The Bison Strikes Again

Matt Kemp went 4-5 with a homerun, double, 5 RBIs, and 3 runs scored last night to help lead the Dodgers to a 17-4 win over the Brewers. It was Kemp's second 5 RBI game in the first week of August, and while that's obviously an amazing accomplishment, it clearly does not impress all. Joe Torre batted Kemp 5th on Sunday, and he proceeded to put up a 3-5 night with a HR and 5 RBIs. Torre left him in the five-hole for Monday night's game, and Kemp responded by going 2-4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored. That kind of production would indicate that Kemp can clearly handle batting 5th in the Dodgers order, if not higher. But old Joe thought differently, and actually dropped Kemp down a spot for Tuesday's game, behind the offensive juggernauts that are Casey Blake and James Loney.

Kemp has had four 5-RBI games this season: August 4th, August 2nd, May 7th, and April 19th. In those four games, he batted 6th, 5th, 6th, and 7th, respectively. Maybe old Joe should consider moving his best overall player and second best offensive player (yes, I'm one of those who believes Manny is just slumping, not suffering from a lack of PEDs or a lack of proper prenatal care) up a few spots, what with getting your best players the most at-bats possible being a pretty important thing and all.

Judging from his track-record, I expect Torre to bat Kemp 9th tonight, with Jason Schmidt manning the cleanup spot.

Also of note, apart from his dynamite night at the plate, Kemp had an interesting night in the field.*




*Photo via Yahoo!