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.

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.

Dodgers Salvage Series in Extras

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 in 10 innings, salvaging a victory from this four-game series. The Dodgers had a 3-2 lead going into the seventh, but Rick Ankiel tied it with one swing of the bat. The game entered extra innings, and with two out Matt Kemp singled to drive in two runs, more than enough for the win. Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless 10th to get his 24th save, and James McDonald's perfect ninth gave him his third career victory. Casey Blake had four hits, including a double, and scored twice, and Rafael Furcal drove in two runs. Kemp finished with three hits and three RBI's, and Brad Ausmus singled twice and had a run scored. Matt Holliday finished with two runs-batted-in, and Albert Pujols scored a run.

Scott Elbert was called up from Triple-A, and Brent Leach was demoted after he struggled this month.

George Sherrill will join the team tomorrow in Atlanta. A move on the roster will need to be made to make room for him.

Rumors: Halladay Still on Dodgers Radar

The Los Angeles Dodgers are still considering Roy Halladay as a mid-season trade acquisition. However, as Sports Illustrated reports, the price is still astronomical, with as many as six top-prospects needed to get a deal done. The Blue Jays would lower that number, but only if Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw headline the deal. The Dodgers are reportedly balking at the asking price, and have focused their attention on acquiring George Sherrill from Baltimore. The Orioles are looking for a pitcher and third-baseman, and have interest in Scott Elbert and Double-A slugger Josh Bell.

Cards Outlast Dodgers into 15

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 in 15 innings, their fourth consecutive loss. The Dodgers were nursing a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but with two outs Jonathan Broxton gave up a game-tying single. The Dodgers took the lead again in the 11th, and again the Cardinals came back to tie it. Jeff Weaver could not hold on, giving up a triple, walk, fielder's choice and single in the 15th to give the Cards the victory. Clayton Kershaw was outstanding, pitching eight shutout innings. Casey Blake scored both Dodger runs, and Matt Kemp and James Loney split the two RBI's. Loney finished with four hits, and Blake had three, including a triple. Albert Pujols had three hits, including the game-winning single, and Ryan Ludwick scored and drove in a run. Mark DeRosa scored the winning run.

Scott Elbert was scratched from his start in Triple-A Albuquerque. While it is possible that Elbert could be part of a trade, Ned Colletti told LA Times's Dylan Hernandez that there is no trade. Elbert could be called up to replace Brent Leach, who has been struggling of late.

Dodgers Make Most of Schmidt's Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-5 in what was Jason Schmidt's first start with the Dodgers since 2007. Schmidt gave up three runs in the first inning, but that was all as he cruised through the next four to earn only his second win with LA. The Dodgers helped his cause by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, and never trailed after that. Jonathan Broxton collected his 23rd save of the season. Russell Martin had three hits and scored twice, and Andre Ethier doubled, homered, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Manny Ramirez had a home run, and Casey Blake had a double and two RBI's. Brandon Phillips had three hits for the Reds, as well as a run-batted-in and a run scored.

In order to make room for Schmidt on the 25-man roster, Scott Elbert was optioned to Triple-A. Eric Milton was transfered from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.

Weaver's Struggles Set Dodgers Back

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3, evening the series at a game apiece. Jeff Weaver struggled, giving up four runs (two earned) over three-and-a-third innings, and it was a deficit the Dodgers could not escape. Rafael Furcal and Andre Ethier had back-to-back homers, with Furcal hitting a two-run shot, and Matt Kemp scored a run. Prince Fielder had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Brewers, and J.J. Hardy drove in two runs.

Jonathan Broxton will not pitch tomorrow or participate in the All Star Game this Tuesday due to a nerve issue in his right-big toe. The toe was a problem for him before in mid-June, and just recently started to affect his pushoff, explaining his recent performances.

Blake DeWitt was demoted to Triple-A for the third time this season. Scott Elbert was called up to replace him. Elbert had two-and-two-thirds shutout innings in the game.

Dodgers Promote Weaver

The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of minor-league pitcher Jeff Weaver to help contribute to a thin bullpen and even spot-start. Weaver has been stellar for Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque, with an ERA of 3.55 in 12.2 innings for the Isotopes, striking out 12 while walking just two. Consequently, Scott Elbert was demoted to Double-A Chattanooga. Elbert gave up five runs in less than seven innings, translating into a 7.11 ERA. Corey Wade was activated from the disabled list, and Doug Mientkiewicz was put on the 60-day DL to make room for Weaver. Blake DeWitt was optioned to Albuquerque to make room for Wade.

Dodgers Blast Past Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 14-2, their eighth straight victory. The Dodgers had the lead right at the beginning after scoring twice in the first inning. James McDonald struggled despite not allowing any runs, and could not escape the fifth inning. Matt Kemp had two home runs, one a grand slam, and a double, scored three runs, and knocked in five runs. Every Dodger got in on the hit-parade, including Rafael Furcal with two hits, one a double, an RBI, and two runs, Orlando Hudson with three hits, including a double, three RBI's, and two runs, and Manny Ramirez with two hits and a run scored. Andre Ethier had a double and knocked in three, James Loney singled, scored a run, and knocked in a run, and Russell Martin had two hits, two walks, and scored a run. Casey Blake had a single, a double, and scored twice. Scott Elbert got the first win of his career in relief, and had a double, RBI, and run scored, all firsts. Brad Hawpe doubled and homered for the Rox, and Chris Iannetta had his own solo shot.

Manny & Ethier Power Dodgers Past Rox

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 9-5, their seventh win in a row. Manny Ramirez connected twice for his first two home runs of the day, both solo shots. Andre Ethier also had two bombs, one solo and the other 3-run, his second multi-homer game of the season. Chad Billingsley went six innings to get his third win of the season, allowing three runs on four hits, three walks, while striking out six. Matt Kemp extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI-single, and Brad Ausmus scored a run in his second start of the season. Will Ohman, in a rare at-bat, had an RBI single. Ian Stewart had a solo-homer for the Rockies, and Brad Hawpe had a two-run triple.

Manny's home run off starter Aaron Cook was his 528th career home run. It also meant that he has homered against all 30 major league teams in his career.

Corey Wade was put on the 15-day disabled list due to shoulder bursitis. The move is retroactive to April 12. The Dodgers called up lefty Scott Elbert to take his place in the bullpen. Elbert can also act as a long-reliever in addition to being a lefty-specialist.

Ronald Belisario could act as a substitute closer in tomorrow's game, despite him pitching today. He would replace Broxton, who is being given extra time off after pitching a five-out save on Friday.

Dodgers News: Manny's Back, Billingsley's Hurt, and Estes Makes Decision

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10-4, their 12th loss of the spring. Chad Billingsley was roughed up in his two innings of work, giving up four runs on 4 hits and three walks. Jeff Weaver also struggled, giving up two runs in two innings, including a home run. Scott Elbert pitched a scoreless inning, and Ramon Troncoso was touched for two runs. Of the nine Dodger hits, none were for extra bases. Matt Kemp had two RBI's, and Russell Martin and Andre Ethier both had two hits and a run scored.

Manny Ramirez made his return to the lineup after suffering a left-hamstring injury. Manny played in the DH position, and struck out twice in three at-bats.

Chad Billingsley left the game after he began to feel a mild right groin strain. Billingsley left after pitching two innings, but is not too concerned with the injury.

Mark Loretta also suffered a strained groin three innings after Billingsley suffered his. Loretta is set to make the roster as the team's primary pinch-hitter.

Blake DeWitt joins Billingsley and Loretta as slightly injured. DeWitt took a knee in the right quad muscle after trying to take out Chone Figgins before he could get a clean throw.

Luis Maza returned to the Dodgers' lineup after spending the last few weeks with Team Venezuela in the WBC. Maza had a hit in two at-bats.

Shawn Estes has elected to enter the Dodgers' minor-league camp, where he will pitch as a reliever. Estes has only pitched in relief twice in his career, but sees a golden opportunity to join the club by changing his role. The Dodgers are struggling to find a left-handed pitcher to join the fragile Hong-Chih Kuo in the bullpen. Estes is expected to pitch with the minor-league camp for a few days, then return to the big-league club for the last week of Spring Training.

Dodgers News: Whipe-Out, Blake is Back, and Schmidt Will Pitch

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Chicago White Sox 9-4, their 6th loss of the spring. Mark Loretta had 2 hits, including a double, and knocked in a run, and Brad Ausmus had a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Rafael Furcal had a single and his first RBI of the spring. Clayton Kershaw threw two-and-two-thirds scoreless innings, and James McDonald gave up two runs in two innings. Scott Elbert had a rough outing, surrendering three runs in just one inning of work.

Casey Blake played third base for the first time after recovering from a hamstring injury. Blake previously played in the DH position in yesterday's game.

Jason Schmidt is scheduled to pitch in Monday's game against Texas. It will be the first game Schmidt would pitch with the Dodgers since 2007.

Dodgers News: Clutch Hits, No News Is Still News, and DeWitt Makes a Change

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 13-5, their second win of Spring Training. Matt Kemp had a 2-run home run, and Mitch Jones continued his hot hitting with a grand-slam in a 6-run eighth inning. Juan Castro had 3 hits, including 2 doubles, Valentino Pascucci snagged 3 hits as well, and Jamie Hoffmann had 3 RBI's. The Dodgers' pitching prospects teamed up, with Clayton Kershaw giving up 2 runs in 2 innings, and James McDonald throwing two scoreless innings to get the win. Scott Elbert had 2 perfect innings.

Blake DeWitt played at shortstop for the first time in his professional career. If he can successfully cover short, he improves his chances to make the team's roster as a utility-man. DeWitt currently can play second-base and third.

There have been no new talks between the Dodgers and Manny's agent Scott Boras, according to MLB.com. Boras told the website he spoke with Ned Colletti, but there is nothing new to report. The team still has not responded to Boras's counter-offer of a non-deferred $45 million for two years.

This was the last game for Russell Martin, Valentino Pascucci, and Luis Maza with the Dodgers. All three, as well as Jonathan Broxton and Kenley Jansen will all be leaving to join their respective World Baseball Classic teams.