first pitch: 12:35 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4
matchup: Brian Lawrence (4-6, 4.57 ERA) vs Elmer Dessens (0-0, 2.40 ERA)
Baseball is a funny game. You can beat Johan Santana and lose to D.J. Houlton in the same week. Pads had numerous chances Wednesday night but didn’t capitalize on them. Frustrating. Like Xavier Nady‘s recurring role of Sir Not Appearing in This Game (hey, I could have linked to this; oh, I guess I just did).
AB BA OBP SLG
Lawrence vs current Dodgers 104 .298 .333 .471
Dessens vs current Padres 193 .378 .405 .611
Ball seems to carry better during the day at Petco. That, coupled with some big numbers against the starters, means we could see some runs.
Chin Waggers has an afternoon show tomorrow, so I won’t be able to hang out and chat. If you’re in the UTC area swing on by.
Roster Moves and Other Stuff
Adam Eaton and Ramon Hernandez are on the DL, with Tim Redding being activated from the DL and Paul McAnulty being called up from Mobile. I’m excited to see McAnulty up with the big club. He’s a little redundant on a team that already has Mark Sweeney and Robert Fick, but the dude can rake. It’ll be good to see what he can do.
Oh, and manager Bruce Bochy has had his contract extended. I probably should say more about this, but it’s late and I can’t think of anything.
Pizza Feed
Finally, for those attending the Baseball Prospectus Pizza Feed this Friday evening: A bunch of us are meeting at The Field Irish Pub & Restaurant (544 Fifth Ave., between Market and Island) before the main event. Come as early as you’d like; I’m shooting for about 4 p.m. I look forward to finally meeting many of you and being able to put faces to names. See ya out there!
Yeah, for many years, the Dodgers were managed from above, at least on certain issues. Like when Offerman was playing short, that was not Lasorda’s decision. He was told Offerman is the shortstop, and he plays there unless he is hurt.
I’m sticking with Bruce’s theory from yesterday about Nady poisoning Boch’s dog.
It would explain the known facts.
Lawrence thru six innings: 3 hits, 1 walk, 7 Ks, 69 pitches, 49 strikes.
Pitches-strikes – B Lawrence 70-49.
Ground balls-fly balls – B Lawrence 6-5.
Batters faced – B Lawrence 22.
In the sixth, the Padre go down in order for the first time today.
Lawrence gets out of the 7th with seven pitches.
I smell complete game
I think Pads need another run to give BLaw a shot at the CG. Otherwise, Bochy will be tempted to give Hoffy his 20th.
I don’t mind either way.
Why pinch-run for Klesko if you’re not going to start the runner? I know DJ will be the dreaded Late Inning Defensive Replacement next inning but why burn him now unless you’re going to take advantage of his speed?
Plus, you’d stay out of the DP and score that fourth run…oh well.
Lawrence is done.
Dodgers get one run in, 3-1. bases still loaded.
3-3. That sucks.
Nice error, Mr. Late Inning Defensive Replacement.
bad day for Otsuka to have a bad day.
OK, I expressed some doubts about today’s 5-8 hitters earlier. But they’ve been more than decent today, and if they put together a run here, I’ll gladly pick up my spoon and put on a sh**-eating grin.
Fick down to .339 …
Burroughs is so soft …
S. Burroughs grounded into double play pitcher to shortstop to first, G. Blum out at second
Who pitches the 9th?
It would be nice have Klesko in the lineup now. I don’t see much difference between him and Jackson in left.
Nice grab by Roberts.
Who PH’s for Ojeda?
Sweeney PH-ing for Ojeda, yes!
McAulty will. Winning run is on.
M. Sweeney singled to center … yes!
Now, who PH’s for Hammond? (Hello Mr. Nady?)
Sorry, I was confused by that one. Winning run in scoring position.
Wish we had someone on the bench with speed like Damian Jackson to run for Sweeney…
Winning run is picked off.
What is Sweeney doing that far off the bag? Geez.
Successful bunt (assuming there is such a thing) … was it a good bunt (by McAnulty)?
We have extra innings.
At least they won’t leave another runner in scoring position.
Wow, are Petco fans boo-ing? I think I would be …
Good news: we still have Nady available on the bench …
Hoffman comes in without Hell’s Bells. I guess because it’s not a save situation.
They need to save that crap. At least until the team falls out of first.
Hoffman, not getting it done of late.
You’re right, Kevin, of course …
Question #2 for Towers is if he thinks Bochy over-does the “defensive substitution” … sure seems like that move hasn’t helped …
Nady is the only guy left on the bench. Will he get in?
They picked off Werth. The three outs Hoffman got were a sac bunt, a sac fly — two the Dodgers were giving to him — and a pick-off, credit the catcher.
Nady should hit for Jackson.
Tying run (Fick) is on.
I don’t get having Jackson bunt. It’s a 1-run strategy when we need two.
Now the winning run is on (Giles).
Will it come down to Burroughs?
And it took the bat out of Giles’ hand …
It’s up to — that’s right — Sean Burroughs.
oh, i am drowning in bitterness…
OTOH, as LynchMob might point out, at least Nady will be fresh for tomorrow’s game
Game over. We let the last in this series slip away. Damn.