Game Notes: Dodgers vs. Indians (Finale)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have started their series finale with the Cleveland Indians. Here are some notes on the game thus far:

• It's 94 degrees (F) at game-time on this Sunday afternoon. But surprisingly, the stands are almost empty. Where are all the Dodgers' fans?
• Chad Billingsley started off the game by retiring the side without getting a hit. He did, however, nail Shin-Soo Choo with a 92-MPH fastball. But, the pitch was clean and purely unintentional. 
• Matt Kemp moved Pierre to third-base on a ground-rule double. The Dodgers are fortunate to have two runners in scoring-positions with no-outs.
• James Loney made contact for a two-RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. Juan Pierre and Matt Kemp scored.
• Russell Martin whacked his seventh homerun of the 2008 Regular Season. James Loney scored.
• The first-inning finally comes to a close with the Dodgers leading the Indians, 4-0. It took Paul Byrd 28 pitches to retire the side.
• In the top of the third-inning, the Cleveland Indians struck Chad Billingsley and the Dodgers to score three runs. Thankfully, the inning has now ended and the Dodgers still have a slim lead over the Indians, 4-3.
• In the top of the fourth-inning, Chad Billingsley has already thrown 88 pitches. It would be perfect to hand the ball over to the Dodgers' bullpen in a couple of innings. However, the Dodgers' bullpen is depleted.
• Luis Maza robbed slugger, Grady Sizemore, of a hit in the top of the fourth-inning. Maza made a tremendous over-the-head catch to end the half.
• In the bottom of the fourth-inning, Grady Sizemore got his revenge. The centerfield made a spectacular diving-catch to help Paul Byrd retire the side 1-2-3.
• Peralta tried to score on a David Dellucci-double in the top of the fifth-inning. But, a tailor-made relay to home gets him out.
• Hong Chih-Kuo replaced Chad Billingsley in the top of the sixth-inning. Billingsley ends the day pitching five innings and giving up three earned-runs.
• Joe Beimel and Jonathan Broxton make appearances, both striking out one batter. It's surprising to see Beimel pitching today, considering his last outing was yesterday.
• Takashi Saito came in to close the game to pick up his eleventh save of 2008. Jamey Carroll was called out on strikes to end the game.

I started off this blog post with a couple of notes about today's game, but it eventually turned into a Live Blog. I thought that the Dodgers did a spectacular job picking up the win today although Chad Billingsley was a bit shaky in his outing. Luckily, the Dodgers have an off-day tomorrow to rest their pitchers and bullpen.

Blog Note: I have added a blog-roll to the side of this blog. As you can see, this blog is still under construction and I am changing the theme every second. Hopefully, I will find a clean, SEO-friendly theme by the end of the week. Until then, please mind our renovation.

Update: Here is a video clip showing the highlights from the exciting game.

Preview: Dodgers vs. Indians (Finale)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have the final game of their three game series against the Cleveland Indians later today. Los Angeles is hoping to avoid a sweep after losing their last two games to the Indians in extra-innings. But, the Dodgers should be able to get a win today.

Chad Billingsley will be pitching for the Dodgers. In his last start, the hurler gave up only one run in 6 1/3 innings on the mound. The Dodgers hope that he will be able to pitch seven innings in today's game.

The Dodgers have used a total of ten relief pitchers in the past couple of games. Currently, only Takashi Saito and Jonathan Broxton are possibilities to make appearances from the bullpen in today's game. The Dodgers may need to make some pre-game transactions to add depth to their bullpen.

Dodger Sims believes that Los Angeles will defeat the Indians in their series finale. If the Dodgers can capitalize on Paul Byrd's inconsistent pitching, then they can win. Byrd has allowed a league-high 19 homeruns in 2008 thus far.