Giants 10, Dodgers 8: Down Goes Milton

by Eric Stephen on Apr 1, 2009 6:51 PM PDT in Game Recaps Comment 3 comments

Will Doug Mientkiewicz and Blake DeWitt be teammates next week?

The Dodgers dropped their final spring game in Arizona, losing 10-8 in Scottsdale to the Giants. A few notes from the game:

The Giants' 19-year old uber prospect Madison Bumgarner allowed only a Juan Castro double in his three innings. I have a feeling Bumgarner, rated by Baseball America as the ninth best prospect in baseball, will be pitching at AT&T Park sooner than we think
Eric Milton gave up 8 runs, bringing his spring totals to 38 hits, 29 runs, and five homers in 19.2 innings. After the game, it was announced that Milton, as well as Tanyon Sturtze -- who might still make the club -- agreed to go to Albuquerque, per Ken Gurnick. Of course, this all but assures James McDonald the fifth starter spot.
The Dodgers outrighted Danny Ardoin to AAA, removing him from the 40-man roster. Ardoin has ten days to accept or decline the assignment. If he decides to go to Albuquerque, Ardoin will backup A.J. Ellis while earning a relatively high minor league salary of $210,750.
Hiroki Kuroda had a solid, albeit short, final spring tuneup, allowing one run in three innings. Perhaps more importantly, he allowed no flyballs.
Tomorrow's game against the Angels starts a run of three straight games at Dodger Stadium. The game, a 7:10 start, will be televised by KCAL, MLB Network, and MLB TV, depending on your preference or location.

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I missed this at first

in the Gurnick Milton AAA article:

He appears to be competing with Ramon Troncoso for the job of putting down rallies with runners on base. Sturtze has more experience than Troncoso and he’s long been a Torre favorite, but Sturtze would require freeing up a roster spot and Troncoso already has one.

Good news that Troncoso might still be in the mix. If one believes Weaver already has a spot in the pen, this would indicate Claudio Vargas might actually start the season on the DL (if he’s not released, winning silverwidow a beverage from Phil!).

by Eric Stephen on Apr 1, 2009 7:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Also, point of reference on Ardoin

His $210,750 minor league salary is high. Juan Castro for instance, will earn $81,000 if he’s in the minors (please, please, please).

by Eric Stephen on Apr 1, 2009 7:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps Kuroda should have allowed some flyouts

From Dylan Hernandez:

Ramirez, who was 0 for 1 with a strikeout and walk today against the San Francisco Giants, said he’ll use the remaining exhibition games to work on his fielding as much as his hitting. He said he has to get used to seeing the ball come off opposing hitters’ bats at game speed.

He playfully feigned disappointment that no balls were hit to him today.

“No fly balls,” he said. “Maybe tomorrow.”

Heh.

by Eric Stephen on Apr 1, 2009 7:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs