Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers GameThread, Aug 1, 2008 10:40 PM EDT

Gameday Thread, #109: 8/1 vs. Dodgers

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 8:00 PM EDT

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Randy Johnson
LHP, 8-7, 4.58

Clayton Kershaw
LHP, 1-3, 4.53

Baseball-Reference.com preview [opens in new window]

It's amazing what you can find on the Internet. Below, you will see Randy Johnson's rookie card from 1988 - and also Clayton Kershaw's card from the same year:

Yep. Randy Johnson's MLB debut: September 15, 1988. Clayton Kershaw's maternity ward debut: March 19, 1988. But, even though he was less than six months old when the Big Unit struck out the first of over 4,000 major-league hitters, the two face off tonight in a very important game. Truth be told, it's probably more important for the Dodgers than us, as a win for the D-backs would put us three up, and guarantee no worse than a split. That makes it the reverse of last night, where we needed to make the most of our ace.

Tonight, Randy Johnson goes for career win #300. Yes: you saw that correctly. He has 292 wins in the regular season, plus another seven in the post-season, making 299 in total. I never quite understood why baseball doesn't "count" playoff performances in career totals: I can see why they don't include them in single-year records [a potential 181-games would be very helpful!], but to exclude the post-season from overall numbers seems hard to defend. What was Kirk Gibson's homer? Scotch mist? Anyway, Johnson is coming off two brilliant outings, both of seven scoreless innings, with eleven hits and one walk in that time.

Kershaw could well give us a bit of trouble, being a young pitcher without much track record. However, he is hittable: the Rockies smacked him about for ten hits in three innings, though he bounced back last outing, to pick up his first win, with six shutout frames. That was, admittedly, agaimst Washington, so probably should be seen as a barely quality start. He walks a fair number of people too: 28 in 47.2 innings, and isn't likely to go deep into the game either. The six innings last time out, matched his season high. Will we see Manny in the lineup? He does hit Johnson pretty well: 11-for-45, but five of those hits were homers.

Mad props to 'Charmer for taking over the recap last night, as Mrs. SnakePit and I had dinner and went to a casino [sadly, we still have to work today...]. Amusingly, no-one noticed I had the wrong team in the Gameday Thread title! Normal service will be resumed tonight, though with first pitch not being until 7:40 pm - what is up with that? - the recap for the game will be delayed until tomorrow morning anyway. A win for the Diamondbacks this evening would be awesome, and I'm looking forward to the game: if it's half as exciting as last night's apparently was, it'll be a lot of fun.

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I love RJ

was it “Angels in the Outfield” he had a role in or that one about the kid who became a super pitcher after breaking his arm?

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 9:16 PM EDT 0 recs

T'was

Little Big League.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oh thanks

i tried googling it but didn’t have enough to go on I guess

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

soco's keys to the game

1) Make dinner while I wait for the wife (rump roast, potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding, mmmm)
2) Watch game and read Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning.
3) Dessert?

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 9:20 PM EDT 0 recs

Hey everyone

by AZWILDCATS on Aug 1, 2008 9:42 PM EDT 0 recs

hey, hey

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

Just a thought...

Wouldn’t it be amusing if Johnson was to greet Ramirez with a 95 mph fastball in the back? “Welcome to the NL, Manny. Do not even think of ‘being Manny’, d’you hear me?”

:-)

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 9:42 PM EDT 0 recs

Would I be mean hoping for a bean ball

so Manny got his head shaved?

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

I went to the Dodgers/Dbacks game yesterday

What a great game, but i got to sit in 1st row 1st baseside, and i got to see the D-backs up close before and after the game

by AZWILDCATS on Aug 1, 2008 9:43 PM EDT 0 recs

Mark Reynolds tossed me a ball and signed my hat and Chad Tracy was nice as well

After grounding out the O-Dawg told me he sucked as he went to the dugout, and Jon Rauch was an a-hole lol, what a great day

by AZWILDCATS on Aug 1, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

Good game to go to.

Outcome in doubt until the final out, and two grand pitching performances. Get any pics? :-)

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

no i but i got snubbed from an auto by Rauch. I asked for one, he said no then walked off, Qualls gave me an auto tho

by AZWILDCATS on Aug 1, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Internet Explorer

Keeps kicking me off this site and telling me the “operation is aborted”. I rebooted to no avail and finally had to use Firefox to get on here. Weird. Anyone else having problems?

by TwinnerA on Aug 1, 2008 10:22 PM EDT 0 recs

I use Opera

and no problems for me yet, beyond my own inabilities.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

How's the foot?

by TwinnerA on Aug 1, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

Better

it smoothed out, and now is somewhere between a deflated blister and the beginnings of a callous.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yes, there's an issue

With Sitemeter, crashing IE. The SB Nation techs are on it…

by Jim McLennan on Aug 1, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

I am having the same problem.

It's like living with a six-year old.

by 4 Corners Fan on Aug 1, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

same

but only on the computer down in the cleanroom

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 10:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

Today’s lineup:

S. Drew ss .273
C. Young cf .236
O. Hudson 2b .307
C. Jackson lf .318
M. Reynolds 3b .249
T. Clark 1b .220
C. Snyder c .247
C. Burke rf .188
R. Johnson p .103

Clark gets the start at 1b and Burke will be patrolling rf against the lefty Kershaw. Only one LHB (Wolf) in the order today.

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:23 PM EDT 0 recs

sigh

If only jamie d’antona play right field….

Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.

by Zephon on Aug 1, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Or could play right field rather.

Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.

by Zephon on Aug 1, 2008 10:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Not a line up

that inspires confidence…..

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

I was pretty unhappy when I was listening to the radio and realized that we had Burke and TC out there. Why not Romero again?

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 11:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Says Romero jammed his finger last night

He’ll be fine, just a little sore, probably precautions.

by snakecharmer on Aug 1, 2008 11:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ah

Well, then I won’t hold it against Burke.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Those other guys:

M. Kemp rf .295
C. Blake 3b .381
R. Martin c .297
M. Ramirez lf .000
J. Kent 2b .255
J. Loney 1b .296
A. Jones cf .163
A. Berroa ss .198
C. Kershaw p .000

Manny is being Manny in the #4 spot today.

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:25 PM EDT 0 recs

so which one will end up bigger tonight

the Big Unit or the Man-Ram?

/still in seventh grade, apparently

I'll make it.

by Shums on Aug 1, 2008 10:26 PM EDT 0 recs

Lifetime against Johnson

.244/.346/.644, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 14 SO

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

Do you have a link?

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

I just closed that tab bu

here ya go.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

They haven’t faced each other since ‘97? Am i reading that right?

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

No

that’s the breakdown of each PA, which the page is viewable only be subscribers. The normal folk, like you and I, can only look at the overall stats at the top of the page. Manny has gone 0 for 3 this year against Johnson.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Gottcha I looked at the chart at the top the second time and saw that.

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

thank you for taking my horrible sophomoric joke

and making it relevant

I'll make it.

by Shums on Aug 1, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

No HD feed today?

I call shenanigans!

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:30 PM EDT 0 recs

MLB isn’t sure people want to see Randy or Manny in high-def.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."

by kishi on Aug 1, 2008 11:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

Or The Walrus

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 11:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

So I think

I made my Yorkshire pudding incorrectly. It’s going to be an adventure tonight to see if it turns out okay.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:31 PM EDT 0 recs

I have Jack tacos.

mmmm

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oooo

unfortunately I think the wife would have a freakout if she came home to find I made for dinner Jack tacos.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

What did you do wrong?

I might be able to help you.

Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.

by Zephon on Aug 1, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

I put oil in it

I made it this morning (minus cooking) to give it time to refrigerate, and then when I read the recipe again this afternoon I realized it said to put the oil in the pan, not in the mix.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think you've made sponge

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Will it still be delicious?

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

In Lancashire

we eat Yorkshire pudding as a starter with sugar and lemon.

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mine is savory

with a rump roast. I’ve been wanting to try it for a while.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

The trick is

to stand the mix before hand, then get the fat/oil smoking hot before you pour the mixture in the tin.It honestly tastes better if you use lard rather than oil too.I’ll be interested to know how it turns out with the oil added.

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'll let you know

and then keep those hints in mind for the next time. So should I heat up the pan with the oil/lard first, and then add the batter?

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

I usually put it in the oven

the pan with fat in it that is,with the roast for about 15 mins before I pour in the mixture.

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think next time

I’m going to have to try a London roast as opposed to the rump roast I’m cooking right now. The latter recommends being cooked at 325, instead of the 425 for the pudding, so it makes a little bit trickier getting everything hot and ready at the same time.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

I usually take roast meats

out of the oven about 10 minites before I serve them.The meat relaxes and carves better.They still stay hhot.

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 11:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

That's what I'll be doing

taking it out about 20 minutes before hand, should be good to go.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 11:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well, that gives you time to whop up the heat for the pudding

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Aug 1, 2008 11:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't think it will mess it up too badly, honestly

All though I could be wrong.

Dear Josh Byrnes: Please DFA Chris Burke. He can't hit, and probably never will.

by Zephon on Aug 1, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well

I guess we’ll found out in about an hour or so.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Drew pops out to start us off

I’d liked last night’s Drew better so far.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Quick second out

at least make him work?

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:42 PM EDT 0 recs

O-Dawg looks like he may still have issues with his wheels.

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:43 PM EDT 0 recs

Annnnd the inning

is over just like that. Damn.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:44 PM EDT 0 recs

Only 6 pitches for Kershaw in the 1st.

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Evening all

Need a win to soothe the bad day otherwise…and as mentioned earlier by Jim, I have been dreaming (not literally) of Randy plunking Manny in his first AB….

by AF DBacks Fanatic on Aug 1, 2008 10:47 PM EDT 0 recs

Interesting find today

Accuscore predicts us to end with 87.5 wins and fives us a 70% chance to make the playoffs…

by AF DBacks Fanatic on Aug 1, 2008 10:49 PM EDT 0 recs

What does the Magic 8 ball predict?

;-)

by foulpole on Aug 1, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

"ask again"

Will Hope Prevail?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Aug 1, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

O-Dawg talked to me, beat that!

by AZWILDCATS on Aug 1, 2008 10:49 PM EDT 0 recs

The night we clinched last year in Denver

My wife and had drinks with Darrel Hall (President?) and other associated big wigs in the lobby of the Hyatt after the win…no O Dawg story, but kinda cool

by AF DBacks Fanatic on Aug 1, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

I saw

Hall in a Good Egg last year, and thought it was odd that he would be in a Good Egg in Scottsdale. Then I found out he’s a member of my synagogue and all became clear.

Knock off the hippie crap, strap on a helmet, and start shooting. This is baseball, Diamondbacks, I want you to storm that beach like it's Normandy!

by soco on Aug 1, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up 0 recs