Cubs 5, Dodgers 4
Are you tired of reading about Dodgers' losses? I know I'm tired of writing about them. So instead of doing that, I thought I would post another one of those press box photos the boss asked me for. Almost all of you have seen Dodger Stadium, but tonight before the sun went down was a particularly gorgeous evening here. For numerous reasons, I sit in the second row, even though the Daily News has two assigned spots in the first row. The head in the lower-left corner of the photo belongs to Kevin Pearson of the Press-Enterprise, who was here filling in for Diamond Leung tonight. The boss also specified that the views I post be completely authentic, to include all obstructions such as raised laptop screens, the backs of other reporters' heads, cups of coffee. etc. So here you go. If you're really bored, you can use this photo to play Where's Lou Piniella? ... btw, Dodgers fall to 28-32 and four behind the Snakes.
This is not meant to voice my displeasure with DeWitt and Kemp, because I like both players a lot. However, a little better situational hitting by both of them might have altered the result. DeWitt had the count at 2-0 when he swung at a pitch that was clearly well inside, and pulled it foul. Instead of being 3-0, the count went to 2-1, and Wood was able to come back for the strikeout. If DeWitt could have worked his way on base, Hu would have been bunting with no outs and runners on first and second. Or perhaps, with a more favorable count DeWitt would have gotten a good pitch to hit.
Kemp of course had no business swinging at ball four with the bases loaded in that situation (especially since the count was 3-1 and not 3-2). Both hitters should have been looking for pitches in a particular zone, and should have laid off anything that wasn't there. In both cases, it was probably the result of being young and overanxious. Hopefully they both come away with something learned.
Awesome picture... this team is garbage.
I have had the pleasure of seeing your view from the press box but of course it was hours before a game. I saw the little tags that indicated who sat where in the press box, including the official score keeper.
I am curious regarding the several reasons you sit in the second row though.
Either way, it has to be a fine way to watch the game, especially for a guy used to being in the upper levels and down the lines.