Unearned Runs Equal Unearned Playoff Spot For Dodgers
Three unearned runs by the Pirates, plus a dormant night from the Dodger offense put the playoff plans on hold for at least another day, as the Dodgers lost to the Pirates 3-1 at PNC Park.
Two potential double play grounders were botched by the Dodgers, leading to all the Pittsburgh runs. In the first inning, a grounder to Blake DeWitt may or may not have been a double play (the ball was hit slowly), but it didn't matter as DeWitt threw the ball into right field, turning a potential bases empty, two out situation into a first-and-third, nobody out rally. A sacrifice fly brought home the first unearned run.
After a pair of doubles by Blake DeWitt and Orlando Hudson tied the game in the second, the Dodger defense made another key miscue in the third inning. With one out and runners on first and second, catcher Ryan Doumit grounded to James Loney for a potential 3-6-3 double play. However, Loney was anxious, putting his hand in his glove before fielding the ball, botching the play and hurting his thumb in the process, although he stayed in the game. Instead of the inning being over, a two-out single by Brandon Moss plated unearned runs two and three for the Pirates.
After that, the Dodgers never had much of a rally the rest of the game. The only time they had more than one runner on base in an inning was the fourth, but Matt Kemp was picked off before Blake DeWitt doubled, negating that scoring opportunity. Manny Ramirez came to the plate as the tying run in the eighth, but he grounded sharply to second base for an inning-ending double play.
For the second straight game, every run given up by Jon Garland was unearned. He last gave up an earned run on September 14, and has a current streak of 15 straight innings without allowing an earned run.
The Braves and Rockies both won, so the best the Dodgers can do tomorrow is clinch a playoff spot. The earliest they can clinch the NL West is Sunday.
Magic Numbers
To win NL West: 3 (Rockies beat the Cardinals 2-1)
To clinch a playoff spot: 1 (over the Braves, who beat the Nationals 4-1)
Randy Wolf faces off with Paul Maholm tomorrow night.
WP - Donald Veal (2-0): 2 IP, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts
LP - Jon Garland (11-12): 6 IP, 6 hits, 3 unearned runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
Sv - Matt Capps (26): 1 IP, 2 strikeouts
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My favorite
Harvest moon is my favorite…I’m mad because my local store doesn’t carry it yet…i may have to hit up bevmo this weekend
by Brandon Lennox on Sep 25, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Honey Moon is my favorite
The pumpkin spice flavor kinda throws me off a bit. Planning on buying it tonight, but I would like to get some reviews from ol’ TBLA first.
I’m sure I have tried it. I love Blue Moon, but I don’t have a distinct memory of Harvest Moon. I think some further research needs to be done. :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 25, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions
It looks like Matt Capps will be back next year, along with other arb-eligible Pirates Zach Duke, Ronny Cedeño, and perhaps Jeff Karstens. Per Dejan Kovacevic:
“I don’t see a situation in which we non-tender Capps unless we get completely unrealistic financial demands,” Huntington said. “From the standpoint of our belief in his ability, that’s absolutely there.”
small sample size alert
Jason Giambi has really paid off thus far for the Rockies:
Overall
.412/.583/.824
7 for 17 with a double, two HR, and 7 walks
As a pinch-hitter
.571/.727/1.000
4 for 7 with a HR, and 4 walks
plus he has started 3 games at 1B.
Early returns are in: the Rox 38-year old PH has been better, so far, than our 39-year old PH.
That is not to say Thome won’t still make an impact, but Giambi has been pretty ridiculous so far, including tonight (he singled Tulo to 3B, and Tulo scored the winning run on a sac fly on batter later).
hey
they need to be a little better with their fielding…maybe all that awful fielding by the nats is contagious…haha oh well in a 162 game season shit happens…. funny at a high school football game i went to today there was a player on the other team named chipper jones….really im not kidding….
"That is not how you play the game!!!" -Jack in the Box
by shaqfor3 on Sep 25, 2009 11:01 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

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