Nomar Garciaparra intentionally shows up Andre Ethier

The Good

• Jeff Kent: If Kent enjoys more performances like this one, you could see Manny batting in front of him.  Tonight marked the vet's first four hit game of '08, including that eighth inning gem to make it a brand new ball game.   
• Andre Ethier: He notched a single in the first inning, then scored the Dodgers' first run when James Loney drew a bases loaded walk.  The fourth inning saw him straight arm a solo shot that barely carried over the right field wall, but still counted just as much as a towering blast.  He also raced down former teammate Werth's deep ball, ricocheting himself against the wall while securing the ball.
  
• Manny Ramirez: With Kent on base after lacing one just off Jimmy Rollins' mitt, Manny smacked a 1-2 pitch just past Geoff Jenkins' mitt and over the right field wall.  A fist pump followed as first was rounded and he appeared particularly geeked while trotting the bases for homer five as a Dodger.
• Russell Martin: Torre joked before the game that Penny's presence behind Martin would bring some good pitches in the 8 hole.  Considering Penny's quick hook, I doubt that was the catalyst for a great evening, but Martin definitely looked good in his new "home." He shot down the notion of these digs playing a particular role, citing instead a bettered focus.  "Getting a pitch to hit instead of going outside the zone.  I finally just locked back in and got the pitcher to throw some strikes.
  
• The bats in general:  A dozen hits.  Three homers.  Plus five walks to boot.
  
• Jason Johnson/Chan Ho Park/Jonathon Broxton: "Our bullpen has been a big piece of our success this year," praised Martin.  "I can't really say enough about how good they've done."  For the most part, such descriptions have been commonplace on the season, but quality relief work hasn't been a given lately.  Johnson's previous pair of outings were shaky, but his work today laid a rock solid foundation for the comeback built.  Brought in earlier than expected for a beat up Penny, Johnson's 2.2 innings settled the game back down, holding the Phils at bay with five strikeouts against just one hit.  After Joe Beimel couldn't nab the final sixth inning out, Park- up and down in August himself- got the job done, then stuck around to toss another pair of shutout innings.  "Between Jason Johnson and Chan-Ho Park, those are the people that basically put a tourniquet on this thing and gave us an opportunity to catch up and then win the ball game."  The official "W" was registered under the name of "Broxton," he of the two K's in the final frame.
• Nomar Garciaparra: That whole "walk off homer" thingee. 
  

The Bad

• Brad Penny: If/when Manny finally does cut his hair, I'd avoid going with a mohawk.  Judging by Penny's performance this evening, I don't think it's conducive to positive results.   After five solid innings in San Fran (with a full head of hair, I might add) sparked guarded optimism after a long DL stint, Penny's work while donning the "Mr. T" look was the stuff pessimism is made of.  Two quick first inning outs under his belt, Penny began getting knocked around like a rag doll and never recovered.  The opening frame included two run jacks served up to Ryan Howard (not all that shocking) and Greg Dobbs (dude only has sixteen in five seasons).  The next inning saw ex-Dodger Jayson Werth go long to almost dead center.  Another pair of enemy scores.  Inning numero tres kept the ball in the yard, but also saw Penny working hard to shut a two out door, allowing another pair of hits and a walk before finally retiring pitcher Joe Blanton to end the affair.  There was no fourth inning to be had.
  
  "He just looked like he couldn't locate," explained Torre of the righty's problems.  "He looked like his velocity was fine.  It just didn't look like he was able to locate pitches the way he was.  He had a good bullpen on Monday.  Felt good about it."  For the time being and health allowing, Torre is proceeding with the notion of Penny getting another start five days from now.
  
• Joe Beimel: After yesterday's extremely effective "Joe Beimel Bobble Head Day" outing, I suggested the Dodgers repeat the giveaway for every remaining home contest.  Beimel declined, claiming the hoopla is a little too exhausting.  Today's follow up, which featured him entering the sixth inning with a man on first/two outs and exiting with the bases loaded, makes me think I may have been onto something.   
• Casey Blake/Matt Kemp: Both went hitless on the night.  Both had a pair of K's. 

The Fun But Kinda Scary

• Nomar getting picked up and carried around at home by his teammates: Always a cool sight, but considering the evening's hero is two days removed from the DL and seems to be made from equal parts glass and paper mache, I had distinct visions of Garciaparra getting injured during the celebration.  "I was pretty high," laughed Nomar.  "They didn't know my knee hurt.  I was like 'Don't drop me, because that's the last thing I need.'  I looked down and I'm like, 'Who's got me and don't all let go at one time, please!"
  

AUDIO

• Nomar Garciaparra, Part I: Download nomar_garciaparra.mp3
  
• Nomar Garciaparra, Part II: Download nomar_2.mp3
• Joe Torre: Download joe_torre.mp3
• Russell Martin: Download russell_martin.mp3
• Jason Johnson: Download jason_johnson.mp3
• Andre Ethier: Download andre_ethier.mp3

AK