Billingsley Ties D-Backs in Knot With Short Rope
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 9:47 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintYes, the Dodgers won tonight, 7-3 over the Diamondbacks in the first game of their six-game road trip. But sometimes it's best not to think of the battle, but of the war. Chad Billingsley got the win tonight, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks in his 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven. But he was pulled by Joe Torre with runners on second and third and one out in the sixth, despite:
- Having a 4-1 lead at the time
- Having thrown just 90 pitches tonight
- Having thrown just 90, 97, and 86 pitches in his last three starts
- Getting an extra day of rest this coming weekend, so that -- gulp -- Ramon Ortiz can start Friday in San Diego
On both the radio and television broadcasts of tonight's game, as Billingsley was walking off the field his streak of not pitching into the seventh inning -- now at 21 starts and counting -- was mentioned, again. From beat writers to bloggers to radio callers and hosts to fans in the seats, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a conversation about Billingsley's mental makeup. Billingsley's arm can't have a bad game without thousands wanting to analyze what is going on inside his head.
Billingsley's last three starts before tonight all lasted six innings, and he pitched well enough to get into the seventh each time, but he was pinch hit for in each game. So talk of his streak of shame continues. Billingsley is soft-spoken and shy when giving interviews -- a stark contrast to the fire in his eyes when he handed Torre the ball tonight -- so he is often tabbed as lacking in confidence. This negative portrayal only gets amplified when he's not given the opportunity to prove people wrong. For instance, how can Billingsley overcome his reputation as a poor playoff pitcher when he gets left out of the playoff rotation? (Although he would have started Game 4 of the NLDS had the Cardinals earned the right to play that game.)
The narrative about Chad is one of the poor second half pitcher last season, not of his two solid years of performance prior to that. That narrative will never change if Billingsley is not given the opportunity to change it. If there was ever a time to let Billingsley work out of a tough spot -- three run lead, well rested arm, an extra day of rest pending -- this was it. Part of Billingsley pitching into the seventh is his manager giving him a chance.
Torre has stated on several occasions that he has confidence in Billingsley. It would be nice if he backs up those words with actions.
Other Notes
- James Loney his an opposite field home run in the second inning. In 26 career games at Chase Field, Loney has seven home runs. By contrast, in 253 career games at Dodger Stadium he has 14 home runs. Loney also added an RBI single in the ninth inning, and is hitting .406/.450/.663 in his career in Arizona.
- Andre Ethier added three more hits, including two doubles. Twenty of his 40 career hits in his hometown of Phoenix are for extra bases.
John Ely faces Dan Haren tomorrow night.
WP - Chad Billingsley (3-2): 5 1/3 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
LP - Rodrigo Lopez (1-2): 7 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts
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Yah you definitely didn't hang yourself with that header!
+1
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
We need a John Wetteland
for our Mariano? :)
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Broxton warmed up enough times tonight to qualify with a game appearance with a *
by 68elcamino427 on May 10, 2010 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions
He pitched the 6th, 7th and 9th
(up thru yesterday)
Isn’t that regular enough?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
(those are dates, not innings in case that wasn't clear) ;-)
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 know it's not rational
but I effin hate that guy.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Chuck
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 10, 2010 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions
All star game.
How will Charlie Manuel justify taking his Phillies team to the all star game this year?
Ethier is obviously going to be snubbed for Kyle Kendrick
The sad part is I’m not sure if I should laugh at something that could really happy @ . @
Speaking of Manuel
If I were him, I woulda given Spawn the first name Anita.
Her middle name woulda been Friggin.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions
For Spawn:
First name Camping, middle name My.
Camping My K3vo ?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 10, 2010 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I recommend trolling. You can always get another job. But if you make ill-considered and not-fully-thought-through jokes on teh interwebs, who knows what some people who don’t even post under their real names will think of you?!
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I run dual monitors so it is tough to just do one thing, occasionally i will write posts in my reports or forget what i have saved in my copy-pasta queue, its a rough life.
The “copy-pasta” queue – Tommy Lasorda’s other heaven.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 10, 2010 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
You not only beat me to a comment
you did it better. Rec’d.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions
There will be one full week between Laker games.
Game 1 of the West Finals will be May 17th at 6 p.m. All games will be on TNT.
The NBA won’t move the series up because ABC already has the NBA Finals dates planned.
I completely understand what Eric is saying
and obviously he knows so much more then I do about baseball, but I think Torre has a real talent in dealing with people and personalities. He knows Bills will be pissed to be taken out if the game and wants him to feel that way. I am a big believer in Bills and I think Torre is too, despite nor being in the rotation for the NLCS.
by LA Taco on May 10, 2010 10:39 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
That's fair
I’m willing to consider the motivation factor, but I’m just frustrated, that’s all.
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I know. He finally gets a legit chance to prove that he can go deeper into games and he gets pulled. Hopefully he will get that chance many more times thus season!
by LA Taco on May 10, 2010 11:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
baby steps
lets get the guy the win – imagine if he was left in and suffered yet another meltdown. I see your point eric but ill have to disagree – bills’ horrible innings have had little to do with pitch count. bottom line to me – team needs wins – BAD, and ill take a rested beli/kuo over bills to get those 8 outs. I have been just as critical of joe as anyone but I don’t see how you can really blame him on this one…
by lchristmas on May 10, 2010 10:56 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Fair point
Would 11 outs change your thinking? (The pen went 3 2/3 today. I did the math wrong in the game chat and wrote 4 2/3, so on the average, we are right!)
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 10, 2010 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
And this has what to do with the Lakers now?
;-) (just giving you a hard time)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
From the Los Angeles Dodgers Facebook feed:
From dodgers.com: Haeger placed on DL with plantar fasciitis
7 minutes ago via RSS Grafiti
Rex Kim Thank you plantar fasciitis – whatever that is!!!
5 minutes ago
I'm calling bullshit
I HAVE plantar fasciitis.
It hurts. A lot. Some days I can barely walk.
IT’S NOWHERE NEAR THE HEEL!!!!!!
by Seanny Rotten on May 10, 2010 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Really? I had it once and it was almost completely isolated to my heel when I first woke up in the morning.
by CarolinaDodger on May 11, 2010 5:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I had a plantar's *wart* on my heel once which was very painful
and then separately had plantar’s fascitis closer to my big toe. But I think either can happen in either place.
But I still call BS. :-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
From health.google.com
Overview
Plantar fasciitis is irritation and swelling of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot.
Symptoms
The most common complaint is pain in the bottom of the heel. It is usually worst in the morning and may improve throughout the day. By the end of the day the pain may be replaced by a dull aching that improves with rest.
Most people complain of increased heel pain after walking for a long period of time.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 11, 2010 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
And believe me, the walking was painful.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 11, 2010 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't watch that game
But I was in DS for the Kershaw 1 1/3 inning start, so I fully understand pain and the dull aching that followed.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 11, 2010 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn’t watch it either. I was on a date with Bride of K. But kinbote alleyed one up there, so I felt the responsibility to oop it in.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 11, 2010 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Damn now I wish I hadn't muted them
Did they say “It’s one of the few good things about LA, and now back to our poll results” ? ;-)
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 get a better, more well-thought opinion from
the young, half-season of experience in the press box, unproven Eric Stephen than I do from the crusty veteran who’s been there. The lead:
Let’s call that progress. Guess it’s glass half-full time. Call me weak.It does lighten up, but the term “faint praise” comes to mind. And no consideration whether or not Torre made the right move.
Chad Billingsley could not follow Clayton Kershaw with an inspiring performance. He could not, once again, pitch out of the sixth inning.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Steve Dilbeck, the Eeyore of Dodger coverage. The glass isn’t even half empty, it’s remotely moist.
by Little Blue Bicycle on May 11, 2010 5:40 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'd literally forgotten he existed
Hadn’t read his blog for a month. He’s pointless.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Dodgers Got the "W"
That’s all that counts, everything else is a technicality and Bills will have plenty of game more to pitch, and he better take advantage or we are toast.
Nice win
The first couple innings looked like batting practice against Rodrigo. I knew we’d get to him. Now let’s “steal” tonight’s game against Haren. Would be our biggest win of the young year. (Note to E.S.—we almost got the exact 6/1/1/1 pitching breakdown we talked about.)
i'd say this would be our second biggest win
it might be the biggest steal, but the biggest win was Kershaw beating Jimenez. That was our ace against theirs – the best pitcher in baseball so far this season – and Kershaw came up huge. That game gave me a lot of confidence in him for the rest of the year, while winning today would simply mean we stole one. Clearly Ely isn’t better than Haren, but Kershaw can be better than Jimenez and showed why
Has there ever been a player better than Detlef Schrempf?
by bucknellbruin on May 11, 2010 6:54 AM PDT up reply actions
I see your point, Eric,
but Bills needed to win and the team needed to win. Torre seems to get that he needs to handle Bills emotions as much as he handles his arm. I am not saying Bills is fragile, just that despite his quiet exterior his emotions seem to effect how he pitches. Plus, the team confidence is definitely fragile and could not afford to blow a game they should win.
The team has won 4 of its last 5. Not sure they are fragile, and if they are they need to get over it.
Using the bullpen early yesterday when Torre could have pushed Billingsley instead of having certain bullpen arms fresh tonight (when a dude who only has 2 MLB starts is pitching) is a bad baseball decision.
by Michael White on May 11, 2010 7:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Potential Steve Dilbeck titles:
April 15, 1947: Dodgers Open Season with Aging Second Baseman at First
June 30, 1962: Koufax less Than Perfect as Dodgers Defeat Woeful Mets
June 4, 1964: Koufax less Than Perfect as Dodgers Defeat Phillies
July 6, 1979: Struggling Dodgers Sign Portly Mexican Leaguer
October 15, 1988: Powerful A’s vs. Gibson-less Dodgers, Disaster Looms
by Little Blue Bicycle on May 11, 2010 7:32 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
Awesome
Some time in 1974: Where is Bruce Ellingsen When You Need Him?
by Eric Stephen on May 11, 2010 7:45 AM PDT up reply actions
I love this
September 18, 2006: Solo Home Runs Haunt Dodgers in Lackluster Win
by kinbote on May 11, 2010 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
October 7, 1955: Yankees Lead Dodgers 15 Championships to One
by Little Blue Bicycle on May 11, 2010 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions
September 9, 1965: Dodger Offense Sputters in Win
From the article’s seventh paragraph: “Many of those at the game were tuned in on portable transistor radios to hear Vin Scully’s broadcast of the game. Scully inexplicably did not acknowledge the lackluster offense; instead, oddly, he chose to keep repeating the day and time, as if he were a telephone clock service. It is time to say that the erstwhile broadcaster has lost a step.”
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 11, 2010 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions 10 recs
That’s what we in the business call “taking it to another level.”
by Eric Stephen on May 11, 2010 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I have no problem with Torre's move.
One major reason – 4 walks in 5.1 innings for Billingsley. That’s too many, and if there’s one thing that kills a manager’s confidence in his pitcher, it’s too many walks.
In case anyone had any doubts Ely was gonna start tonight
Here is John Ely, from Tony Jackson’s column:
They told me I had 72 hours to get to Albuquerque. I was just kind of biding my time and took a couple of days. I had so much stuff to get to and from Los Angeles, so I was trying to get all that together. By the time I got it together, they said I was coming back up.
Take your time, John. Just get there whenever. But stick around, you never know what might happen, wink wink, nudge nudge.
The team told Ely that on Friday, which meant he would have had to report to ABQ Monday, which gave them the weekend to decide who would go on the DL. Convenient. :)
3b defense
Late to the victory party, but how about that Casey Blake at 3b? Great defense last night. On a related note, it seems every time I check the Pirates box score, Andy LaRoche has an error. He’s up to six for the year. (I also like to check for Juan Pierre CS—I’m sick like that.)
LaRoche had a UZR of 5.4 last year
and has a positive UZR so far this year (though I believe its useless considering the small sample size.)
LaRoche at the plate has come down a bit in the past few weeks (no surprise considering his huge BABIP) but his numbers is still quite respectable with a wOBA of .356.
Casey Blake on the other hand has a negative UZR on the year (SSS of course) and a wOBA of .336.
Not that there is anything to regret about the Manny Ramirez deal, but this year to date, LaRoche has been the better player.
by Michael White on May 11, 2010 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions
How About Mike Leake?
The dude has pitched at least 6 innings in all 6 starts so far, and gone 7 four times. At this point, I think the Dodgers should take pride that they handed him his worst start to date, and his only non-quality start (7 IP, 5 runs).
After 12 walks in his first two starts, he has 5 walks in his last 4 starts.
I remember saying
it was “impressive” , his first couple of starts, and people killing me because of his walk rate. His BB was indeed very high, but I was pointing out that it is impressive what he has done with no Minor League experience. He may turn out to be a good one.
I give you props. Perhaps since you are in the earlier time zone you say his progression before we did!
by Eric Stephen on May 11, 2010 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Difference between this year and last
was that last year, at least over at DT, Torre was often chided for allowing Billingsley to pitch too long, specifically not pinch hitting for him with runners in scoring position, only to pull him the following inning when he got into trouble. I seem to recall this usually happening after 6 innings, and Jon in particular was bothered by this.
This year it seems as if Torre is more willing to go to the bench in such situations, and that played a part in Billingsley getting pulled after six the last few times out, did it not?
With Billingsley in particular, I think Torre has done a 180 from last year. Or maybe a 540.
by JonWeisman on May 11, 2010 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Amazing Kreskin
What are a healthy Beli, a wealthy Belly, and a stealthy Ely?
{Two Rons and a John}
I noticed that McDonald is “shadowing” Ortiz on the rotation schedule. Really, all we need is for James to step it up this Friday and maybe, just maybe, he’ll be given another shot in the big leagues next week.
I'm going to defend Torre here
Billingsley has shown the propensity to meltdown and have those “get the married men off the field” moments as Vin would say. Torre didn’t want Billingsley to meltdown. The bullpen held the lead and we won the game at a time when we really need to win some games. We can’t afford to find out right now if Billingsley can battle or not. If he melted down and we lost the game peope would be bitching he got left in anyway. We got a much needed win last night, , and Torre handled it correctly.
by Mike Dennis on May 11, 2010 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
If you “can’t afford to find out right now if Billingsley can battle or not” in the first 20% of the season, when can you?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 11, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
come on
we all know the best part of the game was when the FS Arizona announcers were talking about Eric Stephen and True Blue LA. haha
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
I thought that was without question, so I didn’t mention it :)
I haven’t been able to find video of this though. Anyone DVR the game, want to send me a video?
by Eric Stephen on May 11, 2010 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
The crew of FSN Arizona has been pretty good about using some facts and/or anecdotes from some SB Nation sites, and I guess last night Daron Sutton mentioned both AZ Snake Pit and True Blue LA by name.
Specifically, they enjoyed the comments when some people were responding to their own “What’s the worst thing about LA?” poll with one about Arizona. I guess Sutton mentioned something like “good stuff from Eric Stephen at True Blue LA” or something like that.
by Eric Stephen on May 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I guess on Saturday night
on Dodger Talk, a fan wearing a DT t-shirt asked a question and all Ken and Josh could talk about was how come Weisman’s has t-shirts and we don’t/
by bhsportsguy on May 11, 2010 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
This was my favorite mock "what's the worst thing about AZ" poll question:
a) the heat
b) the heat
c) the heat
d) automated speeding tickets
e) the heat
f) the heat
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 10, 2010 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions
by Michael White on May 11, 2010 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Did we ever get a poll result?
Maybe we can run a TBLA poll (mocking) before the game tonight.
by Xeifrank on May 11, 2010 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Are they looking at the blogs during the game?
by robotmadeofnails on May 11, 2010 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, I think FSN AZ is unique in this regard.
by Eric Stephen on May 11, 2010 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone should do a shout out to them and then throw up that Johnny Cash finger to the crowd picture.
by KellyStephen on May 11, 2010 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I missed the FS Arizona name dropping. Can you please summarize what they said, BD?
and on the 93rd postseason of the National Hockey League, the Slovakian-hockeygod Zeus commanded from high atop Mount Figueroa..."RELEASE THE MEAT TRAIN!" And it was good.
by DodgerBlueBalls on May 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
yeah it was something like: “Some Dodger fans have taken offense to our poll question and a great site TrueBlueLA have made some funny responses to our poll. Good job Eric Stephen and True Blue” and then he talked about AZ Snake Pit
how about those canadiens!
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on May 11, 2010 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Habs are on fire! I’ll be up in your neck of the woods this weekend, BD. Let me know if there are any can’t miss places to see while in Boulder/Denver. Keep your eyes peeled for the out-of-place Californian walking around in a LA Kings/Robitaille T-Shirt while in Boulder this weekend!
and on the 93rd postseason of the National Hockey League, the Slovakian-hockeygod Zeus commanded from high atop Mount Figueroa..."RELEASE THE MEAT TRAIN!" And it was good.
by DodgerBlueBalls on May 11, 2010 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions
that’s awesome man haha i’ll definitely try to spot you! Boulder isn’t a very big place. Unfortunately everyone is gone because school is out so it’s not too exciting. It’s a shame you’re not here memorial day weekend when the dodgers are here. I’d suggest we catch a game with my other LA-Denver transplants
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on May 12, 2010 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
In other baseball news
White Sox starting a big series vs. Minnesota. South Side fans are already feeling a bit edgy about their start.
Any team should feel edgy when their key off-season additions are Kotsay, Pierre and Andruw.
However I will go on the record that Andruws good start pisses me off to no end. He also looks like 30 lbs lighter than he did when he came to us..
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on May 11, 2010 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
meanwhile Jermaine Dye and his agent mutter ‘I told you so’ to themselves from the golf course
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on May 11, 2010 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions
SB Nation power rankings
have the Dodgers #21 and the Rockies #13. Pythagorean record (based on SSS) seems to be the reasoning for the large difference between the two teams with exactly the same record.
Ely doesn’t have any extra-base hits either … but maybe that’ll change tonight!
by JonWeisman on May 11, 2010 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
New Article on the Front Page
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/5/11/1467867/more-views-on-chad-billingsley-and
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
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