Kershaw Deals as Dodgers Take Freeway Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 5-3, taking the series 2-1 and improving their interleague record to 7-5. The Dodgers got on the board first with a run in the fifth, but they looked poised to surrender the lead after the Angels loaded the bases with no one out. But Clayton Kershaw forced Bobby Abreu to ground into a 1-2-3 double play, and escaped the inning unscathed. Kershaw went 7 innings, holding the Halos scoreless on four hits, four walks, and five strikeouts. Jonathan Broxton was shaky, but he got a four-out save to give him his 17th save of the season. James Loney had a two-run jack that was upheld on a review, the first time instant-replay was used on a Dodger homer. Juan Pierre had three hits, two of which were doubles, 2 RBI's and a run scored, and Casey Blake singled twice, knocked in a run and scored a run. Matt Kemp scored twice. Juan Rivera had two hits and drove in a run for the Angels, and Torii Hunter had an RBI-double. Mike Napoli had three hits.

Kobe Bryant was at the game with his father, and while he did not wear gear of either team, he appeared to be rooting for the Dodgers. He expressed amazement after Kershaw induced a bases-loaded double-play, and left with two outs in the ninth.

Dodger Weaver Beats Angel Weaver in Historic Matchup

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6-4, their sixth win in eight games. The Angels had an early 2-0 lead, but the Dodgers came back after Russell Martin homered for the first time this season. Jeff Weaver faced his younger brother Jered for the first time ever, and the matchup was the first time brothers opposed each other since 2002. The elder Weaver held Anaheim to just two runs over five innings, while LA touched the younger Weaver for all six runs. Orlando Hudson and Casey Blake both had an RBI and a run scored, and Andre Ethier tripled and drove in two runs. Matt Kemp had two hits and scored once, and Martin had two additional hits. Kendry Morales hit a home run for the Angels, and Gary Matthews, Jr. knocked out a two-run bomb in the ninth off Jonathan Broxton, the first homer he has given up all year.

Manny Ramirez agreed to a minor-league rehab stint before his suspension ends. Manny is allowed to play for the Dodgers' farm teams before his return, but the Dodgers can only have him play with the clubs with his consent. Ramirez will most likely play with Triple-A Albuquerque for three games, then go to Single-A Inland Empire for another three-game set.

Dodgers Fall Apart Against Angels

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 5-4, their second loss in six games. The Dodgers had an early 4-1 lead, but Chad Billingsley coughed it up in the sixth inning, and the game was tied. In the eighth, Juan Rivera connected and homered to left to give the Angels the lead. LA went a combined 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, leaving the bases loaded in the eighth and stranding the tying run on second in the ninth. James Loney and Rafael Furcal both homered for the third time this season, and Orlando Hudson had three hits. Juan Pierre and Russell Martin both scored a run, and Casey Blake had an RBI and an amazing diving-catch to end a serious bases-loaded threat. Chone Figgins had two hits and scored a run for the Angels, and Vladimir Guerrero had an RBI and a run scored. Maicer Izturis drove in two runs.

The Dodgers recalled James McDonald from Triple-A Albuquerque. McDonald was on the Opening Day roster, but struggled in his first career starts, posting an ERA of 6.75. However, he had a tremendous turnaround in the minors, and compiled an ERA of 3.26 and 40 strikeouts. Travis Schlichting was demoted to make room for McDonald. Schlichting was rarely used as a reliever, pitching just 2.2 innings in his rookie-season.

Dodgers Can't Endure Angel Slugfest

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10-7, losing the 3-game series two games to one. The Dodgers jumped out to an early 4-0 victory after Jamie Hoffmann hit his first career home run, a three-run jack. However, Chad Billingsley was less than stellar, giving up five runs, four earned, in six innings to get only his second loss of the season. The bullpen could not keep the game close, as Corey Wade, Brent Leach, and Ramon Troncoso combined to give up five runs on seven hits. Hoffmann added a double and finished with four RBI's, and Orlando Hudson scored twice. Casey Blake had three hits, two runs scored, and an RBI, and James Loney drove in two runs. Matt Kemp had two hits and scored a run. Torii Hunter had two hits and 3 RBI's for the Angels, and Bobby Abreu added a triple and two runs scored. Juan Rivera singled three times, drove in two runs, and scored once.

Walk-Off-Walk Gives Dodgers Win over Angels

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 5-4 in 10 innings, their 30th win of the season. The Dodgers were in an early hole after Torii Hunter hit a 3-run homer to give the Angels a 4-1 lead in the top of the fifth. However, LA came back, scoring twice in the bottom of the inning, and tying up the game in the eighth on an RBI-single from Casey Blake. Juan Pierre walked with the bases loaded in the 10th to get the Dodgers the victory. Andre Ethier showed signs of life, getting a single and a double and scoring twice before leaving the game with an injury. Russell Martin also doubled and singled, plus he drove in two runs. Blake doubled and singled twice, and James Loney had a single, double, a run scored, and an RBI. Juan Rivera had three hits for the Angels, including a solo-homer, and scored twice.

Andre Ethier had to leave the game after he split open the toenail on his right big-toe. His condition is uncertain.

Jason Schmidt was hit in the head by a line-drive in a rehab start with Albuquerque. The injury is not serious.

Jonathan Broxton pitched two scoreless innings to receive his fifth win of the season. His five wins are second on the team behind Chad Billingsley's six.

Dodgers Out-Clutched by Angels

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3-2, snapping a four-game winning streak. Both teams struggled to produce with runners in scoring position; Anaheim went 2-for-17 and the Dodgers went 1-or-14. However, the Angels got the key hit from Chone Figgins as he singled with the bases-loaded to score two runs in the eighth. Rafael Furcal doubled twice but never scored, and James Loney had two hits and the lone RBI. Russell Martin scored the only run, and both Juan Pierre and Matt Kemp each had two hits. Gary Matthews, Jr. had two hits, a run scored, and an RBI, and Figgins was just a homer short of the cycle. Torii Hunter doubled and scored.

Adenhart Dies in Car Accident

Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart died in a car accident early this morning. Adenhart was just 22 years old, and had made his first start of the season yesterday, throwing six shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics. Adenhart was killed after a drunk driver ran a red-light early morning in Fullerton, crashing into his car. Two other passengers in the car were killed instantly, with the fourth man still in critical condition. My condolences go out to Adenhart's family, the three other victims' families, and the entire Angel organization.

Dodgers' Debut Goes Smoothly

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6-2 in an exhibition, their first game of the year at Dodger Stadium. Casey Blake had a two-run homer, and Andre Etheir had a solo shot and a triple. Manny Ramirez walked twice, singled, had an RBI and scored a run. James Loney had three hits, including a double, and Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal both doubled. Randy Wolf pitched three innings, giving up only a run, and Will Ohman, Corey Wade, Guillermo Mota, Ronald Belisario, and Ramon Troncoso combined to pitch five scoreless innings of relief.

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.

Kings Pull Through For Win

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-3, putting them only 3 points out of a playoff spot. Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar both scored power-play goals in the third period to give LA a 4-2 lead, and held on despite giving up a goal to Chris Kunitz with 3:40 left. Jarret Stoll and Patrick O'Sullivan each scored a goal for the Kings, and Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and two assists. Jonathan Quick made 28 saves for LA.

Kings Get Home-Style Revenge

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-3, avenging their loss two days ago to the Ducks. The win came after it was announced that the Staples Center was sold out for the contest between the two teams. The Ducks' Bobby Ryan had his first career hat trick. The Kings led 3-0 during the second period, but Ryan's hat trick cut away the lead. Anaheim tied the game in the beginning of the third period, but Alexander Frolov scored a power-play goal to get the win. Ryan scored all three of the Ducks' goals, and Anze Kopitar, Wayne Simmonds, and Dustin Brown each scored goals for LA.

Ducks Poke Holes in Kings

The Los Angeles Kings were defeated by the Anaheim Ducks 3-1, falling below .500. Two penalties set up 2 of Anaheim's goals. LA took only 18 shots on goalie Jonas Hiller, with just one going into the net. Bobby Ryan, Scott Niedermayer, and Samuel Pahlsson each scored goals for the Ducks. Kyle Quincey scored the Kings' only goal, and Erik Ersberg made an emergency start at goalie when Jonathan Quick came down with flu-like symptoms.

Editor's Note: Manny Market Crumbles

The New York Yankees signed 1B Mark Teixeira to an 8-year, $180 million contract, effectively destroying any market that was available for Manny Ramirez. Both Angels GM Tony Reagins and Yankee GM Brian Cashman have said that Manny is not an option for their respective clubs. And while NY head-honchos Hal and Hank Steinbrenner have said Manny would be a great fit for the Bronx Bombers, signing him would create a huge breach of trust between them and Cashman, without having the benefit of the team as an excuse. With no suitors for the left-fielder, Manny's only option may very well be the Boys in Blue, just the kind of thing GM Ned Colletti planned out. He preached patience on this issue, and now it's almost as if Manny has fallen into his lap. Other teams considering Man-Ram have folded: Toronto is playing it safe due to the weak Canadian Dollar, while Boston has a better chance of signing Lou Gehrig than the guy who was "dogging it" every day. Everything has fallen into place for Colletti. All he has to do is wait for agent Scott Boras to come crawling back for that $45 million contract Boras scoffed at earlier.

Dodgers Get in on Sabathia

The Los Angeles Dodgers are prepared to offer CC Sabathia a $100-120 million 6-year contract, reports MLB.com. The former CyYoung pitcher is seen as the best pitching free agent, and is being courted by the Yankees, Angels, Brewers, and Giants. CC is a California native who prefers the NL so he can bat.

Kings Go into Free(way) Fall

The Los Angeles Kings were defeated by the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, 2-0. Backup Jonas Hiller had his first career shutout for the Ducks, while Erik Ersberg had 24 saves for the Kings.

Ducks Down Kings in OT

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Kings 1-0 in overtime on Chris Pronger's goal. Erik Ersberg, the Kings goalie, was solid for all three periods with 19 saves in the first two periods.