You all think that yesterday’s debacle was the worst Dodger “Blowing a Lead Game Ever,” but it wasn’t even close! I remembered a column that Jon Weisman (now the Dodgers VP of Communications) wrote in his previous life as a blogger on “Dodger Thoughts.” In part, here’s what he wrote:
“On August 21, 1990, I went to a baseball game with a friend. And I stayed for about seven innings, and then we left early.
— Jon Weisman
I don’t think we thought twice about it. It was a weeknight. We had jobs.
And the Dodgers were winning, 11-1.
To say the least, this score more than satisfied the formula I described within an early Dodger Thoughts post defending Dodger fans: [margin of the lead] – [number of innings remaining] > 4. It doesn’t mean you hate baseball or you’re an unworthy fan if you bargain your way into an easier drive home and a bit more sleep.
It does mean that once in a while, you might miss an exciting finish. And boy, did we miss a doozy. (Well, actually we didn’t, since it was still going on by the time we got home.)
The Phillies scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning and nine in the ninth, rallying to beat the Dodgers, 12-11.
Mathematically, this was the second-most stunning comeback in MLB history, according to Baseball-Reference.com, surpassed only by a 1952 game in which the Reds had a 8-2 lead with two out and the bases empty in the ninth. But we’re splitting graying Tommy Lasorda hairs, here.
The Dodgers had an 11-3 ninth-inning lead … and lost.
Here’s the Video to prove it:
You can read the rest at Jon Weisman’s blog, but after leading the game 11-1, the Dodgers lost it 12-11. However, it doesn’t make yesterdays’ loss feel any better. This is baseball – stuff happens!
Dodgers News
- So Dustin May is out for the season with a “torn esophagus.” Wow. He missed a season with a torn UCL and another with a torn flexor tendon. Now, he will miss this season with a torn esophagus. We know why he tore his UCL and Flexor tendon: He threw too fast! Was he talking too fast or eating too fast? I want to know! 😉 Well, at least he is OK, but it sounds like he is not built of sturdy stock.
- The upside to yesterday’s game was that CT3, Lux, Biggio, and Barnes were on base with hits or walks nine times and scored four runs. The bad news was that Vanasco, Phillips, and Ramirez coughed up a hairball.
- I was impressed with Justin Wrobleski. Yes, he gave up four runs, but he is a strike-thrower who has only 202 innings under his belt in the minor leagues. He pitched at Great Lakes all of last year and started this year in Tulsa, where he pitched 67 innings before moving to AAA OKC, where he logged ten innings. Now, he is on the Show, and I think I will learn very rapidly what he can and can’t get away with. I think he is here to stay.
- Today is a bullpen game, and I (almost) hope they lose. I want them to feel the sting of a loss and losing another series during the break. After the break, this is where the rubber meets the road!
- The Dodgers selected Brent Honeywell, who was once a huge TOP PROSPECT. This is another Rehabilitation Project by AF. Don’t bet against it succeeding… I am not betting either way. Sometimes it works – sometimes it doesn’t.
- FUTURES GAME – It was played yesterday and the NL won 6-1. You can watch at the link.
- Clayton had a very successful start at OKC. He threw about a dozen pitches over 90 MPH and topped out at 91.5 MPH. I think he still has 93 in the tank after a couple of more starts.
Discussion (39)
Disagree, not disagreeable
We will be sorry we didn’t draft Cam Caminiti, the 17 year old lefty which the Braves drafted after us with our 23rd pick instead of Lindsey.
I hope we have seen the last of Ryan Yarbrough and Yohan Ramirez. River Ryan to be called up after the all-star break.
Another speedy top Dodger draft pick so he can run really fast back to the dugout after making an out.
Kellon Lindsey is the Dodgers’ pick:
On Lindsey:
Full ReportThe diminutive Lindsey is one of the fastest players in the draft. He ran the fastest 30-yard dash at the Combine at a blazing 3.53 seconds and often runs close to 4.00 from home to first. His wheels, style of swinging, and build are all reminiscent of Trea Turner at the same stage of his career. Lindsey’s arm strength is going to be an obstacle that makes it tough for him to stay at shortstop and it seems silly to waste his speed at second base, so here he’s projected into center field where his speed could make him an impact defender. Whether Lindsey will develop power is going to be more dependent on his athleticism than his build. He’s not especially projectable (though Tommy Edman and Jett Williams are examples of hitters this size who’ve gotten strong anyway), but a bigger, more elaborate swing that takes advantage of Lindsey’s capacity for movement might coax more power out of him.
Lindsey was injured and missed a lot of showcase reps the summer before his draft year, which creates a bigger error bar around projecting his hit tool. Still, varsity pitching in Florida is good enough to be confident in Lindsey’s spring breakout. He’s a classic leadoff man prospect who’ll play up the middle somewhere.
Couple questions just asked, in the Fangraphs chat, about Lindsey. I wonder if it was someone from this blog?
Alfredo Garcia Any info on what the Dodgers see/like in Lindsey?
Eric A Longenhagen Elite speed, more body projection than generally assumed
Farhandrew Zaidman Lindsey feels a lot like Kendall George from 2023
Eric A Longenhagen Bigger power ceiling, imo. George was under slot, they had their pocket picked by Seattle with Farmelo
Videos and comments on Lindsey:
The Great Kiley McDaniel:
Hardee HS (FL) SS Kellon Lindsey has been the biggest riser this spring among high school players, jumping from the 3rd-4th into the 1st round. He’s an 80-grade runner with a shortstop profile and a Trea Turner vibe, but limited experience against top arms.
https://x.com/JoeDoyleMiLB/status/1769814851281416631
https://x.com/JoeDoyleMiLB/status/1773379530645999890
Rudner:
For any curious Dodger fans, Kellon Lindsey is an extremely intriguing prospect. He has game-changing speed and only recently started focusing on baseball full time after playing quarterback for his high school’s football team. Tons of room for continued growth.
Some guy named Peter Flattery, the third:
With the 23rd overall pick, the Los Angeles Dodgers have selected SS/OF Kellon Lindsey. Really intriguing combination of both speed and athleticism. Could put 70s on both. Closer to an 80 runner than 70. Contact skills are advanced, hit over power.
Kellon Lindsey was the highest-ranked player on BA’s draft board to take part in on-field action on day one.
He stood out at the plate AND defensively at DAY ONE of the MLB Draft Combine
($$$$)
https://baseballamerica.com/stories/2024-mlb-draft-combine-day-one-10-standouts-data-leaders-more/
Via Vinnie Cervino (who?)
23. Los Angeles (NL): Hardee Senior (FL) SS Kellon Lindsey
Hurt last summer but made up for that in a big way this spring. 80 runner/athlete w/ adv athletic metric testing off the charts. Scouts really love the hit tool; might be CF long term.
Bruce Kuntz:
This is dependent on how the #Dodgers use the money they’ll save if Lindsey signs under slot. Lindsey has risen a lot this year, if he continues that projection, I like the idea a lot.
For now, I’d give it a B-. Tougher to love when Caminiti/Brecht/Mayfield were all there too.
Somebody named Taylor Blake-Ward:
Dodgers 1-23: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS (FL) — speedy/athletic RHH prep infielder, quick/direct high contact cut w/ sneaky pop, mature hitter who could see leadoff profile, 80 runner w/ range on dirt and up-the-middle future whether SS/CF (Florida commit)
This will be fun. I am going to do a list of players on the left side. And where they should be or replaced with who. Since some of you say. There not going to do a trade. There not going to trade for six players. Want to bet its possible.
Outman trade to whitesoxs for Tommy Pham.
Vargas traded to whitesoxs for Art Lopez 2b
Hernandez keke traded to whitesox for DeJong SS, 3B, 2b,
Landon Knack traded to whitesoxs for starter Feede
Taylor keep him because they he can play almost every where.
Pages sent down to Oklahoma City
DePaula traded to the Oakland As for Brett Rooker
Gavin Lux traded to the Oakland As for an outfielder or infielder
River Ryan traded to Oakland As for Reliever Mason Miller
Sign Nathan Evoladi starter from the Rangers offer the Rangers Buehler and a minor league pitcher.
Jack Flarethy starter Detroit Tigers offer them minor league pitching or players.
Release Biggio
There thats how we can get rid of some of the problem. And bring in better ball players. Ones that hit consistently. And hope Betts and Muncy come back. And Glasnow and Kershaw or this club will be lucky to make wild card game. With what they have now on the roster.
no need to panic! we might trade biggio for merrifield! game changer! ok, i made that up! sorry! yarbrough is so almost bad right now! can’t watch! Ramirez had his moment. get gone ! petersen ? decent, get gone! in a different light, Honeywell looked good! maybe stay! biggio, get gone! … Shouldn’t bench players be able to pinch hit and be productive? we seem to pinch hit worser hitters for the hitters hitting better than the pinch hitters we send up! like that one? … 2 position players and one starter, and 1 reliever. that’s all we need!
Dodgers 23-34 since May 21 per the Times.
All is well. ” Everything is for the best in this the best of all possible words.” (Dr. Pangloss in Voltaire’s Candide.)
The inability to score after the first inning was the primary reason the Dodgers lost this game. Nothing else matters.
Well, the A’s took 2 out of 3 at Philly this weekend.
There… do y’all feel better now? lol
No, I don’t either.
All these “injured” Dodgers pitchers can’t just be (mostly) “load management” by the FO , and they need to figure out how to get & keep Glasnow and Yamamoto healthy by early September. Also, this batting order probably needs 2 quality bats added to it. So in reality, AF ..DOES.. need to make at least one blockbuster trade by the end of this month if the Dodgers are to have any legit chance at being WS contenders. He has his work cut out for him.
Championship team!!!! LOL
Hahaha haha haha!
I say we just laugh along with everyone who is NOT a dodger fan about what we just did these last two games.
As I have stated many times in the past we are lucky to be in a SHIT division.
P.U..
No shame in getting swept by a powerhouse team like the Tigers. Worst back to back losses?
Not understanding why we didn’t see vesia after that triple. Kind of weird.
Anyone else tired of Yohan?
The Dodgers scored 3 runs in the first inning and then just STOPPED. Inexcusable.
Ok to blame this one on Doc or nah? Ramirez pitched yesterday and the 8th today. Vesia warms up and a lefty is due up first in the 9th and they bring Ramirez back in????
Have to win a game to avoid a terrible road trip just before the ASB and you ride with Yohan Ramirez. Spin it MT but that’s managerial malpractice.
Maybe he just needed a hug. Freaking pathetic
Yes, Ohtani passed Snider for the most extra base hits before the break. The difference is it took Ohtani 93 games to do it. Duke had his in 80 games. At the break in 1954, Snider was hitting .367. He had 20 homers and 70 driven in. His OPS was 1.149 and he had 219 total bases. He had walked more than he struck out, 46-43. He had scored 65 times, and he was slugging.700. Ohtani has struck out 93 times already. Snider struck out 96 times for the entire year, and he ended up hitting.341
The Dodgers have been very embarrassing the last week or so. Not the losing. We all know they have injuries. Here are some of the lowlights I have seen the past week.
Ohtani standing at home plate admiring a home run that wasn’t. Also, another baserunning mistake. He’s already made more than I can count this year. This time he was picked off but made safely to second. He’s not very focused.
Freeman and Smith don’t bother to run out batted balls. Funny seeing them have to switch gears when fielders flubbed it. I’m not saying give it 100% down the line although that’s what I would do. Just don’t completely dog it.
Talent will win most of the time. So the Dodgers better hope they are more talented than any team in the playoffs. Not likely. They certainly won’t be winning on character and leadership.
The “leadership” has been used up having the team do a hip swinging, leg lifting dance when they get a hit. That would be more appropriate at a girl’s softball game.
damn. i’ve seen enough of outman!
i miss steven nelson being on intentional talk. cause if he were still there he wouldn’t be broadcasting dodger games! No more vinny’s out there! damn! ain’t we seen enough of yarbrough???
At some point it is headscratching (saying it kindly) that we have to sign a guy like Honeywell to come in and immediately has to take the ball in a game that counts in the standings.
At least now we understand why Friedman is smarter than the average fan. Hr just got 3 shutout innings for nothing, Zero, Zilch!
I am sure I am not scratching my head. I understand it totally!
What is don’t understand is fans who don’t get it! It’s not usually the bottom dwellers who do it. It’s teams with plenty of resources.
Dodgers have made it pretty clear that they prefer Pages over Vargas
left handed pitcher. shocked doc didn’t pinch hit for lux!!! lol
Honeywell was impressive for one inning. Will they let him go more or it that it?
Has anyone else looked at the common demise of the pitching staff? It seems like every year we piece together a starting rotation before the postseason. However this year it’s before the All Star break. Is anyone policing Mark Pryor? He’s been at the center of all this pitching madness.
Brent Honeywell was drafted by Andrew Friedman and the Rays. Now he has come full circle back to AF.
It would be a feel-good story if he could come back, but the odds are long. Honeywell ranked in the Rays top 30 seven consecutive seasons, reaching Tampa Bay’s No. 1 spot in 2018, but missed three consecutive seasons returning from a trio of elbow surgeries. His fastball velocity is nearly back, sitting 93-96 mph, and he occasionally uses a low-90s cutter as well. Honeywell still throws two distinct breaking balls, a mid-80s slider and a slower curveball. As with most talented pitchers, it is his command that betrays him.
Sunday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (TBA) vs. Fort Wayne (Barden Nett)
11 a.m.: Tulsa (Jerming Rosario) vs. Corpus Christi (Luis Angel Rodriguez)
11:05 a.m.: Oklahoma City (Ben Casparius) vs. El Paso (Carl Edwards Jr.)
6:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Wyatt Crowell) at Stockton (Jackson Finley)
Ben Casparius will be activated off the injured list to make his first start since leaving his June 18 outing with a team trainer.
1:40 PM ET
Dodgers (56-40)
Tigers (46-50)
SP Honeywell
0-0 2,70 ERA
SP Brieske
1-0 3.52 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
C Will Smith R
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
RF Andy Pages R
SS Miguel Rojas R
2B Gavin Lux L
3B Chris Taylor R
CF James Outman L
83° Wind 12 mph R-L
07/14/24 Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Brent Honeywell.
07/14/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Ricky Vanasco to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
07/13/24 Los Angeles Dodgers transferred RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Triceps tightness.
07/13/24 Los Angeles Dodgers claimed RHP Brent Honeywell off waivers from Pittsburgh Pirates.
Haha, a friend of mine went to that Phillies game in 1990, and actually stayed thru the entire 9th inning.
He called me the next day and told me he was there; he sounded like he had just witnessed 3 deaths he was so stunned and sad.
For years we’ve been complaining about the October layoff being a disadvantage. This is one way to fix that.
Would like to see a couple of adjustments on the offensive side of the ball upon returning from the All -Star break
Bring up Hoese and Ward.
Biggio is released and one of Outman/Vargas or Lux go down.
Ward platoons with either Vargas, if he stays up or (Kike/Taylor in LF.
Hoese should play 3rd base everyday on a prove it bases.
He hits both lefty and righty’s well. Has over an .800 OPS against both.
Kike and Taylor can cover the (Lux , Outman or Vargas’s positions, depending who gets sent down.)
Starting Pitching help may depend on if Kershaw and Glassnow can be back by August 1st.
No idea we’re Walker and Miller’s mechanics and heads are at.
Starter needed? Probably
Bullpen help?
If reports are accurate could Kelly and Graterol be back by end of July and if so great.
Go Dodgers !!
Maybe the guy will draft tonight can help.
Okay, somehow listing other past implosions doesn’t make me feel any better. It’s a loss that shouldn’t have happened.
Oh, I get it. Too many injuries are impacting the Dodgers.
But the “super” team is a far cry from super. I wrote earlier that the Dodgers are a good team. Uh, change that. What they are right now is a very mediocre team. Again, blame injuries.
With luck they will win the division and get to the playoffs. But after that, unless they find sudden health, the shell of a team will again go down.
No one should blame Roberts for yesterday or the recent play. If anything, blame the trainers or weight experts. Why is it the Dodgers have so many injuries? Bad luck? Oh, and I’m beginning to think Walker Buehler’s problems are mental. I guess he went to Florida to help clear his head.
Oh well, enjoy pointing out past meltdowns, if it what you must do. The trade deadline is around the corner. Will the Dodgers do something significant or try to put caulk in all the cracks? The Olympics get under way soon. Good chance to focus on something other than baseball.
Small consolation it was not THE worst 9th inning implosion ever for the Dodgers.
At the current state of the team they need every win they can get. Thats what makes it sting especially hard.
Said it in a comment to yesterday blog: I would have brought in Phillipps for the bottom of the ninth. Make sure you win this game and win the series right there. Wins are at a premium at the moment for the Dodgers, Roberts said as much in his interview. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow and how the next game will shape up.
Should the Dodgers be worried about Phillpss ? Has given up some important hits and runs lately.
Best wishes to Dustin May for a full and speedy recovery. What a way to miss the rest of the season. Down goes the first of the walking wounded we hoped could help down the stretch and in the playoffs. Who will be next ? My money is on Yamamoto.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!