You Didn't Miss Much: Dodgers Get Blasted By Rockies, 12-2
by Eric Stephen on Sep 18, 2010 4:06 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintWell, if there was one game this season not to televise live, today was it, as the Rockies drubbed the Dodgers 12-2.
Troy Tulowitzki continued his amazing month, hitting two more home runs, both no doubters. He has 14 homers and 33 RBI in 17 games in September. In fact, Tulowitzki's 14 home runs have come in his last 15 games, tying a major league record for most home runs in a 15-game span. The others who have done it were Albert Belle in 1995 and Barry Bonds in 2001 (Bonds actually hit his 14 home runs in a 14-game stretch, but was kept in the park in game number 15.
Melvin Mora added four hits, including a grand slam off Jeff Weaver in the eighth inning to cap the scoring.
Lost in the shuffle was the fact that A.J. Ellis remained hot, collecting three hits for the second straight day. Ellis now has 10 hits in his last 14 at-bats, dating back to August 22. Ellis also walked once, and has reached base 14 times in his last 19 plate appearances.
Russ Mitchell hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning, his second.
The Core Needs To Improve
Before the game, Joe Torre gave his thoughts on what went wrong this season, and what the future might hold for the Dodgers. At the core of the matter was, well, the core of the team. Torre said:
"This has to get better in here, and they've proven they are better. The fact that we were in this race for half this year, and then all of a sudden we stopped scoring. I don't know the explanation for that because everybody was in a good frame of mind when we went to St. Louis. In that four-game stand there, we just got swallowed up. Once we started struggling, we started thinking about it too much.
"We had a good run over the last year and a half with the young players. Russell [Martin] of course missed a good portion of this year, [Andre] Ethier was on the DL, and Matt [Kemp] was out there all by himself and just hit a wall. To me, in Matt's case, he had all these things going for him last year, the great year he had offensively, the gold glove in center field, he started out this year real well. There's a period of adjustment that the other teams go through, that they have to adjust to you, and it's your job to adjust back. I think that's where he's stuck right now. I think he'll be fine, and Ethier will be fine. They just have to find a way to play this game mentally than they've played it this year. It's not unusual for inexperienced players to go through this.
"James [Loney] is another guy that's going to have to get better, and I think he will. At some point things start clicking. All the things they've heard, all of a sudden will start clicking, 'oh, that's what you meant.'"
Torre said one of the reasons he decided to step down as manager was to give the players a new voice. When the team was in Anaheim in June, Torre called a team meeting. "I was just trying to find a better way for it to work," he said, telling the players "I'm 70 years old, You're listening to my voice, try to talk to each other, you're the same age, just about.'" Torre added, "The big part of it was, as the year went on, and frustration set in, I just didn't feel I was making as much of an impact as I would like to.
"There's a lot of veteran presence, but in a lot of ways players feel that, unless they're producing or unless they've been here a long time they don't feel they have the right to talk. It isn't true, but that's the feeling." Torre said. He said Rafael Furcal was reluctant to speak up when he was on the disabled list earlier in the year, and that Garret Anderson didn't feel comfortable being a vocal leader when he was barely playing and being unproductive at that. "There were a number of people I felt had a presence in the clubhouse, but there wasn't a lot of conversation," Torre said.
"It's all about knowing how to prepare yourself. They've been told, but they still have to see it, and they still have to understand it. When you're a hitter you basically look in an area to hit. That's something they really haven't done. Ethier has, when he's been locked in," Torre said, "There's a lot more coming out of these guys that they're capable of giving."
Torre also mentioned he would likely visit Don Mattingly in Arizona this offseason when he is managing in the Arizona Fall League. Torre said he wouldn't be in the dugout, but would visit his friend and watch the games from the stands.
*****
I have some postgame notes and quotes over on SB Nation Los Angeles.
*****
Clayton Kershaw tries to avoid a sweep tomorrow, facing Jason Hammel.
WP - Jhoulys Chacin (9-9): 8 IP, 9 hits, 2 strikeouts
LP - John Ely (4-8): 4 1/3 IP, 5 hits, 6 runs, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts
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Innnnnnnnnterestiiiing
Torre said one of the reasons he decided to step down as manager was to give the players a new voice. When the team was in Anaheim in June, Torre called a team meeting. “I was just trying to find a better way for it to work,” he said, telling the players “I’m 70 years old, You’re listening to my voice, try to talk to each other, you’re the same age, just about.’” Torre added, "The big part of it was, as the year went on, and frustration set in, I just didn’t feel I was making as much of an impact as I would like to.
Torre’s comments were interesting and candid. And I’m sure that quickly Torre will be burned in effigy by someone.
Which is hard to do online, but they’ll do it.
I'll do it!
Toe Jorre: Waaah! I’m 70! I don’t know how to talk to kids! They didn’t play well! Get off my lawn! Waaaaaaaaaaahh!
How’d I do?
Fuck You Ruiz
by Humma Kavula on Sep 18, 2010 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Quitters like Torre don't deserve any tea
Fuck You Ruiz
by Humma Kavula on Sep 18, 2010 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know,
but from reading that, Torre sounds like a pretty reasonable guy. He’s always come across to me as being a pretty smart dude, and certainly emotionally solid.
The only really tangible thing Torre said was that James Loney needs to get better. Well yeah, he does.
The other stuff is just intangible fluff….speaking up in the clubhouse…blah…being locked in….other team makes adjustments you need to also…
72-77…I now regret not taking up Eric on his wager when I said the Dodgers would finish below .500.
That bet would be looking quite solid for you right now.
Their best hope likely involves going like 5-1 or 6-0 against Arizona.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 18, 2010 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions
They actually looked like shit for a period in the 2nd half but very impressive comeback, I agree. Georgia is now 0-2 in the SEC.
by KellyStephen on Sep 18, 2010 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Ryan Mallet is awesome though
He’s not very mobile at all, which could drop his stock in the NFL, but man I love his arm.
by Julio Nievas on Sep 18, 2010 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
2 thoughts:
1. 155 comments in the game thread. Wow. Is that the year low? It’s been quiet here…I’m guessing everyone feeling the same way I do—patient is dying, walking around the hallway in the hospital, just waiting to hear the flatline so I can get on with my life.
2. Dotel deal has to be one of the worst in the Ned era. I, for one, never thought of McDonald as “the answer” (I believe he had his chances; not as many as others, I know; and never did anything with him); however I do believe that we could have gotten much more for him in a trade. This one sucked.
Based on what I read in the boxscore, not watching was in our best interest.
by KellyStephen on Sep 18, 2010 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I completely believe Torre when he says that
It sounds candid, doesn’t sound like spin at all. It also blows the national media’s, “Oh, he’s leaving because the Dodgers don’t have money to spend” tagline out of the water- though I’m sure they’ll ignore it.
As for the game, without being facetious at all, it’s nice to see Monk and Ellis do some good. Gives the tiniest glimmer of hope for next year- and of course, another home run from Russ Mitchell. Yeah, I’m sure at that point the Rocky pitcher just lobbed it in there, but still good to see him help prevent ANOTHER shutout.
Well, onto tomorrow. Maybe the Rockies will do us a favor and put Dotel in the game for us!
Once Rosenthal, Heyman, Olney, and Gammons have their storyline, it can’t be altered. They have a code.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 18, 2010 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
This is all Humma's fault because of the heavy gin drinking
You can’t do that and not expect consequences.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
Door is always open
I live under the railroad trestle at rosecrans & aviation. just ask for humma.
Fuck You Ruiz
by Humma Kavula on Sep 18, 2010 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
So that's you
I’ve driven by there a 100 times
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
I’ve thought about this managerial thing a bit, and I have come to the conclusion that I’m okay w/the Mattingly decision and I will have no problem supporting him going into next year.
That’s based on the following rationalization:
1. Yes, he has no previous managerial experience. But he’s been around the game enough that I’ll give him that.
2. I was intrigued w/the Wallach idea. But in reality, do we really know what we’d have there? (This is in no way anything against Wallach; I just don’t know, and nor does anyone else.). One thought that i had this week was the timing of a couple of articles in the LA Times and ESPN that were definitely pro-Wallach. How much of that was driven by outside influence (such as Wallach’s agent)? Out here we always read about the east coast and, especially, the NY and Boston media being so tough and driven by outside influcences. How much of the Wallach news was in the same vein?
3. Regardless of who’s managing, the bigger issue is ownership. I’ve said I’m definitely off the Frank bandwagon. But I just don’t think there can be any way that the team can add the players they need (starting pitching, starting pitching, catcher, third base…etc). (And please don’t disagree with my “needs” list; I know we all have a different opinion on what we need, but I’m pretty sure we all agree that the team we have now is not what is needed to make the World Series.)
Anyway…that’s just a few comments. I’m depressed about the season, but at least USC should go 4-0 next week.
Well said
I found Torre’s comments pretty candid and genuine, sincere. I think he’s right, the team as it is would work better with younger coaches who may have a better idea of how to relate, what to say, how to get them out of neutral or reverse. There’s only so much he could’ve done this year, he may indeed have done some things better in hindsight (or even foresight) but a lot of it is on the players themselves. And management. They need the right guy for the right time, and Torre was it in 2008 and 09, and not in 2010.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Agreed. What do you think the chances of him managing somewhere else next year? I’d give it 60-40 based on what I read in the paper.
by KellyStephen on Sep 18, 2010 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Torre?
I’d say limited odds, frankly. I get the sense he’d have to get a great situation and offer to do it, he seemed tired and like he genuinely wanted a break. That’s now of course, could change. I know some Mets fans who want him to come back to NY. I don’t think he wants that. I’d say 30% chance he manages.
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 agree
I don’t think Torre manages next year but I also don’t think he rules it out. 30% sounds about right.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 18, 2010 8:52 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Man, that’s one amazingly common middle name these days!
by KellyStephen on Sep 18, 2010 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions
This was pretty cool
Historical events if they were facebook statuses:
http://coolmaterial.com/roundup/if-historical-events-had-facebook-statuses/
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
The format is easier for updating stories with new mini-stories over on SBN LA.
Plus, I already have the recap story written here and I didn’t want to double up on the narrative and quotes.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 18, 2010 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I also didn’t want to subject Joey to more “fluff,” even though he is often quite wrong about the motivations of professional athletes, and humans in general. :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 18, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Russ Mitchell is 2-for-22 w/ 2 HR for Dodgers. He’ll probably end up getting a non-homer hit, but…
Only Dodger ever with all hits as homers and at least two hits was Clem Labine (3 hits, all HR, in 37 AB) in 1955
My math is showing the Dodgers are mathematically eliminated tomorrow with a loss regardless of what the Giants and Padres do. However, the Dodgers can also be eliminated if the Giants win tonight and tomorrow. Since the Giants still have 3 games each with the Padres and Rockies, the Dodgers may get eliminated sooner than what a magic number would indicate.
Actually if the Dodgers win tomorrow, they would need to have San Francisco win tonight and tomorrow and the Braves to do so as well.
by Bob Timmermann on Sep 18, 2010 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions
apparently, the Dodgers are so bad now, they've already lost tomorrow's game
from ESPN Los Angeles:
Lifeless Dodgers swept by surging Rockies
Giants just lost again to Milwaukee
Brewers, doing what the Dodgers couldn’t do. :)
Giants probably blew their, er, wad on the Dodgers games and were due to come back to earth. I’m glad.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
NL West is really close now..
I wonder when the last time (if its ever happened) that there’s been 3 teams in the NL West this close, this late in the season.
San Diego – 83-65
San Fran – 83-66
Col – 82-66
2007
AZ 90-72
Col 89-73
SD 89-73
by Eric Stephen on Sep 18, 2010 8:50 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I know
I was just giving him the numbers after the final Sunday of the season when one game separated them all.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 19, 2010 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Don Martingly fired midseason, Torre takes over, then we sign LeBron in 2013?
by Eric Stephen on Sep 18, 2010 9:13 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
We
Are confused at the Rose Bowl. 18 point lead was not what I expected tonight.
by bhsportsguy on Sep 18, 2010 9:15 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
In real time we lost
In an alternate universe known as Prime Ticket delayed telecast, we still lost… Disappointing…
"I still love my ex-wife, but only when we're not talking"
Colletti said Jansen is not guaranteed to make the team out of spring training.
Barring injury, who the F would be a better option??
Well, unless Jansen walks a million batters and just generally implodes next spring, I can’t see how one of our best bullpen arms lacks job security. It’s not even a service time issue either.
Just a weird comment from Ned.
by silverwidow on Sep 19, 2010 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Lots of things can happen between now and February
especially for someone in his first winter after his first full season of pitching.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 19, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
transition to starter!!!!
i caled it!!! yes!!
by matthewmafa on Sep 19, 2010 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions
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