When men were men, and other items overlooked in Dodgers' latest fiasco

So much went on in the Dodgers’ 7-5 loss to the Giants on Tuesday, plenty tended to be overlooked.

Here are a few things to take note of:

-- Chad Billingsley was infamously hammered for not retaliating against the inside pitching of the Phillies’ Brett Myers in the 2008 National League Championship Series.

But after Matt Kemp had been hit by a pitch in the fifth and Russell Martin saw two inside throws in the seventh, Clayton Kershaw hit the Giants’ next batter, Aaron Rowand, in the bottom of the seventh.

Not that it was planned or anything, but Hong-Chih Kuo was already warming up.

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said he was not unhappy with Kershaw.

"I think he was just overthrowing the ball," Torre said. "In the old days, this would have been sort of like protecting your own. I don’t know what you call it nowadays.

"I have no problem with Clayton Kershaw. He’s a good teammate for all these guys."

-- Hitting coach Don Mattingly is Torre’s self-appointed successor, but he has never managed at any level and the cry he’s unprepared to take over a major league club will only intensify after his miscue in the ninth inning.

Not his best move, returning to the mound like that. In fairness, however, it should be pointed out the exact same thing happened to Dodgers Manager Grady Little in 2006 when he turned back to say something else to Brad Penny against the Padres.

The manager who brought it to the umpires’ attention? The same Bruce Bochy who did for the Giants Tuesday.

-- Jonathan Broxton is out of whack.

Did that All-Star save take something out of him? Unlikely. Certainly not as much as that five-out save attempt in the heat of St. Louis on Sunday.

Still, he appeared less than a confident, comfortable closer again Tuesday.

"I think it’s more just he’s out of sync right now, more so than anything that’s physical to worry about," Torre said. ``He’s pretty honest with (pitching coach Rick) Honeycutt as far as when he feels good.

"We certainly had intended to give him two days off and certainly would have if he didn’t run into that buzz saw when Kersh got thrown out."

Meaning, if the Dodgers hadn’t retaliated, Kershaw would have kept going, Kuo would have closed and Broxton could have taken the second day of rest as originally scheduled?

-- The Dodgers have lost six consecutive games and are in danger of slipping out of the NL West race.

And they’re not just losing, but suffering brutal defeats, the kind that sap a team’s confidence.

"We’ve had some strange things happen to us," Torre said. "This is a test. We’re certainly going to have to bounce back and reestablish what kind of club you are. This is how you basically find out."

The Dodgers are in fourth place, six games back of the Padres and trailing the Rockies and surging Giants.

"It’s frustrating," Kershaw said. "I know we all feel it. We have to just keep digging ourselves out of it and come back tomorrow.

"Tonight we played pretty good baseball, but when you’re in a slide like this, it just kind of happens where you find ways to lose. It’s tough. We know we’re down, but we know we’re not out. We have a lot of games left."

Six less than they had before the second half started.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[OldBrooklynFan]

The Dodgers did exactly what they should've done, but they made too many mistakes. If Kershaw hitting Rowand was unintentional in the seventh inning than things just simply are going against them. Although I feel he came in to hit him and Kuo was ready in the bullpen. Kuo going two and Broxton pitching the ninth was a good plan. Whether he would've pitched out of the inning or not, nobody knows, but I think he stood a better chance than Sherrill.

[old4ester]

Clayton Kershaw thinks the Dodgers played pretty good baseball last night? If Lincecum had been himself it probably would have been a Giants shutout. I've been a Dodger fan since 1958, these Dodgers are not playing anywhere near well, aside from Furcal.

[Dodger Dude]

I have never seen such a talented Dodger team look so bad. Where is the heart and spirit to win? Injury to the body is expected but to the soul of a winner? What a shame!

[Ron]

This falls directly on Joe Torrible's shoulders. The game has passed him by, it is time for him to go.

[These Dodgers Suck!]

I dont know about the rest of you, but I cant wait for the next time Padilla pitches against the gnats.
The tension will only be exceeded by the anticipation.

[These Dodgers Suck!]

another factoid generally overlooked, until someone mentioned it elsewhere;

... the Dodgers just lost their first divisional series of the year ...

[Since '58]

Broxton was saved in the All Star Game by Marlon Byrd and Furcal. He was going to lose that game without that play. The last out was a near-gapper. Tonight we've got the Waddling Wuss starting. Four innings? Six innings? Another Wuss-like "quality start?" Watch him rotate his arms to loosen his stressed out constricted back muscles. Watch him waddle quickly down from the mound after every pitch to retrieve the ball from the catcher. Look at the fear in his eyes. He's pathetic. Seven loses in a row for the Dodgers and counting. McCourt has a more pressing issue than his team. Torre is a disinterested lame duck. Colletti follows orders. Mattingly is unprepared to become a big league manager. We need a free fall and a house cleaning.

[LA42]

McCourt the Bostonian hires two Yankees,Joe and Don...I can care less about the Red Sox, but I thought the only thing Los Angelenos and Bostonians had in common, was hatred for the Yankees....I can't wait to see these ex Yankees and this soon to be penny less owner out of here.....The Dodgers should be more like the Lakers not the Clippers......True Dodger fans should educate their kids to understand Dodger history.....I'm tired of the warm and fuzzy fan....I'm tired of the Yankee crap memorabilia that's for sale at the stadium.....I miss the true Tommy "Blue" Lasorda attitude.

[Herman Baca II]

After the 4 games with the Mets (while SD gets to play the Pirates) We then go to San Diego for 3 games then off to San Francisco for some revenge on their turf THEN........ back to Los Angeles for a 4 game series with the Padres .
DO or DIE!!!!!!

[Since '58]

Way to go, Herman. McCourt loves you and your money.

[bob cuomo]

Torre contradicted himself. First he says Kershaw was overthrowing the ball. Then he says that in old days it would have been like protecting your own...I don't know what you call it now.
Well, Joe, it's sort of the same thing...it's called getting even. Just be honest and admit it. Kershaw hit Rowand on purpose.
And that should be it. Kershaw got even for Kemp getting hit. There shouldn't be any of that stuff tonight.