Bullpen Crumlbes in First W/O Manny

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Washington Nationals 11-9, their first loss at home. The loss came just hours after Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a banned substance. The Dodgers broke out of the gate early, scoring six runs in the first inning, including a grand slam from Matt Kemp. Randy Wolf was solid, allowing only a run in six innings of work. However, the bullpen could not hold the lead, as Ramon Troncoso, Corey Wade, Will Ohman, Brent Leach, Guillermo Mota, and James McDonald combined to give up 10 runs, 13 hits, and two walks in just three innings of work. LA tried to come from behind in the ninth, scoring two runs, but ultimately fell short. Casey Blake came up a homer short of a cycle, and Kemp finished with five RBI's. James Loney and Russell Martin both had two hits, scored twice, and one RBI. Adam Dunn had a double and three runs batted in for the Nats, and Anderson Hernandez scored three times. Nick Johnson three hits, three RBI's, and two runs scored.

Dodgers' WBC: USA Avoids Elimination

USA 9 - NETHERLANDS 3: Team USA defeated the Dutch and avoided elimination. However, Holland was consequently sent packing. Kenley Jansen had his first hit of the WBC, and Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect inning of relief. Jimmy Rollins and Adam Dunn both went deep, and Rollins drove in four runs.

All Dodgers are in black.

WBC The Dodgers' View: USA Advances

USA 15 - VENEZUELA 6: Team USA defeated Team Venezuela and advanced to the second round of the World Baseball Classic. Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn, and Ryan Braun each hit home runs for America, and David Wright had three hits and scored 2 runs. Both Chris Iannetta and Mark DeRosa had four RBI's, and Dustin Pedroia had a hit, run, and knocked in two runs. Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless inning, giving up only one hit and striking out one. Luis Maza did not enter the game for Venezuela. Venezuela will play the winner of the Italy-Canada game, and the winner between those two will advance to the second round. USA will still play in the Pool C finale to determine its seeding in the second round.

All Dodgers are in black

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 May Move On From Manny

Manny Ramirez has rejected the Los Angeles Dodgers' offer of a one-year $25 million contract, according to the Dodgers. This is the third contract offer Manny has rejected; the first two were a 2-year $45 million contract and arbitration. ESPN is reporting that the Dodgers may move one from Manny and look at OF Adam Dunn and 2B Orlando Hudson (above). Dunn has hit at least 40 home runs in the last 5 seasons, and Hudson hit .305 in 107 games with Arizona last year.

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.