Lima's message loud and clear in win
KANSAS CITY -- Jose Lima wanted to send a message Wednesday night, though it was unclear who, exactly, was the recipient.
It might have been the Royals' fans, who have both cheered and booed Lima as he marched to five losses and an 8.16 ERA during his first 13 starts. It might have been himself, to whom he granted invaluable reassurance that Major League wins are not a thing of the past.
More likely, though, it was the Dodgers, who did not tender Lima a contract after he compiled a 13-5 mark just a year ago, and notched a shutout in the team's first playoff win since 1988. If, indeed, Lima was sending his proverbial message to his former club, rest assured that it was received, especially after the right-hander worked a season-high eight innings and beat the Dodgers, 3-1, for his first since win since, well, he was a Dodger himself.
Lima quieted the Dodgers' clubhouse -- most players either dressed quickly and left, or sat on couches and watched television -- and he all but quieted manager Jim Tracy, who had little to say about his team's power outage the last two nights against the Royals. Tracy said more, in fact, about Lima's efforts than he did about the Dodgers'.
"He was definitely on his game," Tracy said. "And that's not the first time I've seen him go out there and perform like that. Give him credit. From the third inning on, he made pitches and he continued to make them. He made pitches ahead in the count, he made quality pitches when he was behind in the count and we just weren't able to do anything with it.
"He just never really allowed us to get anything going. That's basically all it boils down to."
Dodgers right-hander Brad Penny, who countered with a seven-inning effort that would be good enough to win most games -- three earned runs and eight hits allowed, seven strikeouts against just one walk -- chalked up Lima's performance to the emotions that run though any pitcher when he bears down against a former team.
"It's always nice to face your old team," said Penny, "and he pitched a great game. He was locating all his pitches. Any time a big league pitcher locates all three pitches, he's going to be successful."
Lima was certainly that Wednesday, notching his first regular-season win since Sept. 14 of last year. Afterward, he held court and spoke out about his performance and his tenure with the Dodgers.
"At least I have good memories coming out of L.A.," he said, "and I will never forget that."
While speaking, he debated which color shoes to wear -- he chose black over brown -- and donned a black camouflage T-shirt and cap, though he'll surely not be trying to hide anytime soon.
Before leaving, he plucked a game ball from a table next to his locker and dropped it in the back pocket of his jeans. It was for his mother, who was in attendance.
"She told me to bring that ball home," he said, "and I'll bring it to her."
He already delivered the message, now he just has to deliver the ball.
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
It might have been the Royals' fans, who have both cheered and booed Lima as he marched to five losses and an 8.16 ERA during his first 13 starts. It might have been himself, to whom he granted invaluable reassurance that Major League wins are not a thing of the past.
More likely, though, it was the Dodgers, who did not tender Lima a contract after he compiled a 13-5 mark just a year ago, and notched a shutout in the team's first playoff win since 1988. If, indeed, Lima was sending his proverbial message to his former club, rest assured that it was received, especially after the right-hander worked a season-high eight innings and beat the Dodgers, 3-1, for his first since win since, well, he was a Dodger himself.
Lima quieted the Dodgers' clubhouse -- most players either dressed quickly and left, or sat on couches and watched television -- and he all but quieted manager Jim Tracy, who had little to say about his team's power outage the last two nights against the Royals. Tracy said more, in fact, about Lima's efforts than he did about the Dodgers'.
"He was definitely on his game," Tracy said. "And that's not the first time I've seen him go out there and perform like that. Give him credit. From the third inning on, he made pitches and he continued to make them. He made pitches ahead in the count, he made quality pitches when he was behind in the count and we just weren't able to do anything with it.
"He just never really allowed us to get anything going. That's basically all it boils down to."
Dodgers right-hander Brad Penny, who countered with a seven-inning effort that would be good enough to win most games -- three earned runs and eight hits allowed, seven strikeouts against just one walk -- chalked up Lima's performance to the emotions that run though any pitcher when he bears down against a former team.
"It's always nice to face your old team," said Penny, "and he pitched a great game. He was locating all his pitches. Any time a big league pitcher locates all three pitches, he's going to be successful."
Lima was certainly that Wednesday, notching his first regular-season win since Sept. 14 of last year. Afterward, he held court and spoke out about his performance and his tenure with the Dodgers.
"At least I have good memories coming out of L.A.," he said, "and I will never forget that."
While speaking, he debated which color shoes to wear -- he chose black over brown -- and donned a black camouflage T-shirt and cap, though he'll surely not be trying to hide anytime soon.
Before leaving, he plucked a game ball from a table next to his locker and dropped it in the back pocket of his jeans. It was for his mother, who was in attendance.
"She told me to bring that ball home," he said, "and I'll bring it to her."
He already delivered the message, now he just has to deliver the ball.
Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/
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