Tony Gwynn Saves the Day
April 29, 2011 at 10:35 pm | Posted in Tony Gwynn | 45 Comments
With two outs in the ninth inning, I had written a whole post about how tonight had gone almost perfectly. Don Mattingly had made out what looked to be my favorite lineup of the year, with Jerry Sands hitting second and in at first base against the lefty, pushing Aaron Miles to 8th. Ted Lilly allowed just one run over six innings, and Andre Ethier kept his hitting streak alive with a 5th inning double. Matt Kemp and Juan Uribe each homered, and the much-maligned infield chipped in with seven hits, three of which came off the bat of Miles. Even the defense turned four double plays, and featured exciting back-to-back diving catches by Kemp and Ethier in the seventh inning. It wasn’t all roses – Sands went 0-4, and while he did reach via walk, he almost immediately was picked off – but with Broxton looking great while retiring the first two Padres, it looked like this was a game that would be a nice kickoff to the short homestand, despite the presence of Frank McCourt trying to gladhand in the right field bleachers.
And then Will Venable singled to right. And Orlando Hudson singled to left. And Chase Headley singled to right, and all of a sudden it was a one-run game with the tying run on third, before a crowd growing restless. None of the balls were particularly hard-hit, and at least two of the three would have been easy outs had they not been perfectly placed grounders, but still, Broxton was on the precipice there.
Nick Hundley stepped up to the plate, and ripped a liner to left, and you can’t possibly imagine all of the thoughts that were going through my head in that millisecond. (Actually, you probably can.) That ball was going to land, the Padres would tie (or conceivably take the lead, had it gotten past the diving left fielder), and all hell was going to break loose. That’s what would have happened… had that diving outfielder been anyone but Tony Gwynn, completing the outfield trifecta of diving plays in the biggest spot possible. The defensive specialist had essentially lost his job when Sands was recalled, getting just nine plate appearances in the preceding seven days, but reminded all of us what his value on this team can be. (And kudos to Mattingly for ensuring that he was out there in the 9th in the first place.)
As for Broxton, nothing’s changed for me. He actually looked good in that his velocity seemed up, and the hits weren’t hit that hard – except the one that landed not on the grass, but in Gwynn’s glove. I’d still have no objection to a superior option usurping him in the 9th, and I still don’t see that the Dodgers have one, particularly since Vicente Padilla was less than impressive in walking two in the 8th. I think it’s safe to assume that none of those facts are going to stop the continued public outcry, of course.
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Broxton’s velocity seemed up? I saw 94 at best on the gun, but I drank a whole six pack before the 9th so I might’ve missed something…
Comment by Stephen Caver— April 29, 2011 #
I think he hit 95 once. Most of his fastballs were 93 mph. Sorry Mike, but his velocity needs to be 97-100 if he wants to throw a fastball that doesn’t move, and also throw that pitch 80% of the time.
Comment by Jim— April 30, 2011 #
I also thought Broxton was humming it pretty good, with good placement. The dude is more unlucky than bad right now IMO. The Baseball Gods are somehow angry with our closer, bummer!
Comment by thestratcat— April 29, 2011 #
I am finally totally done defending Broxton. Three hits and another hard hit ball to the Padres? Their lineup looks like ours would without Kemp and Ethier. Even Aaron Miles is hitting better than they are. After the game, Steve Lyons was saying “As long as he gets the save I’m happy.” STFU Steve Lyons, that ball to Gwynn should have been a tie game right there. Broxton’s WHIP is nearly 2. I don’t want to see him in there with a save situation unless he really shows he’s gotten better.
Comment by Bip— April 29, 2011 #
come on Mike, you cant keep blaming the defense for Broxtons screw ups. hes either hurt, or he just plain sucks. he used to throw 98-99 consistently. this looked exactly like the florida game, thank goodness gwynn was in left, or he would have blown another game. he has to be either medically evaluated to rule out injury or have his contract ripped up and given his outright release. Padilla was still able to get out of his inning without allowing a run, and broxton has had maybe what one outing where he hasnt given up a run?
Comment by format— April 29, 2011 #
I’m not blaming the defense, I didn’t say they should have had any. Just that they were well placed.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— April 29, 2011 #
Both grounders were hit about as hard as a groundball base hit ever is.
Comment by Bip— April 29, 2011 #
Doesn’t mean it couldn’t be unlucky at the same time. Luck and randomness do exist in baseball. Those balls are often scooped up because they’re a few inches more towards a fielder. Broxton has probably looked worse this season and not given up a run.
Comment by Gregory Zakwin— April 29, 2011 #
Venable’s hit was a bloop POS that shoulda been the 3rd out of a 1-2-3 inning. Hudson hit the ball well, but as Vin said…he always has. Headley’s hit only got past Loney because he was holding on the runner. Most of the time that woulda been the 3rd out as well. Brox has had shitty games for sure, but I don’t think this was anything to get upset over. He mowed through Ludwick who’s probably their scariest hitter. I think tonight’s issue may have been over confidence, based on all the lip service lately. Telling Brox to go out and attack attack attack seemed as if he threw too many fastballs (18 FFs, 2 Sliders). He was locating well early on but unless it’s in the high 90′s or has a ton of movement it’s eventually gonna get hit. If he shows that kind of confidence but mixes pitches then I think he has a chance of success. That’s just my opinion.
Comment by Wil— April 29, 2011 #
Padilla didnt look lights out either. If not for some stupid Padres baserunning mistakes Padilla could have blown the game as well.
Comment by Eephusblue— April 30, 2011 #
When *was* the last time Broxton pitched an inning without giving up a run?
Comment by d52boy— April 29, 2011 #
Two outings ago. Six of his twelve outings have been scoreless, but only four have been hitless and one has been perfect. I think most relievers are perfect more than once every twelve outings.
Comment by Bip— April 29, 2011 #
Candidate endorsement: Gwynn in LF/Sands at 1B 2011.
Comment by Harrison— April 29, 2011 #
Trayvon Robinson, cough cough.
Comment by Gregory Zakwin— April 29, 2011 #
In RF or CF, of course. Though I’m starting to doubt seriously whether the Dodgers would ever move Andre out of right.
Comment by Gregory Zakwin— April 29, 2011 #
He’s a Gold Glove RFer didn’t you hear? Or do you just tone Steve Lyons out now? lol
Comment by Wil— April 29, 2011 #
I punch myself in the face right before he begins to spew his nonsense. The concussion dulls out his drivel.
Comment by Gregory Zakwin— April 29, 2011 #
Thames went deep in Chicago and Gwynn has played well, i like it but Donnie won’t let it fly
Comment by DodgersKings323— April 30, 2011 #
It should be noted that just about all of the “balls” that Vicente Padilla threw probably would have been called strikes by any other umpire. He had a strict zone all game for both sides, so I’m not faulting him. Just saying it’s not exactly fair call Padilla “less than impressive.” It’s definitely too early to tell, especially coming off of a surgery, but I think Padilla could very well become the “better option” that you’re looking for.
Comment by paul— April 29, 2011 #
I was there… My heart dropped into my stomach when I saw Brox lumber out on the field. The weird thing is, he would get 2 strikes on a guy, then give up a base hit & that’s what I didn’t get… Why he can’t just close the door. But, until Mattingly makes a decision, he IS our closer. I told the people I was with that Broxton owes Gwynn Jr. a few beers for that catch tonight. It was out of this world & thank God he was there to get it. Gwynn saved Broxton’s bacon tonight… But a win is a win is a win…
Comment by Baby Blue— April 29, 2011 #
Tony Gwynn Jr. = +1.0 WAR
Even if he doesn’t do anything else all year.
Not bad for a backup. Good signing.
(PS I know that is not how WAR is actually calculated)
Comment by Danny— April 30, 2011 #
Man as much as i love brox i dont know how much longer i cant dfend him!i always liked lindeblom wasnt he a closer or maybe de la rosa kind of like neftali perez???
Comment by Pete guerrero— April 30, 2011 #
Lindblom doesn’t have the stuff to be a closer, and his control (4.2 BB/9) isn’t refined enough to take on a late-inning role in the bullpen. Rubby de la Rosa has the stuff (12.2 K/9), but doesn’t have the control yet to be a reliable option.
Comment by Jorge— April 30, 2011 #
3 runs and a cloud of dust. Not bad for that lineup.
I read on another site that there was catcher’s indifference in the 9th inning. Did that actually happen?
Sands in the two hole? Uh, no. I don’t care there as a left hander pitching. The .200 hitting rookie is tucked in around 7th in the order. Just my opinion.
Broxton – 18 fastballs out of 22 pitches? Any change-ups? What about that splitter I heard about for the first time a few days ago? Any pitch go over 95?
This just in… McCourt talks and says nothing to silence the rumors that he is a low life lying weasel.
Comment by Rory— April 30, 2011 #
Yes to the defensive indifference in the 9th. That’s actually very common, I wouldn’t read too much into it.
Comment by Jeff— April 30, 2011 #
Defensive indifference, so the catcher didn’t throw and no one covered the base.
Comment by Bip— April 30, 2011 #
I know what it is… the question I have is – the Dodgers let the tying run get into scoring position with a catcher’s indifference? That is not common at all. THAT only happens when the runner at first has no bearing on the game.
Comment by Rory— April 30, 2011 #
Not true. Happens all the time with closers who don’t hold runners on very well and the catcher knows that he has no prayer of nailing the runner.
Comment by Jorge— April 30, 2011 #
Rule 10.07(g) Jorge.
It doesn’t happen all the time in the 9th inning of a close game.
Comment by Rory— April 30, 2011 #
That\’s 2 celevr by half and 2×2 clever 4 me. Thanks!
Comment by Vinny— June 9, 2011 #
At the time he wasn’t the tying run. When he scored it cut the lead to 3-2. They were just worried about getting the hitter out.
Comment by john— April 30, 2011 #
Oh. I thought he was the tying run. Thanks.
Comment by Rory— April 30, 2011 #
When Gwynn caught that ball, I still cussed Broxton out and told my wife that he needed to “walk out there and kiss Tony Gwynn hard on the mouth.” Beyond the good television that would have created (and the fascinating thought of what Vin would say), while ALL pitchers rely on the guys behind them to save their butts (which is why the pitcher isn’t out there, alone), Broxton seems to need them more, this year. Did you see the relief on his face when Gwynn caught that ball? Speaks a lot to his mindset.
Comment by bigblaster— April 30, 2011 #
“speaks a lot to his mindset.”
Well, duh. Of COURSE he was relieved he didn’t get tagged with a couple of runs. Doesn’t require Nostradamus to see that Broxton relaxed a bit as soon as the game ended. What closer doesn’t?
Comment by Jeff— April 30, 2011 #
Putting Gwynn in left is what Mattingly FAILED to do during Broxton’s last meltdown, and it would have saved him then as well!!! This is what I commented on in that post.
Broxton had location issues with the fastball and the slider, when thrown for a strike, was getting RIPPED for some reason. I almost think that maybe he’s tipping his pitches. That or the strategy against him is to look for the slider on every pitch and just try to naturally catch up to the fastball, since most MLB caliber hitters can hit the fastball.
I’m thinking more and more that Broxton is looking like he should have always just stayed as a dominant setup man. Many are arguing that the setup man is actually more important in alot of instances too!
Padilla is just working the rust off. Remember that he’s had little time to prepare and is still coming off an injury. And he did not even break out his insane bubble ball, not once. Everything was hard. I’m wondering if his arm is not ready to throw that pitch yet? He had a number of 2 strike counts where he could have dropped it and got the strike out, yet he stayed away from it. Although it is not a pitch that gets called for strikes so much as it is a swing and miss pitch, so it may not be well suited for a 2 strike 3 ball pitch.
Comment by Dodgers News Guy— April 30, 2011 #
I think the Eephus is reserved for when he has to go multiple innings so he can mix that in as another thing to think about. In a single inning situation it makes more sense to go to his hard stuff since he doesn’t need to hold back for a longer outing. His hard stuff tends to be more effective than the eephus which could be more difficult to locate for strikes. That said I agree that he is probably still rusty. I am really starting to love the idea of Vicente Padilla as closer. For all the arm chair psychology that gets thrown about, Padilla certainly fits the mold of being fearless.
Comment by Eephusblue— April 30, 2011 #
Gwynn was not available when Broxton blew the save. You keep saying it, but that’s why nobody’s listening.
Either way, Broxton is not right. 95 mph fastballs from this guy is not going to cut it. He doesn’t have enough secondary pitches for or enough movement on the fastball for that. Either he has the velocity or he doesn’t, and right now he doesn’t.
Comment by Tony Fernandez— April 30, 2011 #
Padilla is adjusting to his new role in the bullpen and coming off of surgery. I think he’s done well so far, and I look forward to seeing soap bubbles in the future.
Broxton shouldn’t be used in the 9th inning in save situations anymore. His velocity is down, and with two outs he’s a disaster. I don’t care if it was bloops, flares, or broken bats singles, he still gave up THREE (basically four) singles in a row on 2 outs. Unacceptable.
I totally agree with putting Gwynn in left & Sands at first.
Comment by rudegirl3— April 30, 2011 #
New photo idea to replace Belasario…..”McCourt gone away yet? NO”
Comment by Mickey Hatcher— April 30, 2011 #
Put me in the minority of “don’t care as long as he gets the job done” getting a win is not a given on any given day, esp. for a .500 team on paper.
Comment by DodgersKings323— April 30, 2011 #
This article should have been accompanied by a photo of Gwynn, not Ethier.
Comment by nsxtasy— April 30, 2011 #
I agree, but one wasn’t available at the time.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— April 30, 2011 #
Did anyone else see how late Kemp’s jump was on that ball where he made the diving catch? Do we have a defense coach? Because this is something Kemp must be able to improve. No one is born knowing how to judge a fly ball off a bat.
Comment by Bip— April 30, 2011 #
ethier looked like he got a late jump as well on the next ball. could it be the seats? i read somewhere that they had to change the colors of the original seats because the light pastel colored seats made the ball disappear.
Comment by HI Dodger Fan— April 30, 2011 #
[...] and others, and hit a Gwynn-esque .264/.291/.377 through April, though he did pitch in with a game-saving catch. And then April turned into May, and… oh, that’s gonna leave a [...]
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