Duren, Duren

Could Simmons be in play for a trade? I like him and his all around game, but his absence hasn't been catastrophic. He is one of the best trade assets with his contract not an immediate issue. He would be an upgrade for many other teams. We have solid offense, good defense but need serious pitching upgrades. He should bring back an established starter and/or a nice package of younger prospects.

This loop of creeping towards .500 and then falling back is getting tired. Makes it confusing deciding if they will be active at the trade deadline. Will they be buyers hoping to edge realistically into the WC mix or sellers, resigned to experimentation and prioritizing the future? Or just stay the course with the status quo? Obviously the bigger picture is the future, but can they finesse a middle way of still competing for the WC while integrating more subtle changes? With Upton and Simmons back in the lineup we will see the Angels with their best proven talent. Not much hope for Harvey, Allen and some other pitchers. If they are to compete it will because of their offense. The trade deadline should focus on pitching. Maybe looking at some sleeper prospects and under used major leaguers. With Upton back, Goodwin could be a tempting trade asset.

Jill Painter Lopez the main female competition in the SoCal market? Both with regular hockey and baseball gigs?

Some persistent rumors about them moving to Montreal potentially. Ironic, since former Expo owner Jeffery Loria carpetbagged the franchise and ended up in Miami as part of the process. What's with the Florida market? Some good teams and high levels of success, but no commitment by owners to build their traditions and lukewarm fan apathy.

Is it remotely possible they re-work Kole's contract and keep him for a few more years at a more team friendly price? Term over dollars? If he can be counted on for 25 homers, quality defense and team leadership, will it be more than Addell can contribute as a regular in his first few years? Of course, it does depend on actual contract numbers and longer term plans. But two or three more years may be a decent bridge for Addell to slowly work his way into a more regular role.

Strange game with Trout and La Stella not factors and no starter. Eight innings of trying to prevent Dodger big innings and doing it constantly with men on base. The Dodgers actually went the whole game unable to drive any of their base runners in. Sloppy but clutch relief pitching and sound defense most of the time. Boar has too many holes in his swing, but if he makes even minimal contact he has a chance for extra base hits. Like to see him get more at bats and see what he can do over a longer stretch.

The last two games have felt like a month of baseball. Probably will end up being the most intense games of the year. And two wins. A good time for a day off.

Every damned Dodger is so disciplined at the plate. Count always ends up in their favor. You have to beat them cause they don't beat themselves.

Need a double play.

And of course, more inner diamond drama. Can't let this slip away.

The Angel first inning seems like a distant memory. Feeble offense since then, but all that matters is a close out ninth.

Dodge another Dodger threat. It would be nice for more insurance. Two runs doesn't seem safe.

Jeez, these Dodgers know how to grind out at bats. Very seasoned and hardened over the last few years and all business. It takes a full team effort to beat them.

At least they are just solo homers. But now much to close for comfort.

NBC tried putting comet tails on hockey pucks some years back. Networks always trying to make real life look like a video game.

Since his all star status was noted La Stella has gone ice cold. Jinx? Another goose egg on offense. Two more on defense, please.

Dancing at the edge of disaster, but solid glovework and clutch pitching chalk up another Dodger inning. Bad home plate umpiring is really affecting game outcomes more and more. You can't expect perfection, but the percentages of obvious bad calls is becoming laughable. Almost every at bat reveals mistakes that are more than borderline.

Feels like a double header has already been played. Talk about survival mode! But still, a three run lead. The hitters have been quiet since the first. Time to wake up.

Man, this is excruciating. Each Dodger at bat seems to be drawn out and intense. But so far, hanging in and meeting the challenge. Tough night making contact for Trout. Others need to pick him up and pound out some hits.

They let Maeda regain his composure. Too many soft outs. Mid way through he is over 90 pitches. Hopefully the Dodger bullpen continues to be inconsistent. Still have to hope the Angels can navigate through their lineup and keep the lead. Why did they let Pena challenge Muncy again? Not smart.

The last few games especially have had wildly inconsistent strike zones. The TV graphic box is either exposing bad umpiring or else is distorting the live reality. Probably a bit of both.

Too bad Pena couldn't close out with a clean third inning. You can't give the Dodgers that easy opening to chip away and then explode. I don't think 5 will be enough. At least he kept the damage to a minimum. Probably will need the full bullpen and more late inning heroics. This is a game that really can swing season momentum one easy or the other.

Until you have a sure fire replacement you don't make a deal. Kole will probably hit around thirty homers, drive in around eighty and be a solid power threat. He is more selective at the plate and much better against lefties. He continues to be a quality fixture in the field and a mainstay for morale. If it's not a total rebuild, you have to make smart deals to integrate new pieces into the existing mix. I'm not sold on any of the organizational potential replacements now. Right field will become downgraded until someone equal or better comes along. That said, Eppler needs to maximize what assets he can. But not just make a deal for the sake of shaking things up. Because of the contractual situation Calhoun seems likely to be on the block, but it better be a smart deal, because right field will become a position of weakness.

When you aren't contending in any sport you have to enjoy each game just by itself, without regard to standings. The fun of the contest, the strategy, the display of skills. I call it 'per game realism.' Last night was one of those games you can savour for a long time just as an isolated event. Clutch homeruns, gutsy pitching, some nice defense, patience at the plate, and some comedy on the base paths. And being a rivalry game with hostile invading fans makes it sweeter. One thing I didn't like was Albert getting picked off. Seems he was distracted by joking around with Hernandez and lost his concentration. I've gone to one game at Chavez Ravine. Last season against Houston, just to fill in a gap in my visits to different historical stadiums. The parking was a nightmare! No visibility in the parking lot, insane navigation at a crawl. One and done. Much easier in the big 'A' though I got a bad sunburn after a day game walking about fifteen minutes to a side street where I parked.

Gutsy pitching by Canning. Could easily have let things slip away but he kept his poise and battled. Ausmus also seemed to be a calming Influence with him between innings. Just calm discussion and strategy it seemed. As I repeat ad nauseam, so many games are decided on the inner diamond. The combination of Angel patience and Kelly wildness seemed to unfold at a slow motion pace, but it produced results. Lucky Martin isn't an inch taller! Hopefully a signature come from behind win that generates positive momentum. And they won with La Stella having his worst game. Nervy ninth, but a rare pleasure to see some quality glove work and a smooth relay each way.