SB Nation - Jason Repko

New York Yankees notes: Much hinges on Damon's decision

Ed Valentine — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:21:46 -0000

Who is in left field? Who is at designated hitter? Those are the basic lineup questions about our New York Yankees right now, and they all hinge -- of course -- on whether Johnny Damon will accept a contract offer from the Yankees much shorter and less lucrative than uber-agent Scott Boras would like.

Meanwhile, there is much discussion of other options should Damon decide to walk. GM Brian Cashman can talk about Juan Miranda all he wants, but we all know that is incredibly unlikely to happen.

By the way, with the Rule 5 drafting of Jason Hoffmann another question seems to be whether or not speedster Brett Gardner will be part of the outfield mix. Seems the Chicago White Sox, and possibly the Kansas City Royals, are asking about Gardner's availability.

Personally, I love Gardner. Some folks think Jason Tyner or Joey Gathright -- speedy slap hitters who have never hit enough to play regularly, when they look at Gardner. To me, he's a lot closer to Scott Podsednik, a guy who can hit enough, defend and wreak havoc on the bases. Obviously, it's not going to be with the Yankees, but I still believe Gardner can play regularly -- and do it well -- for somebody.

I mentioned Hoffmann, the Rule 5 pick, earlier. He seems like a useful reserve outfielder with some tools, and The Baseball Analysts are wondering why the Los Angeles Dodgers seemed to be trying so hard to lose him.

So why wasn't he on the 40 man roster, and why was he DFAed in September? The answer seems to be that he was redundant on the Dodgers. The 4th outfielder role is currently held down by Xavier Paul. Jason Repko also sits higher on the blue totem pole. I would have been surprised to see anyone grab Trayvon Robinson in the rule 5 draft, but if the Dodgers perceived that as a threat, it could certainly be argued that he deserves protection more than Hoffman.

Perhaps it just says more about the Yankees than the Dodgers. The Yankees currently have 4 outfielders on the 40-man roster. The first two, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher, are clearly going to be penciled into most Yankees line-ups in 2010. The other two outfielders would be lucky to be penciled in at all. Melky Cabrera is a glorified backup centerfielder. He simply does not have the production to justify being played in a corner outfield position. With the Granderson acquisition, Melky will be reduced to being a 2nd choice centerfielder, and a last choice corner outfielder. The last outfielder, Brett Gardner is not even a good option for a 4th outfielder. How Gardner has still has a job confuses me.

Hoffman would fit in well as a 4th outfielder. He can play any outfield position, and his production will likely justify his being played on a corner. He isn't a great base stealer, but he has speed on the bases, making him a good option as a pinch runner. So this replacement-level outfielder, the 6th choice outfielder on the Dodgers, would be the starting left fielder on the current Yankees roster. This was clearly a good choice for the yankees. It was also very bad planning on the part of the Dodgers if they had any interest in keeping Hoffman.

Obviously, I disagree about Gardner. I do think, though, that Melky is a better fit than Gardner as a fourth outfielder because of his ability to play the corners and to switch hit. Nonetheless, this is kind of thought-provoking.

If you are in the 'Don't trade for Roy Halladay' camp, otherwise known as the Jesus Montero Fan Club, you will hate this quote from Cashman.

"I’m hesitant to move certain young players because of what they can do for us in the here and now or in the future and the salary off-set they provide. At the same time, for the right player, I’ll move anybody."

That doesn't mean Halladay is the right player. It just means he might be, so stay tuned.

The Big Lead, maybe the best general sports blog on the planet, had a nice interview with new Yankee Curtis Granderson the other day.

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is talking about his team taking a step back in 2010 to be more competitive down the road. Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy isn't buying what Theo is selling. Neither am I.

Jason Repko versus Xavier Paul

Phil Gurnee — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:46:33 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

Jason Repko appears to be the frontrunner for the 4th outfielder job if Juan Pierre is dealt.(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Based on what Ned Colletti is saying, Jason Repko appears to be staying around for the moment. With the Dodgers trying very hard to trade Juan Pierre and his contract for either a starting pitcher or a 2nd baseman the battle for who becomes the Dodger fourth outfielder looks to come down to Jason Repko or Xavier Paul. It would seem a given that Paul is the better candidate to be the fourth outfielder but is he?

They both can play all the positions of the outfield, they both have plus speed, and they both have guns for arms. So that is how they are the same. How they are different is probably why I think that Repko might be the better fit for a fourth outfielder role.

The Dodgers starting outfield is Manny, Kemp, and Andre. Of those three only one has a serious chink in their armor. That chink is that Andre does not hit left handed pitching very well. For his career Andre has a 200 point split in his OPS between facing RHP and LHP. Last year that split widened to .926 compared to .629. Part of the problem the Dodgers had last year with Pierre on the bench was that we could not use Pierre in RF to sit Andre against some LHP. The gain in moving Kemp to RF and Pierre to CF,with the left handed Pierre facing left handed pitching just wasn't worth it.

Jason Repko does many things well that you would look for in a backup outfielder. The thing he does best however is mash LHP. His slug% against LHP over the last three minor league season has been greater then .585 every year and twice it has topped .600. The Dodgers have a need for guy who can hit LHP and play RF. Repko can be that guy. What he can't do is hit RHP, so the Dodgers will need to have a guy like Minky on the bench who can handle that role.

Xavier Paul does everything as well as Repko in the field. Repko is faster on bases. What Paul does not do well is hit LHP. He hits RHP as well as Repko hits LHP but my argument is that this team needs someone to caddy for Andre. If Manny was to get hurt, then I'd bring up Paul to be the everyday LF not Repko, but for a guy off the bench Repko might be that guy.

Last year I had a hard time finding a good RHH platoon player when looking for an upgrade for the Dodgers. Shockingly they are had to find which is why you see guys like Gabe Kapler still playing. Repko is not a good player but Repko might be exactly what the Dodgers need for the way this team is built.

Of course I would rather have had Jamie Hoffmann then Repko but the Dodgers felt differently and I'm not quite sure why. There was the comment that when Hoffmann signed he was promised to be put back on the 40 man in May. I'd like to ask Ned if Hoffmann had also asked that he be left off the 40 man so he would be unprotected and a team could pick him up via the rule five if they wanted him. He or his agent had to have known that when the Dodgers released him last summer that the 40 man rosters were full so he would only get a minor league deal, so resigning with the Dodgers made sense back then when no one claimed him. But if I'm his agent I would have made part of the deal that he not only be promised to be put back on the 40 by May of 2010 but that he be left of the 40 man before the rule five draft because otherwise it makes absolutely no sense given the room the Dodgers had on the 40 man that he was not included. Just my thoughts, I could be way off base.

Dodgers Lose Hoffmann In Rule 5 Draft

Eric Stephen — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:48:27 -0000

More photos » by Gus Ruelas - AP

Jamie Hoffmann will now wear pinstripes

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For a team operating against the limits of its budget, the Dodgers seem to be losing on the margins. The latest example came this morning, when Jamie Hoffmann became a Yankee with the first pick of the Rule 5 draft. Technically, the Nationals picked Hoffmann, but he was traded to the Yankees to complete the Brian Bruney trade.

There's a chance this will work out in the end for the Dodgers anyway, but losing Hoffmann was an unnecessary risk. The Dodgers had 33 players on their 40-man roster, and unless you think the Dodgers will sign seven free agents, there is no reason Jamie Hoffmann couldn't have been added to the 40-man roster. Especially when one of those roster spots is occupied by Jason Repko, an older player who isn't as good as Hoffmann, and is arbitration eligible~~, out of options, and likely to be non-tendered on Saturday anyway!~~

Per Rule 5 draft procedure, the Dodgers receive $50,000 from the Yankees (or Nationals; I'm not sure how they worked that out in the trade), and Hoffmann must stay on the Yankees' 25-man roster all season long, or they must offer him back to the Dodgers for half the Rule 5 fee ($25,000). So there is a chance Hoffmann could still end up a Dodger by season's end, but losing him in the first place was unnecessary.

**********

UPDATE: per Dylan Hernandez, the Dodgers plan to tender contracts to all of their arbitration-eligible players by the Saturday deadline, meaning the Dodgers actually prefer Repko to Hoffmann.

UPDATE 2: per Silverwidow's detective work, it appears Repko amazingly still has an option remaining:

2005: optioned for only nine days, less than the requisite 20 days to count as an optional assignment
2006: only in minors on rehab assignment
2007: on major league disabled list all year
2008: first option year used
2009: second option year used

UPDATE 3: Josh Rawitch on Inside the Dodgers had this to report:

Ned told the media today that he'd be comfortable with a healthy Jason Repko as the fourth or fifth outfielder and I know there are a lot of Repko fans in LA, myself included. He's a great kid with a lot of talent and hopefully he'll be healthy in 2010.

**********

In other Rule 5 news, the Giants selected reliever Steve Johnson, who was acquired from the Dodgers by the Orioles in July in the George Sherrill trade.

Also, per Dylan Hernandez, the Dodgers sent cash to the Mets for their Rule 5 pick, Carlos Monasterios. Monasterios, acquired by the Phillies in the Bobby Abreu trade, will be 24 in March and had a 3.73 ERA mostly in high A ball in 2009. The Dodgers must keep him on the 25-man roster all season long, or offer him back to Philadelphia for $25,000.

Hernandez chimes in with more news, that the Dodgers also sent cash to the Rays for their Rule 5 pick, Armando Zerpa. Zerpa, who turns 23 in February, spent five years in the Red Sox system and never advanced past high A. In his minor league career, the left-handed Zerpa averages five walks and nine strikeouts per nine innings. Like Monasterios, the Dodgers have to keep Zerpa on the active roster all season, or offer him back to the Sox.

What are the odds both Monasterios and Zerpa stick with the team? I would guess pretty low, especially with the bullpen depth the Dodgers currently have. Might a trade or two be in the works?

The Dodgers now have 35 players on their 40-man roster.

How Dodgers Became Dodgers: Where Pedro Astacio Becomes Blake DeWitt

Eric Stephen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:00:16 -0000

More photos » by Ed Andrieski - AP

Blake and DeWitt are two of seven players currently on the 40-man roster who have links to Dodgers past.

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Major league 40-man rosters were set last Friday in preparation for the upcoming Rule 5 draft in two weeks. With the free agency period just starting, there are many open spots on rosters throughout baseball. The Dodgers, for instance, have 33 players on their 40-man roster. Over the next few weeks, free agents will be signed and some players will be non-tendered, so rosters will change, but for now let's look at the 33 Dodgers and how they became Dodgers.

Almost half of the Dodgers currently on the 40-man roster -- 16 of 33 -- were drafted by the team with their own draft pick:

Draft(ed) Dodgers
Player	Year	Round	Pick

James Loney	2002	1	19
Jonathan Broxton	2002	2	60
James McDonald	2002	11	331
Eric Stults	2002	15	451
Russell Martin	2002	17	511

Chad Billingsley	2003	1	24
Xavier Paul	2003	4	121
Matt Kemp	2003	6	181
Lucas May	2003	8	241
A.J. Ellis	2003	18	541

Scott Elbert	2004	1	17
Javy Guerra	2004	4	118
Cory Wade	2004	10	298

Brent Leach	2005	6	196
Trayvon Robinson	2005	10	316

Clayton Kershaw	2006	1	7

These are pretty straight forward original transactions, as are these other four amateur free agents:

Amateur Free Agents
Player	Date	Origin
Hong-Chih Kuo	6/19/99	Taiwan
Ramon Troncoso	6/20/02	Dominican Republic
Chin-Lung Hu	1/31/03	Taiwan
Kenley Jansen	11/17/04	Curacao

That makes 20 of 33 Dodgers who are with are with their original club. In addition to them, there are six more Dodgers that joined the club independent of other players. That is, their acquisitions aren't linked to anyone else:

Free Agents
Player	Date
Rafael Furcal	12/19/05
Juan Pierre	11/22/06
Travis Schlichting*	10/7/07
Hiroki Kuroda	12/16/07
Ronald Belisario*	1/13/09
Charlie Haeger*	1/17/09
*minor league free agents

This is where we get to the fun part of this exercise, as reminded by Rocknjosie in her excellent Fan Post last month. There are seven Dodgers left that were acquired as the result, directly or indirectly, of previous transactions. These are listed in chronological order based on the earliest transaction.

Andre Ethier
Date	Transaction
6/1/88	drafted Mike Piazza in the 62nd round (#1390 overall)
8/4/96	signed Luke Allen as an undrafted free agent
12/8/96	signed Todd Zeile as a free agent
5/14/98	traded Piazza and Zeile to Marlins for Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenreich, Charles Johnson, and Manuel Barrios
11/18/00	signed Franklin Gutierrez as an amateur free agent
1/15/02	traded Sheffield to Braves for Odalis Perez, Brian Jordan, and Andrew Brown
1/17/03	traded Allen to Colorado for Jason Romano
4/3/04	traded Romano to Tampa Bay for Antonio Perez
4/3/04	traded Gutierrez and Brown to Cleveland for Milton Bradley
12/13/05	traded Bradley and Perez to Oakland for Ethier
Total Related Players: 9

Blake DeWitt
Date	Transaction
11/21/87	signed Pedro Astacio as an amateur free agent
6/14/91	signed Ismael Valdez as an amateur free agent
8/28/94	signed Luke Prokopec as an amateur free agent
8/19/97	traded Astacio to Rockies for Eric Young
12/12/99	traded Young and Valdez to Cubs for Terry Adams, Brian Stephenson, and Chad Ricketts
12/31/01	traded Prokopec and Ricketts to Toronto for Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantrill
12/17/03	Quantrill signed as a free agent with the Yankees
6/7/04	drafted DeWitt with a compensation first round pick (#28 overall)
Total Related Players: 6

Ivan DeJesus
Date	Transaction
7/7/94	signed Adrian Beltre as an amateur free agent
12/17/04	Beltre signed as a free agent with Seattle
6/7/05	drafted DeJesus with a compensation second round pick (#51 overall)
Total Related Players: 1

Jason Repko
Date	Transaction
1/16/96	signed Scott Radinsky as a free agent
11/23/98	Radinsky signed as a free agent with St. Louis
6/2/99	drafted Repko with a compensation supplemental pick (#37 overall)
Total Related Players: 1

Manny Ramirez
Date	Transaction
12/12/98	signed Kevin Brown as a free agent
6/3/03	drafted Andy LaRoche in the 39th round (#1171 overall)
12/13/03	traded Brown to Yankees for Jeff Weaver, Yhency Brazoban, Brandon Weeden, and cash
2/23/06	Weaver signed as a free agent with the Angels
6/6/06	drafted Bryan Morris with a compensation first round pick (#26 overall)
7/31/08	traded LaRoche and Morris to Pittsburgh in a 3-team trade; received Manny and cash from Boston
Total Related Players: 4

Casey Blake
Date	Transaction
8/13/04	signed Carlos Santana as an amateur free agent
6/7/05	drafted Jon Meloan in fifth round (#166 overall)
7/26/08	traded Santana and Meloan to Cleveland for Blake, and cash
Total Related Players: 2

George Sherrill
Date	Transaction
6/7/05	drafted Josh Bell in the second round (#74 overall)
6/7/05	drafted Steven Johnson in the 13th round (#406 overall)
7/30/09	traded Bell and Johnson to Baltimore for Sherrill
Total Related Players: 2

Dodger Roster Breakdown

Eric Stephen — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:15:09 -0000

by Mark J. Terrill - AP

One Type B free agent greets a Type A free agent on the mound

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There will be plenty of time this offseason for moves, but here's an overview of the current Dodger 40-man roster. There are 43 players currently on the 40-man roster, including four on the 60-day disabled list. That will change quickly after the World Series as players file for free agency. I have split them into a few groups:

Free Agents (13+1)

Type A*: Orlando Hudson, Randy Wolf

Type B*: Ronnie Belliard, Guillermo Mota, Vicente Padilla, Will Ohman**

Others: Jim Thome, Brad Ausmus, Jason Schmidt, Mark Loretta, Juan Castro, Eric Milton, Doug Mientkiewicz, Jeff Weaver

*Eddie Bajek of Detroit Tigers Thoughts has done a great job of figuring out the Elias Rankings, and has posted them at MLB Trade Rumors. In order to receive compensation for Type A or Type B free agents, the club must offer them arbitration. Type A free agents net a first round pick from the team that signs them, provided the pick isn't in the top 15, in addition to a supplemental pick in between the first and second rounds.

If a team signs more than one Type A free agent, the players are ranked by their Elias ranking, they give up picks in the lower rounds as well. For instance, the Yankees last year gave up their first three picks for signing C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett, all Type A free agents. Type B free agents net only a supplemental pick.

There is always the risk that a player will accept arbitration (like Darren Oliver did with the Angels last season). If he does, the maximum salary cut a player can take is 20%, so for Guillermo Mota, for instance, the least he would make in arbitration in 2010 would be $1.88 million (80% of his $2.35 million 2009 salary). In the case of Hudson and Wolf, they had low base salaries so this isn't an issue, but there is still quite a risk because they are still likely to command a high salary in arbitration.

**I'm counting Will Ohman in this exercise, even though he is no longer on the 40-man since his option was bought out last week, but the Dodgers, however unlikely, can still offer Ohman arbitration if they so choose.

What should happen: Offer arbitration to Hudson, Wolf, and Belliard only

Options (2)

Manny Ramirez has a $20 million player option for 2010. He has until November 10 to accept or decline this option.
Jon Garland has a $10 million mutual option for 2010. If the Dodgers decline, his buyout is $2.5 million; if Garland declines, his buyout is $1 million. As a condition of Garland's acquisition, the Diamondbacks will pay either buyout if the option is not exercised. Even if either side opts out, Garland is a Type B free agent, and the Dodgers could offer him arbitration if they so choose.

What should happen: Manny comes back, Dodgers let Arizona pay Garland $2.5m to walk away, don't offer Garland arbitration

Arbitration Eligible (9)

Player	Service Time	2009 Base Salary
George Sherrill	4.147	$2,750,000
Jonathan Broxton	4.020	$1,825,000
Andre Ethier	3.153	$3,100,000
Russell Martin	3.150	$3,900,000
Hong-Chih Kuo	3.114	$437,000
Chad Billingsley	3.110	$475,000
Matt Kemp	3.049	$467,000
James Loney	3.012	$465,000
Jason Repko	3.067	$500,000

Look for: Repko to get non-tendered

Under Contract (4)

Player	2009 Salary	2010 Salary
Rafael Furcal	$10,500,000	$8,500,000
Juan Pierre	$10,000,000	$10,000,000
Casey Blake	$5,250,000	$6,000,000
Hiroki Kuroda	$10,000,000	$13,000,000

Under Team Control (15)

Player	Service Time	2009 Base Salary
Ramon Troncoso	1.119	$401,000
Clayton Kershaw	1.105	$404,000
Cory Wade	1.096	$402,500
Eric Stults	1.072	$402,000
Blake DeWitt	1.048	$405,000
James McDonald	1.004	$400,750
Ronald Belisario	1.000	$400,000
Chin-Lung Hu	0.153	$401,000
Xavier Paul	0.151	$400,000
Charlie Haeger	0.125	$400,000
Scott Elbert	0.097	$400,000
Brent Leach	0.090	$400,000
A.J. Ellis	0.081	$400,000
Travis Schlichting	0.055	$400,000
Lucas May	0.000	------

Here are some important dates to remember for the offseason:

Day After World Series Ends: begins 15-day period for eligible players to file for free agency

November 20: Date reserve lists must be set (adding players to 40-man roster for purposes of Rule 5 draft)

December 1: Last date to offer arbitration to free agents to receive compensation

December 10: Rule 5 draft

December 12: Deadline to tender contracts to players under team control or pre-free agency arbitration-eligible players

It will be a long offseason, but the hot stove is always interesting.

Dodgers Season In Thirds

Eric Stephen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:40:13 -0000

More photos » by Jae C. Hong - AP

2 months ago: Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre watches baseball practice in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The Dodgers face the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League division series Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Now that the regular season is over, here's a look at the Dodger season in thirds.

Here's an overview of the team numbers:

	W-L	Pythag Rec	Runs For	Runs Allowed	BA/OBP/SLG	ERA
Games 1-54	36-18	35-19	295 (5.46/gm)	208 (3.85/gm)	.285/.367/.414	3.75
Games 55-108	30-24	30-24	244 (4.52/gm)	214 (3.96/gm)	.272/.340/.418	3.45
Games 109-162	29-25	33-21	241 (4.46/gm)	189 (3.50/gm)	.253/.330/.402	3.03

The offense took a dip in the final 54 games, but the pitching was outstanding.

Here is a look at individual seasons in thirds, position by position:

Catcher
Russell Martin
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	47	46	173	23	46	9	0	0	20	29	7/3	.266/.377/.318	.695
2nd 54	50	47	172	22	46	4	0	3	13	24	1/3	.267/.373/.343	.716
3rd 54	46	43	160	18	34	6	0	4	20	16	3/0	.213/.298/.325	.623

Brad Ausmus
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	11	8	35	6	11	1	0	0	3	2	1/0	.314/.368/.343	.711
2nd 54	12	9	32	3	11	3	0	1	4	2	0/0	.344/.400/.531	.931
3rd 54	13	10	28	0	6	0	0	0	2	1	0/0	.214/.241/.214	.456

A.J. Ellis
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
2nd 54	3	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.000/.000/.000	.000
3rd 54	5	1	6	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0/0	.167/.167/.167	.333

Infield
James Loney
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	54	51	208	24	59	12	0	2	41	22	3/1	.284/.348/.370	.718
2nd 54	53	51	198	27	59	9	2	5	27	23	3/1	.298/.371/.439	.810
3rd 54	51	45	170	22	44	4	0	6	22	25	1/1	.259/.352/.388	.740

Orlando Hudson
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	54	54	216	39	71	17	2	3	32	32	4/0	.329/.410/.468	.878
2nd 54	50	48	195	22	49	11	2	4	21	10	2/0	.251/.299/.390	.688
3rd 54	45	41	140	13	36	7	2	2	9	20	2/1	.257/.350/.379	.729

Rafael Furcal
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	46	42	189	27	47	8	0	1	11	18	3/3	.249/.314/.307	.621
2nd 54	54	50	216	33	61	10	3	5	21	23	3/1	.282/.350/.426	.776
3rd 54	50	49	208	32	57	10	2	3	15	20	6/2	.274/.339/.385	.724

Casey Blake
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	49	44	164	27	49	12	1	9	34	18	0/0	.299/.374/.549	.922
2nd 54	53	50	195	32	54	11	3	3	27	25	2/4	.277/.353/.410	.763
3rd 54	37	37	126	25	33	2	2	6	18	20	1/0	.262/.367/.452	.819

Mark Loretta
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	38	10	59	11	17	3	0	0	10	11	0/0	.288/.408/.339	.747
2nd 54	38	11	69	5	13	3	0	0	10	6	0/0	.188/.253/.232	.485
3rd 54	31	11	53	3	12	2	0	0	5	3	1/1	.226/.259/.264	.523

Juan Castro
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	19	12	44	12	15	2	0	1	7	5	0/0	.341/.400/.455	.855
2nd 54	17	10	38	2	11	1	0	0	2	1	0/0	.289/.308/.316	.623
3rd 54	21	7	30	4	5	1	0	0	0	0	0/0	.167/.167/.200	.367

Blake DeWitt
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	9	3	17	1	3	0	0	0	0	1	0/0	.176/.222/.176	.399
2nd 54	14	0	15	1	2	1	0	1	1	1	0/0	.133/.188/.400	.588
3rd 54	8	3	17	2	5	2	0	1	3	1	0/0	.294/.316/.588	.904

Doug Mientkiewicz
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	7	0	5	0	2	1	0	0	2	0	0/0	.400/.400/.600	1.000
3rd 54	13	1	13	0	4	0	0	0	1	1	0/0	.308/.400/.308	.708

Ronnie Belliard
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
3rd 54	24	19	77	13	27	7	0	5	17	6	1/0	.351/.398/.636	1.034

Chin-Lung Hu
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
3rd 54	5	1	5	2	2	1	0	0	2	0	0/0	.400/.333/.600	.933

Tony Abreu
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
3rd 54	6	2	8	0	2	0	0	0	1	3	0/1	.250/.455/.250	.705

Outfield
Andre Ethier
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	52	49	188	31	49	12	0	7	31	27	3/0	.261/.363/.436	.799
2nd 54	54	52	212	34	60	13	1	15	38	23	2/3	.283/.357/.566	.923
3rd 54	54	49	196	27	53	17	2	9	37	22	1/1	.270/.362/.515	.877

Matt Kemp
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	53	51	200	33	62	9	4	6	30	21	12/2	.310/.377/.485	.862
2nd 54	53	53	200	30	66	7	2	9	39	19	10/2	.330/.387/.520	.907
3rd 54	54	49	206	34	52	9	1	11	32	12	12/4	.252/.293/.466	.759

Manny Ramirez
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	27	27	92	22	32	9	0	6	20	26	0/0	.348/.492/.641	1.133
2nd 54	28	25	96	14	26	7	1	6	20	12	0/0	.271/.369/.552	.921
3rd 54	49	47	164	26	44	8	1	7	23	33	0/1	.268/.400/.457	.857

Juan Pierre
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	46	30	140	27	53	10	3	0	21	13	11/4	.379/.439/.493	.932
2nd 54	50	31	147	15	37	5	1	0	4	7	12/5	.252/.308/.299	.607
3rd 54	49	15	93	15	27	1	4	0	6	7	7/3	.290/.343/.387	.730
Jason Repko
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
3rd 54	13	1	13	0	4	0	0	0	1	1	0/0	.308/.400/.308	.708

Jamie Hoffmann
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	9	3	17	2	3	2	0	1	7	0	0/0	.176/.158/.471	.628
2nd 54	5	0	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.200/.200/.200	.400

Xavier Paul
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
1st 54	11	2	14	3	3	1	0	1	1	2	0/1	.214/.313/.500	.813

Mitch Jones
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
2nd 54	8	3	13	1	4	1	0	0	0	0	0/0	.308/.400/.385	.785

Pinch Hitters
Jim Thome
	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
3rd 54	17	0	17	0	4	0	0	0	3	0	0/0	.235/.235/.235	.471

Starting Pitchers
Randy Wolf
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	12	12	3-1	75.2	64	30	27	22	58	3.21	1.137
2nd 54	11	11	2-5	64.1	62	28	27	17	48	3.78	1.228
3rd 54	11	11	6-1	74.1	52	23	23	19	54	2.78	0.955

Clayton Kershaw
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	10	10	3-3	56.0	40	27	27	32	55	4.34	1.286
2nd 54	12	12	5-3	68.2	47	14	13	39	68	1.70	1.252
3rd 54	9	8	0-2	46.1	32	14	13	20	62	2.53	1.122

Chad Billingsley
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	11	11	6-3	74.0	58	25	23	32	76	2.80	1.216
2nd 54	12	12	5-3	69.2	63	40	38	31	64	4.91	1.349
3rd 54	10	9	1-5	52.2	52	29	27	23	39	4.61	1.424

Hiroki Kuroda
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	2	2	1-1	10.2	7	3	3	4	8	2.53	1.031
2nd 54	12	11	3-4	66.1	69	38	35	12	52	4.75	1.221
3rd 54	7	7	4-2	40.1	34	18	11	8	27	2.45	1.041

Eric Stults
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	9	9	4-2	45.0	46	24	24	25	30	4.80	1.578
3rd 54	1	1	0-1	5.0	5	3	3	1	3	5.40	1.200

Vicente Padilla
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
3rd 54	8	7	4-0	39.1	36	15	14	12	38	3.20	1.220

Jon Garland
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
3rd 54	6	6	3-2	36.1	37	16	11	9	26	2.72	1.266

Charlie Haeger
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
3rd 54	6	3	1-1	19.0	13	7	7	4	7	3.32	0.895

Eric Milton
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	3	3	2-0	14.1	15	5	5	5	10	3.14	1.395
2nd 54	2	2	0-1	9.1	15	7	5	1	10	4.82	1.714

Jason Schmidt
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2nd 54	4	4	2-2	17.2	16	12	11	12	8	5.60	1.585

Relievers
Jonathan Broxton
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	23	5-0	12	26.0	8	4	4	10	41	1.38	0.692
2nd 54	23	2-0	12	22.2	17	11	11	11	33	4.37	1.235
3rd 54	27	0-2	12	27.1	19	9	7	8	40	2.30	0.988

George Sherrill
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2nd 54	3	0-0	--	2.1	0	0	0	1	5	0.00	0.429
3rd 54	27	1-0	1	25.1	19	2	2	10	17	0.71	1.145

Hong-Chih Kuo
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	7	0-0	--	5.1	5	4	4	4	4	6.75	1.688
2nd 54	5	0-0	--	4.2	0	0	0	2	6	0.00	0.429
3rd 54	23	1-0	--	20.0	16	6	6	7	22	2.70	1.150

Ramon Troncoso
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	21	1-0	3	33.1	31	7	7	10	22	1.89	1.230
2nd 54	30	3-0	2	31.1	30	11	7	12	18	2.01	1.340
3rd 54	22	1-4	1	18.0	22	12	11	12	15	5.60	1.889

Ronald Belisario
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	26	1-2	--	31.1	22	10	8	15	30	2.30	1.181
2nd 54	17	0-1	--	17.0	15	5	5	5	16	2.65	1.176
3rd 54	26	0-3	--	22.1	15	6	3	9	18	1.21	1.075

Guillermo Mota
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	20	2-1	--	20.2	26	15	15	12	10	6.53	1.839
2nd 54	28	1-1	--	32.1	15	3	3	6	18	0.84	0.649
3rd 54	13	0-2	--	12.1	12	7	7	6	11	5.11	1.459

Jeff Weaver
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	9	3	3-1	26.2	29	12	12	15	18	4.05	1.650
2nd 54	10	2	2-3	30.1	33	16	14	10	24	4.15	1.418
3rd 54	9	2	1-0	22.0	25	6	6	8	22	2.45	1.500

James McDonald
	G	GS	W-L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	10	4	1-1	18.2	17	14	14	16	9	6.75	1.768
2nd 54	15	0	2-1	20.2	17	9	5	6	14	2.18	1.113
3rd 54	20	0	2-3	23.2	26	11	9	12	31	3.42	1.606

Scott Elbert
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	3	1-0	--	6.1	10	5	5	1	6	7.11	1.737
2nd 54	4	0-0	--	7.2	3	1	1	2	7	1.17	0.652
3rd 54	12	1-0	--	5.2	6	5	5	4	8	7.94	1.765

Brent Leach
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	13	1-0	--	8.0	7	5	5	4	10	5.62	1.375
2nd 54	25	1-0	--	12.1	9	8	8	8	9	5.84	1.378

Cory Wade
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	18	0-3	--	18.2	19	10	10	9	13	4.82	1.500
2nd 54	9	2-0	--	9.0	9	7	7	1	5	7.00	1.111

Will Ohman
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
1st 54	21	1-0	1	12.1	12	8	8	8	7	5.84	1.622

Claudio Vargas
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2nd 54	8	0-0	--	11.0	7	2	2	4	10	1.64	1.000

Travis Schlichting
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2nd 54	2	0-0	--	2.2	1	2	1	5	2	3.38	2.250

Mark Loretta
	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2nd 54	1	0-0	--	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00	0.000

Dodgers Week 25 In Review: Ohhh So Close

Eric Stephen — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:47:52 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

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Previous Weekly Recaps: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

The Dodgers had everything in place to clinch the division on Sunday, with a three-run lead in Pittsburgh in the ninth inning, but couldn't hold on, losing and putting the champagne on ice for at least one more day. However, rather than focus on what didn't happen this week, let's review what was accomplished.

The Dodgers clinched a playoff spot by winning on Saturday, for their third playoff appearance in four seasons. It is Joe Torre's 14th straight postseason, tying a major league record.

Clayton Kershaw is back, healthy and pitching again. He'll have one more tuneup start this week to get ready for the playoffs.

The Dodgers enter the season's final week on the verge of the division title, and in good shape to clinch home field in the National League playoffs, holding a 2½-game lead over Philadelphia and a 3-game lead over St. Louis.

Dodger Batter of the Week: If the top of the lineup needs a spark, Rafael Furcal provided a blowtorch this week, pounding out 13 hits while hitting .464/.483/.679 for the week. He scored five runs and had a team-leading seven runs batted in, and hit the game-winning home run on Thursday night in Washington.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: Hiroki Kuroda was stellar this week, as he has been since his return from injury. He beat the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing just two unearned runs in six innings. Kuroda will get the chance to clinch the division as he gets the start on Monday morning in the finale in Pittsburgh.

Week 25 Record: 3-3
39 runs scored (6.50 per game)
26 runs allowed (4.33 per game)
.677 pythagorean winning percentage

Overall Seasonal Record: 93-63 (.596)
765 runs scored (4.90 per game)
585 runs allowed (3.75 per game)
.620 pythagorean winning percentage (97-59)

Blazing Hot: Rafael Furcal had a pair of four-hit games in the Washington series, finishing with 10 hits overall. Furcal was 10 for 14, and his .714 batting average was the second-highest in Los Angeles Dodger history for one series. Per the Dodger game notes, Elias tells the only Dodger with a better series was the Toy Cannon, Jimmy Wynn, who hit .722 (13 for 18) in a four-game series against the Padres in 1974.

Older Legs, Faster Legs: On Saturday in Pittsburgh, 40-year old Brad Ausmus pinch ran for 39-year old Jim Thome. The last time a Dodger that old pinch-ran for another player that old was July 6, 1978, when 41-year old Vic Davalillo pinch ran for 40-yeard old Manny Mota.

Worth The Wait: Jason Repko hit a sacrifice fly during the Dodgers' 14-2 rout in Washington on Tuesday, his first RBI since September 28, 2006.

Hu Are You?: Chin-Lung Hu, who got 129 plate appearances with the big club last year, made his first appearance of 2009, entering Tuesday's blowout in Washington. Hu struck out in his only plate appearance.

52 For 22: George Sherrill got the win in relief on Saturday, making him the 22nd Dodger to get a win this season. No Dodger team had ever had that many pitchers get wins in a season, and in major league history only a pair of Padres teams have had more (24 this season, 23 in 2002).

Transactions: There were no transactions this week.

Game By Game Results:

Upcoming Week: The Dodgers' magic number to clinch the division is still just one, so that will happen at some point this week. The Dodgers finish in Pittsburgh Monday morning, followed by a quick two-gamer in San Diego, before coming home to play the Rockies, who may or may not be fighting for their playoff lives. Saturday is True Blue LA day at the stadium.

Week 25 Stats

Player	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SB/CS	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS	BABIP
Blake	4	2	2	0	0	1	2	0	0/0	.500/.500/1.250	1.750	.500
Furcal	28	5	13	3	0	1	7	1	1/1	.464/.483/.679	1.161	.480
Loney	20	5	8	1	0	0	3	4	0/0	.400/.500/.450	.950	.471
Manny	16	5	4	2	0	0	3	7	0/0	.250/.500/.375	.875	.267
Hudson	9	1	2	1	0	0	2	5	0/0	.222/.500/.333	.833	.222
Kemp	27	3	6	0	1	1	5	1	0/1	.222/.250/.407	.657	.217
Martin	16	3	3	0	0	0	3	3	0/0	.188/.350/.188	.538	.214
Ethier	21	2	1	0	0	0	3	4	0/0	.048/.200/.048	.248	.063
Loretta	3	0	2	1	0	0	1	0	0/0	.667/.667/1.000	1.667	.667
Ausmus	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.667/.667/.667	1.333	1.000
Belliard	20	7	9	3	0	1	2	3	0/0	.450/.522/.750	1.272	.500
DeWitt	9	1	3	2	0	0	2	0	0/0	.333/.300/.556	.856	.333
Thome	5	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	0/0	.400/.400/.400	.800	.400
Pierre	12	1	2	0	1	0	0	1	0/0	.167/.231/.333	.554	.167
Ellis	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.000/.000/.000	.000	.000
Hu	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.000/.000/.000	.000	-----
Castro	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.000/.000/.000	.000	.000
Mientkiewicz	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.000/.000/.000	.000	-----
Repko	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0/0	.000/.000/.000	.000	.000
Pitchers	11	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0/0	.091/.167/.091	.258	.125
Totals	210	39	60	13	2	4	37	29	1/2	.286/.377/.424	.801	.311

Pitcher	G	W-L	Sv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
Garland	1	0-1	--	6.0	6	3	0	1	6	0.00	1.167
Kuroda	1	1-0	--	6.0	4	2	0	2	6	0.00	1.000
Wolf	1	0-0	--	6.1	4	2	2	1	5	2.84	0.789
Kershaw	2	0-0	--	6.0	4	2	2	2	8	3.00	1.000
Billingsley	1	0-0	--	6.0	1	3	3	4	9	4.50	0.833
Padilla	1	0-0	--	5.0	5	4	4	3	6	7.20	1.600
Weaver	1	0-0	--	2.0	2	0	0	1	2	0.00	1.500
Troncoso	2	1-0	--	2.0	1	0	0	2	1	0.00	1.500
Elbert	2	0-0	--	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0.00	0.000
Sherrill	4	1-0	--	3.1	4	1	1	2	1	2.70	1.800
McDonald	2	0-1	--	1.2	2	1	1	3	2	5.40	3.000
Belisario	4	0-0	--	3.0	4	2	2	3	3	6.00	2.333
Broxton	3	0-1	1	2.1	4	4	3	1	2	11.57	2.143
Kuo	2	0-0	--	1.1	2	2	2	2	1	13.50	3.000
Totals	6	3-3	1	51.2	43	26	20	27	53	3.48	1.355

Not TONIGHT!! Washington Nationals Avoid 100th Loss, Beat L.A. Dodgers 5-4.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:50:02 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals catcher Josh Bard, top, holds up the ball after he tagged out Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre Ethier (16) at home during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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The Washington Nationals enter play tonight 51-99...on the verge of their second-straight 100-loss season...

• Rosswiler - After he gave up a leadoff single to Rafael Furcal, Ross Detwiler had the Dodgers’ shortstop picked off first, but Furcal took off and beat the throw to second from Adam Dunn when DC’s SS Cristian Guzman was late to the bag. Furcal moved to third on a groundout by Ronnie Belliard and scored on an RBI groundout by Andre Ethier when he should’ve been out picked off first...1-0 LA.

• SSSSUPER DUKESSSS - The Dodgers almost blew the game wide open in the fourth when Ronnie Belliard reached on a sharp grounder to short and Ross Detwiler issued a one-out to Andre Ethier and a two-out walk to James Loney to load the bases for Russell Martin. Martin lined to right to score Belliard and Ethier took the turn around third, (Don’t do it, Andre! Don’t!!)...Elijah SSSSSUPER DUKESSSS fields coming in and fires home, Josh Bard catches it, reaches across the plate forces Ethier outside and makes the tag, "You’rrrrrrre OUT!!!" yells the Ump!!! 2-0 LA.

• Blinded By The Lights...Top of the sixth, Ross Detwiler gives up a leadoff line drive double to Ronnie Belliard, but Detwiler gets the next two before intentionally walking Matt Kemp. Two on, two out for James Loney, Loney lines out to lef--Willie Harris charges in but loses it in the lights, Harris shields his eyes and has the ball drop between his legs into the grass. Belliard scores, 3-0 LA.

• THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! Ryan Zimmerman gives DC a chance to avoid 100-losses for one more night. LA righty Chad Billingsley’s walk-filled no-hitter is broken up with two down in the bottom of the sixth when Zimmerman steps in after a two-out walk to Adam Dunn with Mike Morse already on having walked to start the frame. Billingsley starts Zim with a curve high in the zone and Zimm---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! Ryan Zimmerman hits a line drive to left and GONE!!! 3-run HR, 3-3 game after six...

• THE SHOCKING ERROR-FILLED CONCLUSION...And THE FULL GAME REPORT AFTER THE JUMP!!!!

• The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's LA Dodgers Blog: True Blue LA.

• "HOLY @#$& we WON!" - Doghouse.

Nationals now...Can Washington Avoid Loss #100?

For Some Reason, Jim Riggleman? - Mike MacDougal, Nationals' closer, was called upon in the eighth and out of his element, the "occasionally" wild Scotsman does his best to blow it up....Leadoff walk to the Dodgers' Left-Fielder. MacDougal rears back and hurls a 97 mph 1-2 heater by Matt Kemp, but James Loney singles to right moving the LA LF to third. 1-2 fastball to Russell Martin, Martin lines to--ADAM DUNN! Dunn catches it, steps on second, double play the hard way and it's 3-3 after seven and a half.

The Guzzz Hates You! - Cristian Guzman started the eighth with a single, and took second when Manny Ramirez and Matt Kemp both pulled up and let a pop fly from Adam Dunn fall between them...First and second for Elijah Dukes...Cristian Guzman had heroic thoughts as he rounded third on the one-out groundout Elijah Dukes which had double play written all over it with Dunn running from first, but Elijah Dukes busted *** and so did the Guz, and when much-maligned LA infielder Orlando Hudson's throw pulled James Loney off first, Dukes was safe, and the Guzzzzz took advantage of the error at first and slid in safe just ahead of Loney's throw home!!! 4-3 DC after eight.

And Now Move Over To Second, Guz!!! or E: 131, E: 132 - Mike MacDougal's back out in the ninth to close out his own win, and he gives up a hotshot to short off Hudson's bat, Guzman fields deep in the hole and throws to first, but it hops on Dunn, (whereas Nick John...sorry!) and Dunn bobbles it and trips Hudson in the process, though the runner's safe. (E: 131). Hudson's replaced on the basepaths by Jason Repko, and Repko's soon standing on third after Jim Thome's-for-hire-single. MacDougal walks Rafael Furcal, to load the bases with no outs. Ronnie Belliard, the former National, grounds to his pal Guzman at short, Guzman throws home...but wiiiiide...Repko scores, 4-4 ballgame. (E: 132). Sean Burnett gets Ethier swinging. Saul Rivera takes care (somehow) of LA's left fielder and Matt Kemp...(somehow = a groundout to Guzman from the LA LF and a good throw home this time and a liner from Kemp to the same frustrated shortstop.) and it's on to DC's ninth...

Maxwell, Justin Maxwell!!!

DC outfielder Justin Maxwell singles off Dodgers' reliever James McDonald, and takes second on a successful sac bunt from Alberto Gonzalez. What?? Maxwell steals third with Jorge Padilla at bat. Jorge Padilla walks. Pinch Hittin' Pete Orr...lines to right, Ethier...allows it to fall, Maxwell trots home. Ballgame. The Washington Nationals will not lose 100 games tonight!! The Nationals win, 5-4 final.

GAME REPORT:

Los Angeles Dodgers At Washington Nationals. Game 151 Of 162.

Rafael Furcal singles up the middle to start the Washington Nationals' 151st game of 2009. With Ronnie Belliard up, Furcal gets picked off first by Ross Detwiler, but Furcal beats the throw to second from Adam Dunn. Belliard grounds out to second, Furcal takes third. Andre Ethier’s groundout to second scores Furcal, 1-0 LA. Manny Ramirez’s groundout to third ends the Dodgers’ first...Willie Harris takes a fastball on the outside edge for a called strike three. Cristian Guzman grounds out to Orlando Hudson at second. Adam Dunn K’s swinging over a sinking fastball inside.

Matt Kemp flies out to Elijah Dukes in right. Ross Detwiler gets a sliced liner to left out of James Loney. Ryan Zimmerman throws out Russell Martin to end LA’s second...Ryan Zimmerman K’s swinging over a looping curve outside from Bilingsley. Elijah Dukes can’t beat the throw from Furcal to first on the groundout. Josh Bard pops out to the infield in a quick second.

Orlando Hudson flies out to Justin Maxwell in center. Detwiler pops up the opposing pitcher. Rafael Furcal chops at a 77mph bender and grounds out to second to end the top of the third...Justin Maxwell takes a two-strike curve and gets called out by the over-enthusiastic home plate Ump. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to second. Billingsley gets Detwiler looking as well. 1-0 LA after three.

Cristian Guzman stabs a one-hopper off Belliard’s bat but throws wide of first rushing to get a "speedy" Belliard. Detwiler walks Andre Ethier to bring up Manny Ramirez with two on. Ramirez flies out to Dukes in right, and Dukes’ throw in holds everyone where they are. Ronnie Belliard takes third on a fly out to right from Matt Kemp. Detwiler walks James Loney, and it’s bases loaded for Russell Martin. Martin lines to right to score Belliard, and Ethier (No don’t!!) Ethier runs on Dukes and gets nailed on a perfect throw home. 2-0 after three and a half...Willie Harris K’s watching a two-strike curve all the way in. Cristian Guzman flies out to center. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk for the Nationals’ first baserunner. Ryan Zimmerman walks to bring up Dukes with two on and two out. Billingsley keeps throwing curves til Dukes K’s chasing one out of the zone.

Orlando Hudson flies to Dukes in right. Chad Billingsley grounds weakly to short and trots toward first as Guzman fields and throws. Elijah Dukes charges and slides in on a low liner from Furcal, but the second base Ump says he trapped it. What will Belliard do with the extra out? Nothing! Detwiler picks Furcal off and this time they get him!!...Josh Bard grounds back to the mound. Justin Maxwell bounces one toward third Rafael Furcal gets it and fires to first, in time. Alberto Gonzalez takes strike three for another backwards K.

Ronnie Belliard rrrrips a line drive to left field for a leadoff double that has him thinking triple out of the box. Andre Ethier pops out behind short. Manny Ramirez moves Belliard up with a groundout to short. Detwiler issues the intentionals to Matt Kemp. James Loney lines to left, Willlie Harris tries to shade his eyes, but he loses it and it drops in front of him, Belliard scores, 3-0 LA and Detwiler’s out. Jason Bergmann pops up Russell Martin to end the top of the frame...Mike Morse walks to start the Nationals’ sixth. Willie Harris swings over an 0-2 bender low in the zone. Cristian Guzman grounds into a force at second. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk in front of Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman gets a first pitch curve up high and he destroys it, THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! HR #31 to right, 3-run blast, tie ballgame in the sixth, on ZIM's 100th RBI OF '09!!!! and Billingsley’s walk-filled no-hitter is over. Elijah Dukes grounds out to end the inning.

Tyler Clippard takes over on the mound against Orlando Hudson and issues a leadoff walk. Juan Pierre sends a dribbler toward third that Zimmerman handles. One down. Hudson to second. Justin Maxell gets to a fly ball off Furcal’s bat. Ronnie Belliard takes a two-out walk in front of Andre Ethier. Ethier pops out to end the top of the seventh...Hong-Chih Kuo on for LA. Josh Bard K’s chasing. Justin Maxwell walks with one down. Alberto Gonzalez pushes a single out to right off Kuo. Two on for pinch hitter Josh Willingham. The Hammer flies out to the wall in left, where Manny makes the catch. Maxwell takes third. Ian Desmond grounds out to Ronnie Belliard to end the seventh. Still 3-3.

Mike MacDougal’s on in the eighth and he walks Manny Ramirez to start the inning. Matt Kemps K’s swinging through a fastball. Manny Ramirez goes first to third on a one-out single to right by James Loney. Russell Martin lines to ri--Adam Dunn!! Dunn makes the catch, steps on first, double play!!!...George Sherrill takes over against Cristian Guzman in the Nationals’ eighth. The Guzzz singles to right to start the inning. Adam Dunn pops out to left cen--Kemp up, Manny pulls up, and it drops in for a single. First and second with one down. Ryan Zimmerman gets his bat shattered by Sherrill and he pops out foul of first. Elijah Dukes grounds to second, Hudson steps on the bag and throws...WIDE OF FIRST!! Loney comes off the bag!! Dukes is safe!!! Guzman comes around third and beats Loney’s throw HOME!!! 4-3 DC!!! 4-3 DC!!! Josh Bard pops out to the infield to end the eighth.

MacDougal’s back against Orlando Hudson. Hudson grounds to short, Guzman fires from deep in the hole, but the throw bounces and Dunn misses it, tripping Hudson in the process. Jim Thome singles back up the middle to move Hudson’s pinch runner, Jason Repko, to third. Rafael Furcal works the count full and walks to load the bases. Ronnie Belliard grounds weakly to third, Guzman throws home, but wide!! NO! 4-4 ballgame. MacDougal’s done. Sean Burnett gets Andre Ethier swinging for the first out. Burnett out, Saul Rivera on to get the DP. Manny Ramirez grounds to short, and this time Guzman’s throw home is true. Matt Kemp rips a line drive, right into Guzman’s glove!!! 4-4 in the ninth...Justin Maxwell vs James McDonald. Maxwell smokes a groundball by Ronnie Belliard at third. Alberto "The General" Gonzalez gets a sac bunt down to move Maxwell to second. MAXWELL STEALS THIRD!! JUST PLAIN SWIPES IT!! Jorge Padilla walks with one down. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr flies to right, Ethier lets it drop, Maxwell scores to win it!! Nationals win!! Nationals win. 5-4 final.

Nationals now 52-99.

Kuroda on Track, Dodger Bats Attack, & Kershaw is Back

Eric Stephen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:27:56 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

"The Hot Horse" was at it again tonight.

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The Dodger offense took advantage of the Nationals, bludgeoning the Nationals 14-2 in the opening game of the three-game series in Washington DC, but the biggest news was the triumphant return of Clayton Kershaw, who pitched brilliantly over the final two innings in his first appearance in 18 days.

Kershaw entered a blowout in the eighth inning, pitching his first game since separating his shoulder while "power shagging" balls in the outfield during batting practice on September 6. Kershaw struck out four batters over his two innings, allowing only a walk to Elijah Dukes in the ninth inning. He was very sharp overall, and was hitting 93-95 mph with his fastball, a very good sign for Dodger fans everywhere. Before he entered, here is what the Dodger offense accomplished tonight:

This was the fourth time the Dodgers have scored 14 runs or more in a game this season. The last time was when they scored 17 against Milwaukee, a game Prince Fielder wasn't too pleased with.
Casey Blake's home run in the seventh inning extended the Dodgers' season high streak to 11 straight games with a home run. It is tied for the eighth longest Dodger streak since moving to Los Angeles
Rafael Furcal had four hits, the eighth time he has done that as a Dodger. Furcal also drove in four runs, and the Dodgers are 27-8 when he gets on base to lead off the game.
Jason Repko, who can tell his grandchildren that he pinch hit for Manny Ramirez, had a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, driving in his first run since September 28, 2006.
James Loney had three hits, including a double, although one of his singles was a gift from the official scorer on one of the worst defensive plays I have ever seen a first baseman make (by Adam Dunn, who simply refused to throw the ball to first with ample time to retire Loney)
Every Dodger starter had at least one hit and one run scored, except for Andre Ethier, who still had a walk and an RBI groundout.
Ronnie "The Hot Horse" Belliard had two hits, including a double, and a walk, bringing his Dodger batting line to .322/.365/.610. He has 15 RBI in his 15 starts as a Dodger.

Matt Kemp picked up two runs batted in to bring his season total to 97, as he attempts to become the first Dodger ever to hit .300 with 25 home runs, 30 steals, and 100 RBI

Hiroki Kuroda was sharp yet again, allowing only two unearned runs on an Adam Dunn home run in the third inning. Kuroda won his third straight start by pitching six strong innings. Since returning from getting hit in the head, Kuroda has a 2.16 ERA and a 3.09 FIP in four starts, with 21 strikeouts and five walks in 25 innings.

Kuroda and Kershaw made important strides tonight. Chad Billingsley will get his chance to do the same tomorrow, as he opposes rookie Ross Detwiler.

Magic Numbers
To win NL West: 6 (Rockies beat the Padres 11-10)
To clinch a playoff spot: 2 (Giants lost 10-8 to the Diamondbacks in Arizona)

WP - Hiroki Kuroda (8-6): 6 IP, 4 hits, 2 unearned runs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts

LP - Livan Hernandez (8-12): 3.2 IP, 8 hits, 8 runs, 4 walks

Box Score

Dodgers Cash In Against Penny

Eric Stephen — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:26:17 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Ronnie Belliard's grand slam in the bottom of the first inning removed all doubt as to the winner of today's game.

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The Dodgers got one of their most satisfying wins of the season, bombing Brad Penny and the Giants 12-1 at Dodger Stadium on national television. Penny, who didn't make any friends during his final days in Los Angeles last season, had his first bad game since returning to the National League, giving up seven runs in just 2.2 innings of work.

The game started off on a bad note for the Dodgers, as Manny Ramirez misplayed an easy flyball by Eugenio Velez in the first inning for a two-base error. Velez later scored on a sacrifice fly by Randy Winn. Little did we know that would be the only damage allowed by Jon Garland today. Garland allowed only seven hits in his eight innings, lowering his Dodger ERA to 2.33 and his Dodger FIP to 3.96.

The Dodgers immediately responded against Penny, using two singles and two walks to tie the game when Ronnie Belliard came to the plate. Belliard launched a pitch well into the Dodger bullpen to break the game open, giving the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. Belliard also stole second base in the third inning, his first stolen base as a Dodger. That was the fifth time a Dodger has had a home run and a steal in the same game this season, joining Matt Kemp (three times) and James Loney.

When Belliard was acquired last month, I jokingly invoked the name of Magic Marlon Anderson, another reserve infielder acquired at the end of August from the Nationals, this time in 2006. So far, the comparison isn't that far off:

Player	PA	R	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BA/OBP/SLG	OPS
Anderson, 2006	73	12	3	2	7	15	.375/.431/.813	1.243
Belliard, 2009	55	6	4	0	4	12	.308/.345/.615	.961

James Loney last homered at Dodger Stadium on August 21, 2008 against the Rockies. He has played 86 games at home since then, and hit no home runs. Until today, that is. Loney followed Matt Kemp's home run in the third inning with one of his own, a shot to right field. Before today, Loney had 12 home runs this season, all on the road, but now Willie Davis stands alone, again, as the Dodger record holder for most home runs in a season with none at home, with 11 in 1969.

Randy Johnson, activated from the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, pitched in relief in the sixth inning, giving up doubles to two of the three batters he faced. I was at The Unit's last regular season relief appearance, in San Diego on July 18, 2001. Johnson came in for an injured Curt Schilling to start the third inning, then proceeded to set an MLB record for strikeouts in relief, with 16 during his seven scoreless innings.

Every Dodger starter reached base at least once, and even some of the reserves got in on the fun as well. Blake DeWitt joined the power parade with a home run off Joe Martinez in the seventh inning. Jason Repko even got a plate appearance, grounding out to end the seventh inning.

Jeff Weaver pitched in mop-up duty in the ninth inning, closing out the win but not before allowing some baserunners. The Giants loaded the bases with one out, but Weaver again got out of the jam with minimal damage. This season with the bases loaded, opposing batters are hitting just .050/.167/.050, with just one single and three walks in 24 plate appearances.

22-year old catcher Buster Posey delivered a single in the ninth inning for his first big league hit. I have a feeling that he'll have many, many more of those in his career.

Rafael Furcal started the game with a single, the 34th time this season he has started a game by reaching base. The Dodgers are 26-8 in those games.

The Dodgers' win today clinched the season series with the Giants, as they have beaten San Francisco 10 of the 17 times they have played. The Dodgers have won the season series against every team in the NL West, winning 43 of 66 intra-divisional games this season.

The series finale is tomorrow afternoon, with Randy Wolf facing off against Tim Lincecum.

Magic Numbers
To win NL West: 8 (pending the Rockies' game in Arizona at 5pm tonight)
To clinch a playoff spot: 6

WP - Jon Garland (11-11): 8 IP, 7 hits, 1 unearned run, 3 strikeouts

LP - Brad Penny (10-9): 2.2 IP, 5 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks, 1 strikeout

Box Score

SB Nation - Jason Repko

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Dodger Roster Breakdown

Free Agents (13+1)

Options (2)

Arbitration Eligible (9)

Under Contract (4)

Under Team Control (15)

Dodgers Season In Thirds

Catcher

Infield

Outfield

Pinch Hitters

Starting Pitchers

Relievers

Dodgers Week 25 In Review: Ohhh So Close

Week 25 Stats

Not TONIGHT!! Washington Nationals Avoid 100th Loss, Beat L.A. Dodgers 5-4.

Kuroda on Track, Dodger Bats Attack, & Kershaw is Back

Dodgers Cash In Against Penny