Game 66: Dodgers @ San Diego Padres 7:3
A very anticipated MLB debut of Chad Billingsley and quite deservedly so. Billingsley fought through the jitters in the opening frame (got some baserunners and threw most pitches in any inning in the first), but had the composure to recover and keep the Padres off the board until the fifth. He helped his cause with a two run single with the bases loaded and two out against a very good SD starter Chris Young.
Very very soothing and hope-raising start by Chad. Even though I was calling for 6IP at 3 ER, just to see how the kid would respond ;), I was really encouraged by his riding fastball (at 97 mph at times) and huge overhand curveball. For me, he's a keeper in LA. Not LV.
Here's some more stuff after the game:
(1) This game was changed and won on a Ramon Martinez single in the seventh on a hit-and-run play with Russell Martin running from first to third (and probably nobody out at this stage). From that time on, we cruised.
(2) I think the decision to replace Willy Aybar right after his two fielding errors was great. Martinez came on and kept the fort, calming the infield down. With Raffy Furcal making two defensive errors in the Sele game, I think Grady did the right thing, taking the remorse part away from Aybar.
(3) I don't know what it is, and he certainly, is not a streaking power hitter, but every time Josh Barfield of the Padres comes up to bat I find myself expecting bad things for the Dodgers. It might be subconscious, but for me the guy is the epitome of the Dodgers struggles against San Diego this year.
(4) After the Zito game in Oakland, we get much more favourable pitching matchups with Derek Lowe and Aaron Sele going against their "mediocre" starters, Saarlos and Blanton. Incidentally, we can sneak out from Oakland winning two of three.
(5) Since "Blue Man" Matt is in Oakland in person over the weekend and will follow the games closely, he'll bring all three A's games reports to you in the coming days. There's also some "inside goodies" coming up, so watch the blog closely :).
Very very soothing and hope-raising start by Chad. Even though I was calling for 6IP at 3 ER, just to see how the kid would respond ;), I was really encouraged by his riding fastball (at 97 mph at times) and huge overhand curveball. For me, he's a keeper in LA. Not LV.
Here's some more stuff after the game:
(1) This game was changed and won on a Ramon Martinez single in the seventh on a hit-and-run play with Russell Martin running from first to third (and probably nobody out at this stage). From that time on, we cruised.
(2) I think the decision to replace Willy Aybar right after his two fielding errors was great. Martinez came on and kept the fort, calming the infield down. With Raffy Furcal making two defensive errors in the Sele game, I think Grady did the right thing, taking the remorse part away from Aybar.
(3) I don't know what it is, and he certainly, is not a streaking power hitter, but every time Josh Barfield of the Padres comes up to bat I find myself expecting bad things for the Dodgers. It might be subconscious, but for me the guy is the epitome of the Dodgers struggles against San Diego this year.
(4) After the Zito game in Oakland, we get much more favourable pitching matchups with Derek Lowe and Aaron Sele going against their "mediocre" starters, Saarlos and Blanton. Incidentally, we can sneak out from Oakland winning two of three.
(5) Since "Blue Man" Matt is in Oakland in person over the weekend and will follow the games closely, he'll bring all three A's games reports to you in the coming days. There's also some "inside goodies" coming up, so watch the blog closely :).
posted by Harry | 2:07 PM
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