With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Dodgers on a Three-Game Winning Streak
()
Guess who popped up with the Padres Tuesday? If you guessed Brett Tomko you would be right.
Talk about tit for tat, the Padres acquired Tomko when he cleared waivers after being released by the Dodgers. If you remember, the Dodgers did the same when the bowling ball that is David Wells was released by the Padres. Collective dumpster diving much?
Tomko, who had gotten the most boos at Dodger Stadium second to Barry Bonds, was a complete nightmare this season for the Dodgers. He went 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA. The times he did pitch well the offense gave him no runs. Then there were times when he was just plain horrible.
Support for LAist comes from
Having said that, I know there will be at least one game this month where he will completely dominate the Dodgers. Earlier this season former catcher and current Tampa Bay Devil Ray Dioner Navarro hit his first homer of the season against the Dodgers. There is no reason why I don’t see the same thing happening in Tomko’s case.
To more uplifting news the Dodgers are surprising me. I knew they had a good chance of winning this game, but usually that means they find ways of losing those games.
Despite early base running blunders by resident blunder Matt Kemp, they came roaring back in the fifth inning with two strikes and the game tied when Brad Penny decided to take the offense in his own hands. He hit a double that hit the left field line and ended up scoring on Juan Pierre’s single. The Dodgers would go on to a 6-2 victory earning Penny his 15th win.
The most important part of that fifth inning was the two-out scoring the Dodgers managed. Every good team has the ability to make the opposition crumble in two-out situations. The question is whether the Dodgers can continue this production. If they can, then they have a shot to smell October.
Of course I realize that by bringing this up, the Dodgers will go cold for the next week and find themselves all but eliminated from postseason contention. It's the Dodger way, right?
By the way, it's a welcoming sight to see the minor league call ups now. Let's say hi to catcher Chad Moeller, infielders Chin-Lung Hu, Andy LaRoche, Wilson Valdez and Tony Abreu, outfielder Delwyn Young and pitchers Jonathan Meloan, Eric Hull and Eric Stults. From what I hear Tony Abreu will speak sometime today or tomorrow about his mysterious abdominal injury that forced him to miss play when he was sent back down to Las Vegas.
Tomorrow's matchup features Eric Stults on the mound for the Blue Crew and Ted Lilly for the Cubs. Lilly hasn't been sharp in his last four starts with a 0-2 record and a 6.55 ERA. If the Dodgers can continue their offensive output they should have no problem in taking game three of the series.
Support for LAist comes from
AP Photo by Brian Kersey
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist