MLB Trade Deadline

The Dodgers made some major moves today. I'm not sure how I feel yet, although, I did predict Izzy's departure. While I sort this out, here's the 411!

Dodgers get Maddux, Lugo; deal Izturis
07/31/2006 4:58 PM ET
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers beat the trade deadline with a pair of major deals Monday, acquiring future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux and cash from the Chicago Cubs for Gold Glove infielder Cesar Izturis, then adding infielder Julio Lugo from Tampa Bay for prospects Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza.
The 40-year-old Maddux, who earns $9 million in this final season of his contract, has 327 career wins. He joins a rotation that includes Brad Penny and Derek Lowe from Opening Day, June acquisition Mark Hendrickson and either rookie Chad Billingsley or veteran Aaron Sele, with the other relegated to the bullpen.
The 30-year-old Lugo, a free agent after this season, is almost a clone of current Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal and will probably be moved to second base, where he has played occasionally. Regular second baseman Jeff Kent is expected to be sidelined another two weeks with an oblique strain. Lugo was batting .308 with 12 homers, 28 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Where he would play when Kent returns is not clear.
Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti has a long history with Maddux from their days with the Chicago Cubs, when Maddux was just starting his career. Colletti believes Maddux will not only be an upgrade on the mound, but will be invaluable as a leader to a pitching staff in need of one.
Maddux is 9-11 with a 4.69 ERA for a Cubs team fighting to stay out of last place in the National League Central. He had a no-trade clause, but was willing to waive it for a return to the West Coast. He is from Las Vegas, has a residence in Newport Beach and was also pursued by the San Diego Padres, as well as his former team, the Atlanta Braves.
It had been assumed Izturis' days were numbered from the time Colletti signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three-year, $39 million contract to replace the former Gold Glover, who underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last September and was expected to be sidelined until the middle of this season.
Izturis returned and saw plenty of playing time, initially at third base because of the loss of Bill Mueller. On Sunday, he started his first game for the Dodgers at second base after the acquisition of Wilson Betemit.
Izturis, who had the game-winning hit Sunday, was batting .252 in 32 games. He is 26 and is signed through next season, when he earns $4.35 million, with an option for 2008.
The 21-year-old Guzman at one time was considered the organization's best hitting prospect, but the club kept him at shortstop despite his 6-foot-6 frame until this season, and his overall progress stalled while he was shuffled between left field, first base and third base. He was hitting .297 with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs at Triple-A Las Vegas.
Pedroza, a 22-year-old outfielder, was taken in the third round of the 2005 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. He has split time this year between Low Class A Columbus and Class A Vero Beach.

Hallelujah!

FINALLY!

In front of a sellout crowd of 55,000, and on Steve Garvey Bobble Head night, the Dodgers broke out of their slump in grand fashion, by walloping the Washington Nationals, 13-1! Where have you Boys been? I've missed you!

At the start of the game, the Dodgers announced a trade. I crossed my fingers and hoped Ned hadn't done something stupid. Turns out, they traded away Danys Baez, who struggled all season, and rookie Willie Aybar to Atlanta for infielder Wilson Betemi. Betemit is sporting a .281 average, he's scored 30 runs and has 56 hits in only 87 games. He is a switch-hitter with a little pop, smcaking 9 homeruns, while driving in 29 runs. For good measure, he is hitting .317 with 13 RBIs in the month of July. In addition, the native of the Dominican Republic has a .333 average with runners in scoring position.

Too bad Baez didn't work out for the Dodgers. He had 41 saves last season and expectations were high when they acquired him. However, Baez just couldn't get off the floor and blew many save situations and games. Maybe the So Cal smog and heat didn't agree with him...who knows? It's sad to see Aybar go, mostly because we will never know what the kid may have been capable of. Regardless, I feel it's a good trade, but only time will tell which team got the better end.

My only question is this. Where will Betemit play? Izzy is at 3rd, Furcal at SS, Nomar at 1st, so that leaves 2nd base. What happens when Jeff Kent comes of the DL? Unfortunately, I believe Izzy will be the odd man out. Me thinks his days as a Dodger are numbered?

Listen....

...THE FAT LADY IS SINGING!



It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
- Charles Dickens

I must face reality and call it a season. Today, the Padres pounded the Dodgers, 10-3. And if that wasn’t humiliating enough, the pitcher Peavey, went 2-4 with 4 RBI, including a homerun.

Since the All-Star break, the Dodgers' record is a dismal 1-12. This is the worst losing streak I’ve ever witnessed in all my years as a fan. If I didn’t know any better, I’d wonder if there weren’t something supernatural going on here. Someone somewhere has a Dodgers VooDoo doll and it’s stuck full of needles. Time to call a curandero (witchdoctor) to perform una limpia (a cleansing) Either that, or sacrifice a chicken at home plate!

This Dodgers team is NOT a championship team. Not even close.


I was bursting with excitement at the start of the season. The thought of an infield consisting of Bill Mueller, Rafael Furcal, Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciparra had me downright giddy! Sadly, it never materialized. I’m not one to make excuses, however, the Dodgers have been plagued by injuries for the past two seasons. This year, it really hurt, especially after a decent first half.

Jeff Kent: (Disabled List) Off season wrist surgery that continues to plague him, in addition to an oblique injury from which he has not recovered.

Bill Mueller: (Disabled List) Knee implodes. His career may be over.

Nomar Garciaparra: (Unavailable) One of the only true contributors this season. Oblique and knee injury, combined with the mid-season slump that could not have come at the worst moment.

So much for the magical infield! *sigh* Instead, the Dodgers have been forced to play musical positions with the infield. Because of this, a few nights ago, a shallow pop up dropped untouched among THREE players. They obviously don’t know each other well enough to stay out of each other’s way due to the fact that they don’t send the same lineup out there with any consistency.

Other injuries contributing to the current implosion:

Eric Gagne: (Disabled List) Arm and back (slipped disc). Unfortunately, he has pitched for the last time in a Dodgers’ uniform.

J.D. Drew: Offseason shoulder surgery has turned him into a Shawn Green clone. Complete power outage. Weak pop ups and dribblers to the 2nd baseman. Rally killer.

Brett Tomko: Oblique. (Recently Activated from the DL) An average starter who could eat up innings is underperforming. Had a great start, but fizzled.

Ricky Ledee: (Recently Activated from the DL) not an impact player, but have to add him to the list.

Jason Repko: (Recently Activated from the DL) Ankle sprain. Can’t fault the kid for his enthusiasm, but seriously…he can’t go around crashing into outfield walls for fly balls he has NO chance in hell of catching.

Non-injury factors contributing to current implosion:

Jose Cruz Jr.: STOP with the switch-hitting crap. You cannot hit left-handed. Major rally killer. Evidence: RH AVG .318, LH AVG .197 GIVE IT UP JOSE!

Danys Baez: I had high expectations from Baez. He came over from Tampa Bay with 41 saves under his belt last season. Can’t count how many he’s blown this season. YOU'RE KILLING US!

Kenny Lofton: He’s a 40 year-old journeyman that can’t chase them down like he used to. Can’t really fault Kenny though. He was supposed to be a part-timer, but has been forced into the lineup day in and day out due to the injuries.

Brad Penny & Derek Lowe: They were supposed to be our 1-2 punch! Can you say, 'UNDERACHIEVERS?" Combined they are a pitiful 17-11.

Jonathan Broxton: He’s actually been a workhorse coming out of the pen, but boy, he’s given up some of the LENGTHIEST homeruns I’ve ever witnessed. He’s young, so there is hope for him.

Chad Billingsley: With all of the injuries, the Dodgers called him up. He’s been a little wild, but occasionally shows flashes of….something!

Odalis Perez: I realize he’s gone, but I just had to get in one last jibe! DID HE SUCK OR WHAT?

On the brightside…there is hope. And that hope is based on the youth of the Dodgers farm system. We’ve witnessed the coming of age of Andre Ethier, who is a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year. We finally have a solid looking catcher with tons of potential in Russell Martin. We were given a glimpse of a future Super Star in Matt Kemp. We also were given good looks at Joel Guzman and Willie Aybar, who are no slouches. Then there’s also a 3rd baseman named LaRouche who’s making a name for himself in the minors. So, I look forward to great things in the coming years.

I do, however, have a couple of suggestions for Dodger GM Ned Coletti:

First, please do not do something desperate like trade away our future for what you think may be an easy fix for this season. There is no easy fix.

Second, we need PITCHING, PITCHING AND PITCHING…work on that in the offseason and all will be well!

In conclusion, since winning the division is a pipe dream, I won't be posting as frequently. It doesn't mean I'll be watching my boys any less, or that I won't be going to games. Honestly, it's just not as fun to bitch about a team, if they're not in contention! If nothing else, I hope the Dodgers end with a respectable record and something they can build on for next year. And I have to admit, I do love it when we play the role of spoilers. Hopefully when the end of the season arrives we can knock the nasty Gnats or merry Madres out of the playoffs!

I love the Dodgers, and always will...cut me open and I BLEED BLUE!

Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead

Thank the stars above! The Dodgers have FINALLY unloaded the clubhouse cancer that is Odalis Perez, along with minor league right-handers Blake Johnson and Julio Pimentel and cash considerations! In the deal, the Dodgers reacquired right-hander Elmer Dessens. Anyone the Dodgers may have recieved in the deal is a plus, I don't care if they'd gotten nothing in return, as long as OP is gone!

OP had a 4-4 record with an enormous 6.83 ERA this season. The unfortunate part is that OP might very well go on and do well in Kansas City. At one point in his career, OP had decent enough stuff. However, this year, it’s as though he’d forgotten how to pitch. Either that or the ridiculously fat (3-year $24 million) deal Depodesta signed him to, made him lazy and apathetic. Either way, OP became a head case. His attitude was terrible and his arrogance annoying. OP refused to ever take blame for his lousy pitching and losses. He cried crocodile tears in the media always blaming others for his shortcomings. He was a detriment to the team and I, for one, am ecstatic he is gone!

So this Dodger fan says so long sucker, don’t let the door hit your fatass on the way out!

Now perhaps, a better clubhouse environment will lead to a win here and there! Sadly, I’m very close to calling it a season…but alas, I still carry a wee bit of hope in my heart. It's hard to toss in the towel when your team is only 5-1/2 games out of first!

Perhaps....

8:10pm, Bottom of the 4th: Can it be?

8:48pm, Bottom of the 6th: Maybe...maybe not??

9:20pm, Bottom of the 7th: FUCK! I give up!

Going nowhere fast!

The Dodgers are a train wreck. You know you should look away, but just can’t!

Another day, another loss.

Can't Hit A Lick

Us Dodgers fans should hang our heads in shame! Right now, the Dodgers could make the worst pitcher in all of baseball look good. Wait, that’s exactly what happened at the Ravine tonight. Jeff fricken Weaver of all people. FOR FUCKS SAKE, he’s 3-11 with a 6.60 ERA! What the hell is gonna take for the Blue to score some runs? They can’t get a clutch hit if their lives depended on it! The Cards beat up on the hapless Blue, 6-1!

The Dodgers are 1-9 since the All Star break with no hope on the horizon! The pathetic part is that they’re only 4 games out of first. The NL West looks as though it’s in for a repeat of last season. The division winner was scarcely 2 games over .500. *sigh* What an embarrassment!

WTF?

Piece of Advice

DON'T PITCH TO PUJOLS!

Dodgers Puttin' the "S" in SUCK

Hey, it's totally cool if you'd rather run along and play with your Barbies....but don't be fucking impersonating a baseball team!

These aren't my Dodgers! Where the frilly heck are they?? Will the real Los Angeles Dodgers please stand up? At this point, my little niece's softball team would probably kick their asses!

And Vin...what''s with this "Byrnsie" crap....why don't you just fricken propose already??????

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Well that didn't last long! The Dodgers are back to their old tricks and are sleepwalking through games. They managed a measly 6 hits and were pounded by the D'Backs, 8-0! Derek Lowe blew chunks, the offense blew chunks, the defense blew chunks....an error and a balk! Nice going knuckleheads! WAKE THE HELL UP! Someone get me a cattle prod!

At Last

Yup, felt like forever since the Dodgers won a game! They finally broke the six game losing streak and Chad "Wild Thing" Billingsley FINALLY picked up first Major League victory after 7 attempts! Of course, he didn't make it easy on himself, getting in and out of trouble through 7 innings. However, Chad seems to be settling down a bit and kept his pitches around the plate, only walking two.

The Dodger bats didn't exaclty light the world on fire, but they got the job done...good enough for a 4-1 win over the D'Backs!

Come on Nomar, gotta get out of this mini-slump you're in! You can do it Babe!!!!!!!!!

FREEFALL

HUMILIATED IN ST. LOUIS!
NOW IN ARIZONA THE DODGERS ARE PLAYING LIKE OLD LADIES!

NO FIGHT!
NO HEART!
NO NOTHIN'!

I'M PISSED!

GRADY NEEDS TO SHAKE UP THE LINE-UP!
BENCH CRUZ, SURE STRIKEOUT!
BENCH J.D. DREW, NOT DRIVING IN RUNS!
BENCH LOFTON, HIS GLOVE HAS HOLES!
PUT KENT ON THE DL!
GET REPKO BACK!
GET RID OF ASSCLOWN ODALIS!
GET SOME DECENT PITCHING!

Dodgers No Match for Pujols

Pujols should be outlawed....the guy ain't human....he's a machine....a machine, I tell ya! Don't see why he Cards even need 9 players. If it were Pujols alone against the Dodgers and we'd still get ourt asses handed to us! The guy hit a ball that was six inches off the ground and deposited it over the left field wall...he didn't even get his legs into that swing! How do you ever pitch to a guy like that? He hits EVERYTHING!

Unfortunately, the Cards are visiting the Ravine this coming weekend. The Dodgers should just turn out the lights and pretend no one's home...maybe Albert will go away!

Saturday night, the Dodgers lost yet another extra inning game and I was in no mood to write about it.

Today, they got shelled and surprise surprise...ASS CLOWN STRIKES AGAIN, allowing a 3 run homer. Not that it mattered much...it just added an additional level of humiliation! BooHooHoo......why do they hate me? Uh...cuz you SUCK!

Kemp sent down

*sigh* With the way Matt Kemp started off his Major League career, smokin' 7 homerun bombs, batting .333 in his first 23 games, we all thought a SuperStar was born. However, his last 44 at-bats, he hit a paltry .181, striking out 16 times. The scounting report on this kid got out fast and Kemp never saw a fastball again.

If you've ever seen the movie Major League, you're probably familiar with the Cuban VooDoo outfielder, Pedro Cerrano, played by Dennis Haysbert. In the film, there's a scene where Cerrano is taking batting practice and is hitting ball after ball over the walls. When the manager steps up and asks why Cerrano isn't in the Majors, one of the coaches shouts at the pitcher and instructs him to throw some breaking balls. When he does, Cerrano swings right through them. It becomes obvious, he'll crush any fastball, but throw the guy a breaking ball, and he'll miss and miss ugly. Kinda like Matt.

So yesterday we got the news that the Dodgers decided to send Matt back down to the minors. I think it's the best thing for him right now. The kid has got to learn to lay off offspeed pitches and/or learn how to hit them. Patience Matt, we'll see you again!

Offense MIA

Dodgers got punked in St. Louis, losing 5-0! Billingsley's wildness from the previous night seemed to have rubbed off on Derek Lowe. The guy was all over mound, fidgeting, sweating and mumbling to himself! I think he forgot to take his Ridlin. Didn't really matter though, Lowe would have had to of pitched a near perfect game to beat Carpenter, who was stingy and allowed the Dodgers two measly hits, both of them singles.

Could the Dodgers salvage the last game of the series? With a winless (as a Dodger) Hendrickson on the mound, probably not. But I'll still hope!

Boo Friggen Hoo!

Perez says Dodgers treating him 'like trash'

ST. LOUIS -- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Odalis Perez, who surrendered a game-winning home run to the Cardinals' Albert Pujols in the 14th inning on Thursday night, accused his team of treating him like "trash."

The left-hander is in the second year of a three-year, $24 million contract and in his fifth season with the Dodgers. He's been banished to the bullpen except for one start since mid-May, has been used only twice since June 28 and is 4-4 with a 6.79 earned-run average.

"I don't know why I'm in this situation," Perez said. "I've been here for the last five years and I've never been in a situation like this.

"If I've done something wrong, let me know, tell me. I want to know. I've been treated like trash."

Perez won 15 games in 2002 and 12 in '03, but was 7-8 in an injury-plagued 2005. He said he just needs to pitch more to escape his funk.

Manager Grady Little said Perez was in the game on Thursday "pretty much" because he was out of options. He was the fifth reliever used by the Dodgers.

"What did I do to these people?" Perez said. "I've cried a lot of times about what I did wrong to these people.

"Why have I been treated like that? I want an answer, I want the truth, I want to talk to somebody."

Perez said he had not requested a trade, saying "I don't make those decisions." But he said he planned to talk to Little.

"If a team gets me, I need to pitch more," he said. "Without my confidence it's not the same no more.

"For me to be in this situation it's very hard, it's very painful."

But he also said he didn't want to leave the Dodgers.

"I want to be better for this team, I want to be on this team," Perez said. "I'm a very grown man. If I'm at this level it's because I can pitch at this level.

"I don't want to see people ignoring me, I'm too good for that."

Pujols increased the pain. He's 10-for-15 with five homers against Perez, and Perez said Pujols hit ball four on a full count over the left-field wall.

"It's part of the game," Pujols said. "I guess I swing real good against him and I don't try to do too much."

'Treating you like trash?' Odalis, I'm surprised you haven't been tarred, feathered and run you out of town by an angry mob of Dodger fans! Last night was as predictable as the sun rising in the morning. You came into the game, the Dodgers lost! Don't try to pretend you don't know why your're being treated like a leper! You stink, but what makes it worse, is your attitude. Learn to take your lumps like a man and quit being such a friggen crybaby. You blame everyone for your current predicament, except yourself! Keep playing the victim card, it's what you do best! ASSCLOWN!

God help us, the Dodgers will have to put up with this putz for another year! They will be forced into using him, when they are out of options. They should cut their losses and drop this loser, who is clearly a detriment to the team. Time to take out the GARBAGE, kick him to the curb!

Long Night

After walking a tight wire all night and holding a 2-0 advantage, Chad “Wild Thing” Billingsley was finally pulled in the 6th inning. Chad was so wild at times, it worked to his advantage as he kept the Cards at bay. However, as usual, the Dodger bullpen could not hold the lead. In the 7th, with a runner on, Giovanni Carrera brushed off Martin’s signal for an outside pitch and decided to challenge Jim Edmonds. He came inside. Big mistake! Edmonds hit a monster blast which I believe is still in orbit. Hey genius Giovanni, next time you shake Martin off, I will personally KICK YOUR ASS! Watching from the dugout, Wild Thing watched his first possible win this season go up in a puff of smoke!

This has been a frustrating game and I'm running short on patience. 4-1/2 hours later, it’s the bottom of the 14th inning….Albert Pujols will be batting and BIG FAT Odalis is coming on to pitch. Good night folks! Game over, Dodgers lose, 3-2!

If I wake up tomorrow morning and I'm wrong, I will write OP a long letter of apology! But I'm sure that won't be necessary. OP is GARBAGE!

UPDATE at 9:40 p.m.: I was right, ASS CLOWN strikes again!

So close, yet so far...

Trevor “GoatBoy” Hoffman

Do you realize you just blew the All Star game which the National League could have won after 10 loooooooooooong ass years of American League domination? Guess you made us their bitch…again! Figures, you play for the San Diego Madres! AL wins it, 3-2.

And SCREW YOU Phil Garner…you had a runner on in the bottom of the 9th and you didn’t bring my main man, Nomar “Mr. Clutch” Garciaparra in to pinch hit! Guess you aren’t aware he’s batting over .400 after the 7th inning! Jerk!

Hate It When That Happens...

FUCK! I hate when the Dodgers have to play catch up because the starting pitcher gives up a shitload of runs in the 1st damn inning! Then to top it off, the Dodgers refuse to go quietly and just lose. Nooooo, they make you believe they can overcome the deficit....they raise your hopes...they get your heart palpitating!

Today, I watched the game with the familia, all a bunch of Dodger nutballs, like yours truly. Kinda scary when you think about it. As the Dodgers came up to bat in the bottom of the 9th, and the score was 11-7, I turned to my brother and predicted the Dodgers would somehow get the tying run to the plate. Lo and behold, they did exactly that! They loaded the bases and all we needed was a homerun. We don't ask for much, do we? When Russell Martin stepped up to the plate, for a split second, the house erupted into bedlam. The swing looked good, the crack of the bat sounded good....the ball took off to centerfield....but then... it just DIED short of the warning track! Grrrrrrrrrrr! So typical, so Dodgers! Futility is the cross we bear as Dodger fans.

Chalk up this loss to lousy pitching. We were only down one run in the 8th and then as usual, the bullpen imploded! I hope someone dropped itching powder in Beimel and Broxton's jockstaps! We go for the series split tomorrow. Oh, did I mention I hate Barriods? He didn't play, but his presence alone, bothers me!

Notes: Last month, Eric Gagne pitched his last game as a Dodger. Apparently, he has two herniated discs and he will require back surgery...so stick a fork in him, he is done. There is no way the Dodgers will offer him a contract and whether he ever pitches again, remains to be seen. Bon Voyage Eric, it was fun will it lasted! Thanks for the memories. Vaya con Dios my friend!

Buckle Up!

ALL ABOARD, THE DODGER EXPRESS IS LEAVING THE STATION!

Don’t you just love rollercoasters? The ups, the downs, the twists, the turns…the excitement! That’s exactly what tonight’s Dodger game was…a rollercoaster ride…not for the faint of heart!

Top of the 1st: Gnats score 1
Bottom of the 1st: Dodgers score 2
Top of the 2nd: Gnats score 1
Bottom of the 2nd: Dodgers score 1
Top of the 3rd: Gnats score 3
Bottom of the 5th: Dodgers score 1
Bottom of the 6th: Dodgers score 1
Top of the 7th: Gnats score 1

By this time, the game is even at 6-6.

Bottom of the 8th: Dodgers score 3 (My main man, All Star Super Star Nomar, jacks a two run homer to left field.)
Top of the 9th: Gnats score 1

FINAL SCORE: Dodgers 9, Gnats 7

Buckethead Bonds knocked in 4 runs…but so damn what…they lose! Take that Barriods! Ha!

Observations

During last night's post, I forgot to touch on a couple of subjects. First, Nomar was hit by a pitch twice, making it the 5th time in the last 3 games. WTF? All of sudden everyone is gunning for him. Could it be the fact he is batting .360 and pitcher's a tired and embarrassed for not being able to get the guy out? Cheap shots if you ask me! Fellow blogger Chevy was kind enough to send me a pic, suggesting a name change for Nomar! I hear you, Chevy, although, I have to admit, I don't really like beanball, but if this nonsense doesn't stop, Dodger pitchers had better start nailing opponents! Gotta send a message and protect Nomar!



Second, without steroids, Barry Bonds isn't nearly as dangerous a threat as he used to be. Giovani Carrera who's been sent down to the minors more times than I can count, struck him out. Barriods looked awful at the plate, as well as the field! MelonHead is old!


Photos courtesy of Chevy

Coming Up Short

Yum...Dodger Dog with mustard and onions...crunch...crunch...peanuts....mmm...a couple pepperoni pizza slices...slurp...slurp...two ice cold beers...and oh yeah...the Dodgers lost, 5-4! Grrrrrr!

The only positive news tonight is that Nomar made the National League All Star Team!

SUPER NOMAR

Brooms out at the Ravine...again!

The Dodgers swept the slumping DBacks. Brad Penny had an efficient outing, throwing 106 pitches, and going 7 strong innings. Baez and Saito mopped up in the 8th and 9th, but not before a little excitement. The DBacks loaded the bases in the top of the 9th and Chad Tracy singled in two. Finally, the last out was recorded and the Dodgers hung on for a 5-4 win. Jeez, I hate high wire acts! KNOCK IT OFF!

The Blue still find themselves in a three way tie. Next up, the nasty Gnats! Bring it on Barriods!

Three Way

No nice way of putting this...so I'll just say it...the Dodgers kicked the shit out of the Diamondbacks for the second night in a row, with a score of 11-3! All around good night for the Boys and a solid start for Aaron Sele. Young Andre picked up four more RBI's today. It's great to see the guys starting to hit the ball well and scoring runs again, it's best to put the games out of reach early. Me like!

The NL West has been so tight this season with all of the teams occupying first place at one time or another. The Colorado Rockies are currently winning their game tonight and should they maintain that lead, there will be a 3-way tie for first, among the Dodgers, Rockies and Giants. No one seems to want to runaway with it, so I'm guessing this will probably go down to the wire. Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!

Target: Nomar Garicaparra

Warning Issued to the Arizona Diamondbacks:
STOP HITTING NOMAR, HE AINT NO DAMN PIÑATA!

Nomar was hit by a pitch THREE times by three different pitchers. Once on the shoulder, once on the helmet and once on a pitch thrown behind him. Nomar got himself into the MLB record books and tied a major league record by getting plunked 3 times! Wonderful! And to insult to injury, Nomar was also hit by a batted ball while running to third and was automatically called out.

However, the Dodgers ended up pummeling the Diamondbacks, 10-4 . Derek Lowe took the mound for the Dodgers, but did not have a good outing. He lasted the required 5 innings to get the win, but battled his control and was in constant trouble. Luckily, Lowe was able to escape without any major damage and Broxton and Kuo came on in relief. On a positive note, Jeff Kent had himself a good night, as did JD Drew, both picking up a couple of RBIs.

Last night against the Angels must have been an aberration for young Andre Ethier. He struck out 4 times, and how does he respond today? The kid goes 4-5 and also picks up a couple RBI’s. I’m 100% certain the Dodgers got the better end of the Milton Bradley trade. This kid can hit and is leading the league in batting amongst all rookies at .345. If he keeps this pace, I have no doubt he’ll get the nod for Rookie of The Year. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s the Dodgers dominated this award…it’s about time we bring another home! Go Andre!!

96 Todd Hollandsworth
95 Hideo Nomo
94 Raul Mondesi
93 Mike Piazza
92 Eric Karros
82 Steve Sax
81 Fernando Valenzuela
80 Steve Howe

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Do you ever feel like smacking someone upside the head? I do!

Chad Billingsley…what are we gonna do with you? Wake the hell up son! You have a runner at 3rd base and he steals home while you’re obviously daydreaming somewhere on cloud FRICKEN nine! I could understand it if you were a left-handed pitcher facing 1st base, but you’re not! EVER HEARD OF CHECKING THE RUNNER??? For crying out loud, not even in all my years of watching Little League have I ever seen a steal of home without a throw to the plate! Talk about catching you with your pants down! Sheesh!

That embarrassing play was an omen. I was so disgusted that I didn’t have the stomach to watch the rest of the ballgame, which I knew would result in a loss! Later in the evening, when my blood pressure stabilized, I checked the scoreboard on ESPN, and wouldn’t you know, they not only lost, but were shutout, 4-0! Grrr! I hate losing, but I hate losing and getting shutout even more!

The Dodgers are headed in the wrong direction and have been flailing for well over a month. Come on, the team is better than this! Clearly, it’s the pitching staff who’ve been the biggest disappointment and have let the team down, time after time! Aside from Penny, Lowe and Saito…we’ve got nothing but chumps! Sleeping chumps, I might add! *sigh*

Fundamentals 101

Wow, the Dodgers really stunk it up today, committing 3 errors! So much for our new pitcher, Hendrickson's debut! However, since I'm feeling magnanimous today, I'll give him another start to prove he really isn't as awful as the recently departed Jae Seo or big ass clown face Odalis, before I start to rag him! In his defense though, five of the runs were unearned.

The Angels return the bitch slap and the Dodgers lose, 9-2! The Blue Crew better get their shit together for the rubber game tomorrow! Shit, Billingsley is scheduled to pitch. The kid has been a little wild...let's hope he can find the strike zone with some efficiency and maybe not walk 20 batters this time!