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KT
Go BLUE!!!!
ASW1
DODGERS :
1. LF: Carl Crawford
2. RF: Yasiel Puig
3. 1B: Adrian Gonzalez
4. SS: Hanley Ramirez
5. CF: Andre Ethier
6. C: A.J. Ellis
7. 2B: Mark Ellis
8. 3B: Nick Punto
9. SP: Zack Greinke
CUBS :
1. SS: Starlin Castro
2. CF: Junior Lake
3. 1B: Anthony Rizzo
4. RF: Nate Schierholtz
5. LF: Brian Bogusevic
6. 3B: Donnie Murphy
7. C: Welington Castillo
8. 2B: Darwin Barney
9. SP: Jake Arrieta
Bob_in_Vegas
Time to start another WINNING STREAK!
RBI
Yes indeedy.
KT
DP Time
KT
AJ!!!
Bob_in_Vegas
Run at your own risk.
KT
good inning…now let’s put one on the board in the 1st for a change
Bob_in_Vegas
. . . or more!
KT
PUIG!!
Bob_in_Vegas
Vinny was ready for him to go for third.
KT
Nice quick inning…way to go Zack
KT
Come on AJ move Dre around
Bob_in_Vegas
Can;t see — Dre had no choice?
KT
Ball was hit over Rizzo’s head who made a good over the shoulder catch…vinny got the call wrong
Bob_in_Vegas
thanks . . . I thought it was going to be a good break, but I guess it could have been a bad break — another double-up
KT
All right Zack get on base
Bob_in_Vegas
Zack’s on a roll . . . but it ain’t enough to keep the other guys from scoring!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Greinke: OBP machine.
KT
Way to get on Zack
KT
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/372188368219557889 Reminds me of my 2 years spent in Bahrain
KT
know in the desert as a Haboob
KT
Puig!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Another multi-hit game for Puig.
Jeffrey Thomas III
RBI guys not being RBI guys.
ASW1
Letting Arrieta wriggle off the hook so far.
John_from_Aus
our bats are as quiet as this post today
Bob_in_Vegas
They must think it’s April, not August (the hitters). At least the BoSox pitchers were a good excuse.
Bob_Hendley
Vin did note that one nugget that the Cubs have is the ERA of their starting pitchers, which rivals that of the Dodgers.
Bob_in_Vegas
Then let’s get to the bullpen!
Bob_in_Vegas
When Zack is on, the game sure moves along! But I wouldn’t mind if we took some time here and got a run . . . or two . . . or more.
ASW1
You guys seen this? Sure would hate to be an Astros fan :
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/houston-astros-worst-record-baseball-making-most-money-175023013.html
Jeffrey Thomas III
Seems that the owner is quite the businessman, but unless he starts using the profits to better the product on the field there will be a lot of upset people in Houston. As it’s only his second year of ownership we’ll have to see what the roster looks like in a few years and if he actually cares about winning or simply using the team to get richer.
Spence
The fellas are looking bit lethargic last few games. When Hanley and Puig arent on fire, the offense is rather pedestrian.
ASW1
A heck of a lot of pop-ups and lazy fly balls last few games for some reason.
Bob_in_Vegas
Hang tough, Nick!
KT
Way to work a walk
Bob_in_Vegas
normally getting the pitcher up and out of the way is an accomplishment . . . but Zack is more than that!
Bob_Hendley
Ha!
Bob_in_Vegas
Zack rests my case . . . thankfully!
KT
ZACK!!
Bob_in_Vegas
Zack!
Bob_in_Vegas
Zack & Kersh: “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me!”
ASW1
Leave it to Greinke!
Jeffrey Thomas III
He threw him the same pitch three times after he whiffed the first two times, Zack got it the third time.
John_from_Aus
very nicely done!
Spence
Maybe Greinke should be used a pinch hitter for the playoffs.
John_from_Aus
Let’s bust this game open
Bob_in_Vegas
CC! . . . bummer into stands
KT
CC!!
Bob_in_Vegas
C’mon, Puig!
KT
Eric Stephen @truebluela1m
Zack Greinke (16) just passed Luis Cruz (15) in hits for the 2013 Dodgers, in less than half the PA (57 vs 128)
Bob_in_Vegas
wow! But Cruz had a great 2012 for the Blue.
KT
fell back to the mean
Bob_in_Vegas
Bogie & Bergman had Paris, Cruz & LA had ’12
John_from_Aus
would have Grienke made it if it didn’t bounce into the stands
KT
yes
John_from_Aus
shame then
KT
SAFE!
Bob_in_Vegas
Shut ’em down here, Zack.
KT
way to stay with it gonzo
Bob_in_Vegas
C’mon, Zack, another 0!
Bob_in_Vegas
Yes — no answering back . . . now add to it!
KT
way to get out of it zack
KT
Dre!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Good thing nobody was on base.
KT
Need to throw that fan out
ASW1
Never underestimate the ignorance of fans at the ballpark.
Bob_in_Vegas
Sure have that feel of April and May . . . except Zack’s in control.
Spence
These games are hard to watch. Need the playoffs to get here. Seems like the Dodgers are playing out the string till the playoffs start.
KT
I hope not…a lot of ball still to be played
Bob_in_Vegas
They went into a hitting funk the end of July as well . . . still won, but weren’t putting up the runs.
KT
Ken Gurnick @kengurnick29m
A hip injury has dealt reliever Shawn Tolleson a setback in his return from lower back surgery. http://atmlb.com/19J0QFw
KT
Cruising right along Zack!
Bob_in_Vegas
Let’s let Zack — and all of us — laugh . . . get some runs!
KT
MEllis!
Spence
Sveum’s telling Arrietta that look we know you dont have anything left, but the bullpen is tired so you have to pitch the 6th
Jeffrey Thomas III
How many innings did they go yesterday? 14?
KT
15
KT
MEllis speed!
ASW1
This game reminds me of the first game of the season where Kershaw shut out the Gnats and had the game-winning hit.
Bob_in_Vegas
At least we didn’t have to wait until the 8th this time!
Bob_in_Vegas
Hang tough again, Nick!
Bob_in_Vegas
NICK!
KT
NICKY!!
Bob_in_Vegas
At least no idjit hit it.
ASW1
Little Pony!
Bob_in_Vegas
Please, sirs, can we have some more?
Bob_in_Vegas
How many other teams, when their pitcher is coming up, get excited?
KT
beautiful bunt
Bob_in_Vegas
A reprieve, CC — bring him in!
Bob_in_Vegas
S A C for CC!
Bob_in_Vegas
It’s not an explosion of hits and runs, but I really like how they’re taking advantage of the situation and making things happen.
KT
Az won so still 9.5 and 1 less game left
Bob_in_Vegas
Don’t audit the poultry just quite yet . . . (I like to be optimistic but don’t wanna upset the karma balance!)
ASW1
And that team up North, mired in last place, got smoked by the Rockies 6-1.
Zito now 4-10 with a 5.81 ERA – WOW.
RBI
Just checking in. I’ve been doing my Dodger yoga. Take a position, yell, hold it, clap, get out of position. Glad we’re winning. It helps with the balance.
scooplew
The Cubs used seven relief pitchers yesterday in their 15-inning defeat.
KT
DP!!
Bob_in_Vegas
Zack! Kersh must be watching with eagerness to get his chance.
RBI
Nice to hear Vin say my name! (Hint – it’s not Evers or Chance…)
Bob_in_Vegas
Does that mean Bell is also part of your name?
scooplew
Don’t tinker with her name!
RBI
Ha! My pregnant mother was watching Peter Pan on Broadway w Mary Martin when a certain winged faerie (Han Ram!!!) arrived on stage in the form of a twinkling light and I kicked. So yes, I guess you could say there’s a bell in my past.
scooplew
Delightful! Mary Martin was magnificent as Peter Pan, although as a youngster I had a hard time understanding how a woman could play him.
RBI
Just took the granddaughters to see Kathy Rigby, who can still pull it off!
ASW1
Either one of those as good as Robin Williams’ portrayal?
KT
Rick calling Zack’s performance Maddox like 80 pitches 57 for strikes
Bob_in_Vegas
Hanley!!!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Crushed.
KT
HANLEY!!!!
Bob_in_Vegas
Believe Vinny said it earlier, when Puig and Hanley hit, the Dodgers win. They didn’t really combine for anything tonight, but they DID hit . . . as did others. Six more outs to start the new winning streak!
scooplew
In his last 10 appearances including tonight, as both a starter and a reliever, Zito has given up 33 earned runs in 28.2 innings. That computes to an ERA of 10.36.
ASW1
It still boggles my mind how well he pitched last season down the stretch and in the postseason against St. Loo and Detroit.
KT
AJ!
RBI
Love his little smile there.
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers1m
If you give @HanleyRamirez a curveball, he’s going to…Well this: http://atmlb.com/1diXc9r
scooplew
Sorry, but I am on a kick of researching Zito because his contract is so incredulous.
He is in the last year of a seven-contract that will pay him a total of $126 million. He is making $20 million this year. According to Baseball-Reference.com, the Giants have an $18 million option on him for 2014 and a $7 million buyout. The option vests with 200 IP in 2013 or 400 IP in 2012-2013 or 600 IP in 2011-2013. Zito won’t reach any of those numbers. If the 2013 option vests, which it won’t, Zito may opt out and receive $3.5 million buyout.
Zito’s agent is Boras.
ASW1
He didn’t pitch in the postseason for the WS win in 2010, but I wonder how many Giants fans think it was worth it just for how well he did for them in helping to win the WS last year?
KT
DP Time
Bob_in_Vegas
Get the K or double play!
Bob_in_Vegas
Nick — saves the shutout!
ASW1
Ha! Dionner not too fleet of foot.
KT
Nice grin at Punto Zack!!
Bob_in_Vegas
If I can’t see it myself, at least I get the description!
KT
I see if I can find video…Punto fielded the ball and it took him to the 3rd base coaches box where he threw a one hopper to Gonzo who stretched towards the RF to throw out Navarro by 2 steps
ASW1
Dionner looks like he could lose a few pounds…
Bob_in_Vegas
I appreciated more the description of Zack’s grin . . .
KT
Posted replay of punto’s play above
Bob_in_Vegas
I’m assuming Kenley’s coming in, so Zack is probably going to Kersh, saying ‘Your turn.’
KT
Chad Moriyama @ChadMoriyama4m
Punto makes a great play to end inning. Greinke shows appreciation by glancing at him like a serial killer.
KT
PUIG!!!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
“I see you Hanley, and I raise you.” – Puig
Bob_in_Vegas
Zack & Kersh pitching . . . Hanley and Puig hitting . . . and they missed two months!
ASW1
Was that farther than Hanley’s ?
KT
yes a lot further
Jack Dawkins
A few rows shy of where Napoli hit it yesterday.
KT
saying 439
ASW1
Amazing how far he hits it with such a seemingly nice, easy swing.
scooplew
Great to see Donnie allowing Greinke to stay in and attempt to pitch the shutout. He has four in his career: one this year with the Dodgers and three in 2009 with the Royals when he led the AL in ERA and won the Cy Young. This would also be Greinke’s 14th complete game in his career.
Bob_in_Vegas
Kersh & Zack — our own Koufax and Drysdale!
KT
Nice Zack..1 down
scooplew
RBI: Saw Peter Pan in San Francisco about 30 years ago. My memory tells me Kathy Rigby was in the lead. By the way, she is now 60 years old.
RBI
Yeah, but she’s spent most of them in Neverland!
scooplew
LOL! (The Peter Pan ride used to be my favorite indoor ride in Fantasyland at Disneyland. By the way, my 92-year-old mother, whom I am taking to the Dodgers game on Sunday, was taken to Disneyland last week by her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.)
Bob_in_Vegas
ZacK!
Jeffrey Thomas III
But really, it would have been fun to see this guy pitch agains the Red Sox. And Clayton too.
Bob_in_Vegas
Yes! Especially since Zack may’ve had better luck at the plate than we saw!
Jeffrey Thomas III
You may be right.
Bob_in_Vegas
Donnie applauded for doing nothing . . . go, Zack!
Jeffrey Thomas III
He’s losing it a bit…
Bob_in_Vegas
Only if he gives up a run . . .
Jeffrey Thomas III
Two well hit balls and now a hit batter is concerning, but he’s one strike away.
Bob_in_Vegas
Or if he loses him
ASW1
Pitch count getting up there now.
Bob_in_Vegas
Get the K, Zack — Klose it out!
RBI
1 more strike…
RBI
Too bad.
Jeffrey Thomas III
I was glad Donnie left him in, but now it seems it was the right choice.
Bob_in_Vegas
Nice game, Zack. Now let’s close it out!
scooplew
A Bridge Too Far.
Bob_in_Vegas
I always think of that movie/book in such moments!
ASW1
Good movie – also “The Bridge On the River Kwai”
Bob_in_Vegas
Cornelius Ryan wrote “Bridge” but also the great “Longest Day.” “Saving Private Ryan” had a better “storming the beach” sequence, but “Longest” showed the whole scope of D-Day . . . and how it all hinged on the most important weather forecast in history.
ASW1
Well, was worth a shot I guess.
bluespop
Finally pulled. Might be one inning too late. Don’t want Mattingly to pull a Torre on Greinke.
KT
Ball Game Dodgers Win!!!! 23 games over .500
8 in a row against the Cubs ties ours longest win streak against them
We now have a home record (39-27) better than our road record (38-27)
won 20 of last 25 gms (.800), 30-7 since ASB (.810) , 47-12 since 6/22 (.797),
9.5 gms ahead of the Dbags, 2nd largest lead by a division leader
Dodgers 1.5 games back of the Barves for MLB’s best record
Last 19 series 14-1-4
http://i.imgur.com/AMbO5zV.jpg
ASW1
What number is Magic wearing now, KT ?
KT
23
Bob_in_Vegas
The Kid can make it his own # manana.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Unless the Dbacks lose too which is ok with me :)
Bob_in_Vegas
I’ll take both!
Bob_in_Vegas
Great to bounce back and start a new winning streak!
Zack to Kersh: ‘Your turn.’
Kersh to Zack: ‘Just watch.’
Ditto Puig and Hanley.
scooplew
I have always been a big fan of Brian Wilson. NOT.
Jeffrey Thomas III
I’m a fan of him not costing the Dodgers any wins. That’s all I ask.
ASW1
Twitterboy!
KT
I love his interviews
Spence
Its really weird watching him do his cross the chest thing in a Dodger uniform.
KT
Dodgers are still in 2nd place in the MLB standings.
1.5 games behind the Barves….very obtainable…Go BLUE!!!!
pic.twitter.com/R0s1kaupQq
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers6m
In five August starts, Zack Greinke is 5-0 with a 1.23 (5 ER/ 36.2 IP). #PitcherOfTheMonth
Bob_in_Vegas
And he’s not even the Cy Young favorite on the team!
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers1m
#Dodgers extend their winning streak to 8 in a row over the Cubs (5-0 in 2013), tying the longest streak over CHC in LAD history (1975).
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers1m
Take a look at @Shredderpunto’s throw from foul territory for an impressive out in the 8th inning of tonight’s win: http://atmlb.com/1dj1rlq
Linkmeister
It’s the smile on Greinke’s face that makes that a really good clip.
KT
Dodgers PR @DodgersPR2m
#Dodgers improved to 20-5 (.800) in August, as the club posted 20 wins in a calendar month for the 15th time since 1958 (last: May 2010).
KT
MLB @MLB2m
Yasiel Puig fell a triple short of the cycle, but this still happened: http://atmlb.com/1dj1vBD
Bumsrap
He missed hitting the triple by a foot–that would be the distance between the ball and his bat when he struck out instead of hitting a triple.
KT
Current standings:
http://i.imgur.com/Jg7dR3W.jpg
RBI
Good game. G’night all.
ASW1
http://i.imgur.com/0M6iw4m.png
This is what I wanted to see last night, KT!
foul tip
Couldn’t follow last night. One of the comments sounds like AJ threw someone out?
RBI
Yes. First inning. Starling Castro out at second for the second out.
foul tip
Thx, ribby.
foul tip
DM on the BoSox series, from dodgers.com==
“Those are the kind of people we’re going to have to beat to get where we want to go,” Mattingly said. “The only concern was that you see three veteran pitchers that basically got ahead of the count, and every day I look up in the sixth inning and their pitch count is in the 60s. So we’re talking about 10 or 12 pitches an inning — way too easy. They’re veterans and they’re going to get ahead in the count and expose you if you don’t understand what they’re trying to do.”
“Mattingly also pointed out the Red Sox played with more fire than his club. ”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130826&content_id=58512712¬ebook_id=58520148&vkey=notebook_la&c_id=la
Also from dodgers.com, Kersh has won his last three starts with a minuscule 0.38 ERA
foul tip
It seems to have been edited, but I think an earlier version of that story had DM saying the Red Sox pitchers weren’t young power arms from Miami who were going to let you back in the count.
Guess they wanted to get rid of any bulletin board material.
ASW1
The Dodgers are considering using rookie starter Stephen Fife in spot starts once rosters expand Sept. 1, manager Don Mattingly said on Monday.
“We may slip Fife in there at different times to give our guys an extra day,” Mattingly said. “But everything is still kind of fluid in that area.”
Fife has a 2.47 ERA in nine starts with the Dodgers this season. The right-hander has been with Triple-A Albuquerque since Aug. 5.
dalegribel
This would make a lot of sense. Hope this one is more than just rumors.
ASW1
Fun stats on Greinke :
Greinke has a higher OPS (.809) than every Dodgers hitter except Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig, and Scott Van Slyke.
As for pitchers hitting, the last one to get at least 50 plate appearances and post an on-base percentage above Greinke’s current .426 mark was fellow Dodgers star Don Newcombe at .434 in 1958. That was the Dodgers’ first season in Los Angeles and they traded the former MVP and Cy Young winner to the Reds in June.
Greinke also has the same number of walks (6) as strikeouts (6).
KT
Uribe and Ryu:
http://i.imgur.com/xS923bg.jpg
Bob_Hendley
When do they start tugging on the Bearded Ones beard?
KT
here’s the full album
http://imgur.com/a/YXX14
NoahUCLA
We have our main 3 studs Kershaw, Greinke and Ryu returning next year. Do you fill the next 2 spots with the returning ailing Beckett and later on Bills and when they fall apart Fife, Lee and Magill? Or do you sign Nalasco or someone else and make Fife and Lee battle it out for the last spot, if and when Beckett falls? I love the win now mentality and Nolasco has been great, but part of me wants to see Fife and Lee get a shot. I love watching the young unproven players with big upsides get a shot, which is definitely part of Puig’s charm.
ASW1
There were stretches (albeit usually short ones) over the past few seasons where Bills was the best pitcher statistically in the Dodgers rotation. There have been many pitchers who return from TJ surgery who end up being just as good, sometimes even better than before the surgery. I’m hoping Bills falls into this category. No reason to assume he’d “fall apart”.
Beckett, on the other hand…
KT
Dodgers lineup:
Crawford LF
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Ramirez SS
M Ellis 2B
Ethier CF
Uribe 3B
AJ Ellis C
Kershaw P
Jon Weisman
From the press notes:
Lowest ERA in Calendar Month, Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Sept. 1965 1.59 ERA
2t. April 1981 1.93 ERA
2t. Sept. 1976 1.93 ERA
4. Sept. 1966 2.03 ERA
5. Aug. 1976 2.09 ERA
6. Sept. 1988 2.13 ERA
7. June 1969 2.14 ERA
8. Aug. 2013 2.20 ERA (55 ER/225.1 IP)
Jon Weisman
NPUT