Randy Wolf pitched a masterful game and the Dodger bats came alive just in time to add some separation between the Dodgers and the Giants. After last night’s loss, the Giants are now
The Last Big Thing
7.5 games back with the Rockies 6.5 games back. Neither team has the horses to catch us. Our malaise is behind us and there is clear sailing to the pennant. The plan now is to rest some players (pitchers especially), so that we can be ready for the playoffs. Bills needs to rest and I would just go ahead and DL him. Then in early September, Kershaw needs to rest a couple of weeks. Kuroda had his rest and Wolf should pitch out of the pen in the playoffs. Pitching? We don’t need any more stinkin’ pitching! Smoltz, Padilla, Arroyo and all the rest? Forget it!
Manny, Andre, Matt and James are all heating up again. Look out, Linecum. It’s the Weaver and Knuckleball show today. Lawdog will have to take a few Prozac to calm down about his boy Charlie Haeger. I wonder who will catch him?
Dodger Notes:
- Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times reports the following tidbits: “Manny Ramirez was moved from third in the lineup to fourth. “Just to do something different,” Torre said, adding that he wanted to move up Russell Martin, who had an on-base percentage of .483 in his last eight games. . . . James Loney sat because a left-hander, Jonathan Sanchez, started for the Giants. Mark Loretta started in Loney’s place. . . . Will Ohman, who has been on the disabled list since May 28 because of shoulder and elbow problems, is throwing off a mound.”
- Hernandez also reported that Ramon Troncoso admitted his arm is tired. Time for more rest. Shoot, how about 15 days on the DL? I think Torre’s relievers should spend 15 days on the DL every 40 days. Don’t let him use them up…
- Tony Abreu hit his 10th HR last night at ALBQ (162 AB’s) and Scott Elbert pitched 4 scoreless innings (2 hits). He has logged 100 innings so far, so the Dodgers are just limiting his exposure right now, as they are also doing with a number of other young pitchers. Elbert pitched 14 innings in 2007 and 48 innings in 2008 after surgery. In 2006, he pitched 146 innings and then had surgery. I think what the Dodgers are doing is wise.
Minor League Report from Jared at http://thinkbluela.blogspot.com/
Minor League Recap – 8/11/09
Albuquerque lost 9-5
Tony Abreu – 1 for 5, HR (10), RBI, R, K (.340 BA)
Blake DeWitt – 0 for 3, BB, K, PO (.252 BA)
Scott Elbert – 4 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, BB, 3 K’s (5.16 ERA)
Josh Lindblom – 1 IP, 2 Hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K’s (3.12 ERA)
http://tinyurl.com/pvzorx
Chattanooga did not play
Inland Empire won 3-2
Preston Mattingly – 1 for 5, R, 3 K’s (.238 BA)
Trayvon Robinson – 1 for 4, 2 R, BB, K, SB (.305 BA)
Scott Van Slyke – 1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K (.291 BA)
Steven Caseres – 0 for 4, 2 K’s (.269 BA)
http://tinyurl.com/q2r5mb
Great Lakes lost 10-5
Dee Gordon – 0 for 5, K (.298 BA)
Alfredo Silverio – 2 for 5, 2B, HR (11), RBI, 3 R, 2 K’s (.285 BA)
Kyle Russell – 3 for 5, 2 RBI, K, 2 SB (.274 BA)
Jerry Sands – 0 for 4, 3 K’s (.179 BA)
Mario Songco – 1 for 3, 3B, RBI, R, BB (.167 BA)
Ethan Martin – 3 IP, 2 Hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s (4.19 ERA)
Nathan Eovaldi – 2.1 IP, 8 Hits, 7 R (5 ER), 2 BB, K (3.63 ERA)
http://tinyurl.com/qstxhp
Ogden won 16-6
BCG – 1 for 5, HR (11), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB, K (.332 BA)
Blake Smith – 1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K (.217 BA)
Nick Akins – 2 for 4, 2B, GS (1), 5 RBI, 2 R, K, HBP (.167 BA)
Brett Wallach – 3 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K’s (5.65 ERA)
http://tinyurl.com/r8qolj
AZL lost 5-4
Jonathan Garcia – 2 for 4, 2B (.283 BA)
Dan Danielson – 5 IP, 6 Hits, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K’s (3.69 ERA)
Bolivar Medina – 2 IP, 2 Hits, R (0 ER), 3 BB, 3 K’s (2.51 ERA)
Roberto Feliciano – 0.1 IP, Hit, ER, 2 BB, 0 K’s (1.50 ERA)
http://tinyurl.com/qtulvk
Player of the Day – Alfredo Silverio, OF
Fredo has been one of the hottest hitters in the minors this month. Since the 1st, he’s batting .395 with 4 doubles and 3 HR. He’s collected 4 straight multi-hit games with extra basehits in 3 of his last 4. Hopefully Silverio figured something out after the All Star break and he can ride this hot streak for the next few seasons.
