Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 0
In his past two starts, Derek Lowe has pitched 14 shutout innings, all against the Snakes, and allowed a TOTAL of six hits. Over his past five starts, he is 3-1 with a 1.02 ERA (four runs, 35 1/3 innings). This guy has survived the late stages of a playoff race before and emerged from it doused with champagne. That experience makes him an absolutely critical piece for the Dodgers, who improved to 71-70 and moved within a half-game of the Snakes and now appear to have momentum squarely on their side in this division race. And if Lowe is down to his final few weeks with the Dodgers, he is at least making them count. On the flip side, in Dan Haren's past two starts, both against the Dodgers, he has allowed 10 earned runs on 16 hits over 11 innings. Tonight, he was gone after four. ... Andre Ethier went 5 for 5 tonight, falling a triple short of the cycle -- and no, that probably wouldn't have been a triple if he had kept running in the sixth inning instead of pulling up and not getting back to the bag in time. Even if he makes it to third, it's a double and an error. Ethier did drive in five runs, and he now is batting .733 (11 for 15) for the homestand. He also has a five-game hitting streak, during which he is batting a less-impressive .650 (13 for 20).
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About Inside the Dodgers
Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for
the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a
regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies
and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate
of the University of Arkansas.
how is the 5th outfielder going to explain this one?
i liked the way that ethier acknowledged the benefits of batting ahead of manny.
he comported himself with class and it's nice to see somebody as grateful as ethier excel when it truly counts.
go ethier
and they didn't charge an error to chris young on that play.
it would have counted as a cycle. maybe tomorrow...
They didn't charge an error because there was no advancement. They WOULD have charged an error if Ethier had made it to third, which he probably wouldn't have. He probably would have been thrown out. Which is exactly why he pulled up about a third of the way there and tried to get back to second.
ah, my mistake.
oh well. great night anyway.
Without Juan-the-Forgotten-Man vociferously rooting his teammates on from the the far end of the bench, this game would have been lost by the second inning.
As the old saying, often repeated by Vin Scully (who allegedly talks too much), goes:
"They also serve who only sit and wait."
Quoting Tony's topic-starting post:
"He (Ethier) also has a five-game hitting streak, during which he is batting a less-impressive .722 (13 for 18)"
"Less-impressive" is spot-on! What a bleepin' lollygagger this Ethier guy is! Can the Dodgers get a do-over on that trade, and get Milton Bradley back?
Yeah, and that was before I fixed my initial screw-up. It's actually even worse than that. If you'll notice I have sense changed it to a downright-pathetic .650 (13 for 20).
And speaking of screw-ups, it's ``I have SINCE changed it.'' Not ``I have SENSE changed it.'' It's late, folks. And I'm tired.
rthlshrtbrkr said:
"How is the 5th outfielder going to explain this one?"
- same as always - by the numbers & with scrupulous attention to said...observe Sherman, as Mr. Peabody enlightens you, yet again:
Pierre Dodgers 15-7 when Juan starts
ethier Dodgers 10-14 when the journey 'e' starts
DBacks: 71-69 = 1st place
dodgers 71-70 = second best
And whence come season's end ARIZ is in post season & dodgers are not consideration the whys and wherefores nee head-scratching hand wringing & gnashing of teeth shall come into view...
Juan Pi-erre!
P-I-E-R-R-E!!
the journey 'e'? A second rate player on a second rate nee second place team...Nippon bound circa 2009!
: )
Hey Skep, er I mean Hawaii 5-0, er I mean 5th Outfielder, you should bust out one last ode to kent as you may never have another chance as he may no longer be killing Dodger rallies.
Dodgers now 6-0 without Mr. Chuckles--here's to Jeff Kent not coming back--who needs him!
5th outfielder - want to tell us again how the Dodges are 1-10 with Manny starting?
And it remains: advantage PIERRE!
Pierre Dodgers 15-7 when Juan starts
ethier Dodgers 11-14 when the journey 'e' starts
(bad hair day nee ramirez now 2-10)
And whence come season's end ARIZ is in post season & dodgers are not consideration the whys and wherefores nee head-scratching hand wringing & gnashing of teeth shall come into view...
Juan Pi-erre!
P-I-E-R-R-E!!
the journey 'e'? A second rate player on a second rate nee second place team...Nippon bound circa 2009!