Game 86: Dodgers vs. San Francisco 9:7
Nomar Garciaparra stole the show once again. This time, he stole it from Steroid Boy himself. His tei-breaking, two run homer in the eighth inning overshadowed Steroid Boy's 720th cheating episode.
"When I hit it, I knew it was gone," said Garciaparra, who fouled off two fastballs before connecting. "I was able to get one where I got the barrel on it. I was just battling, trying to keep the inning alive because the guys behind me are swinging the bat well."
That is why I like Garciaparra so much. They teach us as early as Little League to just make contact and have faith in the batters behind you. He seems to truly apply to that thinking which is rare in the pros.
Garciaparra, who is going to his sixth All-Star game, the first as a National Leaguer, drove an 0-2 pitch from Jeremy Accardo into the bullpen in left with one out in the eighth. It was his 11th homer of the season and it broke a 6-6 tie.
Cesar Izturis capped the decisive rally with an RBI single, his third hit.
Rafael Furcal went two-for-three while Garciaparra and J.D. Drew each went two-for-five. Cesar Izturis went three-for-five, increasing his batting average to .279. Andre Ethier went three-for-five while Russell Martin went two-for-three.
Chad Billingsley took the hill for the Dodgers and went 5.1 innings. He gave up five runs, four of which were earned, on six hits and five walks while striking out five. Two of his hits were for homeruns.
Giovanna Carrara pitched a perfect two-thirds of an inning, striking out one.
Jonathan Broxton then recorded his second blown save of the year by giving up one run on one hit and a walk.
Danys Baez came in and pitched a hitless eighth for the victory.
Takashi Saito got three outs for his seventh save in as many chances, just hours after the Dodgers announced that former All-Star closer Eric Gagne would undergo season-ending back surgery on Saturday.
Some random thoughts and observations:
1) Once again, Jeff kent sat out. This is his fourth straight game and it is looking more and more likely he will need some time on the DL.
2) It looks like age may be catching up to Kenny Lofton. He left the game with tightness in his right hamstring after running out a sacrafiuce bunt in the first inning. He has been questionable with his health for some time now.
3) Garciaparra and J.D. Drew both extended their hitting streaks during the Dodgers' three-run first. Garciaparra made it 19 straight with an RBI single, Drew followed with a double that gave him 13 consecutive games with a hit. Martinez drove them in with a two-out double that gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.
4) The news of Gagne's surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back was saddening but not unexpected. It now seems more apparent that the Dodgers, especially their fans, need to brace themselves for an after Eric Gagne period, as it seems his chances of returning to the level we are accustomed to or slim to none.
5) Nomar Garciaparra is only the second player in history to make the All-Star roster as both a shortstop and a first baseman. The other was Hall of Famer Ernie Banks.
"When I hit it, I knew it was gone," said Garciaparra, who fouled off two fastballs before connecting. "I was able to get one where I got the barrel on it. I was just battling, trying to keep the inning alive because the guys behind me are swinging the bat well."
That is why I like Garciaparra so much. They teach us as early as Little League to just make contact and have faith in the batters behind you. He seems to truly apply to that thinking which is rare in the pros.
Garciaparra, who is going to his sixth All-Star game, the first as a National Leaguer, drove an 0-2 pitch from Jeremy Accardo into the bullpen in left with one out in the eighth. It was his 11th homer of the season and it broke a 6-6 tie.
Cesar Izturis capped the decisive rally with an RBI single, his third hit.
Rafael Furcal went two-for-three while Garciaparra and J.D. Drew each went two-for-five. Cesar Izturis went three-for-five, increasing his batting average to .279. Andre Ethier went three-for-five while Russell Martin went two-for-three.
Chad Billingsley took the hill for the Dodgers and went 5.1 innings. He gave up five runs, four of which were earned, on six hits and five walks while striking out five. Two of his hits were for homeruns.
Giovanna Carrara pitched a perfect two-thirds of an inning, striking out one.
Jonathan Broxton then recorded his second blown save of the year by giving up one run on one hit and a walk.
Danys Baez came in and pitched a hitless eighth for the victory.
Takashi Saito got three outs for his seventh save in as many chances, just hours after the Dodgers announced that former All-Star closer Eric Gagne would undergo season-ending back surgery on Saturday.
Some random thoughts and observations:
1) Once again, Jeff kent sat out. This is his fourth straight game and it is looking more and more likely he will need some time on the DL.
2) It looks like age may be catching up to Kenny Lofton. He left the game with tightness in his right hamstring after running out a sacrafiuce bunt in the first inning. He has been questionable with his health for some time now.
3) Garciaparra and J.D. Drew both extended their hitting streaks during the Dodgers' three-run first. Garciaparra made it 19 straight with an RBI single, Drew followed with a double that gave him 13 consecutive games with a hit. Martinez drove them in with a two-out double that gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.
4) The news of Gagne's surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back was saddening but not unexpected. It now seems more apparent that the Dodgers, especially their fans, need to brace themselves for an after Eric Gagne period, as it seems his chances of returning to the level we are accustomed to or slim to none.
5) Nomar Garciaparra is only the second player in history to make the All-Star roster as both a shortstop and a first baseman. The other was Hall of Famer Ernie Banks.
posted by Blue Man | 10:51 AM
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