Game 26: Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks 2:3

We are away on a family retreat for a couple of days so I won't see any of the two Arizona games. If my comments, based on stats and other people's observations, are therefore way off base, please let me know ;)

Mind-crawlers loosely related to tonight's game:

(1) They (Tony Jackson of LA Times, that is) did find a crack in the minor league options record of Lance Carter, which enabled sending him down to Triple-A Vegas. Great news. Having had so much damage done already to the current status of our bullpen (Gagne, Brazoban, Kuo - recently sent down), having Carter work out in less damaging (to the big club) circumstances, will help correct both his mechanics and level of sanity of the Dodger Nation. The player we rightfully called up was flamethrower Jonathan Broxton. I will run his full resume of how he (and Joe Beimel) did with 51's once I'm back behind the plate, so to say ;).

(2) Once thing I know is that Broxton and Beimel (called up in place of Kuo) are very different pitchers. My question to you (perhaps someone in the Las Vegas area?): has anyone seen them play? Broxton had 18 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings in Vegas without allowing a run as their closer. Beimel (sinkerball specialist) will take the role of situational left-hander. One or two outs and his day is done. Both guys got right into the action tonight and pitched well. Any first-hand observations I should be aware of?

(3) I think these roster moves and the fact that Franquelis Osoria is recently thriving as the long man, reduce the number of options of very imminent call-up of Billingsley. About the only place I could see him now is to replace Jae Seo, if the latter ever struggled over a longer stretch of time. Otherwise, our bullpen is simply too young and inexperienced.

(4) Another good pitching performance and a great game at the plate (2-for-2) for Brad Penny, but he only got an "L" to show for it. My question: why has he suddenly (last two games) lost the ability to strike batters out?

(5) In search of avoiding three Ls in the row and split the short series, the Dodgers send LHP Odalis Perez (3-1, 5.61 ERA) against Orlando Hernandez (2-3, 5.37 ERA). I would not be surprised if this was a high(er) scoring affair from both teams. Hopefully, we can get one run more.