Stranded at the drive-in: Phillies 8, Dodgers 6

It wasn't the game of a lifetime. It was the game of nine lifetimes.

The Dodgers had more looks at tonight's Game 1 of the National League Championship series than a 12-eyed alien, but in the end it was "Look but don't touch," and they fell to the Phillies, 8-6, in four hours and two minutes.

A contest that for four innings was a pitchers' duel as soothing as your bedtime pillow had all the stuffing torn out of it, with Los Angeles left to piece things together in time for Friday's 1:07 p.m. Game 2.

Clayton Kershaw could hardly have looked finer for the first three innings, allowing only a hit to Shane Victorino (and then picking him off) and a walk to Dodger-annihilator Carlos Ruiz. Backed by a solo homer by James Loney – his second shot at Dodger Stadium all year and off Cole Hamels, no less – Kershaw took a 1-0 lead into the fourth and retired the first two batters.

He got two strikes on Ryan Howard, and from my admittedly angled vantage point I thought he had three. I thought back to a year ago ...

Los Angeles rookie Clayton Kershaw, 20 years old with 109 2/3 innings of major-league experience, faces Ryan Howard while trying to protect a one-run lead in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. Howard walks on a 3-2 pitch that seems to capture a chunk of the strike zone. ...

It happened again this time around. Kershaw retired the next batter, Jayson Werth, on a hard shot to left, but at that point the game was so taut you didn't want anything to upset his groove.

That was the last anyone would talk of grooves tonight, however.

In the fifth, Kershaw had little command of anything and paid for it. A single by Raul Ibanez, a walk to Pedro Feliz, and then a home run by Ruiz, who has already been tormenting the Dodgers this year with  a .714 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage against them in the regular season.

The Dodgers trailed, 3-1 – discouraging, but not devastating. When Hamels walked on four pitches, though, it was hard not to feel it was time for Joe Torre to get ready to use his best weapon, the bullpen. Kershaw was laboring, and there was no point in giving him much rope to find himself with fewer than five innings remaining.

This measured thought turned into a rather loud interior scream by the time Chase Utley walked with two out. Howard was up again, and though it was lefty-on-lefty, Kershaw had been struggling to pitch to him back when he was fresh. This was the situation Scott Elbert was added to the NLCS roster for. But Torre left Kershaw in.

On Kershaw's 33rd pitch of the inning, Howard lashed a double down the right-field line, driving in two runs and making the score 5-1. Now it was looking mighty uphill for the Dodgers.

Heaven knows, the Dodgers threw their gear on their backs and trudged relentlessly. In the final five innings of the game, they had 13 baserunners.

Russell Martin greeted Hamels in the bottom of the fifth with a double and scored on a single by Rafael Furcal – whose hard slide during Andre Ethier's ensuing at-bat forced Utley into a throwing error, scored a run and kept the inning alive for Manny Ramirez.

And as a nation of sportswriters watched with keyboards bated waiting for Ramirez to fail, he stymied them with a 419-foot blast to left-center field that pulled the Dodgers within one, 5-4.

At this point, Dodgers fans schooled in the team's bullpen advantage probably shouldn't have been faulted for thinking they were well positioned to complete the comeback – especially after Ronald Belisario retired the Phillies 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth and one-out singles by Loney and Ronnie Belliard in the bottom of the inning knocked out Hamels.

Fish gotta swim, and birds gotta fly. But sometimes fish don't fly and birds can drown.

Martin hit a liner to right field that hung just enough for Werth to catch. Pinch-hitter Jim Thome walked, and after a delay to allow Randy Wolf to ready himself for emergency pinch-running duties (don't worry – he wasn't going to do any hard sliding), Furcal came up and worked the count to 3-2. But he grounded to second, leaving the bases loaded.

After a scoreless top of the seventh, Ethier led off the bottom with a double off southpaw Alberto Bastardo – the latest in an ongoing series of lefty-on-lefty triumphs by hitters from both teams. Needing one hit from their next three batters to tie the game – Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Casey Blake – the Dodgers again came up empty,  against none other than twice-baked ex-Dodger Chan Ho Park.

Those two innings were simply exhausting for Dodger fans, and I can't imagine they were a calm night at the inn for Philadelphia's faithful.

Then, in a deadly eighth, Sheriff George Sherrill came in merely to keep the peace and got rousted. He walked Howard and Werth on five pitches each. Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt visited the mound, and apparently told Sherrill to give up a three-run homer to Ibanez – a lefty again, dagnabbit, and only the second batter to hit a home run off Sherrill since he became a Dodger. 

Sherrill gave up another hit one out later, but a busted hit-and-run led to an 8-3 double play from Kemp to Loney to end the inning.

Down four runs, bottom of the eighth. Time to play beat the traffic?  Thought about it, I admit – but not for more than a couple of seconds. Phillies' bullpen, Dodgers' comeback crew.  It was far from hopeless.  It was going to be all the sweeter.

Ryan Madson came in, the Phillies' best reliever of late, I've been told. But like Sherrill, he was kerosene. Singles by Loney, Belliard and Martin scored a run and brought the tying run to the plate in pinch-hitter Juan Pierre, who reached on a fielder's choice, trading out Martin.

Furcal worked the count to 3-2 again before hitting a deep fly to right-center that a more benevolent Dodger in the Sky would have put into the jet stream. Instead, the inscrutable omnipotence let it settle for a run-scoring fly ball, cutting Philadelphia's lead to 8-6 and letting clutch king Ethier bat as the tying run with two out.

Madson went to 3-0 on Ethier, causing reasonable minds to wonder if he were pitching around Ethier to get to Ramirez. Two strikes later, Madson was fully engaged with the Dodgers right fielder, before allowing his fourth hit of the inning, a single that drove Pierre to third, put Ethier as the tying run on base and brought Ramirez to the plate as the go-aheader.

Ramirez was game; the crowd believed. But he grounded to third, and on to the ninth we went, the crowd trying to repress the ideas that but for the oddest outing of Sherrill's Dodgers career, but for the giant Torre-aided five in the fifth that were  struck off Kershaw, the Dodgers would be winning. Unfortunately, but-fors are for losers.  

Jonathan Broxton allowed one hit in a relatively uneventful top of the ninth, and so came in Brad Lidge, the Phillies' closer who had a season-long battle with beleaguered disappointment.

Kemp fell behind 0-2 leading off the inning, then lined a single just over the timed leap of shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Blake came up as the umpteenth tying run of the game, but capping a miserable 0-for-5 night, hit into a double play.

Two out, none on, losing in the bottom of the ninth in the playoffs at home, count 0-2 against James Loney, and who didn't flash back to Game 2 of the NLDS? Sure enough, Loney fouled off a third pitch and then disciplined himself to take four that missed for a walk.

Belliard, Bellliard, it was up to you. You, who can look so ugly in some at-bats and then turn so sweet.

On a 1-1 count, Belliard looped the ball, and it wasn't going to get out far enough. No more lifelines for the Dodgers. Rollins caught it for out No. 27, the Dodgers tasted defeat for the first time in 13 days and the Phillies had broken serve in their first NLCS attempt of 2009.

Each offense learned that the untouchable pitching strengths of the opposing team were instead very tactile indeed. The Phillies can't go to sleep thinking that the Dodgers offense will be a pushover. But they can go to sleep leading the NLCS, 1-0, and curious about whether on Friday Vicente Padilla can be, of all things, a stopper.

Comments

[underdog]

Good recap of a painful (if exciting) game, Jon.

Consolation: 30 Rock cheered me up quite a bit!

[LOB]

Lordy that game was tough to take.

The crowd was great, though. Back again tomorrow. Exhausting!

[artieboy]

It doesn't matter if its the Phillies, Nationals or the 62 Mets. You give up two 3-run homers and chances are very likely you are going to lose the game.

Bad luck tonight. Lets turn it around tomorrow.

I believe Padilla will be on a very short leash. If its a close game the bull pen(s) will be depleted.

[WBB]

Walking the malamute cheered me up. But not as much as it normally does.

[68clcamino427]

Attending both games of your past two recaps, a tip 'o the cap to you Mr. Weisman.

[DaDoughboy]

This team is down but never out this year. Thats all you can ask or hope for. Awesome recap Jon. Thanks as always for giving a sane overview of a rather insane evening. Get em tomorrow boys!

[Robert562]

Manny is not going to see another off-speed pitch for the rest of the playoffs.

Is he going to be able to turn on a fastball? Right now...I'm not so sure..

[barry blumberg]

jon
you got it right. the swing or non-swing as it was called in the fourth by howard changed the game. kershaw was thrown by that and torre left him in past his bedtime against their best and he came up short next inning. everything went according to form, we got hits left runners and scored some runs. their bullpen faltered and we took advantage. everything according to form, our bullpen shut them down. and then sherrill. not up to the challenge. 8 balls and two strikes to the first two hitters. not sure what honeycut said but it was probably something like "throw strikes". and he did on the very next pitch. just ask ibanez. we came up short. everything else went according to form.

[barry blumberg]

oh yeah, 7 walks? 7 walks. 4 of those guys scored.

[MFC521]

Couldn't agree more, Jon, that "ball" to Ryan Howard looked as much a strike as anything I've ever seen. But it was still a great game, and I actually got to meet Kevin and Oscar from the Office--they were great fans and even nicer people.

[artieboy]

"Is he going to be able to turn on a fastball?"

Aside from the homerun was he able to pull any other pitch?

[Bob Hendley]

I don't think Torre put the Kid in a position to succeed against Howard. As you note, everything had changed since the previous Howard plate appearance and nothing was pointing in a good direction. Nothing says that Elbert would have done any better, but the failure to use him there suggests that speculation that it was Weaver's flu that really decided that Scott would be on the roster may have been on the mark.

[Craig88USC]

Wow! I just relived it. Thank you very very much. Now burn it out of my memory.
Thank God for the quick turnaround time tomorrow. ;)
..

Double LAT'd -

Doesn't Howard struggle mightily against lefties?
I think Kersh gets him about 8 of 10 times, but I could be wrong.

But, definitely take him out if another Philly batter comes up - right OR left side.

Maybe, Joe will give today's salary to charity as his punishment. Casey, too. ;)

..

You know what would make us all feel better? :0

More Philly "truths" ...

You must be from Philadelphia if...

* You know how to spell Schuylkill.

* You think $2,500 for insurance on a '79 Toyota is a bargain.

* You can sleep soundly through gunshots in the neighborhood.

Again, All in fun and good luck tomorrow,

all youse guys from Philly! ; )

Yo! We're not thru with youse, at all!

[Dodger Tony]

Just finished reading every single comment posted this evening on Dodger Thoughts. I started reading at roughly 10:00PM, and just finished at 11:09. Thank you Evelyn Wood.

First and foremost, how strangely, eerily reminiscent this post-season has already been to last years post. Beginning with three Karate chop wins over the NL Central's best, then faltering in game one in a pithily similar Garden of Earthly Delights. It is not my assignment to recapitulate the minutae already propounded on by propitious post-season populists. Needless to say, I look to the gypsies for sage guidance and counsel.

In other words, home run power helps you in the post-season.

In a mano-a-mano tight rope battle where one single false move can end you, the ability to place multiple runs on the board with a single stroke (P), as opposed to single runs via multiple strokes (D), the clear advantage goes to player (P) if and when two foes are identical in most facets of the battle. As well, having said fearsome potentates who can "tater" from the left side excessively against throwers from same left side in multiple numbers can also create disruption to side (D). Add to that various insundry "intangibles" such as...(fill in the blank), and the Phillies are poised to re-claim the NL Pennant. This is what champions do, in spite of their flaws.

Fact: only one game played. Next game played in less than 14 hours. If the Dodgers can somehow find a way to overcome the trends established in this matchup, perhaps they can reclaim momentum. If not, then all of the enormous work done over the off-season, particularly Ned Colletti's additions, will be strangely moribund. This would be a savagely bitter denoument to an otherwise odd and acrimonious divorce.

[underdog]

Just realized how stressful Monday night is going to be. And I pray that won't be an elimination game for the Dodgers. Late afternoon game followed by Broncos-Chargers overlap. Gack. Maybe I'll just turn off the TV and go sit in a meadow somewhere.

[jasonungar]

Cheaters never win. I hate you Manny.

Posted by: DodgersFan | October 15, 2009 at 09:28 PM

I love this one!! What do you hate Manny for? Not cheating anymore??

Forget Gaylord Perry, Manny won. He has 2 rings and I am sure of course he and Ortiz and the rest were all clean.

[Craig88USC]

Lol, UD :)

For me, it's goin' to be a weekend blur today through Monday...watching or attending: LAD-LAD-USC-LAD-LAD with a bunch of Angel games thrown in. When we get our NFL team, I'll have to give up Sunday Nascar and golf.

No I won't. I'll just be cloned. ; )

[Craig88USC]

Plan B - The Dodgers can win 2 of 3 at Clank Bank Park. There.

[Pi-per-View]

Tough game. But this is just another stage in the young Dodgers maturation. Last year, their first loss led to another, and so on.

This year ... well, we'll see tomorrow. I've liked the dealing so far. Both times the Phillies scored, the offense responded (and from the bottom of the order). Now, if we can just turn those big innings of the Phillies into 1 or 2 runs (Sherrill and Kershaw contributed at least as much as the Phillie batters), I think we have the same chance we had before this game started.

The key is the pitching, as it always is.

[Pi-per-View]

To add a small exclamation mark to my previous post, the Phillie pitchers didn't pitch that much better than the Dodgers.

5 walks. That was the difference.

[reddog]

Is anyone else a little concerned about George Sherrill? He was fantastic for the first few weeks, but just recently opponents have been hitting him pretty hard, and his control is flagging. Maybe using Kuo as the set-up man would be a good idea.

I'll be at tomorrow's game, and I predict a 5-2 Dodger victory.

[johnnie b. baker]

sherrill 4 er in playoffs

[miketink]

A few years ago when the young men (and older boys) in my neighborhood started wearing baseball hats with the brim flat I foolishly assumed it was because they didn't know better. I was positive (and still am) that they weren't baseball fans, for example, I doubt that they required ED pills. I did ask one why he likes his hat that way. He told me he likes it to look brand new. It took self control and wishing to keep my lovely body intact to keep from taking their hats and bending the brims the better to keep the sun out of their eyes. Thus when GS joined the Dodgers and I realized he was some sort of nut case I took a dislike to him. This dislike was increased when in many of his appearances I found myself shouting "this guy puts too many men on base". To justify what as time past seemed like a unjustifiable POV, he did have a 1.326 WHIP in August also between his first appearance as a Dodger on July 31 and the end of August he walked 8 in 15.1 innings (not counting IBB's) (and I know I'm reaching. Well his WHIP in Sept/Oct went down to 0.811 so I came to begin to have positive feeling toward him and perhaps I will again someday.

[Eric Enders]

Jon, Joe Sheehan took a (mild) swipe at you in the Baseball Prospectus roundtable tonight if you want to give it a look.

It really cannot be overstated how awful a decision it was for Torre to leave Kershaw in the game against Ryan Howard. I appreciate that he was trying to show confidence in the youngster, but it was mistimed and extremely unwise, and it ended up costing the Dodgers the game. And this after Torre had manipulated his bullpen masterfully in the NLDS. This mistake was Grady-Pedro bad. It was pitching to Jack Clark bad.

Torre let loyalty to Kershaw get in the way of making the right baseball move. Contrast this with Charlie Manuel's philosophy, as quoted by the NY Times last week regarding Brad Lidge:

"The game is more important than my heart. That’s why I’m in the game. That’s why I manage, believe me. I am loyal. I think I’m very loyal, but I always tell my players when I stand up in front of them, the first priority is to win the game.”

It's not often, not often at all, that I wish Charlie Manuel was the Dodgers' manager instead of Joe Torre. Tonight was one of those nights.

[dodgerkramer]

I'll be at tomorrow's game, and I predict a 5-2 Dodger victory.

Posted by: reddog | October 16, 2009 at 12:09 AM

With all due respect .. Koufax, Hershiser and Gagne in their primes couldn't hold this Phillies lineup to two runs.

[FightinPhil]

I just want to know one thing- is Kershaw the best starting pitcher the Dodgers have to throw at the Phillies?

[MikeP]

Thanks for the good writeup.

Based on his recent performance I think Padilla will be the stopper today.

I don't understand why Torre left Kershaw in when he was obviously falling apart. He rightly removed Wolf early under similar circumstances in the St Louis series. Maybe no reliever was ready at the time.

[Bearlurker]

Re the Brim Reaper, yes, I've been worried about him as the 8th inning guy of late and was much more confident with Kuo as setup. But I remained very confident in his ability to get lefties.

[Craig88USC]

RK TEAM R H

162 games-

1 Philadelphia . 820 1439
2 Colorado ..... 804 1408
3 Milwaukee ... 785 1447
4 LA Dodgers . 780 1511

.

.

.

15 San Diego .. 638 1315

[Chunkdog]

In the leadup to this series, we read how Joe had learned from Don Zimmer, "Never wait in the post season."

Guess he forgot that last night.

[Craig88USC]

Posted by: FightinPhil | October 16, 2009 at 04:25 AM

-Yes ;)

He just had an off night.

Good luck to your Phils. :)

[WFC Phils]

Couldnt believe Kershaw is a Game 1 NLCS starter. Mary Hart, William Hurt -- Will the B-Listers be out in force at Dodger Stadium again today? Or does the 1PM time conflict with everyone's facials?

[Ken Noe]

We watched the game last night from a motel. Let's just say we're having plumbing problems at the house.

Good write-up, Jon, and like you and others I think the hinge moment was Kershaw striking out Howard twice and not getting credit for it. Even the TBS crew called Marsh on it. I hate being down a game, but I also feel weirdly optimistic. The offense is alive, the Phillies bullpen is as advertised, and I don't expect Sherrill to collpase again anymore than I did the Ox after one of his blown saves. The Kid will pitch better next time too. Dodgers in six.

[PhillyPhan09]

Phillies Phan from Philly here. Not here to crow, just to offer kudos to a well written piece and obviously intelligent sports fans. We lack both here in Philly.

I do take some issue, however, with the blame being tossed at Torre. The usual criticism of Torre is that he manages "by feel" and is sabermetrically challenged. How else could you explain sitting Orlando Hudson? But with Kershaw and Sherrill, Torre managed by that imaginary book, and the book, and his players, let him down.

[Dave Birrell]

This is the first time the Dodgers have been under .500 since they were 2-3 on April 10th.
Then they won 8 in a row...

(My apologies if this has already been mentioned. I didn't get a chance to read through all the comments in the last thread.)

[Craig88USC]

Win 4 out of 7 this series, then boast of your intellegere, if you must.

[Craig88USC]

I remember that streak, Dave.

I would settle for 8 of our next 13

for the Dodgers 7th !!!!!!!

World Series Title. :)

Btw, how many do the Phillies have? I know at least 1. I think they have only 2 total since the 1880's ... Maybe a Philly fan could correct me on that. Thanks. :)

[bhsportsguy]

Since the revised playoff format for Divisional Series Play in 1997, this is the first time that Seeds 1 & 2 for both leagues made it into the League Championship Series. It's also only the 4th time and first since 2001 where a Wild Card team did not advance to at least the League Championship. And since 1995, only twice have the teams with the best records in their league made the World Series, the last time it happened was in 1999.

[Jack]

I dont have a problem with Torre leaving in Kershaw in the 5th. Sure he was struggling, but he's the best lefty the Dodgers have (and Ryan Howard is not good vs left handed pitching). Considering the propensity of Scott Elbert to give up home runs, I would not have felt better having him face Howard. Although, I would have felt better having them go to Kuo in that situation even though it was 2 innings early...

To me, the Phillies best (Howard) beat the Dodgers best (Kershaw). Thats just the way it goes.

But even then, the game wasnt over. If Sherril does his job, maybe the Dodgers pull it out.

I will say that the left handed pitchers that felt were to the Dodgers advantage (Sherrill & Kershaw) got bombed.

Pedro at Dodger Stadium should be very entertaining today.

[Cey Hey!]

I'm curious as to why a triple post by a Phils "fan" that ignorantly claims half the LA fans at the stadium were scumbag gangbangers wasn't deleted. This site is better than that.

Is it to show that Phillies fans are angry, ignorant, have no perspective and get no real joy or happiness out of watching a sports event? If so, then I can see keeping the post on the site.

[Maddz]

Great job, Jon, though a little painful to relive that. :)

From what I could tell, aside from the error from Utley, the Phillies didn't seem to melt down all that much (maybe Madson did). We still were able to score 6 runs, and I am heartened by that fact.

[Grandpa]

Why do we never read about Kemp in these situations? Was he even in the lineup last night? I'm soooo tired of hearing what a prospective superstar Kemp is, how's he still developing. When was the last time he came up with any sort of clutch hit in a big game?

[Phenomenal Smith]

Game 1 of the Division Series.

[bhsportsguy]

The Phillies led the NL runs scored but they were held to 2 runs or less 38 times (4-34). The Dodgers tied with the Giants with fewest runs allowed in baseball and had 53 games (50-3) where the held their opponent to 2 or less runs.

[DL]

That game last night felt like the 2008 NLCS picked right back up where it left off. The Phillies getting the big hits with runners on base and the Dodgers failing to do so, a young Dodger starter falling apart, one of our ace relievers getting torched... Deja vu all over again.

The Phillies could not have scored their runs any more efficiently: 3-run HR, 2-run double, 3-run HR. In the 8th inning, the Dodgers got 4 singles and a sac fly, but no big hits, and we scored only 2 runs. We did hit two homers, same as the Phils, but they came with the bases empty and one man on. Their big fly balls netted them six runs, ours got us three. Aggravating, frustrating, maddening.

Padilla today. Cliff Lee on Sunday. If this team is ever going to take the next big step, they better do it right now.

[Vishal]

isn't it great how dodger fans are snobby wine-and-cheese elites who show up late and leave early, AND we're "scumbag gangbangers", all at the same time?

[Ken Noe]

Cey Hey, compared to the Red Sox-Manny hating trolls last spring, the Giants Train trolls over the summer, and the "Dodger fans" ready to attack at the drop of a ball, these taunting Phils fans quite frankly are pretty unimaginative and harmless. I just shake my head at such posts and wonder, "that's the best you can do? Things have really regressed since the generations that booed Santa and Mike Schmidt."

[Craig88USC]

Manny takes HUGE steps. We're in great hands. Dodgers dance, celebrate & pop open the bubbly on their own home field...

Dodgers in 6

Or if something goes horribly wrong ...

Dodgers in 7 :)

[Doug Minnick]

Some ESPN talking head just described this series as "glitz vs. grit." Sheesh.

I've done my share of complaining about the way some Dodger fans treat opposing fans, but in this case I'm prepared to make an exception. I'd like to send some of these "journalists" and Phillie trolls up into the bathroom in the Top Deck with some Phillie gear on. Then let's hear about glitz and facials.

[Maddz]

We have Beard. He's a lumberjack. And if that doesn't espouse grit, then I'm at a loss.

[unlazy4sports]

Anyone need tix for today's game? I have a couple of inf reserve seats available. Can't make it since my buddy backed out. Send me a message to this handle at g mail dot com if interested.

[regfairfield]

George Sherrill picked a really bad game to get his numbers adjusted back to George Sherrill territory.

How can you describe a team that starts Ronnie Belliard as a team of pretty boys?

[Craig88USC]

LA vs. Philadelphia =

In-N-Out Burgers, "Animal Style" vs. Philly Cheesesteak, fried onions, sautéed green peppers, and mushrooms.

Now I'm hungry and we must jump on a plane..

Go Flotilla! Go Manny! Go Dodgers! ...talk to y'all from Chicagoooo :)

[Ruizadelphia]

Can we please get over the booing Santa incident??? For those of you who do not know the story behind it, here it is. They had planned to bring a Santa Claus out for the game. However, the real santa never showed, and they found an 18 yeard old, skinny, drunk kid to fill in. He was haphazardly dressed, and looked nothing like santa claus we are all accustomed to. Thats why he was booed. We are, for the most part, good fans. We have our share of bad eggs, but everyone does.

-Troll

[gus2327]

Well written Jon...I got heartburn all over again. Haha.
Losing stinks, but plenty of good things revealed themselves last night (couple of really bad things too). I still LOVE our chances. Gotta get Game 2 though. Do Work Padilla! Go Dodgers!

[regfairfield]

If Phillies fans are allowed to play the casual racism card, we should be allowed to play the Philly fans are terrible human beings card.

[Branch Rickey]

There have been a few posts that have defended Torre's (lack of a) move by saying "Kershaw's his best left hander" which I don't understand. Should we sign Koufax because he was the best left hander ever? Kershaw doesn't exist in a vacuum and the question of pulling him had nothing to do with the matchup and everything to do with the fact that he had clearly lost it and was not likely to get Howard out at that moment.
One last angry thought before I shower and get ready to put last night behind me... Did Torre not conceive of the possibility that Jim Thome might get to first base? Is there any possible explanation for his lack of being ready to put in a runner other than Torre falling asleep on that one?

[Ken Noe]

The world's full of bad Santas. Most don't get pelted with snowballs.

[PhillyPhan09]

"Things have really regressed since the generations that booed Santa and Mike Schmidt." Aren't you fighting stupidity with more stupidity?

Many Philly fans, like me, are civil, Fangraphs-worshipping geeks who love baseball and would never toss snowballs at the real Santa. And all fans have the right to boo any superstar, whether it be Mike Schmidt, Manny, Kershaw, Torre or anyone else provided that it is done in proper context (e.g., booing Schmidt at his HOF induction would not be proper, booing Manny, Kershaw and Torre as LA Fans have done this year is entirely proper).

[Branch Rickey]

We weren't insulted. In fact, they called us Porsche-driving, starlet-chasing, cocaine-sniffing, surfboard-waxing, Armani-wearing, spritzer-drinking, sunshine-soaking, tofu-eating, leg-hair-waxing, sunglasses-wearing weinies.

Oh... wait. They called us weinies.

[Maddz]

I just realized that "sunshine-soaking" was in that poorly written diatribe.

That's kind of hard to avoid, being in sunlight.

[PhillyPhan09]

CraigUSC - Phillies are tied for 2nd most WS championships since 1980. "You can look it up."

[Maddz]

Does anyone remember offhand if the Dodger Dogs in the Loge are grilled?

[Hollywood Joe]

I would have left Kershaw in there to face Howard. But hey, I am the idiot who would have left him in to bat and pitch to St. Louis in the last series.

Why would I have left Kershaw in there? Because I believe a struggling Kershaw has a better chance to resume being great, in that moment, than Elbert coming in cold has a chance to be great at all. If the game is turning on a batter I know who I would rather have pitching. Doesn't mean I am right, and clearly in this case the outcome would suggest otherwise, but I make that same move again tomorrow and believe that over time the outcome proves me correct...

I thought the game was a weird one, it is a game you could imagine a million other outcomes for even if every player put in the same quality of effort.

and of course, as we have all heard from Little League up....you can't walk people and expect to win

[Bob Hendley]

Ruizadelphia

BTW, I hate your handle. ;-)

[Ken Noe]

PhillyPhan09, my apparently foggy point was that most of the taunting here as been rather immature and banal. I agree with you about most Philly fans--I'm friends with several--and I encourage you to encourage your brethren to behave civily here rather than stage silly, junior high hit-and-run raids.

[Ruizadelphia]

Bob Hendley, I would probably not like your handle if it was Mannywood! All in good fun.

[kinbote]

"Walking the malamute cheered me up."
Is that what they're calling it these days? ;)

[Bob Hendley]

HJ,

I was actually looking for the hook after he walked Hamels, but that's just me. We may need a ruling from the committee on this one, but I believe if Wolf had been pitching Joe wouldn't have hestitated, cuz Wolf could have dealt with being yanked.

[Hollywood Joe]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

I beg of all of you, please no tired, trite, inane, and utterly meaningless chatter about the cities of LA and Philadelphia or the respective fans the media tells you that you will find in each case.

The characterizations are false, and dumb, and have nothing to do with the outcome of the game, any game.

Sports outcomes as a way to measure the merit of respective cities is just silly.

[doctor]

Kershaw definitely got squeezed by the home plate ump, but I think the bigger factor was Martins absolutely terrible play being the plate. After the 3 "wild pitches" Kershaw lost his confidence. Russ looks maybe hurt to me- a big league catcher has to stop at least one or two of those curveballs.

[SaMo]

I was screaming for Torre to take out Kershaw against Howard.

But then Plaschke agreed with me, and so I have to reconsider the wisdom.

[Hollywood Joe]

Maybe Bob - but I think it has less to do with what Torre thought Kershaw could "handle" than trust in Kershaw's ability and his belief that Kershaw was the best person to pitch to the lefties coming up

Lefties not getting out lefties has been a theme in these playoffs - lets hope the trend corrects in the Dodgers favor fast

and let's not forget, Randy Wolf, god love him, is not Clayton Kershaw....

[Ken Noe]

Torre may be leaving after next year, but according to Diamond, Nancy Bea has signed on for three more.
http://tinyurl.com/ylz7fqg

[billym]

I don't understand how you all think that a missed strike in the fourth inning was what led to Kershaw's downfall in the fifth. The kid just wasn't up to it. Blame the HOF manager in your dugout, not the umpire.

[Hollywood Joe]

"Nancy Bea has signed on for three more."

This makes me so very happy. Nancy Bea is clever and talented and I am a sucker for a live organ at the ballpark

[Branch Rickey]

Kershaw was not in that moment the Kershaw you know and love. He was a mess and everyone but everyone could see it. He was not a pitch away from righting the ship. And it was the 5th, not the 2nd. And it was a 3-1 ballgame. There's not a pitcher on the 40 man roster I would not have preferred in that moment. And as for results, Torre has left him in too long twice in a row and both times, it cost us. Just because we came back in game 2 of the NLDS and just because we almost came back last night doesn't change the fact that Kershaw failed after Torre left him in too long each time. Okay, now I'm really done. Let's get 'em today.

[regfairfield]

Do you go with the guy who clearly doesn't have it, or the guy that hasn't pitched in two weeks and hasn't exactly been an unstoppable dynamo in the majors. It could go either way.

Of course, you can wonder why Elbert was even warming up in the first place if they weren't going to have him face Howard, but that's another story.

[billym]

Does your HOF manager know that, aainst lefties, Vicente Padilla's batting average allowed is higher than Wolf's on-base average allowed, and his on-base average allowed higher than Wolf's slugging average?
I guess Joe lives in a 'what-have-you-done-for-me-lately' world.

[Start Juan Pierre]

Hey I called this perfectly before and during the game.

Before the game I posted here (although due to all kinds of software bugs my posts sometimes do not show up) that the flu and loss of Weaver would crush the Dodgers.

During the game, at the top of the fifth after Kershaw let on the first two men I called my brother and I said: Take Kershaw Out NOw, the next guy is getting at least a double.

I am not even a pitching expert and it was Obvious to me that Kershaw was finished.

Torre did not take Kershaw out, the rest is history.

In his press conference, Torre clearly has the flu himself.

Phills in 5.

[underdog]

Oneof the comments from that film blogger I usually enjoy following on twitter that I mentioned I unfollowed, not because he's a Phillies fan, and I can enjoy good natured ribbing, and cheering and all that, but he, too, started in on some of the obnoxious stereotyping of Dodger fans and LA and all that garbage. It was really disappointing to me. I know he was stressed out by the game (and who knows, very possibly tweeting under the influence) so I cut him slack for awhile. But then he made some comment about how, "Couldn't they use Hollywood FX to CGI people into all those empty seats in LA? Dodger fans couldn't even fill up the stadium, etc etc" those kinds of things... I was done trying to give him facts and fairness back so I just gave up.

I love the personality of people from Philly that I know, and I appreciate the more level headed among the Phils fans who dropped by here (not the ones who are beneath contempt) and unlike some of the latter, I refuse to making sweeping judgements or stereotypes about their fans and their city, especially based on my feelings for their team right now. But I absolutely cannot stand hearing the same in return about my team and my former city and my state and my fans. It's lazy garbage, and unfortunately it gets propelled and propagated by lazy journalists in Philly papers and even on national media outlets.

Gotta rise above it, or turn off the noise, because you can't argue back with hate and stupidity, it's lose-lose.

Let's just play baseball.

[underdog]

billy, there's a thin line between serious conversation and questions, and obnoxiousness. In the NFL they will flag you for taunting. This isn't the NFL, so here we just shun you if you're just being obnoxious.

[Maddz]

The loss of Weaver from the roster crushed us?

You do know that we have Jeff Weaver and not his Jered, right?

Jon put it best when he said Weaver's entrance in games metaphorically deploys the oxygen masks for fans...

[adrain beltre]

Couldnt believe Kershaw is a Game 1 NLCS starter. Mary Hart, William Hurt -- Will the B-Listers be out in force at Dodger Stadium again today? Or does the 1PM time conflict with everyone's facials?

Posted by: WFC Phils | October 16, 2009 at 06:39 AM

I'm sorry I'm a little late on this one, but this comment is way off base. The fact that these "B-listers" are at games all year would do nothing but show how loyal all different types of Dodger fans are. Like Ruizadelphia shows us, things aren't always how Espn says they are. Also, my friend from philly and I were wondering if Ruiz may be better than Russ...

[underdog]

Yeah, I didn't realize the Dodgers' chances were: a) over; b) so dependent on Jeff Weaver. Who knew?

[Philly Phan in San Diego]

Dodger Fans Assaults Girl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGSxOSah4UU

Stay Classy LA!

[billym]

Sorry underdog, I didn't know that pointing out black-and-white stats that the manager should be aware of is relegated to taunting. Wolf has a good history against left-handers, Padilla does not. You do the math. Sorry, if that is taunting. Is everybody in LA-LA land so sensitive?

[Maddz]

This just in: eating Dodger dogs at the game today is more important to my boyfriend than signing our lease and getting the keys to our new apartment.

I'm in love. :)

[regfairfield]

If Charlie Manuel bumped Cole Hamels for Chan Ho Park, I'd make fun of him to. We totally have Vicente Padilla based taunts coming.

[Jacob L]

So who joins Ruiz on the Mt. Rushmore of Dodger killers? To meet my criteria, the player would have to be mediocre or worse against the rest of the league to be considered, so no Pujols.

Jim Eisenreich, for sure.
For some reason, Enos Cabell sticks in my head, but that could just be a faulty memory.
Any pitchers?

[Jacob L]

So who joins Ruiz on the Mt. Rushmore of Dodger killers? To meet my criteria, the player would have to be mediocre or worse against the rest of the league to be considered, so no Pujols.

Jim Eisenreich, for sure.
For some reason, Enos Cabell sticks in my head, but that could just be a faulty memory.
Any pitchers?

[Maddz]

I cry routinely at the AT&T wireless commercial where the girl loses her dog but all the college students in what appears to be UNC rally to help her find her.

I think there's a difference between saying, "Hmm, I wonder if Joe Torre has taken the different numbers into account regarding Padilla's performance against left handers" and "Your HOF manager this" and "Your HOF manager that".

And yes, I would agree, Torre seems to be quite situational. That's why Belliard is starting and Hudson is not, according to popular belief. I don't know if I agree with it, necessarily.

UD, you live in Marin now?

[underdog]

It's fine to point out the feeling that Torre made a mistake or doubting Padilla, but repeated comments about "your manager" on the nght after a very tough loss seem obnoxious to me. I'm not really that sensitive, no, but it's also possible I and other D fans here are more sensitive than normal after that loss, too.

[Jacob L]

Oops. Sorry the double post.

[SFJoePa]

CraigUSC - Phillies are tied for 2nd most WS championships since 1980. "You can look it up."

Posted by: PhillyPhan09 | October 16, 2009 at 08:35 AM

I looked it up and was really surprised that the Phillies are also tied for the most WS championships since 2008.

Logical Fallacy --> sample selection bias. You can look that up too.

[SFJoePa]

CraigUSC - Phillies are tied for 2nd most WS championships since 1980. "You can look it up."

Posted by: PhillyPhan09 | October 16, 2009 at 08:35 AM

I looked it up and was really surprised that the Phillies are also tied for the most WS championships since 2008.

Logical Fallacy --> sample selection bias. You can look that up too.

[SFJoePa]

CraigUSC - Phillies are tied for 2nd most WS championships since 1980. "You can look it up."

Posted by: PhillyPhan09 | October 16, 2009 at 08:35 AM

I looked it up and was really surprised that the Phillies are also tied for the most WS championships since 2008.

Logical Fallacy --> sample selection bias. You can look that up too.

[SFJoePa]

CraigUSC - Phillies are tied for 2nd most WS championships since 1980. "You can look it up."

Posted by: PhillyPhan09 | October 16, 2009 at 08:35 AM

I looked it up and was really surprised that the Phillies are also tied for the most WS championships since 2008.

Logical Fallacy --> sample selection bias. You can look that up too.

[SFJoePa]

CraigUSC - Phillies are tied for 2nd most WS championships since 1980. "You can look it up."

Posted by: PhillyPhan09 | October 16, 2009 at 08:35 AM

I looked it up and was really surprised that the Phillies are also tied for the most WS championships since 2008.

Logical Fallacy --> sample selection bias. You can look that up too.

[SFJoePa]

CraigUSC - Phillies are tied for 2nd most WS championships since 1980. "You can look it up."

Posted by: PhillyPhan09 | October 16, 2009 at 08:35 AM

I looked it up and was really surprised that the Phillies are also tied for the most WS championships since 2008.

Logical Fallacy --> sample selection bias. You can look that up too.