Braves Hold Down Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in 10 innings, their second straight loss to the Braves in extras. Clayton Kershaw threw a gem, allowing only three baserunners over seven innings of work while striking out 10. The Dodgers could not get a clutch hit, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Atlanta took the lead after Kelly Johnson hit his second two-run homer in as many games in the 10th inning. LA tried to stage a comeback, but ultimately fell a run short. Andre Ethier had the only RBI, driving in Juan Pierre. Matt Kemp had two hits and a stolen base.

Scott Elbert was demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque, and Ronald Belisario was activated to take his place. Eric Stults will be called up to start tomorrow's game.

Rambis with 'Wolves?

The Minnesota Timberwolves came to an agreement with Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis today, according to ESPN, that would make Rambis the T-Wolves' newest head-coach. However, President of Operations David Kahn denied the report, claiming no deal had been reached. Rambis was the only candidate for the job with experience as a coach. He won four NBA Championships as a player with the Lakers, then went on to win four more rings as an assistant to Phil Jackson. There was talk that Rambis could coach away games for Los Angeles, while Jackson would only coach games at Staples Center.

Pitching Mish-Mash Spells Dodgers' Doom

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Atlanta Braves 9-5 in 12 innings, evening the series at a game apiece. The Dodgers were cruising along with a 5-2 lead until Chad Billingsley hurt his hamstring running the base-paths. Hong-Chih Kuo was brought in, but without being able to warm up in the bullpen, he gave a large chunk of the lead back after surrendering a two-run homer to Kelly Johnson. LA nursed the lead going into the ninth, and with Jonathan Broxton on the mound, he gave up a single to Garret Anderson that scored Nate McLouth with two out to tie the game. Things were quiet up to the 12th inning, with Scott Elbert coming in to get the final two outs of the frame with two runners on despite being penciled in for the start on Sunday. Yunel Escobar singled to plate Anderson, and Ryan Church stuck the nail in the coffin with a three-run homer. Casey Blake had his own three-run blast, and Russell Martin had three hits and a run scored.

Jason Schmidt was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to pain in his right shoulder. Infielder Tony Abreu was called up to replace him. Abreu hasn't been on the big-league club since the 2007 season.

USC Comes in Fourth in Pre-Season Poll

The USC Trojans came in fourth in the USA Today Poll, coming behind Oklahoma, Texas and Florida. The Trojans received one first-place vote. The UCLA Bruins finished with just a mere 14 points. The Associated Press poll will be released this Saturday.

Mr. Walkoff: Ethier Sends Dodger Fans Home Happy

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-4, their second victory over Atlanta this season. With the Dodgers down 4-2, Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal scratched out bases hits, and Andre Ethier knocked a home run over the right-field wall, his fifth walk-off hit of the season. Furcal had two hits, and Manny Ramirez knocked in a run. Orlando Hudson had a run scored, and Pierre collected an RBI. Derek Lowe pitched 6-plus innings against his former club, limiting LA to just two runs. Chipper Jones hit a homer, and Matt Diaz had three hits, a run scored and an RBI for the Braves.

Schmidt's Woes Continue as Dodgers Fall

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1, dropping the best-of-three series. The Dodgers had an early advantage after Rafael Furcal hit a lead-off homer, but the offense stopped their, collecting only four hits for the rest of the game. Felipe Lopez had three hits and two runs scored for the Brewers, and Ryan Braun hit a two-run double that gave Milwaukee insurance. Jason Schmidt could not escape the fourth, leaving the bases loaded with two outs after already giving up two runs.

Rambis a Possibility for T-Wolves Job

The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking for a new head-coach, and according to Yahoo Sports they are leaning towards the Lakers' assistant-coach Kurt Rambis. Rambis was a possibility for the Sacramento head-coaching position just a few months ago. The T-Wolves are also looking at Mark Jackson and Elston Turner.

Editor's Note: Prince Needs to Get a Grip

Prince Fielder doesn't like being beaned. Guillermo Mota and the rest of the Dodgers found that out after he tried to enter the home-team clubhouse at Dodger Stadium. Prince doesn't seem to understand that the plunking was just an ugly part of the game, where if your team hits their guy, their guys will hit back. That's the way baseball works, whether you like it or not. Fielder's obcsenity-laced rampage, which can be found here (warning: video contains vulgarity), stopped just short of the door, but his post-game actions could have done much more damage than anything else on the field. He needs to relax and not take a beaning personally, instead of trying to channel his inner-Hulk.

Dodgers Pulverize Brewers

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 17-4, the most runs LA has scored in a game this year. The Dodgers collected 18 base-hits, five walks and two hit-by-pitches in their onslaught. The real damage came in three innings, with four runs coming in the first, seven coming in the sixth, and for good measure, five in the eighth. Manny Ramirez busted his mini-slump with a solo-homer and a two-run double, and Matt Kemp homered and drove in five runs, matching a career-high. Russell Martin reached base five times, scoring twice, and Casey Blake had two hits, two runs scored and two runs-batted-in. Andre Ethier had two RBI's and three runs, and Rafael Furcal scored twice. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun both had two hits and an RBI for Milwaukee.

AFL: 1987-2009

The Arena Football League has struggled in recent years, unable to stir buzz as a fast-paced alternative to the NFL. Unfortunately, the economic climate made it difficult for the league to turn a profit, and the AFL suspended operations for the 2009 season so owners could discuss a better economic model. The AFL has now filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and expects to cease operations soon. Arena Football was an outlet for some LA football fans, providing the city a professional team that it lacked in the NFL. The Avengers, as they were called, were one of the AFL's more successful franchises, but when the league suspended play, the team could not remain in operation and folded back in April.

NBA Schedule Puts Clips and Lakers at Beginning and End

The NBA released it's 2009-10 season schedule today, and the Lakers will start the season on October 27 against the Clippers. The two teams will also battle in the last game of the season. The marquis game though will be the Christmas Day spectacular, as Kobe and the Lakers take on LeBron, Shaq, and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Staples Center. The Clippers will also have their own Christmas game as they take on the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers' ring ceremony will be held on Opening Night.

Editor's Note: Live from Dodger Stadium

Your's truly was on hand to watch the Dodgers fall by the hair of their chinny-chin-chins to the Milwaukee Brewers. On top of that, I was smack in the middle of Mannywood, with seats so close to the bullpen I could see Jeff Weaver's whiskers.

New Dodger George Sherrill takes time to sign some autographs

Kershaw throws a pitch

Milwaukee pitcher Chris Smith

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Clayton Kershaw warms up before the game

The bullpen (from left to right): Scott Elbert, Hong-Chih Kuo, Jeff Weaver, Ramon Troncoso, James McDonald, Bullpen-catcher Mike Borzello, and the Fonz - er - Jonathan Broxton

Russell Martin pays the bullpen a visit with his day off

Manny Ramirez patrols left-field

Dodgers Can't Overcome Deficit

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5, their seventh loss in 11 games. Milwaukee took advantage of Clayton Kershaw's poor control, twice drawing walks with the bases loaded before driving the lefty out of the game in the fifth inning. Ryan Braun seemingly put the game out of reach with a three-run homer that gave the Brewers a 6-1 lead. However, the Dodgers scored a run in the seventh and three in the ninth. With the bases loaded and two out, Manny Ramirez could not be the hero as he flew out to right field to end the game. Matt Kemp doubled twice and scored twice, James Loney had a two-run double, and Orlando Hudson drove in two runs. Brad Ausmus had two singles and a run scored. Braun finished with four hits, and Casey McGehee had two hits and two runs scored.

Dodgers Blow Past Braves in Finale

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-1, taking the series 2-1 and ending the road trip with a 3-4 record. LA scored four runs in the fifth inning, all with two outs, and never looked back. Chad Billingsley pitched five dominant, two-hit innings before being lifted after an injury. The Dodgers totaled 19 base hits, as Matt Kemp led the way with a three-run homer and a two-run single. Mark Loretta drove in and scored a run, James Loney had three hits and two RBI's, Andre Ethier reached base four times, and Manny Ramirez scored twice. Martin Prado had two hits and Atlanta's only RBI.

Billingsley was pulled after the fifth inning when he felt pain in his right leg. It was later described as a cramp in his hamstring.

Casey Blake had to sit out after he injured his wrist last night. He is day-to-day.

Corey Wade was activated from the 15-day disabled list, but was subsequently demoted to Triple-A.