Belliard, Billingsley Lead Dodgers to First Win
by Eric Stephen on Apr 8, 2010 12:48 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
Email
PrintAs the ominous dark clouds rolled into Pittsburgh, the Dodgers' offense finally brought the thunder, opening the floodgates in an 10-2 win to salvage one game of the three-game set with the Pirates. The Dodger offense was led by Ronnie Belliard, two of five reserves to start for Joe Torre today. Belliard, starting at third base for Casey Blake, had a two-run home run and an RBI triple, and an RBI double in his first start of the season. Belliard became just the eighth LA Dodger to have a double, triple, and home run in the same game.
Chad Billingsley had the best start of the young season for the Dodgers, allowing one run in 5 1/3 innings. It wasn't the most efficient of efforts, as Billingsley threw 107 pitches, including a 34-pitch fourth inning, but he was effective during the time he was in the game, striking out seven batters, including four looking. He did allow five hits and four walks, and has the rare situation in which his ERA and WHIP are the same, at 1.69.
Other Notes
- Andre Ethier missed today's game after rolling his ankle last night, per Tony Jackson of ESPN LA. Torre said x-rays were negative, but that "he wasn't sure when Ethier would return."
- Reed Johnson, who has a blog called "Reed Between The Lines," was between the lines for the first time this season and responded with three hits and two runs scored.
- The five Dodger reserves had nine hits in 21 at-bats today, with four runs scored, six runs batted in, and a walk
- The top five hitters in today's lineup each had at least two hits, including James Loney, who ended his 0-for-9 slump with three hits and two runs batted in.
- Matt Kemp's ninth inning single was the 500th hit of his career.
- Old Friend Delwyn Young, making his first start of the season for Pittsburgh, had two doubles and two walks, and also threw out Belliard at the plate in the ninth inning
Tomorrow's game in Florida is at 4:05pm, and features Hiroki Kuroda facing off against Chris Volstad of the Marlins
WP - Chad Billingsley (1-0): 5 1/3 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
LP - Paul Maholm (0-1): 6 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
Check out the blog rollcall after the jump
| Name | # of Posts |
| David Young | 163 |
| Eric Stephen | 116 |
| prosellis | 64 |
| UCLADodger32 | 62 |
| Phil Gurnee | 60 |
| silverwidow | 53 |
| Michael White | 47 |
| Alex41592 | 46 |
| bhsportsguy | 42 |
| RawhideBlue | 25 |
| Ivdown | 25 |
| Jesse S. | 24 |
| Xeifrank | 24 |
| oshea2002 | 21 |
| Dr. Geek | 19 |
| delias man | 16 |
| nolander | 14 |
| bucknellbruin | 13 |
| vadodger | 11 |
| OB12 | 10 |
| Tripon | 9 |
| hirambocachica | 9 |
| underdog | 8 |
| MammothDodger | 7 |
| EephusBlue | 6 |
| BoulderDodger | 6 |
| StolenMonkey86 | 5 |
| robotmadeofnails | 4 |
| IeatMidgets | 3 |
| keithc13 | 3 |
| EMDarrow | 3 |
| Jojo93160 | 2 |
| Little Blue Bicycle | 2 |
| kinbote | 2 |
| some_dude | 2 |
| DodgerBlueBalls | 2 |
| SeanMillerSavior | 1 |
| Hit4TheCycle | 1 |
| megaballs | 1 |
| S Jay Bruin | 1 |
| dsm9412 | 1 |
| DJDodger | 1 |
| Skunkburner | 1 |
| DodgerGlue | 1 |
| Ollie | 1 |
| CarolinaDodger | 1 |
| SLCDodgerfan | 1 |
| JJ 24 | 1 |
103 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
After today
He can call him anything he wants :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 8, 2010 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Josh Hamilton
five straight K’s
sever out of eight
Pinch Hit in the 7th with runner on 3rd in 0 – 0 game
Pitcher throws wild pitch on first pitch
Texas leads 1 – 0
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Reserves, salvage game or not, I wish I could have seen the Belly tear it up. Not to mention the return of road Loney. Altogether a good game.
by Skunkburner on Apr 8, 2010 12:58 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I recall early last season
When the Dodgers lost 2 of 3 to the lowly Astros. One can hope that this is what we have here, and that they will be back on track shortly.
WHAMMY!
It was April 15th
So pretty early, and they let Houston hit all kinds of craziness.
The Dodgers need to slap themselves into awareness, give themselves the ole Tuck Pendleton Express!!!
WHAMMY!
Dodgers were too busy
doing last-minute taxes.
So according to this game:
- Belliard should start at 3rd base forever.
- Reed Johnson is better than Manny.
- Chad Billingsley is the ace and seemed most prepared to make a start in this series.
- Torre didn’t bother to let Ramon Ortiz pitch today in a game that didn’t matter.
The bench (Colletti’s Collection) came through today. As I said before, somewhere Ned is smiling.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Phil, by the way,
I don’t regret ditching work this morning to watch the game instead!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Good choice, great game
headed back to work myself
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I do not regret
ditching work to make turns and when I got back to work no regrets going immediately to TBLA for game information. I do not regret barely getting any work done so far today as I read the game thread and relive my morning skiing.
by MammothDodger on Apr 8, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Mr. Feliz
just struck out the side on what looked like 9 pitches hitting 98. Now I’m leaving. Really
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Too early to tell.
The pirates are soft and we needed a good game. I hope it’s like this all season with the bench coming in and taking over. The San Francicso Giants need to stop smiling.
by Skunkburner on Apr 8, 2010 1:09 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Just turned it on
and the first call I heard said, “it was a nice start by Billingsley, but it won’t cut it in the playoffs.”
Thanks for the insight.
Casual Dodger Fans
Think the playoffs come next week, they also like to hear themselves on the radio so they spend all day coming up with some lame soundbite they think will sound “smart”.
WHAMMY!
Where to sit?
Official Attendance at PNC Park: 9,352. I guess they couldn’t even give the seats away today. Wasn’t yesterday $1.00 seat day? Eh, who cares. Goodbye Pittsburgh.
I think it was pick your section day at the ballpark
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 8, 2010 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions
My favorite part about callers who bring up how much they hate pitch counts is how they inevitably bring up Sandy Koufax as an example of pitching manliness, even though he never threw a pitch past age 30.
that's encouraging
last year, I remember you couldn’t get Dodger Talk online. The online rules on MLB are frustrating enough to begin with, but blacking out the POSTGAME show?! That’s just pouring it on.
That said, there is certainly an argument to be made that babying pitchers from a young age doesn’t reduce injuries, but I just wish every call/argument wasn’t “I wish pitchers were men, like Sandy Koufax was”
I wish someday that Chad can shake a catchers hand
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
So Torre starts the reserves and the Dodgers destroy the competition
He really IS a tactical genius! LOL
And obviously, it’s great to see Mr. Bills get a win today, as it’s been quite a while. Hope we can say the same about the Kid in a few days.
By the way, just FYI:
2009 LA Dodgers after 3 games: 1-2 on the road against the lowly Padres
2010 LA Dodgers after 3 games: 1-2 on the road against the lowly Pirates
Everything is going according to plan. Nothing to worry about at all, outside of Ethier’s ankle. Hopefully there’s a different ending this time, but that’s a loooong time ahead right now.
in that case, we're doomed.
LOL Sorry, I forgot that it was a four game series. (looked it up just now) I just remembered the last 2 of 3- Wolf lost (sort of remember that), and then Cory Wade blowing the lead in the final game (that, I remember VERY clearly).
ughh
I’m tired of hearing San Fran fans here @ work get all excited so early in the season.
Glad to see our bench being productive in the early going.
Same here
I’m not sure what it is about them and celebrating way to early.
"We have to win eight. I'll be crushed if we don't win eight." CRN...Eat it BN, lol
i heard theyre planning the parade already
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
Just remind them of their spelling.
by Skunkburner on Apr 8, 2010 1:49 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
They’re happy cause they beat the defending champs Houston.
by Skunkburner on Apr 8, 2010 1:50 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Through 3 games
8 starters: 22 for 80, 7 doubles, a homer, 11 walks, a hbp, & a sac fly .275/.366/.400
5 reserves: 11 for 26, 4 doubles, a triple, and a homer, a walk, & a sac fly, .423/.429/.769
SSS warning
reserves ops=1.198, Ruthian
by MammothDodger on Apr 8, 2010 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions
nice outing from bills
keep it going
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
Pretty cool
TBLA is linked on Fangraphs main page under SB Nation sites. Are they related to you guys in any way (other than baseball)?
Brett Anderson is a stud
The Dbacks will definitly be regrettign the dan haren trade in the future
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 8, 2010 2:10 PM PDT reply actions
Wow, 6 IP, 2 hits, 0 walks, 4 Ks.
Yep, he is ELITE. Tops out at 97 mph with some of the most ridiculous off speed pitches you’ll ever see.
I love Haren
But Carlos González, Brett Anderson, Aaron Cunningham, Greg Smith, Dana Eveland, and Chris Carter went to Oakland in that deal. Wow.
WOAH
cargo is gonna be a star…
brett is gonna be a cy young winner
cunningham and eveland iddont know.. but they were top rated prospects and they are still around and have some upside
smith is starting for the rockies..
and chris carter is a great up and coming player.. ranked in everyone top 20 prospects..
I've added the blog roll
to the jump. Nice participation for a morning game. We will have a game thread up as 03:00 for the minor league games tonight. SilverWidow will be leading the thread as Withrow heads to the mound for the first time in 2010 at 03:15.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
TBLA should have its own post-game podcast
So we don’t have to listen to Dodger Talk. Eric could just slip into the bathroom stall at work and record a 15 minute or so podcast. Of course there may be a few unpleasant noises he may have to edit out. Anyways, a quick post-game podcast once in a while would be neat when possible. Maybe hire a 5th mod to do it if it is too much work.
vr, Xei
Do you have the computer software or w/e it technically takes to do it? If not, I am sure there are many talented people here that could help get you started.
vr, Xei
We should attempt it
Look into how the other SbNation guys are pulling it off. Remember any equipment you buy for stuff like this is a tax writeoff.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Lookout Landing (god forbid)
that I recommend anything from them – but they (Jeff Sullivan) has a nice Podcast system. Maybe ask him and hopefully he doesn’t bite your head off and give you some input. Fangraphs, your new partner had a nice podcast up the other day too.
vr, Xei
And the minor league game thread is up
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/4/8/1411841/opening-day-for-minor-leagues-game
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
SF Screw up
Don’t know if this was discussed earlier, but I guess the genius’ up in Giant-land don’t know how to spell their own city.
by KellyStephen on Apr 8, 2010 3:56 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
