A Win for the Ages

Graterol threw a lot of fastballs and sliders last night and like Scherzer “was clearly without his best stuff and control last night. I chalk it up to one of those nights.” Graterol had been doing a good job, improving game by game, getting outs, That he doesn’t strike out many players with his great fastball and you don’t like that that’s something else, but the guy was getting outs until he couldn’t last night because he too can have “one of those nights.”

For a moment last night I thought I heard the fat lady singing, but it turned out to be the neighbor’s cat.

A guy who has been banging on Lux all year long now says that…”I think Lux may have stayed down after he dropped it to get sympathy instead of booing.” You really honestly thinks Lux games it like that? If that is an opinion, what is it based on? Exactly how many games have you ever seen Lux play, and when has he ever done that?

Then he goes on and states that…”No doubt, he should have caught it and then used his glove to brace up against the padded wall.” Really? Is that how you do it? Then he says…”And just for the record, I admit, that was a tough play that only great outfielders can make.” Can’t have it both ways. He either misplayed it so badly and then laid down to get sympathy, or it is only a play that only a great OF can make. Gavin Lux is not a great OF. He has played all of 7 games as a CF (6 in MLB), and last night was his 2nd in Dodger Stadium.

I have no problems whatsoever about opinions on a player’s ability, a manager’s decision making ability, or front office machinations. But when you start to question a player’s character, you better be able to back it up. If you think that Gavin Lux stayed down for sympathy to not get booed, that is not an opinion of ability but one of character. Now support it.

Okay, it was a great comeback. There was a lot to like, and some things that just frustrate the hell out of you. They at least got some clutch hits early and got Max a 4 run cushion to begin the game. But you could tell he was struggling with location right from the outset. He looked nothing like the guy who pitched 7 perfect innings against them a little over a week ago. And like Nomar opined, he did not have that put away pitch. Give the Padres hitters some credit, they recognized and took advantage. I think Scherzer will be fine. He is too good to let stuff like that affect him the next time he pitches. He will go out to the pen and work his butt off. Errors happen. But errors on balls that should be caught and are routine plays are the most galling of all. Seager and Taylor made those last night. Taylor screwed his up on the transfer to his throwing hand. Seager just miss played an easy grounder. Both contributed to extending the inning when the pitcher needed outs. Taylor is a better outfielder than infielder at this point. Taylor has become a strikeout machine. Too much so for a player of his type. His K percentage is ridiculously high. He has been a Dodger for 5 full seasons. His K totals? 145, 178, 115, 55, 165. Those are 30 HR power hitters who make little contact numbers. The problem is he is not that type of player. Those totals are way too high for a utility player. And the criticism is right. He never changes the plane of his swing. Some will look at the 55 K’s and say, oh that isn’t so bad. It is when you consider they happened in 185 at bats. Almost a third of the time. I like Chris. Always have. But as a reserve, not a guy they have to count on for big hits and everyday play. As inconsistent as Kike could be, He never struck out at the kind of rate Taylor does. This season he has 60 less K’s than Taylor, 2 less HR’s and is batting just 6 points lower. He also has a 4.4 WAR compared to Taylor’s 2.9. Taylor has 11 errors, but only 2 in the outfield, Kike has 8. 4 of those coming in CF, the only outfield position he has played this season for the Sox. Taylor is a free agent. He is probably going to get a 4 year deal somewhere. I do not think it will be in LA.

Good morning guys. Yes, I shut the game off when they were down 9-5. Not because I am not a true Dodger fan, but simply because most of this season when they are down 4 runs, they have not come back. Last year, different story. But I was on my computer doing some research and listening to the game on the radio. A lot easier than watching. But I went back and watched the 8th and 9th when the game was over. The difference between the game in 06 and this one is that that game, they did it off of a Hall of Fame reliever. After getting HR’s from Kent and Drew off of reliever Jon Adkins, Bochy brought in Hoffman, who had not blown a save to the Dodgers in 5 years. Rookie Russell Martin hit Hoffman’s first pitch over the left field fence to make it 9-8. Marlon Anderson, one of those late August trade acquisitions came up to hit. Anderson jumped on Hoffman’s first pitch and hit it over the right field fence. Hoffman then retired the next 3 hitters to get out of the inning. But the Padres scored a run in the top of the 10th off of Aaron Sele when Josh Bard, who is the Dodgers bullpen coach, tagged him for a run scoring double. Bochy did not like using Hoffman 2 innings in a row and replaced him with Rudy Saenez, who also pitched for the Dodgers a couple of times. Saenez walked Lofton, bringing up Nomar, who then hit a 3-1 pitch deep into the pavilion for the win. So it was a four plus one. What a lot of people forget is that Anderson’s HR was his second of the game, and the 6th of the game for the Dodgers. He and Furcal had hit solo shots earlier in the contest. So Garciaparra’s shot made it 7. Last night Pollock had 2 and their total was 6. A lot of similarities and it was cool that Nomar was in the booth calling the game. With Roberts and Bard, who were on the other side that night there too.

If you haven’t seen the post-game interview with Doc, Dylan Hernandez started off with…”Dave, you batted leadoff and went 0-6 with 4 strikeouts in the 4+1 game, how much nicer is it to be on this side of things…?”

Pretty funny, Doc took it well with a smile. He said it definitely reminded him of that game.

There is literally a 0% chance Smith is on the bench for the wildcard game…..ZERO.

Fun Game. Especially impressed with the O of course, but the relief corp minus bazooka was awesome & Kenley w/ the one more than immaculate inning was quite the throwback.

Interesting trivia I found about last night’s game.

>>>The late power burst was reminiscent of a Sept. 18, 2006, game between the teams. The Dodgers hit four consecutive homers in the bottom of the ninth to tie it, and Nomar Garciaparra’s two-run homer in the 10th gave them an 11-10 victory that put Los Angeles back in first place.

Garciaparra was at the ballpark Wednesday night. Roberts was a player on that 2006 Padres team.

“It certainly reminded me of that night. A lot of the same vibe,” Roberts said. “To be in this dugout is a much better feeling than to be in the visiting dugout.”cheers

pb+

A lot more after that incredible comeback last night! If the offense comes back then I like our chances But you’re right. We need to tighten up the defense. In the playoffs you can’t afford to throw a game away.

I’ve replayed the Lux gaff a few times. I call them as I see them. This is similar to a wide receiver going over the middle – you know the collision is coming, catch the ball first, then cover up. Catch and cover. Lux dropped the ball 2 steps before hitting the wall. The ball was already on the ground rolling away when he did his Academy performance face plant. Tape don’t lie. He’s got the skills to play any position on the field. Maybe he’s not quite ready for first team centerfielder.

Great comeback? Yeah, sure. But the fact is, in a pennant race with our ace on the mound we gave up 8 earned and made 2 more errors, 3 if you count the Lux drop, which I do but nobody else likely does. I’m old school, ball goes in your glove you make the catch … Seager and Taylor.

The question must be asked – does this look like a team ready for a playoff run?

Wow, last night was amazing! That’s entertainment!!

Almost as entertaining was coming here in morning to read the comments. Y’all sound like a bunch of Nancy’s. They sky is falling one minute, best team in baseball the next!

I can’t believe the negative comments about Lux not pulling in that ball. What the hell did you think was going to happen when he’s only played like 10 games ever in the outfield?

Wouldn’t it be great if Bellinger started hitting like himself again? It’s pretty crazy that the recent golden boy goes down and Belli picks him up with a HUGE game tying home run. This is why baseball is the best sport. Anything can happen.

Man, it would have been so much sweeter if the Giants would lose. It’s like everyone in division wants the Giants to win it.

A lot of harsh words for Brusdar. Do you realize that he’s hasn’t been scored upon in 8 games prior? His last game, he was credited with stopping the bleeding with 1.2 perfect innings. Everyone lays an egg from time to time. Mark already cut him from the postseason roster.

Lux’s injury made Doc’s job a lot easier.

Pollock is arguably the Dodger’s best hitter. Let that sink in for a while!

I’m still holding out for some magic, a fairytale ending for a very strange season. As long as there’s games left, I refuse to concede to the thought of the wildcard.

The Cardinals finally lost. The only thing undecided in the NL is the West Division Crown and the top Wildcard.

The Blue Jays took one back from the Yankees and the Mariners are a half game up on the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays finish their season against the O’s, The M’s get the Angels, The Red Sox get the Nats and the Yankees get the Rays. They’re all bunched up within 2 games of each other. It’s possible to get a 4 way tie for 2 spots. What will the tie breaker look like?

No one complains about Roberts when he isn’t stinking it up. I haven’t seen any unnecessary double switches in quite some time. Less unnecessary mid inning pitching changes as well. Maybe he’s finally learning how not to over manage. His interviews have even been better lately, except for when he said Max has done enough to secure the Cy Young right before the game (not a good look to dismiss teammates Julio and Walker). Kiss of death!

Wow! Did I go to bed too early!!!!!!!!’ I think with a lot of others! Down 9-5 in the 7th and I put my head on the pillow. If only the Giants would have cooperated!!!!!!