Brewers 9, Dodgers 5
How long can the club keep riding Brett Tomko? That was the question, exact wording, that I asked Grady Little after the game. The answer was short, vague and in no way a ringing endorsement. ``We'll see,'' he said. I kept waiting for the elaboration. but there wasn't any. Tomko clearly is in trouble, and well he should be at 1-5 with a 6.28 ERA. And while it's clear that Chad Billingsley isn't ready to take Tomko's spot -- he gave up hits to four of the six batters he faced, allowed two of Tomko's runners to score and gave up a run of his own -- don't forget about D.J. Houlton. This guy isn't the same, inconsistent, not-ready-for-prime-time rookie the Dodgers suffered through as a Rule 5 pick in 2005. He overhauled his mechanics in spring training, taking a side mound almost every morning while pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, bullpen coach Dan Warthen and a varied host of minor-league pitching coaches like Ken Howell, Marty Reed, Danny Darwin, Charlie Hough all watched intently. It had to be somewhat embarrassing for the kid, having all those coaches standing around him every morning. But it worked. Houlton is 5-2 with a 3.28 ERA at Las Vegas, and the Dodgers are in desperate need of another reliable starter. ... Funny thing about Furcal's Pals, this program Rafael Furcal has started this season where he brings kids out to the ballpark. The correct pronunciation of Furcal's last name, from what I have been told, is Fur-CAHL. That doesn't rhyme with ``pals.'' But when the program was referenced by the Dodger Stadium PA guy tonight, it was pronounced Fur-CAL's pals. Conveniently, that does rhyme. ... Kudos to Dodgers clubhouse manager Mitch Poole, who a couple of days ago changed the ring tone on his cell phone. The new one is Journey's Don't Stop Believin'. If, like Mitch and myself, you were a teenager during the 1980s, I don't have to tell you why that is simply OUTSTANDING.
Tony Jackson is in his fourth season covering the Dodgers for the 
Comments
Billingsley or Kuo will get their shot before Houlton. These guys have proven that they're better starters than relievers (especially in Kuo's case) and I know the Dodgers like power arms.
It's too bad Bills had the rough outing; he's been one of the few bright spots on this team in a while.
Posted by: Marcel | May 22, 2007 7:36 AM
I agree with Marcel, though any one of those three would be better than Tomko. I think Bills and Kuo both are going to show us more as starters than as relievers. Bills needs to start, with no runners on. In fairness to Tomko, he made a few bad pitches and was otherwise okay until losing it in the 6th - but that's typical of him, those bad pitches get hammered and he loses it in the 6th. If nothing else, it'll be more fun to watch the team if one of the young pitchers is starting instead. Tomko also doesn't control the offense, which needs to get going more consistently.
Posted by: Craig Phillips
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May 22, 2007 9:23 AM
There was a foul ball hit to left field in that terrible 6th last night that Gonzo could not catch due to the new seats that were added prior to the 2005 season. With a temperamental pitcher such as Tomko on the mound, one cannot help but wonder how he would have responded had Gonzo made the catch (maybe he would have relaxed a bit and gotten out of the inning). Without a DOUBT that ball would have been caught pre-2005.
Although Fox did make changes to the stadium during their tenure (the dugout club, horrible rubber track, and more seats along the baseline), they were nowhere near as significant as the 2005 additions of many more seats along the lines.
My question is if there is any data showing the effects of the new configuration on both offense and defense for the Dodgers and their opposition?
Posted by: Marc P. | May 22, 2007 11:58 AM
TJ--It looks like Tony Abreu has been called up! He's on the Active Roster at Dodgers.com (incorrectly listed in the Pitchers section) and Kuo is listed as inactive.
Please check on this potentially great news...
Posted by: Marcel | May 22, 2007 12:47 PM
As the Infield Turns---brought to you by Your Los Angeles Dodgers.
Posted by: J.L. | May 22, 2007 2:35 PM
It's official (per Dodger P.R. Josh Rawitch): Abreu up, Kuo down.
This could be the offensive sparkplug we need.
Posted by: Marcel | May 22, 2007 2:51 PM
You guys scooped me again (see the thread I just posted). Abreu is, indeed, up. Kuo is, indeed, down. As far as the foul ball date that Marc P. asked about, the Dodgers PR staff kept some loose, unofficial tally back in 2005, but everyone has kind of forgotten about it by now. It has been three years. The ballpark is what it is, and it ain't going back. Good question, though.
Posted by: tony jackson | May 22, 2007 4:05 PM