Dodgers Suffer "Bad" Loss In Chicago.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 25, 2009 8:36 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintThe Dodgers lost to the White Sox today, 6-5 in 13 innings, on a day that the world lost one of its most unique individuals in Michael Jackson. Both the life and death of Jackson can be summed up in three words: "far too young."
In honor of The King of Pop, here is a recap of today's Dodger game, through the eyes of Michael Jackson song titles:
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Both Chad Billingsley and Clayton Richard cruised through the first three innings, neither pitcher allowing a hit.
Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough
The Dodgers jumped out to a 4-0 lead after four and a half innings, but also left two runners on base in each of those innings.
Human Nature
Joe Torre saved Jonathan Broxton to protect a lead that never came. After ten innings, the game was tied, and Ronald Belisario, Brent Leach, and Ramon Troncoso had already been used. Rather than go to his ace reliever, Torre opted for Jeff Weaver instead. Weaver pitched pretty well given the situation, but ended up taking the loss in his third inning of work.
Remember The Time
The last time the Dodgers lost a series, before today, was May 22-24 at home to the Angels. The Dodgers were 5-0-3 in their last eight series.
Smooth Criminal
Casey Blake stole two bases today, his first two bags of the season. The only other time Blake stole two bases in a game was nearly five years ago in Detroit.
We're Almost There
The Dodgers have merely six more home games -- three against Seattle, and three against Colorado -- before their lineup gets an infusion of Vitamin Manny.
You Are Not Alone
Mark Loretta followed his double in the fourth inning with another two-bagger in the sixth. It was Loretta's second-straight two-hit game, after starting June in a three for 29 slump.
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
22-year old Aaron Poreda, pitching in just his fourth MLB game, pitched a perfect 13th inning, including two strikeouts, to notch his first big league win.
Off The Wall
In the fourth inning, Matt Kemp lofted a drive to deep right, and it may have been a home run (depending on your view of the trajectory of the ball) if not for Jermaine Dye's finely timed jump against the wall.
Dangerous
Chad Billingsley gave up two home runs today, one to Paul Konerko and one to A.J. Pierzynski. After giving up only 35 homers as a team in their first 58 games, the Dodgers have given up 22 dingers in their last 15 games.
Just A Little Bit of You
After sitting on the bench for his first 11 games of the season, reserve reserve catcher A.J. Ellis finally played a game in 2009. Ellis came in to catch in the bottom of the 10th inning, then flew out to center field to end the 13th.
The Girl Is Mine
Scott Podsednik, who had the game-winning single in the 13th inning, has a lovely wife.
Got To Be There
Matt Kemp narrowly missed a spectacular diving catch on Scott Podsednik's 13th-inning single. If Kemp would have caught the ball, the inning would have ended. Instead, the game ended. Great effort though by Kemp.
Leave Me Alone
Manny Ramirez left the rain-delayed game in Albuquerque without playing, reported Dylan Hernandez.
Get It
Aaron Miller, the Dodgers' top draft pick, and #36 overall, has signed with the club for a reported $889,200 bonus. (Thanks to Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts for the tip)
I Wanna Be Where You Are
The Dodgers return home Friday night to start a six-game homestand. Friday's game features Clayton Kershaw pitching against Jason Vargas of the Mariners.
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Can we just let Billingsley pitch five innings for one start and not push him to give up multiple runs in his innings?
Seriously, Torre’s mad desire to protect his bullpen screwed up Billingsley, and the Dodgers chances to win. And the bullpen was messed up anyway.
So you would advocate taking out your ace pitcher leading 4-2 after 5 innings, even though he has only thrown 82 pitches? Doesn’t seem smart to me.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
I'd advocate not leaving him out to dry like Torre did the last two outings.
The old school moans and groans that we allow pitch counts to determine how long a pitcher can go. Well, here was a situation where a pitcher reached his limit before 100 pitches.
1st and 3rd facing a lefty in A.J. Its a good time to bring in a lefty like Leach, or Belisario or Troncoso, who can induce a ground out.
Its also a hot and muggy day, and Billingsley’s was struggling for at least two innings by this time. Billingsley stayed in the game when it was obvious that he had nothing left. I’m just saying that sometimes, even your ace pitcher needs some relief.
Torre's use of Billz
was not a problem. AJ hit a rare, for him, home run. AJ is not an offensive threat. There was no need to bring someone else in. Billz just made a bad pitch (it will happen, a lot, to the best pitchers). Torre made the right call there. He failed, badly, however, in the 13th.
Manny coming back in 6 games makes me wanna
….Beat It?
by sumo390 on Jun 25, 2009 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Once again
in the highest leverage situation in the game (then the second highest, then again in the third highest), Broxton sat on the bench waiting for a game to save. Thus, we lose. Weaver did a good job last night and did a great job of getting two needed outs with the bases loaded. But Torre allowing him to do so with Broxton sitting on the bench was stupid and when we got lucky twice and Torre had a third opportunity to correct his mistake, he didn’t.
This is going to continue to be the #1 reason we lose games all year. Hopefully (and probably) Torre will change his tune when it comes time for the playoffs.
Once Torre brought in his long man, Weaver
I assumed that meant that McDonald, Mota, and Wade were considered unavailable, because I don’t believe Torre would use the guy that could go 3, 4 or maybe 5 innings until last in that situation. (Obviously he was saving Broxton for a save situation that never happened.)
I think the best time to use Broxton would have been when Leach was brought in to pitch to Thome in the ninth. This would have delayed the entry of Leach and/or Troncoso for another inning or two, then maybe the last guy (Weaver) doesn’t even enter until the 12th or 13th.
Nonetheless, I agree with the Stephens Brothers below.
Stick with us…we’ll steer you right. Except that I would NEVER do any kind of a Michael Jackson tribute like my bro above. E’s gotta follow Clint’s mantra (well, one of them): “Man’s gotta know his limitations”.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2009 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Ahh, Clint
Dying ain’t much of a living.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Pitching Wasn't the Problem
Why the focus on Bills and not using Broxton? Zero runs in the last 6 innings and 2 runs in the last nine isn’t going to win many ballgames.
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