Hey everyone, glad to be back here.  I really wish I had more time to come here on a regular basis, but I still enjoy coming here when the opportunity exists.  Well, the first half of the season is coming to a close, and it should be an exciting 2nd half in the NL West.  More on that soon.  In the meantime, like always, I’ve had a great time watching the Blue in the first half, and feel that the best is still yet to come.  I’ve had a chance to see them on Jackie Robinson’s night, as well as road trips to San Diego in that thriling 17 inning victory back in April to catching them on the in Atlanta.  I’ve finally had the chance to post my pictures from these road trips.  Of course, some of you may know by now that I love traveling to different baseball stadiums and enjoy sharing my pictures just as much.  So, I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.  And as always, GO DODGERS.  The best is yet to come……

I just love Sunday’s at the ballpark.  And when our boys in Blue are in Anaheim this Sunday, this will mark my 6th straight Sunday I will have attended a Dodgers game either home or road, yes, including San Diego and Atlanta .  And along the way, I’ve witnessed some very special moments and have been part of history as well.  Here are some highlights

4/15 vs SD- Jackie Robinson night.  The Dodgers and MLB celebrate the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson being the first African-American athlete to break baseball’s color barrier, and appropriately, the Dodgers-Padres game is the main feature on ESPN on this Sunday evening.  Though we would arrive after the top of the 1st, the electricity of this majestic evening could still be felt throughout the stadium as tributes throughout the evening were paid to Jackie.  Every member of the Dodgers wore number 42 that evening, as well as Padres CFer Mike Cameron.  The Dodgers would win the game 9-3.

4/29 @ SD- After watching the Friars tie the game in the home half of the 7th, both the Dodgers and Padres would go almost 10 more innings without scoring until outfielder Brady Clark laced a 2-out double down the left field line to plate Wilson Valdez, just beating the relay, as the Blue, behind some stellar pitching from the bullpen, edged the Friars 5-4 in 17 innings.  As for the historical marks, this game would mark the longest game ever in PETCO Park’s short history in both innings played and time of game….With a crowd of over 44,000 , the crowd total for that 3 game series of over 130,000 for the weekend also set a PETCO Park record for a 3 game series……Other sites and sounds, A rare 14th inning stretch was performed, the US Marine Corps were on hand to take in the game as always on Sundays in San Diego, I would need 2 scoresheets to score all 17 innings, and if you were to see it, good luck reading through all the lineup changes.

5/6 @ Atl- I would be in Atlanta for the weekend to take in the Saturday and Sunday games of this 3 game series on my annual baseball road trip.  Turner Field was a decent place to watch a game, nothing spectacular, but with little to do in the area around the stadium, the Braves do a nice job of combining a festive atmostphere around the stadium, especially for the kids, featuring a couple of kid themed play areas one beyond CF with a pavilion featuring many of Cartoon Networks characters, as well as a patch of grass in the upper deck down left field where kids can run from home plate to first.  More on my Atlanta trip later, as for the game, Wilson Betemit shocked the **** out of me when he would hit a pinch hit two-run homer in the top half of the 7th, making it back-to-back games he would come off the bench and homer, giving the Blue a seemingly comfortable 4-1 lead in the 7th.  But the Braves would rally for 5 in the home half of the 7th and take 2 of 3 from us, final 6-4.  BTW, the tomahawk chop didn’t seem so annoying, although i’d be inetersted to see what it’s like during post-season.

5/13 vs Cin- Many players from both the Reds and Dodgers would use pink bats in honor of Mothers Day and to assist in the fight against breast cancer. Two future hall of famers, Ken Griffey Jr. , and Jeff Kent, would hit tape measure shots, but a 5 run 8th would propel the Blue to a 3 game sweep of the Reds by a score of 10-5, marking the 9th straight victory against the Reds dating back to last season.  A topic of conversation amongst us during the game would be if Kenny Griff could break what will soon to be Barry Bonds record if he averages 35 home runs and plays 6 more seasons without any serious injuries hampering him.

Well, 2 more Sundays to go, this Sunday in Anaheim, than the 27th against the Cubs.  I really enjoy my Sundays at the Park.  GO DODGERS !!!

Well, we are only 3 weeks away from the opening of the 2007 season.  I am soooo excited, and my tickets for my Silver Slugger package have just arrived this week.  I smell playoffs.  Heading into this season, I am convinced that Coletti has done the most in the NL West to position the Dodgers to win the division. To start things off, I’ll first focus on the pitcing. While everyone raves about the pitching, I have a slight concern over whether they can maitain healthy througout the course of the season.  I am looking forward to 3 things from the starters, will Brad Penny recover from last years 2nd half slump and pitch deep into ballgames and take pressure off the ‘penn ?  Is Randy Wolf indeed healthy enough to provide a vialble arm in the starting 5 ?  And speaking of 5, who will be the number 5 starter to open the season ?  I feel right now, the edge goes to Kuo, as he proved late last season that he is more comfortable in the starting role rather than in middle relief.  That would leave Thomko and Hendrickson to the ‘penn along with Biemel, Broxton and Saito.  This could be baseballs deepest pitching staff, especially with 2 lefties in the ‘penn in Hendrickson and Biemel, though the feeling here is that either Hendrickson could be possible traid bait later this season for that ever coveted power bat. 

Hello all, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS….Only 3 months away from Spring Training !!! Well, this past 2006 season was quite a roller coaster ride for our Boys in Blue, as we reached post-season play for the 2nd time in 3 years. This past season also saw the emergence of Andre Ethier and Russell Martin, as well as a great comeback year from LA’s own Nomar, a solid SS in Furcal, some timely hitting down the stretch by old vet Kent, a surprise from Tak Saito, and of course, the “extended all-star break” to the winning streak that saw our boys win 19 of 22 and going 41-19 down the stretch to fininsh in a 1st place tie in the NL West to the division champion Padres. The 2006 season had it’s share of exciting moments, and of course many a Dodger fan would pick the 4 consecutive HR’s as their top moment of 2006. Here are my top 3 for 2006, and let’s hear your top 3 as well. So, here goes…
3. 8/10/06 vs Colorado

The previous evening, the Dodgers would have their 11 game winning streak snapped, and on this night, with the Blue up 4-3 in the top of 9th, Tak Saito would blow his first game of the season and allow the Rockies to tie the game at 3. Not bad considering that Tak was not even on the Opening Day roster and he was filling in some pretty big shoes. The bottom of the 9th, with runners on 1st and 2nd and one out, Kenny Lofton would line a single to LF to score Julio Lugo with the winning run as the Dodgers prevailed 4-3. As we left the stadium, you could feel a buz amongst the faithful and I would tell my dad and brother that that was the best game we attended this season. 3 nights later…..

2. 8/13/2006 vs San Francisco

It was a classic pitchers duel on Sunday Night Baseball between Greg Maddux and Jason Schmidt. ( Ironic how are feelings have changed about these 2 ptichers….) A packed house, a national audience watching, two rivals battling for the divisoin in mid-August….Just another Dodgers-Giants game. The game would remain scoreless throughout the full 9 frames, until the bottom of the 10th, when Russell Martin would hit the 1-0 offering over the LF wall by the Dodgers bullpen, setting the Ravine off in another frenzy as the Blue would win this pitchers duel 1-0 and sweep the hated ones. It would be the Blue’s 15th win in 16 games and this just after the so-called extended all-star break which saw us lose 13 of 14. The lull seemed like an oh-so distant memory.

1. 10/01/2006 at San Francisco

The previous day , the Blue had clinched a playoff spot to the delight of the Blue faithful who made the tip and to the ire of the locals. It was the final game of the season, and with a little help, the Dodgers still had a chance to win the NL West. But having already clinched a playoff spot, manager Grady Little decided to rest up most of the starters for the post-season, so the chances of avoiding a season-ending sweep seemed good to those in the Halloween colors on this first day of October, especially with then nemesis Jason Schmidt going for the hated ones. The Blue would jump out to and early 1-0 lead thanks to James Loney’s solo HR off Schmidt, narrowly missing McCovey Cove. Earlier in the week, Loney, who had been filling in for an injured Nomar, had a 9 RBI game at Colorado, smashing a grand-slam and a 3 run shot to boot. As for this final game, the Giants would take a 3-1 lead only to see the Blue tie things up on a 2 out double by former Giant Ramon Martinez. The Blue would take the lead for good in the 7th and finish the season by not only clinching a post-season birth on the hated ones home field, but sweeping them there as well. It would be the second time this season the Blue would sweep the hated ones, much to the dismay of those in Verizon Field, oh, I mean, Sprint Stadium , or, is it Cingular Park. I can’t keep track of which phone company the park is named after anymore….Furthermore, to hear the joy amongst the Blue faithful, and the angst hurled toward us from those in Black. Priceless.

Well, those were my top 3. As for being up north, well, I will be up north again next week, this time to see my UCLA Bruins in the Emerald Bowl against Florida State. I’m really looking forward to this game, and hopefully there wont be any emotional post $C letdown for my other team in Blue. ( 13-9 !!!! U…C…LLLL A…U-C-L-A FIGHT ! FIGHT ! FIGHT ! ) Let’s see, something tells me to don my Dodger cap with my Bruins apparell. They’re both Blue…..Well, HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone, and please be safe. We still got a lot to talk about come ’07.

Andrei
aka DodgerDrei

The last time I posted here, our boys were mired in the 13 of 14 losing drought.  How that seems like a distant memory.  And as the boys righted themselves, during that stretch were we  currently have won 14 of 15, during the 11 game winning streak, I told myself " Hey, they haven’t lost since my last post, so I figured I’d stay away until the streak succumbed.  And on Wednesday evening, the Rockies put an end to that.  Thursaday night was special for me for that my brother, dad, and my brother’s girlfriend dined at the Stadium Club to celebrate my birthday, as well as my dad and my brothers 21st.  And we were treated to dinner and theatre, as the Blue, despite blowing a 3-2 lead in the 9th, won in the bottom half on Kenny Lofton’s 1 out single to drive in Lugo.  And though we would climb back into first place by a slim 1/2 game, you could feel the playoff atmosphere in the air.  Well, tonight, the Blue will go at it against our hated rivals in a nationally televised game that will feature this weekends prime pitching matchup between Greg Maddux and Jason Schmidt.  Tonights game will also feature a first as tonight will be the first time a 300 game winner ( Maddux) will due battle against you know who out in Left Field.  The Blue will also be looking to sweep the Giants, who at this point are starting to fade out of the pennant picture.  Though as much glee it would bring us to see the Giants permanently buried in the NL West’s cellar, let’ s not forget that each team in the division has spent some time either in 1st place all the way to the cellar as well.  And while the Giants have lost 15 of 18, after occupying 1st place momentarilly just 2 weeks ago, let’s not forget that not only did the Dodgers go through their dry spell, but Arizona, who trails us by only 1.5 games, went through a period in June as well where they had lost something like 18 of 21.  However, the Blue is picking it up at the right time and if they can continue to beat up on their division foes, it would not be a stretch to say that they could run away with this division. 

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

With a record of 61-56 and 45 games left, it’s not beyond imagination to think that the NL West champ will require 90 wins.  Shoud this be the case, the Blue would have to go 29-16 the rest of the way to hit the magic number of 90.  Should this happen, this would mean the including the current wave of 14 of 15, the Blue would go 43-17 since the end of the slump and an overall 44-30 since the all-star break.  So, from here on , DodgerDrei says, first to 90 wins.  Magic number……29.  GO DODGERS !!!!  29 more wins to OCTOBER BASEBALL !!!!

With last night’s 8-3  loss to the Snakes at Chase Field, the Blue has dropped 5 in a row and are 0-5 since the all star break, dropping their record to 46-47, putting them below the .500 mark since early May.  Rookie Chad Billingsley will be called upon to break the losing streak.  Billingsley is still looking for his first big league win.  In his last start, Chad went 5 innings while running into constant jams against St. Louis, but each time managed to pitch himself out of each situation.  The young rookie has struggled with control  during his stint in the big leagues, and with Brett Thomko’s status still in doubt and possibly going to the bullpen, and the Dodgers still seaking another bona-fide starter before the July 31st trading deadline, Billingsley learning curve is hardly that, leaving the rookie with very little or no margin for error, especially with the offenses recent struggles.  Tonight would be a good night for Chad to give the boys in blue a good 6 or maybe even 7 innings. 

Today will be the 3rd of 4 between the Dodgers and the Cardinals.  The Cardinals have taken the first two in this series, with Sir Albert putting the dagger once again on the opponents hearts, unfortunately, this time against us, hitting his 7th career walk-off home run in Thursdays nights gut wrenching 14 inning loss, 3-2, and Chris Carpenter putting on an absolute pitching clinic in a 5-0 setback.  Though Derek Lowe has struggled during this month of July, one of the few positives from last nights game was the minimal use of  the bullpen,spent from Thursday night  after using everyone with exception of Danys Baez .  Mark Hendrickson will take the mound today for the Blue against Jeff Suppan.  Hendrickson, since coming over from Tampa, has been a victim of bad luck as he has been a victim of shoddy defense and a few seeing eye grounders. 

NOTES

As expected, with Ricky Ledee being activated off the DL, outfielder Matt Kemp has been sent to Triple A Las Vegas.  Kemp, prior to being called up, had been in Double A Jacksonville.  After starting off with 7 home runs in his first 2 weeks in the bigs, the league caught up, as often is the case, and with the plethora of outfielders here in LA, Matt will only benefit with the extended playing time he will receive in Vegas, with the opportunity to fine tune some of his talented but still raw skills.  Matt, we’ll see you back in LA soon.

After allowing the game winning home run to Pujols on Thursday and some comments about lack of respect from the ballclub, ( Does Pujols 10 for 15, 5 home runs lifetime, and his guady 6.79 ERA have something to do with this ? ), the Dodgers brass has decided not to discipline Odallis Perez for his ill-timed remarks. 

As I do my live game weblog today, I am hoping to get this whole game in, for I will be visiting family today, as we celebrate a few birthdays in the days to come.  Though some of our birthdays won’t be until later this month ( Lil’ bro, the big 2-1 ), or even early next month, ( yours truly and the daddy ), this is an opportunity for my mom to celebrate with us before she takes off for the Phillipines tomorrow to visit family and business as well.  My mom is looking forward to her trip, for it will be the first time since 1997 she will be back in our home country.  As for me, it will be 20 years since i’ve been.  ( I really gotta go back and see what’s changed )

THE STARTING LINEUP FOR THE BLUE

SS FURCAL

CF CRUZ JR.

1B NOMAR

RF DREW

2B KENT

LF ETHIER

3B IZTURIS

C MARTIN

P HENDRICKSON

10:28 Furcal lines a double to the RF corner.  Furcal has hit over .400 in his last 9 games.

10:30 Cruz Jr. goes down swinging, failing to advance Furcal to 3rd.  And now Nomar, who went deep for us on Thursday, giving the Blue their only 2 runs in this series to this point, as it’s been all goose eggs in these last 20 innings.

10:32 Nomar grounds to 2nd, advancing Furcal.  With 2 outs, it’s now up to former Card JD Drew.

10:34 Drew comes through with 2 out, as he launches one over So Taguchi in LF, ending a scoring drought of 20 plus innings.  Dodgers 1 Cards 0

10:36 Kent draws a walk, bringing up NL Player of the week Andre Ethier. 

10:37 Yadi Molina attempts to pick off Kent.  Yadi, though not known for his batting average, has already picked of 5 runners this season.

10:39 A fine play be second baseman Hector Luna to take away a possible hit and RBI from Ethier. 

MIDDLE OF 1

DODGERS 1

CARDINALS 0

CARDS STARTING LINEUP

SS ECKSTEIN

LF TAGUCHI

1B SIR ALBERT

3B ROLEN

RF ENCARNACION

CF EDMUNDS

2B LUNA

C MOLINA

P SUPPAN

10:42 A nice play at second by Kent to rob Eckstein.

10:47 After a 2 out double to Pujols, Hendrickson gets Rolen looking.  So far, so good. 

END OF 1

DODGERS 1

CARDINALS 0

Throughout this series, much has and will be continued about St. Louis, it’s fans,  and new Busch Stadium.  I’m sure by now, you’ve heard all about the great fans of  St Louis, but there really is nothing like experiencing it for yourself if you are a baseball fan.  I had the opportunity to go to St. Louis last year with my baseball traveling partner Josh Jacobs for Old Busch’s swan song when the Dodgers were there for a 4 game series in May.  And I tell you, I’d never been treated so warmly in all quarters of a city .  Literally everywhere we went, dressed in our Dodger Blue amongst the Cardinal red, they really made us feel at home.  And the Dodgers bottom half has gone down in order.  Well, more on St. Louis and it’s fans later….

MIDDLE OF 2

DODGERS 1

CARDINALS 0

11:00 It looks like Hendrickson is looking comfy today, as Molina grounds to 3rd to end the 2nd.

END OF 2

DODGERS 1

CARDINALS 0

Well, I’m sorry I must cut this short.  I am off now to spend time with my family.  I will be listening to the game on the way.  If all goes well, I do plan to be back tomorrow morning and always welcome company.  I’d also like to hear from some of you  Cardinals bloggers out there and I know there are plenty of you , based on the number of threads in the MLBlogs directory.  Well, enjoy the rest of the game everyone, and GO DODGERS !!!

As a writer here on this blog, I always try my best no to let my emotions get the best of me, but why, WHY DID YOU PITCH TO PHAT ALBERT !!!  Odallis, the guy just owns you !!!  He was 6 for 14 against you.  He owns you !!!!  And tonight, you sure didn’t win any more support from your L.A fan base.  Oh, this was is sure hard to take.  And with Albert’s blast, the Cards " GO CRAZY FOLKS " tonight.  Well, it’s now time to turn the page and look forward to tomorrow.  And considering the work the bullpen turned in tonight, let’s hope Derek Lowe gives us at least 7 innings tomorrow night.

Tonight kicks off the beginning of the 2nd half of the baseball season, with tonights Dodgers-Cards game being one of the few games on the circuit.  The Dodgers will send rookie Chad Billingsley on the mound against 11 game winner Jason Marquis.  The Cardinals have made the playoffs in 5 of the last 6 seasons, winning 4 division titles and 1 NL pennant during their run.  The Cardinals have struggled somewhat this year, but still hold a 4 game lead in the NL Central, thanks in large to the strength of Phat Albert.  This series could feature plenty of offense, with both pitching staffs still trying to establish themselves.  The series’ marquee matchup is at 1B, featuring all-stars Albert Pujols, the league leader in home runs, and our own Nomar Garciaparra, the league leader in batting average.  This is a battle between two of the Senior Circuits more storied franchises and could be a possible playoff preview.  The teams last met in the post-season in 2004, with the Red Birds on top in 4, 3 games to one.  ( Does ’04 seem like a distant memory to all you Dodgers fans ?  Who’s still left from that team ? ).

5:48  OK, we’re in the top of the 3rd.  I’m sure you’re all making jokes about us late arriving Dodgers fans.  I had some technical difficulty, OK.  Billingsley leads off the top frame for the Blue.  Chad has looked good so far, now he just needs to keep his command in check, as he strikes out to lead off the inning.

5:51 Rafael Furcal slices a double down left field, now 2 for 2.  Furcal is starting to heat up after a slow start. 

5:53 Lofton moves Furcal to 3rd, grounding back to the box, now up comes possible MVP candidate, Nomarrrrrr.

5:55  Nomar has done it again !!!!  Nomar goes yard to left, again MR. CLUTCH comes through !!! 

5:56 Drew grounds to 2nd.  Through 2 1/2

Dodgers 2

Cardinals 0

Bottom of 3rd

5:59 David Eckstein to lead off for the Cards.  3 former Halos are in the Cards lineup tonight with Eckstein, Edmunds, and Spezio.  Also, catcher Yadier Molina is the brother of Angels catcher, Jose Molina.  Eckstein draws a base  on ball, something young Chad must still work on.

6:02 Well, the first 2 have been walked with the walk to Spezio, now Phat Albert at bat.  Albert’s average with RISP, .443

6:04 Pujols moves runners over to scoring position with a nubber to 3rd.  Well, at least he kept him in the park.

6:05 Scott Rolen is up with  runners in scoring position.  Rolen played only 56 games last season after a season ending injury with a collision with then Dodgers 1B Hee-Seop Choi.

6:06 Rolen strikes out swinging, big strike out.  Now Edmunds is up.  Edmunds struck out swinging in the 1st with the bases loaded. 

6:07 With 1st base open, Chad gives one of those " unintentional intentionals " to Jim.

6:08 Chris Duncan at bat, flied deep to left center 1st time up.  And on the 1st pitch, Duncan flies to Ethier in left.  So, Chad has weathered two storms tonight. 

End of 3

Dodgers 2

Cardinals 0

TOP OF 4TH

6:13 Kent called out on strikes.

6:14 With 2 outs, Izturis slices a 2 out double to the left field corner.  That corner has been a hot spot tonight.  Up comes catcher Russel Martin, another one of our rookie phenoms.

6:15 With the pitcher due up next, Martin also gets one of those " unintentional intentionals". 

6:17 Chad flies to center.

Middle of 4

Dodgers 2

Cardinals 0

BOTTOM OF 4TH

Before we move on, a little about St. Louis.  I had a chance to visit St. Louie last year and take in a 4 game series with the Dodgers in town during the previos Busch Stadiums last season.  I actually liked the circular Busch.  The exterior was nothing to brag about, but the inside certainly had quite a baseball feel.  Also, these baseball savvy fans, who cater to visiting fans as well, also made the stay quite hospitable.

6:20 Yadi Molina grounds to short to lead off the inning

6:23 Runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, as pitcher Jason Marquis lines a single up the middle.

6:26 Russell Martin takes a foul ball off his knuckles off the bat of David Eckstein.  Boy the life of a catcher can be brutal.  Former Cardinal and current Giant Mike Matheny is still experiencing migrane headaches from all those foul balls taken off the mask.

6:28 Just what the doctor ordered.  On a 3-2 pitch, Eck grounds into a 6-4-3 DP.  Chad, though still trying to find his command, has been able to overcome 3 jams, stranding 9 Red Birds on base to this point.

End of 4

Dodgers 2

Cardinals 0

TOP OF 5TH

6:31 Furcal leads off with a single to left.  Furcal is currently on an 8 game hitting streak, lifiting his average above .270 .

6:32 Lofton flies to right center to Jim Edmonds on a fine play.  Up now is Nomar……………..

6:34 Not this time.  Nomar grounds into a 6-4-3 DP. 

Middle of 5

Dodgers 2

Cardinals 0

BOTTOM OF 5TH

6:37  First pitch Spezio grounds to Nomar

6:40 Runners on 1st and 2nd with Edmunds coming to the plate.  Billingsley has walked 4 to this point.  Gio Carrara warming up in the Dodgers ‘pen. 

6:44 Edmunds strikes out for the 2nd time tonight.  Allright Chad, only 1 more out than you can qualify for your 1st MLB win.

6:47 The bases are loaded again, the 3rd time in 5 innings, bringing up Molina.  And on the first pitch, Yadi grounds into a fielders choice to 3rd.  Congrats Chad, you’ve just put yourself in postion to qualify for your first win in the bigs. 

END OF 5

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 0

TOP OF 6TH

6:50 JD Drew leads off for the Blue.  JD has actually been healthy throughout most of this season.  Can he maintain this stretch of good health as he flies to left ?

6:53 Kent goes down swinging for the 2nd time tonight.  Kent’s power numbers have gone down this year, as he only has 9 home runs to show.

6:54 Andre Ethier goes down swinging.  Well, Marquis’ only mistake has been the 2 out 2 run home run to Nomar.  Can the Blue make it hold up ?

Middle of 6

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 0

BOTTOM OF 6TH

6:56 It’s now up to the Dodgers bullpen to hold the lead, as Giovanni Carrara is now in to pitch to Aaron Miles.

7:00 Gio set’s them down in order, as Eckstein grounds harmlessly to 1st.

END OF 6

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 0

TOP OF 7TH

7:03 Izturis leads off the 7th with a single.  Izzy, since coming off the DL, has not shown any signs of transition to 3rd base.  And on a busted hit and run play, Izzy is caught stealing.

7:05 Ramon Martinez, in for Jeff Kent, grounds to short to end the inning.  Cocern arises again for Jeff Kent’s oblique mussel.

MIDDLE OF 7

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 0

STRETCH TIME…..TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME….

FUN FACT

The Dodgers and Cardinals have a combined 15 world championships.  The Cards have won 9 of the 15, tops in the National League.

7:09 Spezio is called out  on strikes .  Pujols is up, with the bases empty.  So, he cannot tie us.

7:10 Pujols flies out weekly to center.  So, Sir Albert has been quited tonight.

7:11 Scott Rolen doubles into the left field corner, Carrara allowing is 1st hit after retiring the first 5 hitters he faced.

7:17 And with one swing of the bat, and after fouling off several pitches out and away, Edmunds finally gets on inside on drills a no-doubter over the right field wall.  Well, Chad will have to wait another day for his first win in the bigs.  And after retiring his first 5 hitters, Gio gives up the game tying home run

Dodgers 2 Cardinals 2

7:19 Duncan lines to Martinez.  So we have a new ballgame.

END OF 7

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

TOP OF 8TH

7:24 Furcal grounds out on a good play by Aaron Miles, and Lofton flies to center, bringing up Nomar.  Well, it’s after the 7th Dodgers fans, and you know what Nomar does after the 7th with a sick .537 mark since May 20th.

7:26 Well, Nomar did his best, but falls about 4 feet from the Cards bullpen in right center.

MIDDLE OF 8TH

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

JUST FOR FUN

Since the game is in St. Louis, it’s now time to queue the old Budweiser " King of Beers " jingle…Here come’s the king…..

BOTTOM OF 8TH

7:29 With Jonathon Broxton in the game for the Blue, JD Drew makes a fine play on a foul pop to right from Yadi Molina.

7:30 Aaron Miles singles up the middle.

7:36 Pinch hitter John Rodriguez grounds out to 2nd, ending the 8th.  Tyler Johson to come in the top of the 9th to pitch for the Cards.  Good game by both teams.  Let’s see who blinks first.

END OF 8

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

TOP OF 9TH

7:40 Drew is called out on strikes for the 1st out.  La Russa to make a pitching change, bringing in Adam Wainwright.  This game could come down to one simple thing, execution.

7:48 After a two-out single by Ethier, Izturis grounds to 3rd.  And now up come the big boys in the bottom of the 9th, Spezio, Pujols, and Rolen.

MIDDLE OF 9TH

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

BOTTOM OF 9TH

7:50 So Taguchi will pinch hit for Spezio, to face Jonathan Broxton, in his 2nd inning of relief.  For it’s 1-2-3 strikes you’re out !!!  And now, the big test, PHAT ALBERT….

7:55 Whew, PHAT ALBERT almost sent us Walking In LA, hitting one to the track in left center. And Rolen pops to 2nd to end the 9th.  Well, 1st game after the break, let’s play extras….

END OF 9

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

TOP OF 10

8:00 Russell Martin leads offf with a double to right.  Ramon Martinez up, trying to move Martin over to 3rd.

8:02 Martinez nubbs an infield single, moving Martin over to 3rd.

8:04 With the infield playing in, Furcal lines one to Aaron Miles.  Now, Olmeado Saenz to pinch hit for Broxton.  Let’s see if the Tomato can come through for us.  The infield will play back for the DP.

8:08 Saenz goes down swinging.  OK Nomar.  Can you come through again ?

8:11 Nomar down swingin’.  I need an antacid.  1st and 3rd with no outs, and we come up empty.  OUCH !!!

MIDDLE OF 10

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

AND NOW TO THE BOTTOM HALF

8:14 Joe Biemel on to pitch for the Blue to face Jim Edmonds. 

8:15 Edmonds, who tied the game with his 2 run blast in the 7th, flies to center. 

8:19 Yadi bounces back to the box, and now off to the 11th.  Baseball the way I like it.  Nothing fancy, just classic National League baseball, where it comes down to the simple basics, pitching, defense, and execution.  If only we coulda executed in the top half of the 10th , the game would be over now. 

END OF 10

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

8:22 Cards ace Jason Isringhausen is in to face JD Drew to start the 11th. 

8:24 JD Drew opens the 11th with a walk.  Let’s see if Jose Cruz is asked to bunt Drew over to 2nd. 

8:32 With Drew running on 3-2, Ethier nubbs one back to the box.  Izturis will be walked intetionally to set up a force.  With 2 outs, it’s now up to Russell Martin to come through for us. 

8:34 And on the first pitch, Martin bounces back to the box.  Did I say in the beginning of this blog that this would be an offensive display tonight with  an uproven pitcher in Billingsley and Marquis’ 5 plus ERA ?  Oh well, as they say, THAT’S BASEBALL…….

BOTTOM OF 11

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

8:38 Aaron Miles leads of with a grounder to Furcal.  Biemel is on in his 2nd inning of  relief .

8:39 Wow.  That was quick.  And now off to the 12th

What, it’s not like you or I had any other plans for tonight, right?  Besides, it’s only 20 to 9 out here in the left coast.  and besides, Pinks over on Melrose and La Brea is open ’till 2AM.  The night is still young…..

Top of 12th

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 2

8:42 Josh Hancock in to pitch for the Cards. 

8:44 With one out, Furcal again goes to the left field corner for a 2 bagger.  Now, Matt Kemp, another one of our again, rookie phenoms, to hit for Biemel. 

8:47 Kemp is called out on strikes, fastball that runs in.  OK, Nomar, can you deliver for us.  Tonight 1 fo 5, the two run homer to account for the scoring.  And on the 1st pitch, Nomar flies to left.  OK, time to face the heart of the Cards lineup again. 

BOTTOM OF 12TH

8:51 Tak Saito in for perhaps his biggest test in his big league career to face So Taguchi, Phat Albert, and Scott Rolen in a non-save situation.  Can Saito hold it for us ?

8:52 My heart stopped for a second.  Taguchi pulls one just foul down left field, and now after starting off 0-2, draws a walk, bringing up Phat Albert.  And I don’t see Prince Albert sacrificing…..

8:55 Pujols grounds out to Nomar, moving Taguchi over to 2nd.  And now the winning run is in scoring position.

8:56 With 1st base open, Rolen will be walked intentionally, to set up the potential double play for Edmunds, who because of his heroics in the 7th, is the reason why we’re still here. 

9:00 Edmunds chops one to Izturis, and now runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 out.  And they will pitch to Hector Luna with 1st base open. 

9:02 Luna flies to Drew in right.  Off to the 13th.

Dodgers 2

Cardinals 2

9:07 Ethier ends the top of the 13th with a deep fly to Edmonds, in his ususal non-chalont way.  Well, here’s who the Dodgers have used ….Billingsley, Carrara, Biemel, Broxton, Biemel, and now Saito in his second inning of relief, leaving Danys Baez and Odalis Perez  left should we continue.

Bottom 13

9:10 Molina flies to center.  OK, since the Red Birds are outta pinch hitters, Jeff Weaver, picked up recently from the Halos, is on to pinch hit.  Don’t laugh, he actually was pretty handy with the bat when he wore the Blue. 

9:12 Weaver is called out on strikes.  And now, another former Dodger, Juan Encarnacion, who walks on 4 pitches. 

9:16 A great play by Ramon Martinez at 2nd to take away a hit from David Ecstein to end the 13th.  Boy, I sure picked a good game to do my blog for tonight…..

9:19 Braden Looper is now on to pitch for the Cards.  This will be the 6th pitcher used by St. Louie, the same number used by the Dodgers.

9:20 Izturis grounds to Eckstein to start off the 14th. 

9:23 Martinez reaches on an infield single, thanks to Scott Rolen, who saved a double on a screaming line drive headed for the left field corner.  And Furcal ends the threat with a fielders choice to short.  Now we head to the bottom of the 14th with Toguchi, Sir Albert, and Rolen due up and Odallis Perez coming in to pitch.  I don’t know why, but my stomach is starting to churn.

9:29 With one out, Sir Albert is up against Odallis, who is 6 for 14 lifetime against Odallis. 

9:32  OK, about my stomach churning, I think I have an ulcer.  I KNEW IT !!!! I KNEW IT !!!!  I KNEW IT !!!!  I KNEW IT !!! I just had a bad feeling when Odallis came in, and with those gaudy numbers against Sir Albert.  WHAT WERE YOU THINKING ODALLIS !!!!  THROW IT AT HIS RIBS IF YOU HAVE TO !!!  PUT HIM ON 1ST !!!  I DON’T CARE !!!!!  DON’T LET ALBERT BEAT YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINAL ( 14 )

DODGERS 2

CARDINALS 3

Pujols 7th career walk-off home run.  THANKS A LOT ODALLIS !!!!!!!!!!

With the All-Star break now history, the Boys in Blue start off the 2nd half of the season beginning an 8 game road trip  with consecutive 4 game series starting tomorrow night at St. Louis, as rookie Chad Billingsley will be called upon to begin tomorrow nights opener.  The Dodgers start the second half in good shape,  2 games behind the Padres in the NL West but leading the wild card race  1.5 games on the Giants, Rockies, and Reds. 

The first half has perhaps given us a glimpse for what the future has in store, and if that is the case, there will be many more bright days ahead here in L.A.  Two of the biggest rookies who have made a huge impact are outfielder Andre Ethier and catcher Russell Martin.  Ethier, acquired from the Oakland A’s that sent talented but contoversial outfielder Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez up north, is on of the leading candidates for NL Rookie of the Year and is coming off a NL Player of the Week honor.  Catcher Russell Martin, also in his first season in the Bigs, has shown he’s anything but a rookie behind the dish, giving the Blue their first true quality catcher since Paul LoDuca.  After starting off his big league career with 7 home runs in the first two weeks of June, outfielder Matt Kemp’s power numbers have cooled off a bit but when given a chance, continues to deliver.  Though the Dodger outfield is flooded with quality every day players and players with more then  enough potential to be every day players, Matt Kemp will be a great backup and occasional starter behind Kenny Lofton and JD Drew during the  2nd half.  Speaking of the outfield, where do we put Repko once he comes back healthy ?  Do we have Repko, Lofton, and Drew out there?  Where does that put Ethier?  Or does Repko, Kemp, and Ethier share time in left ?  Or does Repko share time with Kenny Lofton or JD Drew?  Does Jose Cruz Jr. become a trading piece for a 5th starter come July 31st ? 

As for the infield, enough can’t be said about the season Nomar Garciaparra has given us.  After being on the DL during the first two weeks of the season, Nomar has quickly become a fan favorite here in his native hometown, while leading the league in batting average, especially from the 7th inning on, where he is batting over .400 .  Man that’s sick.  As for the rest of the infield, after slow starts with the bats, our middle infielders Jeff Kent and Rafael Furcal have bounced back nicely, however, Kent’s health remains an issue at this time.  Furcal has been somewhat of a disappointment to this point, leading the team in errors, most on routine plays.  However, the job at short stop still remains his, while Cesar Izturis, back much earlier then anticipated from Tommy John surgery, has displayed solid defense at 3rd base.  Here’s hoping the Dodger Brass does not put him up for trade bate later this month.  And when it comes time to turn to the bench, who better than to have Olmedo Saenz and Ramon Martinez, two proven veterans who know how to come through in the clutch, with Martinez being very expandable, playing any position ( With the exception of pitching) if need be. 

The catchers postion may be has also been one of the recent successes the Blue has had on the field as well.  This may also be one of the deeper position’s with Russell Martin continuing his growth behind the plate and Sandy Alomar  all 40 years of him, taking Russell under his wings.  Recently acuired Toby Hall has given the Dodgers a formidable 3rd catcher and may even see more playing time ahead of the veteran Sandy Alomar.

And now, our obvious achilles heal for the season.  PITCHING. 

The fact that we are only 2 games behind the Padres and 1.5 games up on the Wild Card, inspite of all the rookies we’ve played to this point, and the lack of presence in the #’s 4 and 5 spots in the pitching rotationfor all intents and purposes, the Blue is actually in good shape.  And as for the pitching, after struggling to find an identity earlier in the season, and with the knowledge that GAME OVER is no more, ( Perhaps maybe even for his Dodgers career ), the bullpen has slowly found it’s niche as 37 year old rookie Tak Saito has been a pleasant surprise in his closer role.  Danys Baez, picked up from TB to be Gagne’s setup man and occassional closer had Gagne gone down, has come through as well serving as Saito’s setup and could still have a role with the Dodgers in the future as a closer.  Jonathan Broxton and Joe Biemel have also provided quality outings as well, but could tire later on if our 4 and 5 guys in the pitching rotation continue to struggle in the 2nd half.  However, there could still be some hope in the current rotation.  With the exception of Brad Penny and Derek Lowe, the 3-5 positions are still in doubt.  Aaron Sele has done a terrific job since joining the Blue, but now the fans are wondering does he still have enough in the tank.  Brett Thomko, when he returns from the DL, must regain his early season form if he is to keep his spot secure.  Mark Hendrickson, acquired in a trade from Tampa that sent catcher Dioner Navarro and pitcher Jae Seo to the Rays, has for the most part been a victim of some bad luck during his first two starts, thanks to some shoddy defense and seeing eye grounders.  So I’m willing to give Hendrickson another chance to prove himself.  Also, playing for a contender for the first time in his career could also be having an impact as well after years in Tampa.  So where does that leave Chad Billingsley?  Well, unless the Dodgers can find someone to claim this albatross on their necks known as Odallis Perez, Billingsley will probably head back to Vegas for more polishing.  So, here’s my projected 2nd half pitching lineup ( Barring trades )

STARTERS

Penny, Lowe, Sele, Thomko, and Hendrickson.

BULLPEN

Broxton, Biemel, Baez, Carrara ( Welcome Back, Gio…), Perez, and Saito.

On the Way Back to Vegas

Billingsley, unless we find a taker for Odallis.

AND THE PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

SS Furcal

CF Lofton

1B Nomar

RF Drew

2B Kent

LF Ethier

SS Izzy

C Martin

THE BENCH

Kemp, Repko, Cruz Jr. , Martinez, Saenz, Hall, Alomar Jr.

ON THE WAY OUT ?

Kemp.  Can hit a fastball, but still needs to hit a pitch that has movement.  Also reminds me so much like Repko in the outfield.  Aggressive, but prone to make mistakes because of his style of play.  Main reason for the move back to Vegas is because outfield is on of our deepest positions once everyone is back healthy and it would not be fair for Matt to just sit around.  A little more fine-tuning would be a good thing for this youngster, who can only get better with more actuall playing time, even if it be in Vegas.

Cruz Jr. Outfield depth and the possible need for a 5th starter would be reason to move Cruz Jr. who has played with 4 different teams in the past 3 years.  Cruz could probably get more playing time elsewhere.

With the depth the Blue has, in the NL West, where each team is within 4.5 games of each other, I still give the Dodgers the edge to win the division.  The key will still be the pitching, traditionally a strength for the Blue. 

NOTE

Tomorrow, I will be doing a live weblog during the Dodgers-Cardinals game at 5:10 PDT.  I hope you will find some time to join me as I make my 2nd post of the season.  GO DODGERS !!!