Series of Great Import, Part I Game Chat

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Dodgers at Giants, 7:15 pm
Mark Ellis, 2B
Shane Victorino, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, CF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Andre Ethier, RF
Adam Kennedy, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Josh Beckett, P

Tonight’s pinch-hit game chat is in honor of Manny Mota.

The captain has turned on the “Fasten Seat Belts” sign, so please return to your seats. We will be going through some turbulence for the next several hours. We hope to find some smoother air later on.

Other games people might be interested in:

Cubs at Pirates, 4:05 pm, Wood vs Burnett

Brewers at Cardinals, 5:15 pm, Gallardo vs Lohse

  • Adam Kennedy’s lifetime 8 for 21 against Tim Lincecum gets him a start at third base in place of the 2012 model of “Dodgers Folk Hero,” Luis Cruz. The Dodgers also welcome back Alex Castellanos from Albuquerque.
  • According to Dodgers.com, Paco Rodriguez has been assigned #75 and his photo looks like it was taken with a cell phone. Rodriguez will become the first Dodger player to have been born in 1991. Nathan Eovaldi was the first Dodger to born in the 1990 (February 13, 1990.)
  • Did you know that McCovey Cove is not a cove? Coves are usually set off from bays or other bodies of water by a narrow entrance. However, it does sound nice. It is akin to people saying Death Valley instead of Death Graben.
  • Hanley Ramirez is listed among the top 10 most likely candidates to commit MLB’s 500,000th error.
  • The Giants have recalled pitcher Yusmeiro Petit and activated outfielder Jason Christian from the disabled list. The Giants have 18 pitchers on their roster now, as well as 18 position players. And Clay Hensley should come off the disabled list soon.

 

  • Omid Majdi

    I wrote a piece on our line-up with all these new faces.  Let me know what you think: http://www.flomid.com/dodgers-run-needs-to-start-now/

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      flomid?

      • Anonymous

         Legitimate. Interesting Dodger analysis.

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    Excuse me while I go try to find how Cruz has fared against Lincewhateveritis this season, since that’s all that really matters given how poorly he’s pitched and how betterly Cruz has hit.

    • Anonymous

      Cruz is 0 for 2 against Lincecum.

      • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

        Just looked it up, thanks. I guess I don’t understand managing. I’d play the player who’s been playing the best right now. 2ABs doesn’t seem to be enough to make a judgement.

      • Anonymous

        Benching a 300 hitter because he is 0 for 2? Wow!!

        • Anonymous

          In favor of a guy who’s 8 for 21 against a pitcher who, for most of that time, was one of the best around?  Sure, I’d do it 10 times out of 10.

          But I might have benched Mellis instead of Cruz.

          • Anonymous

            good post, M. Ellis vs RHP this year before tonight 232/324/309
            also Victorino same basis 239/302/340
            A.J. Ellis 294/394/438; it’s not reasonable to bat M.Ellis and Victorino first and second against RHP and also not reasonable for AJ to hit 8th.

    • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

      If you want to get all technical about it, WBB Jr. has three hits and a double in 13 at bets against him for a whopping .231 BA. (I don’t know all the slash line thingees you smart people use). A double! Maybe we should bat him…. I need to get some rest.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Hitchcock/1676059435 Jim Hitchcock

    My favorite Manny Mota story is when a friend saw him being picked up in the parking lot after a game in a ’63 Galaxie with 7-8 family members already in the car.

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

       my first memorable dodger game was when Mota set the pinch hit record.

    • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

      I can’t remember clearly if the first time I heard, “Now batting, Maaaaaaaany Mota.” at Dodger Stadium when I was in a kid or in the “Airplane” movie.

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

    This is certainly a huge series…but to me the big enchilada is the St. Louis series next week. Obviously, they have to just win, win, win…but at the very least, they need to be within 1.5 games of the 2nd wild card going into next weekend, just like they are now. To me, the 1st wild card is more out of reach than the division (no games left against the Braves), so it’s all about the division and the 2nd wild card. Take 2 out of 3 or sweep this weekend and the division is still in play…lose 2 of 3 or get swept means the focus must be St. Louis.

    The thing that makes this all so maddening is that I can’t pull up a picture in my minds eye of this team really playing well. I mean where would we be without those two walk-offs this past week? I’d feel a hell of a lot better if Matt Kemp would square up a pitch or two tonight. Geez…baseball. Perhaps I need another hobby….

  • Anonymous

    Once they announce a change in game time for ESPN to show it on Sunday night, that’s final, and they’re not going to change it back again… are they?I want to make sure, before I change my plans for my return from Cincinnati.

    • Anonymous

      I’ve never heard of ESPN changing a Sunday night game pairing after announcing it so late in the year.

      • Anonymous

        Thanks!

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    BT there is a link at the top of the comments section that looks suspicious…Let me know if it’s alright

    • Anonymous

      My computer didn’t blow up.

      • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

        thanks…just saw flomid in the link and thought it was spam 

  • Anonymous

    “McCovey Cove is not a cove.”  
    Is Chavez Ravine technically a ravine?  

  • Anonymous

    The Cubs have jumped out to an early 4-0 lead over the Pirates thanks to three Pirates error, two in one inning by left fielder Starling Marte on consecutive plays.

    • Anonymous

      Never count on the Cubs, and you’ll never be disappointed.  :)

  • Anonymous

    New Frenemy Russell Martin hit a 3-run homer to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead over the Orioles in the battle for first place in the AL East.

    • Anonymous

      And Steve Pearce followed two batters later with a 2-run homer to make it 5-0 Yankees.

      • Anonymous

         The guy the Gnats passed on.

  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous

    Rain in St. Louis is delaying the start in the Mound City.

  • Anonymous

    Great to see you shouldering a bit of 
    Dodger thoughts. Thanx Btimmer

    • Anonymous

       Yes, thanks btimmer.

  • Anonymous

    I’m terible at tracking this stuff–what do the Cubs and Brewer’s games mean???

    • Anonymous

       Draft pick priority

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      wild card chances

      Pit vs cubs Pit. = tied with us

      Stl vs Brewers Stl. ahead of us

      • Anonymous

        Thanx guys: Draft pick and wild card. The way things have been sliding, unforch. that wild card may be important. And for my interest in The Mileague system, draft is critical! 

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/BUQ55AIZFVT6H4VN42GJ7WE6N4 chucksonline

    Seriously….Adam Kennedy??!!

    • Anonymous

      8 for 21 vs Lincy.

  • Anonymous

    Maybe Kemp should go back to hitting third.

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

       At the very least he can go back to hitting.

  • Anonymous

    The Pirates through six innings have a line score of 0 1 6.

  • Anonymous

    And now the Pirates are showing a 0 1 7.

  • Anonymous

    I wish the Dodgers could obtain Headly from SD if Ramirez plays short.  I also like the idea of having a speedy player playing third who has power and therefore would like Ramirez to play third.

    Cruz would be great at short  or second next year if he continues to hit.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/BUQ55AIZFVT6H4VN42GJ7WE6N4 chucksonline

      I agree….I don’t see the advantage of playing Ramirez at short…Cruz is much better defensively.

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

        I guess the advantage is as a SS his OPS is .891 and at 3b it’s like .765. Maybe that’s random, maybe not. But they had him at 3b and then moved him. I agree though Cruz is much better as a SS. The flip side is Cruz at SS his OPS is .655 and at 3b it’s .893! again maybe random I have no idea of course

  • Anonymous

    Beat SF !
    Beat SF !!
    Beat SF !!!

  • Anonymous

    If the Giants have 18 pitchers now on the roster and their bullpen has been pretty much “nails” all season – except ever so recently – couldn’t the Ds call up some more troops – or is this as good as it gets?!?

    • Anonymous

      Who, exactly, would you like to call up?  The 40-man roster is full, and the only pitchers not called up are Rubby (a PTBNL), the injured (Guerra, Elbert), and Fife.

  • Anonymous

    Donnie back to playing the percentages with Adam Kennedy. Yikes, more like Adam West at third!

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

       I guess he values defense (which works for me) cause Victorinio lifetime vs Timmy is .222 hitter. Juan Rivera is hitting like .500 or something. Vinny mentioned it and i’m too lazy to look at numbers right now

    • Anonymous

      I hope that was not part of the reasoning as Lincecum has been better against LHH both this season and last. 

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/ZEDYGP4SRUCJXGLFCGLNGWVMTQ Chuck

    It’s tiiiiiiiiiiiiime for Dodger base-ball!!

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    ump giving the low strike

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      but not the high strike

  • Anonymous

    The Reds led the Astros 3-2 in the ninth, but Matt Dominguez took Aroldis Chapman deep for a 3-run homer. Go figure.

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      go houston

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    come on Gonzo

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    9 pitches…I thought after Pagan it was going to be in the teens

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

    this year vs Lincecum when the count is 3-1 the opposition is hitting ..wait for it (per vinny) .917

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    that looked like a pitchout…For Kennedy????

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      and then he runs

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    Does Beckett have hamstring problems?

  • Anonymous

    Lately, win or lose, our offense seems to start very slowly as far as scoring runs is concerned.

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    18 pitches…I like the symmetry

  • Anonymous

    Just in case anybody’s wondering, I heartily acknowledge and endorse tonight’s hit-and-run plays.

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    Way to start it off Mark

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    Way to get on Shane

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    At least that’s one

  • Anonymous

    According to the Giants’ broadcast, the Dodgers are hitting .234 against S.F. with RISP overall this year, and .180 in S.F.  We went 0-for-3 in that category in the inning just completed

  • http://twitter.com/plaza234 plaza23

    Pagan has killed the Dodgers this year.

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      and he does it again

  • Anonymous

    We were lucky to score one.  They were unlucky to score only one.

  • http://twitter.com/plaza234 plaza23

    Kemp and A-Gon have been disappointments this month.

  • Anonymous

    It wasn’t too long ago that every time Kemp came to the plate, I expected a hit.
    Now, sadly, every time he comes to the plate, I’m expecting an out.
    Terrible turn of events.

  • Anonymous

    There doesn’t seem to be a Unicode character for a backward “K”.

    • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

      That’s because the dude that was supposed to design that was so mad at Kemp striking out so often lately that he broke his keyboard in the middle of programming it.

  • Anonymous

    The Dodgers have lately become relentlessly aggravating, and Kemp is currently killing us in the middle of the lineup.  Beckett will be able to keep the Giants at bay (at cove?) for only so long.  We are playing like we are heading for a 3-2 or 4-2 defeat.

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    So frustrating.

    Beginning to believe that we maybe honoring the team’s history and waiting ’till next year.

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    Beckett is looking pretty good, though… Of course, it proves the point that pitchers have the advantage when batters haven’t seen them before. Is that true for vets? Or just the kids that have been pulled up to pitch for a couple of games?

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    ADAM!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    NOW can we stop hearing complaints about Kennedy being in the lineup?

    • Anonymous

      OK.

    • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

      Luis Cruz woulda hit it into the Cove. 

      (yes, I’m kidding.)

    • Anonymous

       For the moment.

  • Anonymous

    Mattingly + Kennedy = Blind Squirrel + Nut

    • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

      I lolled at this.

    • Anonymous

      Wish he coulda picked up that nut.

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    Mattingly should ask the umpire to test Mota for PEDs as soon as he hits the mound.

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    Cruz would have gotten him…Kennedy giveth big taketh away small so far

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    Come on DP

  • Anonymous

    Cant handle being beat by angel pagan again…

  • Anonymous

    I guess he didn’t want to get hurt by Posey

  • Anonymous

    Much as I’d love to add post#100 in the cruz v urineddy wars…

  • Anonymous

    unbelievable.

  • Anonymous

    What Kennedy giveth, Kennedy taketh away.

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    Then he (kennedy) giveth away big

  • Blue-eyed Gal

    AUGH  AUGH AUGH you don’t have to commit an error just to give back the gift run from the Giants’ errors!

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    Now would be an excellent time for the “offense” to break out, huh?

  • Anonymous

    It was a tough play  to begin with.  Even if he picks it up cleanly I don’t think he throws out Pence.

    • Anonymous

      Pense doesn’t appear to run that well anymore — one stolen base base and one triple this year — so I think Kennedy had a good shot.  Two questions:  Did he try to barehand the ball?  If so, was that necessary?

      • Anonymous

        He tried to bare hand it.  The ball was to his bare hand side.  And he was playing back.  Plus as Vinny said the grass seems to be extra soft, so the ball doesn’t bounce.

        • Anonymous

          Thanks.  That lessens the pain . . . a bit.

  • Jibin Park

    Hard to blame Kennedy on that especially when the ball dies on you like that…

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

    Pagan is on my I can’t stand you cause you seem to kill us list. Like I feel like if he gets on (1 outs, 2 outs, o outs whatever) he scores.

  • Jibin Park

    Really, Mattingly?  Two-strike bunt?????????

    • Anonymous

      A pretty hardheaded play.

      • Anonymous

         Boneheaded.

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    Is Victorino drunk? whatthesamhouston was that?

    • Anonymous

      just following orders I assume

      • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

        If mattingly gave him that sign then he needs to be fired. 

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    Mattingly should bench him for that. That was really really awful. I’ll forgive the Kennedy thing there, because the ball died and it would have been hard, but that was freaking ridiculous.

  • Anonymous

    Bunting on two strikes with a position player like Victorino is stupidity beyond belief.

    • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

      Charlie Manuel would bench him.

    • Anonymous

      He was batting left handed, a runner at first, a gaping hole on the right side.  And he still tries to bunt.

  • Anonymous

    Lincecum has thrown 114 pitches and has walked six.   If we can’t get to him this inning with the meat of our order, that would be a big shame.

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

     No way Donnie gave him that sign right?

    • Anonymous

       Can you be sure?

  • Anonymous

    Time for Kemp to snap out of his malaise.

  • http://twitter.com/godogs44 bven67

    Lincecum had NOTHING and we get 4 lousy hits. Pathetic.

  • Anonymous

    Kemp would get a bigger zone if he would front less tude with the umps.

     

  • http://twitter.com/godogs44 bven67

    Kemp is grimacing as he swings…dude ain’t right.

    • Anonymous

      Rumors are that he is hurting, and, if so, ballplayers who are injured hurt their teams.

  • Anonymous

    We could pay me to go up there and look at strikes.

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

    Hanley just making sure they are called 3rd strikes. 

  • Anonymous

    These games are numbingly repetitive.   That’s enough for me tonight.  I will find out in the morning what happened and, if we lost, I will not have suffered any more during this game.  G’night.

    • Anonymous

      night

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      night

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    Come on DP

  • Jibin Park

    Up to Beckett to make his $15.5 million right about now…

  • Anonymous

    Gotta be one of the more disappointing teams I can remember.

  • Jibin Park

    Maybe it was League time…

  • Anonymous

    What a disgrace, thats how you play baseball dodgers. watch as your rival rips you apart

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    To me maybe because it is a long season but AJ has lost his luster…maybe the aches and pains of almost catching everyday

    • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

      And to cover for AJ they give Dre the error on a perfect albeit short hop throw

  • Anonymous

    Bad managing does not help.

    • Jibin Park

      League came in one batter too late.

  • https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

    League comes in and IBB a person and he usually is wild anyway…makes no sense

  • Anonymous

    Stick a fork in this Dodger team because its done. They play to lose- Giants play to win- its been that way for a month.

  • Jibin Park

    IBB are generally bad…. leads to big innings… two in one inning is badder.

  • http://twitter.com/joshuarellis Joshua Ellis

    Matt kemp needs a day off, maybe 15

  • Jibin Park

    If you’re going to bring in League (you’re hottest pitcher), bring him in the most leveraged situation.  Hard to figure out if Beckett was done or not, but he looked pretty spent to me.

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

    we were given 8 walks tonight and still barely scored 2 runs so far. It’s just aggregating for sure. For weeks now it seems were just sorta beating ourselves. We can’t get a hit when it matters..

  • Jibin Park

    At least AJ Ellis brought his A game…..

  • Anonymous

    Well it was an OK season for a rebuilding year, get things sorted out for 2013 (coaches, more pitchers, etc).

  • Anonymous

    0 for 10 :(

  • Anonymous

    Another called third.  I want a job.

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

    Ellis seemed to get screwed over on that at bat. 

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    On the plus side, the 2, 3 and 4 hitters are due up in the 9th … that’s a positive, right?

    • Anonymous

      Not tonight :(

  • http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

    You know thank the big man, woman or jedi upstairs for Adam Kennedy. After all, it could be 4 to 1

  • Alex Chavez

    that’s why you throw to 2nd on that bunt.

  • Anonymous

    A blooper to right and an infield single lead to 3 runs.  It’s a maddening game.

  • Jibin Park

    Walk, Walk, Walk, HanSlam, please.

    • Jibin Park

      er… EthierSlam

  • http://twitter.com/plaza234 plaza23

    Victorino attempting to bunt in the 7th killed the Dodgers mojo.
    Also hurts that Adrian Gonzales is doing his best Loney impersonation.

    5.5 for the division…i think that over.
    If if the Cards win tonight, its 2.5 in the WC.

    • Anonymous

      I think tomorrow if the defining game.  Another loss and I agree the division is lost.  Painful :(

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

    Victorinio
    Gonzo
    Kemp
    Hanley
    Ethier

    0-20

  • Jibin Park

    Why am I a Dodger fan?

  • Anonymous

    NPUT

  • Anonymous

    Let’s keep some perspective. I can remember 1962, when the Dodgers were clearly the class of the National League, but the injury to Koufax and a team-wide slump (sound familiar?) let the Gnats tie them on the last day of the season. Even then, the Dodgers had the three-game playoff won until a combination of bad bullpen decisions by Alston and BABIP by the Gnats sunk them in the ninth. 

    That was the last chance for the Gnats, who took the Yanquis to seven, but it took nearly another half-century before their luck would hold up enough to win a Series. In succeeding years, talented players like Cepeda, Mays, Marichal and McCovey were productive but never again seriously challenged the Dodgers. In 1963, of course, the Dodgers were healthy and rebounded to sweep the Yanquis, and they won again in 1965 over the Twinkies.

    I’m not conceding 2012, even though the Dodgers have lost Bills for the year and have a decimated bullpen. Still, they are poised are poised to dominate the division and, as the hangover from the McCourt debacle recedes, we can be optimistic about the immediate and long-term future.