Game 73: Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh 10:4
Welcome back to Chavez Ravine Jim Tracy.
I will give props where props are due. My props for this game go to none other than Brett Tomko. Not because of the way he pitched. Not even because he got the victory. Afterall, I even predicted a strong showing for him in this game. It was totally his MO. Besides, what better team to tease us with than one of MLB's Triple-A affiliates, the Pittsburgh Pirates?
No, I give Tokmo props for going out there and grueling to get through the fifth inning. Not only do I respect a player who does just that, but I also love the idea that maybe, just maybe it was my prayers being answered. Maybe this will give him that free trip I have been hoping he would get. A trip to the disabled list.
Tomko was due. This was his best shot at his first victory in over a month, and it was important for him, as well as the team to get this win. I have no idea which was the motivating factor for Tomko, himself or the team, but to be quite honest, I don't care. Tomko snapped his five-start losing streak, despite a strained left oblique muscle (a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles).
"I was hunting that `W' because it's been a tough stretch for me," Tomko said. "I figured some stuff out working in between starts, looked at a lot of video, and I kind of felt like I was back on track. But in the fourth, on the second-to-last pitch to the last batter, something kind of grabbed me. And on the last pitch it grabbed me a little bit more. But I hadn't won in like six weeks, so I wanted to go out there and try to get through it and get the win."
Tomko, surprisingly, retired thirteen consecutive batters after hitting Sean Casey with a pitch in the first. All in all, Triple-A Pittsburgh could only muster two hits against Tomko in his short stint on the mound Friday night.
For most of this season, the veterans have taken a back seat to the kids. Friday night, the veterans stepped it up. Jeff Kent hit a three-run homer, Jose Cruz had a two-run double and J.D. Drew had two RBIs. Cesar Izturis went two-for-three with an RBI.
The Dodgers sent the Pirates to their ninth consecutive loss.
Jae Seo seemed to fare well against the Triple-A Pirates of Pittsburgh as well. He allowed four runs and five hits over the final four innings to notch his first career save. It was his best appearance since he pitched in the World Baseball Classic.
Some thoughts:
1) Now with an apparent injury to Brett Tomko, this should pave the way for a roster change. Who should replace him?
2) With the trade deadline fast approaching, what should the Dodgers do?
a. Stand pat
b. Trade for SP help
c. Trade for relief pitching help
d. Sell
3) Some good news: My sources tell me that Eric Gagne could begin an exercise program in a couple days. If all goes well, he could be back on the mound in a few weeks.
I will give props where props are due. My props for this game go to none other than Brett Tomko. Not because of the way he pitched. Not even because he got the victory. Afterall, I even predicted a strong showing for him in this game. It was totally his MO. Besides, what better team to tease us with than one of MLB's Triple-A affiliates, the Pittsburgh Pirates?
No, I give Tokmo props for going out there and grueling to get through the fifth inning. Not only do I respect a player who does just that, but I also love the idea that maybe, just maybe it was my prayers being answered. Maybe this will give him that free trip I have been hoping he would get. A trip to the disabled list.
Tomko was due. This was his best shot at his first victory in over a month, and it was important for him, as well as the team to get this win. I have no idea which was the motivating factor for Tomko, himself or the team, but to be quite honest, I don't care. Tomko snapped his five-start losing streak, despite a strained left oblique muscle (a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles).
"I was hunting that `W' because it's been a tough stretch for me," Tomko said. "I figured some stuff out working in between starts, looked at a lot of video, and I kind of felt like I was back on track. But in the fourth, on the second-to-last pitch to the last batter, something kind of grabbed me. And on the last pitch it grabbed me a little bit more. But I hadn't won in like six weeks, so I wanted to go out there and try to get through it and get the win."
Tomko, surprisingly, retired thirteen consecutive batters after hitting Sean Casey with a pitch in the first. All in all, Triple-A Pittsburgh could only muster two hits against Tomko in his short stint on the mound Friday night.
For most of this season, the veterans have taken a back seat to the kids. Friday night, the veterans stepped it up. Jeff Kent hit a three-run homer, Jose Cruz had a two-run double and J.D. Drew had two RBIs. Cesar Izturis went two-for-three with an RBI.
The Dodgers sent the Pirates to their ninth consecutive loss.
Jae Seo seemed to fare well against the Triple-A Pirates of Pittsburgh as well. He allowed four runs and five hits over the final four innings to notch his first career save. It was his best appearance since he pitched in the World Baseball Classic.
Some thoughts:
1) Now with an apparent injury to Brett Tomko, this should pave the way for a roster change. Who should replace him?
2) With the trade deadline fast approaching, what should the Dodgers do?
a. Stand pat
b. Trade for SP help
c. Trade for relief pitching help
d. Sell
3) Some good news: My sources tell me that Eric Gagne could begin an exercise program in a couple days. If all goes well, he could be back on the mound in a few weeks.
posted by Blue Man | 7:48 PM
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