Lot of time spent gathering audio, little time to create a formal report
Thus, I'll hit some high points and let y'all hear it before the game:
Maddux will make his debut on Friday in Philly, which will push Clayton Kershaw to Saturday.
Joe Torre, on what Greg Maddux adds to the Dodgers, on and off the field
"To me, he adds more than just taking the ball every five or six days. it's what he's done in his career and the way he's done it. I believe it's going to add to a lot. His willingness to talk to players."
Torre, on how Maddux manages to succeed at his age
"His
experience is going to be his hole card, in how he goes about doing
things and his reputation, when you're facing, you know you're going to
have to find a way to beat him, because he's not going to beat
himself. his ability to pitch probably outweighs that question about
how much he "has left."
Torre didn't think Maddux being able to only throw about 5-6 innings was a problem. Between Derek Lowe, Hiroki Kuroda and, at times, Chad Billingsley, there are enough guys Torre considers feasible 7-8 inning options to offset whatever use of the relief staff is needed for Maddux's starts.
Greg Maddux is happy to be here, but would have been cool staying in San Diego, if a deal couldn't be worked out. He likes his teammates and the experience down south. That being said, he likes being in first place (after being in last just 24 hours ago) and had fun the first time around, which he's looking forward to again.
Nothing new on Raffy Furcal, who's doing some always vague "baseball things" in Arizona. He'll hook up with the team when they happen to be in his neck of the woods for the D-Backs series next week, but beyond that, it's dicey if he'll make any roadies.
Andruw Jones hit a pair of long balls yesterday for the Las Vegas 51's against Fresno, but Torre stressed that it's still pretty premature to declare the outfielder "back." He's giving it at last a few days under Jeff Pentland's watch before even making any evaluations.
To make room for Maddux, Eric Stults' stay in L.A. just got cut very short and Scott Proctor got shifted to the 60-day DL.
Six members of the band Ozomatli threw out the "pre-first pitch." They're all L.A. natives and, having recorded a song about the Dodgers, presumably think Blue. As one might guess, a sextet of balls flying towards the dish was a little chaotic, but nobody got hurt. If you ever get a chance to see them live, by all means, jump on it. Great musicians and they put on a fun show.
From there, actor Chazz Palminteri threw out the official first pitch. Low and outside. Love him in the movie "A Bronx Tale," which I think he's reviving in its original stage version.
Lineups
Rockies
Clint Barmes - 2B
Willy Taveras - CF
Matt Holliday - LF
Brad Hawpe - RF
Garrett Atkins - 1B
Ian Stewart - 3B
Troy Tulowitzki - SS
Yorvit Torrealba - C
Ubaldo Jimenez - P
Dodgers
Kemp - CF
Ethier - RF
Kent - 2B
Manny - LF
Loney - 1B
Martin - C
Nomar - SS
Blake - 3B
Kuroda - P
AUDIO
Joe Torre, Part I: Download joe_torre_part_i.mp3
Joe Torre, Part II: Download joe_torre_part_ii.mp3
Joe Torre, Part III: Download joe_torre_part_iii.mp3
Joe Torre, Part IV: Download joe_torre_part_iv.mp3
Ned Colletti, Part I: Download ned_colletti_part_i.mp3
Ned Colletti Part II: Download ned_colletti_part_ii.mp3
Greg Maddux Part I: Download greg_maddux_part_i.mp3
Greg Maddux, Part II: Download greg_maddux_part_ii.mp3
AK
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From a previous thread:
BK/AK...So who are we going to support with the Live Blog charm this series against the Rocks...will it be Kuroda, Biltz or Lowe...remember both Wed. & Thurs. are early games
Well now we know it won't be Kuroda..even though through the 1st it seems like he might have needed it most
Posted by: K T | August 19, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Just to let you know Kent batted before Ethier
Posted by: K T | August 19, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Sorry about last post not listening well...Thought vinny said kemp was out then kent hit a 2 strike double
Posted by: K T | August 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Fastball to Kent...another hit.
Dude is red hot right now.
Manny gave that one a ride for an out.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 07:42 PM
The Dodgers are going to rack this guy before the night is out.
I sense a win!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Hey, how about this: Instead of calling fastballs, fastballs when Kent is batting. How about we call them Mannyballs to Kent. A Mannyball is a fastball to the batter hitting before him in the line-up.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 07:56 PM
I'm not sure what makes me more nervous here. Matt Holliday hitting a screamer off Kuroda's foot, or Stan Conte being the man responsible for coming out as the trainer and ensuring that Kuroda is healthy...
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | August 19, 2008 at 08:09 PM
With the way he's pitching so far tonight, it looks like Kuroda is going to make himself run wind-sprints after the game....
Posted by: Brian | August 19, 2008 at 08:11 PM
That was a pass ball by Torrealba.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Close game so far. Keep hope alive, Mike T!!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | August 19, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Mike T,
What's going on with you??.. you basketball guy... don't you know not to "SENSE" any wins until they actually win... that's what baseball guys call a gucher.. a jinx... if the Dodgers lose, I'm coming after you! haha.
Posted by: Rob | August 19, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Rob,
LOL!
If we lose I'll take the blame on this one.
mike t,
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Good job Torre with having Sweepy pinch hit to make sure that the team doesn't rally in the 6th Inning. Save the winning the game part for later. Makes it more dramatic I guess. The worst manager in baseball?
Posted by: Michael Crowther | August 19, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Anyone detect a little sarcasm from Vinny 1st time Kent was up?
Posted by: benzojones | August 19, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Weeney does it again. Another great AB by the cluch 125 hitter.
Posted by: XZoom | August 19, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Michael Crowther-
Think of it this way- if you use Sweeney in the sixth, he can't be used again for the next three innings. One less thing to worry about.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | August 19, 2008 at 09:27 PM
What part of .123 doesn't Torre understand?
Posted by: WBB | August 19, 2008 at 09:29 PM
"Anyone detect a little sarcasm from Vinny 1st time Kent was up?"
LOL! Yeah.
But Vinny is too subtle. The game after the Kent thing Vinny stated that Kent was batting so an so from August something to this day.
The August day was around he went in front of Manny. LOL! Instead of saying since he was inserted into the number 3 spot he just gave a date. LOL!
Classic Vinny all the way. Say nothing but saying it all. That's an old pro!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 09:31 PM
OK, Martin time!
Lets go Dodgers!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 09:37 PM
That fly out by Martin hurt. Bases jammed. I know the margin for error is smaller with two outs, but they had a chance to not only tie up or take a lead, but manufacture some serious mo'.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 19, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Me, myself, I wouldn't put two kids behind Manny.
Loney and Russell seem to be slumping.
Kids: Ethier, Loney and Martin are a combined 0 for 11 tonight. It wouldn't be so bad if they were in key positions in the line-up. 2nd, 5th and 6th. What I don't understand is why Russell is hitting ahead of either Nomar or Blake.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 19, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Too bad Falkenborg is killing the Dodgers again. The guy couldnt pitch a inning without giving up a run to the DBacks or else the game would have been tied
Posted by: XZoom | August 19, 2008 at 09:51 PM
WTF KUO?
Posted by: Brian | August 19, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Dodgers will lose if no miracle happens. Arizona wins. Dodgers fall one game behind. Blame it on McCourt or Ned, Dunn hits a two-run home run in the game and D-backs win by 1. Why didn't the Dodgers put a claim on him?
In comes Sturtze who had a 4+ ERA in minors. wow.
the dodgers bullpen is absolutely imploding.
Posted by: Tom | August 19, 2008 at 09:58 PM
I was hoping Martin would extend that AB, but at least it was a very hittable pitch. Belt high, could get his hands out. He went the right way with it, but didn't get much. It's a catch- a guy gets in trouble, so you wan to make him throw a strike, but on the other hand, since he's in trouble, you know he won't want to get behind. That first pitch is almost guaranteed to be a good one.
Mike-
I think Loney is a good choice for the five spot, in part because when they do it differently, it gives them a long run of righthanded hitters, making it easier on the opposing manager. Obviously production matters, so if he's not hitting they can drop him down, but on that level it makes sense. Regarding Ethier, he's on the oh-fer tonight, but he came into the game hitting over .350 with four homers this month. Everyone has days where they don't get a hit. He's certainly been very good over the last few weeks.
I think they could (and have) swap Martin and Blake, and should if Russell can't stay consistent, but while Nomar has had a couple significant hits, he's not exactly hitting the cover off the ball coming into the game. Martin actually has more hits over the last week or so. I like him at seven, since he's not exactly the type of guy you want hitting in front of pitchers. Very, very free swinging.
Lineups are as much art as science. I think we'll continue to see some fluidity at the bottom of the order.
On another note, tough night for the pen, eh?
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | August 19, 2008 at 09:59 PM