Dodgers Scratch Out Win over Rox

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 1-0, taking the series 2-1. Both teams had trouble scoring, collecting only three hits through the first seven innings. However, Brad Ausmus singled to start the eighth, Juan Castro bunted him to second, and with Russell Martin pinch-running, Rafael Furcal hit a pinch-hit single that scored Martin. Clayton Kershaw went five innings, allowing only one hit, and the bullpen held Colorado to nothing for the rest of the game. Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save of the season. Brad Hawpe had two of the Rockies' three hits, including a double.

This was the last game the Dodgers played without Manny Ramirez. The embroiled slugger will return to the lineup Friday due to tomorrow's off-day.

The victory gave the Dodgers their 50th win, the first team in baseball to reach that mark.

The Dodgers made a few moves during the day. Eric Stults was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A so he could play regularly. Catcher A.J. Ellis was sent down to Triple-A as well, and Mitch Jones was designated for assignment. Jones now has 10 days to be traded, claimed by another team, or released. If he clears waivers, he will return to the minors. Claudio Vargas is expected to be activated from the 60-day DL, a move that could force the Dodgers to move Hong-Chih Kuo to that same list from the 15-day DL. Manny Ramirez will be activated from the Restricted List now that his suspension is over.

Dodgers Send Hoffmann, DeWitt to Minors

The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned infielder Blake DeWitt and outfielder Jamie Hoffmann to Triple-A Albuquerque, and called up catcher A.J. Ellis. The move leaves the Dodgers with 24 men on their 25-man roster, with a call-up expected before tomorrow's game. The Dodgers could call up power-hitting outfielder Mitch Jones who impressed club officials in Spring Training. However, Jones is not part of the 40-man roster, and his promotion would require another move. Ellis was called up briefly before in the season, but never entered a game; his presence instead allowed the Dodgers to use Brad Ausmus as a pinch-hitter. Hoffmann struggled in his major-league stint, but hit his first home run and totaled 7 RBI's despite only collecting four hits. DeWitt has bounced between the majors and the minors, and had only three hits in his limited appearances.

Dodgers Slip Past Cubs

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 2-1, their fourth win in a row. The Dodgers scored two early runs and Randy Wolf cruised through seven-plus innings to get his third win of the season. Ramon Troncoso pitched two shaky-but-scoreless innings for his second save of the season. Rafael Furcal had an RBI-single in the first inning, and Casey Blake drove in the winning run in the third inning on a groundout. Juan Pierre had two hits and scored a run, and James Loney also had two hits. Andre Ethier had a double, and the Dodgers contained Chicago with four double-plays. Bobby Scales had a solo-homer for the Cubs' only run, and Derrek Lee had two singles.

Will Ohman was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder pain. Catcher A.J. Ellis was called up to take his place, allowing Brad Ausmus to be used as a pinch-hitter more.