No word yet if they used the "inside out," or the "shark"
Whatever it was, the Dodgers found (and more importantly, wore) their rally caps on Sunday afternoon against the Diamondbacks, turning what would have been a disappointing loss into one of the seasons 
biggest wins. If not the biggest. A five run ninth propelled the Dodgers to what would eventually become a 6-5 victory, meaning they take the critical three game set in Arizona, and leave the desert tied with the Snakes for first place in the NL West.
One big inning, and now even the most cynical among us look at the Dodgers as favorites over the reeling D-Backs. The big blow was delivered by Matt Kemp, who, unlike a similar situation on Saturday night against a similarly shaky Brandon Lyon came to the plate Sunday with much more patience, working his at bat before drilling a double into the gap to score pinch runner Pablo Ozuna (call him the new guy- the really fast new guy, if you ask Russell Martin). But it certainly wasn't the only big hit of the inning. Nomar Garciaparra and James Loney got the ball rolling, Andy LaRoche kept the game alive with a pinch hit single, Andre Ethier gave the Dodgers the lead with a triple to score Kemp, Russell Martin provided what would be much-needed insurance with a single to score Ethier.
It was a brutal end for an Arizona bullpen that has been, well, pretty brutal. They are not happy on the D-Backs blogs.
Kemp called his game-tying AB the best he's had all year.
Did we mention the Dodgers signed utility man Pablo Ozuna? He takes Luis Maza's spot on the roster, and while Ozuna won't likely reshape the race to the World Series, he's an upgrade on the bench over what they had.
Yahoo! takes a look at the playoff race.
TONIGHT'S GAME: The Dodgers have a chance to gain control of the West tonight in Colorado. Eric Stults will face Kip Wells for the Rockies.
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I was looking at the Dodger blogs yesterday during the final inning (while I was listening to the game of course). I admit it I was discouraged by the score and I just didn't want to see them loose again. To my surprise they all came through!!!!!!!!!! Andrew Jones did not strike out at all! I'll be staing up late tonight to watch them play!!!
Posted by: espie | July 21, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I have to admit, I'm a little afraid of the Rockies. They've just won 4 in a row, and are still a big offensive threat at home. The Dodgers are throwing Stults and Jason Johnson at them in the first two games... ugh! Troy Tulowitski is supposed to come back today too. The Dodgers cannot take this series lightly.
Posted by: Higgins | July 21, 2008 at 11:53 AM
July 21, 2008
What’s that saying: victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan? Judging from all the posts on this site after the blue’s incredible come-from-behind win, it’s definitely evidence in support of that statement. Personally, I find more to talk about when they lose than when they win, but maybe that’s just because I want them to win every game.
Let’s not be too hard on Blake Dewitt just yet. The kid saved the game Friday night on an amazing play to his backhand side, shorthopping the ball, and then gunning it to first. The runner helped him out by sliding into first—dude, run through the bag; it’s faster—but just fielding that ball at all was Beltre-worthy. I don’t believe Beltre’s offensive numbers (.262, 16 HR, 46 RBI, .333 OBP .441 SLG) are so much better than Dewitt’s (.255, 5 HR, 35 RBI, .322 OBP, .360 SLG) and his defense is about the same. Plus there’s that billion dollar deal. Not much of an upgrade really. Let’s not anoint LaRoche the savior either after one big hit. It’s his first hit in a week, and his third in all of July. With his average back up over .191, it might be the best time to trade him while his value is high.
Notice who got all the key hits in the big inning yesterday: Kemp, Ethier, Martin, Loney, and LaRoche. Notice who did not: fatty and Kemp. There’s two exceptions that don’t fit the pattern here: Dewitt, who made an out, and Nomar, who’s hitting like a house afire right now. I think playing shortstop has rejuvenated him. He’s playing like the kids are—with joy and passion. He’s not the greatest defensive shortstop any more, but it’s his natural position, and he seems to love playing it. Since coming back from the DL, he’s 14 for his last 42, or .333 exactly, with four doubles and three homers. He’s raised his average .30 points and his SLG 100 points.
And at least FAJ is making contact.
Posted by: SaMo | July 21, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I'm happy to see that my little talk with Matt Kemp has paid off. Patience at the plate, for one night.
Cynical Bee
Posted by: QueenBee | July 21, 2008 at 01:04 PM
AK/BK,
Not sure if this has already been a topic for discussion.
I've read on Yahoo sports today that the Angels are going after Matt Holilday and willing to eat a contract in the process (Gary Matthews Jr). Is there any chance the Dodgers can do the same, and eat a useless contract -like say Juan Pierre or better yet Andruw "What the heck am I smiling about I'm batting under .200" Jones?
It would be awesome to see Holliday in Dodger Blue!
Posted by: Wasabi | July 21, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Higgins--
You are right to be concerned. That Rockies lineup is loaded with dynamite. I am optimistic that Tulo takes a few days to get back to speed, and that we get Hawpe (one of the seemingly streakiest hitters in the game) on a downturn. Holiday, Helton, Atkins... these guys can turn a game around anytime. This is no cakewalk in Colorado. I suspect it will be our offense that will have to win us some games this week.
SaMo--
I'm a little confused by your last paragraph there. DeWitt, AJ, and Kent made the outs in the ninth, and it appears (though I think you accidentally switched a name there) that you want to hold the AJ and Kent responsible, but not DeWitt. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I detect a theme of apologizing for DeWiit's total lack of offense (now a .688 OPS, which includes his ridiculously hot, totally-unprecedented-in-his-minor-league-career first 6 weeks). Yeah, he cuts the mustard on D. But if there was any drop-off defensively between he and either Beltre or LaRoche, I don't think that it would cost us more runs than would be produced by the .100+ OPS points we stand to gain by replacing him.
I am totally unclear on the trading situation with Beltre. I do know that he is ridiculously overpaid, and will certainly not start hitting like it's 2004 if he puts on the Blue again. I think he's a modest improvement at best, and with a huge price tag.
I don't know what is wrong with LaRoche these days, but I do know that his career minor league numbers indicate that if he plays every day, we should be able to expect somewhere between a .350 and .400 OBP. There is also a significant chance that power would follow, should he start reaching base 35 to 40% of the time. That is a big-time improvement over DeWitt, and I am not convinced it would cost us much defensively. It would also cost us nothing in salary or players to Seattle.
LaRoche is obviously struggling--though you can get into a chicken/egg debate when you consider that he's not playing baseball every day for the first time in his professional career. I am not pretending he isn't. I just hope, SaMo, that you are likewise not pretending that DeWitt isn't hurting us offensively right now, because he is a major hole in the lineup, and nifty glove work doesn't make up for a sub-.500 OPS since the 1st of June.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | July 21, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Wasabi --
While that would indeed be cool, there's no way I see the Rockies trading that big of a name to someone in their own division. It's just not going to happen. If the Dodgers were ever to acquire Holliday, it would be through free agency, not a trade.
Posted by: Eric B. | July 21, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Unless there is a real impact player (along the lines of Matt Holiday) then the Dodgers are going to have to sit this round out. Dealing any prospects for Beltre is a major gamble with little improvement over what we currently have. Any shortstop moves Nomar to the bench and, right now, he's swinging the hot bat. Provided he stays healthy, no available shortstop brings that much offense with them. If there is a #1 or #2 starter available at the right price maybe, but pitching isn't really the issue with this team.
Posted by: dalegribel | July 21, 2008 at 03:44 PM
VA: I was merely noting that most of the outs were made by old losers and most of the hits were gotten by "The kids." As most of us have been saying all along, the kids are alright; it's the old losers who have been holding this team back. You and I and everyone else on this site sees the evidence every day, but apparently, everyone who has ever been in a position of authority on this team isn't watching the games.
Dewitt has definitely fallen off from his hot May, but given that Beltre isn't that much better, and a whole lot more expensive, and that LaRoche has been even worse, I would save my money and upgrade somewhere else. The Dodgers' problem is that they've thrown money at players who didn't really represent an upgrade (Pierre, Jones, Schmidt, Nomar, Loaiza) over what they were replacing. Bringing in Beltre at $10 million per year is only a slight upgrade over DeWitt, and means you have $10 million less to spend on a shortstop, second baseman, or closer next year.
Posted by: SaMo | July 21, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Surprised that no one mentioned the fact that A Jones nearly lost the game in the 9th innining!
Had J D Drew not booted a sure double play ball-the game is over!
Time to face the facts Jones is a major liability-he must lead the leauge in stranding runners and killing rallies.
Colletti obviously made a horrible deal-let's deal with it,
RELEASE HIM
Posted by: dencard | July 21, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Did anyone else see Ivan DeJesus Jr.play int the All Star Futures game?
The Dodgers have a great property right there for shortstop.
Why not bring him up so he can learn at the knee of Normar, play occasionally and in emergencies, and be ready to go next year
Saving 10 mill or so
Posted by: dencard | July 21, 2008 at 05:30 PM