Any runs in these stockings?

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Jon Weisman

As painful as the Dodgers’ 21-inning scoreless streak has been, it’s hardly unprecedented.

Dodger Thoughts, August 8, 2007:

L.A. 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 - 0
Opp. 020 100 000 301 000 00x 001 000 00x - 8

Dodger Thoughts, July 30, 2003:

L.A. 000 000 000 01 010 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 010 000 000 000 000 000-3
Opp. 000 000 000 00 000 100 000 000 001 000 010 00x 000 000 000 020 000 00x-5

That latter link points to a couple of occasions in which the Dodgers were held to a total of two runs in a five-game stretch.

* * *

Dodgers at Giants, 12:45 p.m.
Dee Gordon, SS
Jerry Hairston Jr. 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Rivera, 1B
Bobby Abreu, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Tony Gwynn Jr., CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Chad Billingsley, P

Here is a link to Tim Lincecum’s history against active Dodgers, something I surmise influenced Don Mattingly’s lineup choices today. Juan Rivera is 6 for 14 with a walk against Lincecum, while James Loney is 8 for 42 with two walks.

Otherwise, for all of Loney’s problems, I don’t see the case for playing Rivera at first base against right-handed pitching.

But any discussion of the Dodger lineup these days feels like quibbling in the graveyard.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

The comments in the 2007 post are a nice time capsule.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713935344 Jason Ungar

I love reading the old comments! So much fun.

Anonymous

If Abreu is a potential leadoff hitter, as people here have proclaimed, why can’t he hit second?
And IMHO Rivera shout not be playing 1B.
foul tip

Maybe a new nickname….Los Angeles Binary Codes. Every inning 0 or 1, not nearly enough 1s. ;-])
foul tip

Also, following time-honored tradition, LATd.
———————————-

Item at fannation.com comes up with the first 4 teams likely to sell, using criteria of 10 games or more out of a playoff spot–

Seattle, Cubs, Rockies, Padres. Says Cubs & Padres likely to be most active of those.

One comment below the item says Cubs need more than a rebuild, more like an overhaul.

Answer: “Call in an air strike and just start over.”
bcmaiden

I think Donnie’s case is simply that he wants LH Abreu in LF and Rivera pushes Loney out of the lineup since Juan can’t play anywhere else.
Anonymous

So is this hopefully more of an ’03 type team or an ’07? Just askin’.
foul tip

Fannation also checks in with news that Mattingly’s nephew will play football at Notre Dame.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/331651-irish-land-donnie-baseballs-nephew?sct=hp_bf2_a13&eref=sihp
http://twitter.com/mixdr077 mixdr077

heck artieboy, at this point I would be happy with YOU starting at 1st today, pretty sure you could hit medium deep fly balls and ground into a few DPs while merely catching the ball and being declared a defensive “wiz”…
http://profile.yahoo.com/M43RQUOKRIFBFM3DK5T2TERQ6U Old Bear

Jon: Thanks for putting things into perspective. It lessens the pain. Here are the two similar three-game spans from my youth that came to mind. These were far more important then what’s happening now and far more painful:
—End of 1962 season — Dodgers lose the final three regular-season games to the Cardinals, scoring just two runs — losing 3-2, 2-0 and 1-0, to fall into a first-place tie with the Giants. We then lose to the Giants, 8-0, in the first playoff game and lose that series, three games to two, and the pennant.
–Games 2, 3, and 4 of the 1966 World Series — Dodgers get blanked in all three by the Orioles, 6-0 (Koufax’ final game — 6 Dodger errors), 1-0 and 1-0 to get swept in the Series.

KT

Yea that one hurt…thought they were going all the way that year

Anonymous

Speaking of Loney, what are the odds……..

Dre “rakes” lefties exactly like Loney does.

30 year old Ethier career versus lefties: .252 .307 .362 .669

27 year old Loney career versus lefties: .252 .307 .362 .669

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

Looks like you misread Ethier, though it’s close.

.242 .303 .360 .662

Anonymous

Unfortunately, Loney’s stats against right-handed batters aren’t any better this year:
.243. 324. 349 .672

And his stats against lefties are even worse:
.246 .281 .295 .576
Anonymous

Yep, I did.

Anonymous

LAt’d
The lineup without Kemp and Ellis is very much a 2.8 runs per game team. Loney, Gwynn, Uribe, and Gordon are all getting on base less than 31% of the time, an OPS-ing less than .650. You can’t score a lot of runs when half your regulars make quiet outs 7 out of 10 times. Gwynn’s playing time will reduce when Kemp returns, but Uribe’s, Loney’s and Gordon’s won’t without an acquisition. BTW, Rivera is no better than Loney with the stick, and worse with the leather.
Anonymous

Lincecum to the rescue!
http://profile.yahoo.com/M43RQUOKRIFBFM3DK5T2TERQ6U Old Bear

Dodger team splits this season:
BA/OBP/SLG/OPS
March-April — .254/.333/.390/.723
May — .285/.351/.419/.770
June — .222/.299/.299/.599
ERA/WHIP
March-April — 3.13/1.164
May — 3.25/1.251
June — 3.52/1.333
KT

Anyone catch what they said about the injury updates…my wife Skyped me from Morocco when they were talking about it

http://profile.yahoo.com/M43RQUOKRIFBFM3DK5T2TERQ6U Old Bear

Where are your priorities? LOL.

KT

My son who is almost 2 (July 5th) was dominating the “conversation” so I couldn’t ignore him like I do my wife ^_^

KT

That’s okay I rewound to find out and still made Gametime

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

“Hey National League First Baseman Not Named Joey Votto – you suck.
Okay, Goldschmidt is having a solid enough year, but the lack of depth
behind Votto at the position in the NL is pretty staggering. There are
seven qualified NL first baseman with less than +0.6 WAR. Essentially
half the team’s in the NL are getting nothing from their first baseman.
Let’s move on”

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/stat-nerd-nl-all-star-roster/

Anonymous

Pujols and Fielder going to the AL has lowered the bar. But that doesn’t make Lonevera any better except in relation to their equally lousy counterparts.

KT

Nice hit Jerry

Good Eye Dre

Come on Juan
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

Baserunners!
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

The possibility of that Rivera double play seemed so high … I wanted to think it was too high.
bcmaiden

Somehow I knew Rivera would GIDP. That sets the tone for the rest of the game as was the first 2 games.
KT

Dre spikes caught in the ground while trying to break up the DP

KT

probably tweaked his knee

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713935344 Jason Ungar

ya I mean Loney could have easily done that! sheesh.
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

How bad does it look for Ethier?

bcmaiden

Looked like nothing but what do I know. The head shaker is that Donnie didn’t put Loney in have Rivera in RF.
KT

it was brief so it doesn’t look like he did any real damage hopefully

http://profile.yahoo.com/M43RQUOKRIFBFM3DK5T2TERQ6U Old Bear

Just watched the top of the 1st, and I am calling it a day. I will check back in about three hours. Good luck to all of you.

KT

have good thoughts

Anonymous

What happened to Ethier?

KT

Looks like his left foot spikes caught briefly in the ground while sliding into 2nd….looks like a tweak to me because it didn’t stick hard

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

Let the record show that Lincecum has lowered his ERA below 6.00. He’s on his way back.

Anonymous

LOL

We’ve been set up.

bcmaiden

Of course, Lincecum is gonna’ get right vs Dodgers. That broom loometh.

KT

“moriarty, always with the negative thoughts”

bcmaiden

Belt and Vogelsong look like twins/brothers.

Anonymous

Too bad Belt’s already Loney’s twin brother.

Anonymous

What’s the record for Dodger scoreless innings?
Anonymous

Vinny with the dreaded “balance their books” statement!
Anonymous

Let’s go, Chaddo!
KT

Come on DP
Anonymous

Nice.
Anonymous

Sit down, Panda.
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

I’m not sure whose been spreading the rumor but Timmy doesn’t looked washed up to me. that’s some pretty nasty stuff he’s throwing today. not like the timmy of old but who is.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

His K/9 was still very high, so I assume it was just location issues that have been giving him fits. But I haven’t been watching him.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

well he’s throwing pitches in the 70s, 80s, and 90s so that’s enough to defeat major league hitters. doesn’t need to throw 98 to do that.

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

that violent windup is still scary. can’t see him pitching to say like 35.

Anonymous

Chad dazzling.
bcmaiden

Very encouraging inning from Billz. Keep that up.
Anonymous

notice the mets don’t have our problem today
Anonymous

Cubs’ roster up for grabs.
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

I discovered that I’m going to see Dickey v. Harang at the ballpark Friday.
Anonymous

C’mon Uribe, get on for Bills!

Ahhhh…
KT

Billz!!
Anonymous

Our best hitter in the lineup connects.
bcmaiden

Billz = best hitter in June
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

Juan Uribe is 57 points from the Andruwza Line. Uribe has .562 OPS, Jones had .505 OPS in 2008.
KT

Come on Dee

KT

Now bring him in Dee

Anonymous

Squeeze?

KT

can’t bunt

Anonymous

WE SCORED!

not.
KT

High tag Blue

KT

SAFE

bcmaiden

It’s very difficult for me to be positive when absolutely zero is going right in June.

bcmaiden

I’m not believing this.
Anonymous

Kinda slid under the tag. Oh, well.

KT

He did slide under the tag…that’s a throw beat the runner call

Anonymous

There just doesn’t seem to be a break we can catch these days.
Anonymous

The balls all bouncing the wrong way. Unbelievable.
Anonymous

Vinny sorta rubbing in this scoreless string thingy
Anonymous

Lawler’s Law; 1st team to 1.00 wins.

KT

by your rule we just lost…I don’t see it

Anonymous

Ralph Lawler’s full of it.

Anonymous

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713935344 Jason Ungar

when it’s it’s bad. gosh.
bcmaiden

That’s how you pay for expected offense over good defense.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713935344 Jason Ungar

hopefully Billz makes it out of this inning. I have my doubts.

KT

Any speed in LF and we are out of this inning with no runs

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713935344 Jason Ungar

i saw that. but that dosen’t matter now.

KT

Nope your right

Anonymous

Bring in that “2nd Inning Billingsley” version!
Anonymous

Wild thing.
Anonymous

Just a tad high.
bcmaiden

Well, is this that inning where we say “just one bad inning” again. My lord, help this poor team.
Anonymous

Being wild versus the Panda ain’t necessarily a bad deal.
Anonymous

Just saw that Ethier’s hurt, as well. Somebody, make it stop.

Anonymous

Looked pretty minor. Besides, he needed the day off.

Anonymous

Hope you are right

KT

Come on Chad put him away
Anonymous

Way to go, Chadley Billingsley!!

Now we only need three to (possibly) win.

KT

Well then let’s get some back this inning

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713935344 Jason Ungar

ok well thankfully he did it. though 2 runs seems impossible even if I was throwing for the Giants today..
Anonymous

Three runs for this team right now is a lot to ask.
KT

Nice start Jerry
Anonymous

Everybody hits………..
KT

Well the bunt worked
Anonymous

As I watch this series….. I’m impressed by the Giants.
…
They smell blood….
Just look at their energy….
…
It’s obvious that there’s been absolutely no doubt in their minds that they will conclude this series with our Dodgers with a share of the NL West Division lead.
…
As for our boys….. Well…….

Anonymous

I have noticed from your comments what an incredible judge you are of athletic confidence. Perhaps you could help me win the $1 million fantasy challenge of MLB by predicting the winners of the games on Tuesday and Friday of next week. Just post them here before the start of the earliest game Tuesday and we all can share in your obvious wisdom.

Anonymous

so, uh, does Herrera get credit for a sac bunt?

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

when did herrera sneak into the game

KT

Sanchez was hit hard in the mask yesterday so the whip lash probably messed him up a bit
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

OK show of hands. who would you rather have Tim or Chad?

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

When has anyone ever said they’d rather have Billingsley over Lincecum?

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

say it all the time at tragic illness chatroom

http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

they use stats

http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Pruett/1707390003 Terry Pruett

Ok…we get it…you don’t like stats. The fact is that Billingsley has been better than Lincecum up to this point in the season…because just about every pitcher in baseball has been better than Lincecum. Those are what are called facts.
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

who would you rather have chad or tim?
http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

there’s a significant difference in who has pitched better the last two months than who is the better pitcher.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Terry-Pruett/1707390003 Terry Pruett

I’d prefer Lincecum, of course. Any sane person would prefer him. And…he has the kind of pitching aptitude that will allow him to be very successful once he adjusts to dimished fastball velocity. He has struggled this season while making that adjustment in my view…but he WILL make it.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

Most importantly, does Herrera get credit for a productive out?
Anonymous

Uh-oh.
Anonymous

They’re saying left oblique for Andre. Not good.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713935344 Jason Ungar

Vinny just said it’s an oblique injury and that Ethier may be out quiet awhile.

Anonymous

Can Loney play right field?

Anonymous

(!)
http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

NPUT
Anonymous

Think I’ll switch to soccer – at least the team I pick to root for will score now and then.
Anonymous

Caught up on game and comments here;Now, on Loney vs Rivera today: Lincecum’s career splits are about even LHB vs RHB, tOPS+ 102 and 97 meaning he is slightly tougher against lefties in his career but in both 2011 and 2012 RHH did better against him. This year, before today, 268/349/482 vs 244/342/375 stemming from esp 7 RH HR, only 1 LH HR. Loney vs RHP in 2012 243/324/349; Rivera 257/280/351. The OBP difference is relatively large in Loney vs Rivera as Loney has 18 BB vs RHP and Rivera only 4 but record against Lincecum cuts the other way: Loney hitting 190 4H in 42AB while Rivera hitting 429 as in 6 for 14 and 5 for 10 as a Dodger.
Well that’s the case for starting Rivera as I see it; it’s not all that compelling but I would very slightly favor that choice over Loney.