Schmidt Turns Back The Clock, Beats Braves
by Eric Stephen on Jul 31, 2009 7:29 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintJason Schmidt turned back the hands of time tonight, with a shocking performance I never would have expected. Schmidt allowed a single hit in six shutout innings against a Braves team that had averaged 5.3 runs per game in July coming into tonight, keying a 5-0 Dodger win in the opening game of a three-game series at Turner FIeld.
Schmidt induced 13 flyball outs, but even the hard hit balls were hit right at people. Schmidt, who staved of his naysayers for at least one night, struck out three hitters while walking five in picking up his second win of the season. He lowered his ERA on the season to 4.50 (his FIP is 5.55), and pitched six innings for the first time since June 5, 2007 (also a no-run, one-hit performance) against the Padres. Schmidt has started 15 different innings this season, and he has completed 11 of them without giving up a run.
The game was scoreless entering the fifth, when Andre Ethier followed a pair of singles with a line-drive home run to right field, his career-high 21st on the season. Ethier added an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning, adding to the Dodger lead.
The newest Dodger, George Sherrill, made his debut with the club tonight, entering the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with runners on first and second and nobody out. The scouting report on Sherrill said he was death to lefties, and he did nothing to hurt that reputation, striking out Nate McLouth, Kelly Johnson, and Brian McCann (mixing in a walk to righty Chipper Jones in between). Not a bad way to begin his Dodger career!
In fact, Sherrill became just the third Los Angeles Dodger reliever to have three strikeouts in his first inning with the team. Pete Richert actually struck out the first six hitters of his big league career (one reached base on a passed ball) on April 12, 1962 against the Reds in just the third game at Dodger Stadium. The last Dodger to accomplish this feat was Bob O'Brien, who struck out three Padres in his first inning on April 11, 1971.
James McDonald, now wearing number 31, after giving up 52 to new acquisition Sherrill, pitched two perfect innings to end the game.
2007 Dodger teammates Randy Wolf and Derek Lowe face off tomorrow on Fox.
WP - Jason Schmidt (2-1); 6 IP, 1 hit, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts
LP - Tommy Hanson (5-2): 6 IP, 8 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts
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Facts?
In fact, Sherrill became just the third Los Angeles Dodger reliever to have three strikeouts in his first inning with the team. Pete Richert actually struck out the first six hitters of his big league career (one reached base on a passed ball) on April 12, 1962 against the Reds in just the third game at Dodger Stadium. The last Dodger to accomplish this feat was Bob O’Brien, who struck out three Padres in his first inning on April 11, 1971.
Where do you find this stuff?
Looked it up on BaseballReference.com…it seemed odd at the time.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 31, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
im curious to see how cliff lee does today vs giants
hoping he aint lights out in the national league…
but dont want giants to win of course… :)
through 5 innings
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
PHI (58-42) 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 0
SFO (56-46) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
O.A.
Just FYI
I posted some info, in the game thread around where some of the O’s board guys came on, from when GS made a change in his set position on the mound — somewhat close to last year. You can see from the numbers how much a difference it made, from what the O’s coaches were having him do in ST and the beginning of the year.
Thanks!
Did that include his right toe facing near 2B? The Didger announcers seemed to notice that tonight.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 31, 2009 9:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes
That helps him close his shoulder up, so he doesn’t fly open during the delivery, which in turn helps him stay on top of the pitch. His stance was a little more pronounced last year, if you saw the AS Game in 2008 you might recall it. This year, O’s coaches had him go straight for the start of the year. It didn’t work well. They were going to remove him from the closers role. He told them to let him fix what they had changed. The results are listed in the post I mentioned previously.
Elsid,
Thanks a lot for the info. That is really excellent insight. I know I personally take a lot of things for granted as a fan, and something subtle in your brother’s windup might otherwise go unnoticed.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 31, 2009 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Ned's 710 ESPN interview
Just listened to the podcast. He described the Dodgers’ offer for Lee as “strong and competitive” with it being heavy on young pitching. He offered 4 players and was surprised it didn’t get done.
Wait, Withrow really is getting fasttracked isn't he?
First full year of pro ball, and he’s in double-A already? That’s fucking amazing
Cal League ERA doesn't mean a whole lot
His strikeout numbers are incredible.
by silverwidow on Jul 31, 2009 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Bill Plaschke wrote this about Jason Schmidt on June 6th, 2007
SAN DIEGO — From the disabled list and doubt and San Bernardino he came, seven weeks in the wilderness ending in a slow walk to a pitching mound.
Goodness, we barely recognized him.
Jason Schmidt emerged out of a tangled web of sore shoulder and sinking velocity Tuesday looking nothing like the guy who struggled in April and stewed in May.
His fastball popped. His change-up fooled. His stamina held.
Jason Schmidt looked like, um, er, well, Jason Schmidt.
Long time, no see. Long time, no runs. Long time, no doubt.
The Dodgers lost a game but rediscovered a centerpiece during a 1-0 defeat to the San Diego Padres.
Afterward, General Manager Ned Colletti simply shook his head.
“The guy can pitch,” he said.
He’s been saying that since signing Schmidt to a $47-million contract last winter.
Finally, for the first time, we saw it.
This is the same man that wants to trade Billingsley.
Asshat.
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