Game 68: Dodgers @ Oakland 4:5, 17 innings
Today, started out much better than yesterday. I arrived at the ballpark in Oakland with plenty of time to roam around the parking lot and find contingencies of Dodger fans having tail gate parties. It was pretty mellow, to my surprise. I am used to tail gating in San Francisco where the two sides can get into each others faces pretty easy. It was weird to be in enemy territory and not feel like it.
Athletic fans, for the most part, are pretty decent fans. No swearing at the kids just because they are wearing Dodger gear. A pretty respectful bunch.
Game time was an early six o'clock, so we did our face paint (my hair was already done, as I use permanent dye). I was able to talk some fellow Dodger fans into painting their faces blue as well.
This, my friends, was a thriller. Well, for sixteen innings or so.
Derek Lowe threw a great game. He probably should have been pulled a batter earlier, but hindsight is such a beautiful thing. Overall, I think Grady Little managed his pitching staff remarkably well.
The Dodgers should have won this game.
After a Kenny Lofton RBI in the seventh and a Matt Kemp RBI in the eighth, the Dodgers held a commanding 3-1 lead. Under normal Dodger circumstances, it would be a guarenteed victory. But with our bullpen not up to par, and Eric Gagne back on the disabled list, nothing is for certain.
The Athletics took back the lead in the bottom of the eighth at 4-3.
Then, Danys Baez was called in.
A lump in my throat appeared. "Anybody but Baez," I was thinking.
Mr. Baez, I owe you an apology. He pitched two and a third scoreless innings.
The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the ninth, thanks in large part to Rafael Furcal. Furcal drew a walk, and then succeeded at stealing second base. Kenny Lofton then knocked him in, tying the game at four runs a piece.
The Dodgers offense seemed to be unable to execute though. They had a lead off single in the eleventh, a leadoff double in the 14th. After the leadoff double in the 14th, Nomar Garciaparra walked after Kenny Lofton lined out. Two on, one out. Furcal and Garciaparra stole a base, bring two runners into scoring position for Olmedo Saenz. Saenz popped up to second, bringing up Jeff Kent, who was subsequently walked, loading the bases for the rookie sensation, Matt Kemp.
I was excited, thinking this was it. The crowd that remained raised to their feet once again. Dodger fans in the stadium seemed to have awakened. Unfortunately, even rookie sensations have off days. Matt Kemp grounded into a fielders choice.
Andre Ethier singled to open up the fifteenth, but was stranded. The sixteenth began with Furcal singling, and being sacraficed to second. Then Nomar Garciaparra was intentionally walked.
Up came Saenz. Saenz has history with the A's and late inning heroics for them in interleague play. Was it his destiny to hit another potential game winning home run, or RBI at the very least, in Oakland?
Unfortunately, not. He hit into the inning ending double play.
When the bottom of the seventeenth began, and I saw Jae Seo coming into the game, I got a bad feeling. We were playing against the odds. Baez already did better than most had fiogured he would, but now we have to dance with the devil a second time.
With bases loaded, Seo walked Bobby Crosby, handing the game to the Oakland Athletics.
After a five hour and two minute marathon, I had a very long drive home. And with the Dodgers loss, it was going to seem even longer.
Some random thoughts:
1) Many props to Russ Martin. How many catchers would stay in the entire game, especially a rookie? This guy has a very bright future in Los Angeles.
2) The only question I have, in regards to Grady Little's decision is his decision to pinch hit for JD Drew. Why not wait till a weaker hitter, or a rookie who needs rest is up?
Athletic fans, for the most part, are pretty decent fans. No swearing at the kids just because they are wearing Dodger gear. A pretty respectful bunch.
Game time was an early six o'clock, so we did our face paint (my hair was already done, as I use permanent dye). I was able to talk some fellow Dodger fans into painting their faces blue as well.
This, my friends, was a thriller. Well, for sixteen innings or so.
Derek Lowe threw a great game. He probably should have been pulled a batter earlier, but hindsight is such a beautiful thing. Overall, I think Grady Little managed his pitching staff remarkably well.
The Dodgers should have won this game.
After a Kenny Lofton RBI in the seventh and a Matt Kemp RBI in the eighth, the Dodgers held a commanding 3-1 lead. Under normal Dodger circumstances, it would be a guarenteed victory. But with our bullpen not up to par, and Eric Gagne back on the disabled list, nothing is for certain.
The Athletics took back the lead in the bottom of the eighth at 4-3.
Then, Danys Baez was called in.
A lump in my throat appeared. "Anybody but Baez," I was thinking.
Mr. Baez, I owe you an apology. He pitched two and a third scoreless innings.
The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the ninth, thanks in large part to Rafael Furcal. Furcal drew a walk, and then succeeded at stealing second base. Kenny Lofton then knocked him in, tying the game at four runs a piece.
The Dodgers offense seemed to be unable to execute though. They had a lead off single in the eleventh, a leadoff double in the 14th. After the leadoff double in the 14th, Nomar Garciaparra walked after Kenny Lofton lined out. Two on, one out. Furcal and Garciaparra stole a base, bring two runners into scoring position for Olmedo Saenz. Saenz popped up to second, bringing up Jeff Kent, who was subsequently walked, loading the bases for the rookie sensation, Matt Kemp.
I was excited, thinking this was it. The crowd that remained raised to their feet once again. Dodger fans in the stadium seemed to have awakened. Unfortunately, even rookie sensations have off days. Matt Kemp grounded into a fielders choice.
Andre Ethier singled to open up the fifteenth, but was stranded. The sixteenth began with Furcal singling, and being sacraficed to second. Then Nomar Garciaparra was intentionally walked.
Up came Saenz. Saenz has history with the A's and late inning heroics for them in interleague play. Was it his destiny to hit another potential game winning home run, or RBI at the very least, in Oakland?
Unfortunately, not. He hit into the inning ending double play.
When the bottom of the seventeenth began, and I saw Jae Seo coming into the game, I got a bad feeling. We were playing against the odds. Baez already did better than most had fiogured he would, but now we have to dance with the devil a second time.
With bases loaded, Seo walked Bobby Crosby, handing the game to the Oakland Athletics.
After a five hour and two minute marathon, I had a very long drive home. And with the Dodgers loss, it was going to seem even longer.
Some random thoughts:
1) Many props to Russ Martin. How many catchers would stay in the entire game, especially a rookie? This guy has a very bright future in Los Angeles.
2) The only question I have, in regards to Grady Little's decision is his decision to pinch hit for JD Drew. Why not wait till a weaker hitter, or a rookie who needs rest is up?
posted by Blue Man | 11:52 AM
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