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.

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.

Dodgers' WBC: Venezuela Advances and Dutch Surprise Part II

VENEZUELA 10 - ITALY 1: Team Venezuela defeated Team Italy to advance to the second round. Venezuela will play Team USA in the Pool C finale to determine their seeding for the next round. Luis Maza struck out twice in two at-bats for Venezuela, and Valentino Pascucci did not enter the game for Italy. Bobby Abreu was one of four Venezuelans to hit a home run, and Miguel Cabrera had three hits, including a homer.

NETHERLANDS 2 - DOMIN. REPUB. 1: The Dutch stunned the Dominican Republic for the second time in the WBC, winning 2-1 in 11 innings. The D.R. took a 1-0 lead in the top of the tenth, but Holand came back to score two, the game-winner on an error by Willy Aybar. Kenley Jansen struck out once in three at-bats, and the Dutch advance to the second round, and will play Puerto Rico in their pool finale.

World Baseball Classic: The Dodgers' View

USA 6 - CANADA 5: Team USA defeated Team Canada in the first official WBC game for both teams. Russell Martin had a solo homer, a double, and scored three runs for the Canadians. While Jake Peavy lasted only three innings, Jonathan Broxton did not pitch for the US. Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn, and Brian McCann each hit home runs for America, and Joey Votto from the Cincinatti Reds hit a solo shot for Canada. Justin Morneau was the only player who had an RBI but not a home run.

NETHERLANDS 3 - DOM. REP. 2: Team Netherlands upset the Dominican Republic 3-2. Kenley Jansen had a walk and two strikeouts, but caught Willy Taveras stealing. The Dutch scored all three runs in the first inning, all being scored off of errors. The Dominican pitchers did not allow any earned runs but still lost, leaving 11 men on base. Pedro Martinez pitched three effective innings, and remains a possibility to sign with LA.

VENEZUELA 7 - ITALY 0: Team Venezuela defeated Team Italy, and will play against USA in the second game of pool-play. Valentino Pascucci had a hit, walk, and strikeout for the Italians, and Luis Maza did not play for Venezuela. Carlos Guillen and Melvin Mora both hit home runs, and Bobby Abreu had a double and 2 RBI's.

All Dodger players are in black

Dodgers Only Have Manny

Manny Ramirez becomes the Dodgers' only option for the outfield as both Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu have reached individual contracts. Dunn signed a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals, while Abreu has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Both Dunn and Abreu were seen as the Dodgers' back-ups in case Manny Ramirez could not be signed. Now that both sluggers are off the market, both the Dodgers and Manny appear to have no options left. There is no word regarding contract negotiations between GM Ned Colletti and agent Scott Boras after the two signings.

Editor's Note: LA Wants Good Manny, Not Greedy Manny

Recently St. Louis star Albert Pujols came out saying that he spoke with Manny Ramirez, and Ramirez complained, "Nobody wants me." Apparently, something got lost in translation, as it seems that he must have said, "Nobody wants to pay me." How could he say that nobody wants him when the Los Angeles Dodgers are willing to make him the second-highest paid player in baseball? With another offer rejected, Manny just keeps showing his true colors, and it's becoming harder and harder for people to not side with the McCourts. As the economy flounders and so many people are out of work, to see someone turn down a guaranteed $25 million is hard to stomach. Every rejected offer combines with Manny's complaints that no one wants to sign him, and it becomes too difficult to keep pursuing him when Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are screaming for attention. A two-for-one deal containing one of those outfielders and the defensively-gifted 2B Orlando Hudson would benefit the Dodgers even more than Manny. Dunn and Abreu are young, offensive juggernauts and Hudson can give Blake DeWitt more time to grow and develop. But right now, the 37-year old Manny commands all the attention. And as he whines more and more, it's getting more and more to the point to just forget about Greedy Manny.

Dodgers Look At Dunn, Abreu

The Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in Adam Dunn (left) and Bobby Abreu should they fail to sign Manny Ramirez, says ESPN.com and MLB.com. Both outfielders are big run-producers, each having at least 100 RBI last year. Abreu hit 20 homers, while Dunn hit 40. Dunn is more of a defensive liability and is prone to strike-outs, while Abreu lacks his power but is more defensively capable. The Dodgers are also interested in trading Andruw Jones to the Mets, as long as they eat up the majority of his contract. It is unclear who the Dodgers would want in return for Jones.