Game 36: Dodgers @ San Francisco Giants 6:1

Well, some regular late inning scare, this time provided by our infielders and 1st base ump not calling Sweeney out on a tag from Nomar (high throw from Furcal notwithstanding) in the eight. Then Kent botches the towering infield fly ball which hits the heel of his glove and pops out and suddenly things start to look "interesting" (though at least we got one out on this play). Luckily, the Giants' ninth was quiet.

Anyway, nice start of the series despite some on and off the field scares:

(1) Brad Penny was huge - hitting 94-95 mph on his fastball regularly. What worried me was when his back started to make him feel uncomfortable. That's why he went only 5.0 IP, even though 2-hitting SF. I was not paying attention - what is Brad's "bad back" history? Hope it's none too serious...

(2) Another soldier down (Bill Mueller might need arthroscopic surgery on his knee), another cavalier up and playing. If Willy Aybar plays like the rest of 'em (Martin, Ethier, Beimel, Broxton) or better, we're already having a good look at part of the heart and sould of this team in years to come. Aybar was a very tough out tonight, as was Andre Ethier (the two combined for 3-for-7 with 2 runs scored and a walk).

(3) J.D. Drew is 0-for-9 in the last two games. Does he get a day off tomorrow with LHP Lowry on the mound, do you think?

(4) How bothersome to you are the frequent high/off-target throws to first by Rafael Furcal? What are they a sign of: difficulty in grabbing the ball properly, pain while throwing the ball, perhaps a combination of both. His jammed finger is definitely not healed yet.

(5) Tomorrow afternoon we have the first part of the "bench Odalis" saga, as Aaron Sele hopes to keep his spirits up and his ERA down against LHP Nick Lowry.