“Diary of the Dodger fan” or “As the Stomach Turns in the Late Innings”

Tony Gwynn Jr. makes his game saving catch to end the game

7:27 PM

I got home from a late day at work to find the blue up 7-1 in the top of the 7th inning.  It’s nice to see another lead.  Do I dare start writing about a potential win, or is it premature?  The bullpen needs to record 9 outs and give up less than 6 runs.  In past years this would be a win 99.99% of the time.  This year, who knows?

8:00 PM

Fast forward 1 inning, and the bullpen and Dodger defense is imploding.  7-6 now in the bottom of the eighth.  I hate everything about Colorado.  And to think that I was considering taking a road trip out there for a weekend series.  Good thing those plans didn’t happen.  This team was doing worse with Broxton as the closer?

8:32 PM

Okay, the topsy turvy world of Dodger baseball has now resulted in a 4-run top of the Dodger ninth, so Javy Guerra comes in to attempt to record the final three outs as the Dodgers lead 11-6.

8:33 PM

Carlos Gonzales leads off with a ground rule double.

8:34 PM

Line drive snagged by Guerra and Cargo is doubled off.  Whew! One out away as Giambi comes to the plate.

8:44 PM

After Giambi, Tulowitski and Wiggington single, (with a run scoring), Spillborghs walks.  Guerra survives by the skin of his teeth thanks to a diving grab by Tony Gwynn Jr. on Blackman’s drive to left that would have scored three runs.  The tying run was at the plate.  Did I mention that I hate Colorado?

So that first comment I made questioning whether the bullpen could hold the Rockies to less than 6 runs and record 9 outs.  The answer again is “no.”   These are sad days indeed.

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It has been one of those weeks at work where I have been so swamped that I could barely pay any attention to the blog or the Dodgers, which has been a blessing in disguise I think.  

Now I have a weeks vacation starting tonight, with the next 24 hours being a road trip back to SoCal.  Yes, I’ll get back to Dodger Stadium this week and I look forward to stopping by and visiting family and some friends.