No Splinters Here
Later on, I inquired about Colletti's signings of Brad Ausmus and Mark Loretta to strengthen the bench. Colletti's response was straight forward and fairly blunt. He was very pleased with these two additions, praising them for being "adults." While acknowledging how most players, including other teams, are over 21, there is still the issue of being mature.
Ausmus and Loretta joined the team knowing their roles were to supplement and mentor the young Dodger players. They have done that and more, providing many contributions both on and off the field.
In their 17th and 15th seasons, respectively, Ausmus and Loretta also know they have joined a team with a very good chance to make a run for the World Championship. They appreciate the opportunity the Dodgers offer and have done everything possible to repay the organization, to the delight of Colletti.
O-Dog Bones
One of my colleagues helped me out by asking about Orlando Hudson and the possibility of an extension, a question I also wanted to ask. Colletti spoke of how happy he is with the performance of Hudson so far. He also told of his nervousness every time Hudson dives for a ball, hoping he does not get up holding the previously injured wrist.
Colletti spoke of the current financial situation the nation is now facing, which resonated with the group, as only one of the invited bloggers actually drew a salary for his work. It remains to be seen if agents in general are willing to accept the fiscal realities we all face.
Colletti also made it clear, in general, if the team truly wants a player to return and the player truly wants to return, a deal should be able to be brokered. Over his baseball career, that has usually been the case. If a player places an emphasis on maximizing the most amount of dollars, the likelihood of a deal decreases dramatically.
Where this leaves Hudson is a matter for the future, but it not beyond reason to think a deal could be cut with O-Dog. Later, I discussed with some colleagues how that would affect players like Blake DeWitt, Chin-Lung Hu, Tony Abreu, and Ivan De Jesus. We agreed most would likely be dealt away if second, short, and third would be blocked for multiple seasons.
Forging A Historic Victory
In a battle of 0-2 starters, Clayton Kershaw and Daniel Cabrera made enough good pitches for the score to be 1-1 halfway through the game. Kershaw started a bit shaky, loading the bases in the first while interspersing strikeouts after each baserunner.
A third inning sacrifice fly produced the only run he would surrender in his five innings of work. Kershaw scattered four hits and three walks while striking out five on 99 pitches, 54 of which were strikes.
Washington's Woes
Through five innings, Cabrera had surrendered two runs, on a first inning bases loaded double play grounder and forcing in the second tally on a bases loaded walk. Coming out for the sixth inning was a mistake though. A single, fly out and two walks saw his manager come out to collect him, but more damage was looming.
Mike Hinckley was summoned then promptly allowed a single to Rafael Furcal and delivered a bases loaded walk of his own, with ball four flying way high and to the backstop screen. Vin Scully's comment was how the pitch almost left the room.
National's manager Manny Acta then called for Logan Kensing to face Manny Ramirez. Manny slammed a double to the right field corner, scoring two. A walk, single and force out followed before the inning would close, and the Dodgers had blown open the contest by scoring a total of seven runs in the frame.
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