Sharing space at the top
Heading into the ninth inning of Sunday afternoon's contest against the Diamondbacks, it appeared the gap between the Dodgers and the NL West's current crown would stretch out another game. After all, three runs may not be impossible to overcome in just a frame, but it's nonetheless not a given that a 4-1 deficit will eventually be converted into a 6-5 win before a third visiting out is recorded. But a surge attempt began swimmingly enough with Nomar Garciaparra's double to deep center, good fortune that quickly became Mr. Mia Hamm on third when James Loney followed up with a single. Then came a big time break for the Dodgers. Andruw Jones hit one to Stephen Drew that should have resulted in a double play, but J.D.'s sib muffed the grounder and left himself with just a play at first.
One run scores, and the window of opportunity is considerably more ajar (especially considering Blake DeWitt's ensuing ground out, which could have been a game ender). A respective double, triple and single in back-to-back-to-back dish appearances from Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Russell Martin eventually put the Dodgers up by a pair, enough of a cushion for Jon Broxton to take the hill, allow a score and still save a NL West tying, come from behind box score for the Dodgers.
Two of three in Arizona. Not a bad way to come out of the break.
AK
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What a GREAT win today! Now maybe all of the negativity shown on this blog can turn into some support for the Dodgers for a change.
It's a long season & a lot of you just what to continue to whine & cry instead of showing support & letting things play out a bit.
Posted by: Eagle Rock Andy | July 20, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Nice to see Kemp come through in this situation. It was the same one he faced yesterday, against the same pitcher, and he seemed to have learned from the night before.
Posted by: dalegribel | July 20, 2008 at 05:05 PM
What a GREAT win today! Now maybe all of the negativity shown on this blog can turn into some support for the Dodgers for a change.
It's a long season & a lot of you just what to continue to whine & cry instead of showing support & letting things play out a bit.
Posted by: Eagle Rock Andy | July 20, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Notes on Y@hoo says that the catcher for AZ Snyder missed 14 games with what is called a "left testicular fracture". What in the name of Branch Rickey is that? And I pray to Tommy Lasorda that I never ever get one.
Posted by: theKidCA | July 20, 2008 at 05:30 PM
It is a great win BUT Jones is still going to be in the everyday lineup. He in a first and third situation almost grounded into a double play but Drew messed up the play. Jones can't hit in the clutch, can't hit out of the clutch, can't play defense, and can't do anything else. Replace him with Young. Please.
Posted by: Tom | July 20, 2008 at 05:31 PM
One thing I noticed is that AJ HIT the ball everytime today.
David
Posted by: DavidS | July 20, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Hey Frank, Keep Coletti Away from the telephone. We do not need a sore arm pitcher . We also do not need a non dimensional center fielder or a one dimensional hall of fame second basemen. Hey Joe, I guess you found out you are not working for Steinbrenner and Cashman anymore!
Posted by: Jim McVeigh | July 20, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Eagle Rock -
Whining and Crying are a firm part of life. It's not that we don't support the Blue, it is only that we expect them to live up to the rich legacy that they have been blessed by being given the opportunity to don a Dodger uniform in the Big Leagues surrounded by Big League Players in Big League Parks.
I hardly think our demand for excellence is inappropriate.
Is Mattingly's stache in the HOF? Can the stache be inducted separately?
Posted by: benzojones | July 20, 2008 at 05:59 PM
This is in regard to the comments in the previous thread concerning the unavailability of today's game on MLB Extra Innings. It will cost you $$$, but I solve the problem by also subscribing to MLB.TV, which allows me to see games on my computer. I always watch Extra Innings when it's available, but have a fall back on MLB.TV when it's not. Today's game was an example.
The only time I am ever blacked out of a Dodger game is when they play on big FOX in the afternoon on Saturday (FOX games are regional, so although the Dodgers may be one of the games broadcast, I will not see that game unless they're playing the Mets). In that instance I am blacked out of both services. If the game on Saturday is at night, it's not blacked out. Also, if I choose to do so, MLB.TV enables me to listen to the game on radio when it's blacked out.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | July 20, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Have to admit I was muttering under my breath about Slack Kemp's lack of patience at the plate (I think that sentence covered all the prepositions). But then I saw his at bat in the 9th. If this is the first flower of the Mattingly era, let it bloom, baby.
Posted by: phat2zday | July 20, 2008 at 06:17 PM
OK, I'm with you. I've been a naysayer but this was definitely an exciting and positive outcome. A long streak of good, solid baseball would be great. I'm not asking for wins, just for playing a solid game every day.
Posted by: Rufus Leaking | July 20, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Awesome win. Awesome hitting from Nomar in the past few games. If Slappy and/or AJ stay out of the lineup in favor of Kemp and Ethier, then maybe the Dodgers can put something together in the second half!
Posted by: LossLeader | July 20, 2008 at 08:09 PM
See what happens when you get rid of a household item coconut....sweeeeeeeeeeeet.
Posted by: wausroamer | July 20, 2008 at 08:29 PM
I heard Colletti is contemplating signing a pitcher named Loaiza from the Mexican Pepper Pickers League for a paltry 5.784 million for the remainder of the year.
Has anybody heard of him, and would it be a good idea to sign him?
Posted by: wausroamer | July 20, 2008 at 08:33 PM
another error for Russell Martin. Am I the only Dodger fan who has noticed how overrated he is as a catcher. Major league catchers are really weak defensively these days if people think Martin is a good catcher. In the 70's, he'd be viewed as a very weak catcher, compared to guys like Steve Yeager, Johnny Bench, Thurman Munson and Jerry Grote.
Posted by: lagata | July 20, 2008 at 08:35 PM
1 and 0 in games where Web pitches a no decision against the Dodgers...
I have to admit I was expecting seeing Alice smoking a Hookah on the field before That Comeback. Makes you stop and think of a world where anything is possible...
Be sure and add Lyon to your Christmas card list.
Outstanding rally!
Posted by: Andy B | July 20, 2008 at 08:47 PM
thekidCA,
Yes, Snyder took one directly in the, eh, breadbasket from a foul ball.
Jesse Jackson couldn't have had better aim.
Posted by: wausroamer | July 20, 2008 at 08:57 PM
If Mattingly can get Kemp to walk more and strikeout less, he will be a great lead off guy. Of course that is a big if. But he didn't strikeout so much last year, so I suppose he probably needs just some more coaching.
Posted by: theKidCA | July 20, 2008 at 09:49 PM
You (and everyone else) completely forgot to mention Andy LaRoche's clutch-hitting pinch-hitting single scoring Loney. If LaRoche had batted like Blake DeWitt, the game would be over and the Dodgers would have lost. Also his on-base spot, taken over by hard-running pinch-running Pablo Ozuna, brought in as the next run by Kemp, without which (among two others) there's no insurance run and the game goes into extra innings. A big team effort - virtually everyone except Kent and DeWitt playing a big part in the success. especially nice for Kemp, Ethier and LaRoche. And Troncoso and Broxton.
Posted by: berkowit28 | July 20, 2008 at 10:03 PM
That was a huge win for the Blue today! Taking two out of three from the DBacks with two (almost 3) come from behind wins in the series is the sort of fight that has been missing from the Dodgers for quite awhile. Nomar's return has really brought some life back to the line up.
I also agree with Simers (which is rare) that the Dodgers should keep Kemp. If Kemp learns some patience at the plate his average and OPS will jump up. Matt is very talented, and just needs time, coaching, and patience. The Dodgers organization has had very little consistency over the last few years, but yet everyone expects the kids to be a model of consistency. Consistency needs to start with the Dodgers ownership and flow down from there.
I am fine with Ned being on the phone as long as he is working on bringing in one more bat. Bringing back Beltre to play 3rd would be huge. We may be able to get him for a package of prospects (say LaRoche, Elbert, and Meloan), if the Blue are willing to take on some more salary. Here's hoping they do!
Posted by: Santa Rosa Dodger | July 20, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Huge win ....reallyt the 9th inning comeback really means two wins...why? If the dodgers had lost they'd be 2 behind in the standings, instead they find themselves tied in NL west .
Posted by: scully 805 | July 20, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Nice rare comeback win tonite. Nice to see the young guys come through in the 9th. Anyone know when Schmidt's next rehab start is? Any news on him?
Posted by: Mike in Sactown | July 20, 2008 at 10:14 PM
lagata,
What have you been smoking...I been watching Martin for almost every game for the last two years and he can block the plate like the best of them and also the balss in the dirt...he occasionally throws one into center, but not often...maybe that's why they gave him the gold glove along with the silver slugger award last year.
Posted by: K T | July 20, 2008 at 11:18 PM
the dodgers should have lost this game drew bailed out andruw jones i think its time for another fake injury and some more d.l time
Posted by: mike | July 20, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Schmidts next rehab start is at an Arby's... they are going to let him slice the Beef.
Posted by: benzojones | July 21, 2008 at 05:57 AM