Dodgers 7, Brewers 3
The Dodgers lost two non-roster players in the seventh inning when lefty Erick Threets felt something in his shoulder and had to be removed from the game and infielder Doug Mientkiewicz, who is fighting for one of the last 25-man roster spots, hurt his quadriceps coming out of the batter's box after hitting a ground ball to second base. Joe Torre said Threets was shaking when they went out to check on him, but initial tests didn't show anything serious. Mientkiewicz is expected to miss at least a week just as spring training hits a critical juncture as far as evaluating those players hoping to make the team. ... Russell Martin had a big game, going 2 for 4 with a single and a home run and two RBI. Clayton Kershaw had one of his best outings yet, going 3 2/3 and allowing two runs on four hits, although a questionable scoring decision would have resulted in one of those runs being unearned if Blake DeWitt had been charged with an error on a ball he botched in the third inning that was ruled a hit because it took a tough hop. ... Juan Pierre had two hits, including a double, and stole two bases. He also drew a walk. ... Mark Loretta had a big day, doing 2 for 3 with a single, double and walk. Delwyn Young had a home run. And Juan Castro finally cooled off, going 0 for 5 to drop his average to .444. ... Dodgers improve to 10-6 counting the win over South Korea, and for purposes of this blog, I'm GOING to count it for the rest of the spring. Feel free to disagree. If you do, just subtract one from the win column.
Tony,
In the previous thread you said that Jason Schmidt would be pitching against Oakland on Sunday. Actually, the Dodgers have a split squad game against Oakland in Phoenix on MONDAY. The other part of that split squad will be playing the Mariners at Peoria.
Regarding Threets, he has definitely caught my attention this spring. He's a 27 year old out of the Giants organization whose stats indicate that he has had control problems in the past. With lefthanders, you never know. At the very least he's intriguing, and it appears that Scott Elbert could use some more seasoning (possibly as a starter).
Technical Problem: Everytime I attempt to post on this blog I am asked to sign in, despite always clicking the box in Movable Type to "remember me". Apparently, no cookies are being uploaded to my computer. Do you know anything about this?
BD, I have the same issue. I figured it was something on my computer, some setting that is beyond my experience or patience to mess around with.
With all that action in today's game the most important thing was Kershaw's 5 K outing.
The 4 regular starters are all doing well this spring, all they have to do is continue it.
I hope Broxton is getting enough work with team USA, I haven't heard anything about him.
We wouldn't want him to get rusty, would we Tony?
Good call, Tony. The Korea game should count. After all, if these games don't count why should we NOT count one of them and count the rest. As far as I'm concerned all teams in Spring Training are 0-0 and should be left as such.
Just read Tony's story about how the Dodgers staff is looking 'better than advertised.' Well, yeah.
I knew all along that the criticism regarding the rotation was largely unfounded (far too much upside with the top four) and tried to voice that on this blog. But, I guess optimistic opinions just aren't as sexy these days, which is sad.