Tonight's lineup: Betemit, Kemp in, Abreu, Ethier out
Betemit is hitting .400 (6 for 15) for June, with two homers, four RBI, six walks, a .571 OBP and an .800 slugging percentage. Abreu is 6 for 35. Meanwhile, Kemp is 7 for 10 for the homestand, with a home run and seven RBI, while Ethier is 1 for 12.
SS Furcal -- hitting .395 w/RISP and two outs
CF Pierre -- 8-20 on homestand
1B Nomar -- 3-16 on homestand
2B Kent
LF Gonzo -- striking out every 13.6 PAs
C Martin -- 3-22 on homestand
3B Betemit
RF Kemp
RH Lowe
Also, this hitting coach thing isn't going to be resolved anytime soon, and there is a remote possibility that Bill Mueller could remain in the job on an interim basis the rest of the year. I'm told there is absolutely no sense of urgency to it. The most interesting thing we learned today is that Manny Mota is suddenly travling again. The reason we were told just before opening day that he wouldn't be traveling this year is that MLB was cracking down on clubs violating the limit of uniformed coaches in the dugout or the bullpen. Well, Manny still isn't going to be in the dugout during games. But suddenly, now that Eddie is gone, he is traveling again? Hmmmmmmm.
Tony Jackson is in his fourth season covering the Dodgers for the 
Comments
TJ---It seems like Mueller is doing everyone a favor by taking this job, not doing it cause he wants to. Is that the sense that you get?
Posted by: J.L. | June 15, 2007 6:51 PM
If Manny can get into JP's head and have him be a more patient hitter that would work wonders.
Don't know why everyone is on the hate JP bandwagon. Sure he has his minuses, but he has his pluses also and they are rarely mentioned.
Posted by: Seastheday | June 15, 2007 6:57 PM
i hope manny tries and talk Pierre into retirement.
Posted by: The_Great_Arcade_Fire | June 15, 2007 8:12 PM
retirement*
Posted by: The_Great_Arcade_Fire | June 15, 2007 8:13 PM
J.L., I think you're right on Mueller FOR NOW, but I think he also is keeping an open mind to the fact that he might like this and want to stick with it. I think his primary objection is that he lives in Arizona, where he has a young family.
Posted by: tony jackson | June 15, 2007 9:02 PM