Dodgers News: Heavy Hitting, Oh Man, and Minor Awards

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-9, snapping a four-game spring losing streak. Blake DeWitt, Casey Blake, and James Loney all had home runs, and DeWitt came up a triple short of the cycle. Juan Pierre had two hits, runs, and RBI's. Andre Ethier had two doubles and three RBI's. James McDonald pitched four-and-one-third innings, giving up three runs on six hits. Corey Wade was the only pitcher to have a perfect outing for both teams.

Will Ohman made his debut for the Dodgers and showed his rust. Ohman gave up a walk and a home run and struck out one in one-third of an inning.

The Dodgers gave out awards to their top minor-league players. The winners were Xavier Paul for best Spring Training for a rookie, James McDonald for Pitcher of the Year, Ivan DeJesus Jr. for Player of the Year, and Tony Delmonico for Rookie of the Year.

Dodgers Sign Ohman

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Will Ohman to a one-year minor-league deal. The deal is a major-league in essence though, meant to give Ohman time to prepare, as he can opt-out if not called up by mid-April. The contract is worth $1.35 million plus incentives, with an option for 2010 worth $2.2 million. Ohman will fill the left-handed specialist role left vacant by Joe Beimal. Ohman pitched with Atlanta last season, going 4-1 with a 3.68 ERA. Ohman pitched in simulated-game for the Dodgers as a try-out during the weekend.

Dodgers News: No A for Effort for Kershaw, Progress with Ohman, and Weaver Gets More Innnings

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Oakland Athletics 9-5, their 18th loss of the spring. Clayton Kershaw got roughed up for seven runs, six earned, in four innings, and Ramon Troncoso gave up two runs on four hits in one inning. Guillermo Mota pitched a perfect inning, and Jonathan Broxton had a scoreless outing. Andre Ethier had a double, RBI, and run scored, and Manny Ramirez had a hit, walk, and run scored. Matt Kemp had a two-run double, and Rafael Furcal doubled as well.

Jeff Weaver pitched in a minor-league game instead his scheduled appearance against Oakland. Weaver is going to be used as a long-reliever and needs to stretch out the number of innings he pitches.

The Dodgers are expecting progress in negotiations with free-agent LHP Will Ohman, so much so that he could be ready to pitch by Opening Day. Ohman tried out for the Dodgers in a simulated game yesterday.

James McDonald is the favorite to become the club's fifth starter. McDonald has a spring ERA of 4.70, giving up 8 runs in 15 innings.

Jason Schmidt, Delwyn Young, and Claudio Vargas all will start the season on the Disabled List.

This was the last game the Dodgers will play at their new Spring Training complex, Camelback Ranch.

Dodgers News: Schmidt Toils, Ohman Tries Out, and Billingsley Nears Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the San Diego Padres 7-3, their 17th loss of the spring. Matt Kemp hit a two-run home run and singled twice, providing most of the Dodger offense. Manny Ramirez had a double and a walk, and Russell Martin singled and scored a run. Jason Schmidt pitched a solid first inning, then the wheels fell off as he gave up three runs without getting past the fourth. Hong-Chih Kuo became a victim of the wind, giving up a run in one inning. Corey Wade had a perfect inning, and Josh Lindblom increased his bid for the opening-day roster, pitching two hitless innings. Ramon Troncoso pitched a perfect ninth.

The Dodgers gave LHP Will Ohman a try-out today. Ohman pitched in a simulated minor-league game. The Dodgers are searching for a left-handed pitcher to put in the bullpen, and Ohman is searching for a job. Erik Threets and Brian Mazone, both with the team, are the current candidates to fill the void left by Joe Beimal.

Chad Billingsley is ready to make his scheduled regular-season start as he rehabs a strained right-groin. Billingsley pitched in a simulated game and experienced no problems. Billingsley will pitch Friday in an exhibition against Milwaukee at Dodger Stadium.

Mark Loretta continues to recover from his own right-groin strain. Loretta is optimistic that he can enter a game by Wednesday or Thursday, possibly in a minor-league game.

Claudio Vargas is recovering his sore right-elbow. The soreness is caused by inflammation as he has learned, and there is no ligament damage. Vargas can begin throwing by next week.

Hawks Snap Lakers' Streak

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Atlanta Hawks 86-76, snapping their 7-game road win-streak. The Lakers shot just 35% from the field, and 4-for-20 from 3-point range. While Atlanta had a .393 shooting percentage, they made 10-of-19 three-point tries. Both teams turned the ball over 14 times, and LA's bench scored only 14 points. Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant had an off-day with 17 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Mike Bibby led the Hawks with 21 points on 5-for-6 shooting from three-point range. Flip Murray scored 14 off the bench, and Maurice Evans added 13.

Short-Handed Clips Can't Handle Rockets

The Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Houston Rockets 110-93, their 56th loss of the season. The Clippers were without Baron Davis or Marcus Camby, both dealing with health problems. Houston had a .524 shooting percentage, and out-rebounded LA 44-32. The Clips had only 8 turnovers, but went 4-for-12 from 3-point range. Eric Gordon led the Clippers with 17 points, and Chirs Kaman had 16. Zach Randolph and Al Thornton both scored 12, and Mike Taylor had 11 with 6 assists. Yao Ming led the Rockets with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Kings Get Knocked Out

The Los Angeles Kings fell to the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime, severely damaging the Kings' chances at making the postseason. LA has seven games left while they are 8 points out of a playoff spot. The Kings scored a goal in each period, starting with Brian Boyle's goal in the first. Matt Greene scored in the second, and Jack Johnson scored in the third with 1:04 left to tie the game and send it into overtime. Steve Sullivan scored in OT to give Nashville the win.

Dodgers News: Silent Bats, Elbert's Demoted, and Blake is not Back

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Chicago White Sox 6-1, their 16th loss of the spring. Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal both had two hits and a walk, and Andre Ethier reached base twice. There were no extra-base hits for LA. Randy Wolf pitched five solid innings before cracking under pressure and allowing four runs in the sixth. Guillermo Mota struck out two to relieve Wolf, and Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless inning.

Doug Mientkiewicz is turning heads in the organization. So much so that he could make the opening-day roster as a backup. Joe Torre has expressed his desire to have versitility on the bench, which helps Mientkiewicz. He can play all corner infield and outfield positions.

The Dodgers optioned Scott Elbert to minor-league camp. Elbert is a left-handed prospect who joined the team last year in mid-season and acted as a reliever. He will be a starter in Triple-A.

Casey Blake was not in today's lineup. He left Arizona on Thursday to go home for the birth of his third child. There is no real timetable for his return, though he is expected to be back by tomorrow.

Clips No Match for Healthy Spurs

The Los Angeles Clippers fell to the San Antonio Spurs 111-98, their 55th loss of the season. LA could not handle San Antonio's full lineup, including the long-awaited return of Manu Ginobili. The Clips shot .513 from the field, but the Spurs shot .561. San Antonio committed only five turnovers. Mike Taylor started for Baron Davis who was out with the flu, and led the Clippers with 23 points. Marcus Camby sprained his ankle in the first quarter, and is expected to miss one to two weeks. Eric Gordon had 18 points, and Zach Randolph and Al Thornton both added 16. Tony Parker led the Spurs with 18 points, and Ginobili had 14 with 7 assists. Tim Duncan added 13 points and 6 rebounds.

Pau Shines and Kobe Falls in Lakers' Clincher

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Jersey Nets 103-95, clinching the top spot in the Western Conference and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs up to the Finals. Kobe Bryant sprained his ankle after getting wrapped up with Devin Harris near the end of the second quarter, but returned in the second-half. New Jersey crept closer to the Lakers, at one point cutting a 22 point deficit to just 3 in the fourth. The Lakers pulled away every time the Nets got close, shooting .471 from the field. Jersey committed 22 turnovers and went 8-for-17 from the charity stripe, contributing to the loss. Pau Gasol had a season-high 36 points to go with 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Derek Fisher scored 18 points, and Kobe had 14 with 9 assists, scoring 12 points in the second-half. Vince Carter led the Nets with 20 points, and Harris had 13 with 14 assists.

Dodgers News: Manny's Perfect, Gagne Makes Appearance, and Billingsley has Session

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Kansas City Royals 4-1, their 15th loss of the spring. Hiroki Kuroda pitched more than five innings despite giving up four runs on eight hits. Jeff Weaver struck out the side in his only inning of work. Manny Ramirez had three of the Dodgers' five hits in three at-bats. Doug Mientkiewicz had the only RBI for the team.

Chad Billingsley pitched a full bullpen session and feels fine. Billingsley suffered a strained right groin while pitching in a game. He expects to pitch in a simulated game and still be ready for his April 8th start in San Diego for the regular season.

Joe Torre has decided Manny Ramirez will bat third in the regular-season lineup. Manny will bat cleanup after Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson.

Eric Gagne made a brief appearance at the Spring Training complex today. Gagne is a free-agent recovering from a tear in his right rotator cuff. He signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, but was cut due to his consistent health problems.

Kings Stay Alive With Win

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Dallas Stars 1-0 in a shootout, and can still make the playoffs as long as they don't lose. Jonathan Quick had 29 saves for LA, while counterpart Marty Turco had 30. Anze Kopitar put the Kings on the board in the shootout, and after Jere Lehtinen tied the game, Justin Williams scored the winning goal. The Kings have eight games left in the regular season.

Lakers Keep Rolling with Win

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 92-77, keeping them one game behind the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lakers faced a scare after losing the second quarter 30-14, but came out of halftime to take the third 31-13. Detroit had only 25 points in the first and third quarters combined, shooting just .395 from the field overall. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 30 points, and also grabbed 8 rebounds and had 7 assists. Derek Fisher followed with 15 points, and Lamar Odom had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Will Bynum scored 25 points and had 11 assists off the bench to lead the Pistons in both categories, but Antonio McDyess was the only other Piston to score in double-figures, getting 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Dodgers News: McDonald Shines, Billingsley's Held Back, and Vargas is Sore

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 8-6, their 13th win of the spring. James McDonald improved his claim to the fifth starter spot with three scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out three. Eric Milton took a step back as he allowed 6 runs on seven hits in less than three innings. Xavier Paul had a three-run triple, and both James Loney and Blake DeWitt had two hits and two RBI's. Juan Castro had two hits, one run scored, and an RBI.

Chad Billingsley will be held back from his scheduled start on Sunday because of a strained groin. Billingsley expects to pitch in a bullpen session on Friday.

Claudio Vargas's elbow became sore after Wednesday's outing. Vargas is a candidate for the fifth starter spot.

Jonathan Broxton and Corey Wade both pitched in simulated games rather than their expected bullpen sessions.

Editor's Note: Clippers Should Enjoy Time

It's over. All over. There's nothing left to play for, except the game. The Clippers have been on a downward spiral since the start of the season that there was never any hope of exiting. But there have been some bright spots. There was the acquisition of Zach Randolph, who has quickly become the star of the team. Al Thornton continues to prosper in his second season. Then there's Eric Gordon. The first-round pick out of Indiana, Gordon has both amazed and astonished everyone who actually pays attention to the Clips. So much so that he deserves some recognition for Rookie of the Year. Chris Kaman returned from a long, painful absence, and Baron Davis and Marcus Camby both are healthy and in top form. The Clips have one of the best lineups they ever had, but they can't enjoy it. With too much pressure to perform and make up for lost time, the Clippers can't gel and get into a rhythm. But in tonight's win against the Knicks, they showed their potential. This is a team capable of killing giants like Boston and Cleveland. But they can't play with those expectations just now. They have to spend the next few games of the season enjoying their time and getting ready for next season. That way, they can become the team that no one can say they saw coming.