Offensive Inconsistency

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Joe Torre is looking for offensive consistency in the Dodgers' youthful line-up. He taught the organization during Spring Training to execute on scoring opportunities and to make opposing pitchers work on the mound. The Dodgers haven't been doing that recently, resulting in losing 20 out of their last 30 games.

In the Dodgers' recent series against the Cleveland Indians, they left a total of 23 runners-on-base. Los Angeles only scored 10 runs in the entire series. If they were able to capitalize on some of their various scoring-opportunities, they would have probably been able to get more than one win in the three-game series.

Joe Torre said, "There really wasn't a lot of at-bat finnesse to it. That has to change. It has (taken) a long time. We certainly know we're capable of being a better, more consistent offensive team." Hopefully, Joe Torre can change his team's ways and get a win tonight over the White Sox.

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.

Recap: Peralta & Indians Win, 7-2.

Jhonny Peralta did it again.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians went into extra-innings tied at two. Then, in the top of the tenth-inning, Peralta hit an RBI-single off of reliever, Scott Proctor. The Indians widened the gap by scoring five runs afterwards.

Proctor surrendered four runs on three hits without getting an out. Proctor, despite being Joe Torre's right-hand man in the bullpen, should spend some time in the Minor Leagues and redevelop his pitching mechanics. His 6.82 ERA in 2008 thus far has certainly not been helping the Dodgers' bullpen at all.

Ramon Troncoso appeared in the game snagging two outs. The reliever only gave up one hit in the short outing. Hopefully, we will see more of him in the future so that we all have a better understanding of how well he pitches.

Chan Ho Park made his second start of 2008. The hurler went five innings, striking out nine batters. It's shameful when such spectacular performances are wasted and do not pick-up a win. But thus far, Park looks like a solid alternative to the injured, Hiroki Kuroda, in the Dodgers' starting rotation. Regardless, the Dodgers should use him as a spot-starter more often.

The Dodgers' offense needed more than Matt Kemp's solo home-run in the sixth inning off of C.C. Sabathia. The only other run for the Dodgers came in on a James Loney double in the bottom of the tenth-inning. Hopefully, the Dodgers will develop "hot bats," in the near future.

Lastly, Delwyn Young struck out three times in five trips to the plate. I wrote a post about him early today on my other blog calling him, "Delwyn Young: The Successor." Hopefully, he won't let me (and my fellow Dodgers fans) down.

Kent Knocks in a Pair of RBIs

Despite the Dodgers' 6-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians, Jeff Kent had a decent game. The 40-year-old veteran made contact for a pair of doubles and RBIs. He has been having a sensational season considering his current age and health status. However, the Dodgers must begin looking for a long-term solution at second-base because Kent will probably retire at the close of the 2008 Regular Season.

Update: Is the answer Delwyn Young? I think so. To read more about my opinion on Delwyn Young, please read an extensive article on my other blog, naming "Delwyn Young: The Successor."

Recap: Indians Wins 6-4 in Ten

The Los Angeles Dodgers rallied back from a two-run deficit to push last night's game against the Cleveland Indians into extra-innings. But in the top of the tenth-inning, Jhonny Peralta hit a two-RBI double off of Takashi Saito. Los Angeles lost the game, 6-4, which was their first loss to the Indians since the 1920 World Series.

Update: Russell Martin said, ""I don't know if it's something physical, but he's having a hard time locating the fastball on his glove side -- away to right-handers." I wonder if it's his age (39-years-old) getting to him. Hopefully, he'll get to the bottom of this and continue being a dominant closer in the National League.

Preview: Dodgers vs. Indians

The Dodgers have a late game scheduled tonight against the Cleveland Indians. Clayton Kershaw will be pitching for Los Angeles against Cleveland's premiere ace, Cliff Lee. It should be an exciting pitching duel between two young southpaws.

Clayton Kershaw's last start was cut short by a rain delay. The youngster's biggest issue in his career thus far has been his mediocre control. In five games, the rookie has walked 15 batters.

Cliff Lee, on the other hand, has been having a phenomenal year for the Indians. The southpaw has recorded a splendid 10-1 record with a 2.55 ERA in 2008 thus far. He should be a potential candidate for the AL Cy Young Award.

Kuroda Hits the DL

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed right-handed hurler, Hiroki Kuroda, on the 15-Day Disabled-List. The rookie has been recently suffering from a case of tendinitis in his right shoulder. Hopefully, this injury will not be serious and haunt the 33-year-old pitcher throughout his career.

Chan Ho Park is expected to be the starting-pitcher for tomorrow's game against the Cleveland Indians. In Park's only start for the Dodgers in 2008 thus far, he surrendered one run in four innings of work. He should be able to pitch about six innings tomorrow.