Dodgers lose 8 of 9, falling out of playoff race
Jul 14 2008 1:20PM
The beginning of the season looked so promising. With a full and able pitching staff, solid defense and the most dangerous lineup they have had in a few years, Brookline had been floating around .500 for most of the first month of the Yawkey League's 32 game season. But losing 8 out of 9 games has knocked the wind out of the Dodgers' sails, dropping them down to 8-15 on the season and back to 12th place in the YBL. For manager Marc Skipper, bench coach Pat McGrath and GM Bryan Duffy, it has been especially tough to see the team fall off so quickly.
After a promising weekend, complete with a shutout-win against the Al Thomas Athletics and a crazy come-from-behind, extra-innings win vs. the rival and division leading Brighton Brewers (Brookline trailed 9-0 after 3 innings, eventually winning 11-10 in 9 innings), the Dodgers looked to have salvaged their campaign and get back to 7-7. But a 6-game losing streak immediately following the miracle comeback had moved them to the outskirts of the playoff race.
The Dodgers do have some bright spots that can't be overlooked, but collectively, this talented group of players show all of the potential in the world, and just haven't found the way to win most ballgames.
Starting pitcher Shaun Farrar has gone 3-4 so far on the year, compiling a 2.86 ERA, 34 strikeouts to only 11 walks while allowing 43 hits in 44 innings of work. The Dodgers ace has kept them in every game he has pitched versus every opponent. He has lost to league power's Malden and Somerville (twice), but has beaten South Boston and shutout the Al Thomas Athletics. Brookline knows whenever number 15 is on the hill, they have a chance to win that day. The 'Hoss' is also a Gold Glove candidate at pitcher, with 0 errors, 1 putout and 10 assists on the mound.
Centerfielder and Dodgers All Star leadoff man Jay Shatto has led the team offensively yet again. His .333 batting average (23 for 69) at the top of the order has set the table for the rest of the blue. Shatto is tied for the team lead with 14 runs scored, and also has 2 homeruns (.493 slugging %) and stole 9 bases in 9 attempts, but after missing 2 games with a hamstring injury, Shatto will likely not be the speed threat that he usually is. The Dodgers will still look to their catalyst to lead by example, even if he has to hit in the middle of the lineup once he is able to return from the leg injury. The errorless CF (31 putouts, 2 assists) will also find himself at either 1B or DH to keep his hamstring attached to his leg. He was unable to play in the YBL's 2nd All Star Game of the year vs. the Dominican All Star Team.
All Star second-baseman Andy Zides has been the spark plug for the blue. Zides has provided great defense (27 putouts, 27 assists, 6 errors, .900 fielding %) and has led with his bat as well. Zides, who has batted in every spot in the lineup this year, has carried a .328 average (20 for 61) with 1 homerun and 16 RBI thus far. He is near the top of the YBL in doubles (6), RBI's, hits, and his slugging % (.475) shows their is more than meets the eye when you see the 2B at the plate. Zides has now won league-wide acclaim for his hard-nosed play, diving Pete Rose-style into homeplate to score the 2nd run for the YBL All Stars vs. the Dominicans Team. He shoes his love for baseball every day with Brookline, and is one of the best players at his position in the league.
Rookie shortstop Derek Barauskas has played brilliantly with his glove, and is making a name for himself in the YBL with his bat as well. Dodger manager Marc Skipper calls Barauskas "The best shortstop I have seen in 9 years in the YBL. His quick footwork allows him to get to balls 95% of guys in this league couldn't get within a foot of, his arm strenth allows him to set himself to make the throw and get the out at first. He is an amazing player to watch." Barauskas has proven he is a YBL Gold Glove candidate at SS. He has 22 putouts, 42 assists and 7 errors for a .901 fielding %. The soon to be LaSalle University sophomore has been an on base machine (.424 On Base %) and has moved up to the #2 spot in the lineup since the Shatto injury. He leads the YBL in stolen bases, grabbing 12 of 13 attempts, and is 2nd in the league in assists in 19 games played. He has also scored 13 runs, going 14 for 48 with a .292 average. 'D' has been a the most welcome addition to the lineup this year, and will be a candidate for Rookie of the Year honors.
All-around, Marty Whitmore has been a great player for the Dodgers. The Dodgers cleanup man has struggled a bit at the plate over the past few weeks, but the All Star leftfielder has a .291 average (16 for 55), with 3 doubles, 2 triples and 10 RBI. Not only does Whitmore bring it with his bat, but his pitching has been great. The Dodgers #2 arm has gone 2-6 with a 3.97 ERA. In 47.2 innings, he has allowed 53 hits, 25 walks and has 52 strikeouts. Although he has come out on the tough end of most decisions, Whitmore has kept the Dodgers in every game he is on the hill. His fielding has been superb, as he has 17 putouts, 9 assists and 4 errors (all errors were while pitching - 0 errors in the outfield).
Outfielder Joe Patrolia has played well on all accounts. The 2007 All Star has batted .327 on the year (18 for 55), and has played great defense in the OF (18 putouts, 1 error) for the Dodgers. Patrolia hit his 1st YBL homerun this year, has 4 steals in 4 attempts and has scored 13 runs. Patrolia has played both left and rightfield daily for Brookline's very capable group of OF's.
Outfielder Steve Walsh has been great as well. The Dodgers normal RF has gone 9 for 31 (batting .290), with 10 runs scored, 12 RBI and 6 walks to only 3 strikeouts. Walsh is the ultimate contact hitter, and also plays great defensively (21 putouts, 2 errors). Walsh is a true veteran leader who doesn't say much and leads by example. Brookline lost Walsh's services for 8 games due to a knee injury Walsh sustained in a game vs. Savin Hill. The blue went on to lose 6 of those 8 games.
Dodger vocal leader and third-baseman Jerrad Ryan has been a key on base guy for the blue, as his .427 on base % leads the team. Although his average is at .258 (16 for 62), his knack for swinging at good pitches has earned him 19 walks, good for 2nd in the YBL. He has 11 stolen bases, good for 2nd in the YBL behind teammate Derek Barauskas, but has been caught stealing on 5 attempts. Ryan has also scored 14 runs, tied for the team lead, and has 3 doubles and 9 RBI. He has come on of late, batting 1st in Shatto's absense. He has 7 hits in his last 7 games, and his defense has been on the rise. 'J.R.' now has 21 putouts, 37 assists and 9 errors in 22 games, but only has 1 error in his last 10 games.
The Dodgers have gotten great defensive play from catcher Bryan Duffy. His 112 putouts is good for 2nd in the YBL, and he has 14 assists and only 3 errors. His handling of the staff is great, and not many balls and would-be wild pitches get passed the 'Duffman'. His reflexes and strong arm keep most base-stealers put, even in good runners counts. Duffy has also added 2 HR, 12 RBI and 4 doubles to go with a .222 batting average.
Dodger reliever Marc Skipper has been solid out of the bullpen, making 8 appearances on the year with 1 save. He has pitched 8 innings, allowing 7 hits and 2 earned runs with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks. His 1.75 ERA has led the blue bullpen in 2008, but his elbow problems have not been totally behind him. The former starter has tried to adapt to pitching on an every-other-day type schedule, something he is still trying to get used to.
Rookie starter Chris Michienzi has pitched great on two occasions. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, he was out 7 weeks with mononucleuosis. He is 2-0 in his 2 outings, pitching 13 innings allowing 12 hits and 7 earned runs while walking 4 and striking out 9. His 3.77 ERA and ability to stay around the plate has earned him the #3 spot in the Dodger rotation. Brookline has to wonder what may have been had Michienzi been healthy all year.
The Dodgers have also gotten great play out of DH Matt Donoghue, 1B/OF/DH Gregg Smith, rookie OF/1B Jeff Ayers, rookie 2B Brady Williams, rookie 3B/DH Matt Grimes, rookie 1B Jared Doucette, DH/C Steve DeFusco and pitcher Josh Miller.
Donoghue's heroics in the comeback vs. the Brewers were just that. After double shoulder surgery this past winter, Brookline thought he would be missed for the entire season. The Dodgers comedian has gone 3 for 16 with 3 RBI in limited duties. Smith has been roving the field to get into the lineup, playing an unnatural 1B on some days. 'Smitty' has a .263 average (15 for 57), scoring 8 runs and driving in 7. Ayers has done all that has been asked of him, and also had a huge hand in helping the Dodgers in the game vs. the Brewers. The left-handed hitter has a .300 average (6 for 20), and has played great defense both at 1B and in RF (25 putouts, 1 error). Williams has been a site to see, making 'Beardo' a character to fit right in with the Smitty-nicknamed 'rag-tag Dodgers'. Williams has gone 3 for 12 for a .250 average, while fielding well with 3 putouts, 7 assists and 1 error. Grimes has been a good hitter at the plate. Though his .091 average (1 for 11) is deceiveing, he has walked 4 times and drove in 2 runs. Doucette has played a good defensive 1B, with 83 putouts, 4 assist and 4 errors. His average is only .150 (6 for 40), but he has walked 11 times and has gotten on base at a decent clip (.333 OBP). When called upon to catch or DH, DeFusco has done a lot with the bat. He has gone 6 for 14 (.429) with a double, a triple and 2 RBI. Miller has gotten the tough loss in all 4 of his starts (2 1-run losses), going 0-4 in 17.1 innings of work. He has allowed a lot of baserunners (21 hits, 20 walks), but manages to keep guys from scoring (21 runs, 15 earned) with a 6.06 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
Although this has been a dissapointing season for Brookline, they still have 9 games left to go, and need to win 8 of them to finish at .500, a feat not impossible. With many questions looming for the winter, the Dodgers look to finish strong over the last month of the season and attempt to remain in the playoff chase.
-Marc Skipper
