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Monday, July 6, 2009

Dodgers Win Wild One 7-6

Well that was way more interesting than it had to be. Some random thoughts I have from the game down in San Diego:
  • What a day for Chad Billingsley (until the very end, but still). The 24 year-old righty was named to his first All-Star team, threw 8 brilliant innings, and channeled Manny's inner spirit by hitting a double and a home run while at the plate. He was as efficient with his pitches as we have ever really seen, and his zero walks were a step in the right direction.
  • I had to listen to the radio for the last six innings or so. Let me tell you, Charley Steiner is frustrating. I have always been annoyed with Steiner as a broadcaster, but today took the cake. The crowning moment: When Everth Cabrera singled to tie the game in the ninth, and Eliezer Alfonzo was thrown out at third, he thought the game was over and the Dodgers had won. I was a bit confused, wondering how the tying run didn't score from second on a base hit to center, but I was pretty excited nonetheless. Then about five seconds later, Steiner said it was his mistake and the Padres had tied the game. Thanks for nothing Charley. Let me state that I loved Charley on Sportscenter (his SC bloopers reel and commercials are classic... Follow me to freedom!), but calling play-by-play is not his forte.
  • Now to the game itself, I have two serious issues with Joe Torre's decision making. One is his decision to lift Bills in the ninth after he gave up a home run and a double to start the inning. Chad had made only 97 pitches at that point in time, and should have been given at least 15 more to finish the game. Granted I was listening on the radio, so I couldn't see if he was laboring or not, but I think it was still Bills' game at that point in time. If the score was 4 to 2 instead of 6 to 2, then maybe it's the right decision, but I think the pitching change was not necessary. At the end of the day, it's Broxton who will get all the blame, and deservedly so for his poor performance, but I think he shouldn't have necessarily been in the game as it was. My other issue with Torre's decision making is his intentional walk to Adrian Gonzalez in the 13th inning with one out and the bases empty. With the pitchers spot on deck, you knew the Pads would sacrifice bunt and get the runner over to second with two outs. Do you really want to put the tying run in scoring position? Against these pesky Pads? I don't think so. I understand the logic; Gonzalez is the only Padre who can really hurt you, so don't let him beat you. But the Dodgers had done a good job with him all day, so I would have liked to seen them be careful with him but at the same time try and get him out. Now if he would have hit a home run I would be on here blaming Torre for letting Gonzalez hurt them. Such is the life of a fan.
  • The power display was nice to see, and it negated the fact that the Dodgers could not hit with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers had 18 hits, yet only one run came without the long ball. But that is why power is so important. Hitting with RISP is a statistic that fluctuates game to game, series to series, and teams will have extended periods of time where they can't seem to drive anyone in. Home runs can pick up a team up. In an extra inning game like todays it always seems that as the game gets longer, the more likely it is that a home run will win it. Rallies are hard to come by, so the power threat is nice.
  • Thank you Jeff Weaver. The Simi High Alumni (I will throw that in there any chance I get) tossed three huge scoreless innings of relief and ended up getting the W. I have to say I didn't expect much from Weave this year, but he has been a pleasant surprise. Tip of the cap to you, Jeff Weaver.

It's funny how winning can alleviate all the frustration that comes during a game. Today's game was a rollercoaster, but at the end of the day it was the Dodgers adding a W to their win column and the Padres adding an L to their loss column. I wasn't happy as much as I was relieved when Loney hit the homer in the 13th. At the same time, I felt that this was a game we were going to find a way to blow at any cost. It always seems like the Dodgers suffer through one game a year in San Diego just like this one. But this year was different. The Dodgers got it together and pulled a tough one out. The 3000 mile flight to New York is now much easier for the boys. We can all collectively exhale.

Side note: Remember to vote for Matt Kemp in the Final Fan Vote for the 2009 ASG in St. Louis. You can vote as many times as you want (I did my part today). It's only right that we see Kemp there on July 14th.

3 comments:

  1. that billingsley drive was a legit home run

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  2. Vinnie: Great analysis of Sunday's game. I agree with almost everything you wrote.

    Let's go get 'em tonight in New York!

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  3. Thank you. Ya I'm hoping to see Manny play 9 innings tonight. With Oliver and Livan going the next two for the Mets, a win tonight against Pelfrey sets the boys up nicely for winning the series.

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