Dodgers End Frustrating Road Trip With 6-5 Loss
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2010 1:41 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintI have never looked forward to Larry King as much as I do right now. For some reason, King -- and not Vin Scully -- will announce "It's time for Dodger baseball" during the home opener festivities on Tuesday. Hopefully the friendly environment of Dodger Stadium will provide a better result than the Dodgers had this week, capped off with today's 6-5 loss to the Marlins.
The story today was supposed to be about Charlie Haeger, who knuckled his way to a career high 12 strikeouts in six innings. Haeger was the king of three true outcomes today, allowing a walk, home run, or strikeout to 17 of the 27 batters he faced. The one home run he did give up was a three-run shot in the fourth inning by Jorge Cantu, who drove in five of Florida's six runs. The Dodgers have given up four three-run homers this season, after allowing just 11 all of last season.
Jeff Weaver became the latest culprit in the Dodgers' early season poor reliever roulette, allowing a pair of runs in the seventh inning, turning a 5-4 lead into a 6-5 deficit. The Dodgers were 64-11 68-8 last season when leading after six innings, yet so far this season they are just 2-2 in those situations. The Dodgers held a lead in five of six games on their 2-4 trip. After going 28-22 in one-run games last year, the Dodgers are 0-3 in those games so far this season.
Matt Kemp had two hits today, but will likely take more than his fair share of the blame for today's loss, for both his error in the sixth inning which led the Marlins' fifth run, and for striking out in the ninth inning with one out and the tying run in Russell Martin at third base. After Kemp's strikeout, James Loney grounded out to end the game.
A.J. Ellis tripled his career RBI total with a pair of runs batted in, but didn't have an official at-bat. Ellis executed a perfect squeeze play, had a walk, and a sacrifice fly in his three plate appearances.
Tomorrow, thankfully, is an off day, before Tuesday's home opener. Clayton Kershaw will face off against Ian Kennedy of the Diamondbacks at 1:10pm.
WP - Clay Hensley (1-0): 2 IP, 3 hits, 2 strikeouts
LP - Jeff Weaver (0-1): 1 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Sv - Leo Nunez (2): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
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No chance in the NL he does that
he faced the Astros, not everyone will be so easy. He’s going to be great, but awful hard to win 23-25 games in the NL these days in a five man rotation.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Are you implying that I am overrating Roy Halladay? The NL is in for a rude awakening and he’s got a sick offense backing him up.
I stand by what I said.
Yes, that is exactly what I am implying. Along with a few other prospects, but that’s a different story. Halladay is a top 3 pitcher in baseball, that’s obvious. But when almost no one else is winning more than 20 or 21 games over the last 5 years (Webb had 22 in 07 I think and Lee had the same in 08), why would Halladay be able to come man-handle the NL like it’s AA (the disparity between the AL and NL isn’t all that much) and win more games than any pitcher has since the beginning of the century.
I understand why you would be big on him, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t take the world by storm just because he moved from the AL to the NL. Also, The Jays park is more of a pitchers park if I remember right, and Philly isnt exactly Neutral. Great pitchers don’t let it affect them all that much, but he will have his bad games.
I’m really high on Halladay because he gives you 7-8 innings a start and doesn’t walk anyone. He’s also an extreme GB pitcher, so playing in Philly shouldn’t hurt much. Like I said earlier, he’ll have the run support and doesn’t face to face DH’s much anymore. He’s a virtual lock for 20 games and maybe a few more if things go his way.
I love(d) Doc, and realize that he is an amazing pitcher. I just dont think him going from the AL to the NL will result in him winning 23-25 of his 33 starts. He may have better run support now, but his park will factor in much more than his former park, and he is actually facing better offensive players in the NL than the AL. Not facing DHs will help, but DHs are becoming less and less of a threat than what they use to be in the AL.
Kemp's at bat was awful
he never looked prepared. Didn’t see the error but Kemp didn’t look anything like a GG CF in this series.
This game could easily be the highest numbers of K’s any Dodger starter gets this year.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
On the error, it looked like he lost it in the sun/lights at the last minute because he turned his head as he was about to catch it. That led to a prolonged bobble that resulted in the drop.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Re: Kemp
he’s not looking all they great in center field either …..
he appears to have lost a step and is playing a little tentative out there – to my eye.
Maybe he’s got more of a reason to take care of those old bones now?
First off, I’m shocked you actually commented during a current conversation, rather than insert comments into old threads.
Honestly though, why do you even comment here?
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2010 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
PLEASE DUDE how wrong can you be.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Apr 11, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Julio wasn't that just despicable today?
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Apr 11, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Edwin Jackson
Just went yard for his second hit in a 13 run inning. He isnt pitching well, but my boy can still rake!
John Ely
Mediocre first start in AAA with lousy control. He loses most of his value if he can’t throw strikes.
Randy Wolf pitching on sunday night baseball
o do i miss Mr. Wolf
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 11, 2010 5:16 PM PDT reply actions
I am about to cry ...
The Wolf is cruising along 4-2 against the Cards. It’s almost too much to take!
by Seanny Rotten on Apr 11, 2010 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Forget Halladay, Lackey, and Lee...
Not re-signing Randy Wolf during the offseason was the biggest mistake in my eyes, especially when management considered Padilla a relatively “inexpensive” alternative by comparison. He was the most consistent starter for the Dodgers last season and may have even played a significant role in getting Kershaw to become more efficient with his pitches. Plus, he was just an all-around good guy to have on the club and he obviously liked being around his old stomping grounds. I think the Brewers got an outright steal with him. He’s really gonna come in handy as they battle the Cards for the NL Central title…
Signing Randy Wolf for just under $10 million a year is by no means “an outright steal.” Especially for three years.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 12, 2010 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I didn't necessarily mean the money aspect
what I meant by “outright steal” refers to the strong veteran presence he’ll end up bringing to that Brewers pitching staff. Even you can’t deny the influence he had on some of the young Dodger starters last season. He actually led by example and pitched arguably the best season of his entire career. I’ve yet to see Padilla follow suit this season (hopefully he will; at least Kuroda’s been picking up the slack in that dept. so far).
Gotcha. Thanks for the explanation.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 13, 2010 12:59 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Haeger's first hit allowed
was that bloop job by Anibal Sanchez in the third inning. From the AP:
Sanchez ended an 0-for-43 slump when he singled for his first hit since April 27, 2007
D’oh.
You have an idea of
what the Honeycutt AB total is now? I know the smart money has to be on it is just unlucky, but seriously! I am not down on Honeycutt as a PC or being on the staff, but everytime he is out there, I think, Holy Shit get ready for a rocket. :)
I’ll have to check it out but it’s somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 for 8, which I believe doesn’t include Saturday.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2010 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I will go thru
the threads tomorrow. I thought you might’ve been keeping up with it. I will from here on out. It is interesting.
Using Gameday might be quicker.
They list coaching visits to the mound, and there was only one non-pitching change involving Torre (it was the 9th inning last night after the bases were loaded)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2010 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions
To make up for the awful link
I had on Friday, I offer this funny video featuring Old Friend Chan Ho
Minor League Stuff
Great Lakes didn’t have it pitching wise, but offensively, they were on. Blake Smith hit a double and now has 7 RBIs in 4 games. Jerry Sands (my sleeper) smashed a HR to give him two.
tough game today
I really cant put this on Kemp, especially since it was drizzling, and had a good day at the plate, excluding the one at bat. Unfortunately, as Eric noted, the Bullpen was the problem again, which has been extrodinarily frustrating considering how good the pen was last season.
When we get healthy I think we’ll be fine, I love the way the lineup has looked, and the bench has looked. If we continue to hit, the bullpen will come together and get healthy. But, again, I think there is reason to be extremely frustrated by that road trip.
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
Some mammoth HRs off Hoffman by Pujols and Holliday to tie the game. A 7-4 lead entering the 9th becomes Hoffman’s 2nd blown save of the weekend.
and Hoffman gets the win, thanks to Casey McGehee’s massive walk-off HR
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2010 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
New story up
first week in review of the year
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/4/11/1416028/dodgers-week-1-in-review-lots-of
the monk
what is his true role? is he this year’s mota? trying to wrap my brain around why the ortiz boys are getting heavy minutes. i mean i know why (belisario has sprewell-itis and can’t be bothered, kuo being fragile) but really two former giants? in 2007 i picked ray durham in my fantasy league and i felt sick to my stomach for doing so. i only hope ned feels the same way and jettisons these ortiz boys
Pitching and managing
If the pitching doesn’t improve, the Dodgers are right where they’ll finish, DEAD LAST. On the other hand, if Joe Torre continues to manage the way he has thus far…it’s already a done deal. Why leave Broxton in the pen with a 2 run lead in the 9th, only to have Sherrill blow the game? Way to go Joe…it’s like he got a call from the bookies in the top of the 9th.
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