Dodgers Return to Las Vegas, For One Night Anyway
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 7:04 PM PDT
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Reds (ss) (10-15-2) at Dodgers (ss) (11-13-2)
7:05pm, Cashman Field, Las Vegas, NV
The Dodgers tonight return to Las Vegas, the site of their Triple A affiliate from 2001-2008, to play an exhibition game against the Reds. Manager Joe Torre, managing tonight's game after Don Mattingly managed today's split squad game at Camelback Ranch, is happy to make the trip. "It's nice to go to a minor league ballpark when you're in the big leagues, especially a place you've played before," Torre said, "It gives you a sense of pride, where it all started for them." Seven Dodgers making the trip to Las Vegas tonight have played there in the minor leagues: Blake DeWitt, A.J. Ellis, Andre Ethier, Gabe Gutierrez, Jamie Hoffmann, Chin-Lung Hu, and Matt Kemp.
Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness has a solid summary of the likely opening day roster, and I pretty much agree with each of his points.
After today's day game, the Dodgers reassigned catcher Justin Knoedler to minor league camp, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
The Dodgers have released Brian Barton, per Baseball America (hat tip to Petriello and MLB Trade Rumors). Barton had been reassigned to minor league camp on March 14.
Here are the lineups:
| Reds | Dodgers | |||
| CF | Dickerson | 2B | DeWitt | |
| SS | Cabrera | RF | Ethier | |
| 1B | Votto | DH | Kemp | |
| 2B | Phillips | 3B | Blake | |
| RF | Bruce | CF | Hoffmann |
|
| LF | Gomes | 1B | Mitchell |
|
| 3B | Francisco | C | Ellis | |
| C | Hanigan | SS | Hu | |
| DH | Castillo | LF | Redman | |
Josh Towers gets the start for the Dodgers, to be followed on the mound by Ramon Ortiz, Carlos Monasterios, Luis Ayala, and Justin Miller.
Scheduled pitchers for the Reds are Travis Wood, Justin Lehr, Logan Ondrusek, and Kip Wells.
TV: Prime Ticket (with the regular season production, rather than the scaled-down spring training broadcasts)
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Comical
Pop fly to LCF and Hoffmann never saw the ball. Redman came over but too late.
Technically five straight singles now. 3-0
He had a tall task before tonight, but yeah this seems like a final nail in coffin type of performance. I bet he’s reassigned after the game.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions
DeWitt
boots an easy double play ball. Gets an out but that’s going to get him in trouble.
Honestly, my worst fear for the opening day roster is that Russ Ortiz and Nick Green would make the club and Blake DeWitt would not.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Yup. He played it pretty poorly, allowing the ball to get to the in-between hop.
by UCLADodger32 on Mar 31, 2010 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
By my count
There are 34 players left in big league camp (this doesn’t include Belisario or Wade). I’m also not counting Mientkiewicz, though he hasn’t technically been released.
After Kuo goes on the DL, there will be eight cuts to be made. My guess as to the departed:
Ayala
Miller
Russ Ortiz
Towers
Closser
Hu
Ellis
Paul
Not that Ethier had a shot
at getting Votto at 3B on that flyball, but I’m wondering what the heck that spin was for. Seemed superfluous.
Maybe in the difference in his major league salary ($700k) and his minor league salary ($100k).
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Not all the singles in the first were hit that hard, but this inning Towers is getting hit hard.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions
The one positive for Towers
This spring, including Taiwan (3 innings in game 2):
0 walks
10 strikeouts
15 innings (through 2nd inning tonight)
Of course…
22 hits
15 runs
14 earned runs
2 homers
I would imagine Towers’ LD% is through the roof with tonight’s game, but his FIP is only 3.60. Take with a grain of salt, of course.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Final spring stats for JT
including Taiwan:
17 IP
24 hits
16 runs
15 ER
2 HR
0 BB
10 K
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Will he make a left turn to Albuquerque?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I was thinking it might be his, well…this
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Just tuned in and all I can say is...
Yikes.
Glad this one doesn’t count. Sounds like Towers sucked but so has the defense? I can only pray one miscue won’t harm Blake DeWitt’s chances. I love hearing Vin again though.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Yep
Vin + HD is a great combo, no matter the score
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions
3 straight walks
Mitchell-Ellis-Hu
by Travis Wood, up 9-0 in the 2nd. This is the type of thing that would get Eric Stults banished for a month.
He did say the roster decisions will be made before they leave Saturday night, which is good for bloggers who might be covering the game on Saturday.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Crazy desert weather
The occasional cold spell
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I wonder when the regulars will start being taken out
It won’t matter too much since I assume all of the Dodgers are traveling to Los Angeles via charter tonight.
Only 20 guys in uniform, including 14 non-pitchers.
Backups left:
C
Closser
Gutierrez
INF
Sellers
Herrera
OF
Giles
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I get excited
when Vin gets excited about a baseball story. The man has only called games for 60 years, and he can get positively giddy sometimes, like he is with the Venditte story.
Bison
Kemp sure is fun to watch – especially triples.
by RoyaleWithCheeze on Mar 31, 2010 8:10 PM PDT reply actions
I was wondering what you were talking about
then I remembered I stopped to do laundry and am a minute or so behind :)
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
1 reason the Dodgers left Vegas
Or there are several reasons and all of them have to do with the crummy field.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Why
did the Dodgers leave Albuquerque and go to Vegas just to go back to Albuquerque?
by RoyaleWithCheeze on Mar 31, 2010 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I believe it actually was because the ownership of the Alb Dukes
sold the team to a group based in Portland. The Dodgers basically swapped franchises with the Padres, who had a Vegas team but had a Portland connection. So they moved to Vegas instead of Portland, basically. But then Albq also built a new stadium in 2003. And the Dodgers had problems with Cashman in Vegas, so they moved back. And everyone lived happily ever after. Except Las Vegas.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Thanks
Vegas’ loss. Geographically, Vegas makes more sense but being a little nostalgic I like that Dodgers went back to the other launching pad. Hell, Mike Marshall had a triple crown there if I’m not mistaken.
Isotopes? Why not Meitneriums?
by RoyaleWithCheeze on Mar 31, 2010 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Or the Unobtaniums
;-)
It was actually a Simpsons-inspired nickname.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
It's probably best
I leave this alone. It’s beyond my mental capabilities.
by RoyaleWithCheeze on Mar 31, 2010 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions
True
the ball flies out of Lancaster.
by RoyaleWithCheeze on Mar 31, 2010 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Who cares about Barton getting released
the one I care about per baseball America’s minor league transactions list is the release of Daigoro Rondon. I had him ranked 49 on my list, and Baseball America had him in their top 30 this year. He seems to have a great fastball and a lot of potential, even though he does have some anger issues.
I also wish they gave Kevin Childs more of a chance…i mean the guy was just drafted last year and I thought he was a decent project for the Dodgers to invest in.
I don’t know why, but when Michael Eaves threw it back to Vin last half inning, Vin saying “I hear ya, Michael” made me laugh uncontrollably.
Dude…your birthday was Sunday…you’re still drinking????
by KellyStephen on Mar 31, 2010 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions
They should have Giada do Diners
by KellyStephen on Mar 31, 2010 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yah Vin was especially blunt
tonight when it came to poor Kip Wells.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Monasterios
When he was on the starter’s schedule, he pitched in four games:
12 IP, 11 groundouts, 15 flyouts, 7 strikeouts
Since then, he has made four bullpen outings, two sets of back-to-back games, including tonight:
3 IP, 5 groundouts, 2 flyouts, 2 strikeouts
Do more of that :)
After the last set of back-to-backs (March 26-27), Torre noted Monasterios seemed to have trouble in the second night.
I would guess after tonight’s game (3 quick outs), Torre will mention his progress.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
A UCSB + USC alum now pitching for Reds
Also: Sweet Caroline? Really?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
The group of fans near microphones were really into Sweet Caroline, too.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 31, 2010 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
It's part of that huge Boston expatriate contingent in Vegas :-/
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Eric
If you do a recap of this mess, suggested title…
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
This is the kind of game that makes you ache Opening Day.
12 to 4
my daughter is learning fractions and tells me that reduces down to 3 to 1 so thats not so bad
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