Gameday Thread, #157: 9/23 vs. Cardinals
by Jim McLennan on Sep 23, 2008 7:18 PM EDT
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PrintArizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals, Sep 23, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
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Having been far too distracted by gazing into my crystal ball, scrying the 16th-century auguries for omens of the coming games, this is therefore going to be pretty brief. This is definitely the game where I am least confident, and coupled with the Dodgers' far easier task against the Padres tonight, it's important to realize that falling three games behind by the end of the evening would not be the end of the world. I would be very happy to still be two back: and if we can somehow end the night one down...
Earlier this month, Johnson was smacked around by the Cardinals, having to be pulled before completing four innings, and eventually being tagged for five earned runs. He did skip the start after the St. Louis game, due to a sore left shoulder, and we will be looking for better than that tonight - such as the two outings since, where the Big Unit has allowed only a pair of runs over 13 innings of work. He has had five straight no-decisions, the longest streak in his career since getting seven NDs over 1996-97. There can't be many pitchers who have won five straight, lost five straight [six, actually] and had five consecutive no-decisions in the same season!
I'll be at The Sets tonight, but should be able to follow the game on and off. We'll also be following the Dodgers game, which starts at 7:10pm, and the penultimate start of Tim Lincecum for the Giants, with first pitch there at 7:15pm.
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Lineup
Drew, SS
Ojeda, 3B
Jackson, LF
Dunn, 1B
Upton, RF
Young, CF
Montero, C
Eckstien, 2B
Johnson, P
LOL
Beat me to it, but I have statistics… :-)
by Jim McLennan on Sep 23, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Tonight's lineup
- S. Drew ss .290
- A. Ojeda 3b .247
- C. Jackson lf .299
- A. Dunn 1b .237
- J. Upton rf .252
- C. Young cf .247
- M. Montero c .254
- D. Eckstein 2b .200
- R. Johnson p .156
Reynolds gets the night off, so there’ll be no record for him tonight. Feels like a bit of a weak offense, with Montero and Ojeda both in the line-up, but we’ll see.
Weak Offense
I’d rather Ojeda dropped to 8, with everyone else moving up. Jackson seems like a good fit for the #2 spot with a good eye and a .300 average (virtually).
I'd like to see
Upton in the #3 hole, as his at-bats have been fine of late.
by Jim McLennan on Sep 23, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
If Reynolds were in,
I’d agree with you, but Ojeda’s OBP is pretty solid and makes CoJack’s power (at least compared to Augie) necessary a little lower in the order, I think.
Ditto.
-Sent by a Blackberry
(invented by John McCain)
by C. Wesley Baier on Sep 23, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions
In agreement with J-UP in the three spot, that is.
-Sent by a Blackberry
(invented by John McCain)
by C. Wesley Baier on Sep 23, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Here!
The stadium looks completely dead.
Sutton sounds like my high school career counsler, “He isn’t living up to his potential.”
What a crazy random happenstance!
Leadoff hit for Drew
Good start.
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
I'm okay with similiarity to last night
Though breathing room would be nice.
What a crazy random happenstance!
And a hit from Augie
Runners at the corners, no outs.
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
Brisk start for Jackson, Dunn and Upton
Be nice to get a lead early. Then maybe hang on to it this time.
CoJack flies out
And Dunn gets the IBB.
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
They have walked Dunn 38 times?
Did I hear that right? He has only been with us for iike a month?
What a crazy random happenstance!
Not messing with Dunn
Load the bases for Upton. Might not be the wisest of moves, I’d say, but what do I know? I’ve never won a World Series. :-)
Clearly, LaRussa knew better
Down goes Upton. :-(
by Jim McLennan on Sep 23, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
0-for-3 with runners in scoring position
And three left on base. Not quite what I hoped for, but Lohse doesn’t exactly look unhittable – except by Upton.
I'm stuck at the office.
What happened on CoJack’s flyout? Was it just smart baserunning by Augie when they threw home to hold Drew?
*sigh*
Thank you, MLB Gameday, for your lovely individual LOB stat that now lists 8 for the team total.
Man, I hate this sometimes.
ESPN’s Gamecast just showed ball one to Lopez as being right down the middle.
Runners corners, no outs.
Let’s see if the Cards are more successful than us. :-(
Josh Byrnes: PLEEEEEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RE-SIGN ADAM DUNN!!
Men at the corners, no outs
For the Cardinals this time.
Come on, Randy, if Lohse can get out of it…
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
1-0
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
How the heck
does Ryan Freaking Ludwick hit 35 homers??
Josh Byrnes: PLEEEEEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RE-SIGN ADAM DUNN!!
36 now
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
Never mind
I blame you for that one, then.
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
Well, that was fun
I’m off to The Sets Cardinals 3-for-4 with runners in scoring position, including a homer. That would be the difference, right there.
And the hits keep on coming
Six batters, five hits, four runs, three games back, too much to bear and a partridge in a pear tree.
Grace makes me laugh
After Pujols’ seeing eye grounder made it 1-0, he lamented how St Louis was “inspired” and the Dbacks were “flat” , which he found “confusing” given the standings.
You see, it has nothing to do with the fact that we have a couple stiffs up with the bases loaded and they bat a couple MVP candidates. Apparently, if only Upton and Young had Grace’s grit and character, it’d all be tied up right now ;-)
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Also Grace never once
watched one go right down the middle of the plate or fouled the perfect pitch.
It's hard enough to watch the team lose
without him suggesting a lack of player effort or resolve each time something goes wrong.
For one thing, it’s *ss-kissing, corporate bull, implying the team as constructed should “win”, if only the players lived up to their side of the bargain/hype. And for another, it encourages fans to scapegoat certain players unfairly.
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Problem is,
watching one go right down the middle or fouling the perfect pitch happen WAAAAY too often with our guys.
Josh Byrnes: PLEEEEEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RE-SIGN ADAM DUNN!!
by DbacksSkins on Sep 24, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Dunn's flyout...
is pretty far over the fence in MLB gameday…
10 pitches
for some pretty tough hitters…another good inning for Johnson.
Another 1-2-3 inning from Randy
Come on, offense, let’s get something going here.
"Besides, you two shouldn't fight! You're best friends, I would imagine. You can't let a bunch of talking dogs in space helmets ruin that."
Well,
you know, Upton and Young were “flat” then ;-)
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe...
Grace gave them a pep talk between innings.
by Frank Squishy on Sep 23, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I hear he always wanted to be a manager ;-)
(didnt want to pay his dues in the minors, iirc)
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Neither did Bob Brenly
And I think that worked out pretty well…
by Jim McLennan on Sep 23, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
It did
but Bob managed a far better club than any of BoMel’s.
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
4-2
not the worst possible sight to see upon my arrival. I’m cautiously optimistic, instead of vaguely despondent. (sorry, I’m feeling verbose tonight.)
I'll make it.
There ya go!
Only real fans allowed tonight
[chirp…chirp]
…both of us
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah...
it’s nice to have a starter batting .300.
by Frank Squishy on Sep 23, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing
like giving up hits to .097 hitters.
That’s RJ’s first hit given up since the first inning though.
I'm curious
but don’t know where to go to find out what kind of run support Randy has gotten this season in the first inning of games (home and road).
Is something wrong with Randy?
Why isn’t he fielding? Just because he’s old and slow?
I want to be in Haren's harem.
His fielding
is clearly more indifferent than usual. I’m assuming his back. And I’m assuming LaRussa will exploit it if he gets a chance
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
this end of season has gone way beyond rally caps
I suggest we put rally roofs on our houses.
We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.
He didn't come out flat.
He just couldn’t do anything.
Josh Byrnes: PLEEEEEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RE-SIGN ADAM DUNN!!
by DbacksSkins on Sep 24, 2008 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
It's 'Routs' from hereon out
closer to a true homophone, plus plural’s more fitting :-)
…poor guy
by Diamondhacks on Sep 24, 2008 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Three consecutive bullets
off Big John Rout.
First and third, one out.
Batting, some guy named Pujols
I FINALLY BOUGHT MY FIRST LEGAL DRINK!!!!
A couple of Tilts. They were cheap.
-Sent by a Blackberry
(invented by John McCain)
by C. Wesley Baier on Sep 23, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions
Ha. Ha.
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on Sep 23, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Keeping the young man
abreast of the situation
by Diamondhacks on Sep 24, 2008 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions
CONGRATS!!
Glad to finally have an ID?
Josh Byrnes: PLEEEEEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RE-SIGN ADAM DUNN!!
by DbacksSkins on Sep 23, 2008 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Not Big John Rout
Ludwick: Striiiiiiike three!!
Montero: Throws out Pujols!!
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Dunn misses a homer
by three feet to deep center. Villone’s out after one pitch.
I guess that makes LaRussa a genius ;- )
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Soooooo pissed offf.....
WHY WHY WHY did Melvin leave Rout out there… WHY? Our friggin season is on the LINE and he just gives up the game. Can someone explain to me what Melvin was thinking? I’m livid….
You're not alone.
Some other words that come to mind: disgust and disbelief that Rauch is even pitching in what was a close game.
bye bye Melvin?
I think Melvin needs to go. I thought he was crazy to leave R out there after the second batter. It was just plain LUCK that the first hit was not a single (only thanks to Cojack for a great play). Is ANYONE feeling the way I am? I was incredulous that Grace and Sutton were not saying anything.
Everyone knows Rauch has been awful
Not sure what they would have said. No way are they going to rail about Melvin on TV though.
Alot of people
are wondering why he’s not using Juan Cruz. There’s got to be a reason, but I dont know what it is.
Other than that, I dont think his roster affords him too many better options. Just my opinion.
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Let me amend that.
I think there may be better options, but it’s not clear to me who they are
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, what's up with no Cruz?
He was spotted warming up last night but never came into the game. If he was injured, he wouldn’t be throwing in the bullpen, so it couldn’t have been just getting in his work.
dangit
nice diving catch by Stavinioha in right. 7-4, Upton advanced to third.
woulda been sweet if it dropped though
Dodgers
up 5-0 in the first. We have to pull this out to stay in it. Not mathematically, but practically
So I'm driving home
and I hear Bob Melvin put John Rauch into a close game. What’s the thinking there?
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
He's thinking
one hit yielded in JR’s last 2.2 IP?
Sorry, that’s all I got
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
As noted
It only works on cities by the sea. St. Louis, last time I looked, was inland. :-)
by Jim McLennan on Sep 23, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
well. that might just be the end of the line for the ’backs…
"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck
After the Dodgers win tonight
we need to go 4-1 (which I think we can), and LA needs to go 1-4 (not likely). That, or LA goes 2-3 and we run the table.
In terms of pitching matchups, I honestly thought this was the toughest of our final six going in
by Diamondhacks on Sep 23, 2008 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
CO isn't doing Webb any favors
SF leads 3-1 after 2 innings. Surprisingly, Lincecum gave up a hit and 2 walks leading to 1 run in the 1st.
I have an idea.
Maybe it’s crazy, I don’t know, but hear me out. I think Jon Rauch shouldn’t pitch for the rest of the season unless the score is bazillionty to zero.
This makes me think of that one guy in your fantasy league who always starts guys like Carl Pavano and Gary Matthews Jr. because they performed well somewhere in the distant past. Rauch has been good and (hopefully) he will be good again. Right now, I don’t want to see Rauch in teh game unless all our other relievers are stacked up like cordwood in the training room.
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
...
why couldn’t we do want Tampa Bay just did?
Colorado 4-3 up on San Francisco in the fourth
Only two runs on Lincecum are earned, but they’ll need to come back to stop him from getting the L.
While we were watching the game
a skunk walked up onto our back deck. Appropriate for this game.
It's like living with a six-year old.
Did it play unconvincing baseball
and put in a struggling reliever in a leverage situation?
Or did it just stink?
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
Because, as Randy Johnson will tell you
K’s are so important in the minds of Cy Young voters…
by Jim McLennan on Sep 24, 2008 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Comment Number 200
because I felt the need to contribute, and bring this thread to an even number. :-)
by emilylovesthedbacks on Sep 24, 2008 1:36 AM EDT reply actions
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