One down, 162 to go
As anyone who is around this game on a regular basis will tell you, the best game of any baseball season is Game 2. If opening day is sensory overload, Game 2 is sweet normalcy, and I can't wait to get here tomorrow. As for the rest of today, well, let's just say there is a lot of work to be done. ... Anyway, one thing that was really, really encouraging today was the way the Dodgers worked Zito, getting his pitch count to 87 by the time he was pulled after just five innings. The philosophy behind that strategy is that you get a starter out of the game early and get to the middle relief. Well, the Dodgers actually scored four of their five runs off Zito and only one off middle reliever Merkin Valdez. But the strategy is a proven one, and if the Dodgers can keep it up, it will serve them very well as the season goes along. ... By the way, I can't stop myself from pointing out that Andre Ethier and Juan Pierre now have exactly the same number of hits this season.
Tony Jackson has covered the Dodgers for the Daily News since 2004 and has covered Major League Baseball on a regular basis since 1995. He previously covered the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. He is a native of Springdale, Ark., and a graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Comments
That's why I was surprised to see Jones and Martin swing at the first pitch in the ending before Zito was lifted for a pinch-hitter.
Posted by: Jim | March 31, 2008 7:24 PM
Tony, Your comment on Ethier going 0 for 4 today is really a cheap shot. First, Zito is extremely tough on lefties. Second, Andre hit a smash back to the mound that could have easily been a single. He also hit a wicked line drive to center for an out. Are you having second thoughts about Pierre not starting? I now wonder whether your "I was wrong" blog was sincere. Why didn't you point out that Martin also went hitless. My opinion of you has dropped immeasurably.
Posted by: Jim | March 31, 2008 8:06 PM
Do you have some kind of personal vendetta against Ethier? It's Opening Day, and I would suspect a journalist of your caliber would reserve judgement on a player until later than the first game of the season. I expect better from you.
Posted by: Morgan McReynolds | March 31, 2008 8:28 PM
Tony is just having a little fun. No need to take it so seriously.
Posted by: brendan | March 31, 2008 10:51 PM
Yo Tony! I am a hardcore Ethier fan but I am sane enough to take this post in good fun.
BUT I HAVE A SERIOUS QUESTION: Did the awful "Go Dodgers Go" song or the other bad music choices from the Coliseum make an appearance today? Is "I Love L.A." still the victory song?
Posted by: We Love It | March 31, 2008 11:37 PM
The Pinch runner is not a good fielder like Eithier.
Posted by: Dodger Dawg | April 1, 2008 8:25 AM
By the way, I can't stop myself from pointing out that Andre Ethier and Juan Pierre now have exactly the same number of hits this season.
And that's as close as Pierre is going to get.
Posted by: Dusto | April 1, 2008 8:58 AM
You meant 161 games to go, right?
Posted by: Mario DiLeo | April 1, 2008 9:17 AM
now how many hits does ethier have compared to pierre?
Posted by: David | April 1, 2008 9:35 PM
And they have the same number of stolen bases...
Posted by: chuck | April 2, 2008 5:55 PM