Game 21: Dodgers @ Houston Astros 3:4 (14 innings)

If I could have followed the game online on mlb.tv (which I was unable to), I would have gotten up and left for work by the time the guys finished their night off last night :). Too bad we lost, but then again, this team proved something to me: they were able to match a very decent Astro team almost run for run and hit for hit throughout fourteen innings.

I am not sure I quite understand John Weisman's argument over at Baseball Toaster (section entitled: "Here's Where the Typical Eugene O'Neill Reference Would Go"). Please go and read it yourself and then come back and help me get this right: How would it have changed the outcome of the game If Grady started the extra innings with the best reliever (Baez) in the descending order (Baez-Kuo-Osoria-Carter, I understand)? We only lost by a run in the bottom of the 14th (being on the road), so what's the point? John, if you (ever) read this - can you elaborate?

One way or another, here's my daily brainstorm:

(1) We made some serious inroads into the Astro bullpen. Due to their starter, Nieve, leaving early, seven Houston relievers played out the remaining 9 1/3 innings. Apart from Springer and Qualls (1/3 and 2/3 respectively) they might be less rested than our bullpen tonight. We used five relievers (all except for Baez) for combined 7 innings, due to another quality start by Brad Penny.

(2) The day after his game-winning GSHR, Nomar Garciaparra went 0-for-6 and left 7 runners on base. What's even more important - he's playing with pain .

"It would seem Garciaparra is feeling strong, but he actually is just
living with the pain. "It's not a matter of feeling strong," Garciaparra said.
"It's more a matter of minimizing the pain. It's OK.
It's nothing out of the ordinary."

(3) Wow, in a matter of just a couple of days Kenny Lofton raised his BA to .306. Last time I checked, he was 1-for-11, but picked up the slack, also due to last night's 4-for-6 and a walk.

(4) The Franquelis Osoria Watch: 2.0 IP, 3H, 0 ER, 1 BB. The Franquleagle has landed :) As promised, Osoria's ERA went down to 4.50 after game 21 (I missed it by one game, big deal!). Call me Da Wiz ;).

(5) Tonight is the battle of the undefeated lefties: our Odalis Perez vs Mr. Rodriguez of the Astros. I think Litlle might give JD a game off, so it would be nice if Jeff Kent and especially Raffy Furcal found their hitting stroke early. If only to take advantage of the somewhat depleted Houston bullpen and take the series...

(6) Btw, can't wait to SEE the Dodgers again! Saturday morning @San Diego. I'll be (online) there :).