Game 5: Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies 3:6

Due to heavy rain yesterday, the Dodgers play a twin bill this afternoon and evening in Philly. We get the top of the rotation with Derek Lowe and Brad Penny facing Ryan Madsen and Jon Lieber, respectively.

Let's see what caught my eye in Game 1:

(1) The defense of Bill Mueller and especially James Loney is jaw-dropping. U-n-b-e-l-i-e-v-a-b-l-e how both of them can make the tough defensive plays look almost routine and harmless. Especially Loney this afternoon - the way he snatched that extra-base hit off a Philly hitter in (was it?) the third inning. Great! To think the guy's only 21 and coming up straight from AA. Very promising news in the Dodger land.

(2) I thought the decision to take Derek Lowe out after a lead-off double in the seventh in a close game (3:2 at the time) was one I could justify. Now this is where it becomes funny: do you think Yhency Brazoban bounced the wild pitch with one out on purpose so that he could get the runner out at the plate with as much ease as he did? ;)

(3) It puzzles me why would most of our pitchers today (Lowe, Brazoban, Kuo) miss the strike zone so badly? I see no explanation for it, to be honest. Even Hong-Chih Kuo, who used to throw strikes for punch-outs or weak contact in previous games. Can you help me out on that one?

(4) The second game of the double-header coming up, but not before we have a romantic supper at home, with Californian wine, blue-veined cottage cheese and some oranges. Yummy :)