On the Bases-Loaded Walk. And a Douche.

So now the Dodgers are only 2.5 games ahead of the Colorado Rockies in the National League Western Division. The Rockies are playing like a team in a pennant race; the Dodgers are playing like a team that doesn't really believe they have anything to worry about. Perhaps they've forgotten about 2007?

Last night was a perfect example. The game was tied going into the bottom of the 9th and the Diamondbacks were 0-11 with runners in scoring position. Dodgers pitcher Ramon Troncoso throws away a come-backer and ends up walking Mark Reynolds on a 3-2 pitch with one out and the bases loaded to end the game.

This is perhaps the most despicable way any game can end. If you're pitching in this situation, there's absolutely no reason not to throw the ball right down the fucking middle of the plate. I don't care who the batter is, with one out there's no reason for them to swing at a ball that's even close to the corner. If you throw it down the middle and they hit a game-winning sac fly, get a base hit or even hit a home run, then you've lost game but at least you didn't hand over the game. The key is to make them beat you; keep your pride. Because maybe—just maybe—he'll hit into a double play. Or he might ground out. Or maybe he'll even swing and miss. But Ramon Troncoso will never know, because he tried to be fancy.

And one more thing, after Mark Reynolds got that game-winning walk, he said this to the media:

"I just fouled off some tough pitches and was able to work a good AB. Some of them were close. He was throwing that sinker and trying to run it back over the outside corner. They were close, there's no doubt, but they were off and you've got to credit the umpire for seeing that."

Man, what a douchey thing to say. I'll translate: "Those pitches were probably strikes, but I'm really happy the umpire gave us the game."

Let me be clear, I'm not saying that Troncoso doesn't deserve the blame, because he does, but Reynolds didn't have to be such a prick about it. Maybe he's just bitter because his teammate Jon Garland got traded to a playoff contender and he didn't. Too bad the Dodgers don't play Arizona again this season.