Dodgers Nation.com

Manny Busted!

By now everyone knows about Manny Ramirez and his 50 game suspension. What we don’t know is why he was suspended for HCG, while the test didn’t find that. The tests showed 4x the normal amount of testosterone in his system, which isn’t possible from HCG. So it appears he was juicing at the same juice bar that Bonds was a long time member of. Regardless of the substance, he abused one and he now gets to pay the price (7.7 M to be precise).

I have a feeling when Manny comes back (clean), he will still punish opposing pitchers and provide the Dodgers with the same mediocre defense. I personally don’t hold this against him, I just wish he would have been using the urine of someone else in Spring Training.

Side Note: Now that I’m getting over this incident, I’ll continue to post articles for the 25 visitors that come here.

Dodgers 12-0 Home Start Record! Ties MLB Record!
The Dodgers have now tied the MLB record for Home Wins to start a season, previously set by the Detroit Tigers in 1911. We now have a shot at beating that record tomorrow as we face the Nationals!

Tomorrow’s Match-up:
Daniel Cabrera, RHP (0-2, 4.44)
Nationals (7-17)

vs

Clayton Kershaw, LHP (0-2, 5.46)
Dodgers (19-8)

Scouting Report:
Nationals: Cabrera set a team record by uncorking four wild pitches on Thursday night against the Cardinals. Cabrera’s first two wild pitches were thrown in the first inning. With Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols at the plate, Cabrera tossed a wild pitch that allowed Colby Rasmus to advance to second base. On the next pitch, Cabrera threw another wild pitch, sending Rasmus to third. In the second inning, after Jason LaRue singled, Cabrera uncorked his third wild pitch, allowing LaRue to advance to second base. The wild pitch tied former Nationals right-hander John Patterson for the team record. In fifth inning, Cabrera set the record by throwing his fourth wild pitch, allowing Skip Schumaker to advance to third. Cabrera ended up having a quality start, pitching six innings while giving up three runs on four hits in a 9-4 loss.

Dodgers: Kershaw rebounded from his worst start in Colorado with one of his best. He matched Jake Peavy for seven scoreless innings, allowing four singles and two walks. Kershaw was able to work his way out of four jams with runners in scoring position. Kershaw relied on his 94-mph fastball and was able to pitch deep enough to give the tired bullpen a bit of a break one night after James McDonald’s 1 2/3-inning start.

NL Home Stand Record: 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers : 11-0 (still in progress)

The Dodgers current 11-0 home stand record is the highest in the National League. Currently, Orlando Hudson leads the NL in Hits (36), while Chad Billingsley leads the NL in Wins (5). The Dodgers as a team lead the NL in Batting Avg (.284), Hits (252), Runs (141), Saves (9), and Wins (18).

AL Home Stand Record: 1911 Detroit Tigers : 12-0

The 12-0 home stand record was set by the Detroit Tigers in 1911. The Tigers started the season with 2 of the hottest hitters, Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford and went 21-2. They started the season great, but fell apart in July, losing 20 of 30 games and were 23-43 in the second half.

What’s In Our Way:

Tuesday, May 5 | Dodger Stadium | 7:10 PM PT
Max Scherzer, RHP (0-2, 3.48)
Diamondbacks (11-15)

Wednesday, May 6 | Dodger Stadium | 7:10 PM PT
Daniel Cabrera, RHP (0-2, 4.44)
Nationals (7-17)

Notes:
Both pitchers we face are without wins and both teams are under .500. This record is within reach. We need our hitters to stay hot, and our pitching to be solid. Regardless of the outcome, we’re playing good ball, and it’s fun to watch!

Dodgers Goal: Attack Astros!

Dodgers Look To Attack Astros!

Dodgers @ Astros
(10-3)                                  (4-9)

Minute Maid Park

April 21-April 23

Game 1:
Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 1.50)
Clayton Kershaw pitched a masterpiece of a no-decision against the Giants, allowing only one hit and one run over seven innings with 13 strikeouts. All he had to show for it was a no-decision, as the bullpen blew the save. But Kershaw was able to contain a veteran lineup despite lacking command of his change-up, becoming the youngest Dodger to strike out 13 since Sandy Koufax was 19.

Russ Ortiz (0-0, 6.23)
Ortiz had his longest performance so far this year in his last outing vs. the Pirates, allowing three runs over 4 2/3 innings in an Astros win. He still seeks his first win of the season and will do so against the Dodgers, whom he’s faced plenty of times in his career. The former Giant has made 22 appearances vs. the Dodgers, including 21 starts. He has a record of 8-9 and a 5.07 ERA, with 57 walks and 76 strikeouts.

Game 2:
Randy Wolf (1-1, 3.93)
Wolf showed his resiliency on the mound as he bounced back from a rough first inning against the Rockies on Friday. He allowed three runs in the first, including a two-run home run, but then pitched five scoreless innings. In all, Wolf tossed six innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out a season-high nine batters. He is 4-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 11 starts against Houston in his career.

Roy Oswalt (0-2, 4.26)
In his last outing, Oswalt threw 108 pitches over six innings but didn’t allow any runs against a Reds team that he has dominated throughout his career. Oswalt took a no-decision when Jose Valverde blew a save opportunity in the ninth. Oswalt faced the Dodgers once last year, earning the win after allowing one run over six innings. In his career, the right-hander is 5-3 with a 3.63 ERA against L.A., spanning eight starts.

Game 3:
Chad Billingsley (3-0, 2.85)
Billinglsey was nearly unhittable through five innings against the Rockies on Saturday but struggled in the sixth. He walked Seth Smith to open the frame, then allowed a single by Todd Helton before surrendering a three-run triple to Brad Hawpe that went by a diving Manny Ramirez. Hawpe then scored on a sacrifice fly, and Billingsley was lifted after the inning. In all, Billingsley allowed three runs on just four hits in six innings, while striking out six. The right-hander will face the Rockies again on Friday at Coors Field, where he has struggled in his career. He is 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in four career games in Colorado.

Wandy Rodriguez (1-1, 1.89)
Rodriguez tied a career high with 10 strikeouts during one of the best outings of his career in his last start, against the Reds. Rodriguez threw 105 pitches in seven innings, allowing two hits and walking two. He stuck out five at one point early in the game, catching three consecutive batters looking at called third strikes in the third. Rodriguez allowed five runs over five innings in his only start against the Dodgers last season, taking a no-decision. In his career, he’s 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA over five games against Los Angeles.

Probable Lineups
Dodgers
Furcal SS
Hudson 2B
Ramirez LF
Ethier RF
Martin C
Loney 1B
Kemp CF
Blake 3B

Astros
Matsui 2B
Tejada SS
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Pence RF
Blum 3B
Rodriguez C
Bourn CF

Source: mlb.scout.com

Dodger Tidbits:

• 10-3 record
• Eight-game winning streak
• Manny Ramirez’s .491 on-base percentage
• Matt Kemp’s 1.157 OPS
• Orlando Hudson’s 1.101 OPS
• Hudson and Kemp: 12 runs in 13 games each
• Hudson’s National League-leading 20 hits
• Ethier’s NL-leading 16 runs batted in
• More Kemp and Hudson combos: tied for the NL lead with four steals
• Kemp’s OPS+ of 192
• Hudson’s NL-leading 17 runs created
• Hudson and Ramirez: tied for NL lead with 28 times on base
• James Loney’s NL-leading 24 at-bats per strikeout
• Clayton Kershaw’s 1.50 ERA
• Chad Billingsley’s 3-0 record
• Kershaw’s NL-leading 14.25 strikeouts in nine innings
• Kershaw’s NL-leading 0.67 (walks + hits) divided by innings pitched
• Billingsley 0.97 in the same category but with more innings (19)
• Kershaw: 3.8 strikeouts per walk
• Kershaw’s adjusted ERA of 301
• Kemp’s .723 slugging percentage
• Hudson’s .635 slugging percentage out of second base
• Ronald Belisario’s 12 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings
• Jonathan Broxton: 6 2/3 innings, 11 strikeouts, one baserunner
• Four errors in 13 games for the team
• NL-leading 3.16 ERA
• NL-leading 1.096 WHIP
• NL-leading team OPS of .867
• NL-leading OPS+ of 122
• NL-leading team on-base percentage of .393
• A team OPS of 1.052 at home
• Bench OPS of .986
• First batter of the game: 6 for 12 with a walk, a double and a homer
• Opponents’ batting average of .200
• Opponents’ OPS of .611
• 102 strikeouts in 114 innings for the pitching staff
• 1.078 OPS for the outfield

Source: Dodger Thoughts

Delwyn Young traded to Pirates for 2 players to be named later.

Source: LA Times

Dodgers Beat The Giants, But Randy Gets Revenge On My Car!

Randy Johnson Keys Car!

Monday Morning, we arrive at the gates at 10:15, wait patiently for the gates to open at 10:45. We make our way to Preferred Parking Lot F. I park close to the exit of the lot, to ensure we can get out once the last out of the game is recorded. We rush to the stadium to get one of the few available opening day pins, and luckily we did! Time to take our seats and watch the ceremony. Come the end of the game we hang out at our seats and just enjoy the victory, and over all, fantastic game.

Walking to the car, I couldn’t have painted a better day in my mind. We pull out the “Mannywood” banner we made last year and put it over the windshield of my mustang. People are walking by taking some pictures, laughing about it and everything is great. At this time I hear my brother, “whoa, was this here?” I laugh and say, “yeah right!” He replies, “No seriously, someone keyed your car!” My ears turn red, and temp. rises from a calm 98.4 degrees, to a boiling 101.WTF. I walk over and see some happy fan decided my car was too nice and needed to add a custom pin stripe key mark from my passenger door to the bumper. My perfect day, went from happy to mad, skipped sad, now I felt like kicking some a#%.

In the end, I just took the high road, I said to myself, “there is nothing I can do.” This already expensive day, just got 300.00-500.00 more expensive. My car, which I keep in perfect condition, has been victim to an angry Giants fan, or a jealous Dodger fan. I allow myself a specific allowance each season, and I’m not taking the hit on this vandalizing. I’ll now go to 3-5 less games than normal.

LOT F is hardly preferred parking. While it’s closer to the stadium, the ghetto still has to walk through it to get to the stadium. Some clown decide my car was too nice to go untouched, and on his way to the bus stopped tagged my car, just like some gangster tagged his mother, in which caused his accidentally birth. Angry at the world… glad he chose Dodger Stadium to satisfy his anger.

And this morning after reading this link:
Man Vandalizing Cars

I guess I’m lucky to not have been stabbed or shot.

Manny Knocks Out Webb

I’ll give you a brief rundown of Brandon Webb and his statements to AZ Diamondback fans over the past few days. Pathological liar? You decide…

April 4th 2009: Webb attempts to reassure Dback fans, that they don’t have to worry about Manny “Mandingo” / “Mannywood” Ramirez. When Webb was asked about his comments and how Manny would react, he said, “bring it on.”

Thoughts: Brandon Webb is showing weakness. He’s clearly pointing out Manny’s dominance and addressing it publicly the following season shows it’s obviously a team concern. A real confident competitor wouldn’t talk about shutting Manny down, he’d just do it.

April 6th 2009: Webb attempts to reassure DBack fans that his shoulder isn’t a concern and his poor performance was due minor stiffness.

Thoughts: Brandon is obviously concerned with his shoulder, thus the back to back homers in 3 pitches in the 4th inning. Then the pain, why string the fans along again? This is what pathological liars do.

April 8th 2009: Webb will miss next start due to shoulder stiffness.

Thoughts: If the statements Webb made on April 4th and 6th are true, then he would make his next start. I can’t help but think he’s an intimidated liar! Coward? Brandon said, “Bring it on” yet he can’t muster the nerve to face the Dodgers. Glad he’s not our leader. Leading his team to shame and failure, once again…

April 10th, 11th, and 12th : The Diamondbacks will face the Dodgers and Manny Ramirez. We’ll see who comes out on top…no false statements here. Maybe Webb will learn to spent more time working out that shoulder, and less time working out his mouth.

- Proud Dodger Fan

My First Petco Park Experience

Overall a pleasant experience! It starts out a nice Monday afternoon, departing LA around noon. Classic southern California weather allowed us to enjoy the top down and coast to San Diego in about 2.5 hours. We arrive downtime around 3pm and decided Google maps recommended, exit 15 A Imperial Ave, wasn’t the path for us. We move on down the the next exit 14 B and it dropped us into Imperial Ave anyways, without the 1 mile off ramp backup. We made our way to Eleventh Ave & B St. where we parked for 4.00. A short walk and we’ve arrived to the park.

At this time I was fairly impressed with the Stadium and surrounds and the peaceful, respectful fan base this fine city offered. Well, like all cities this one had their drunken fans whom some how stumbled upon tickets to opening day. Let me paint the picture for you:

She (drunken fan) weighed in at about 5′7, 160 pounds, sporting 4 cleanly brushed teeth, with a gold crown not to go unnoticed, her barnyard sidekick had a matching crowd and even 2 extra teeth than she rocked. Together they were the perfect couple, just 22 teeth shy of a  full set and matching Padre t-shirts from 2005. They were well equip with their psychological warfare and were more original than the T’s they sported. On our way in we heard cutting edge comments such as, “L.A. – Lost Again” and “Peavy owns you”, following with a forceful “Go HOME!,” at which point we decided to listen and turn around and left. However, after about 10 minutes of her 3 comments on repeat I couldn’t help but wish someone would emerge from the crowd and land a hay maker combo on her custom tooth. It was around this time I realized that I was being selfish. Who am I to wish harm upon a fan? after all she needs her 4 remaining teeth to eat the left over chicken strips I throw in the dumpster on my way out of the stadium, the same dumpster she calls home, the same dumpster she found her version of the golden ticket (opening day padre tickets), and yes the same Dumpster Peavy and the Padres emerged from earlier that afternoon. For all we know, she still thought it was 2005, and the Padres had a winning team. Not today “tooth,” unfortunately Peavy owns the padres and about 20% of the payroll, and at the end of the day we listen to Mr. & Mrs. Dumpster and headed home.

The end result was a sweet, sweet victory over a team that would better serve as a team on one of Mrs. McCourt’s new little league fields.

Until Next Time,

Jorden

Bingo Bango…

Dodgers Sign Ohman!