If six turned out to be nine...
I don't think anyone would mind. Of course, for the Dodgers, who have won five straight to move four games over the .500 mark, to run their win streak to nine games they have to take care of business tonight (and Sunday, then again Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but I'm not going to let that stand in the way of the most awkward, shoehorned Hendrix reference in the history of the Internet*) in the second game of their series against the Brewers. For the first time in a while, Dodger fans might see a nine game winning streak as realistic. After all, the Dodgers have won the aforementioned four fingers and a thumb, plus seven of nine.
If they hadn't kicked two gift horses in the mouth last weekend in San Francisco, we could be talking about nine straight right now. In a lot of ways, the evolution of the Dodgers fits into the standard stereotype of Joe Torre teams- slow to start, fast to finish. While he didn't necessarily buy into that perception, regarding this year's team it's a false construct, Torre said.
"I can't say it's the same team that started slow and all of a sudden picked up momentum," he said, noting the amount of injuries and roster turnover they've had. Certainly the lineup they're putting out now is drastically better than the one that Torre fielded in May and June.
It goes deeper, too.
"I think it took us a little time to gain some trust here, too, in what we're trying to do, and meanwhile convince the players that we're not trying to make any wholesale changes here, we're just trying to help the young players get better. I had a sense that once they started trusting that fact, we'd see some progress. But as far as this club, the pitching has held us in there and kept us close. Casey Blake has made a significant difference in our personality, and when Manny came in, he's like that one player who can make a difference in a ballclub, personality wise and giving a club a feeling that they have a chance to win."
Other topics of conversation tonight:
- Jeff Kent in the three spot. As many have written about, Kent maintains his hot streak has nothing to do with hitting in front of Manny. To an extent, he has a point- Kent was certainly swinging a better bat even before Ramirez arrived, but to refuse to acknowledge any help is a little goofy. It's a defense mechanism, in my mind. No hitter wants to think that his skills are linked to another player, because if that player goes away, so do the skills. But as Torre explained it, it's precisely because Kent is a quality bat that he can hit in front of Manny. "The fact that he's hitting in front of Manny means that they don't want to walk him, and he's a patient enough hitter to take advantage of that. That's my opinion. I think it's helped him." The pitcher, he explained, will start any at bat trying to get the batter out, but things change deeper into the AB. Kent is savvy enough to turn that to his advantage. "If you don't get to the point where the pitcher has to throw a strike, he never will."
- Torre expressed confidence that he could use Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, or even Chan Ho Park in late inning, high leverage situations. Tonight, everyone ought to be available in the pen.
- No news yet on Penny, but Torre admitted that at this point, they have to proceed as if he won't be back this season. "I can't think that Penny is going to come back, off of what's happened this year." Not that they have medical news pointing in that direction, but based on what he's seen- a guy who has struggled with shoulder discomfort, spent time on the DL, who tried to come back, and still has the same discomfort. When players get shut down at this point of the season, it's best to prepare for the worst and adjust to good news. The same logic, by the way, would apply to Rafael Furcal.
- Don't be surprised to see Nomar get a little time at first, depending on the opposing pitcher. Torre said he almost gave him a start there last night against the tough lefty Manny Parra. Beyond the matchups, it also provides Nomar a chance to play but under less stress, similar to how a day at third gives Russell Martin a day off without actually sitting him.
Audio:
- Torre: Download joe_torre_8.16.mp3
- Torre II: Download joe_torre_8.16 II.mp3
Lineups: Ethier is back in. Loney bats behind Manny, Blake back to eighth. Still no Ryan Braun for the Brewers.
Brewers:
Durham. 2B
Hardy. SS
Kapler.
LF
Fielder. 1B
Hart. RF
Counsell. 3B
Cameron.
CF
Kendall. C
Bush.
RHP
Dodgers:
Kemp. CF
Ethier.
RF
Kent. 2B
Ramirez. LF
Loney.
1B
Martin. C
Garciaparra. SS
Blake.
3B
Lowe. RHP
BK
*Go ahead and look around the web. I defy you to find one that bad...
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
This is a Torre quote from Diamond Leung's blog...
"I tried to reason who was going to give me the better at-bat - Berroa or Loney,"
This is the kind of stupidity this team has to overcome to win this season. That might be asking too much.
Posted by: Adrian | August 16, 2008 at 06:47 PM
This Kent stubborness is foolish. Of course he can hit. That's why they put him in the 3 spot. But it's because of Manny that he's getting all the fastball to hit.
Put Kent behind Manny and lets see how many fastballs he gets to hit. The whole idea of putting Kent in front of Manny was so he can get a beam on some fastball and turn them into hits. That was something Martin wasn't able to do. So Kent was sent in to take his swings at those fastball pitchers are making in front of Manny.
That's the most obvious thing to see.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 16, 2008 at 06:55 PM
In regards to Brad Penny: considering he has suffered an injury or gets fatigued at some point every single season, I have to wonder if conditioning (or the lack thereof) has to do with the state of his physical condition.
Posted by: dwallspaw | August 16, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Nice start!
Kemp and Ethier starting strong.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 16, 2008 at 07:18 PM
It's good to see the big fundamental not letting his hitting being effected by his bench play
Posted by: K T | August 16, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Looks like Lowe forced to sweat out another low scoring game.
Posted by: DavidS | August 16, 2008 at 08:15 PM
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is me e-booing Eric Gagne...
Posted by: Nils | August 16, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Package,
From last thread,
I hear you.
I know Benzo's third move will be to bring up his baseball crush Tiffee from Vegas 51's. Tiffee will get to be the starting pitcher, play one inning of short, bat lead-off, and given dreadlocks to wear... and of course a huge media / press conference before the first game....
What about Repko?
Posted by: Rob | August 16, 2008 at 09:37 PM
I don't get booing Gagne. He was a great Dodger for 3 years and then his body fell apart. Don't tell me about HGH. If he were still a Dodger none of us would care about that. That 8th inning booing made me ashamed to be a Dodger fan. It was about as classless as booing Shawn Green, who didn't leave by his own choice either.
Posted by: Paul Merrill | August 16, 2008 at 09:50 PM
I support Benzo if he can get us back the golden passes for the Live Blogs
Posted by: K T | August 16, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Tough lost...we should gotten that one...I think the bottom of the 10th should have turned out differently...I wish I was watching it so I don't point "fingers in the wrong direction"...I hate Stiener...every fly ball is pop up blooper is like a homerun call
Posted by: K T | August 16, 2008 at 10:10 PM
For all the good that is said about Matt Kemp, the guy is a stupid baserunner.
That ball Ethier hit in the bottom of the 10th was so far back that Kemp had no reason to back up all the way back to first. How stupid can this guy be? Had he cheated just to halfway between first and second he would have been to third off the Ethier hit. Then with the Kent liner to center...Kemp would have came home.
Who in the hell is teaching this guy about baserunning?
He is constantly making baserunning errors on the simpliest things.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 16, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Broxton has lost the Dodgers last two out of three losses. It looks like he is fading under the pressure.
Posted by: Tom | August 16, 2008 at 10:11 PM
"For all the good that is said about Matt Kemp, the guy is a stupid baserunner."
The ball Ethier hit went off of Mike Cameron's glove. Given Cameron's ability in center field and the closeness of the play, it's not inconceivable that he could have caught that ball, in which case tagging up would have been the correct play. It was simply a matter of misjudgment, perfectly understandable given Kemp's vantage point. And furthermore, what culpability does Mariano Duncan have in that play? Shouldn't he have been yelling instructions to Kemp? Or could it be that he also wasn't sure if the ball would be caught or not?
So quick to criticize, but never willing to give Kemp the credit he is due for all the positive adjustments he has made all year. Or hasn't anyone noticed how much his approach at the plate has improved? And have we forgotten how much he has improved in the field? Without Matt Kemp the Dodgers would be nowhere.
And if anyone is looking for a player to blame, how about Casey Blake? I haven't heard a word about his terrible at bat in the 9th inning with the bases loaded. He was facing a pitcher having trouble throwing strikes, and yet, with the count 1-0 he swung at a pitch that was clearly inside. So instead of the pitcher being behind 2-0 with bases loaded, the count was now 1-1. Even if Blake didn't walk, might it be that he would have gotten a cripple to hit, or maybe even ball 3? Fact is, later in the count he also swung at another pitch that was clearly inside. Quite frankly, that was a lousy at bat, and might well have cost the Dodgers the game.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | August 17, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Mike my thought also about where was when ball hit the wall, in fact with his speed he should have been at 2nd base then maybe he could have scored. But you have to remember this guy only went to HS and probably wasn't smart enough for college, but I still love the guy he will come around. In the bottom of the ninth watching Blake at the plate he was in his regular area in batting box, he should of crowded plate he could have been hit or walked in run and also would force nervous pitcher to throw in location for his advantage.
Posted by: pk-mesa | August 17, 2008 at 01:28 AM
I am seriously considering filing psycological abuse charges against the Dodgers and their franchise. Year after year it is the same thing, these nightmarish losses that are having a severe impact on my well being. Over the last week to ten days, we have had to endure the hideous losses of Ludwick, Rowand and the skinny little guy who hit the ball thru Kuo's legs. Then the "I have hope again" series against the Phils with two ecstatic walk off wins, then back down into the nadir of losing yet another close game with the winning run on third and the bullpen finds another way to lose.
The issue is not the fact that the Dodgers are within one game of Arizona, for me it is the WAY this team wins and loses games, the incredible inconsistency and unpredictability year after year after year that make it so unpleasant and yet I can't be an Angel fan. This is my team, you don't just jump ship on your team, for cryin out loud.
It is SO HARD to be a Dodger fan. I don't like the way they play the game, I am unable to handle the life shortening way they beat themselves and the way they seem to be unable to forge an alliance, the disarray of the organization. I know I am not alone. I am reading more and more on blogs that other fans are feeling just as frustrated. Its not the winning and losing that is so frustrating. It is the unnecessary drama that is created night in and night out. This has been one of the most difficult weeks as a sports fan I have ever been a part of psychologically. To be a Dodger fan is to endure unbearable psychological trauma that no other fan has to endure. Forget about the Cubs and their hundred years. I would trade that anytime for the suffering, intolerable cruelty that the Dodgers put their fans through with the way they play the game.
Horrendous! One minute up, one minute down. Who can live like that?
Posted by: Dodger Tony | August 17, 2008 at 03:14 AM
KT - the official phrase for Steiner's calls is "coughing up a mustache".
Rob - Through 4 games in the Olympics Tiffee is batting .500... do you think Repko could do that?
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 17, 2008 at 06:21 AM
As I have said before, Broxton is not a closer! He cracks or almost cracks everytime he picks up a baseball. Kemp should have been at 3rd easy! Also, I would have liked to have seen Ethier try a little harder on the line drive that scored the Brewers winning run. I think he could have caught it. So much for the kids on this losing game.
Package
Posted by: Package | August 17, 2008 at 06:35 AM
No. More. Broxton. Ever. How many games did he choke last season down the stretch? How many more is he going to choke this season? No. More. Broxton.
Posted by: Rufus Leaking | August 17, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Jeff Kent Callin Vin Scully "some guy on TV" Jeff Kent is such a downer...Jeff Kent is officially on my "people I wish never wore a Dodger uniform" list....Hey Vinny, I want to apologize for that grumpy old mans remarks....U keep doin what u do best...Kents an idiot.
Posted by: BlueBleeder | August 17, 2008 at 08:55 AM
YEs, Kemp made a bone-headed baserunning mistake, but that's just a situation he still hasn't encountered yet, and will add to the things he's learning. But the guy is so much better in just this season alone I hate to pin the loss on him. The catch he made in centerfield earlier was outstanding--he got a good jump and his natural ability took over from there.
What I don't understand is bringing in Kuo in the eighth. Lowe went out to pitch that inning, and was cruising. But Yost brings in RYan Braun and all of a sudden Lowe has to go? Does Braun own him or something to the point that you bring in a lefty who throws fastballs instead? DOesn't Braun feast on fastballs from lefites,with his .300 avg, 30 HRS and 80 RBIS? Sure seems that way to me.
I love Kuo, but that situation seemed like exactly the wrong time to use him. K BRos? Did anyone ask Torre what the $#%@#$ he was thinking?
Posted by: SaMo | August 17, 2008 at 09:09 AM
I'm going to repeat myself again, "BROXTON JUST DOESN'T HAVE IT TO BE THE CLOSER OF A PLAYOFF TEAM." Great stuff but meltdown AGAIN, in a very important game... really momentum killer.
YOU JUST DON'T WALK SOMEONE W/ 2 OUTS!! He even admitted that fact in the Times article.
Posted by: Rob | August 17, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Dodger Tony,
I hear you and I know your pain, but isn't that the plight of sports fans the world around?
At least we are in a race with 40 games to go. These are thrilling times, my brothers.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | August 17, 2008 at 09:31 AM
I still don't get why Torre pulled Lowe in the first place. Maybe he wasn't super sharp but he WAS getting out of every jam. He had only thrown 94 pitches and he's a ground ball pitcher, The last thing you want at that point in the game is the long bomb which is exactly what Kuo served up. If Lowe continues in the game and does his job then none of this other stuff even matters. In my opinion Torre is as much to blame for this loss as anybody. Not to mention pulling Nomar who has had a great vibe lately. I thought it was a poorly managed game.Period. I don't understand why everyone thinks this guy is some managerial God. I mean even Coco the monkey could have won championships with that Yankee team. Done.
Posted by: dodgerdog | August 17, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Two things:
1. Kemp would've had to have been psychic to believe Cameron wasn't going to catch that ball. He made the correct play (halfway) until he made the judgement that the ball was going to be caught. You can see it on the replay. He is in the correct position, watching Cameron, and then he makes a decision that Cameron will probably catch the ball. He then retreats to tag. This is not "bonehead" base running. Bonehead base running would've had him rounding second and doubled off first after a great catch by Cameron. I would call what Kemp did cautious base running given inning and score. As for the guy who referred to Kemps High School education...well my friend, you know nothing about baseball and you're too stupid for words.
2. The true bonehead play was Casey Blake's disastrous at bat. The previous hitter had walked on pitches that were not close. Then there was ball one to Blake, also not close. Blake then proceeds to swing at the next 3 pitches, two of which were borderline. End of rally. There are a lot of people on this blog who like to talk about "professional at bats", but wouldn't actually know one if it bit them in the ass. Blake's at bat was amateurish. I'm sure that if it had been Matt Kemp, it would've been the entire topic on this blog today. But then again.....well, let's let the obvious go unsaid, shall we?
Posted by: twerp1 | August 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM