Dodgers Week 25 In Review: Running In Place

In a week the Dodgers needed wins in bunches they alternated losses and wins, and while running in place watched their season slowly slip away. The offensively challenged blue crew averaged under three runs per game for the third straight week, and ended the week three games out of a pseudo playoff spot, with only nine games remaining.

The week saw surgeries for Scott Elbert and Ted Lilly, and Chad Billingsley began a light throwing program, his first step of a process designed to cheat the impending doom of another procedure. But to balance that out the Dodgers saw the return of Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen to the mound, for one final playoff push.

Dodger Batter of the Week: When nobody is really hitting, this award can go to just about anyone with one good game. Adrian Gonzalez ended his 25-game power drought Sunday night with two home runs against the Reds to capture the honor.

Honorable mention goes to Matt Kemp, who delivered game-winning hits in Washington D.C. on Wednesday and in Cincinnati on Friday.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: Clayton Kershaw tried to grab the weekly award with his Sunday outing, but despite allowing just one run, his five walks showed too much rust. Instead, Joe Blanton wins this week, with one run allowed against the Reds on Friday, with six strikeouts and no unintentional walks.

Week 25 Record: 3-3
17 runs scored (2.83 per game)
23 runs allowed (3.83 per game)
.365 pythagorean winning percentage

Season Record: 79-74
591 runs scored (3.86 per game)
581 runs allowed (3.80 per game)
.508 pythagorean winning percentage (78-75)

Welcome Back: After missing over three weeks while dealing with an irregular heartbeat, Kenley Jansen returned to the mound on Thursday in Washington D.C. against the Nationals. Jansen pitched in three games during the week, though he hasn't yet pitched in a save situation. Jansen has retired seven of his eight batters faced, with four strikeouts.

Earned Knowledge Of The Rule Book: Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Nationals on Wednesday provided a lesson in an obscure baseball ordinance. Washington scored six runs in the eighth inning to tie the game, but two of them came with two outs, after an earlier error. The two runs that scored counted as unearned runs for the team, but Randy Choate was charged with two earned runs personally because both his batters faced reached base via single, then scored. Thanks to MLB rule 10.16(i):

When pitchers are changed during an inning, the relief pitcher shall not have the benefit of previous chances for outs not accepted in determining earned runs.
Rule 10.16(i) Comment: It is the intent of Rule 10.16(i) to charge a relief pitcher with earned runs for which such relief pitcher is solely responsible. In some instances, runs charged as earned against the relief pitcher can be charged as unearned against the team.

Remember Me? When Clayton Kershaw was removed in the sixth inning on Sunday in Cincinnati, the pinch hitter was someone wearing number five. A glance at the team roster confirmed it was actually Juan Uribe, who hadn't played since August 26. Uribe went 24 games without playing in between appearances, but he singled on Sunday night and has hits in his last two at-bats. That raised his batting average as a Dodger to .199, in 474 plate appearances.

Transactions: None this week.

Game Results:

• Tuesday: Postponed (rain)
• Wednesday: Game 1 - Nationals 3, Dodgers 1; Game 2 - Dodgers 7, Nationals 6
• Thursday: Nationals 4, Dodgers 1
• Friday: Dodgers 3, Reds 1 (10)
• Saturday: Reds 6, Dodgers 0
• Sunday: Dodgers 5, Reds 3

Upcoming Week: The Dodgers run the John Vander Wal Gauntlet this week, battling the Padres for three games in San Diego before returning home to face the Rockies. Saturday's game time hasn't yet been determined, with Fox a possibility to televise a day game at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers haven't announced a starter beyond Josh Beckett on Tuesday, so the remaining L.A. starters below are an estimate.

Previous Weeks In Review: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 24

Week 25 Stats