Game 127: Dodgers @ San Diego Padres 2:7
It was a tough night for the Dodgers. Not only did they lose for the fifth time in seven games, but they let the Padres creep back into the National League West race. Hell, for that matter, they let the hated gnats crawl back into the race.
To add insult to injury, Grady Little and starter Brad Penny were ejected during a lengthy argument with plate umpire Rick Reed in the fifth inning, and right fielder Julio Lugo was tossed in the fourth for slamming down his helmet after being called out on a close play.
I can somewhat understand Penny getting ejected, but Little and Lugo? That is just ridiculous!
The Padres have swept two straight series against the Dodgers and improved to 11-3 this season, including 11 wins in their last 12 games. The teams will meet for a final time this year in a four-game series at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15-18. The Padres swept the Dodgers in Los Angeles on July 24-26. The Dodgers need to rebound and sweep the Padres in the next series.
With the Padres leading 4-2 in the fifth, Adrian Gonzalez walked on a 3-2 pitch to give San Diego runners on first and second with none out. Little came out to the mound to confer with Penny, who began exchanging words with Reed. Little came off the mound and spoke with Reed, then returned to the mound.
Little went back to the dugout and San Diego manager Bruce Bochy came out to get an explanation from Reed. The four umpires huddled for a few minutes before Reed walked toward the Dodgers' dugout to speak with Little.
Reed then proceeded to ejected Little, then went to the mound and handed the ball to Penny. The right-hander told Reed:
Penny was tossed, and had to be pulled away by first base coach Mariano Duncan and bench coach Dave Jauss.
Penny (13-7) walked the bases loaded with two outs in the first and allowed three runs, the first two on Blum's single to right field on a hanging curveball. When the inning ended, he walked up to Reed and could be heard saying: "I want the corners. That's all I'm asking."
In the Dodgers' fourth, Padres third baseman Bellhorn bobbled Lugo's grounder and then bounced the throw in the dirt before Gonzalez, the first baseman, scooped it up for the out.
Lugo slammed down his helmet and, once he realized that first base umpire Chris Guccione had ejected him, he and Duncan began to argue. Little ran out to join them before Duncan led Lugo off the field. Lugo was replaced by Jason Repko.
What the hell was up with the umpires and their short fuses tonight? I have NEVER heard of someone getting ejected without warning for throwing their helmet down. Even as an umpire, who has gone to clinics by MLB umpire Eddie Montague, I have never seen such a thing.
Wilson Betemit homered leading off the third, his 14th, and rookie sensation Andre Ethier hit an RBI triple in the fourth.
A bit of randomness:
1) Chan Ho Park, ex-Dodger and current Padre had surgery today to stop intestinal bleeding. My prayers are with him and his family.
2) Penny is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in three starts against San Diego this year. The Padres definitely seem to have Penny's number this year.
3) With all the ejections and tempers flaring tonight, do you think it will help motivate the team, or be counter productive?
To add insult to injury, Grady Little and starter Brad Penny were ejected during a lengthy argument with plate umpire Rick Reed in the fifth inning, and right fielder Julio Lugo was tossed in the fourth for slamming down his helmet after being called out on a close play.
I can somewhat understand Penny getting ejected, but Little and Lugo? That is just ridiculous!
The Padres have swept two straight series against the Dodgers and improved to 11-3 this season, including 11 wins in their last 12 games. The teams will meet for a final time this year in a four-game series at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15-18. The Padres swept the Dodgers in Los Angeles on July 24-26. The Dodgers need to rebound and sweep the Padres in the next series.
With the Padres leading 4-2 in the fifth, Adrian Gonzalez walked on a 3-2 pitch to give San Diego runners on first and second with none out. Little came out to the mound to confer with Penny, who began exchanging words with Reed. Little came off the mound and spoke with Reed, then returned to the mound.
Little went back to the dugout and San Diego manager Bruce Bochy came out to get an explanation from Reed. The four umpires huddled for a few minutes before Reed walked toward the Dodgers' dugout to speak with Little.
Reed then proceeded to ejected Little, then went to the mound and handed the ball to Penny. The right-hander told Reed:
"If you called that f*****g a strike, that never
would have F*****g happened."
would have F*****g happened."
Penny was tossed, and had to be pulled away by first base coach Mariano Duncan and bench coach Dave Jauss.
Penny (13-7) walked the bases loaded with two outs in the first and allowed three runs, the first two on Blum's single to right field on a hanging curveball. When the inning ended, he walked up to Reed and could be heard saying: "I want the corners. That's all I'm asking."
In the Dodgers' fourth, Padres third baseman Bellhorn bobbled Lugo's grounder and then bounced the throw in the dirt before Gonzalez, the first baseman, scooped it up for the out.
Lugo slammed down his helmet and, once he realized that first base umpire Chris Guccione had ejected him, he and Duncan began to argue. Little ran out to join them before Duncan led Lugo off the field. Lugo was replaced by Jason Repko.
What the hell was up with the umpires and their short fuses tonight? I have NEVER heard of someone getting ejected without warning for throwing their helmet down. Even as an umpire, who has gone to clinics by MLB umpire Eddie Montague, I have never seen such a thing.
Wilson Betemit homered leading off the third, his 14th, and rookie sensation Andre Ethier hit an RBI triple in the fourth.
A bit of randomness:
1) Chan Ho Park, ex-Dodger and current Padre had surgery today to stop intestinal bleeding. My prayers are with him and his family.
2) Penny is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in three starts against San Diego this year. The Padres definitely seem to have Penny's number this year.
3) With all the ejections and tempers flaring tonight, do you think it will help motivate the team, or be counter productive?
posted by Blue Man | 10:51 PM
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