dodgers can't capitalize

Notice how the title is in all lowercase.

Wow. How many chances did we have last night? Too many. We should hace won that game. I dont wanna talk about it to much. We all saw what happened and it doesnt need to be broken down point by point.

Plan: Put that loss behind us and sweep the pathetic Nationals.




Its Clayton Kershaw vs John Lannan. Lannan has a 5.56 ERA. Lets hit thus guy good and give him loss #6.


Martin is out for the season. Right when he was starting to produce. What a lot of people dont reallize, is he is working day and night to get back to being at least a decent hitter. He is a class act ballplayer. From the looks of it he will watch from the dugout.


Also Ethier played an inning at first. Strange move. No balls to him so we really didnt have a chance to see how he handled it.


BTW: Dodgers wont have to face Strasburg; his start was moved to next Tuesday.


Thats it. Email is juanpierrewoodblog@gmail.com. Go Dodgers!

Ethier is back?

I sure hope so. He looked like the player I saw in April and May. Two doubles and a home run. The whole team played better.

Padilla pitched another GEM. He made lots of soap bubble pitches. Vin went wild on each one. I wasn't counting but it seemed like he had a lot of 3 pitch strike outs. He went the distance giving the bullpen the night off (thank god).

Right after Vin reminded us that Ethier is batting .222 or something against leftys, he proceeded to have a 3 hit game with two doubles and a homer. Just like I said in the last post, for some reason I feel so much better about the team.

I was asked to make a list of other blogs I recommend. I will do that later tonight, but right off the bat I can name Dodger Thoughts and Vin Scully is my Homeboy. I regret to say that I forget the name if the guys that right these two, but their both great at what they do.

Last thoughts: if anyone knows how to stream video to Justin.tv, I would love it if you put up a stream of tonights game, as I am in Santa Barbara for the day.

That's all. Go Dodgers!! Email is juanpierrewoodblog@gmail.com

Relief

No not relief pitchers. Relief as in we got the monkey off our back. The team played better. Ted Lilly threw a gem. Martin hit an RBI double.

Some will say "Don't get your hopes up. Martin got injured and Furcal is day to day".
To those people, try to be more optimistic. The mood seems to have changed. Maybe it was the news if DodgerFilms, or the fact that Martin was hitting, or something else. The mood seems to have changed.

Maybe the reason I'm saying this is because Vincente Padilla has a (wait for it) GEM and has taken a no-no through 6 1/3. Scratch that. Line drive base hit. Wow what a close play. But he still is throwing a great game. Another base hit. I sure hope I didn't jinx anything.

To avoid the jinx risk I will end this post and make a "notes" post later tonight.

Go Dodgers!

Dodger Films is back!!

In the midst of an 8 game losing streak, Dodger fans have something to cheer for. Bobby Crosby and Dodgerfilms are allowed to film again! And what better way to celebrate then getting great footage of Gray catching a Kemp homer.



Its guys like Bobby and Dodgerfilms who make you forget that the Dodgers are having a mid-season crisis. Thanks.

On the downside, Matt Kemps 5 for 5 game was overshadowed by a 10-5 loss. Hiroki Kuroda and Jeff Weaver each gave up 5 runs. Not good. Finaly we get more than 3 runs on the board and the pitching can't hold it down. I'm getting frustrated.

Colletti finaly made trades. But as Dodger Blues puts it, don't start treating him like our savior. He makes his first start tonight. Lets hope our offense shows up.

Sorry for the lack of posts. I had a lot going on. Anyways Good Evening America. Go Dodgers!

George Sheril us getting on my nerves

Man. What ever happened to Sherril? He was great in 2009. Now he can't go an outing without giving ups buncha runs.

Give the padres some credit though. They outpitched us. But I'm starting to wonder if the bigger problem might actually be the offense. Sure our pitching is horrible but were scoring so little runs that it's not mattering.

We go to San Fran for a 3 game series against the hated Giants. It sounds like thier starting to cool down. Montasterios against Lincecum tonight. Let's hope Lincecum has been practicing that trick pitch where it lands 20 feet in front of the batter.

I'll be at the Fresno Grizzlies game tonight. They happen to be the Giants Triple-A team. But I don't think I'll get to much of a hard time for wearing Dodger gear because only 3000 people show up per night.

Anyways that's it. Email me at juanpierrewoodblog@gmail

Scott Podsednik and Bullpen Woes

Earlier yesterday the Dodgers traded two minor leaguers to the Royals for Scott Podsednik. However Kuroda had a rough 7th. The Dodgers lost 6-1.

Back to Podsednik though. He is batting .310 with 45 RBI and 5 home runs. I think he has a 15 game hit streak too.

But possibly the best part of this trade is the high socks. We will finally have high socks patrolling the outfield daily at Dodger Stadium.

It's a Good pickup, but the real problem is pitching. But for once you can't blame Colletti for this. Even if that LA Times guy says you can. I don't know what to make of him. Total hater. Which makes me mad because I respect how the LA Times does sports.

Anyways today it will be Soap Bubble Padilla vs. Matt Latos. Latos is 11-4 which doesn't make me too optimistic.

That's all. Emails? Address is juanpierrewoodblog@gmail.com. Go Dodgers!

Andre Ethier vs. The Flu bug

Nice. Ethier comes though in the clutch. That's what I'm talking about. Make a statement Dodgers.

Tonight it will be Kuroda against Clayton Richards. We need to get out of this offensive slump.

Don Mattingly will manage the Phoenix team in the Fall league. I supose he needs to get some kind of experience.

I won't be going down to Anahiem afterall for today. Maybe some other time.

That's all. Go Dodgers!

Matt Garza No No

Another no hitter? Yup. And it was a Fresno kid so I had to make a post. I faintly remember watching him in college. I remember seeing him in the World Series. He won the only game the rays won that series. And now he throws Tampa's first no hitter. It's nice to see the Rays being on the winning end of a no no.

I got the opportunity to go down to an Angel game tomorrow. So I will probably go. I've been to Angel Stadium but it never feels the same as Dodger Stadium.

Also: What happened to Eric Smith?? I noticed he wasn't announcing on Friday or Saturday? Is he back? How come he seems like hes not there half the time?What's this new guy's name? If you have an answer email me at juanpierrewoodblog@gmail.com.

Rob Dyrdek: This Is My Town

Here's the This is My Town Billboard for Rob Dyrdek. He should go to Dodger Stadium for a fantasy factory Episode. He also did a Code of Conduct video for the jumbotron.

New Fantasy Factory Episode tonight. I think its at 6:30 (pacific).

Three game series against Padres starts today. Lets make a statement. Go Dodgers!

Loney Walkoff!!! (7-24)

Wow. If you haven't been reading my blog long you probably don't know i'm only 13. And living up here in Fresno i don't get out to more than 6 games a year. So i think its safe to say that this is the best game i've ever seen. Not just the Loney homer. The new guy, Kenley Jansen did great. I didnt even know his first name when i first got to the park. So when he struck out Pagan on three pitches I was pumped.

Montasterious pithced okay. It was a very slow game at the beginning. But eventually it became more watchable.
 I dont know if they do this alot, but in the 10th or so, jets flew over and made this.

 Pretty cool.

I saw Deuce for the first time in person! Didnt get a high five though. He pumped up the pavillion, but didnt seem to happy about having to share the spotlight with some Jamison Moss wanabee kid.

Sidenote: Whatever happened to Jamison? He was great.

I gotta give love to the Mets fan sitting 7 seats away. He was great. He had his good moments. But in the end when Loney hit it out, he sat there like a man and took the crap from Jose and Gary.

 Thats it. Sorry for the late post. Go Dodgers

Crank up Rand Newman!!

Wow. Probably the best game I've ever been to. I am blogging on my iPhone so I can't put up all the pics. I will make a much longer post tonight or tomorrow. I still have a long drive home.

Anyways good night America.

Where did the offense go?

Seriously. The dodgers have scored two or less runs in 6 of the last 9. That's not good. Padilla did good though... Until the eighth. His first loss since the game against the Yankees.

Ned Colletti says the dodgers are serious buyers. Really? I sure hope so. The offense Is in a slump but our pitching really does need improvement.

Anyways I will be at the game today. I'm actually blogging while driving. Thanks to this crappy iPhone app for making me rewrite the post.

Anyways have a good day America. Go Dodgers!

Kuroda wins Japaneese night

At least i think that they're both Japaneese. I hope i got that right. Anyways Kuroda gives the Dodgers another win. He went 8 innings and alowed no runs. Manny was not present for his action figure giveaway.

Its 55 since '55 night tonight. I wish i could go since it's a poster giveaway and i have a strange liking of posters. This one has Vin Scully and the Dodgers celebrating the 55 World Series title. See for yourself.


On the mound it'll be Johan Santana against Vincente Soap Bubble Padilla. Hope for a win.

Gem

Great preformance by Billingsly last night. He gives the dodgers their first win of the second half. The beard hit a shot into formerly-known-as-Mannywood. Billingsley did the rest despite allowing runners to get to scoring position every other inning.

Kershaw and Torre were suspended. Kershaw is appealing. He wont get much though. He threw it right at Rowand, no question.

Other thoughts: I got the previlage to see Buster Posey when he was still in the minors. The first pitch he saw he hit a home run over the wall and the net behind the wall in left. He looked like the real deal. So why does his catchers helmet look way to big? I never realized how stupid the hockey style masks look until now.

Blown save

This was more then a blown save. More like a blown game. It was pretty obvious this team is mad. Bringing kershaw out for one pitch to throw at some no name loser. They're mad. And the Dodgers don't play good when their mad. Remember the end of the Angels series and the start of the Yankees? They were mad and not playing good ball.

The mound situation in the 9th made me think that this isn't the first time it's happened to us. If I'm right it was in Arizona. It resulted in Jeff Kents ejection. But I may be wrong. What I also remember is that the AL and NL rules for when a "trip to the mound" is over also differ. If anyone knows, comment.


I don't want to talk too much about the game. We all saw. Why worsen the pain? But I will say that I am a supporter of moving Mattingly to manager when Torre leaves. But last night proved that he has a lot to learn about managing.

Puzzle Time

Its corny analogy time. Are you excited children? No..ok then.

Anyways while i was trying to blog on my phone at dinner, i figured something out that i felt must be shared. I had a great post written up but i forgot to save it and accidentally deleted it.

I figured that the Dodgers are trying to put together a puzzle. Ned decides to move over to the starting pitching side. He has six pieces, all unique. He can't connect any of them. But Frank and Jamie wont give him anymore. So he tries and tries to make the pieces fit. This is why we see McDonald, Haeger, and Ely up and down. They are all good pitchers, with no consistency.

Damn it sounded so much better in my head.

Lincecum vs Kershaw tonight. An imminent pitchers duel. But then again, everything imminent for the Dodgers of late has turned out exactly opposite.

I just turned on the tv. I was right (yes!!). 5-1 Dodgers. Hope it stays that way.

Also Manny's on the DL. He'll miss three weeks.

Wow what a long rambling post. Good night America.

Wild game

Swept out of St. Louis

Ouch. That hurt. Broxtons blown save really sums up the entire series. Disappointing. But we can't give up yet. We have a great record against teams in our division. And we have the Giants for three games leaves room for hope. After the Mets, we hit the road.

Being an optimistic person, look at it this way. In the past, the Dodgers have always gone into a small slump right after the All Star Break. We'll break out of it. But if we had to slump, better to have it against non-divisional teams. And with 12 of the next 16 games being against divisional opponents, hopefully the Dodgers will get the memo and start playing ball.

Also i will be at the Saturday game in the pavillion. Being so far north of LA i dont get to more than five games a year. Hope they pull out a win.

A bad day?

Two game slide to start the second half? Not a good sign. Actually there are a lot of bad signs. Manny left with a calf injury. Martin left with a swollen thumb. Kershaw only went 4 1/3 and Billingsly went 4. Sherril gave up a run. Rumor say the Yanks might try to get him. But with a 7.17 ERA dont look for anything big in return.

And again the dreadful situation of not being able to cash in runners was back. 13 hits. 12 stranded. Not how you win a ballgame.

To make things even worse there Peter Gammons went on a Boston radio show an said he could see Ethier going to the Red Sox. But his reasons are to far out to be believable.

Now that you've read this post you understand why its called "A bad day?"

National League Wins!!

I was beginning to think i might never see it. I was mad when Hoffman blew the save in 06. I was pissed when the AL won in the 15th inning in 08. When Crawford robbed that home run last year i gave up hope. But here they are. For the first time since 2001, the National League has home field advantage.

I may have exagerrated a bit. Or a lot. The total disaster that is home field advantage/all star game still sucks. But it worked for once.


Sadly i dont think the Dodgers had one good moment. Kuo threw the ball way over Adrian Gonzalez's head for an error. Broxton's "save" was sketchy. Ethier did hit a single that was almost an RBI an Furcal drew a walk.

But the game is over now. Time to start looking forward to the second half. Thursday we go into St. Louis. We swept them earlier this year, but they took two of three last year in St. Louis. So it keeps you guessing.

A last note. Bud Selig adressed the 'state of the game' (linked here) at fanfest. Notice the first thing he says is "Atendence has been good." I think the game is going fine too Bud, but when you start off with "Atendace is good" it makes me you only care about the money. Which you proably do.

Anyways enough raving. Goodnight America

David Ortiz Wins HR Derby

Last night big papi won the derby beating out Hanley Ramirez and his shiny shoes. It wasn't a very exciting derby in my opinion. The crowd in Ananhiem seemed to agree with me. Seriously at a home run derby, your supposed to cheer for home runs. Don't wanna rip angel fans again, just had to get it out there. Also there were plenty of seats empty. Mostly up around the top deck by the foul poles, but still.

ASG is tonight. Lets hope the NL can pull of a win and give all four Dodgers in the game playing time.

We've lost a legend

Bob Sheppard. Possibly the greatest voice in baseball history (second of course to Vin Scully)passed earlier today at 99 years old. He was nicknamed "Voice of God" and for obvious reasons. He was Yankee Stadium's PA announcer for over 50 years. He was to Yankee fans what Vin Scully is to Dodger fans. And even with his passing, his voice will live on every time Derek Jeter comes to the plate.

Why the post? I felt obliged as a fan of baseball and the dodgers to show tribute to him. Because sadly some day, Vin Scully, our version of Sheppard will pass as well. That will be a day of tears for many Dodger fans as it was today for many Yankee fans.

However to finish on a high note, watch the video below, and then do your best impression.

"Now Batting, the shortstop, number two, Derek, Jeter, number two"

Feels good.

Stuff i forgot to mention...

-World Cup Action is over! Spain wins in extra time 1-0 over the dutchies. Ms. Robin will not be happy tomorrow nite!

-Hong-Chih Kou is an all star. He replaces an injured Jason Heyward. Thats four dodgers in the all star game for those of us keeping score

-Jose Canseco needs to give roids a second chance if he wants to beat a 60 year old. Wait what? Yeah he lost to a 60 year old in a boxing match.

Last Game Before All Star break

It's that time again. It always comes so quickly. Its the All Star Break. A time where we can look around the league and declare the frontrunners. And thank others for participating. The Dodgers are in the exact middle. Not a frontrunner, but still a contender. Depending on how today plays out, the Dodgers will either finish the first half 49-39 or 48-40.


But forgetting stats, the big question is, can the Dodgers win? In these past few years the first half has always been better than the second. But this team seems different.

But remember that this time (and every time since 2002) it counts. So hopefully the NL can pull off their first ASG win of my lifetime. Congrats to Ethier, Broxton, and now Furcal too, for being selected to go 40 miles south to play in a game that for some strange reason will decide home field advantage in the World Series. Thanks bud.

My first post yo

Here it is. The awkward first post. Just me explaining the blog. Here goes.

I'm Spencer. Im a thirteen year old kid. Wait stop. Your Blogging? Yeah my dreams are along the lines of someday getting into sports journalism. Or radio. So i decided, screw it, im gonna write a blog.

Anyways i am a die hard dodger fan. I can only remember things back to the 2004 season, so when my dad or other people tell me about the 80's and the great infield that the dodgers had, or the days of Koufax, i cant say i remember. I've seen replays of Gibson's blast so many times, but i cant say i've ever had the feeling of seeing any dodger play like that in my lifetime.

But the best i can do is wait and root for the home team and win or lose, i'll blog.
Was that too awkward? I hope not. Regular posts will start tomorrow. Good Night America