The short lived euphoria of Monday night gave way to the stark realization on Tuesday that the Dodgers just aren't that good. After a miracle comeback to snatch victory and first place from the Friars, the Dodgers decided to follow up that magical performance by laying an egg to the Pittsburg Pirates. In the end, ole Trace ended up with the big "F' You" to those "Haaaard Ons" the McCourts and the fans.
Again the problem with the Dodgers seems pretty elementary. They can't pitch, and when you can't do that you aren't going to win too many ball games, especially against teams that you should handle with great ease. For those that thought that Monday night's loss would have devestated the Fathers, all you have to know is that while I write this post, they are well on their way to kicking the Diamondback's teeth in. So much for the straw that broke the camel's back. No, instead the surprising come from behind win only managed to sink the Dodgers and their fans deeper into the myopic abyss where dillusions of granduer and visions of pennants danced in their heads. Much like Kobe's 81, the history made at the Ravine served as more off a burden then a blessing.
Nomar Garciaparra, last night's hero, apparently decided to take the night off against Ian Snell, a crafty young pitcher that came into this game with an overwhelming 13-10 record and an ERA of around 4.60. Those numbers are down right Dave Stewart like if you ask me. All Mr. Hamm did was go 0-fer. The Dodgers countered with Hong-Chih Kuo, a crafty rookie lefty that did his best, but in a tight pennant race was unable to control the feared bat of Xavier Nady. With trouble looming in the sixth inning, Grady decided to bring in the "player to be named" in the Odalis Perez deal, Elmer Dessens, and give up the possibility of winning the game by issuing a grand slam to, ah you'll excuse me if the Pirate superstar's name escapes me at the moment. Brett Tomko was then brought in to clean up the mess, and well it wasn't pretty. Let's just say that there was a good chance Marlon Anderson's homer in the 8th would have tied the game, not just brought them to within FOUR runs.
So Dodgers wasted a valuable opportunity, and in the process kept their hopes alive for making their October vacations plans. See, this team's uncanny ability to lose the games they are supposed to win, and that good CHAMPIONSHIP quality teams win, is a clear indication of why this team lacks the pieces to seriously compete. They can't hit all that well, they are decent in the fielding department, and their pitching would have trouble getting outs at a father/son game. They are not built for anything except the occasional come from behind win that fans seem to take with the same enthusiasm as a playoff series win. They are a mediocre team that is being beaten by teams with far less talent and far less fan expectations. Monday night's anomoly aside, the Dodgers are 3-8 in extra inning games, with no wins on the road, and have a 17 loses when tied or trailing in the 7,8, and 9th innings. Translation, the bullpen sucks and the batters can't hit in the clutch. Least I remember, all those teams with magical season like the Angels, White Sox, Red Sox, and Marlins all made a habit of winning in the pinch and getting that key base hit with runners in scoring position.
Another key to a championship team is their pitching, which gets compressed and magnified in the post season. With runs at a premium, the "keep it to 8 runs" strategy that Grady has been trying to have his pitchers adhere to isn't going to cut it in the post season. Right now, I wouldn't trust Brett Tomko or Aaron Sele to gas up the whip let alone get crucial outs in tight spots. Further, the giant with the serious backne problem, Mark Hendrickson, should probably look to see if he could still line up opposite Richard Jefferson for the Nets rather then maintain a spot in the Dodger's bullpen. I guess the fact that he is 6'5" tall doesn't make him "just like Randy Johnson" does it Ned Colleti? Hey Ned, way to go!
What truly is lost in that great Monday night rally was that the hero of the day could have very easily been the goat. With runners on second and third in the 8th inning, Nomar struckout on a 2-2 pitch from Scott Linebrink. Fortunately, the bats got hot and Mr. Hamm had a chance to redeem himself. Those who are a little less optimisitic like to look at more telling numbers, like the 0-for that he posted tonight.
In the end, the Dodgers are playing with fire, down right towering infernos if they think they can follow up great performances with stinkers like tonight. They fail to realize the importance of a pennant chase and seem to think that taking the night off is OK because, hey "we made history last night and went back into first place!" Unfortunately for them and for us, it doesn't really matter what you do in the 150th game of the season.
As for the old skipper Jim, his tenure was probably just like 'a candle in the wind,' Please see Petros Papadakis Show for that reference, but atleast for one night he was able to stick it to the McCourts and put his stamp on the Dodger's season. If the team goes on to miss the playoffs, they will look to this night as the one that killed their season.
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