Monasterios Saves The Day For the Dodgers; Padilla to DL
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:06 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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Russell Martin's "why are they pitching to me?" RBI single with two outs in the 13th inning gave the Dodgers a 4-3 win over the Nationals, in a game that was far too nerve racking for an April contest. The Dodgers played their third straight game featuring a pitcher getting his first major league win, but this time they came out on the positive side of that ledger, as Carlos Monasterios pitched the final 2 2/3 innings to record the victory.
The effort by Monasterios capped off a resurgent day for the Dodger bullpen. Six different relievers combined for seven innings, allowing one unearned run, while walking nobody and striking out five. The one unearned run came in the eighth inning, after a stolen base and a throwing error put Adam Kennedy at third base with two outs against Jonathan Broxton, asked to get a four out save. As we have learned with the 2010 Dodgers, nothing ever goes according to plan, and Broxton allowed a single to Cristian Guzman to tie the score. Still, entering the day with a 6.00 ERA and 36 walks in 54 innings, the Dodger bullpen had a much-needed good day.
Before the season, Joe Torre mentioned he thought the role for Monasterios would be similar to that of Ramon Troncoso at the start of 2009, specifically as a multiple-inning guy. One can't help but see the similarities between this game by Monasterios and Troncoso's four-inning save in Colorado (one year ago tomorrow) as a trust-building performance.
Clayton Kershaw was wild early, walking three batters in his first three innings, pushing his major league leading total to 18 bases on balls this season. However, he battled through several two-out rallies to pitch six innings, and didn't walk a batter in his final three innings. He left with the game tied, and was lucky to not be trailing, as Nyjer Morgan hit a double to left field in the sixth inning, the fourth two-out double by the Nationals against Kershaw, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. Morgan was called out before Craig Stammen touched home plate with the go-ahead run, so the run didn't count.
Decisions, Decisions
With one out in the 11th inning, Joe Torre made the choice to make a double switch, bringing in Monasterios, his sixth and final reliever of the day. Ramon Ortiz pitched 2 2/3 innings Friday night, and was deemed unavailable for tonight's game. Monasterios needed to pitch multiple innings, and Matt Kemp happened to be the guy who made the last out in the top of the 11th, so Reed Johnson replaced Kemp in center field while Monasterios entered into the cleanup spot in the batting order. It's a tough call, and probably not one I would have made (removing one of Kemp or Andre Ethier), but was either that or have Monasterios bat for himself earlier than needed.
Fast forward to the 13th inning, and Russell Martin batted with Rafael Furcal on second base and two outs in a tie game. Andre Ethier was on deck, but Monasterios followed him, with only A.J. Ellis available to hit and really nobody available to pitch the bottom of the inning. An argument could be made to walk both Martin and Ethier to force Torre's hand, either to have Monasterios make his first major league at-bat or to have a tired Ramon Ortiz or perhaps even a starting pitcher pitch the next half inning. Instead, Nationals' manager Jim Riggleman decided to pitch to Martin, and Martin delivered with a run-scoring single to give the Dodgers what would be the final margin of victory.
Other Notes
- After the game, the Dodgers placed Vicente Padilla on the disabled list (per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times), and recalled Jon Link, only a few days after being sent down. I'm not sure who will join the starting rotation in Padilla's place, but it almost has to be Ramon Ortiz unless another move is made. Link sounds like a temporary solution as a bridge to get to Padilla's turn in the rotation, which will come Tuesday in New York. The next three scheduled starters for the Isotopes after tonight are Josh Lindblom, John Ely, and Josh Towers, all non-roster players. Scott Elbert, who is on the 40-man roster, was scheduled to pitch tonight, but he is instead with his wife who is about to give birth to their second child. I think Elbert is as good a bet as anyone to start Tuesday against the Mets
- Casey Blake was the star of the "first half" of this game, hitting two home runs to account for the Dodgers' first three runs. Blake also had two assists to nail runners at home plate, including Ivan Rodriguez in the 13th
- The Dodgers were fortunate Rodriguez was running the bases in the 13th; otherwise the game might have been tied. Rodriguez, nursing a tight back, got a pinch-hit single in the 13th, but was running very gingerly to first base. Other than Ryan Zimmerman, nursing a bad hamstring himself, the Nats were out of position players to pinch run for Pudge II. When Morgan doubled to the right field corner one batter later, Rodriguez was forced to hold at third base.
- James Loney picked up his 500th career hit in the second inning
- Rafael Furcal is eight for nine in stolen base attempts this season
Chad Billingsley faces Scott Olsen in the series finale, tomorrow at 10am
WP - Carlos Monasterios (1-0): 2 2/3 innings, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts
LP - Miguel Batista (0-2): 3 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
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Padilla DL and Ortiz starting?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXOAc5yt218
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
Isotopes rotation
Today: Seth Etherton
Tomorrow: Josh Lindblom
Monday: John Ely
Tuesday: Josh Towers
Scott Elbert pitched April 19, but is not starting tonight. Padilla’s spot is Tuesday…I think Elbert has as good a shot as anyone to start Tuesday
Let’s see what the Elvis Presley Magic 8 Ball thinks of the candidates.
Ramon Ortiz? (shake shake shake) “Return to Sender”
Scott Elbert? (shake shake shake) “Don’t Be Cruel”
Johnny Wholestaff? (shake shake shake) “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Johnny Wholestaff was quite effective last year. He had good versatility :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Uh oh
Elbert has been REMOVED from the Albuquerque roster . He was scheduled to start today but was replaced by Seth Etherton (?).
I thought the same thing, but his wife is in labor. That’s why he’s not with the team
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
actually, perhaps not in labor, but per the ABQ game notes, “she is on the verge of giving birth to the couple’s second child”
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Still, Elbert is as good a bet as anyone to start Tuesday in NY
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Elvis Magic 8 Ball on Ely: (shake shake shake) “Teddy Bear?” But that doesn’t make any sense at all! Stupid Elvis Magic 8 Ball.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Small, but perhaps of note
Since Link was recalled within 10 days of being optioned (brought back due to another injury), he gets full credit for service time as if he wasn’t sent down, so he gets major league service time and salary for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as well.
how to really save the day.
torre needs to be like denzel in “remember the titans” – every fumble you run a mile. similarly – every error or brain fart – you practice bunting in the cage for an hour and are fined 5,000$. im sick of seeing us having to play these marathon games against inferior opponents. kills the pen and with padilla now on the dl torre is going to proctor our arms.
You do that, and you’re Buck Showalter, and the players tune you out. The upside is that you likely win a series the year after you fire him :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
works with high schoolers
does not work with millionaires
it does even work with college players anymore, which is why the old school coaches can’t win anymore
by Chad Moriyama on Apr 25, 2010 12:53 AM PDT up reply actions
An argument could be made to walk both Furcal and Ethier to force Torre’s hand
Furcal’s quite the hitter to be on base and hitting at the same time ;)
His OPS is off the charts right now
He HAS to be moved up soon.
by Julio Nievas on Apr 24, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I wonder how good he’ll do in a hitters environment in the Cal League, it just makes me start to drool when thinking about it ;)
Hot lips
….I’ve said too much.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Elvis Magic 8 ball says, "It's Now or Never."
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
At first I had Suspicious Mind(s), but I am a fan of the Elvis Magic 8 Ball
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Jerry Sands
How well did he do last season? This season he’s doing just unbelievable (same with Redman and Lindsay from what I saw a few days ago as well), but I wasn’t sure if he showed anything like this (well, not this, but any good potential) last season.
He was getting hot last season
A few of us here knew he was going to breakout this season. So far he has, but I didn’t think he was going this hot so fast.
by Julio Nievas on Apr 24, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
same one he was rubbing vigorously against AZ last week that Vin pointed out on the broadcast.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
REM Magic 8 Ball says, “Everybody hurts.”
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m just glad they allowed a win today, otherwise it would have been “The End of the World as We Know It”
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh ok. I suppose sore arm is better than swine flu or shooting yourself.
by abru3 on Apr 24, 2010 3:36 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Bad news for Oakland: Brett Anderson had to leave with a tight left elbow. And he JUST signed that new contract.
This Is Absolutely True...
I last checked the Great Lakes boxscore before Jerry Sands had had his first AB. I went away and did something then returned to the computer and came here. Before I clicked this thread I paused for a moment and said to myself, “You know, I have a feeling I am going to read the comments and come across someone saying that Sands has hit a home run.” Either I am psychic or Jerry Sands is just all kinds of awesome.
I know the bullpen pitched 7 today
but outside of Monasterios, I have to think everyone is available tomorrow as they were relatively short outings. Broxton threw 30 pitches, but he hasn’t pitched for a week so he’s probably available if needed.
Just saying, because there won’t be any extra pressure on Billingsley to pitch deep tomorrow. He will however have the normal pressure that accompanies his starts. :)
I meant to add to this…because Ramon Ortiz was the only one to pitch Friday, so nobody is working on 2 straight days already
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, it is unlikely they will have Kuo pitch in back-to-back games right now, even though he only threw 10 pitches.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Fox
As if watching Joe Buck isn’t bad enough, fox is doing an odd amount of in game advertisements. Soon every player is going to look like a NASCAR driver
by abru3 on Apr 24, 2010 3:41 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I meant listening to that douche buck. Thank god we don’t have to watch him
by abru3 on Apr 24, 2010 3:43 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Elbert is now the father of two daughters
Marissa Ryann Elbert was born last night at 11:50 PM Central time! Congratulations to the Elbert family!
Sweet
Congrats to Scott and the family, and props to his wife Celia for cranking out the kid tonight so Scott can spend time with her and still be with the Dodgers in time for Tuesday :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
In case anyone was wondering, Timo Perez joined the Isotopes, from extended spring training, to take Xavier Paul’s spot
Timo Perez last played in the majors
on September 29, 2007, for Detroit.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Elbert would seem to be the most likely
I wonderful if Haegar can pitch on short rest on Tuesday.
by bhsportsguy on Apr 24, 2010 3:59 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah
I think with those 2 HRs he’s now hitting above 1.400 OPS
by Julio Nievas on Apr 24, 2010 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
.434/.483/.962 in 60 PA
14 XBH!!! (6-2-6)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Took him 32 games to hit 5 HRs when he joined GWL late last year
17 Games in, he’s hit 7 already
by Julio Nievas on Apr 24, 2010 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I believe I shorted him a HR. Discrepancy between MiLB and B-R
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Even better
68 PA…
.450/.500/.983!!!!
7 doubles
2 triples
7 homers
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Tonight is Sands' 49th game with Great Lakes
40 runs
38 RBI
14 2B
4 3B
12 HR
.329/.411/.683
33 walks / 44 strikeouts (7/11 this year)
It seems like pretty much all the Dodger position prospects making any noise these days are OFers. It would be nice to have a 3B or 1B or 2B who could hit mixed in..
Although OF is his natural position, Sands often plays first base for the Loons
by Julio Nievas on Apr 24, 2010 4:59 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
he was solid through 5
with 3bb and 3ks…he came out for the 6th and walked first two batters then got take out. I guess he got tired.
Postgame
Torre said Broxton (30 pitches today) is available Sunday:
“…hopefully we’ll get Broxton an opportunity, because he’ll be alright for tomorrow.”
Vicente Padilla is eligible to come off the DL on May 8, which is his scheduled turn in the rotation, so he might miss as few as 2 starts:
Apr 22 – Haeger
Today – Kershaw
Sun – Bills
Mon – Kuroda
Tue – AAA guy
Wed – Haeger
Thu – Kershaw
Fri – Bills
May 1 – Kuroda
May 2 – AAA guy
May 3 – off
May 4 – Haeger
May 5 – Kershaw
May 6 – Bills
May 7 – Kuroda
May 8 – Padilla (1st day eligible to return)
Avoid him if you must
but nobody can avoid the Sands of time!
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Holy shit this week’s Community was great
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 5:20 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
She is great, and has blossomed into so much more than “hey, it’s Pete Campbell’s prissy wife!”
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions
She became a much more central character than Brita.
by Michael White on Apr 24, 2010 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions
They have a Veronica / Betty vibe going
Yikes, Lakers down by 13 at the half.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Hilarious. The Good Fellas take was awesome. Its just so strange and hilarious at the same time.
by Michael White on Apr 24, 2010 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Tonight I suspend my Phillies hate
Nelson Figueroa, the only man ever to make the majors from my alma mater, Brandeis University, is pitching for Philly today. Gotta root for him.
So far he’s faring well against the D-Backs and Ian Kennedy. Phillies lead 1-0 and Nelson’s line so far is 2IP, 3H, 1BB, 1K.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
That's cool
The last player from my school was Rob Natal
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2010 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions
The last person from my school was
Kory Casto. He was the Expos/Nationals minor league player of the year 2 years in a row, but couldn’t perform when he was called up.
He was no joke in college. Sweet left handed swing.
by Michael White on Apr 24, 2010 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions
The last from mine
is old friend D.J. Houlton!
In the third
Nelson walks Kelly Johnson, but gets Stephen Drew on a flyout, Justin Upton on a FC, and Ks Mark Reynolds.
3IP, 3H, 2BB, 2K.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
4 3 0 0 2 4. Too many pitches but nice to see him get in and out of trouble. He’ll pitch the fifth and that’ll probably be it for him.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions
ohhhh he's getting tired.
Just gave up a two-run home run to Kelly Johnson.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions
my school has had quite a few
the next one is this guy
by MammothDodger on Apr 24, 2010 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Empty or not, every Dodger starter is hitting .300 this week…except for Blake DeWitt, who is hitting .294.
Milton Bradley was born in Harbor City!
Represent?
Twins-Royals
Twins went up 7-6 in the top of the 11th. Now, in the bottom of the 11th, the Royals have tied it on a Billy Butler singler (replaced by Bloomquist) and a Jose Guillen double. Callaspo at bat now with Guillen on second a nobody out.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
I didn’t see the play, but it sounds like Twins 3B Casilla had a chance on Guillen’s double.
Brayan Pena, running for Guillen, is now at third with one out.
Joe Mauer, who ya might say is pretty good, is 5-for-6 in this game.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Mitch Maier flies out to Delmon Young, but barely out of the infield and Pena has to hold.
Here comes Jason Kendall with a chance to win the game.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Kendall walks on four pitches. They’ll take their chances with Alex Gordon.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Zito is dominating the Cardinals
luckily they can’t score against Wainwright.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Twins load the bases in the 12th with nobody out
Royals bring the infield in, Span hits a popup, and it lands. 8-7 Twins, bases still loaded, still nobody out in the top of the 12th. O-Dog oops up, one out. Now Mauer, looking for his sixth hit of the game.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 24, 2010 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Looking Ahead
Torre won’t say that Chad Billingsley’s (1-0, 7.07) start against the Nationals on Sunday is critical to the right-hander’s keeping his spot in the rotation, but it is getting increasingly difficult to believe that the Dodgers will stick with Billingsley much longer if he doesn’t find some level of consistency. Left-hander Scott Olsen (0-1, 11,74) goes for the Nationals. He is 0-3 with a 7.30 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers.
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/columns/story?id=5133326
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