Much ado about, well, nothing much

The Dodgers held a big press conference at 2:30 to announce the next phase of stadium renovations, none of which they were willing to reveal yesterday (at least not to OUR paper). Frankly, the whole thing turned into a big yawner (I should admit that I wasn’t there, I’m just going by what is in the official release). What they’re going to do is renovate the concourses on the field level, doubling the number of concession stands and restrooms, and create additional clubs for those holding season tickets to the baseline seats. They also will improve walkways and signage, adding what they are calling “energy-efficient” equipment. Of course, none of this will mean ANYTHING to anyone who isn’t sitting on the field level.

Tonight’s lineup — Kent is playing, so he must be OK

SS Furcal
CF Pierre
RF Kemp
2B Kent
LF Ethier
C Martin
1B Loney
3B Martinez
RH Lowe

Just saw something I have never seen on a major-league field since I have been covering ball: a general manager bringing his girlfriend on the field during batting practice. Yes, Jim Bowden is back in town. Unbelievable. … Light blogging tonight. In fact, this might be it, because I never had time to sleep last night between the night game and the early flight home, and I am TIRED. So hasta manana

Dodgers 6, Mets 2

Wells was good enough not only to win, but also to inspire his teammates, all of whom — yes, even Jeff Kent and Luis Gonzalez — are at least four years younger than he is. He went five innings, allowed seven hits and gave up two runs, and the Mets left six runners on base — three of them in scoring position, while he was on the mound. Mike Lieberthal said after the game that Wells didn’t have his curveball working and also didn’t have a great changeup. But the fact he was able to fight through it and pitch well enough to win says a lot about why the Dodgers wanted this guy in the first place. … Jeff Kent appears to be OK after leaving the game in the fourth inning when he was hit in the side of his helmet with a pitch. Grady said he should be OK to play tomorrow. … Good to see Furcal and Pierre making things happen at the top of the lineup. They got on base back to back in both the third and sixth innings, and the Dodgers wound up scoring at least a run each time. They combined to go 5 for 9 with a walk, three runs scored and two RBI, both by Pierre. Pierre now has a 14-game hitting streak, Furcal a seven-gamer. … Dodgers improve to 67-63, remain 6 1/2 behind the D-backs and tied with the Rox for third in the NL West and

A second inning for Broxton

He came on to get five outs afte Joe Beimel retired just one of three batters. Brox has recorded three of those outs so far, including getting out of Beimel’s jam in the seventh. But he just gave up a single to Jeff Conine with one out in the eighth. A win tonight was be fairly big for the Dodgers, who would break even for the trip. Broxton just got another out. One out to go for him, four to go for the team. … Dodgers 6, Mets 2, bottom 8