Freeway Series, Episode IV: A New Hope
by Eric Stephen on Jun 19, 2009 5:00 PM PDT
in Game Threads
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PrintLos Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels, Jun 19, 2009 7:05 PM PDT
Chad Billingsley takes the mound tonight in search of his 10th win of the season, as the Dodgers invade Anaheim for this year's second installment of the Freeway Series. Ramon Martinez was the last 20-game winner for the Dodgers, as he posted a 20-6 record in 1990. Since that time, there have only been four Dodgers to achieve ten wins prior to the All-Star break:
| Pitcher | Year | W-L | Final W-L |
| Brad Penny | 2007 | 10-1 | 16-4 |
| Kazuhisa Ishii | 2002 | 11-5 | 14-10 |
| Odalis Perez | 2002 | 10-4 | 15-10 |
| Ramon Martinez | 1991 | 12-3 | 17-13 |
The last time Billingsley faced the Angels, there is a chance I may have jinxed things. I was already coming off an emotional high from my first time covering the Dodgers the night before, and with their ace pitching in the finale, I was a confident man. I was with my brother, driving back to his house after braving the Blazin Wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, when Jamie Hoffmann crushed a 3-run shot into the bleachers. Cruising with a 4-0 lead by the time we got home, I decided it was a perfect time for a swim. Out in the pool, I was audio on only, and thus never actually saw the Angel comeback, 10-7 win. I paid the price for my actions, as I sported a sunburn for a solid week.
Billingsley owns a lifetime .667 winning percentage (44 wins, 22 losses). However, tonight's Angel starter, Joe Saunders, owns an even higher .672 winning percentage. Saunders and his 39-19 career record has the fifth-best winning percentage among active pitchers.
The Dodgers' new hope tonight rests in the first major league start for 31-year old Mitch Jones, who will get the nod as designated hitter. Jones wears uniform number 17, and to bring this full circle, I saw a fan in Glendale, Arizona during spring training walking toward me wearing a number 17 Dodger jersey. I thought, wow, you don't see many Jason Repko jerseys, but then, as the fan turned around, I noticed the name on the back was "Ishii," he of the 11 wins before the 2002 All-Star break.
For an outsider's review of Dodger Stadium, check out this recap at Athletics Nation. They even got their name up in lights! I can't wait for the same treatment at Petco Park on July 3.
Get your guesses in for "She Is Gone" here.
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Dodger lineup
Pierre LF
Furcal SS
Hudson 2B
Blake 3B
Ethier RF
Kemp CF
Loney 1B
Martin C
Jones DH
Billingsley P
odds
btw, what’s the over/under on two teams winning their Championship* in the same year?
- different sports same home town
- and yeah, I know its been done … but the odds have to be long
According to http://www.nuttyaboutsports.com/north-american-cities-with-multiple-champs.shtml
Only one city has won three championships in a year. This feat was accomplished by Los Angeles in 2002 when the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) and the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) each won their respective championship. Nine cities have won multiple championships in a single year, some of them multiple times. Since 1914, multiple championships in the same city have occurred 20 times.
Well, Furcal and JP usually don't get on in the first inning.
Before, it was Furcal and Hudson starting the game.
Even when Furcal was ice cold, Hudson was hot as heck.
Now Furcal’s getting out of his slump, but usually doesn’t hit in the first inning. And Well, JP is JP.
Why is Kong hitting 9th?
That spot should read J Martin for every AL game
There's little diffrence between Martin batting 8th, and Jones 9th.
Heck, I’d advocate batting JP 9th from now on, but it looks like Torre abandon that idea.
Yep, the ump's strikezone is wide left in this game.
All of the call strikes left of the strike zone are being called.
Yeah
And it doesn’t matter if it’s a righty or lefty batting.
For what's its worth, his UZR this is +2.2
he was apprently hurt last year, before and after we traded for him.
Maybe he’s just healthy this year, hamstring troubles including.
Casey Blake
Where would we be w/o this guy? So huge. Clearly McCourt shouldn’t have been cheap and given them Santana, but I’m still happy we got him.
How is that not a strike?
it was strike 3 to Blake
that's right
can’t run on the bison.
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
joe torre didn't want his consecutive games steak where he has somebody bunt end.
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
Sure
I mean, Pierre nearly beat it out anyway. Plus he’s too prone to lazy flys or slaps in the infield
by Michael White on Jun 19, 2009 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
…Mike Napoli, who appears to be recovering from a prolonged slump.May another starting catcher recover from a prolonged slump this weekend in Los Angeles Anaheim.
by El Lay Dave on Jun 19, 2009 1:36 PM PDT
really Orlando, that's your I'm being paid to do this effort?
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
This is already starting off like our other Friday game with them
No matter what happens, no one can score
lucky break for blake
that looked like a K to me
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
Even the best hitters make outs 60% of the time
And even the best hitters pop up what they thought was a good pitch to hit sometimes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmDzKR7Rfx8
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmDzKR7Rfx8
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
by Josie Becker on Jun 19, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
fun fact, I totally make out with my food, not like tongue action but i get that look right there, right before i bite, where you’re not sure if i’m eating or passionately in love
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
by Josie Becker on Jun 19, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
hopefully we can get more outta this inning
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
Ball was hit so hard
we’d have had a chance at Chone
no play anyhow
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
by Josie Becker on Jun 19, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
For once, battling bullpens
should tilt in our favor
i don't think he can handle major league pitching
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
I've been known to watch a series or two.
But er, the only reason to own a statue like that isn’t to well. Its not to ‘play’ with it.
nice. my friend used to watch Major, but he's currently watching K-ON
i stopped watch naruto a long time ago, cuz i stopped torrenting the episodes. have you seen ookiku furikabutte? it’s another baseball anime
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
Yeah, its a pretty good baseball manga.
I watched a couple of eps, read the manga series up to where the anime ended.
If you’re looking for baseball manga, check out series by a mangaka named Mitsuru Adachi, including series called Touch, H2, and Cross Game.
This is how we know Chad is becoming a great pitcher
Command isn’t there at all, and he’s still getting outs
that's twice that i've missed the homeruns tonight
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
This is where the DH sucks
They would have had to hit for Saunders and the Dodgers would be into the soft underbelly of Anaheim’s bullpen.
I don't think he sucks
but how do you let someone throw this many balls? He’s been struggling with command all night, and has not lost it out there
the countless unnecessary bunt calls
overusage of martin, proctor and mo in NY.. the list goes on
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
Actually this is very much a chad like game.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 19, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
This is nothing knew for Billingsley, too many walks and too many pitches. Kinda reminds me of Dice-K in a way.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 19, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions
112 pitches
Well, Chad’s night has to be over now, eh?
Believe it or not, if he comes out now, Chad has a quality start (barely) in the books.
broxton
doesn’t have a ton of innings but this is his first year as full time closer and his endurance should be questioned
Broxton has thrown
76, 82 and 69 innings the past three seasons. He’s on a pace for 79 this year. If the Dodgers maintain a lead, the pen will get some rest in Sept. He’ll be fine.
Saunders getting a well deserved standing O, he battled after that homerun by Furcal.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 19, 2009 9:17 PM PDT reply actions
Not getting Hudson home
is looming larger now
The Angels Pen sucks
no reason not to touch them up with 8 outs
somethings gonna give come september
either our starters need to start going deeper into games or our bullpen is going to fall apart late in the season
Billingsley is done, It would be reckless for Torre to send Bills out for a 7th.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 19, 2009 9:20 PM PDT reply actions
Irrespective of Leach's small sample size splits
There was no way Torre is going to let Hunter, Guerrero, Rivera, see a lefty. It’s Mota’s job tonight to get LA to Broxton.
is he available?
he hadn’t pitched the last two days
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
You knew Oliver was coming out if Loretta came up
So Torre’s choices were:
- Jones vs. Oliver
- Loretta vs. Speier
Scioscia did put Joe in an interesting situation. Joe didn’t take the handedness advantage.
That's the problem with Kong.
He’s just not a major leauge hitter. Nice story, but he should be sent down once these interleauge games end.
And that's kinda the point
If Loretta against a RHP is a better choice than Jones vs. a LOOGY, what’s the point of Jones in the first place?
Depends.
If I’m spier, I throw a breaking ball out of the zone and see if he chases. He usually does.
if you get a hit JP, someone will donate money to some charity tomorrow
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
bastard
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
by Josie Becker on Jun 19, 2009 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I would have suggested the El Lay Dave Wallet Foundation.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm going to assume that Broxton isn't going to used tonight.
Which is why Troncoso hasn’t been used yet.
wow. he finally left one over the plate
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
5 point switch as chick hearn used to say
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
Mismanagement of the bullpen today.
Didn’t pull Billingsley when he wstruggling in the 6th, pulling Leach after two batters, leaving in Mota for two innings.
Bleh.
once again adding to the torre's shortcomings as a manager IMO
Dodgers - 2008 NL West Champions
Cardinals - 2008 NFC Champions
I know the Angels are a good franchise
but I’ll never understand why we seemingly can’t beat them
it's just one run
not like we have the Giants offense
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
by Josie Becker on Jun 19, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m really missing Xavier Paul. He was a left handed bat on the bench, we could really use him here.
Dodgers vs. Fuentes
Hudson is 5 for 10 with two doubles
Blake is 4 for 5 with two doubles
Furcal 2 for 8
Ethier 1 for 4
Kemp 1 for 7
i’m not sure if that was torres call, hudson maybe just wanted to leg out a single?
by Alex Serena on Jun 19, 2009 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
God, I hope so
Getting the go-ahead run on board would make sense.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
You never play for the tie on the road, obviously Torre doesn’t believe in that.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 19, 2009 10:14 PM PDT reply actions
THIS IS NOT A BUNTING SITUATION
Joe, you senile old bat, you may have awakened in your own bed, but this is a ROAD GAME tonight!
How do you know Joe called for it?
It wasn’t on the pitch before.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions
ask and you shall receive
Look at that, he hit the f*cking bull! Guy gets a free steak!
by Josie Becker on Jun 19, 2009 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed.
It wasn’t a good bunt either.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
No way
Kemp has to be much more likely to get a hit off of a lefty like Fuentes.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone make sure Torre knows there’s 2 out, he might try to sacrifice.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 19, 2009 10:18 PM PDT reply actions
According to DT's Phenomenal Smith
Hudson squared around on his bunt attempt. It wasn’t intended to be a hit attempt.
I renew my righteous indignation.
That's what it looked like
But I don’t know why he would wait until the third pitch to sacrifice.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Put Kemp in the batters box, he’ll find a way to fuck it up.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 19, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Woah woah
What are you talking about? Kemp has been great this year.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions
89 still comes at you pretty fast
It’s not like a guy like Wolf (who throws around 88-89) doesn’t get swinging strikes on fastballs. Kemp was probably thinking slider.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah
tons of guys throw hard and get no k’s, and vice versa. You change speed effectively you’ll get a ton of swing and misses
I blame Torre
Left Billingsley in too long. Wasted O-Dog in the ninth.
Mota giving up a solo shot is just shit happens.
damn the Dodgers are only 8 games in front…what are we going to do?
by Alex Serena on Jun 19, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s not an excuse for poor management decisions.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah no kidding but lets not be too down. Torre made some mistakes, however it happens. tomorrow is another day and hopefully Jeff W will be up for the challenge
i guess i’m just too damn optimistic, F&*# torre
by Alex Serena on Jun 19, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions
The Dodgers been playing .500 ball for a while.
Yeah, we built up a huge lead in the division, but the Rockies and the Giants are playing well, and screwing around like we have is going to catch up with us.
We've gained ground since Manny has been suspended
BP estimates are playoff odds at 98%. I think we’re fine.
Once Manny comes back our offense will be deadly again.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
agreed, how many are going to the July 3rd game?
by Alex Serena on Jun 19, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Okay, I got it.
It should be around 8-10 people.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree
but there’s still no point in managing winnable games into losses.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
No I know and I agree
I’m just not sure we can blame the loss on Torre.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I've had a tough week at work and I'm snippy and tired
But I should spread some blame on the offense. Yes, four runs were scored, but some good opportunities for more scoring were wasted.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know that we can blame Torre for the bunt
Even if it was a sac that doesn’t mean that it was Torre’s call, Hudson could have done it on his own. Leaving Billz in wa questionable, but do you trust Mota over him?
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Except Torre has been calling for bunts a lot over the last two weeks or so.
He established a pattern, he doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt.
But blaming him for something we don't know he called for
And aren’t even sure it was a sacrifice attempt seems pretty pointless too.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Joe Torre
would not be the first manager to let a hitter take a shot until there was one strike and then choose to sacrifice. And if he squared up, and I trust Phenomenal Smith’s call on that (he is reputable), then it was a sacrifice attempt.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
He did square up
At least by what i saw, which makes me pretty sure it was a sacrifice. I’m more uncertain that Torre called it though.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Agree to disagree
As I said above, I’ve seen many a manager let the batter take a shot, then call for the sacrifice after one strike.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep
And I think it could have been Torre, I just don’t see how you could know for sure. Hopefully we’ll find out somehow, I’m totally ready to jump on him if he called for the sacrifice.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 19, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
sixth inning, bases loaded, one out, Morales just walked and Bills, struggling all night, is gassed, with Izturis and Napoli due up. But it’s still 4-1 in my favor. I think I would have already had Wade up, bring him in, and hope for the GIDP, or no worse than one run-scoring out. And AFTER Izturis singles, you really need a guy who’s got a shot at getting Napoli to hit it on the ground.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Billingsley needs to take some of the heat though too
Yeah Torre left him in too long, but that’s a 4-0 and a 4-1 lead he’s blown in 2 games v. Anaheim. Plus our pen is a bit taxed right now.
Oh yeah, he was clearly struggling all night long. That’s why Torre can’t hang him out to dry in the sixth tonight.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
The misue of Leach is what got to me.
He should have been allowed to pitch more than two batters. He was ready, and Torre was forced to use Mota for two innings because he pulled Leach way too early.
I disagree about Leach.
I don’t let him see Hunter and Guerrero. His job was to get Figgins and Abreu and he only got one of them.
by David Young on Jun 19, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
3 of the relievers weren't going to pitch tonight though.
McDonald was saved for tomorrow’s game in the Weaver vs. Weaver’s matchup.
Belisario obviously wasn’t going to pitch tonight due to high use.
And Broxton’s toe still seems to be bothering him.
Torre needed to manage his bullpen better, which meant that he needed to stretch’s guys appearances. Somebody needed to pitch an extra inning, I just think it should have been Leach instead of Mota.
Torre picked Mota over Leach.
I can't like someone who looks so clueless at the plate
It’s good that he got a cup of coffee; now it’s time for a DFA.
by silverwidow on Jun 19, 2009 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions
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