Game 57: Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies 4:6
Missed opportunities. That seems to have be the theme for today's game. We missed an opportunity to win another series, and had to settle for a split instead.
The Dodgers loaded the bases with none out in the sixth on a Kenny Lofton single and a pair of infield hits by Ramon Martinez and Matt Kemp. Lofton scored on a double-play grounder to short by J.D. Drew, tying the score at 2-all.
The Dodgers loaded the bases again in the seventh inning, but rookie Kemp hit a check-swing dribbler , that turned out to be the final out.
The Dodgers had six men left on base, which in itselfisn't terrible, but four of them were in scoring position. This pales in comparison to the one man the Phillies left on base in scoring position.
Aaron Sele allowed three runs and six hits in six-plus innings. Sele didn't walk a batter and recorded four of his six strikeouts on called third strikes. Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard, the Phillies No. 3 and 4 hitters, each struck out their first two times up with Abreu looking at a called third strike both times.
After Sele gave up a solo homer in the third, he retired his next 11 batters, continuing to pitch well, while quieting the skeptics even more.
Random thoughts:
1) Was today really the best day to sit Rafael Furcal, who is just finally starting to come around, and Nomar Garciaparra who is the hottest and most clutch hitter for Dodgers, and quite possibly in the league?
2) Kenny Lofton, although out performing many people's expectations, is not the Kenny Lofton of old. Why does he bat leadoff, especially when the Dodgers have yet to win with him in that slot?
3) Hong-Chih Kuo and Jae Seo, although in limited playing time, both looked good, giving up nothing. Hopefully Kuo has finally found himself and lives up to his potential and hopefully Seo regains his control and location while doing some relief work.
The Dodgers loaded the bases with none out in the sixth on a Kenny Lofton single and a pair of infield hits by Ramon Martinez and Matt Kemp. Lofton scored on a double-play grounder to short by J.D. Drew, tying the score at 2-all.
The Dodgers loaded the bases again in the seventh inning, but rookie Kemp hit a check-swing dribbler , that turned out to be the final out.
The Dodgers had six men left on base, which in itselfisn't terrible, but four of them were in scoring position. This pales in comparison to the one man the Phillies left on base in scoring position.
Aaron Sele allowed three runs and six hits in six-plus innings. Sele didn't walk a batter and recorded four of his six strikeouts on called third strikes. Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard, the Phillies No. 3 and 4 hitters, each struck out their first two times up with Abreu looking at a called third strike both times.
After Sele gave up a solo homer in the third, he retired his next 11 batters, continuing to pitch well, while quieting the skeptics even more.
Random thoughts:
1) Was today really the best day to sit Rafael Furcal, who is just finally starting to come around, and Nomar Garciaparra who is the hottest and most clutch hitter for Dodgers, and quite possibly in the league?
2) Kenny Lofton, although out performing many people's expectations, is not the Kenny Lofton of old. Why does he bat leadoff, especially when the Dodgers have yet to win with him in that slot?
3) Hong-Chih Kuo and Jae Seo, although in limited playing time, both looked good, giving up nothing. Hopefully Kuo has finally found himself and lives up to his potential and hopefully Seo regains his control and location while doing some relief work.
posted by Blue Man | 5:11 PM
1 Comments:
It seems like the only issue is pitching. The offense seems to score a lot every night whether the best players are in there or not. The rookies are phenomenal except Guzman, who looks uncomfortable on offense. But the pitching is just not consistent and there needs to be changes. Coletti needs to swallow some pride and DFA Baez, the guy is not worth anything close to what he is getting paid. Then Beimel is the only wild card in the relief squad now, who has shown some inconsistency. If they can bring somebody up or trade to replace those two with consistent players then the bullpen will be solidfied. I know Wunsch is pitching well in the minors and he was very good last year or whenever he pitched, was he out last year? That takes care of Beimel. Anyone is better then Baez. Now, as for starters they need someone to replace the tomko/Seo/Perez situation. One of those guys can be a fifth starter but the Dodgers need someone to put with Lowe and Penny. Billingsly needs to come up and they need to trade for something. Take a risk because Tomko went from average to horrible quickly and Seo is just horrible.
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