rehab assignment was cut short when his back stiffened up after Monday's game. And when you factor in that his back was the body part that landed him on DL in the first place, that strikes one as a development less than favorable. The shortstop went back to L.A. for another look-see, but any hopes to have him back this weekend appear dim. But hey, at least Hiroki Kuroda is back and good for tonight's matchup (5:05 pm PT). And Nomar Garciaparra is still feeling okay after a couple of Triple-A ball games, maybe even enough to take Furcal's spot on the field.
Jon Weisman of the always excellent (frankly, a little too "always excellent") Dodger Thoughts does a breakdown comparing the Dodgers vs. the Rays. At the risk of playing "spoiler," the Rays are currently winning. Which helps explain a less than flattering midterm grade awarded by Yahoo!'s Steve Henson.
Looking to put Russell Martin out of a job is a lofty goal, but it's the one Carlos Santana (of the 66ers, not that one) has set for himself.
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At the risk of sounding foolish, REPKO!!!! should have replaced Young in the bottom of the 7th for defense, as he finally did in the 10th.
Discounting his super-human strengths, he would have caught Carlos Lee's lazy fly ball, inning over, Kershaw ultimately gets the win.
With a 2-run lead, his glove was more valuable than Young's one more at bat.
Posted by: Chunkdog | July 02, 2008 at 09:37 AM
I know it's a classic second-guess but I still have to question walking Berkman to get to Carlos Lee in the 7th inning. Lee was 2-3 at that point, while Berkman was 0-3. Logic says you walk a guy hitting .360 to get to a guy who's hitting .280, but I don't think that's the case when you're putting the tying run on base. Lee missed a homer by 10 feet, which would have turned the game into an L on the spot. The worst thing Berkman could have done was tie the game.
I'm now convinced that Torre has no idea what OBP stands for. Batting Matt Kemp leadoff makes no sense at all. The guy strikes out as often as Jason Repko (though to be fair, when SuperRepko struck out four times Monday, thousands of needy children in Mexico received golden sombreros compliments of Farmer Juan) and has a Juan Pierre-like .334 on-base percentage. Even James Loney gets on base more often. And if you were to bat Loney in the leadofff spot, he couldn't hit into a double play.
Speed at the top of the order is overrated. Look at Pete Rose or Wade Boggs. Neither was a burner, but they knew how to get on base and were great leadoff men.
Posted by: SaMo | July 02, 2008 at 10:15 AM
It doesn't matter who you put out there..........they still suck.
Posted by: espie | July 02, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Torre should be grateful for the winnning HR that Jeff Kent hit! Torre almost cost the Dodgers the game with his decisions! WHY didn't he allow Kershaw to get himself out of trouble in the six? The players playing behind him had his back and trust as Jeff Kent explained it at the end of the game. Obviously, Torre once again proves he doesn't know how to handle the pitching staff. ChuckDog has a great point on how Torre seems to not know whats going on, REPKO is an outfielder and would have caught that ball in the 7th. DYoung is a second basemen trying to play the OF. Torre needs to make better decisions.
Posted by: Ozy | July 02, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Was it just me or did LaRoche fail to run out a grounder to the left side. Looks like he gave up and if that is the case, it is very disappointing. Even Loney, and I love the Loney, should not have given up when his shot back to the pitcher apeared to be caught. Hit it and run. You will find out if you are out or safe after you cross the bag.
The kids need to hustle...all the time. I hustle at my job, between bouts of breathless and vomiting, but I hustle.
GEAUX BLUE!
Posted by: gus2327 | July 02, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Once again, I don't blame Torre, any more than I blame Pierre for bringing what they have. It's the fault of who hired them.(Ned) Torre is a mellow guy, who is known as a 'players manager' and fits in best with a team of vets who know how to win. This team needs a kick ass guy.Here in FL, and the last time the Marlins won it all, they had a Torre type manager in Jeff Torborg. The team was underperforming and he was canned. They brought in Jack McKeon who lit a fire under the kids and they won the series. Mckeon wore out his welcome pretty quickly, but he got it done that year. Guys like Loney, Kemp, and Eithier are underperforming-They need someone to lay down the law to them. Hey maybe Kirk Gibson.
David
Posted by: David S | July 02, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Chuck,
Good Point
SaMo,
Even better point
Espie,
What can I say? I think your statement ends it w/ a EXCLAIMATION POINT!!
Posted by: Rob | July 02, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I'm glad I went to bed before the blue won last night. I was certain they were going to loose. Tha's my M.O., when I watch these bums, about 90% of the time they loose. Maybe I should go to bed early and mybe these bums will win.
I just want a good team to watch and they are not it!!!!!
Posted by: espie | July 02, 2008 at 12:30 PM
well... they are only 2 1/2 games out of first place sucky, which is better than a lot of other non-sucky teams, or sorta-sucky teams.
It really matters how you define "sucky", and at what level of said suckitude you want to apply the sucky tag. Are we enjoying Raiders type suckness, or is this Timberwolfian in nature.
I for one think that our Blue boys are on a very basic layer of suckiness, and a layer with non-sucky potential. A winning streak could get them to the level of Mario Lopez suckiness, and that level that would be okay.
There's a lot more suck to be had......
Posted by: benzojones | July 02, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Hey!! Whats up with sending Kershaw down??? It makes no sense to me to keep Folkenburg who allowed the home run that led to a no decision for Kershaw. They also have Stults. I think these are the type things that cause youngsters to move on once they get an opportunity. That move makes no sense!! BOO DODGER MANAGEMENT!!!
Package
Posted by: Package | July 02, 2008 at 05:40 PM
who are these guys coming thru with RISP?
David
Posted by: David S | July 02, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Package,
Whole Heartedly AGEE!! Just read the Dodgers sent Kershaw down, in his Hometown, just after he left tickets for some family and friends!! This is what I mean about Ned... damn WEASEL!! Has NO CLASS!! ... and dump too. Why not send Fokenburg down?? ... he will not help this team. Kershaw starts to come around and pitch well and then they deflate him like dumb dumb Ned did to Loney last year! FIRE NED!! I'm so sick of "Mr. Used Car Salesperson" running the Dodgers!
Posted by: Rob | July 02, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Benzo,
Mario Lopez suckiness!! HA HA HA
Be careful though. A.C. Slater might come and bodyslam you next time he is in Vegas.
Posted by: el jeffe | July 02, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Kershaw showed NOTHING!!! Maybe he will be a first ballot HOF but right now, who would you have pitching, Park or Kershaw?
The kid showed nothing!!!
Where is that moron cameron something that post crap here...like the post where he was giving up on the Dodgers except he is following for the future Kershaw, Broxton and Martin or something like that.
Good luck Moron!
I assume that most of you that post her are young and inexperienced in life. No shame. But you have to let the whole year play out.
It's like those of you that compain about Loney. When he bats 5th, who does he have to watch his back in lineup? Nobody!!
But he still he hits 300 and some of you guys complain like that idiot that wants to trade him for Howard!...
Get a life and wait the season out!
Posted by: dodger55 | July 02, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Package (and others),
I can't say for sure (the team is on the road and we don't travel, so I haven't had the chance to ask Torre, Colletti or someone like that), but I think the logic behind sending Kershaw down is that with Kuroda back, Penny on the hopeful verge and Stults more experienced (and not a terrible pitcher), Kershaw would be moved out of the rotation. If they like him as a starter, he's better off sent down where he gain more seasoning in that role. There's no point to shuffling him back and forth between jobs this early in his career. Plus, he wouldn't even get many innings, since Park and Kuo have been terrific in long/middle relief. Thus, he'd likely be reduced to one-ish inning stints (often mop up stuff, probably), which won't do him much good. He needs more work.
Now, if you think they should have sent Stults down or used him in relief while keeping Kershaw in the rotation, that's another story. And I guess I can understand the viewpoint. But honestly, Kershaw has struggled. He isn't killing the team by any stretch, but he's yet to reach the 7th inning and his pitch counts tend to get high pretty quickly. Plus, I've gotten the sense (and it may just be me) that he's getting frustrated at times, and the last thing you want is a young pitcher either losing confidence or pressing to do too much and developing bad habits in the process. I don't think it's a big deal sending him down, especially if he wasn't going to stay in the rotation.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 02, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Thank you Dodgers for a very nice Birthday present.
Fish Sticks on me!
Posted by: Benzojones | July 02, 2008 at 07:42 PM
benzo...i assume we have to pay for the tartar sauce ourselves?
Posted by: dodger55 | July 02, 2008 at 07:47 PM
tartar sauce sucks.... Malt Vinegar is the REPKO of Condiments.
Posted by: Benzojones | July 02, 2008 at 08:06 PM
The Dodgers are banged up enough!
They don't need MANAGEMENT screwing things up more than they already are.
Dodgers mgmt including TORRE botched up the whole Kershaw situation BIG TIME.
At least tell the kid they want him to improve in AA- saying "we need to make room" is a bold-faced lie.
SPEAKING OF LIES, WHERE IS FURCAL????
Posted by: Steve M. | July 02, 2008 at 08:46 PM
AK
Yes, I do think Stults should have went down before Kershaw. Two of the losses that Kershaw recorded were 2-1 and 2-0. No run support!! No, he did not reach the 7th inning but that was because Joe thought he should be removed and did not give him an opportunity to get out of the jam. In the last Kershaw start, to put in Folkenborg and Broxton and to have his lead evaporate with poor bullpen support in that game was terrible. He should have stayed in longer. I feel more comfortable with Kershaw pitching than I have with Penny lately. and his 5.88 ERA. I know Penny is supposed to be hurt but he certainly has not been dependable. Kershaw needs to learn Major League hitters. Pitching sparingly in AA as he was is not helping him. Also, having Tronsoco occupy a roster spot is crazy.
Package
Posted by: Package | July 03, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Package,
I don't think Kershaw's record had anything to do with him getting sent down. Torre, Colletti and Honeycutt realize the lack of run support. I don't think you're taking into account how much he was laboring during these starts. I was there for at least half of the home ones. Lot of struggles throughout innings, which is why Torre would often remove him. Nothing came particularly easy and when you talked to Kershaw after the game, it was obvious he was growing frustrated. Thus, they'd like him to get more work and seasoning, which he's gonna find in Jacksonville. If he stayed up with Kuroda and Penny back, he'd make sporadic appearances at best.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 03, 2008 at 10:12 AM