Better late than never

For Ethier, the dramatic contribution to the box score felt pretty sweet, especially considering the trials and tribulations experienced by the outfielder this season.  Always seemingly the odd man, Ethier has at times admitted frustration with his situation but, at least publicly, has said all the right things and reiterated the importance of remaining prepared.  "You come to the ballpark ready to start everyday, and when you're not in the lineup, you gotta start figuring out situations where you can help the team win.  Whether it be an at bat off the bench or two innings of defense to help us out.  Just being ready.  That's the thing.  Don't be complacent if you're starting that day and thinking you're not going to get the opportunity." 

As Hannibel Smith used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together."

The breakdown is below.

The Good

• Matt Kemp: The superstitious warn that "bad things come in three's," hardly the case for Kemp during his third straight three-hit game.  He got on early with a first inning double, then took third on the ensuing error by Pat Burrell.  The sequence was also made possible in part by some good recognition by Kemp upon spotting the gaffe, where he the ball in left center.  You could really see him turn on the jets and shift the motor into fifth.  Later, he delivered a sixth inning hit to left that moved Juan Pierre to second and in position to eventually score of a Manny Ramirez single.  His was the first blue bat of the eighth, which resulted in a single and an eventual run.  Defensively, Kemp's mark was also felt after running down Jayson Werth's deep shot into right to end the third inning and prevent any further damage.  Given the tightness of the proceedings, this proved in hindsight to be a very important play.
• Casey Blake: The Dodgers' "other trade acquisition" made Philly pay for giving Manny Ramirez an intentional first inning pass with Kemp on third.  Sir Beard-A-Lot proceeded to drill one into right, allowing his right fielder to ease on down the road to home.  Blake also tied up the game at three apiece with a bases loaded sac fly to center. 
• Manny Ramirez: As previously noted, his presence alone helped create an RBI, but then Ramirez's bat did the work in the sixth.  After battling Hamels in a trying at bat complete with back to back inside pitches that just missed knicking him and a close shave follow up where Manny actually went around, the Dreaded One (on a couple levels) called time out, then sliced a pitch into center for an RBI.  Great theater.  Greater result.
• Joe Beimel: You never want to see a guy struggle on his own Bobble Head Day, a mission where past honorees (most recently Takashi Saito) have come up short.  Not only did Beimel avoid such a fate, he actually threw a seventh inning of smoke.  Two strikeouts and a ground out for a side quickly retired, one of the more productive recent outings for a guy still getting used to a somewhat different usage.  Always fun to see prosperity come on a day with parents, family and friends in the crowd and 47,000+ fans holding a figurine blazing your mug.   "It felt good," smiled Beimel on the picture perfect night.  "I can't lie to you.  Just a good day overall."  Plus, as he noted, "They're saying that I broke the curse.  I'm always up for breaking curses."
  
• Hong-Chih Kuo: Apparently, another lefty wants his Bobble Head Day, too.  Two innings of relief behind the Promo Man of the Hour yielded a pair of K's, just one walk and zip in the run column.  Kuo may not get a personalized doll out of it, but he did earn win #4. 
  
• Andre Ethier: Game winning single in the ninth to score Russell Martin.  Need I really explain why this falls under "The good?"

The Mixed Bag

• Clayton Kershaw: As the game progressed, Kershaw began taking control.  His fourth inning was a three up-three down-three strike out affair, followed by another pair of K's in the fifth (highlighted by a wicked inside pitch that left Shane Victorino staring before taking a seat).  Kershaw's day in general wasn't lacking for strikeouts, his eight establishing a new career-best.  Unfortunately, the opening trio of frames also counted in the books, and those consisted of some pretty tough sledding, along with one earned run apiece, for the young lefty. 
  
  A second inning run allowed after Hamels' nubber towards third bounced awkwardly off the bag and out of Blake's reach was rotten luck.  Then again, lucky recipient Chris Coste being on third was due mostly to Kershaw's struggles on the mound, the same scenario for a myriad of additional Philadelphia runners.   21 may work for Blackjack, but it's the pits when comprising your toss total for the first inning.  That struggle was indicative of the control and efficiency problems experienced by the kid, who banked 56 pitches before inning three was over and done.  Adding insult to injury, Kershaw also took too long delivering home with Rollins on second, allowing an established swipe threat an even easier steal that eventually set him up rack Philly's third run.

The "I don't know if I can handle another two months of this"

• My reaction upon seeing Nomar come down a touch wobbly after leaping for a Chris Coste liner just above his head: "Oh, God! Is he hurt, already?" 
  
  Sadly, that wasn't an attempt at dry sarcasm or even trying to be funny.  Nomar said after the game that he feels good.  Of course, this isn't exactly the road less traveled, so fingers crossed.

AUDIO

• Joe Torre: Download joe_torre_post.mp3
• Andre Ethier, Part I: Download andre_ethier_1.mp3
• Andre Ethier, Part II: Download andre_ethier_2.mp3
• Russell Martin: Download russell_martin.mp3
• Joe Beimel: Download joe_beimel.mp3
  

AK