Dodgers finding new ways to lose games

[MusicMan]

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100720&content_id=12454052&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

It's rule 8.06: "A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning will cause this pitcher's automatic removal from the game. ... A manager or coach is considered to have concluded his visit to the mound when he leaves the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher's rubber."

Mattingly had left the mound, taken a couple steps, then turned back to speak to Loney. He heard home-plate umpire Adrian Johnson say "No, no, no." Without meaning to, Mattingly had gone back on the dirt and visited the mound twice, forcing a pitching change.

"I had a little bit of a feeling at that point," Mattingly said. "I'm aware of the rule. But again, I didn't realize, I kind of felt like I turned and just turned back around. Again, obviously, I guess, I guess I didn't."

Giants manager Bruce Bochy immediately jumped out of the dugout. Crew chief Tim McClelland said had Mattingly not stepped back on the dirt of the mound, it would not have been considered a second visit. It was truly a matter of inches.

Thus, Mattingly (managing b/c Torre had been ejected) forced a pitching change, pulling out his closer and putting in George Sherrill, who had already cleared outright waivers.

In a season like this, these things make me smile.

[austro]

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100720&content_id=12454052&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

Thus, Mattingly (managing b/c Torre had been ejected) forced a pitching change, pulling out his closer and putting in George Sherrill, who had already cleared outright waivers.

In a season like this, these things make me smile.

It reminded me of the Dierker/Holt fiasco whenever that was (2000?). I can't even remember exactly what he did, but I think he screwed up in some way that forced him to leave Holt in to face a batter when he had intended to replace him, and of course the batter clobbered him.

[Bench]

It reminded me of the Dierker/Holt fiasco whenever that was (2000?). I can't even remember exactly what he did, but I think he screwed up in some way that forced him to leave Holt in to face a batter when he had intended to replace him, and of course the batter clobbered him.

The bases were loaded.  After Dierker couldn't yank him, Holt threw a batting practice fastball right down the middle.  That was the moment Holt's career with the Astros officially ended.

[HudsonHawk]

It reminded me of the Dierker/Holt fiasco whenever that was (2000?). I can't even remember exactly what he did, but I think he screwed up in some way that forced him to leave Holt in to face a batter when he had intended to replace him, and of course the batter clobbered him.

Dierker had mutiple mound visit fuckups.  The one with Holt was with respect to the rule that a pitcher must pitch to at least one batter or record an out.  There was another one where he visited Billy Wagner, then the other manager brought in a pinch hitter, but Dierk didn't wait until the new hitter was announced to go back out to the mound.  The ump said it was the second visit during the same at bat, and forced Wagner from the game.

[Craig]

The bases were loaded.  After Dierker couldn't yank him, Holt threw a batting practice fastball right down the middle.  That was the moment Holt's career with the Astros officially ended.

I think that was also when Dierker destroyed the dugout telephone.