June 2009 Archives

The Rockies beat the Dodgers 3-0 tonight at Dodger Stadium. For a full recap and boxscore click here

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

• With Orlando Hudson and Russell Martin both getting a much needed day off, the Dodgers went meekly into the night, managing a season-low two hits against Jason Marquis.

• Marquis needed just 86 pitches to finish off a complete-game shutout. He threw 66 strikes.

• James Loney and Juan Castro had the only hits for the Dodgers on a pair of singles.

• On any other night, Chad Billingsley would have been in line for a win after giving up just three runs on five hits while notching a season-high 11 strikeouts over a season-high 7.2 innings. But with Marquis dealing a gem, Billingsley was the hard-luck loser.

• Continuing with the Marquis theme, he added a two-run single with two outs in the seventh to effectively put the game away. Brad Hawpe hit a solo home run in the fourth inning.

ETC...ETC:

• The Dodgers were shutout for the fourth time this season and have lost three of their last four games and five of their last seven.

• At 14-12, the Dodgers posted their first winning record in June since 2003, when they went 14-11.

• On the flip side, they scored 93 runs in 26 games in June, an average of 3.6 per game, after scoring 56 runs in 29 games in May, an average of 5.4 per game. In other words, you can come back anytime now, Manny.

• Marquis became the National League's first 10-game winner and joins Zach Greinke, Roy Halladay, Kevin Slowey, and Tim Wakefield for the Major League lead.

ON DECK:

• The Dodgers host the Rockies in the series finale at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, sending LHP Clayton Kershaw (5-5, 3.70) vs. RHP Jason Hammel (5-3, 4.21).

Joe Torre touched on a number of subjects during his pregame chat with reporters, but eventually the conversation circled around to who he thought the Dodgers' MVP was so far.

Without hesitation, Torre said it was the bullpen, explaining it was the one area he was unsettled about coming out of spring training, yet it's been a consistent asset all year long.

Coming on the heels of Monday night's bullpen masterpiece - seven different relievers threw shutout innings to enable the Dodgers to pull out a dramatic 13th inning win on Andre Ethier's two-run home run - Torre's comments made sense.

But it's more than just Monday's performance. After getting 7.0 scoreless innings from their bullpen last night, the Dodgers lead the National League with a bullpen ERA of 3.31 and trails just Boston (2.89), Seattle (3.16), and Tampa Bay (3.22) for the Major-League lead. The bullpen has a big league best 21 wins with workhorses Ronald Belisario (40 games) and Ramon Troncoso (35) combining to go 2-2 with a 1.98 ERA (21 ER/95.2 IP), with 73 strikeouts and just 36 walks. Opponents are hitting just .219 against the duo.

If you're looking for reasons why the Dodgers are so good in close games, the bullpen is a great place to start.

But we put the vote to you:

Tonight's lineup, folks.

Rockies

Smith LF

Barmes 2B

Helton 1B

Hawpe RF

Tulowitzki SS

Stewart 3B

Gonzalez CF

Iannetta C

Marquis RHP

Dodgers

Pierre LF

Furcal SS

Ethier RF

Blake 3B

Loney 1B

Kemp CF

Castro 2B

Ellis C

Billingsley RHP

Dodgers manager Joe Torre said he's been thinking about giving Orlando Hudson a day off for more than a week - and he's now finally getting around to it. Russell Martin will get tonight and tomorrow off in front of Thursday's off day, more of a mental break than anything else. "He's been fighting himself (at the plate)" Torre said.

In a 4-2 win over the Rockies last night, Andre Ethier hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 13th inning to win it for the Dodgers.

It was Ethier's fourth walk-off hit of the season, and he now has the last three of the Dodgers nine walk-off hits this year. Dating back to the beginning of last year, Ethier has seven walk-off hits.

Ethier leads the Dodgers with 15 home runs - three of which came against Seattle last Friday - and 52 RBIs.

After the game, Ethier talked about his success in late-game situations.

"It's just about having fun and enjoying the moment," Ethier said. "In a situation like that, it's just about emotion and excitement. You can see the energy going into the situation and one swing can end the game. I've just been trying to learn to balance that energy."

It's weird, but I was in the clubhouse before Monday's game and it just seems like Ethier is oozing confidence right now. The way he carries himself, the way he interacts with teammates, reporters and club employees, he just looks like a player ready to take his game to another level.

It isn't often another G.M. gets the best of Beane, but in this case Colletti was the clear-cut winner.

The Dodgers beat the Rockies 4-2 tonight at Dodger Stadium in a tight, well played 13 innings. For a full recap and boxscore click here

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

• On and on they played, deep into the night, until finally, thankfully, Andre Ethier ended things with a two-run home run in the bottom of the 13th inning to win it for the Dodgers.

• Tip of the cap to the Dodgers' bullpen, which delivered seven innings of shutout ball by seven different relievers. A special shout out to Jeff Weaver, who struck out the side in the top of the 10th after the Rockies put runners on third and first with none out.

• Dodger starter Randy Wolf pitched decently, but he made a mistake pitch to Ryan Spilborghs in the fifth inning that Spilborghs smacked into the left field pavilion for a two-run home run.

• The Dodgers answered right back in the bottom of the fifth, getting a two-run single from Wolf to tie the game.

ETC...ETC:

• The Dodgers notched their ninth walk-off win and their 14th win in their final at bat.

• Ethier now has four walk-off hits this year - including the last three - and has seven total since the start of the 2008 season. It was his second walk-off home run of the season.

• Ethier leads the Dodgers with 15 home runs, 14 of which have come at Dodger Stadium He is tied with Albert Pujols for the Major League lead for the most home runs at home.

• The Dodgers are 7-2 in extra inning games this year, including 6-1 at Dodger Stadium.

• In an oddity, Juan Pierre got on base four times on three hits and a walk...and didn't score a run. Pierre stole three bases in a game for the first time since the 2007 season.

• The Dodgers have yet to lose three straight games this season.

• The Dodgers bullpen has allowed only two runs in 23.1 innings in its last five games, an 0.77 ERA in that span.

GAME BALL:

Goes to Ethier and the Dodgers' bullpen.

ON DECK:

The Dodgers send RHP Chad Billingsley (9-3, 3.10) to the mound against RHP Jason Marquis (9-5, 4.22) in Game 2 of the three-game series at 7:10 p.m.

Manny Ramirez was a popular topic of discussion during Joe Torre's pregame chat with reporters before Monday night's game against the Colorado Rockies.

That's understandable considering Manny's return to the Dodgers is a mere four days away.

As much as the team would like to downplay his arrival, there is no getting around the fact the Dodgers are about to add one of the game's top three right-handed bats.

And just in the nick of time.

The Dodgers limped into Monday's game losing four of their last six games for the first time this season, and after dropping two straight series for the first time this season.

In fact, the recent play prompted Torre to talk to his players before Monday's game about not falling into the trap of relaxing until Manny gets back.

Torre isn't sure the Dodgers have throttled down a notch the last two series in anticipation of Manny, but just to be on the safe side he addressed it with the team.

"I don't know, but I'll certainly mention it (to the Dodgers) today." Torre said. "With all the conversations about it...maybe. For me, I don't think any of that would have anything to do with the pitching. Pitchers get their one opportunity every five or six days whether he's here or not. They're a different breed. So I don't think so."

Of more immediate concern is Manny's physical status when he reports back Friday against San Diego. Bottom line, his first week or so back will be glorified spring training, only the games count and Manny will be getting in baseball shape on the fly.

"You can do all the stuff in the weight room you want to do but you still have to go out there and use muscles you're not used to using," Torre said.

That being said, there is no downside to adding Manny.

"Hopefully he can give us more consistent offense," Torre said. "We've been very fortunate. We've won a lot of close games and we've made the most out of the runs we've scored, especially here at home. I think Manny's presence in the lineup, besides the ability he brings; it's sort of a security blanket. The difference as opposed to last year, when we sort of waited around for him to do something, is that this year we're a more formidable group. But I think he still adds a little more credibility."

Tonight's lineup:

ROCKIES

Fowler. CF

Barmes. 2B

Helton. 1B

Atkins. 3B

Hawpe. RF

Tulowitzki. SS

Spilborghs. LF

Iannetta. C

Jimenez. RHP

DODGERS

Pierre LF

Furcal SS

Hudson 2B

Blake 3B

Ethier RF

Kemp CF

Loney 1B

Martin C

Wolf LHP

In the Summer of Manny, this isn't going to get a lot of attention, but it's an interesting read. In contrast to reports that he had retired, pitcher Shawn Estes talked to the Reno Gazette-Journal last week and didn't have the kindest of words for the Dodgers and Ned Colletti.

Estes said, in part, ``When I attempted to get my release, it was denied. He was not going to let me walk; he wanted something in return for me. If I signed somewhere else and pitched well for another team, it might make him look bad.''

Q&A: Estes 'not retired,' still wants to play in bigs

Jon Heyman at SI.com lists the best and worst free agent pick ups from last winter.

Predictably, the Dodgers' get high marks for Orlando Hudson and Randy Wolf, although Heyman does list Manny Ramirez among the worst signings.

Hey, I get it, Manny put himself in this position by getting suspended 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy, but it will be interesting to see where Heyman lists Manny by the end of the season.

In other words, beginning July 3 the ball is in Manny's court.

The Mariners defeated the Dodgers 4-2 today at Dodger Stadium. For a full reacp and box score click here

BARE ESSENTIALS

• With the Dodgers' bats struggling for the second straight game, the Mariners used a three-run third inning to essentially put the game away. The big blow came on a two-run double by Jose Lopez that, predictably, immediately followed a botched pick-off throw by pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

• The Dodgers managed just five hits against five Mariner pitchers.

• Matt Kemp hit his 10th home run of the season in the fifth inning off Seattle starter Garrett Olson.

• Russell Martin doubled off Olson, one of only two extra base hits for the Dodgers.

ETC...ETC.

• Obviously this is no time to panic, but the Dodgers dropped their second straight series after winning their previous eight series. It's the first time they've lost back-to-back series all year. Los Angeles last lost consecutive series August 22-28, 2008, getting swept at Philadelphia and at Washington.

• Kuroda's throwing error in the top of the third inning ended the Dodgers' season-high streak of 50.2 consecutive errorless innings.

• Ronald Belisario extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 10.2 over his last 10 games.

• The Dodgers have lost four of their last five games, and have only once previously had four losses in any five-game stretch: May 7-12.

The Dodgers host the Colorado Rockies for three games before starting a long road road trip that takes them through San Diego, New York and Milwaukee, and the good news is they'll have Manny Ramirez back by the end of the week .

ON DECK

The Dodgers begin a three-game series against Colorado Monday, sending LHP Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.64) against RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (6-7, 3.83).

MARINERS

Suzuki RF

Branyan 1B

Beltre 3B

Griffey LF

Lopez 2B

Gutierrez CF

Johjima C

Cedeno SS

Olson P

DODGERS

Pierre LF

Ethier RF

Hudson 2B

Blake 3B

Loney 1B

Martin C

Kemp CF

Castro SS

Kuroda P

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Dodgers 5-1 tonight at Dodger Stadium. For a full boxscore click here

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

• The Dodgers ran into a buzz saw tonight in Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, who gave up just one run on four hits with nine strikeouts in eight impressive innings.

• Ken Griffrey Jr. hit a two-run home run in the third inning off Dodgers starter Eric Milton. It was Griffey's 620th career home run.

• The Dodgers scored their only run in the third inning, and it was unearned when Rafael Furcal scored from third on a fielding error by Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

• Milton wasn't terrible, striking out seven over five innings while giving up four runs, but on a night when Hernandez was as dominant as he was it would have taken a perfect effort from Milton to win.

ETC...ETC.

• Eh, sometimes you just have to tip your cap and move on to the next game. With Felix Hernandez dealing the way he was, it was an uphill battle from the get-go for the Dodgers.

• To make room for Milton on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers optioned right-hander Cory Wade to Triple-A Albuquerque.

ON DECK

The Dodgers go for the series win Sunday at 1:10 p.m., sending RHP Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 3.44) against LHP Garrett Olson (2-2, 4.95)

Manny Ramirez, batting leadoff for the Inland Empire 66ers, hit a home run on his first swing against Lake Elsinore pitcher Nick Schmidt.

Manny is scheduled to play tonight's game in Lake Elsinore then play a three-game set in Inland Empire with the 66ers against the visiting Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

MARINERS

Ichiro RF

Branyan 1B

Beltre 3B

Griffey LF

Lopez 2B

Gutierrez CF

Johnson C

Cedeno SS

Hernandez RHP

DODGERS

Pierre LF

Furcal SS

Hudson 2B

Blake 3B

Ethier RF

Loney 1B

Martin C

Kemp CF

Milton LHP

CBS' Jim Hill is reporting that Dodgers RHP Ronald Belisario was arrested this morning in Pasadena under suspicion of DUI. Belisario had been pulled over for using his cell phone between the hours of 2-3 this morning, and was also cited for that. He was released later in the morning. Whether Belisario will be punished by the Dodgers for the incident is unknown.

To quote the report,

"On 6-27-2009 Ronald Belisario was stopped on Fair Oaks Ave just south of Colorado Blvd in Pasadena for talking on his cell phone while driving. An investigation was conducted and Belisario was 0227 hours for suspicion of D.U.I. Belisario was then transported to Pasadena P.D. and booked without further incident."

The Dodgers defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-2 tonight at Dodger Stadium. For a full recap and boxscore click here

The bare essentials:

• Andre Ethier blasted three long home runs deep to right field and finished with a career-high six RBIs. It was the fifth multi home run game for Ethier, the most for the Dodgers since Adrian Beltre had seven in 2004. Ethier now has 14 home runs and 49 RBIs. The last Dodger to hit three home runs in a game was Hee-Seop Choi June 12 2005.

• The Dodgers pounded out 14 hits against three Mariner pitchers, with Juan Pierre (2),Casey Blake (2), Matt Kemp (3) and Ethier (3) leading the way.

• Clayton Kershaw finally gave up a run after tossing 15.2 scoreless innings, but it was another impressive outing for the 21-year old left-hander, who struck out eight while giving up two earned runs on five hits. Just as importantly, he walked just one batter.
• Guillermo Mota and Ronald Belisario tossed three scoreless innings in relief.

Etc...etc.

• Who says the Dodgers can't hit home runs without Manny? They pounded out four thanks to Ethier's three blasts and a solo shot by Casey Blake, who is quietly putting together a solid year with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs.

• The Dodgers remain the only team in baseball to not lose three games in a row. They came in on a two-game losing streak after dropping a pair to the White Sox. The 2009 Dodgers have now gone longer into the season than any other Dodger club in modern franchise history without a three-game losing streak. The 2001 Mariners hold the all-time record for going the longest in a season without dropping three straight as they did not fall three times in a row until games 147, 148, and 149.

• The Dodgers are now 13-9 in June and need one more win over the final four games this month to secure their first winning June since 2003.

• L.A. is 33-7 when scoring five or more runs.

• Mota has now tossed shutout baseball in 13 of his last 14 appearances (1 ER/17.0 IP), for a 0.52 ERA over that time. Mota owns a 2.32 ERA (5 ER/19.1 IP) in 17 games at Dodger Stadium and has seen his overall ERA drop from 9.00 to 4.50 since May 17.

Game ball goes to:

Andre Ethier. Who else?

On deck:

The Dodgers host the Mariners in the second game of a three-game series, sending LHP Eric Milton (2-0, 2.89) against Felix Hernandez (7-3, 2.74) at 7:10 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Albuquerque, Jason Schmidt is simply dealing. This is his fifth rehab start of the season but only his second in the last month. Through seven, he's thrown only 87 pitches and allowed no runs. He's struck out seven, walked only one, and allowed five hits. It looks like he'll go back out for the eighth too. The Isotopes are up 2-0 on Nashville.

On fireworks night here at Dodger Stadium, Andre Ethier is putting on his own personal power display, absolutely drilling two long home runs deep into the right field pavilion. Ethier has five RBIs and the Dodgers are winning 7-2 in the sixth inning.

Incidentally, the postgame fireworks show will be set to Michael Jackson music.

Dodgers relief pitcher Will Ohman returned to Los Angeles and was in the clubhouse Friday before the Dodgers played the Seattle Mariners.

Unfortunately his return to the mound is very much uncertain at the moment. Ohman left a Triple A rehab assignment earlier this week after experiencing pain in his throwing arm, and a subsequent MRI revealed tendinitis.

"We'll shut him down for a period of time," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "We'll look at him again Monday and by then we'll have a definite idea for what the plan will be."

On a more positive note, Jason Schmidt pitches in Triple-A tonight with no pitch count restrictions and Claudio Vargas is closing in on a possible return to the club after being sidelined since April 6 with right elbow tendinitis.

"We're going to have to make some sort of decision on him this coming week." Torre said of Vargas.

Lastly, Eric Stults threw 40 pitches Thursday and reported mild irritation in his injured left thumb. He'll throw again Monday, likely up to 60 pitches, with the hope the soreness is no longer an issue.

With Vargas and Stults potentially close to returning, the Dodgers will have to make a decision soon on whether they want to carry 13 pitchers or 12. Torre did not reveal in which direction the club was leaning.

"We'll have something for you (at a later time)" Torre said

Mariners

Ichiro RF
Branyan 1B
Beltre 3B
Lopez 2B
Gutierrez CF
Johjima C
Balentien LF
Cedeno SS
Vargas P

Dodgers

Pierre LF
Furcal SS
Hudson 2B
Blake 3B
Loney 1B
Martin C
Ethier RF
Kemp CF
Kershaw P

The Dodgers have signed first-round pick Aaron Miller, the CBS affiliate in Waco, TX reports, via Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts. Miller was drafted 36th overall by the Dodgers as a left-handed pitcher; he reportedly gets a nearly $900,000 signing bonus.

Manny Ramirez didn't play today in Albuquerque due to a rain delay. His next stop will be to join the Inland Empire 66ers in taking on Lake Elsinore on Saturday and Rancho Cucamonga beginning Sunday.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick names reliever Ronald Belisario one of MLB's Top 9 rookies, Dodger bloggers Sons of Steve Garvey passes on.

The Dodgers lost to the Chicago White Sox 6-5 in 13 innings today. For a full recap and boxscore click here

The bare essentials:

* Nothing like a 13-inning, 4 1/2 hour marathon on getaway day, right?

* Jeff Weaver took the loss, surrendering an RBI sinle to Scott Podsednik with two outs in the bottom of the 13th, scoring pinch-runner Gordon Beckham from third base for the winning run.

* For the second time in two games the Dodgers could not hold a lead, coughing up a 4-0 advantage between the fifth and sixth innings. All five runs were charged to starter Chad Billingsley.

* Granted, it was a 13-inning game, but the Dodgers left 21 runners on base, a day after stranding 18 in Wednesday's loss to the White Sox.

* Matt Kemp had a game to forget, going 0 for 6 at the plate.

* Orlando Hundson had three hits and two RBIs and Mark Loretta had two hits and two RBIs

Etc...etc...

* The Dodgers dropped their first series in more than a month, breaking a string of eight straight series victories.

* The Dodgers were 4 of 16 with runners in scoring position, a direct contrast for a team that's been so clutch in that situation.

* Credit the White Sox bullpen, which pitched 8.2 innings of shutout relief.

On deck:
The Dodgers return home to start three game series with the Seattle Mariners as LHP Jason Vargas (3-2) faces LHP Clayton Kershaw (4-5)

Pierre LF
Martin DH
Hudson 2B
Blake 3B
Kemp CF
Loretta 1B
Jones RF
Ausmus C
Castro SS
Billingsley P

Podsednik LF
Ramirez SS
Dye RF
Konerko DH
Pierzynski C
Anderson CF
Nix 2B
Beckham 3B
Fields 1B

Richard P

Manny Ramirez is now hitless in two minor league games with Triple-A Albuquerque after going 0 for 1 with a walk Wednesday night.

The Dodgers lost to the White Sox, 10-7, tonight at Cellular Field. For a full recap and boxscore click here

What You Should Know:

* For a team that has struggled offensively this year - especially at home - the Sox looked downright lethal while smashing six home runs, three off starter Randy Wolf, two off reliever Corey Wade and one off James McDonald. Alexi Ramirez, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, Jayson Nix and Josh Fields (2) all went deep for Chicago.

* Wolf got roughed up for five runs on seven hits in just 3.1 innings.

* Wade and McDonald weren't much better in relief, combining to give up six hits and five runs in just 3.2 innings of work.

* Matt Kemp gave the Dodgers some hope in the top of the eighth when he crushed a three-run home run to left field off Jimmy Gobble to make it 10-7. But Octavio Dotel came on to strike out Rafael Furcal with Juan Pierre at first base to end the inning, and the threat.

Etc...etc...

* You know it's a bad night when the other team's seventh and ninth hitters combine for four hits and six RBIs.

* The Dodgers stranded 18 runners.

* The Dodgers did not have an extra base hit against Sox starter Gavin Floyd.

* Mark Loretta had two hits and an RBI, Orlando Hudson added and RBI single and Russell Martin had two singles.

* Pierre doubled and scored in the seventh inning.

On deck:

The Dodgers go for their ninth straight series win tomorrow at 11:05 a.m., sending RHP Chad Billingsley (9-3, 2.83) against LHP Clayton Richard (2-1, 4.03)

Joe Torre met with the media today in Chicago and laid out the plan for Manny Ramirez for the next week or so. Ramirez is currently playing for the Dodgers Triple-A team in Albuqurque, but with the Isotopes headed for the road this weekend, Manny will join Single-A Inland Empire at Lake Elsinore Saturday and Sunday, then play for the 66ers at home next week.

"Saturday Manny will play for Inland Empire at Lake Elsinore," Torre said. "After that, he'll go to San Bernadino for a few games. That's the plan for now. It's up to him whether he wants to play left field or DH. I was surprisd he played left last night, I thought he would DH."

Torre also said reliever Will Ohman was sent back to Los Angeles from a rehab assignment in Albuqurque after experiencing discomfort in his left elbow. Ohman was expected to pitch Tuesday and Wednesday in Triple-A before re-joining the Dodgers over the weekend off the disabled list. Obviously that is up in the air at this point.

"Will Ohman hurt himself and he went back to LA for an MRI. His left elbow" Torre said. "He was warming up and had to stop. Even if he hadn't hurt himself, we were going to have to find a way to keep him and Leach. That's a good story there. He's really earned his stripes."

Los Angeles Dodgers (47-24) vs. Chicago White Sox (33-37)

Pitching matchup: LHP Randy Wolf (3-2, 3.29) vs. RHP Gavin Floyd (4-5, 4.65)

Lineups:

Dodgers:

Pierre 7
Furcal 6
Hudson 4
Blake 5
Ethier 9
Loretta DH
Loney 3
Martin 2
Kemp 8

Wolf 1

White Sox:

Podsednik 7
Ramirez 6
Dye 9
Konerko DH
Pierzynski 2
Anderson 8
Nix 4
Beckham 5
Fields 3

Floyd 1

With a tip of the cap to our friends in the Dodgers P.R. department, a little perspective on how well The Big Blue is playing right now:

►The Dodgers are off to their best 71-game start since 1974, when they were 47-24 after losing to the Braves on June 24, 1974.

►The Dodgers have won three in a row, four of five, and seven of their last 10 games. At 22-14, their road record is the second best in baseball, next to the Philadelphia Phillies (24-9).

►The Dodgers are unbeaten in their last eight series, going 6-0-2 with a 16-9 overall mark in that span. The Dodgers last lost a series May 22-24, when the Angels took two of three at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles has not lost a series on the road since the Giants took two of three in San Francisco from April 27-29.

►The Dodgers are the only team in Major League Baseball that has not lost three games in a row this season.

►The Dodgers are tied with the Red Sox for the best record in baseball beginning May 7, when Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball. A list of the Top-5 teams in that time:

Rank Team Record

T1. Los Angeles-NL 26-16

Boston 26-16

T3. New York-AL 25-18

Los Angeles-AL 25-18

5. Colorado 26-19

IN THE CLUTCH - The Dodgers are the only team in baseball to have four players batting at least .300 on the season. Currently, Juan Pierre (.329), Matt Kemp (.314), Orlando Hudson (.309), and Casey Blake (.300) are all hitting at .300 or better. Just as important, these four, along with James Loney, are leading the way with runners in scoring position:

DODGER AVERAGES WITH RISP - 2009

1. Juan Pierre .345

2. Matt Kemp .299

Casey Blake .299

4. James Loney .298

5. Orlando Hudson .292

When the White Sox last saw the Dodgers, they were sharing a brand new spring training complex in Glendale, Arizona.

Much has changed from then until now.

The Dodgers - without Manny Ramirez mind you - have rolled to the best record in baseball while the White Sox have stumbled to a 33-37 record, six games behind A.L. Central leading Detroit.

The two teams met last night in Chicago to start a three-game interleague series, and after a 5-2 Dodgers victory the White Sox were impressed.

''To me, the main thing about this Dodgers ballclub is they're pretty good athletes,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''They have a great pitching staff, and they catch the ball. To me, that's the reason they are where they are. Good pitching and good defense give you a chance to win as many games as you can, and they do that.''

Guillen added:

''They're really balanced well,'' Guillen said. ''They're not really hitting homers because the team isn't a home-run-hitting club. That's why they're relying on a lot of speed and a lot of defense and good pitching.''

The Dodgers were obviously ecstatic with what they saw from Hiroki Kuroda, who shut down the offensively challenged White Sox over 8 2/3 sharp innings and seems to be fully recovered from the strained oblique muscle he suffered after pitching opening day and sidelined him for nearly two months.

Offensively, it's nice to see James Loney continue to keep up his recent power surge after blasting his third home run in his last four games.

More and more, this year seems to shaping up as one of those special seasons in which everything just seems to fall perfectly into place for a ballclub, even while dealing with injuries and adversity,

Obviously there is a long way to go this year, and plenty could go wrong. But for now, things are going pretty well for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers beat the White Sox 5-2 tonight. For a full box and recap click here

The least you need to know: Hiroki Kuroda was superb while striking out a season-high nine without a walk over 8 2/3 innings to pick up his second win of the year. Kuroda allowed two runs, including a homer to former Dodger Paul Konerko in the second inning, but was otherwise brilliant.

Hitting stars: James Loney continued his recent power surge by hitting a two-run homer off John Danks. It was Loney's fifth home run of the season and third in the past four games. Casey Blake added a two-run single in the eightheighth.

The Dodgers, now a season-high 23 games over .500, continue their three-game series against the White Sox tomorrow, with Randy Wolf opposing Gavin Floyd.

Manny ends up 0 for 2 with a strikeout and groundout, both at bats coming against Manny Parra.

Ground out to shortstop.

This one is just flying by, with seven innings complete in about an hour and forty minutes. Only five hits in the game, and the scoring stopped after the second.

The Dodgers put together back-to-back doubles in the first to score their first run, and James Loney hit a two-run homer in the second to cap the scoring at 3.

Hiroki Kuroda is in the midst of one of his masterful performances, it seems. He's allowed only two baserunners in seven innings pitched. His only blemish is a Paul Konerko solo shot in the second.

Strike out swinging against Manny Parra.

Manny being Manny, right?

After first telling reporters he would not comment until his return July 3, Manny Ramirez opened up before beginning his 10-game minor league stint in Albuquerque.

We'll track his at bats as they happen tonight.

Meanwhile, with all of this Manny stuff going on in Albuquerque, the Dodgers have a game to play in Chicago. Hiroki Kuroda and John Danks tonight. Kuroda hasn't been sharp since returning from a strained oblique injury: he hasn't gone more than six innings and has recorded only one quality start out of four possible.

John Danks has been very up and down this season, recording a 2.74 ERA during April but struggling in May, raising it to 4.80 by the end of the month. His last two starts have been solid, however, as he's gone at least seven innings in both and allowed three runs in all.

Mitch Jones making his second career start at DH. Keep an eye on White Sox No. 9 hitter Gordon Beckham -- who, after being selected 8th overall in the 2008 draft, has struggled to a .196 average in 51 at-bats. He was called up on June 5 when former Dodger Wilson Betemit was DFA'd.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Jones, DH

White Sox
Podsednik, LF
A. Ramirez, SS
Dye, RF
Thome, DH
Konerko, 1B
Pierzynski, C
Anderson, CF
Getz, 2B
Beckham, 3B

Manny Ramirez won't be talking to reporters during his 10-game minor league stint, which begins tonight when he plays for the Dodgers Triple-A team in Albuquerque. The Dodgers' slugger, who is serving a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's drug policy will make no public comments until he comes off suspension July 3.

Incidentally, Ramirez will bat lead-off tonight in an effort to get him as many at bats as possible. Fans can listen live here or watch live here.

Each of Ramirez's at-bats on tonight can be seen live on ESPNEWS. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m.

The Rockies have won 17 of their last 18 games after beating the Angels 11-1 Monday, and though it's far too early to talk about the Wild Card race, the win does move them 1/2 game behind San Francisco and Milwaukee for the lead.

Kudos to former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, who has turned things around in Colorado after replacing Clint Hurdle May 29. Tracy did a decent job with the Dodgers from 2001-2005, guiding L.A. to the National League West crown in 2004. But it never seemed like he clicked with then Dodgers' G.M. Paul DePodesta, and he stepped down after the 2005 season, his only losing year with the Dodgers.

Tracy suffered through two miserable seasons in Pittsburgh, and it's nice to see he's landed on his feet - and doing a great job - with the Rockies.

The Giants manged just four hits in a 5-1 loss to Oakland.

In Arizona G.M. Josh Byrnes is reluctantly thinking about moving players as the D-Backs come to grips with what's been a lost season thus far. Arizona is 91-113 after starting 20-8 last season - a shocking downturn for a club that won the N.L. West in 2007.

If I'm the Dodgers, I'm at least inquiring about starter Jon Garland, who was 14-8 (4.90 ERA, 196 IP) with the Angels last season but has struggled to a 4-7 record this year. The former Kennedy of Granada Hills standout isn't a top of the rotation type pitcher, but he'd fit in nicely as an innings eating No. 5. Garland has thrown at least 190 innings seven straight years, and from 2004 through 2007 he exceeded 200 innings pitched. Garland signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the D-Backs with a mutual option for 2010. The club buyout on the 2010 option is $2.5 million.

San Diego promoted top prospect Kyle Banks to add some pop to the offense Friday but his defense will be just as important. Blanks will play mostly in the outfield, but he'll also spell Adrian Gonzalez at first base when the Padres visit Texas in attempt to give Gonzalez a break from the Texas heat. Gonzalez will likely D.H. a game or two against the Rangers.

Yes, the whole Manny-in-Albuquerque thing is really turning into a circus, in case you were wondering.

So while the Dodgers are in Chicago to take on the White Sox, members of the front office will be in New Mexico. Assistant GM Kim Ng and team spokesman Josh Rawitch are making the trek out as well, according to Dylan Hernandez' report at the LA Times and Rawitch's blog.
Just imagine what it's going to be like July 3 in San Diego.

So far this season, Blake DeWitt has been a bit of a disappointment in Albuquerque (well, he's also had 19 at-bats with the Dodgers, but he has only three hits to show for them): .259/.354/.435 and only two home runs in 170 at-bats. In fact, he put up a similar line a year ago, in the majors: .264/.344/.383. With the Isotopes, he has walked more times than he's been struck out, which is a good sign.

Game time tonight is 5:11 PST. Hiroki Kuroda and John Danks are slated to start.

In batting practice, that is. Ken Gurnick at MLB.com spoke with Rob Flippo, a bullpen catcher with the Dodgers and Manny's personal BP pitcher during morning workouts at Dodger Stadium. According to Flippo, Manny is hitting better now than at any point during spring training.

Ramirez will play Tuesday for the Dodgers' Triple-A team in Albuquerque as part of his 10-game minor league stint before joining the Dodgers off suspension July 3. Fans can listen to the game live here or watch live here.

Dodgers-related rumblings across the internet on this Monday off-day.

Gregg Patton of the Riverside Press-Enterprise thinks Juan Pierre deserves better than being relegated to bench when Manny Ramirez returns July 3. (Registration required)

Jon Weisman at the LA Times' Dodger Thoughts blog makes a case for Manny being deserving of rehab, contrary to the Tracy Ringolsby column we posted earlier.

Rob McMillin at 6-4-2 passes on a link to Forbes' most-ejected managers list. Joe Torre snags a spot at tenth.

In Albuquerque last night, Jason Schmidt (remember him?) pitched five innings of four-hit ball against the Omaha Royals. He walked four and struck out only two against the Royals' Triple-A affiliate.

Clayton Kershaw hasn't given up a run in his last two starts, and in the process he's lowered his ERA to a season-best 3.76.

Kershaw was scintillating Sunday while shutting out the Angels over seven innings, surrendering just four hits while striking out five. That performance followed a strong showing against the potent Texas Rangers in which he threw 5.2 innings of shutout ball.

Evidence that Kershaw is maturing into a future ace came in the fifth inning Sunday when he loaded the bases on a pair of walks and an error, then proceeded to get Bobby Abreu to ground into a double play and Torii Hunter to pop out to shortstop Rafael Furcal to end the inning.

When Kershaw loaded the bases, Dodger manager Joe Torre turned to pitching coach Rick Honeycutt and said, "He got himself into this jam, let him get himself out of it."

Torre was beaming afterward.

"The kid grew up in a hurry today," Torre said. "This has to do a lot for his confidence."

Thing is, with Kershaw coming on strong and Russell Martin showing some life with the bat this weekend, the Dodgers could be setting themselves up for a dominant summer when Manny Ramirez returns July 3 from his MLB suspension.

And maybe even a better fall.

.

Manny Ramirez mania is raging in Albuquerque.

Ramirez will be in uniform Tuesday for the Dodgers' triple-A affiliate there, and news of his arrival dramatically sparked ticket sales for the Isotopes.

The team averages about 7,000 fans to its home games, but the Isotopes sold 11,000 additional tickets in two days after word spread that Ramirez would be in uniform.

Ramirez is serving a 50-game suspension for violating the MLB drug policy, and though his actual big league return isn't until July 3, he's allowed a 10-game minor league stint to prepare for his Dodgers' return.

The loop-hole doesn't exactly sit well with everyone, as the respected Tracy Ringolsby explains here in a piece for Foxsports.com.

Ringolsby raises some fair points about how fair it is that Manny can play down in the farm while still being suspended by MLB - after all, the reverse would not be an option for a minor league player serving the same suspension.

So we'll pose the question to you guys:

Our Jill Painter's recap of last night's 5-3 victory over the Angels is here. In the notebook, Eric Milton will make his return to the starting rotation this Friday or Saturday. Manny returns to Triple-A Albuquerque tomorrow as the Isotopes take on the Nashville Sounds, the Brewers' affiliate.

Clayton Kershaw was brilliant, the Dodgers' offense was balanced once again, and the relief corps did just enough to secure a victory in the finale of the rubber game with the Angels, 5-3.

Kershaw delivered a near-virtuoso performance tonight: seven innings, four hits, four walks, and no runs. The 21-year-old, operating without his best stuff, struck out only five but got 11 ground ball outs. He threw 107 pitches in his seven innings of work, his longest outing since May 17 in Florida.

For the first seven innings, the Dodgers offense wasn't too balanced. It essentially relied on two guys: Matt Kemp to single, and Juan Pierre to send him home with an RBI double. Joe Torre's recent decision to bat Matt Kemp late in the order as a sort of second leadoff hitter began to really pay dividends tonight, as Kemp's speed on the bases allowed him to be both a table-setter and potential table-clearer.

Eventually, James Loney hit a two-run shot in the eighth (it was reviewed by the umpires and upheld) and Casey Blake hit an RBI base knock in the ninth to cap the Dodgers' twelve-hit performance.

After Kershaw exited, Ramon Troncoso came in for the eighth. He got two outs but put two runners on before being pulled. Situational lefty Brent Leach -- who's been nearly twice as effective against right-handed hitters as lefties -- got Angel pinch-hitter Kendry Morales to hit a grounder to Blake at third.

Blake delivered an off-line throw to Loney at first, however, and the Angels scored their first run of the night. Jonathan Broxton then came in and walked Gary Matthews Jr. -- the perpetrator of last night's ninth-inning homer -- before striking out Erick Aybar to end the inning. Broxton ran into a bit more trouble in the ninth, allowing two runners to score, before getting Napoli to ground out to end the game with Rivera at first.

Big win for the Dodgers, who move to 46-24. Angels again stay a half-game back of Texas at 36-31. The Blue have a day off tomorrow while they travel to Chicago to take on the White Sox in a three-game set beginning Tuesday.

Dodgers lefthander Clayton Kershaw seems to have grown up quite a bit in the last few weeks, showing a lot of poise in escaping out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth. Despite struggling somewhat with his control -- he's thrown four walks -- Kershaw has only thrown 78 pitches through five innings. I say only because he has averaged more than 90 per five innings entering tonight. He should be able to last at least seven barring an offensive attack from the Angels.

Offensively, the Dodgers managed to put a run together in the top of the fifth via a Matt Kemp single and RBI double by Juan Pierre.

Angels starter John Lackey has thrown 91 pitches through six innings; he's also walked four but has scattered three hits.

Kobe Bryant is celebrating Father's Day by attending today's Dodgers-Angels game at Angel Stadium. Bryant is sitting next to his dad, ``JellyBean'' Bryant, and Kobe has had his arm around him and they've been laughing a lot. He was the star attraction as he made his way down toward his seat, which is just behind the Dodger dugout. Unclear who he's rooting for right now. Bryant is wearing a black T-shirt.

National TV tonight, as Clayton Kershaw and John Lackey match up on ESPN. The 30-year-old Lackey hasn't been his normal self since returning from injury on May 16. In seven starts (really six, because of that two-pitch debacle where he hit Texas' Ian Kinsler to lead off the game and was tossed) Lackey's totaled a 2-2 record and 6.10 ERA.

Kershaw hasn't lived up to his big expectations just yet, but the 21-year-old lefthander hasn't been nearly as awful as you think, recording a 4.13 ERA in 69 2/3 innings pitched. His last time out was a dandy -- four hits, three walks and no runs in five and 2/3 innings against the A's last Tuesday.

Russell Martin, taking the day off behind the plate, moves up to sixth in the order after an eye-opening 3-for-4 performance last night.

One interesting note: both of these teams -- as good ones tend to do -- start pretty much the same guys every night. You won't see Joe Torre or Mike Scioscia send out a typical Sunday lineup in this one.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Martin, DH
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Ausmus, C

Angels
Figgins, 3B
Abreu, RF
Hunter, CF
Guerrerro, DH
Rivera, LF
Napoli, C
Quinlan, 1B
S. Rodriguez, 2B
Aybar, SS

Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there. Enjoy it. In-game updates to come.

Manny makes his return -- albeit in the minors -- this Tuesday, our Clay Fowler writes. And, on this Father's Day, check out Jon Gold's feature on the bond the Weaver brothers share and last night's game story.

Jeff officially won the battle of the Weavers' over Jered, and it wasn't even that close. Jeff went five innings, allowed six hits and two earned runs, and earned his fourth win of the season. Jered lasted five and 1/3, gave up 10 hits and three walks, and was charged with six runs and the loss as the Dodgers beat the Angels 6-4.

It was a balanced offensive effort for the Dodgers. Russell Martin appeared to break out of his June gloom with a 3-for-4 performance, including his first home run of the season. Matt Kemp had a simply sensational running, leaping catch of an Erick Aybar fly ball in the second, and reached base three times. Rafael Furcal drew three walks. Casey Blake and Andre Ethier had big RBI knocks.

Belisario entered the game in the sixth for Jeff Weaver and lasted 1 2/3 innings before he exited with two outs in the top of the seventh. Ramon Troncoso got the job done, getting Chone Figgins to ground into a fielder's choice. Troncoso also worked the eighth before Dodger closer Jonathan Broxton entered in the ninth in a 6-2 game. Broxton hadn't pitched since Tuesday and didn't look all that sharp tonight, allowing a two-run homer to Gary Matthews Jr. before getting Aybar to ground out to end the game.

So the eighth different (and 21st total) brother-versus-brother matchup in MLB history ends with the older brother, Jeff, victorious. In history, the older brother has earned 11 wins to the little brother's The Dodgers move to 45-24, eight games ahead of the Giants in the NL West. The Angels fall to 36-30, just a half-game back of Texas in the AL West.

Clayton Kershaw and John Lackey in tomorrow night's Sunday Night Baseball battle.

Jeff has been the better brother thus far, holding the Angels to only two runs in five innings. He hasn't walked any and has scattered five hits.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have really tagged Jered, scoring two runs in the third inning and three in the fifth.

Russell Martin hit his first regular or post-season home run since Game 1 of the 2008 NLDS, and the Dodgers scrapped together two more runs before Andre Ethier delivered the big blow with a two-RBI triple.

The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here, as the Dodgers' Jeff Weaver and the Angels' Jered Weaver will face off in Anaheim in one hour's time. Jered has been dominant so far this season, recording a 2.08 ERA and 7-2 record in 90 2/3 innings pitched; Jeff has done the job in ten appearances (and three starts) for the Dodgers this season after joining the club in late April.

Joe Torre has switched up the lineup a bit, batting streaking center fielder Matt Kemp ninth and struggling catcher Russell Martin eighth. Kemp has a .333 average in June; Martin has hit .125 this month.

Mike Scioscia is using nearly the same lineup as last night, switching in only Jeff Mathis at catcher for Mike Napoli and leaving the order intact.

The Dodgers have dropped 17 of their last 21 contests at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Loretta, DH
Martin, C
Kemp, CF

Angels
Figgins, 3B
Abreu, RF
Hunter, CF
Guerrerro, DH
Rivera, LF
Morales, 1B
Izturis, 2B
Mathis, C
Aybar, SS

Here's more on the Weavers' duel tonight from this morning's paper, and last night's game story.

It was the fourth consecutive one-run game for the Dodgers tonight, but it didn't end the way they'd like it to.

Juan Rivera hit a 2-2 slider for a home run off Guillermo Mota in the eighth, and Brian Fuentes shut the door in the ninth to earn his major-league leading 19th save as the Angels won 5-4.

The regular seventh or eighth-inning guy for the Dodgers, Ronald Belisario, was unavailable to come out of the bullpen tonight after appearing in all three games of the Oakland series, so Joe Torre decided to leave Mota in after he recorded the last two outs of the seventh.

Rivera fouled off six pitches in the at-bat and hit the home run on the ninth pitch from Mota. In talking to Rivera in the clubhouse, he said that taking all the pitches allowed him to get his timing really set by the time Mota delivered the fateful slider.

The defense was sharp for the Dodgers tonight -- save for an errant pickoff attempt by Chad Billingsley in the third that eventually allowed Chone Figgins to score -- but Billingsley wasn't at his best. The 24-year-old ace went six innings but allowed six hits and a season-high five walks. He was charged with three earned runs in his failed bid for ten wins.

Angels lefthander Joe Saunders wasn't at his best either, essentially matching Billingsley's line with six and 1/3 innings pitched, six hits, and three walks, but the Dodgers couldn't score off any of the Angels four relievers.

Weaver vs. Weaver tomorrow. Jeff and Jered, that is.

It's definitely been an eventful game thus far. Casey Blake made a huge catch in the bottom of the second to save two runs for the Dodgers, Erick Aybar made a barehanded scoop to start a double play in the second, a ball nearly hit a Dodger player in the dugout, and the season-high crowd at Angel Stadium of Anaheim has been absolutely raucous all night.

Chad Billingsley wasn't at his best, going (what looks like) only six innings and giving up six hits, five walks, and four runs (three earned). The Dodgers also managed to score four off Angels' ace Joe Saunders, however, via home runs by Rafael Furcal and James Loney and an RBI walk from Casey Blake.

Jason Bulger has just entered the game for Saunders with one out in the top of the seventh here in Anaheim.

Chad Billingsley looks for his tenth win tonight as the second edition of the 2009 Freeway Series begins. A Billingsley win would tie him with Toronto's Roy Halladay for the major-league lead. The Angels' Joe Saunders opposes him. Saunders came thisclose to a complete game last time out, going 8 1/3 innings, allowing only one run, and earning the win against Padres.

The Angels took two out of three in Los Angeles in May. They're hot of late, winners of their last six contests.

Dodgers
Pierre, CF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Jones, DH

Angels
Figgins, 3B
Abreu, RF
Hunter, CF
Guerrerro, DH
Rivera, LF
Morales, 1B
Izturis, 2B
Napoli, C
Aybar, SS

The Dodgers announced today that righthander James McDonald has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to replace Travis Schlichting on the 25-man roster. McDonald started the season with the big club -- as the fifth starter in the rotation -- but was sent down in May.

In his pregame meeting with the media, Joe Torre noted McDonald's performance in his last start as one of the reasons for his call-up. On Sunday, McDonald struck out 13 in seven innings, allowing only two hits and one walk against Triple-A Round Rock. He has a 1.89 ERA in three starts in June.

Dodgers OF Mitch Jones is getting the start at designated hitter tonight, his first start. The 31-year-old, who made his major-league debut Tuesday, has gone 1-for-2 thus far in the big leagues.

The list of June draftees who have signed with the Dodgers:

Rd./Pick
Name
Pos.
DOB
B-T
Ht./Wt.
School
Scout

4/127
Mario Songco
OF
9/9/88
L-R
6-0/190
Loyola Marymount University
Bobby Darwin

6/187
Jan Vazquez
C
4/29/91
S-R
5-10/170
Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Manny Estrada

8/247
Jonathan Garcia
OF
11/11/91
R-R
5-11/175
Luis Munoz Marin High School
Manny Estrada

10/307
Andy Suiter
LHP
6/10/87
L-L
6-3/210
UC - Davis
Fred Costello

12/367
Brian Cavazos-Galvez
OF
5/17/87
R-R
6-0/215
University of New Mexico
Calvin Jones

13/397
Joe Paxson
RHP
7/28/86
R-R
6-4/250
Western Kentucky University
Marty Lamb

14/427
Casio Grider
SS
8/17/87
R-R
6-1/165
Newberry College (SC)
Lon Joyce

16/487
Mike Pericht
C
5/23/88
R-R
6-5/235
St. Joseph's College (IN)
Chet Sergo

17/517
Steven Ames
RHP
3/15/88
R-R
6-2/205
Gonzaga University (WA)
Hank Jones

18/547
Greg Wilborn
LHP
6/3/87
L-L
6-1/170
Univ. of Louisiana - Lafayette
Matt Paul

19/577
Nick Akins
OF
12/25/87
R-R
6-1/190
Vanguard University (CA)
Brian Stephenson

21/637
Chris Henderson
3B
6/23/88
L-R
5-11/190
George Mason University (VA)
Clair Rierson

22/667
Stetson Banks
OF
1/14/88
R-R
6-1/185
BYU
Brian Stephenson

23/697
Jimmy Marshall
RHP
4/13/87
R-R
6-1/210
Florida State University
Scott Hennessey

28/847
John Hernandez
RHP
6/21/87
R-R
6-1/200
Barry University (FL)
Manny Estrada

30/907
Nick Gaudi
RHP
8/2/86
R-R
6-5/215
Pepperdine University (CA)
Chuck Crim

31/937
Austin King
OF
12/1/88
R-R
6-2/205
Jackson State CC (TN)
Marty Lamb

32/967
Graham Miller
LHP
10/18/86
L-L
6-2/205
The Masters College (CA)
Chuck Crim

33/997
Steve Cilladi
C
3/15/87
R-R
5-9/182
Kansas Wesleyan University
Scott Little

34/1027
Justin Dignelli
RHP
2/26/87
R-R
6-4/220
George Washington Univ. (DC)
Clair Rierson

35/1057
David Iden
2B
3/4/87
R-R
5-9/170
California Lutheran University
Chuck Crim

36/1087
Kevin Childs
RHP
4/21/87
R-R
6-3/195
Culver-Stockton College (CA)
Scott Little

41/1237
Chris Handke
RHP
3/19/88
R-R
6-10/235
Cornell College (NY)
Scott Little

The Dodgers announced they have signed outfielder Mario Songco, a fourth-round pick out of Loyola Marymount University, and have assigned him to advanced Rookie ball in Ogden, Utah, for the start of the Pioneer League season next Tuesday.

Songco, a 2006 graduate of Alemany High in Mission Hills, was the only player from the West Coast Conference named to the semifinalist list for the 2009 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the best amateur player in the country.

He hit 34 career homers in three years at LMU to rank seventh on the school's all-time list.

The 20-year-old led the team in 2009 with a .360 average, 15 home runs, 63 RBIs, a .678 slugging percentage, and a .481 on-base percentage.

The Dodgers announced today that they have signed 23 of their picks from last week's MLB draft, including fourth-rounder Mario (Angelo) Songco of nearby Loyola Marymount. The full list is at the LA Times' Dodger Thoughts blog here. There are still 28 unsigned selections, but you can bet on the Dodgers signing at least a few more.

Diamond Leung of Diamond Notes reports that Dodgers' Triple-A lefthander Shawn Estes has retired. Estes was a non-roster invitee to spring training with an out clause that he could exercise if he didn't make the Opening Day roster. He chose not to and actually performed quite well in Albuquerque: a 3-4 record and 3.07 ERA in 73 1/3 innings in his age-36 season.

More from Anaheim later.

From the Dodgers' crack PR staff:

Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

Pacific Coast League American South Division

32-34, 1st Place, 1.5 Games Ahead

J-MAC ATTACK: RHP James McDonald was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 8-15...the 24-year-old went 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) in two starts, striking out 23 batters in 14.0 innings...overall, the Long Beach native is 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA (11 ER/30.1 IP) with 40 strikeouts in six starts.

CHARLIE'S GOLDEN TICKET: RHP Charlie Haeger is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA (6 ER/30.0 IP) in four June starts...last night, the 26-year-old allowed one run in 8.0 innings to pick up the win at Memphis (Cardinals)...the Michigan native appeared in four Cactus League games for the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee and allowed one run in 4.1 innings.

LUNA BAR: INF Hector Luna ranks third in the Pacific Coast League with a .353 batting average and ninth with 47 RBI...the 29-year-old is batting .429 (21-for-49) with seven homers and 20 RBI against left-handers...Luna appeared in 15 Cactus League games for the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee, batting .204 (5-for-24) with a homer and four RBI.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

Southern League North Division

27-38, 4th Place, 10.5 Games Back

DOUBLE-A'S OK - 1B Eduardo Perez is batting .364 (20-for-55) with 12 RBI in 14 games in June...the switch-hitting Venezuelan has hit safely in 13 of the 14 games, including six in a row (10-for-24, .417)...the 24-year-old began the year with Single-A Inland Empire, and was promoted to Chattanooga on May 21...he is batting .313 with seven doubles, two homers, and 12 RBI in 24 games with Chattanooga overall.

SELLERS MARKET - SS Justin Sellers is batting .333 (17-for-51) in 13 games in June, raising his average to .284 from .268...the Bellflower-born 23-year-old ranks second on the club with 17 doubles, two behind Andrew Lambo.

GREAT SCOTT!! - LHP Scott Elbert has struck out nine or more in four straight starts, fanning 37 batters in 24.0 innings in that time...the 23-year-old, who has enjoyed one stint with the Dodgers in April, has 77 strikeouts in 57.1 innings with Chattanooga overall, an average of 12.09 punchouts per nine innings...he is 2-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 11 games (10 starts)...the Dodgers' first selection (17th overall) of the 2004 draft is limiting left-handed hitters to a .145 average (8-for-55).

SARTOR ENGINES - RHP Matthew Sartor has worked 8.0 consecutive scoreless innings over his last six appearances, and has allowed just two earned runs in 20.1 innings beginning May 1 for a 0.86 ERA in that time...the 24-year-old, who was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in July 2007, has 38 strikeouts in 37.0 innings, and is 0-2 with four saves and a 2.43 ERA in 22 games.

OF KOSS - RHP Paul Koss, an 11th round selection out of USC in 2007, has tossed scoreless relief in four of five outings since returning from the disabled list on May 31, allowing one run in 6.0 innings in that time...he had missed one month with a right shoulder impingement...the Orange Lutheran High School grad celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday...he has no record, two saves, and a 1.88 ERA in 11 appearances overall.

Single-A Inland Empire 66ers

California League South Division

29-37, 3rd Place, 13.0 Games Back

HERE'S TO YOU, MR. ROBINSON: OF Trayvon Robinson leads the California League with 23 steals...he has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, batting .325 (13-for-40)...the Crenshaw High School alum is batting .308 in 65 games overall...he was selected by the Dodgers in the 10th round of the 2005 draft.

JAKE, RATTLE, AND ROLL: RHP Jake McCarter is 2-0 with three saves and a 0.98 ERA (2 ER/18.1 IP) in 12 appearances...the 24-year-old is limiting opposing hitters to a .086 average, and has 18 strikeouts in 18.1 innings...the Texas native has pitched scoreless relief in 10 of 12 appearances.

TIMMY!!: RHP Timothy Sexton has turned in back-to-back quality starts, allowing four runs in his last 12.0 innings...the 22-year-old has struck out 14 in his last 12.0 innings and leads the 66ers with 68.2 innings pitched...overall, the 25th round selection in the 2007 draft is 1-8 despite a 3.15 ERA.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

Midwest League Eastern Division

37-29, 3rd Place, 5.0 Games Back

DEE-LIGHTFUL - SS Dee Gordon has hit safely in seven straight games, batting .448 (13-for-29) to raise his average to .296 from .277...the Dodgers' fourth-round selection in the 2008 draft has a league-leading 35 stolen bases, including three in his last three games.

CRYSTAL GEISON - LHP Geison Aguasviva has allowed only one unearned run in 10.2 innings over three appearances since joining Great Lakes from Extended Spring Training on May 31...he has struck out 10 and allowed six hits in that time...the 21-year-old Dominican Republic native, who is in his second year of pro ball in the United States, was signed by Los Angeles as a non-drafted free agent in December 2005.

SHIFTING INTO A HIGHER GUERRA - RHP Javy Guerra ranks third in the league with 15 saves, including one last night at South Bend (Diamondbacks)...the Dodgers' fourth-round pick in the 2004 draft is 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA in 27 appearances...he has allowed just one run in his last 8.1 innings (six games)...the 23-year-old has struck out 51 hitters in 39.0 innings, an average 11.77 punchouts per nine innings.

Rookie Dominican Summer League Dodgers

DSL B.C. North

8-8, 6th Place, 4.0 Games Back

LET'S BE FRANCO - INF Bladimir Franco leads the DSL Dodgers with five homers and 14 RBI...the 18-year-old has hit in 12 of 15 games for the DSL Dodgers with a .356 batting average...he is hitting .400 (10-for-25) with runners in scoring position.

THE ENLLY - INF Enlly Morales is riding a 14-game hitting streak, batting .456 (26-for-57) with a homer and nine RBI...the 19-year-old Dominican Republic native is batting .478 (22-for-46) against right-handers.

All three games of the Oakland-LA series ended with one-run margins of victory, and the Dodgers managed to take two of them. Chalk this one up to clutch hitting and clutch pitching, as Mark Loretta knocked a big single to left in the seventh to score James Loney from first -- his first hit in his last 15 pinch-hit at-bats -- and Ronald Belisario and Ramon Troncoso were near-perfect in the eighth and ninth to clinch the 3-2 win.

So despite an awful decision by Rafael Furcal to direct a Juan Pierre throw to second in the top half of the seventh -- it allowed Rajai Davis to score from first on a single by Nomar -- the Dodgers managed to record their 44th W of the season.

Despite pitching six one-run innings, Randy Wolf got his 10th no decision of 2009. The Dodgers are still 10-5 in his 15 starts this year.

Russell Martin broke out a bit, going 1-for-2 and reaching base twice, and Orlando Hudson -- hitting .220 in June coming into Thursday's game -- hit a solo home run in the third.

With the win, Joe Torre breaks a tie with Sparky Anderson and moves into sole possession of fifth place for the most managerial wins in history, with 2,195.

Ace vs. Ace tomorrow, as Chad Billingsley and Joe Saunders square off in the Freeway Series in Anaheim.

The Dodgers' Jeff Weaver and Angels' Jered Weaver, both graduates of Simi Valley High, are scheduled to pitch against each other for the first time Saturday night in the Freeway Series in Anaheim.
It will be the 21st time in major-league history that two brothers have started against each other and the first since Alan and Andy Benes faced off in 2002.
"It's a chance to share the same mound on the same day and not many can say that," Jeff Weaver told MLB.com. "It's a moment we won't forget. It's pretty special regardless of the outcome."
Weaver said his parents had canceled plans to attend a relative's wedding Saturday in Temecula to be at the game.
"I wouldn't want to be the people sitting around them during the course of the game," he said.
Weaver said the best outcome would be if both brothers came out with the score tied and leaving the bullpens to decide the game.

Randy Wolf will start tonight for the Dodgers despite the news that he has been suffering from a persistent cough for the last six weeks. He underwent tests yesterday. Obviously, the cough hasn't been affecting his performance too much, as the 32-year-old lefthander has recorded a 3.41 ERA -- which would be his second-best effort of his career over a full season -- thus far.

Vin Mazzaro will be making his fourth career start for the A's; his first three resulted in a 2-1 record and 1.37 ERA. From what I've read about him, he's a young sinkerballer with a developing plus-curveball. He pitches to contact, and if his control is on, he is a real innings-eater.

Russell Martin announced today that he will be donating $600,00 over the next 10 years to the One Drop Foundation in an effort to provide higher access to clean water among the poor. Martin will also serve as the foundation's spokesman. Check out the foundation's site here. It's in French, by the way.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Wolf, P

Athletics
Kennedy, 2B
Suzuki, C
Cust, RF
Holliday, LF
Giambi, 1B
Cabrera, SS
Crosby, 3B
Davis, CF
Mazzaro, P

Former GIants great Dusty Rhodes, who helped them win their last World Series in 1954, died Wednesday in Las Vegas at age 82.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, in his 60th season with the Dodgers, fondly recalled
Rhodes' self-depreciating sense of humor.
"I remember Dusty saying to me one day with a deadly serious face, 'They're giving me a
day tomorrow.' I said, 'Really, Dusty? That's great.' He said, 'Yeah -- to get out of
town,'" Scully said. "That was his attitude. I don't believe he ever took himself
seriously, but he took his job seriously.
"Just by mentioning his name, I start to smile -- which maybe is as good a tribute to a man as anything," Scully added. "He had that marvelous time in 1954, when 'all Rhodes led to the World Series.' So at least he's remembered. And when you realize how many people have played this game over how many years, to be remembered at all is a significant achievement. I guess they're looking for a designated hitter up there, and he's not a bad one to have."

So the score was 5-4 again tonight, the second such score in a row, but the A's took home the victory this time. Hiroki Kuroda -- winless since Opening Day -- was mediocre in his six innings of work, and the Dodgers produced only one run not aided by Oakland's three errors.

Oakland starter Trevor Cahill wasn't brilliant, struggling a bit with his control and reminding some of Chad Billingsley circa 2006 in his 5 1/3 innings.

The Dodgers had a chance to come back in the ninth, with Rafael Furcal at first and no out with A's closer Andrew Bailey on the mound, but Orlando Hudson and James Loney quickly popped out and Casey Blake grounded into a force play.

Russell Martin's slide has continued, as the 26-year-old catcher has slumped to a .236 with zero home runs and a .625 OPS. His .278 slugging percentage is the third worst of any major leaguer with at least 200 at-bats, and although his .347 OBP is still better than the league average, the extreme lack of power is a bit worrisome.

Matt Kemp went 1-for-3 and stole two bases off the Cahill-Kurt Suzuki battery. The Dodgers' Randy Wolf and A's phenom Vin Mazzaro start tomorrow. Mazzaro had pitched 17 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his career before the Giants scored three runs off of him last Friday. Still, the 22-year-old righthander has a 1.37 ERA and a 2-1 record thus far.

Jeff Weaver was told before batting practice Wednesday that he will indeed be starting for the Dodgers on Saturday against the Angels, meaning he will be facing off against his brother Jered. The only thing that would derail the outing is if Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda can't make it out of the early innings in tonight's start.

It will be the first time brothers have faced each other in a big-league game since 2002 when Alan Benes of the Cubs faced Andy Benes of the Cardinals. Brothers have squared off against each other 20 times in history, with Joe and Phil Niekro matching up nine of those times. In 1996, the Dodgers' Ramon Martinez faced his brother Pedro of the Expos.
-- Doug Padilla

Joe Torre said Wednesday that the Inland Empire 66ers are the most likely destination for Manny Ramirez when he starts to play minor league games in preparation for his July 3 return. Ramirez is expected to begin play for Inland Empire starting with their June 25-27 series at Lake Elsinore. He would presumably then play for the 66ers during their June 28-30 home series against Rancho Cucamonga.
-- Doug Padilla

Hiroki Kuroda takes the mound tonight for the Dodgers, hoping to rebound off a subpar outing and extend LA's winning streak to four. Hoping to do just the opposite is Oakland righthander Trevor Cahill, a 21-year-old with outstanding stuff. Typically, the Dodgers do well against these types of guys. And don't look now, but Matt Kemp is hitting the cover off the ball, OPSing .873 with 14 stolen bases.

With a win, the Dodgers would move to 44-22, a .667 winning percentage (meaning they literally win two out of every three games they play.)

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Martin, C
Kuroda, P

The Dodgers took this one 5-4 on a big walk-off single by Matt Kemp in the bottom of the tenth inning off of Oakland reliever Brad Ziegler. Kemp's hit came just two pitches after a questionable call at first base on a James Loney grounder.

With runners on second and first, Loney hit a ball on the ground to A's second baseman Adam Kennedy. Kennedy stepped on second, but his throw took Jason Giambi off the bag at first -- or so it seemed. Loney was ruled safe immediately by first-base umpire Adrian Johnson, but Oakland manager Bob Geren came out to protest, the four umpires conferred, and the call was reversed and Loney was ruled out.

This brought Dodgers manager Joe Torre out of the dugout but to no avail, and play went on. Kemp stepped to the plate, took the first pitch for a ball, then knocked the next pitch into right field to break a 4-4 and score Orlando Hudson from third.

The Dodgers put the first runs of the game on the board in the sixth with consecutive RBI doubles from Casey Blake and Loney, but usually-dominant reliever Ramon Troncoso gave up two home runs in the eighth to give the A's a 4-2 lead.

An RBI single by Blake and an RBI groundout from Andre Ethier tied the score in the eighth, and the score held into the tenth inning.

The win makes the Dodgers 43-22 and 8.5 games ahead of the Giants in the NL West, and moves Oakland to 27-36.

21-year-old A's righthander Trevor Cahill faces Dodgers righty Hiroki Kuroda tomorrow.

Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw versus Oakland lefty Dallas Braden tonight. Braden's been solid so far this year for the A's, going 5-5 in 13 starts and recording a 3.33 ERA. After Braden's last start, in which he went seven innings and gave up two runs, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that he felt shoulder stiffness. Kershaw's last start was a dud, a 2 2/3 inning clunker in which he gave up three runs and couldn't find the strike zone.

Of course, former Dodger Nomar Garciaparra now plays for the A's, but the 35-year-old is currently hobbling with a strained calf and is limited to pinch-hit duties.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Kershaw, P

The Dodgers have called up catcher A.J. Ellis from Triple-A while sending down infielder Blake DeWitt and outfielder Jamie Hoffmann, reasoning that DeWitt and Hoffmann needed more time to play and develop that they weren't getting with the big club.

That leaves an empty spot on the 25-man which will be filled by the start of tonight's game against the Athletics. It almost certainly will be an outfielder because the demotion of Hoffmann leaves the Dodgers with only their starting outfielders. Ken Gurnick speculates it will be 31-year-old Mitch Jones, who is absolutely murdering the ball in Albuquerque to the tune of a 1.044 OPS.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre will be a guest tonight on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien." Torre will appear on just the 11th episode of the new show, which made its debut June 1.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Suspended slugger Manny Ramirez has dropped to sixth among NL
outfielders in latest fan voting for starting spots in the All-Star game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star is serving a 50-game penalty for violating baseball's drug
policy. He is eligible to return July 3, and the All-Star game is 11 days later in St.
Louis.
Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez leads NL outfielders with 1,897,905 votes in results released
Monday. He is followed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (1,667,029), the Mets' Carlos Beltran
(1,367,412) and the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano (1,340,669). Philadelphia's Shane Victorino
moved into fifth with 1,116,524 and Ramirez was sixth at 999,800.
Ramirez hit .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 27 games before he was suspended May 7.

Chad Billingsley fought to toss seven solid innings, allowing only two earned runs before giving way to Ramon Troncoso in the eighth. Troncoso was lights out, and so was closer Jonathan Broxton in striking out the side in the ninth.

The Dodgers notched two insurance runs off Texas lefty Eddie Guardado in the seventh via RBI singles by James Loney and Brad Ausmus. The Dodgers, even without much offense -- scoring only nine runs in the series -- managed to find a way to take the series in Arlington. They move to 42-22 while the Rangers fall to 35-27.

L.A. has an off day tomorrow before taking on Oakland Tuesday-Thursday. Free general parking all three days at Dodger Stadium!

Casey Blake hit a three-run shot in the third inning off Rangers starter Derek Holland, but the Dodgers have wasted a few other chances to add some insurance runs. Again, Chad Billingsley doesn't have his best stuff, but at least he's being more economical than usual, having thrown only 69 pitches through five innings.
Andruw Jones hit his second home run of the series in the third -- in six series at-bats, he has hit only one less four-bagger than he hit in 209 at-bats in 2008.

Chad Billingsley/Derek Holland today. Billingsley's last start was his worst of the season, when he went only 5 2/3 innings against the Padres, allowing eight hits and three runs and making 117 pitches. Holland hasn't started a game since last Saturday, where he lasted only 4 2/3 innings against the Red Sox, allowed four runs, and took the loss My prediction: the Dodgers will light up the Rangers lefty. Here's today's lineups, with Andruw Jones playing again.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Martin, DH
Ausmus, C

Rangers
Kinsler, 2B
Young, 3B
Blalock, 1B
A. Jones, DH
N. Cruz, RF
Murphy, LF
Byrd, CF
Saltalamacchia C
Andrus, SS

The Dodgers take this one 3-1 on the strength of a solid performance from their bullpen and a couple big hits. The score was tied when each team's starter left after play resumed, but Cory Wade, Ronald Belisario, Ramon Troncoso, and Jonathan Broxton combined to pitch four innings of one-run ball while the Dodgers offense tacked on three against the Rangers' so-so bullpen.

Although it might seem a little trivial, it sure seems like the power (or lack thereof) had a big effect on the game. In the first five innings, neither team could really get much bat on ball, but as soon as the lights were turned on in the sixth both teams scored a run. The Dodgers manufactured a run to take the lead 1-0, but Wade gave up a homer to Andruw Jones to tie the score. In the top half of the seventh, Matt Kemp hit that big shot to give LA a 3-1 lead they never relinquished.

Troncoso made a big pitch to get Hank Blalock out with runners on third and first in the seventh inning, and Broxton looked brilliant in his return from the birth of his first child while retiring the Rangers 1-2-3 in the ninth.

Dodgers ace Chad Billingsley will make the start tomorrow against Rangers rookie southpaw Derek Holland. Holland was Texas' minor league pitcher of the year in 2008, a flamethrowing 22-year-old lefty with a mid-90s fastball. In three starts this season, he's gone 15 1/3 innings and allowed 12 earned runs.

Just 12 minutes after Andruw Jones hit a solo jack to tie up the game at 1, Matt Kemp hit a huge home run on a 2-2, two out pitch from Rangers reliever Jason Grilli to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. It's bottom of the eighth now, with Ramon Troncoso on the hill.

Well they will be - at 8 p.m.

Both Randy Wolf and Scott Feldman - who each pitched five shutout innings - will be out of the game, and the decision will be up to the Dodgers and Rangers' relief corps.

'Everyday' Eddie Guardado, of early-2000's fame as the Twins' closer, will be coming in to start the sixth for the Twins. He's logged a 4.70 ERA in 21 innings this season.

No, not the Dodgers offense. In Arlington, play has been suspended in the top of the sixth inning for an unusual reason - one set of the stadium lights isn't functioning. Apparently, Texas has called the local electricity company to come fix it. If they are like my electricity company, this game won't be made up until Tuesday or so, but let's hope this one can get going again soon. The score is still 0-0 with both Randy Wolf and Scott Feldman dealing thus far.

It's Randy Wolf and Scott Feldman facing off tonight in Texas. Joe Torre has been quoted recently lamenting the lack of offense the Dodgers have produced, and he switched up the lineup a bit, moving Matt 'The Bison' Kemp to ninth in the order and moving Rafael Furcal (second on the team in June OPS at .762) up to second. Juan Pierre, Orlando Hudson, Casey Blake, and Russell Martin - especially Martin - have struggled this month. The Dodgers are 5-5 in their last 10 contests.

Wolf will be making his first career start against the Rangers. He started the season off hot but has cooled back down to the norm in recent weeks, culminating in a six-runs-allowed outing on Sunday. He'll be pitching on five days' rest.

Feldman took his first loss of the season Monday, but has been masterful since joining the rotation in late April (2.67 ERA in 54 innings.) He's of the breed of pitcher the Dodgers frequently struggle against, a pitch-to-contact guy that doesn't strike out many, and when he's at his best, doesn't walk many either.

Oh, and Andruw Jones is in the Rangers' lineup, batting third.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Ethier, RF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Loretta, DH
Martin, C
Kemp, CF

Rangers
Kinsler, 2B
Young, 3B
A. Jones, DH
N. Cruz, RF
Murphy, LF
Byrd, CF
C. Davis, 1B
Saltalamacchia C
Andrus, SS

The Dodgers' offensive struggles continued Friday against the Rangers, as they mustered only eight hits in a 6-0 shutout loss. Texas starter Vicente Padilla wasn't brilliant but got the job done, allowing four hits and three walks spread out through his five innings pitched.

Hiroki Kuroda took the loss -- his second of the season -- after going five and a third and being charged with five runs. Brent Leach retired the only batter he faced after relieving Kuroda, but Guillermo Mota allowed two inherited runners to score. Travis Schlicting finished up in relief and was penalized by an Orlando Hudson error, allowing an unearned run to score.

Perhaps the biggest moment in the game for the Dodgers came in the fifth inning, when, down only two runs with runners on third and second and one out, Andre Ethier smashed a ball down the first-base line. At first it looked to be a two-run single, then an RBI groundout, but Texas first baseman Chris Davis made a great play to catch the liner. Casey Blake struck out to end the inning, and the Dodgers didn't seriously threaten to score again until the ninth when the game was a bit out of reach.

In a battle of first-place teams, the Rangers move to 35-25 while the Dodgers are now 40-22. Tomorrow's game features LA lefty Randy Wolf opposing Texas righty Scott Feldman. Feldman has only one loss in nine starts this season.

After a 5-4 homestand, the Dodgers will face the Rangers tonight for a weekend interleague series. Much has been made of the reuniting of Andruw Jones and the Dodgers he performed oh so well for, the but the 32-year-old center fielder isn't even in the lineup tonight. RHP Hiroki Kuroda will make just his fourth start of the season for the Dodgers after coming off the DL June 2. His last start was a six-inning, two-hit gem that resulted in a no decision Saturday. Rangers RHP Vicente Padilla will look for a second consecutive solid outing after he was placed on waivers by Texas last Wednesday.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Hudson, 2B
Ethier, RF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Loretta, DH
Kemp, CF
Martin, C
Furcal, SS

Rangers
Kinsler, 2B
Young, 3B
Blalock, DH
N. Cruz, RF
Murphy, LF
Byrd, CF
C. Davis, 1B
Teagarden, C
Vizquel, SS

It's too bad Vin Scully won't be calling this one, because we all know how much he loves Omar Vizquel.
Also, closer Jonathan Broxton is in Georgia to be with his wife Elizabeth for the birth of their first child. He will reportedly join the team tomorrow in Arlington as their baby boy was born Thursday.

From the Seattle Times' Sideline Chatter ...

Babe Ruth would have been so (burp) proud.
Fans of the minor-league Albuquerque (N.M.) Isotopes, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, broke their own hot-dog eating record Monday night by downing 37,669 -- or 3.42 dogs for each of the 11,110 fans -- at the team's seventh annual 50-Cent Hot Dog Extravaganza, shattering the 2003 mark of 35,468.
Tuesday's game, we assume, featured the equally popular Tums and Pepto Bismol Night.

The Boston Red Sox drafted Harvard-Westlake outfielder Gavin McCourt, son of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and CEO Jamie McCourt, in the 39th round.

The Dodgers selected 51 players in 50 rounds, including 21 pitchers and 29 position players. Los Angeles selected five catchers, nine outfielders, and 15 infielders.

The list of Dodgers draft picks:

Rd./Pick
Name
Pos.
DOB
B-T
Ht./Wt.
School
Scout

Sand./36
Aaron Miller
LHP
9/18/87
L-L
6-3/220
Baylor University (TX)
Chris Smith

2/56
Blake Smith
OF
12/9/87
L-R
6-2/225
UC - Berkley
Fred Costello

2/65
Garrett Gould
RHP
7/19/91
R-R
6-4/190
Maize High School (KS)
Scott Litte

3/96
Brett Wallach
RHP
12/2/88
R-R
6-2/180
Orange Coast College (CA)
Brian Stephenson

4/127
Mario Songco
OF
9/9/88
L-R
6-0/190
Loyola Marymount University
Bobby Darwin

5/157
Jeremy Wise
C
6/2/86
R-R
6-1/207
University of Oklahoma
Calvin Jones

6/187
Jan Vazquez
C
4/29/91
S-R
5-10/170
Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Manny Estrada

7/217
Brandon Martinez
RHP
11/25/90
R-R
6-4/150
Fowler (CA) High School
Fred Costello

8/247
John Garcia
OF
11/11/91
R-R
5-11/175
Luis Munoz Marin High School
Manny Estrada

9/277
Bryant Hernandez
SS
3/4/88
R-R
5-8/170
University of Oklahoma
Calvin Jones

10/307
Andy Suiter
LHP
6/10/87
L-L
6-3/210
UC - Davis
Fred Costello

11/337
Connor Powers
1B
12/31/87
R-R
6-3/230
Mississippi State University
Dennis Moeller

12/367
Brian Cavazos-Galvez
OF
5/17/87
R-R
6-0/215
University of New Mexico
Calvin Jones

13/397
Joe Paxton
RHP
7/28/86
R-R
6-4/250
Western Kentucky University
Marty Lamb

14/427
Casio Grider
SS
8/17/87
R-R
6-1/165
Newberry College (SC)
Lon Joyce

15/457
Jeff Hunt
3B
2/13/91
L-R
6-2/185
St. Benedictine High School (ON)
Manny Estrada

16/487
Mike Pericht
C
5/23/88
R-R
6-5/235
St. Joseph's College (IN)
Chet Sergo

17/517
Stephen Ames
RHP
3/15/88
R-R
6-2/205
Gonzaga University (WA)
Hank Jones

18/547
Greg Wilborn
LHP
6/3/87
L-L
6-1/170
Univ. of Louisiana - Lafayette
Matt Paul

19/577
Nick Akins
OF
12/25/87
R-R
6-1/190
Vanguard University (CA)
Brian Stephenson

20/607
Frederick Palo
RHP
11/30/90
R-R
6-4/217
Houston High School
Marty Lamb

21/637
Chris Henderson
3B
6/23/88
L-R
5-11/190
George Mason University (VA)
Clair Rierson

22/667
Stetson Banks
OF
1/14/88
R-R
6-1/185
BYU
Brian Stephenson

23/697
Jimmy Marshall
RHP
4/13/87
R-R
6-1/210
Florida State University
Scott Hennessey

24/727
Chad Kettler
SS
9/24/90
S-R
6-1/192
Coppell (TX) High School
Calvin Jones

25/757
Richard Shaffer
3B
3/15/91
R-R
6-3/195
Providence (NC) High School
Lon Joyce

26/787
Alex McRee
LHP
6/18/88
R-L
6-7/240
University of Georgia
Lon Joyce

27/817
Chris Johnson
LHP
12/7/90
L-L
6-3/220
Cocoa Beach (FL) High School
Scott Hennessey

28/847
John Hernandez
RHP
6/21/87
R-R
6-1/200
Barry University (FL)
Manny Estrada

29/877
RaShawn Payne
2B
7/13/89
R-R
6-1/195
Middle Georgia College
Scott Hennessey

30/907
Nick Gaudi
RHP
8/2/86
R-R
6-5/215
Pepperdine University (CA)
Chuck Crim

31/937
Austin King
OF
12/1/88
R-R
6-2/205
Jackson State CC (TN)
Marty Lamb

32/967
Paul Miller
LHP
10/18/86
L-L
6-2/205
The Masters College (CA)
Chuck Crim

33/997
Steve Cilladi
C
3/15/87
R-R
5-9/182
Kansas Wesleyan University
Scott Little

34/1027
Justin Dignelli
RHP
2/26/87
R-R
6-4/220
George Washington Univ. (DC)
Clair Rierson

35/1057
David Iden
2B
3/4/87
R-R
5-9/170
California Lutheran University
Chuck Crim

36/1087
Kevin Childs
RHP
4/21/87
R-R
6-3/195
Culver-Stockton College (CA)
Scott Little

37/1117
Joel Effertz
RHP
9/27/90
R-R
6-3/240
Ladysmith (WI) High School
Chet Sergo

38/1147
Jon Pellant
2B
7/13/90
L-R
5-10/170
Corona Del Sol High School (AZ)
Brian Stephenson

39/1177
Ryan Hander
RHP
8/1/90
R-R
6-3/175
Lincoln High School (CA)
Chet Sergo

40/1207
Ryan Christenson
LHP
1/11/89
L-L
6-1/185
South Mountain CC (AZ)
Brian Stephenson

41/1237
Chris Handke
RHP
3/19/88
R-R
6-10/235
Cornell College (NY)
Scott Little

42/1267
Tony Renda
SS
1/24/91
R-R
5-10/170
Junipero Serra High School (CA)
Fred Costello

43/1297
Chad Fortenberry
C
5/4/90
R-R
5-9/210
Northshore High School (CA)
Matt Paul

44/1327
Robert Orlan
LHP
9/28/90
R-L
6-0/190
Deep Run High School (VA)
Clair Rierson

45/1357
Steve Piscotty
SS
1/14/91
R-R
6-3/185
Amador Valley High School (CA)
Fred Costello

46/1387
Cooper Smith
2B
6/25/90
R-R
5-11/180
Second Baptist School (TX)
Chris Smith

47/1417
Cole Pembroke
OF
4/2/91
R-R
6-0/200
Desert Vista High School (AZ)
Brian Stephenson

48/1447
Travis Burnside
OF
11/28/90
R-R
6-3/184
Laurens District 55 HS (SC)
Lon Joyce

49/1477
Christian Walker
3B
3/28/91
R-R
6-2/225
Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic HS (PA)
Clair Rierson

50/1507
David Garcia
SS
8/9/91
R-R
6-0/140
Kennedy High School (CA)
Chuck Crim

Kershaw still didn't give up more than three runs -- the only problem was that he lasted only two and two-thirds innings in giving up three, throwing 38 of his 83 pitches for balls.
The bullpen was spotless in relief, facing only one hitter over the minimum over six and a third innings.
Offensively, the Dodgers couldn't get it done. As of the first inning, it looked like it might be one of those singles-heavy days for the Blue, but they ended up producing only three hits after that inning. The Dodgers fall to 40-21, still 7.5 games ahead of the second place Giants.
They're off tomorrow and will play the Rangers in a three-game weekend set starting Friday at 5:05 PST.

The second day of the 2009 MLB Draft, featuring rounds 4-30, took place today. For a complete list of the 27 selections the Dodgers made, click here.
Some highlights: In the fourth round the Dodgers took CF Mario (Angelo) Songco of Loyola Marymount. I've seen Songco play in person and he has just tremendous power. He's certainly raw, but for a left-handed, 20-year-old, he has all the tools to be a corner outfielder in the majors.
I've heard good things about ninth-round pick Bryant Hernandez, a shortstop from Oklahoma. He made 21 errors this season at short but his bat exploded for 12 home runs and a team-leading 62 RBI after he hit only two homers in his first two college seasons. Interestingly, Hernandez is tied for the team lead in RBI with Oklahoma catcher (and Dodger fifth-round pick) J.T. Wise.
A Saint Bonaventure HS (in Ventura) graduate, he looks like a possible candidate to move to second base in the future.
30th round pick Nick Gaudi is another guy I've seen in person. Gaudi doesn't have the gaudiest stuff but, at 6-foot-4 and roughly 210 pounds, his frame shows projectability. He has gotten the job done as a closer in a tough conference for the last two years. Gaudi's a local product from Paraclete High in Lancaster and Pepperdine.

Clayton Kershaw is starting for the Dodgers tonight. He hasn't given up more than three runs in a start since May 12 and has lowered his ERA nearly a full point in that span. Let's see what he does against Padres right-hander Kevin Correia. Juan Pierre and Andre Ethier have hit .500 (14-for-28) against Correia in the past.

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Hudson, 2B
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Martin, C
Furcal, SS
Kemp, CF
Kershaw, P

Padres
Gwynn, CF
Eckstein, 2B
A. Gonzalez, 1B
Kouzmanoff, 3B
Headley, LF
E. Gonzalez, RF
Blanco, C
Wilson, SS
Correia, P

(AP) There will be no more visits by Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers' clubhouse during
media access periods for the remainder of his 50-game suspension.

Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch said Wednesday the club received a "friendly reminder" on Wednesday from Pat Courtney, the No. 2 spokesman in the commissioner's office, that Ramirez wasn't allowed in the clubhouse when it is open to reporters.

Ramirez's suspension for violating baseball's drug rules runs through July 2.

Ramirez told reporters Tuesday: "I didn't kill nobody, I didn't rape nobody, so that's it. I'm just going to come and play the game."

"It was not a formal warning. They called to remind us," Rawitch said. "The letter of the law says Manny is not allowed in the clubhouse while the media is present, and it is our intention to adhere to the policy. We certainly don't expect it to happen again."

So the Dodgers are up 5-3 on the Padres heading into the top of the eighth inning. Uncharacteristically for this Dodgers team, they've relied on the long ball. Andre Ethier has two solo bombs, and Matt Kemp and Orlando Hudson have added solo shots of their own. Kemp added an RBI single to score Rafael Furcal.
Billingsley didn't have his best stuff on the mound but survived through five and two-thirds innings. Brent Leach came on in the sixth and threw one pitch to get out of the inning, and Ronald Belisario pitched a perfect seventh.

In other news, the Dodgers made three more selections on the first day of the 2009 MLB Draft. After taking Baylor LHP/CF Aaron Miller with the 36th pick, they went on to select Cal OF Blake Smith at #56, Maize (Ks.) High RHP Garrett Gould with the 65th selection, and Orange Coast College RHP Brett Wallach at #96.
It is important to note that all four of these guys do have eligibility remaining, meaning that they could return to school and not sign with the Dodgers. Reports have indicated that Gould could very well choose to do so and honor his commitment to Wichita State.
Miller told MLB.com's Ken Gurnick that he is eager to sign.

Suspended Dodgers LF Manny Ramirez has broken his public silence on his suspension -- but he didn't say much.
Ramirez didn't specifically address the 50-game suspension handed down by the MLB, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick: "That's in the past," Ramirez said. "Whatever happened, that's in the past. I'm coming to play my game and move on. What happened, happened. I spoke to (owner) Frank McCourt, I apologized, I spoke to (manager) Joe Torre, my teammates and I'm ready to move on. I didn't kill nobody, I didn't rape nobody. That's it."
Ramirez is eligible to return from suspension on July 3 and may begin a rehab assignment 10 days prior.
Meanwhile, Chad Billingsley is on the hill for the Dodgers tonight, facing off against the Padres' Chris Young in the first game of a two-game set with San Diego. Here's tonight's lineups:

Dodgers
Pierre, LF
Hudson, 2B
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Martin, C
Furcal, SS
Kemp, CF
Billingsley, P

Padres
Gwynn, CF
Eckstein, 2B
Giles, RF
Gonzalez, 1B
Kouzmanoff, 3B
Headley, LF
Hundley, C
Wilson, SS
Young, P

In New York, the Dodgers' first selection in the 2009 MLB Draft has just been announced. With no first round pick due to the signing of Type A free agent Orlando Hudson, the Dodgers took Baylor LHP/CF Aaron Miller with their #36 pick in the compensatory, or sandwich, round between the 1st and 2nd.
Most scouting services have Miller listed as a likely CF at the next level, but the Dodgers announced him as a pitcher with the selection. This may remind some of the selection of James Loney out of high school in the first round in 2002. Many saw Loney as a left-handed starter at the major league level, but the Dodgers saw him as a first-base prospect through and through. Interestingly, Loney had committed to Baylor but chose to sign with the Dodgers when he was selected 19th overall.
Read MLB.com's scouting report on Miller here.
The Dodgers' next selection is at #56. Both of these picks were received as compensation for the loss of Derek Lowe to the Braves in free agency.

(AP) -- Manny Ramirez visited his Dodgers teammates before their game against San Diego on Tuesday night, popping into the clubhouse before a home game for the first time since his suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.

The dreadlocked slugger, who also talked to manager Joe Torre, told reporters he isn't going to formally address the media about what led to his 50-game ban because it's in the past.

"I don't want to be a distraction for this team," Ramirez said. "What happened, happened. I spoke to (owner) Frank McCourt, I apologized, I spoke to Joe, my teammates and I'm ready to move on.

"I didn't kill nobody, I didn't rape nobody, so that's it, I'm just going to come and play the game."

Ramirez's first contact with his teammates came during a road trip in mid-May while the team was playing the Florida Marlins not far from his home. He has been working out at Dodger Stadium in the morning for the past week, but has been keeping a low profile since his suspension was announced on May 7.

Torre acknowledged that Ramirez's visit surprised him.

"I can't speak for everybody else, but it did me," Torre said. "We had heard that he would possibly show up last week -- and he has been showing up, but not when we're here. But, again, I still think he's uneasy being around, until he starts playing again. That's what he wants to do."

Los Angeles is 18-12 since Ramirez was suspended, and entered the game against the Padres with a major league-best 39-20 record. Juan Pierre has started each game in left with Ramirez out, and is batting .362 with 18 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in that stretch.

Ramirez said he has kept in touch with his teammates while he has been away.

"Sometimes after the games I'll call my guys like (James) Loney and say 'Hi,' and if I see something wrong, what he's doing, I'll call him," Ramirez said. "It's not fun because you want to play, you want to win. You want to help your team, but it is what it is. They've been playing great. Everything's good, man."

Barring any rainouts, Ramirez is eligible to come back July 3 at San Diego. He hasn't talked with Torre yet about a minor league rehab stint, but said he'll probably need one.

"I'm just happy to be back and talking with the guys," he said. "I've been hitting and running the bases. When they go on the road I'll stay here, working out."

NEW YORK (AP) -- Suspended slugger Manny Ramirez remained fifth among NL outfielders in the latest fan voting for starting spots in the All-Star game.
The Dodgers star is serving a 50-game penalty for violating baseball's drug policy. He is eligible to return July 3, and the All-Star game is 11 days later in St. Louis.
Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez leads NL outfielders with 1,415,493 votes, followed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (1,269,033), the Mets' Carlos Beltran (1,092,516) and the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano (1,078,904). Ramirez is fifth with 838,353 in results released Monday.
Ramirez hit .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 27 games before he was suspended May 7.

Randy Wolf lost Sunday for the first time since his first start of the season, April 7 at San Diego, snapping an unbeaten stretch of 11 starts.

Prior to Sunday's game, the Dodgers placed left-hander Eric Milton on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Saturday) with a strained back, and recalled infielder Blake DeWitt from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Andre Ethier may have been struggling at the plate most of the season, but he's had game-winning hits in each of the last two games.
``I can't believe it's been two days in a row,'' Ethier said. ``You can make it through half a season or a whole season where you don't come up with the game-winning hit. To get the opportunity two nights in a row, it's such a good feeling.''
He hit a solo home run off Chad Durbin to win Saturday's game in the 12th inning.
The Dodgers have won four of six games against the defending World Series champ Philadelphia Phillies this season.

Rafael Furcal homered off Brad Lidge in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings, and Andre Ethier hit a walk-off home run to center field - his second walkoff hit in as many days off Chad Durbin for the win. The Dodgers win yet another one-run game in thrilling fashion.

Andre Ethier hit a solo home run for the Dodgers in the fourth, and Rafael Furcal hit his first career pinch hit home run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. Xavier Paul hit a pinch-hit home run for the Dodgers on May 15, the only two pinch-hit home runs of the season.

Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake were given days off today. Joe Torre said Furcal was just an offday and that he was just being cautious with Blake's hamstring but that Blake would be available.
Philly:
Shane Victorino cf
Jayson Werth rf
Chase Utley 2B
Ryan Howard 1B
Raul Ibanez lf
Pedro Feliz 3B
Eric Bruntlett ss
Carlos Ruiz c
Joe Blanton p

Dodgers:
Juan Pierre lf
Orlando Hudson 2B
Andre Ethier rf
Russell Martin c
James Loney 1B
Matt Kemp cf
Mark Loretta 3B
Juan Castro SS
Hiroki Kuroda p

Phillies

Rollins. SS

Utley. 2B

Werth. CF

Howard. 1B

Ibanez. LF

Feliz. 3B

Bruntlett. RF

Coste C

Moyer P

Dodgers

Pierre LF

Furcal SS

Hudson 2B

Blake 3B

Loney 1B

Martin C

Ethier RF

Kemp CF

Milton P

Juan Pierre -- LF
Rafael Furcal -- SS
Orlando Hudson -- 2B
Casey Blake -- 3B
James Loney -- 1B
Russell Martin -- C
Andre Ethier -- RF
Matt Kemp -- CF
Eric Milton -- P

Not much new in the pre-batting practice session. Xavier Paul hit today and, when he's ready, will go to Albuquerque for a rehab assignment. Joe Torre talked about the Dodgers' recent hitting woes and attributed them, as managers tend to do, to the normal ups and downs of a 162-game schedule. He did, however, express some optimism with the recent plate efforts of Andre Ethier, who has hit safely in eight of his last nine games to raise his average to .263.

From the Dodgers' crack PR staff ...

Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

Pacific Coast League American South Division

26-27, 1st Place, 1.5 Games Ahead

LUNA TUNES: INF Hector Luna ranks fifth in the Pacific Coast League with a .359 batting average and second with a 1.106 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS)...the 29-year-old batted .382 (39-for-102) with eight homers and 29 RBI in 28 games in May...the Dominican Republic native is hitting .436 (17-for-39) against left-handed pitchers... Luna appeared in 15 Cactus League games for the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee, batting .204 (5-for-24) with a homer and four RBI.

RUN FOR THE ROSARIO: OF Jovanny Rosario is batting .294 (10-for-34) in 12 games since his promotion from Double-A Chattnooga on May 24...the switch-hitter is batting .348 (8-for-23) against right-handed pitchers...Rosario will celebrate his 24th birthday on Sunday...he spent the 2008 season with Single-A Great Lakes, batting .270 with 35 RBI in 127 games.

CHOI IS MY BOY: RHP Hyang-Nam Choi has struck out 21 and allowed just 12 base runners in 12.2 innings...struck out four in 2.1 scoreless innings in his Isotopes debut on May 18 at Fresno (Giants)...Choi was signed as a minor league free agent on May 23, and spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Korean Lotte Giants.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

Southern League North Division

22-31, Tied for 3rd Place, 8.5 Games Back

FROM MAY TO JUNE: C Lucas May has hit safely in nine games in a row, batting .533 (16-for-30) to raise his average to .298 from .188...he has also hit safely in 13 straight starts, batting .467 (21-for-45) in those games...the 24-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in eighth round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

SWEET BABY JAMES: OF James Tomlin has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, batting .333 (15-for-45) to raise his average to .305 from .288...the Dodgers signed the Saint Bernard High School (Playa del Ray) alum as a minor league free agent in February 2007.

SARTOR THE MARTYR: RHP Matthew Sartor has posted a 1.20 ERA (2 ER/15.0 IP) in his last 11 games beginning May 1...the 24-year-old had a 4.32 ERA (8 ER/16.2 IP) in seven appearances in April...he is limiting the opposition to a .165 average, including an .093 mark (4-for-43) by left-handed hitters...Sartor was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in July 2007.

Single-A Inland Empire 66ers

California League South Division

24-29, 3rd Place, 10.0 Games Back

GREAT SCOTT!!: OF Scott Van Slyke ranks seventh in the California League with a .323 average and fourth with 63 hits...he is also tied for third in the chain with 18 doubles and tied for ninth with 35 RBI...the Dodgers' 14th-round pick from the 2005 draft has hit safely in seven straight starts, going 12-for-27 with nine RBI to raise his average from .305...the 22-year-old is batting .393 (24-for-61) with runners in scoring position overall.

ROBINSON, MY SON: OF Trayvon Robinson leads the league with 20 stolen bases and ranks second with 69 hits...the Crenshaw High School alum is batting .314 in 52 games overall...he was selected by the Dodgers in the 10th round of the 2005 draft.

HE'S THE MAN: OF Elian Herrera is batting .344 with 16 runs scored and eight steals in nine attempts in 18 games since his May 12 promotion from Single-A Great Lakes...the switch-hitter is batting .409 (9-for-22) against lefties and .310 (13-for-42) against righties...the 24-year-old Dominican Republic native was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in May 2003.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

Midwest League Eastern Division

27-25, 3rd Place, 5.5 Games Back

DEE-LIGHTFUL!!: INF Dee Gordon leads the Midwest League with 29 stolen bases...he is 29-for-35 overall, an 83 percent success rate...the 20-year-old also is tied for fourth in the league with 60 hits, and is batting .293 in 50 games overall...Gordon was selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2008 draft.

RUSSELL'S ATHLETIC: OF Kyle Russell leads the Midwest League with 14 home runs and ranks second in the circuit with a .585 slugging percentage...he also ranks second in the league with 42 RBI, and is tied for the league lead with 41 runs scored...the University of Texas product is batting .285 with 14 doubles in 52 games overall...the 22-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2008 draft.

JAVY TALK: RHP Javy Guerra ranks second in the Midwest League with 13 saves...he has a 1.82 ERA in 21 appearances, and is limiting the opposition to a .171 average...the Dodgers' fourth-round pick from the 2004 draft has 38 strikeouts in 29.2 innings, an average of 11.5 punchouts per nine innings.

GOSH, JOSH: RHP Josh Walter is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 16 games (one start)...he made his first pro start on Sunday vs. Peoria (Cubs), and tossed 4.0 scoreless innings of one-hit ball...the 24-year-old, who signed with the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in June 2008 out of Texas State University, has struck out 35 in 28.1 innings...the opposition is hitting only .172 against him.

LOS ANGELES (AP)-- Cole Hamels turned in another dominating performance against
the Dodgers, pitching a five-hitter for his third career shutout, and Philadelphia
extended its winning streak to seven games with a 3-0 victory.
In his first start in Los Angeles since winning the clincher of the National League Championship Series, Hamels (4-2) threw 97 pitches, retiring 18 of his last 20 batters and allowing only two runners as far as second base -- one of them on defensive indifference in the ninth. The 25-year-old left-hander struck out five and walked none while lowering his ERA to 4.40.
The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (3-4) threw 105 pitches over 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and four hits.

Phillies

Rollins. SS
Utley. 2B
Werth. CF
Howard. 1B
Ibanez. LF
Feliz. 3B
Bruntlett. RF
Ruiz. C
Hamels. LHP

Dodgers

Pierre. LF
Furcal. SS
Hudson. 2B
Blake. 3B
Loney. 1B
Martin. C
Ethier. RF
Kemp. CF
Kershaw. LHP

Tonight's matchup has the Phillies' Cole Hamels (3-2, 5.21) going against the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 4.34).

Phillies & Dodgers (w/NL ranks) - 2009

Phillies Dodgers

Winning Pct .608 (2nd) .673 (1st)

Runs 287 (2nd) 296 (1st)

Innings w/3+ Runs 33 (2nd) 35 (1st)

Total Bases 831 (1st) 784 (2nd)

Fielding Pct .991 (1st) .989 (2nd)

Source: STATS, LLC

Dodgers outfielders Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are scheduled to make an appearance noon Friday at Macy's in Northridge.
.

Chad Billingsley scattered four hits over six innings as the Dodgers beat Arizona 1-0.
Billingsley (7-3) struck out nine and walked four, rebounding strongly after back-to-back
losses against the Angels and Chicago Cubs. The right-hander has allowed no more than two earned runs in eight of his 12 starts this season.

Diamondbacks

Lopez. 2B
Parra. LF
Upton. RF
Drew. SS
Reynolds. 3B
Montero. C
Young. CF
Whitesell. 1B
Garland. RHP

Dodgers

Pierre. LF
Furcal. SS
Loney. 1B
Blake. 3B
Ethier. RF
Martin. C
Kemp. CF
Castro. 2B
Billingsley. RHP

The Dodgers lost to the Diamondbacks, 3-2 after scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Hiroki Kuroda had a solid start - his first since Opening Day - in allowing two earned runs on three hits in five innings. He also struck out six and walked three. The Dodgers, however, had FIVE wild pitches tonight - a club record. Cory Wade had three and rookie Brent Leach two, making Russell Martin work overtime behind home plate.

Manny Ramirez worked out at Dodger Stadium this morning but did not stay to address the media in the afternoon. Ramirez still hasn't talked publicly since his 50-game suspension for failing a drug test. Who knows when or how much he'll even say, but he has yet to face the music.

Clayton Kershaw is being used as a safety net tonight. If Hiroki Kuroda - who's already pitched three innings - has a short outing, Kershaw will come in for relief but only to start an inning. If Kershaw doesn't pitch, he'll start Thursday. If Kershaw pitches tonight, his start will be delayed until Friday.

Hong-Chih Kuo was at Dodger Stadium earlier today, but things aren't going well.
``His biggest issue is his inability to find one release point,'' Joe Torre said. ``He has no command right now. He'll warm up and then whatever it is, after that he can't find his release point. It's ideal for a pitcher to do that to get in a rhythm.''

Right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who hasn't pitched since Opening Day because of a strained left oblique, was activated from the 15-day disabled list and is set to start tonight against Arizona.
To make room for Kuroda on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers optioned A.J. Ellis to Triple-A Albuquerque.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Suspended slugger Manny Ramirez has dropped in the latest round of fan voting for the All-Star game, falling to fifth among National League outfielders.
Ramirez was fourth last week in the first set of results, about 24,000 votes behind the
New York Mets' Carlos Beltran for a starting spot. He is serving a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. He is eligible to return July 3, 11 days before the
All-Star game in St. Louis.
In results released Monday, the Dodgers star had received 635,530 votes. He trailed Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (908,745), Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez (817,849), the Cubs'
Alfonso Soriano (775,319) and Beltran (741,875). Milwaukee's Mike Cameron was sixth, about 100,000 back.
Ramirez hit .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 27 games before he was suspended May 7.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre has said Ramirez should skip the game even if he's voted to
start.