Bullpen Fail

Those are the ups and downs of baseball life. You have the highs and lows of wins and losses. You feel as though no one can ever beat you and then you think it’s the end of the world. The last two games of the Cubs series proved that to be true.

Game three was one of those games that makes you feel that the Dodgers can win the World Series. And then game four was one of those games that makes you look furtively at the exit gates of the stadium in the 7th inning.

The night games all start with early batting practice. There is no early entry on day games.

Thursday’s game was one of those you dread because it was a day game. It was hot and unpleasant. It was a sellout crowd which makes me wonder whether Dodger fans actually work. There were 53,000 and this was a day game. It was very crowded especially in the club. True that when you have access to an air conditioned club, that’s where you stay when it’s hot but I questioned whether everyone who was in the crowded club actually belonged there. I hope no one is getting into the club without having a ticket. I pay an exorbitant amount to have the privilege of baseline benefits. I’m not a rich person and work hard for a living. If people are getting the same privileges as I am getting without paying, I think it’s very unfair. I actually complained to the people at the door that someone had seen people coming in the back door. I understand that in a large organization such as the Dodgers, you will find those who bend the rules, but I think it’s getting way out of hand. Maybe it’s ok that people get freebies but not ok with us who pay to be there.

There has been a lot of counterfeiting of baseline tickets. Dodger security has been working hard to catch these people. Maybe they need to be in the club too to check hand stamps or have someone posted at the back door to make sure no one gets in without a ticket.

The food in the baseline club is always outstanding. Unfair that those who don’t pay make the chefs work harder to prepare the food.

Wednesdays game was one that made you think that the Dodgers could never lose. They were on the verge of overtaking the Dodgers homerun record for a single month…53. Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger all hit homeruns.

Bob Geren had assured us that the Dodgers would be in first place sometime soon. Wednesday’s game made us agree but Thursday’s made us unsure.

Matt was in good cheer on Wednesday although he was serving his one game suspension for a pretty harmless shove after first getting shoved himself. Love you Matt. We’re all supporting you for the All-Star vote! Please everyone vote for him. You can vote every day. He deserves it.

Alex Wood had a fantastic game. Of course I was wearing his jersey as I had assured him the day before.

Thankfully the Cubs starter on Wednesday was not at his best. Kyle Hendricks was taken out of the game early when it was obvious he didn’t have his best stuff.

The Dodgers were in the lead 6-3 when Alex left the game. The bullpen almost lost the game. Scott Alexander who has been shaky at best was still shaky. Heyward walked, Baez singled and then Contreras doubled scoring both Heyward and Baez. Great!!! 6-5. The Cubs came to within one run. Kenley was delegated to get the last 4 outs.

Luckily Cody homered in the bottom of the 8th to bring the score to 7-5.

Kenley was able to hold the Cubs but not before Happ singled and had all us Dodger fans hiding under the seats.

Clayton seemed to be back to his pre DL self on Thursday. He didn’t stick to his usual routine which was surprising. He always adheres to the same stretching and workout pregame.

I had already decided that I wouldn’t stay at my seat. It was already very hot.

Sue was back from San Francisco. She had been at a twitter sports conference. Welcome back Sue!!

My very favorite server Jessica with her cute niece

It wasn’t even noon yet but the sun was glaring down on us fans. Very few Dodgers ventured out for the National Anthem.

There was one fan who had a small child. She kept telling him, oh maybe that Dodger will sign. I told her that they hadn’t signed all week. She kept on and unfortunately none of them signed. I always feel that it isn’t their job to sign autographs. It’s nice when they do sign for the fans but not their job. Their job is to win games. Of course, the little boy was crying and beside himself because they didn’t sign. I scolded the mother for the way she disappointed her son that way. She said she never promised him. I rolled my eyes at her and thought, really? Someone else had promised a Max Muncy autograph to another person. I told her that he NEVER signed so why even promise. By that time I was totally over it.

There goes Matt

A few hugs first

There goes Justin

There goes Max. Of course signing autographs is not his thing. It was also a very hot day. Why use all your energy signing anyway. I didn’t even want to be out there WATCHING the game.

To my surprise Austin Barnes was catching for Clayton. Austin had just started two days earlier on Tuesday.

Probably the best part of Thursday was meeting Mick Kelleher, former player and coach for the Cubs. So awesome!! That was probably the only good thing about that excruciatingly hot day. Summer is definitely here.

It went downhill from there. Clayton was back to the being the best pitcher in baseball. Then the bullpen took over.

I don’t usually question Dave Roberts’ decisions but to have Walker Buehler make his rehab start during a game against the tough Cubs was not too smart. When Clayton left the game after 5 great innings, the proverbial poop hit the fan.

Right away Almora homered. 3-2. Contreras singled. Rizzo doubled. In the 6th inning, Happ doubled. Schwarber walked. Heyward doubled scoring Happ and tying the game. OK now bring out a shaky Goeddel who allowed a single to Almora scoring Schwarber. Then it just turned into batting practice for the Cubs.

I left the game in the 7th inning. I have never done that before. It was obvious that the Dodger management had given up. Bad decisions. The bullpen has allowed 24 runs in 5 games. Why did they ever give up Brandon Morrow? To save money? I even turned off my car radio. Who wants to listen to the game when the Cubs scored 11 runs? The Dodgers are back to being 3 1/2 games behind those D Backs. The Dodgers need a better bullpen. They seem to be looking at a shortstop Machado but look how awful the bullpen is!! Why are they always looking at castoffs. Talk is that they might have Maeda go to the bullpen. Are you guys kidding!! He has been doing well as a starting pitcher.

On Friday our Rich Hill 1-2 ERA 5.30 faces Rockies pitcher Tyler Anderson 4-3 ERA 4.62. It should be a nice quiet game. No giveaways, The Cubs are gone. So are their fans.

Thanks for stopping by. GO DODGERS!!!!

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