Too Little, Too Late For The Dodgers
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 7:34 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintThe Dodgers had a furious rally in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough, as Manny Ramirez struck out with the bases loaded to end the 4-2 Reds' win at Great American Ballpark.
One starting pitcher looked dominant tonight. It wasn't Chad Billingsley. Homer Bailey of the Reds shut down the Dodger offense all night, and the Reds took advantage of an ineffective Billingsley to build an early 4-0 lead.
Billingsley threw just nine pitches in a perfect first inning, but struggled just about every inning after that. He allowed four runs in five innings, including a solo home run to Johnny Gomes to leadoff the sixth inning. Tonight was the first time in two weeks a Dodger starter has allowed more than three runs in a game.
The Dodger offense never seemed in sync against Bailey, who threw eight scoreless innings, striking out seven Dodgers. Bailey's final pitch of the night was a 97-mph fastball to strike out Casey Blake to end a potential Dodger rally. The Dodgers put two runners on base in both the sixth and eighth innings, but couldn't cash in any runs either time. The Dodgers were hitless in nine at-bats (plus a walk) with runners in scoring position tonight.
James Loney led off the ninth inning with a solo home run off Nick "Bobbleslam" Masset to break the shutout, and after a rally the Dodgers added another run on a questionable Andre Ethier strikeout. Etiher swung and missed on a ball that hit him in the foot, and the ball got away from Corky Miller, allowing Ethier to reach base safely and Mark Loretta to score. MLB Rule 6.05(f) states:
A batter is out when he attempts to hit a third strike and the ball touches him
Also, under rule 6.08(b):
APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does not entitle him to first base, the ball is dead and no runner may advance
I'm not sure if runners can advance on that play legally, and I wonder if the Dodgers would have somehow gained the win if the Reds would have protested the game.
Game two of the series is on Fox tomorrow at 1pm, with Charlie "Mr. National TV" Haeger facing Matt Maloney, who was just recalled from Triple A for the start.
WP - Homer Bailey (4-4): 8 IP, 7 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts
LP - Chad Billingsley (12-8): 5 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, 1 strikeout
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Totally. He’s still maturing as a power-hitter. I’ll settle for a Lyle Overbay-esque line drive hitter in the meantime…
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 28, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Totally. He’s still maturing as a power-hitter. I’ll settle for a Lyle Overbay-esque line drive hitter in the meantime…
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 28, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Is there an echo in here? :-)
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 28, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Eric, we seen umps rule that a player wasn't hit by a pitch.(Pablo Sandoval in the last Giants-Dodgers game)
Perhaps the ump has discretion on HBPs.
The ump only has discretion to say if the batter made an effort to get out of the way.
I’m guessing the umpire didn’t see that it hit him.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, rule 6.08(b):
APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does not entitle him to first base, the ball is dead and no runner may advance
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Whether the ball hits the batter is a judgment call, which cannot be overturned, so the only way the Reds would win a protest is if the umps ruled that the ball hit Ethier but still allowed him to take first on the dropped third strike. I suspect they just thought it hit off the catcher’s foot or something – it’s pretty much impossible for the plate ump to see, and hard for the base umps.
Something similar happened in a Rockies game about a week ago
The batter struck out on a pitch that hit him and caromed away. I believe the ball should have been dead, but the runner on third scored on the pitch after it glanced off the hitter.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 28, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Good for the Halos.
Best of luck to them. Except when they face the Dodgers in the WS, that is…
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 28, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Looking at the standings, the Angels have the 2nd best record in the AL.
So the Rangers, Twins, White Sox, Tigers and the Red Sox would have passed wavier claims to fall to the Angels.
That 9th was pretty damn improable in the first place.
We had to rely on:
- James Loney continue to show his power stroke.
- Dusty putting in Cordero who pitched 4 games straight, including tonight. Dusty Baker apprently hates his closer as well, and wishes injury on him.
- Mark Loretta getting a PH. A man who was hitting .221/.305/.260 with a BABIP of .248 which might suggest he’s getting unlucky… until you see he has a line drive percentage of 19% this year. Dude’s just not hitting it hard. Somehow he gets a base hit.
- Furcal has to get a base hit, who’s been as cold as anyone on the team.
- Matt Kemp eaking out a walk, which considering everything, is the most probable thing of the night.
- Andre Ethier striking out on a HBP, and somehow still ended up at first and a run scored.
- Manny batting after 7 batters before him reached base.
It really would have been one of the more improbable comebacks ever.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
When in doubt, pop in my DVD of Game 2 of the 1988 WS. Nancy Bea is playing “Master of the House” just before the game starts.
I am the one celebrating an infield popup due to lack of perception :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Usually, “scouting reports” on TV games say meaningless stuff like “get outs” or “tough hombre” or something, but here is the NBC scouting report for Mickey Hatcher in the 1988 World Series:
Free swinger who makes contact
Will jump at breaking or off-speed stuff out over plate
Has trouble with hard fastball inside
Will chase high fastball
Good hit & run man
Now that’s a scouting report! Imagine that, a network televising baseball that enhances the broadcast. Novel concept.
So the scouting report said that Mickey Hatcher was a free out?
How in the hell did this guy become a hitting coach?
Homer Bailey/Ethan Martin
Homer Bailey, in his first full pro season the year after he was drafted in the 1st round out of high school:
Midwest League:
103.2 IP, 89 H’s, 5 HR’s, 62 BB’s, 125 K’s, 4.43 ERA
5.4 BB9, 10.9 K9, 1.46 WHIP
Ethan Martin, in his first full pro season the year after he was drafted in the 1st round out of high school:
Midwest League:
94.0 IP, 81 H’s, 4 HR’s, 60 BB’s, 109 K’s, 4.02 ERA
5.7 BB9, 10.4 K9, 1.50 WHIP
Ugh. . .
Trying to listen to Rockies-Giants and the Rockies radio guys are making me want to stab my eyes out! Not willing to switch to the Giants feed and lose all self respect, so I guess I just have to suffer.
Just curious....
as a Rockies fans that’s very familiar with Jeff, Jack and Mark, what did they say that made you want to stab your eyes out?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 28, 2009 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I have to admit I think the Rockies radio guys are okay
Goodman and his color announcer… I can’t recall his name, are just plain awful though. They hardly know anything about the game past the basics. They’re almost bigger Homers than the Nuggets announcers who are terrible as well. The Nuggets radio announcer however is pretty damn good. Odd how that works here
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Aug 29, 2009 7:14 AM PDT up reply actions
George Frazier is the TV analyst. Awful.
At least he lost 3 games in the 1981 World Series though :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 29, 2009 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions
98% of Rockies fans hate Frazier
he screws up pronunciations and facts on our players, called Furcal a young hitter (when he’s older than every Rockie position player not named Todd), and has an obsession with the Yankees and mayo covered hot dogs. His redeeming value is in sharing his experience in the game, but that’s not enough IMO. I like Drew personally, but I understand why someone wouldn’t. And I love the Nuggets announcer. I ecstatic he was just named the football radio guy for my alma mater
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 29, 2009 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Good breakdown. I agree that Drew Goodman is probably OK, and its unfair to judge him working with Frazier, who clouds the broadcast.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 29, 2009 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions
There seems to be at least one time per game
Drew seems to be thinking “You idiot” and tries to move on, but Drew has to do that with Jeff Huson too, who once said Todd Helton probably saves “100 runs” so far this season just with his scooping ability. It’s unfortunate. When I grew up, Dave Campbell was the color man. I miss him
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 29, 2009 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions
ah yes George Frazier
what a moron. I never thought about it that way. If you remove Huson and Frazier from the equation, would Goodman be good.
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Aug 29, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Martin
I don’t think Martin is going to develop fast at all. Like Bailey, he has not exactly done as well in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League as one might expect an elite HS pitching draftee to do.
Also, I think Gurick is right that Chad isn't 100% healthy, and that hamstring is still bothering him.
Which makes me wonder why Torre had Heager pushed to Sat instead of Billingsley who might wanted the rest.
A guess
If they had won zero or only one game in Colorado, he wanted the Ace to open the Cincy series. Given how pitchers prep, that decision had to be made before it was known how the Rockies series turned out.
No...
I expect the Dodgers will be aggressive with Martin. If they believe in the upside and tools I don’t think they care that much about stats, honestly. They may even skip him past high A to avoid the hitter-friendly California League. The season after he didn’t do too well in low A Bailey was great in both high A and Double A. But the Reds’ high A team was in Florida.
I guess the comparison on what the Dodgers do next is
what the Dodgers did for Kershaw vs. what they did for Withrow.
They skipped Kershaw to Double-A after dominating low-A, but with Withrow they basically started his Pro career in High-A.
Withrow
I thought it was pretty irresponsible skipping Withrow past the Midwest League and putting him in the hitter friendly California League to start his career. that was certainly being aggressive. I wonder if they wanted to have Withrow and Martin at different levels.
SF up 2-0
well still be up 4 after tonight
by SeanMillerSavior on Aug 28, 2009 9:08 PM PDT reply actions
Lincecum at 113 pitches before starting the 8th
Brian Wilson is entirely capable of blowing this in the 9th, if the Giants survive the 8th.
And, oops, after one out, EYJr is HBP. Seth Smith and Todd Helton are the next two batters due.
I used to dump on Brain Wilson as much as the next guy
But pitching 3 innings in Denver, and and then another inning in Arizona, and throwing over 70 pitches over two days earned my respect. Even if his arm is going to fall off.
That’s a pretty damn gutsy performance.
I too was shocked at how good Wilson has been this season.
He’s 8th in MLB in relievers’ FIP, at 2.53
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2009&month=0
(Broxton is 3rd, and my favorite is that Chan Ho is 1st)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Its amazing how Chan Ho turned it around.
Signed for similar money than what we’re paying for Mota too.
I've never understood the Wilson bashing
especially from those who support Broxton so much.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Well, he has been much better this year than in previous years.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 29, 2009 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions
In James Loney’s last 30 road games:
7 HR
19 RBI
18 runs
.294/.354/.504
Over that same time, in Loney’s home games (28 of them):
0 HR
12 RBI
10 runs
.239/.340/.315
Unreal.
Pretty bizarre
vs RHP at home: 196 PA, .247/.321/.322, 0 HR, .25 RBI, 281 BABIP
vs LHP at home: 57 PA, .220/.298/.260, 0 HR, .7 RBI, 256 BABIP
vs RHP on road: 213 PA, .285/.352/.409, 5 HR, .26 RBI, 287 BABIP
vs LHP on road: 57 PA, .400/.474/.700, 4 HR, .17 RBI, 432 BABIP
That .432 BABIP is quite high. Lots of luck involved there.
Tomorrow’s Reds’ starter, Matt Maloney, is a lefty :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions
And
his ISO is .110 which is pretty bad for a 1b.
Luckily Kemp is such a stud in CF
by MetsKnicksRutgers on Aug 28, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Dickey: Bochy deserves NL Manager of the Year
SAN FRANCISCO — If Bruce Bochy isn’t named National League Manager of the Year, it will be a grave miscarriage of justice.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/Dickey-Bochy-deserves-NL-Manager-of-the-Year-55579097.html
Yes, I’m that juvenile.
Not
juvenile at all.
But im a Manny Acta fan so what do i know?
by MetsKnicksRutgers on Aug 28, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know how you can give the NL Manager of the Year Award
to the guy leading a third-place team. Obviously, the season’s not over yet, but as it stands the Giants won’t make the playoffs. There’s no way Bochy can win that award if ’Frisco misses October.
"There once was a rapping tomato / that's right, I said 'rapping tomato'
He rapped all day / from April to May / and guess what, it was me."
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Aug 28, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Anyway, that writer is such a homer
He is the bizzaro-Plaschke.
"There once was a rapping tomato / that's right, I said 'rapping tomato'
He rapped all day / from April to May / and guess what, it was me."
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Aug 28, 2009 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Or a manager that puts Molina in as his cleanup man
the guy is set to be the 6th worst leadoff hitter (by OPS+) in a half century. Sure, there offense is terrible, but even Aaron Roward, Ishikawa, Garko or Schierholtz would be better fits.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 28, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions
fwiw, he's also managing 3 of the top 26 most abused SP per BP's PAP
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 28, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions
This is how Dylan Hernadez is spending his Friday night.
Bill Plaschke @ LAT
BillPlaschkeSitting in empty stadium with Dylan Hernandez, just us and maintenance folks. With West Coast deadlines, we’re always last to leave.8 minutes ago from web
Feel pity for him. Please.
I saw that…also that Bill was trying “to corner Manny” in the clubhouse.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 28, 2009 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Lincecum
Looked pretty sick tonight.
by Brendan Scolari on Aug 28, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions
len (los angeles)
Orel, what is your take on the Dodgers? Can they go all the way and what are they’re shortcomings?
Orel Hershiser
(2:16 PM)
I think it’s a great team. It’s a great mix of veterans and youth. It’s a great mix of speed and power. It’s a great mix of left and right handed hitters. They play outstanding defense. I think their only shortcoming is an ace starting pitcher. But they have a chance. They have some people there with Billingsley and Kershaw that could step up and get hot for a short time. Their bullpen depth is good. If you think about how they don’t have pitchers that can go 7-8 innings constantly, Joe Torre can go to his bullpen confidently and overcome the fact that they don’t have that horse. You think of Chris Carpenter and Wainwright and you think of AJ and Sabathia and Hamels, Happ and Cliff Lee. Even down the street with the Angels, Lackey anchors that rotation. I’m very impressed with what Wolf has done in his career. It was a good signing by the Dodgers. You pull for them and you think that this could be their year, but you have to be realistic that they don’t have that ace.
"I think their only shortcoming is an ace starting pitcher."
we’ll see how things go tomorrow. personally, i’m comfortable with the idea of an ace that throws at speeds less than the 405 on a good morning.
Just curious: why do you keep calling Haeger an ace?
by Eric Stephen on Aug 29, 2009 5:55 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
WTF is this? A bad joke?
Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley isn’t dealing like an ace
Right-hander holds the NL’s top team scoreless for eight innings in the best performance of his career.
Something stupid
at least it wasnt filled with “guts” and “grission” and “heart” and all that garbage.
by MetsKnicksRutgers on Aug 28, 2009 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I meant this part
Right-hander holds the NL’s top team scoreless for eight innings in the best performance of his career.
by silverwidow on Aug 28, 2009 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions
BTW, Kuroda has some awesome deadpan humor.
Hiroki Kuroda didn’t want to play, noting that something almost mathematically impossible happened to him when he was struck on the head by a line drive two weeks ago.
“I should stay away,” he said. “If I play, I’ll probably win. Then something else will happen the next day that would kill me.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-fyi29-2009aug29,0,7383714.story
Manny's
approach isn’t good up there, he’s letting pitchers dictate to him, used to be the other way around. He’s pressing and looks like he’s lost confidence. It’s weird.
Taco I see your point and raise you this question
I have hearing the dodger announcers saying " those are some of the highest pop flies I have ever seen" they have been saying this for about a month now. You guys maybe Manny needs to get his eyes checked?
Paul D. Kelley
BN is a myopic site
by so.cal.native1952 on Aug 29, 2009 6:26 AM PDT up reply actions
On the radio broadcast, Steiner and Monday were talking about watching Manny in batting practice noting how he was dropping his shoulder more and not hitting as many line drives (in BP) as he usually does. It looks like that carried over into the games too.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 29, 2009 6:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I had the pop ups most of my early teens especially on curve balls found out later I had a stigmatism.
But yes he has to be lifting his head up kind of like the golfer trying to hit monster drive. Well we shall see maybe he will get out of it or maybe Joe should start Juan for a couple of games.
Paul D. Kelley
BN is a myopic site
by so.cal.native1952 on Aug 29, 2009 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions
IT will work itself out, he didn’t put up the numbers he did for so long for no reason. It may be the hand, it may be the head. Mostly it seems to be the approach. Manny has a way of setting pitchers up to throw him what he wants. He’s getting behind in the count by swinging at marginal pitches and not working his way into the counts he likes. He’ll be fine eventually I think.
Yah I do remember when he came back he was getting some strange calls from plate umps.
Maybe this why he is chasing some bad pitches and you are right that he has done a 180 in his approach.
Paul D. Kelley
BN is a myopic site
by so.cal.native1952 on Aug 29, 2009 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions
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