Buy ‘The Catch: A novel’
What happens when three old friends in crisis fall into an unexpected love triangle? In The Catch, Maya, Henry and Daniel embark upon an emotional journey that forces them to confront unresolved pain, present-day traumas and powerful desires, leading them to question the very meaning of love and fulfillment. The Catch tells a tale of ordinary people seeking the extraordinary – or, if that’s asking too much, some damn peace of mind.
Buy ‘Brothers in Arms’
Commenting guidelines
Thank You For Not ...
1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén
KT
Go BLUE!!!!
Linkmeister
I hope he and his teammates do better than the original guns did. The final scenes of that film were pretty memorable.
Bob_in_Vegas
I hope the batters bring out the big guns . . . and not the cap guns they seem to sport when Kersh is pitching.
ASW1
Puig will have his ever-present cannon in RF.
Linkmeister
Picture of the movie’s guns here; scroll down to the bottom of the post.
Kershaw’d be delighted if his hitters bats loomed as large. ;)
KT
Bill Plunkett @billplunkettocr2m
Mattingly was asked today how gung ho he might be about chasing best record in NL after #Dodgers clinch NL West http://sulia.com/c/baseball/f/1415ba5b-d145-46ff-952e-57c2febc0413/?source=twitter …
btimmer
Dear Steve Lyons, I think Puig knows you can’t run over a fielder.
Linkmeister
What did Gonzalez do? Never mind, Gameday finally refreshed.
ASW1
Hit a bouncer to the 2nd baseman – Puig ran into the 2nd baseman trying to field the ball – called out. Gonzo safe at 1st. Crawford had to return to 3rd.
KT
high chopper to 2nd, Puig while making sure the ball didn’t hit him bumped knees with the 2nd baseman…CC sent back to 3rd, Puig called out..Gonzo stays on 1st
KT
got a break on the bad throw to 2nd…Come on MEllis
Linkmeister
Boy, trying to puzzle out what happened from Gameday. . . Ethier bounced to first and the 1B guy tried to get a double play and threw the ball away?
ASW1
yes
Linkmeister
Tanks
KT
threw the ball that went behind Hanley screening the SS…SS dived back to get the ball and it hit him in the ribs
Linkmeister
And Ellis’s fly ball too shallow for Adrian to score?
John_from_Aus
I think it needs to be to the warning track for Gonzo to make it :)
ASW1
yes was very shallow
ASW1
An awful lot of stuff happened there for 1 measly run.
Linkmeister
One freakin’ run out of all that. Aaaargh!
Bob_in_Vegas
Silver Lining Dept.: if this was April, May, or early June, they wouldn’t have scored even THAT run!
John_from_Aus
At least Kershaw has something to work with!
Bob_in_Vegas
Sure . . . ‘All I have to do is shut them out in Coors again and guaranteed a win now.’
KT
DP Time
Bob_in_Vegas
Get the K or double play!
Bob_in_Vegas
Kershawful start.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Clayton not looking sharp early, throwing a lot of balls.
John_from_Aus
an out here would be nice
Bob_in_Vegas
So far, a laborious Labor Day for the Blue.
Jeffrey Thomas III
If they had gotten an out earlier could be inning over.
Bob_in_Vegas
Or a hit earlier for them and they’d have the lead.
Bob_in_Vegas
The ERA is ballooning.
Jeffrey Thomas III
1.84!
ASW1
Rockies 6-4 last 10 and 40-29 at home.
Bob_in_Vegas
Frustrating inning from the plate AND the mound.
ASW1
More so from the plate – Rockies always tough in Coors Field – when you are given breaks like the Rockies gave in the 1st, you really have to take advantage of them.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Clayton rarely gives up 4 hits and 3 runs in an entire game.
Bob_in_Vegas
Coors Field is traditionally bad for him, I believe, in spite of his shutout this year.
KT
Kersh!
KT
CC!
ASW1
Let’s get those runs back!
ASW1
Brutal
Jeffrey Thomas III
This is ugly so far.
ASW1
Starting out as a “not our day” game.
btimmer
Reports on Twitter state that the CBS-Time Warner War has been settled. Programming should start up again soon for those of you with TW.
btimmer
The Dodgers game should show up on KCAL for Time-Warner people at 3 pm.
Linkmeister
“Whoop-di-do,” says the Hawai’i resident bitterly.
Jeffrey Thomas III
That’s more like it AJ!
Linkmeister
What on earth? AJ stealing?
Jeffrey Thomas III
It looked like a double steal attempt to get the run but M couldn’t score before AJ was tagged out.
KT
Co didn’t have a good look…Did Mellis score before AJ was tagged?
Bob_Hendley
No.
KT
Juanito!
Linkmeister
A thought for those between-innings moments regarding the Angels’ name:
Originally left as a comment to a post by David Pinto at Baseball Musings which linked to a story about the team’s lease negotiations.
Linkmeister
Missed opportunities are gonna kill us.
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers5m
With 200 in 2013, Clayton Kershaw becomes the 1st #Dodgers pitcher since Sandy Koufax to record 200+ strikeouts in four consecutive seasons.
KT
Kershaw now has
4 straight seasons with 200+ strikeouts. Other Dodgers to accomplish this feat
are Don Drysdale (1962 to 1965) & Sandy Koufax 6 straight (1961 to 1966).
KT
DRE!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Hasn’t been pretty but there’s plenty of opportunity to take this game.
KT
Double DRE!!
KT
Good Eye AJ!
KT
Juanito!!
ASW1
Before that hit Dodgers were 1 for 9 w RISP, now 2 for 10, can I hear 3 for 11 ?
Linkmeister
Apparently so!
ASW1
Ha! – I was in the middle of typing that when Kershaw got the hit, just kept going and posted it anyway.
KT
Let’s go Clayton…bring them in
KT
Clayton!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Kershaw! Struggles on the mound? No worries he brought his bat!
Linkmeister
How’d the third out happen? Gameday failed me.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Crawford flied out to right.
ASW1
Craw flyout to RF
Linkmeister
Thanks, both of you.
ASW1
For as bad as this game started, Kershaw and Dodgers good at just pluggin’ away – love this team,
Blue-eyed Gal
Again, I’m wondering how many of our games this year have (a) gotten the scoring started when a pitcher took things into his own hands or (b) a pitcher hit the go-ahead run. I feel like our starting rotation has been setting some kind of record, but that may be short-term bias.
ASW1
Sure seems like it has happened a lot.
Linkmeister
But if you look at the stats for Dodgers’ pitchers’ hitting, they’re not doing all that well. The top four hitters are starters, as expected, but there’s a drastic falloff after Greinke.
http://tinyurl.com/l7otf7h
ASW1
Stoopid channel 9 with no pitch count.
Jeffrey Thomas III
He’s at 73 I believe.
Linkmeister
74 pitches: 55 strikes, 19 balls as Arenado stepped in.
ASW1
Thanks guys
Jeffrey Thomas III
Shoot.
Blue-eyed Gal
*deep breath*
Kershaw’s record when the Dodgers score at least 4 runs: 51-0.
*attempts to calm that nagging ‘is Clayton OK?’ voice in the back of my head*
Jeffrey Thomas III
But he doesn’t usually give up 5. Still tied though!
KT
Let’s get those two back and Moar guys
Linkmeister
So much for “shutdown” innings, at least this time.
KT
Way to get on Puig!
Linkmeister
2 on, none out. Need runs.
KT
Gonzo!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Puig worked for that run.
KT
DRE!!!!
Blue-eyed Gal
I smile now instead of wincing when I encounter four exclamation marks in social media!!!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Run Support!
ASW1
With the way Puig, Crawford, and Ethier are going, Kemp is going to have to be on his game to crack this lineup.
KT
Magic number poster by Off the Wall on MSTI:
http://i.imgur.com/0suQu5t.png
ASW1
Kershaw done after 81 pitches
ASW1
Get League out of there
ASW1
Wow – my bad – he looked like he had nothing, but got out of it nicely.
KT
DP!!
KT
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo4m
Clayton Kershaw allowed a career-high 11 hits today.
ASW1
Would be nice to get Kershaw a win on the only game he’s given up 5 runs all season.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Funny how that works eh? Give up 1 run, no win. Give up 5 runs, win.
JJJameson
Go Blue ponytail holder in Beard.
KT
good inning Brian…do we temp the fates with another inning?
thescrounger
Why was Puig removed from the game?
Jeffrey Thomas III
Injured his knee either jumping back to first or sliding through third.
Bumsrap
Awkward slide may have something to do with it.
ASW1
Pretty sure he originally tweaked it jumping back to 1st on a pickoff attempt. Then running 1st to 3rd sealed the deal.
Bumsrap
http://www.truebluela.com/2013/9/2/4687834/yasiel-puig-injury-dodgers-left-knee
Jeffrey Thomas III
Seems like a good time to get Howell in a game, no?
Jeffrey Thomas III
Belli has been ineffective lately, get him out of there.
John_from_Aus
Uh oh
KT
DP Time
KT
DP!!
ASW1
WoooooooHoooooooooooo !
Jeffrey Thomas III
Got a bit lucky there. Losing faith in Belli.
Bumsrap
Sinker ball pitcher gets double play. Day game in Colorado pitching experiences.
Linkmeister
Gameday slow. Did we get a DP somehow?
KT
5-4-3
Linkmeister
Phew!
KT
DRE!!
Moar insurance guys
ASW1
Andre loves Coors Field
KT
MEllis!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Let’s get some runs and give Kenley the day off!
Bumsrap
And, Kershaw a win.
Linkmeister
Rats!
Bumsrap
Gameday getting faster?
Linkmeister
Spotty, that’s what it is. :)
KT
Juanito!
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers4m
Andre Ethier becomes first Dodger in franchise history to reach the 30-double mark in seven consecutive seasons — no other Dodger with 6.
Bob_in_Vegas
He seems to be much more consistent this year, at least since June. I’ve always remembered him as terribly streaky. This record shows consistency for sure!
ASW1
Ah, where have you gone Rob Rasmussen ??
Jeffrey Thomas III
Not the best Dodger debut…
Linkmeister
Jim Thome was pretty hopeless that month he was with us. I hope Young’s better than that, at least.
Jeffrey Thomas III
I think I remember one clutch pinch hit from Thome, but not much else.
KT
CC!!
ASW1
Love that Carl is back hammering the ball again.
Bob_in_Vegas
What a game . . . I left after the first inning, then saw it was 8-5 and by the time I walked home it was 8-7, but now 10-7. Besides being Coors Field, it’s the ’13 Dodgers — never say die!
Kersh’s terrible performance, records-wise — IS a bummer.
But let’s get the W and cut that magic # even more!
Linkmeister
I wish they’d look at the ground rules for players advancing. If he was at first and had passed second by the time the ball bounces into the stands he ought to be waved in to score, I think.
Bumsrap
Let’s try doing that on Tuesdays and Thursdays for starters.
Linkmeister
What, as a pilot project?
Jeffrey Thomas III
Forgot the FoxSports1 show “Mission October” featuring the Dodgers is on right now. I’ll have to record a later showing.
KT
thanks for the heads up
Jeffrey Thomas III
Sure. Looks like its on again tonight at 8 on the new FS2 if you get it. And then again the next few days on FS1.
KT
I got to figure out what channel that is…still haven’t turned to it yet
John_from_Aus
Kenley must be good to go, I thought they might rest him
Bob_in_Vegas
Get the K, KJ!
John_from_Aus
lucky for the extra lead
Linkmeister
They’re called “insurance” runs for a reason, I guess. ;)
KT
MEllis!
KT
Nice Kenley
Bob_in_Vegas
uno mas!
Bob_in_Vegas
Just caught up on the scoring and saw the Kid got two ribbies . . . and they were needed!
Linkmeister
Stop the presses! Kenley walked someone!
KT
thought it was a strike…borderline
Bob_in_Vegas
Shut ’em down!
KT
Ball Game Dodgers Win!!!! 27 games over .500, Magic Number is 14!!!!
Kershaw now has 4 straight seasons with 200+ strikeouts. Other Dodgers to accomplish this feat are Don Drysdale (1962 to 1965) & Sandy Koufax 6 straight (1961 to 1966).
Jansen has 18 consecutive saves and 25 out of 28
won 23 of last 26 on the road (.885) best road record in MLB 39-27
won 25 of last 31 gms (.806) in August/Sept., 35-8 since ASB (.814) , 52-13 since 6/22 (.800), 59-23 since Puig (.720)
12.5 gms ahead of the Dbags, 2nd largest lead by a division leader
Dodgers 2 games back of the Barves for MLB’s best record
Last 21 series 16-1-4, going for series win tomorrow
http://i.imgur.com/AMbO5zV.jpg
Jeffrey Thomas III
Today will be remembered as the day that Clayton and Kenley were both human, and the Dodgers still won.
Bob_in_Vegas
good point . . . personal records are one thing, but they have proven they are a TEAM!
John_from_Aus
yes, but I sure hope that Puig is ok. If there is any doubt platoon Schu/Hairston/ (Kemp) :) until he returns
Bob_in_Vegas
yes, that was bad news just recently heard
John_from_Aus
I would rather he goes on ice until the playoffs rather than take any risks
Bob_in_Vegas
another reason to root for ANYONE playing AZ, so the West can be won quickly and worry about getting healthy instead of getting wins.
ASW1
I agree about not rushing him back – knees are tricky – but he has healed up from dings real quick so far – I’m sure team will make sure he understands it’s more important for him to rest up for the playoffs rather than play on even a slightly tweaked knee.
Bob_in_Vegas
Puig heals quickly . . . more proof he’s superhuman!
KT
From MSTI:Off The Wall 79 just now
http://i.imgur.com/h89RAYx.png
KT
Dodgers are in 2nd place in the NL standings.
2 games behind the Barves….We got this…Go BLUE!!!!
http://imgur.com/O3LYcVJ
Linkmeister
Kershaw and Greinke each with 14 wins, Ryu with 13. Been a long time since the Dodgers have had three guys that consistent.
KT
Run differential for the Dodgers:
295-169 since 6/22
105 – 72 6/22 – ASB
199 – 101 second half
KT
http://i.imgur.com/M4WVghq.jpg
ASW1
10-8 ?
Still Coors Field
Humidor? What humidor?
KT
they gave it the day off…the compressors has been working too hard
KT
Sorry wasn’t updated for our score…wouldn’t let me edit not Re-post
http://i.imgur.com/yqErCZS.jpg
Bob_in_Vegas
The Vegas postgame show just had a good point: the headlines could say Kersh struggled (and he did) but it should also point out that the offense picked him up (which they usually don’t . . . AND he was huge in helping that happen!)
KT
From MSTI: NeDieterich 6 minutes ago
http://i.imgur.com/q96H5B5.jpg
KT
So Edinson is starting Wednesday and Puig is sitting tomorrw
Jeffrey Thomas III
May need another 10 runs at least in that Wednesday game.
KT
yep…I looked up mission October and only get FS1 so I got to wait until tomorrow to see it
KT
Eric Stephen @truebluela
Dodgers are the first team since the 1954 Indians to have a 52-13 stretch
Bob_in_Vegas
Let’s hope the year ends better for the Dodgers than the ’54 Indians (swept in WS by the Giants)!
KT
Bill Plunkett @billplunkettocr9m
#Dodgers will start Ryu, Greinke, Kershaw in Cincinnati this weekend. Capuano moves back in rotation to DBacks series in LA next week
Bob_in_Vegas
Sneak preview of playoff potential.
KT
Eric Stephen @truebluela4m
Rotation shuffle means Sunday night in Cincinnati is an ESPN Sunday Night Baseball rematch between Kershaw & Homer Bailey (Gonzalez 2 HR)
KT
Pictures from Yesterday’s game:
Jon SooHoo @JonSooHoo10h
9/1/13-Something Current-LAD-2,SD-1 by Juan Ocampo and Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers http://wp.me/p1rXwm-8Z7l
ASW1
Not sure how much Coors Field will help in Edinson Volquez’s quest to boost his confidence.
Bumsrap
Please Matingley, do not say anything about Puig’s knee especially do not say there is nothing serious and he shouldn’t miss any games.
KT
Saw this on MSTI and thought it was a very interesting topic…any suggestions?
NeDieterich 31 minutes ago
Any guesses for the last 3 spots? 11th pitcher? 3rd catcher?
http://i.imgur.com/2uSvVgk.jpg
ASW1
If I had to choose from the possibles right now, at this instant I’d take Withrow, Hairston, and SVS – but still a lot of time for others to prove they belong.
Bob_Hendley
I’d pick the same, but guessing that Ned would want Young over SVS, unless he is completely dismal. Can’t see putting a third catcher on the roster. If there is an injury you can always call up Butera.
KT
Could we limit ourselves with having Dee as a pinch running specialist…just a thought
ASW1
Well, it’s an option, but I don’t think Dee’s speed alone makes up for Hairston’s versatility and better offense and defense. Now, if Dee gets some gametime and all of a sudden starts hitting and If Young bombs and SVS tanks in their opportunities the rest of the way? Maybe, but it’s a longshot.
dalegribel
Kind of feel bad for him, but I don’t see Cappy on the playoff roster, which yields four spots. My guess: Young, League or Marmol, Hairston, Van Slyke
ASW1
Cap would be a good guy to have in the unlikely scenario where one of the starters gets shelled early and they need a long reliever to eat up multiple innings.
Bob_in_Vegas
Cappy and League have both been erratic . . . but Cappy’s brilliance is over many more innings. Altho he probably can’t warm up as fast as League, my choice between the two is for “the other” CC.
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers @Dodgers1h
RECAP: Andre Ethier homers, smacks two doubles as #Dodgers topple Rockies, 10-8. http://atmlb.com/174hVIV
WinnipegDave
In 1963, Koufax had a 1.88 era for the season. This included 3 games where he gave up 5 earned runs (5 and 1/3 innings, 4 and 2/3 innings, and 1/3 of an inning pitched in those games). He also had a game where he gave up 6 earned runs in 4 and 2/3 innings. He also had another game where he only lasted a 1/3 of an inning and gave up 4 earned runs.
On the other side of the ledger, he did have 11 shutouts.
Point being, Kershaw is still an amazing pitcher – even given his last couple of outings. Because even the great ones, during their finest seasons, can have a bad performance or two.
Bob_in_Vegas
Thanks for putting it in perspective . . .if it could happen to 32, no worries about 22. . . . The problem for me is the expectation of greatness with each outing — and disappointment when it’s not. (And also pulling for the Kid to get the ERA title and additional honors again.)
WinnipegDave
I agree completely. I recall several days ago, someone commenting here and asking why we should feel any sense of frustration around the Dodgers’ anomaly of scoring less runs in Kershaw’s starts as opposed to Greinke or Ryu or Nolasco. I know I do wish to see Kershaw succeed in a way that the others don’t. This is likely illogical and unreasonable, but I definitely fall into that group like yourself who expect and long for greatness with each outing. It was the same several years ago, when rooting on Kemp towards a 40/40 season – if someone was to hit a home run, and all else remained equal, by golly – I wanted it to be Kemp. So it goes with Kershaw.
WinnipegDave
Plus, Jon doesn’t have Roman Numerals and special blog headings for any other member of the Dodgers. Just Kershaw.
Someday perhaps, I and others will have similar feelings and emotions around Julio Urias…
TAFKA_Gagne55
Has any team ever lost a 12.5 game lead with 25 games to go? I know the 1995 Angels and 1951 Dodgers blew larger leads than that, but by this point in the season, they both had had the leads cut down to about 6 games.
Bob_in_Vegas
Let’s not hope to be “special” in that way!
Sam Sokol
Looking forward to Force 10 from Kershawverone!
foul tip
Can’t say for sure, but doubtful any team to blow this big a very big late season lead had pitching the caliber of this year’s Dodgers.
Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Nolasco would ALL have to crap out at the same time over at least a couple starts instead of any being stoppers. Also, the stellar bullpen absolutely would have to implode pretty completely, and the offense revert to early season levels, or probably worse.
Plus, the Snakes–the only one with an outside prayer of a chance–would have to play at something like the Dodgers recent blistering pace WHILE everything referenced above ALSO happens. Any evidence they can do that?
Is it possible for the Dodgers to lose? Yes. For those who just have to have something to worry about.
But then some folks may worry that killer tornadoes can carry killer sharks inland to wreak havoc.
Which is more likely?
Bob_in_Vegas
I’m building my shark cage right now!
ASW1
Kemp now 0 fer 18 but getting closer :
http://www.thinkbluela.com/index.php/2013/09/03/matt-kemps-rehab-upon-further-review/
Jon Weisman
No start in Colorado should be used to evaluate the status of any pitcher.
ASW1
Agreed – In his career Volquez is 1-4 with an 8.39 ERA in seven career starts in Denver, including allowing 21 runs on 29 hits and six walks in 12⅔ innings in three starts this season.
KT
Mike Petreillo has officially called it over already:
http://www.mikesciosciastragicillness.com/2013/09/03/one-month-dodger-playoff-baseball/
Glad he finally joined the crowd ^_^
KT
Dodgers Lineup:
Crawford LF
Punto SS
Gonzalez 1B
Young 3B
Ethier CF
M. Ellis 2B
Schumaker RF
Federowicz C
Nolasco P
Jon Weisman
First game without Puig and Ramirez starting since June 12.
KT
wow didn’t even notice…it’s coors though we’ll be all right
Bob_in_Vegas
Nolasco says “Thanks a lot!”
WBBsAs
Even in highly successful Dodger seasons, I usually have moments of trepidation, but those will have to wait until October now.
Jon Weisman
NPUT
Bob_in_Vegas
For What It’s Worth Dept: Foxsports.com has LA #1 in their power rankings — Braves #2.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/powerRankings
Nice to note that they once had the Blue as #25 . . . another (more subjective) mountain that wasn’t high enough for the Dodgers.