That’s what we think, now that we expect a lot from him, but the fact of the matter is that Clayton Kershaw “getting bombed” means he gave up a few walks and 2 doubles. He still has a
It's Time For The Offense to Rise Up
2.91 ERA and has given up the fewest HR of any starter in baseball. When Clayton gets bombed, the other team still doesn’t hit much – he just usually beats himself. It happens to the best – in Dan Haren’s previous two starts he gave up 15 hits and 10 earned runs! Clayton struggled with his release point last night and the results were evident. Some guys give up the home-run ball when they don’t have it. Dan Haren who is one of the best pitchers in the NL, has given up 18 HR in 169 IP. Cole Hamels who has a 4.77 ERA has given up 20 in 121 innings. Santana has given up 18, Cain 16, Halladay 15, Sabathia 15, Verlander 14 and Linecum has given up 6. Kershaw has only allowed 5 HR this year and 95 hits in 136 IP. Even when he gets bombed, there are no bombs! Clayton is actually better than I thought he would be this year. Watch him grow and enjoy it! I am.
Rants & Raves:
- Quietly,Josh Johnson is becoming one of the best pitchers in baseball. He beat the Rockies last night to elevate his record to 12-2 and sports a 2.85 ERA. This guy is tough! He’s 25 and will be on the market in a couple of years. I like his style a lot. Keep rooting for the Marlins this weekend.
- Is Joe Torre aware he has Charlie Haeger on the staff? Maybe he didn’t get the memo…
- The Dodgers signed Garrett Gould (6′ 4″ RH) who was their 65th pick, but was regarded as a first-round talent. Many thought he would attend college at Witcha State. That means that the Dodgers have signed thier first 11 picks!
- TJ Slimers of The LA Times says he is back from vacation and that the Dodgers could be gagging. He was gone? Who knew?
- Will Ohman says he’s pain-free and ready to help the Dodgers according to Jim Peltz of The LA Times.
- Our pitching was good enough to win last night, but only Manny and Kemp brought their bats. Everyone else wore their dresses!
- I still say Raffy has to move to #8. He’s impersonating a leadoff hitter and doing a poor job! I like him on my team, but I don’t like him at leadoff. It’s time to try something different…
- The Dodgers have moved Greg Miller to the Arizona Rookie League (their lowest classification).
- Tony Abreu is a better option than Mark “Get Back” Loretta.
- Dee Gordon will likely have over 80 SB’s this year. He’s nearly as untouchable as Kershaw.
- Is Jon Broxton still on the team? I think they are resting his toe…
- Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com says Billingsley is ready to return.
Minor League Recap – 8/14/09 by Jared of http://thinkbluela.blogspot.com/
Albuquerque won 12-6
Tony Abreu – 3 for 6, 2B, RBI, R, K (.347 BA)
Blake DeWitt – 1 for 5, R, BB, K (.255 BA)
Chin Lung Hu – 2 for 5, 3B, HR (4), 2 RBI, 3 R (.283 BA)
http://tinyurl.com/od85rm
Chattanooga lost 9-1
Andrew Lambo – 0 for 3, BB, K (.261 BA)
James Adkins – 3 IP, 7 Hits, 6 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 2 K’s (4.86 ERA)
Javy Guerra – 2 IP, Hit, ER, 2 BB, K (4.19 ERA)
http://tinyurl.com/qjq53k
Inland Empire won 6-5
Trayvon Robinson – 2 for 4, HR (15), RBI, R, BB, K, E (.306 BA)
Scott Van Slyke – 2 for 5, HR (20), RBI, 2 R, OF Assist (.290 BA)
Steven Caseres – 0 for 4, RBI, 2 K’s (.265 BA)
http://tinyurl.com/qb2xm6
Great Lakes won 6-5
Dee Gordon – 2 for 3, BB, K, 2 SB, CS (.302 BA)
Kyle Russell – 1 for 2, 2 R, 2 BB, K (.271 BA)
Mario Songco – 0 for 3, BB, K (.150 BA)
Alfredo Silverio – 1 for 3, HR (12), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB, K (.285 BA)
Jerry Sands – 2 for 4, 3B, HR (1), 3 RBI, R (.229 BA)
Cole St Clair – 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K’s (3.07 ERA)
http://tinyurl.com/q68cxf
Ogden lost 6-4
BCG – 2 for 4, HR (13), RBI, R, K, SB, OF Assist (.340 BA)
Nick Akins – 0 for 4, 2 K’s (.208 BA)
Kyle Orr – 0 for 4, K (.230 BA)
Blake Smith – 1 for 4, R, K (.208 BA)
http://tinyurl.com/ps22zo
AZL won 2-1
Michael Pericht – 0 for 3, RBI, 2 K’s, E (.230 BA)
Jonathan Garcia – 1 for 2, 2B, BB, HBP (.286 BA)
Greg Miller – 1 IP, Hit, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K’s (0.00 ERA)
Carlos Frias – 5 IP, 3 Hits, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K’s (4.81 ERA)
http://tinyurl.com/q8ed42
Player of the Day – Jerry Sands, OF
Through 5 games, Sands’ production hasn’t dropped off since leaving the cozy confines of the Pioneer league. After clubbing 14 HR in 41 games with the Raptors, Jerry finally hit his first in 10 with the Loons. The strikeouts are back up (6 in 18 at bats), though half of those came in 1 game. While he was drafted out of college, Sands doesn’t turn 22 until the end of next month and could be a candidate to spend 2010 in the Inland Empire.
Johnson hasn’t really been quiet Mark. He was an All Star and has been blowing people away all year. I saw him here in Arizona a few weeks ago and reported how easily he went through the dbacks. He is better than anyone we have.
I’ll say again what I have been saying all year about Kershaw – he isn’t ready to step in and be a consistent starting pitcher. Until he finds command, we will see outings like this. Once he starts hitting his spots, he too will be an All Star.
Raffy is hitting .280 with a .344 OBP leading off. Who else you got in mind for that spot?
Agree about Loretta.
I sure hope Bills is ready.
So, Haeger. Methinks both Ausmus and Martin have been working with him in morning bullpen sessions. Any freakin’ time Joe.
Looks like the West is heating up. There are a few teams playing good ball right now.
1. But Kershaw has been consistent – he just doesn’t pitch as many innings as he needs to (and will with experience). I mean, until last night, he had not given up 4 runs in a game for over 3 months! What more can you ask for at 21 years of age? That is the model of consistency.
2. Raffy is actually hitting .277 at leadoff (he was at .205 hitting #2), but he is at .333 hitting 7th, .800 at 8th and .286 at 9th. I say put him at 8th – I like .800
It’s like Matt Kemp who used to drive us crazy diving for that low and away Adrian Beltre breaking ball. He’s improved with age. Clayton is doing the same. Can you imagine how good he will be in another year?
I figure out last night (as we we dominated by another ace) our path to the World Series is simple. All we have to do is avoid good pitching! Simple right? I am sure we can do that. Beat up on #3 & 4 starters and just accept that our best starters will have a bad game or 2. We will accept that “hey, their ace is just a stud, but we have one of the best records in baseball”.
I haven’t heard yet, but I am hoping Ethier punched Bella-SORRY-o in the jaw and thanked him for the fastball he had to wear between the 1 and the 6! What the hell Ronald, is this the way we are going to play now? It’s all fun and games til someone gets a broken finger or hand.
This team is sloppy right now, and I agree with Mark that Loretta is taking a roster spot from someone who might be valuable.
Get Back Loretta!
I’m with Romo. We simply do not have the pitching we need. Heavy on the bitching, light on the pitching, eh.
I get so sick and tired of hearing so-and-so is “struggling.” The Dodgers pay billions to these guys, they have all the talent, training and practice anyone could dream of and yet ….(I have flashbacks of Dodger teams choking in the stretch.)
Manny and Matt apparently the only Dogs who showed up to play last night. I guess the rest of the team is “struggling.” Sheesh.
Paging babysitter Torre. So many babies, so little time.
What this team needs is MOTIVATION, not “understanding.” They can afford to go to a shrink if need be, but when it comes to baseball, grow up, get out there and win the damn game!!
Good grief, we’re a nation of weenies.
My definition of consistent is vastly different than yours Mark.
In 24 starts Kershaw has 7 of 7 or more IP, 8 of 5 or less and 5 of 4.2 or less. (and no, that isn’t 13 total). To me, that is the model of inconsistency. With his stuff, there is only one reason he does not get 7 every time out – LOCATION. As soon as he hits his spots, he is our ace. Until then, look out for those 5 or less games.
Avoid good pitching. Well said Romey. It seems like we don’t beat others aces like we should. It would appear that, as good as we are, this team can be pitched to. Hold Manny to singles, pitch Kemp and Ethier high and tight low and away, and who else is going to hurt you?
Bill, I thought that sleepover thing sounded stupid.
I like this up-and-comer, Cavazos-Galvez: http://www.standard.net/live.php/news/180509/?printable=story
Whaddya think? Could he be made into a catcher? Hint, hint. Or, I could move to Ogden and watch minor league ball.
“Clayton struggled with his release point last night and the results were evident.” He also struggled with this follow through which is Felony Stupid when you think that Arizona has one of the few infields that has that dirt strip from the mound to home plate that should at least subconsiously tell the pitcher where to follow through.
Torre only has a Checkers player’s mentality. The Dodgers need a Chess player’s mentality. Pitch Haeger last night 2-3 innings, save the bullpen, and then if you need him to pitch 3-5 innings on Mon or Tues he will not be as nervous. At least has-been Grady proved that he knows that. I am sad to say that Grady is looking relatively smarter every day! WOW!
Will Ohman – Take Off you Schmidt mini-me!
Too bad for Greg “The Yip” Miller. He started the year pretty well.
DL Broxton and bring up a 3rd long reliever.
Loretta has the 5th highest BARISP (.305) on the current Dodger active roster. What have you done for me lately? Bigelow – Bring up Abreu, play him and rest the other infielders. CAN’T YOU FIGURE OUT THAT EITHER THE PLAYERS ARE TIRED OR THE MANAGERS ARE INCOMPETENT? CHANGE SOMETHING!!
Regarding Furcal – Torre is unable to think outside the little box that his old brain is in. Fire Schaefer today and let Ausmus act as interim Bench Coach.
Dodgers – Lets see a repeat of May 4th! Run Davis in the 5th!
Kemp hits a home run and then Haren buzzes him twice the next time up. YES Beli should have hit the DBack home run hitter. That was an appropriate payback.
Throwing at ballplayers is no subsitute for knowing how to play the game well!! It’s dangerous, so stop it all of you.
Torre will be forever henceforth known as Joe Bigelow.
High and tight low and away has been a part of baseball since Abner Doubleday was a minnow. Haren buzzed Kemp. You think that was by accident? Hardly. Bellisorryo hit Reynolds. Big difference. Haren knows how to do it.
Torre must have other plans for Haeger. But to see the same guys run out there, again, was troubling. Troncoso, Belisario and Mota. Might as well pencil them again today.
I look at this team and there’s nothing I see that doesn’t make me think this team can’t win the World Series. The pitching is struggling right now, but I believe they will turn it around and put it together when it counts… in the playoffs.
Everyone likes to complain and second guess the manager’s decisions, which is you’re right because we’re entitled have an opinion and voice it, but I just have a hard time taking anyone who denigrates Joe Torre’s managerial and baseball ability seriously when he’s been doing it for longer than some of us have been alive…and most recently, quite successfully. He’s been in the playoffs for thirteen years in a row! You can say he had the players, which is true, but he still got there.
It’s so easy to Monday Morning Quarterback on decisions when you never have to answer to the outcome of what your decisions will be.
Joe Torre isn’t perfect, but he’s better than a lot of you give him credit for. There are only 32 MLB Managerial positions available, and he’s had his for quite some time. Maybe you should just consider the possibility he knows a little more about managing a baseball team than you do.
Very right about Kershaw. He usually beats himself and that’s the main reason why you can’t rely on a guy like him. That’s also why he will become an ace in a few years. You can’t really hit the guy. Once he starts being more consistent then he’ll be the ace that we all want.
And why the hell is Loretta still on a ML roster? I guess his veteran experience is worth a job but Abreu and Mientkiewicz both could out hit him with ease right now.
51′s,
I’m not a Torre fan, but I’m with ya’!
David Wright beaned by SF Cain and taken to hospital. Look for umpires to crack down on headhunters for a few games.
Some of us actually predict what moronic decisions that More On Torre will make and provide principles that actually fit the player’s abilities and that would result in a higher probability of winning in the off season and not just for today. Take a sip of Bigelow Tea.
IT IS NOT MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING IF A PERSON IS SAYING WHAT THEY WILL DO IN THE NEXT INNNING, WHAT A MORONIC DECISON WAS MADE 10 SECONDS AGO, AND WHAT THEY WERE THINKING WHEN ANOTHER MORONIC DECISION WAS MADE BUT THEY WERE JUST NOT SITTING BY THE COMPUTER AT THE TIME ANOTHER MORONIC DECISION WAS MADE AND POSTED THEIR OPINION AND WHAT ACTION THEY WOULD HAVE TAKEN AT A LATER TIME.
I guess I will be a Nerd and sit by my PC from now on and post every thought and every action that I would will take before Torre implements his dumb decisions and then I will not be one who is accused of MMQ.
Well, he does have the team in first place. We all have opinions and that’s what this place is actually for. My biggest questions right now are – what goes into his lineup decisions and why hasn’t he tried Haeger yet. Other than that, I got no problem with Joe.
Ken,
It’s now actually SNQ, to be precise!
I walked 2.5 miles today and I’m sore as well I’ll tell you later…
If you ever have hip replacement surgery, don’t believe the BS that you will be pain-free on 6 weeks. I think I’ll be pain-free, but it’s longer than 6 weeks. At my son’s football game today, I talked to one of the dads who works for the VA and he said if a vet has a hip replacement they are ruled disabled for 13 months! Wow! If I had only known…
James Loney has become a platoon player:
1. Furcal, SS
2. Ethier, RF
3. Manny, LF
4. Kemp, CF
5. Blake, 3B
6. Loretta, 1B
7. Hudson, 2B
8. Ausmus, C
9. Kuroda, P
If you want all righthanders, put Blake in RF and Martin or Castro… or better yet, ABREU at 3B!
It is a tough re hab Mark. But it is good to hear you are taking the challenge head on. Don’t give up man. The pain will be worth it when you are able to run with your son again someday!
Romo,
Those who really know me, know that I will give up when I draw my last breath.
Romo,
Will I be able to beat him?
That’s what I want.
If I didn’t tell anyone, I plan to play one last season of softball next year. Don’t tell my wife…
Just because I can!
SNG Manager
Furcal – S
Kemp – R
Either – L
Rameriz – R
Blake – R
Loney – L
Ausmus – R
Hudson – S
Kuroda – R
Relievers available today – Kuo, Haeger, Belisario, Broxton, Sherrill, McDonald
Relievers not available today Tronscoso & Mota
Closer today – Sherrill. Broxton should never close on more than 2 days rest
If Kuroda is bombed
Reliever to put out fire – Kuo
Long reliever – Haeger
All that I’m saying Ken… is that whether or not you can predict what Torre is going to do…is irrelevant. You don’t have as much information as he does when he makes his decisions. You aren’t in the clubhouse, you don’t live and talk and deal with these players like he does. He knows them better than you or me…. it’s easy to say…he should’ve done this, after what he tried didn’t work. The fact is, you aren’t a fan of Torre. I’ve been reading you on here for about a year… and you’ve never had a positive thing to say about him, which is fine. By the way Mark, this site is fantastic. Really great!
My issue is that everybody who complains, thinks he can do a better job than Torre. That your decisions will always be better than his. Has anyone on this board ever managed a professional baseball team before? Just because you’re a lifelong baseball fan doesn’t make you an expert on running a baseball team.
Here’s my comparison.. I’m a video editor for a television station in Las Vegas. I’m very good at my job. Just because you guys have watched television news your whole life doesn’t make you an expert on what kind of edited content looks good on air. It’s what I do for a living… 50 hours and 5 -6 days a week.
If you don’t like what the Dodgers or Joe Torre are doing… then stop watching, stop going to games, and stop buyng merchandise. If you’re unhappy with the direction of this team. If first place by 5 and a half games and the best record in the National League isn’t good enough for you, then you have to hit the team where it hurts…in the pocketbook, not the blogosphere. Words make people listen….actions affect change.
Based upon what you just said I conclude that you do not know sophmoric means and therefore will never understand that your point is dead wrong.
OK! Make it so.
you just watch Star Trek Mark?
Beam me up!
Listening to the game.. this can’t be good!!!
Interesting Mr, 51′s!
Kuroda down on a line drive.
Not good!
I can see a fractured skull…
ugly!
yikes! I’m not looking forward to watching this replay
Here’s something:
51′s,
You are right about Ken, but here’s the deal. He’s consistent and he always has a lot of support to things he says. I don’t agree with it all (and he doesn’t agree with me), but I respect his opinion (yours too) because it is thought out and articulated well.
Have a take and do not suck. You both disagree, but you have a take and I respect both!
I like to have people disagree without being disagreeable.
It is very cool!
Our pitchers just can’t seem to get to the 7th inning…
so am i disagreeing without being disagreeable?
On second thought… it looks like lawdog’s Haeger is starting Monday and unfortunately, if Kuroda is out for awhile, it looks like he could be starting for 15 days at least…
My feelings about Haeger aren’t as statistically oriented as Lawdogs… I just want to see a knuckleballer pitch for the Dodgers because it’s freakin awesome
I like your style 51′s!
I won’t lie to you Mark. You aren’t the only one who thinks that. I’m kind of a big deal and i have the shirt to prove it
OK, I take it back.
Where’s the shirt?
In my closet.. It’s the quote from that movie Anchorman
Our starting pitching became a bigger mess tonight. That was one scary linedrive off of Kuroda’s head. I hope he’s OK.
Bills, Kershaw, Wolf, Stults and Haeger. Thats our rotation …
Listening to this game, I’m impressed with the bullpen. Maybe we don’t need a dominant one or two in the playoffs.. Maybe we just need our starters to keep us in the game, because from everything I’ve seen…with the exception of the normal meltdowns that happen during every season…. I think with the days off between games, we can have our starters go 5 or 6 innings and still be effective in a short or long series. If the starters can go deep, that’s just a bonus. Our bullpen is really good and deep… and better than any other’s in the National League and maybe the whole league.
Ok, it is now time to maker Sherrill the closer. Broxton has been terrible lately.
Broxton gets bombed – See my earlier post!!!!
Troncoso’s tired arm gets bombed – See above post!!!
Have a pint of Guinness – Brilliant
Hey Guys,
You know the definition of insanity? Broxton as our closer. How many wins does he have to blow before Sherrill gets the job? I’m just sick. :[
I saw every pitch and I must say I am stunned at how a guy throwing 98 mph at the knees (both the home runs were good pitches) along with an 85 mph sharp breaking slider can get hit like that. It just doesn’t make sense. Is he tipping his pitches?
This team needs to start hitting again. Our problems will be solved by scoring more than 4 runs in two games.
I was at the game today (Bro-Laws company perks) Hiroju was pitching a gem today, but the home plate ump was inconsistent all game a ball at the knees would be called a ball one inning and a strike the next. The ump was pinching all game.
The line drive of Hiroki’s head was HEARD in the stadium. The freaking ball bounced of his face all the way to the DBacks on deck circle and took a bounce that reached the first row.
I second the motion to make Sherril the closer. Brox was throwing gas only it was straight gas. When Reynolds came up to bat I told my bro-in-law, he might hit it out if he sits on the fastball. Torre should have pulled the plug right their not only for Little John’s sake, but because the second home run came courtesy of the Umps inconsistent zone. Same thing with Troncoso, the kid made pitches that should have gotten outs but was pinched.
Ultimately, no excuse. Our bats were dormant. The only one that seams to play with hustle tonight was Kemp.
One more thing. Defensively, Raffy cost us some runs. He doesn’t dive for any balls. In fact, IIRC, the winning run was the first hit of the 10th that Raffy didn’t attempt to dive. What the hell? Is he scared of hurting his back?
EDIT PLEASE!
I just checked gameday to verify what I think I saw and here’s what I read:
Reynolds hit a first pitch 89 mph change up at the knees that had a 9″ break. Not a bad pitch to start a home run hitter with. He must have been sitting on it.
Montero saw 3 pitches:
91 mph fastball, an 89 mph change up and then a 96 mph down and in fastball with a 4″ break and an 11″ PFx.
Those are not bad pitches. How come all of a sudden these dback hitters can find a way to put those balls over the fence?
Something doesn’t add up to me.