Dodgers Week 7 in Review: A Taste of the Top
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 8:44 AM PDT
in Dodgers Weekly Reviews
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PrintThe Dodgers continued their winning ways this week, riding a hot homestand toward the top of the division. By winning 12 of 13 games at one stretch, the Dodgers tasted the fruits of first place for a couple of days, before falling a game back with a Sunday loss.
Dodger Batter of the Week: Casey Blake decided to let the beard grow back this week, and the Dodgers reaped the benefits. Blake came into the week in a seven-for-55 slump, but exploded with 11 hits in 26 at-bats on the homestand, hitting .423/.483/.808 with three home runs, including three separate three-hit games. Honorable mention goes to Blake DeWitt, with his two doubles and three triples, and Reed Johnson, who had eight hits in 12 at-bats.
Dodger Pitcher of the Week: Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley each had stellar starts, but this award goes to John Ely, who won both of his starts this week. Dodger fans were swept up in ElyMania, as he walked just one batter against 11 strikeouts, putting together a 2.77 ERA and 1.74 FIP for the week.
Week 7 Record: 5-2
34 runs scored (4.86 per game)
27 runs allowed (3.86 per game)
.604 pythagorean winning percentage
Season Record: 25-19
224 runs scored (5.09 per game)
211 runs allowed (4.80 per game)
.527 pythagorean winning percentage (23-21)
Relief Hitter: Pitching in relief of Ramon Ortiz on Wednesday against San Diego, Jeff Weaver got the opportunity to bat in the fourth inning. Weaver connected for a base hit, becoming the 12th relief pitcher to collect a base hit this season. However, including Weaver's hit, Dodger pitchers this season have just four singles in 79 at-bats.
None Shall Pass: For three straight starts, rookie John Ely did not walk a batter. Since 1952, only Ely and Ross Grimsley (in 1971) have had three starts of six innings or more with no walks in their first four major league games. Ely had his streak of 89 consecutive batters without a walk snapped on Sunday, but on the season Ely has just four walks (one intentional) against 28 strikeouts.
Triple Triple: Blake DeWitt did not have an extra-base hit in his first 14 games this season, hitting his first double in Washington on April 23. However, since then he has 11 extra-base hits in 22 games, including three triples this week. On Monday, he hit two triples, becoming the 19th Los Angeles Dodger to do so.
Eight is Enough: In each of the first seven home series this season, the Dodgers won the final game, helping to contribute to their 15-8 home record on the year. However, after winning the first two games against Detroit in their eighth series at Dodger Stadium this season, the Dodgers lost a home finale for the first time.
Fearsome Foursome: The Dodgers have struggled to find a quality fifth starter this season, but the first four pitchers in the rotation have found their groove. The group of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, and John Ely has a string of ten consecutive quality starts, and all four have ERAs within the range of 3.03 to 3.66 on the season. The four pitchers have pitched at least six innings in 23 of 32 starts this year.
Everyday Contributor: When Jamey Carroll was signed this offseason, it was as a utility infielder, who figured to get his most playing time splitting time with Blake DeWitt at second base, at least before Ronnie Belliard was re-signed. However, with Rafael Furcal on the disabled list for nearly a month, Carroll filled in at shortstop for all but two innings during Furcal's absence. Carroll started 26 consecutive games, just two short of his career high, set in 2006 while with Colorado.
Remembering Lima Time: On Sunday, we received the shocking news that former Dodger Jose Lima passed away at the far-too-young age of 37. Lima will always be remembered fondly for his positive attitude, and for his amazing shutout of the Cardinals in Game 3 of the 2004 NLDS, the Dodgers' first playoff win in 16 seasons.
Transactions:
- Tuesday: After fracturing his pinkie during batting practice on May 15, Andre Ethier was placed on the disabled list after it was determined he couldn't swing the bat effectively without pain. Xavier Paul was recalled from Albuquerque to take his place on the roster.
Game Results:
- Monday: Dodgers 6, Astros 2
- Tuesday: Dodgers 7, Astros 3
- Wednesday: Padres 10, Dodgers 5
- Thursday: Dodgers 5, Padres 1
- Friday: Dodgers 4, Tigers 1
- Saturday: Dodgers 6, Tigers 4
- Sunday: Tigers 6, Dodgers 2
Upcoming Week: After a Monday off day, the Dodgers begin a stretch that sees them play 16 games in 16 days. Their six-game road trip begins in Wrigley Field for three games, followed by three more with divisional foe Colorado in Coors Field.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 24 Off |
25 at ChC 5:05 |
26 at ChC 5:05 |
27 at ChC 11:20 |
28 at Col 5:10 |
29 at Col 5:10 |
30 at Col 12:10 |
Previous Weeks in Review: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6
Week 7 Stats
| Player | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SB/CS | BA/OBP/SLG | OPS |
| Blake | 29 | 26 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0/0 | .423/.483/.808 | 1.290 |
| DeWitt | 22 | 21 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0/0 | .381/.409/.762 | 1.171 |
| Kemp | 29 | 28 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0/1 | .357/.379/.571 | .951 |
| Martin | 26 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0/1 | .250/.423/.350 | .773 |
| Manny | 18 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0/0 | .200/.278/.267 | .544 |
| Carroll | 27 | 21 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0/0 | .238/.296/.238 | .534 |
| Loney | 26 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1/1 | .182/.269/.182 | .451 |
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| Johnson | 13 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/0 | .667/.692/.750 | 1.442 |
| Paul | 21 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0/0 | .412/.444/.471 | .915 |
| Green | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 | .333/.500/.333 | .833 |
| Anderson | 11 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 | .300/.273/.300 | .573 |
| Ellis | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 | .250/.250/.250 | .500 |
| Belliard | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | .167/.167/.333 | .500 |
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| Pitchers | 16 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0/0 | .077/.143/.077 | .220 |
| Totals | 252 | 218 | 34 | 68 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 29 | 20 | 1/3 | .312/.368/.450 | .818 |
| Pitcher | G | W-L | Sv | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA | WHIP | FIP* |
| Kershaw | 1 | 1-0 | -- | 7.1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1.23 | 1.227 | 2.11 |
| Billingsley | 1 | 1-0 | -- | 7.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1.29 | 0.857 | 2.63 |
| Ely | 2 | 2-0 | -- | 13.0 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 2.77 | 1.077 | 1.74 |
| Kuroda | 2 | 1-1 | -- | 12.0 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 4.50 | 1.250 | 4.70 |
| Ortiz | 1 | 0-1 | -- | 3.1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 13.50 | 2.700 | 4.40 |
| Starters | 7 |
5-2 | -- | 42.2 | 43 | 17 | 17 | 10 | 31 | 3.59 | 1.242 | 2.99 |
| Weaver | 4 | 0-0 | -- | 3.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 | 0.600 | 2.00 |
| Monasterios | 1 | 0-0 | -- | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.00 | 1.000 | 3.87 |
| Kuo | 2 | 0-0 | -- | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.500 | 3.70 |
| Broxton | 3 | 0-0 | 3 | 3.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3.00 | 1.333 | (0.80) |
| Belisario | 4 | 0-0 | -- | 4.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6.75 | 1.250 | 5.45 |
| Sherrill | 3 | 0-0 | -- | 2.1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7.71 | 2.571 | 6.20 |
| Troncoso | 4 | 0-0 | -- | 2.2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13.50 | 2.250 | 18.95 |
| Relievers | 7 |
0-0 | 3 | 20.1 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 4.43 | 1.328 | 5.41 |
| Totals | 7 |
5-2 | 3 | 63.0 | 61 | 27 | 27 | 19 | 48 | 3.50 | 1.278 | 3.50 |
*FIP is estimated
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Great stuff
It would seem our reserves are playing some pretty good ball these days.
Totally OT, and sorry if this has already been posted, but this is a great read from U.S.S. Mariner’s Dave Cameron:
What a sorry week from Manny and Loney, with Andre out of the lineup it is a good thing our pitching has been solid. Kemp looks like he’s getting locked in.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I ask because I just read DT’s Cogs and Dogs post and found a link to Tony Jacksons blurb about Haeger having corrected his mechanical problems. TJ speculates that Haeger could take the 5th starter spot. I understand that is in Coors which seems to be a horrible environment for a knuckleballer to pitch in.
Under……but just barely. I say 0.
by keithc13 on May 24, 2010 9:34 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Over
the competition is less then impressive for the time being. He will have to do it within the next few weeks because once Padilla comes back the rotation should be set for the summer.
I say over because who know what happens in Sept when we have a ten game lead and they want to rest the regulars:)
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Probably over
It does work out, with Haeger pitching tonight with IE, and on schedule to pitch Saturday in Coors.
Running through a possible scenario…
Furcal activated; Ramon Ortiz DFA’d today or tomorrow
This gives the club a full bench, keeping Green for four games while still having a seven-man pen
Saturday: Haeger activated; Green DFA’d
If anything, this just buys some time. You never know what can happen in four days. If someone gets hurt, Green could stay.
I have no idea of the likelihood of that move, but it could happen. They know they need three starts out of the #5 guy, and probably (rightly or wrongly) figure Haeger is as good a bet to pitch deep into the game as Monasterios, or any of the AAA options. They might want to give Haeger one more shot before cutting the cord.
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
What heel injury? :-/
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 one thing that lends credence to this scenario
is that yesterday, Joe mentioned for the first time the option of doing something with a pitcher to make room for Furcal with the skipping of the 5th starter. This was one day after talking exclusively about having two options: Green or DeWitt.
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
I think a DeWitt/Troncoso option (for one or both) is just as likely as anyone getting DFA’d.
by silverwidow on May 24, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Jim Rome had some nice thoughts on Jose Lima
Not sure why I was listening to Rome but glad I was. Talked about the ball he won his 20th game with, that one great season, that he gave to Rome. Really nice anecdote, shared a few Lima interview clips, too. called him one of his best guests ever. Maybe catch it in the archives later?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
He's still talking Lima actually!
Had a caller call in about him. Turn it on now.
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 am there. I actually listen to Rome everyday. My office is silent and cold like a morgue and if I dont get my 3 hours of Rome everyday I would lose it.
Last time I listened to Rome regularly was when he was from 12-4 pm on XTRA. Those were fun times. I even called in a couple of times as a HS kid.
by silverwidow on May 24, 2010 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Martin
Martin had a hitting streak that ended this week, did he not?
A pretty lame streak I may add. Avg only went up from 250 to 268 with mostly one hit games. Better than nothing I guess.
Agreed
Final six games of the streak featured one hit in each game. Last multi-hit game was May 14.
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Sacrilege
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 24, 2010 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
The Dodgers leave for the airport today in about an hour. Despite what was said this weekend, I find it hard to believe they would make someone fly to Chicago, only to remove them from the roster before any games are played.
Whether it’s Ortiz, Green, or DeWitt (highly unlikely), I would imagine the move happens today rather than tomorrow.
Unless there’s any remaining chance that Furcal may still not be quite ready and they want to wait until tomorrow to make sure.
Yep
That would be the one reason to wait until tomorrow, and I wouldn’t put it past them.
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
By the way, I am an idiot
Regarding Lost, I liked a lot about the finale, but was underwhelmed with the ending. But I was excited to watch the Jimmy Kimmel special (which started at midnight) because I saw a report that there would be three alternate endings shown.
The alternate endings were funny, all three homages to other famous finales in history, but I am a dope for failing to make the connection that Jimmy Kimmel, host of a comedy show, would have comedic endings rather than actual legitimate alternate endings. My lapse in judgment cost me 90 minutes of sleep last night. :)
Live and learn.
I still have to watch the 2nd half of the finale before I can
chat with anyone about it. Or, apparently, be on Twitter at all this morning. :-/
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Never got into it. These hags I work with love it, and my general thinking is that if these hags like something then it is not for me.
Never watched it either. I did rewatch the Sopranos finale again yesterday (having a bad day and saw I had recorded it). I’ve seen that 5-6 times and like it more every time. One of the best ambiguous endings ever. There’s nothing to argue. Everything is there for you see [or not see] and decide [or not decide] for yourself. Personally, I think
totally agree
I was shocked and even a bit annoyed at first, but it’s really stayed with me. Ambiguity was the way to go and they nailed it.
DON'T LET THOSE HAGS RUIN STA WARS
Seriously. It’s fun. Watch it.
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
by Maddz on May 24, 2010 10:55 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Star Wars.
Phone and proofreading fail. :(
They say to never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious.
by Maddz on May 24, 2010 10:56 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
So torn on it
In general underwhelmed though
Rudimentary creatures of flesh and blood, you touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding.
After having watched one or two episodes per year
I watched the finale. Still not sure if I wasted two hours of my time or not. Someday I’ll let Eric explain it all to me.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 24, 2010 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Way OT
http://www.gaslampball.com/2010/5/24/1462847/in-1990-a-gwynn-doll-is-hung-in#comments
I don’t even remember this.
Baseball America
ranks Kyle Blair as the 45th best right-handed pitcher in the draft and projects him as a 3rd – 4th round pick.
So Blair was drafted in the 5th round then
and will go in 3rd or 4th round this year (when originally people thought he might be a 1st rounder)…? So he only moves up a round or so. I’m glad he got a university education though, of course. But it’s not like he upped his draft stock a lot. Maybe the Dodgers can get him this time around.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Other notes
if there is a one that got away player for the Dodgers in this draft, it is Zach Cox, IF Arkansas, who was drafted 2 years ago and is back now as a Sophomore-Eligible player. From BA,
“Cox turned down an $800,000 offer as a Dodgers 20th-round pick out of high school, and he’s in line to make two or three times as much as a top 10 choice this June.”
I don’t think you can fault the Dodgers on that offer, though Cox was considered a very tough sign with a strong commitment to Arkansas (plus he knew he only had to wait 2 years).
In 2007, along with Kyle Blair, Dodgers drafted Rob Rasmussen in the 27th round, he did not sign and went to UCLA, he is now considered 3rd/4th round pick.
Looks like they along with 29 other teams
Will have lots of opps to draft Blair again.
by bhsportsguy on May 24, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Assuming you knew he was signed by the Indians after college...
he’s been promoted to their AA team.
More updates
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Hurt his hand making a tag play at 2B on Sunday; will likely head to disabled list.
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Totally not his fault
he was spiked on a close play at 2nd by a Molina. I know Kelly will say something snide about Abreu. To bad he’s been tearing it up whenever he got to play.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 24, 2010 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Snide??? Harrumph!
Geez, Phil…didn’t know you were so sensitive about my lambasting of Mike Marshall Abreu. I’ll let this one go and take your word for it that it was an unavoidable injury.
I always liked Abreu from a talent perspective but was frustrated for never being able to see if he was really any good or not.
by KellyStephen on May 24, 2010 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
It was very frustrating
and then when he got healthy he got dealt.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Speaking of which...
Andy LaRoche missed all weekend with his back, and may be on the way to the DL.
by Little Blue Bicycle on May 24, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Cubs starters
Phil Rogers lays out the Cubs’ options for the upcoming series:
Piniella is hoping that Tom Gorzelanny’s left hand will have healed enough for him to start on Wednesday against the Dodgers, but won’t make his pitching plans firm until Tuesday. If Gorzelanny needs a few more days, Piniella could go with Lilly on Wednesday, Wells Thursday, Silva on Friday and Gorzelanny on Saturday.
Dempster is pitching Tuesday. James Loney is ready.
Read the next item down in Rogers' column
for the ins and outs of a beat writer:
Did the late Jose Lima groove a fastball to Sammy Sosa during Sosa’s 66-homer season in 1998? That was the talk in the Cubs’ clubhouse on the afternoon of Aug. 23, 1998, when Sosa hit two Lima pitches for homers, the second a BP fastball when the first-place Astros were leading 13-2. Many baseball people felt that Lima, like Sosa a native of the Dominican Republic, did his countryman a favor, in hopes that he’d win the home run race with Mark McGwire. I wrote about that speculation in a column in the Tribune, and wound up being called a racist on the radio by the late Norm Van Lier and having a one-on-one conversation with Sosa in the training room at Wrigley the next day. Jim Riggleman, then the manager of the Cubs, told me privately that I was right but publicly told reporters he was insulted by the suggestion. That’s the way it goes in our business sometimes. One way or another, the truth of that curious situation will be buried with Lima, who died over the weekend of a heart attack, at the cruel age of 37. Rest in peace, Lima Time
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Jose Lima throwing a batting practice fastball is controversial?
by regfairfield on May 24, 2010 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
That, and the question of whether or not (then Dodger) Chan Ho Park grooved one to Cal Ripken Jr. in the 2001 All-Star Game.
by Eric Stephen on May 24, 2010 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Chan Ho liked the feeling
of grooving a fast ball so much he decided to make that the norm.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on May 24, 2010 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Not to be a Debbie Downer
But if you take those two triples that clanked off of Hunter Pence’s glove (admittedly after a long run toward the RF line) that could have been caught and make them outs, Blake DeWitt’s TSL for the week goes down to .286 / .318 / .429.
BTW, DeWitt’s slugging pct for the year is over .400 now.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Found on Dodgers.com
“Jamey Carroll’s VORP is 5.6, which means he’s added 5.6 more runs than a replacement player.”
Ehhh….
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