Dodgers Take Series with Blowout Against Giants

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 9-1, sealing a series victory against the Giants. Just like in the first game, San Francisco struck first, scoring a run in the third inning. The Dodgers came right back with four runs in the fifth, and for good measure they scored five in the seventh to clinch the victory. Randy Wolf went eight innings, allowing just the one run on three hits and one walk. Manny Ramirez had a double and a homer, collecting three RBI's and two runs scored when all was said and done. Matt Kemp had a three-run home run, and James Loney had two hits. Andre Ethier doubled twice, scoring twice and driving in two. Edgar Renteria had two hits for the Giants, and Fred Lewis scored the lone run.

Eric Stults was demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque. Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger was called up to replace him.

Dodgers Can't Overcome Deficit

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5, their seventh loss in 11 games. Milwaukee took advantage of Clayton Kershaw's poor control, twice drawing walks with the bases loaded before driving the lefty out of the game in the fifth inning. Ryan Braun seemingly put the game out of reach with a three-run homer that gave the Brewers a 6-1 lead. However, the Dodgers scored a run in the seventh and three in the ninth. With the bases loaded and two out, Manny Ramirez could not be the hero as he flew out to right field to end the game. Matt Kemp doubled twice and scored twice, James Loney had a two-run double, and Orlando Hudson drove in two runs. Brad Ausmus had two singles and a run scored. Braun finished with four hits, and Casey McGehee had two hits and two runs scored.

Dodgers Blow Past Braves in Finale

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-1, taking the series 2-1 and ending the road trip with a 3-4 record. LA scored four runs in the fifth inning, all with two outs, and never looked back. Chad Billingsley pitched five dominant, two-hit innings before being lifted after an injury. The Dodgers totaled 19 base hits, as Matt Kemp led the way with a three-run homer and a two-run single. Mark Loretta drove in and scored a run, James Loney had three hits and two RBI's, Andre Ethier reached base four times, and Manny Ramirez scored twice. Martin Prado had two hits and Atlanta's only RBI.

Billingsley was pulled after the fifth inning when he felt pain in his right leg. It was later described as a cramp in his hamstring.

Casey Blake had to sit out after he injured his wrist last night. He is day-to-day.

Corey Wade was activated from the 15-day disabled list, but was subsequently demoted to Triple-A.

Martin's Miscues Cost Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Atlanta Braves 4-3, evening the series at a game apiece. The Dodgers had a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, but when Martin tried to pick-off Adam LaRoche at first, the ball got away from James Loney, allowing LaRoche to take second base. Diory Hernandez then singled, and Martin dropped a throw from Andre Ethier that could have gotten LaRoche out at home. Hernandez took second on the throw, and Greg Norton singled him in for the winning run. Ethier had a homer, his second in as many days, and scored two runs, and Loney had two hits and drove in a run. Casey Blake had a double and an RBI. Former Dodger Derek Lowe got the win, holding LA to only three runs over six innings of work.

Cards Outlast Dodgers into 15

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 in 15 innings, their fourth consecutive loss. The Dodgers were nursing a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but with two outs Jonathan Broxton gave up a game-tying single. The Dodgers took the lead again in the 11th, and again the Cardinals came back to tie it. Jeff Weaver could not hold on, giving up a triple, walk, fielder's choice and single in the 15th to give the Cards the victory. Clayton Kershaw was outstanding, pitching eight shutout innings. Casey Blake scored both Dodger runs, and Matt Kemp and James Loney split the two RBI's. Loney finished with four hits, and Blake had three, including a triple. Albert Pujols had three hits, including the game-winning single, and Ryan Ludwick scored and drove in a run. Mark DeRosa scored the winning run.

Scott Elbert was scratched from his start in Triple-A Albuquerque. While it is possible that Elbert could be part of a trade, Ned Colletti told LA Times's Dylan Hernandez that there is no trade. Elbert could be called up to replace Brent Leach, who has been struggling of late.

Billingsley Implodes as Dodgers Drop Third Straight

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 10-0, their third loss in a row and their first three-game losing streak. Chad Billingsley cruised for the first five innings, but he fell apart in the sixth, giving up three hits, four walks, two wild pitches and their first six runs in the inning. The Dodger offense did nothing to help, stranding nine runners while going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position (the "one" being an infield single). Rafael Furcal, James Loney and Russell Martin each had two hits, and Andre Ethier doubled. Ryan Ludwick and Yadier Molina both drove in two runs, and Matt Holliday had a hit and a run scored.

The Dodgers are rumored to have focused their energy on acquiring George Sherrill from Baltimore, according to various sources. The Dodgers are also reported to have interest in Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Jarrod Washburn, though they are considered long-shots to trade for any of the three.

Mark Loretta pitched to two batters in the eighth inning after Brent Leach surrendered four runs. Loretta hit a batter and produced a fly-out.

Dodgers Can't Make Up Ground Against Marlins

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Florida Marlins 8-6, dropping the series two games to one. Florida roughed up Jason Schmidt for five runs, then tagged Jeff Weaver for three more runs to take an 8-0 lead. However, the Dodgers tried to come back, scoring four in the sixth and two in the ninth, and had the tying run at the plate in Matt Kemp, but he popped out to end the game. Andre Ethier had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, and James Loney drove in three runs. Russell Martin had a two-run home run, and Rafael Furcal tripled and scored a run. Hanley Ramirez had two hits and three RBI's for the Fish, and Jorge Cantu doubled twice. John Baker scored two runs and reached base three times.

Blake DeWitt was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque in order to make room for the return of Hong-Chih Kuo. Since Kuo is on the 60-day disabled list, the Dodgers must make a corresponding move to clear space on the 40-man roster.

Dodgers Have Interest in Indians' Players

FOX Sports is reporting that the Dodgers are involved in serious discussions with the Cleveland Indians, initially saying that the teams would swap Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez for James Loney, a young starter from the rotation, and prospects. However, both sides refuted the claims, though they are said to be talking, though the specifics are unknown.

Ned Colletti appeared on Dodger Talk, and vehemently refuted all trade rumors.

Grand Return: Manny-Slam Gives Dodgers Sweep

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-2, sweeping the Reds three games to none. The game was tied in the sixth inning before the Dodgers loaded the bases, when Manny Ramirez came in to pinch-hit. He sent the first pitch he saw into the left-field stands, putting LA up by four with a grand-slam homer. Chad Billingsley struck out seven in six innings while giving up only two runs to earn his 10th victory of the season. Andre Ethier had a solo-home run, and James Loney scored and drove in a run. Matt Kemp and Russell Martin both had a run scored. Joey Votto had three hits for the Reds, including a double, and drove in a run.

Several factors made Manny's pinch-hit slam exciting and incredible. Ramirez was out of the lineup after being hit on the hand by a pitch in Tuesday's game. He previously was 3-for-27 in pinch-hit appearances. It was "Manny Ramirez Bobblehead Night", and the ball landed in the section now titled "Mannywood". Manny is the active-leader in grand slams with 21, and is second all time.

Dodgers Hammer Reds to Take Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 12-3, becoming the first team in baseball to reach 60 wins. The Dodgers scored at least two runs in four of the first five innings, and Randy Wolf held the Reds to just two runs for his fifth win of the season. Manny Ramirez tripled and drove in two runs before leaving the game after being hit on the hands by a pitch. Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal both homered, and James Loney scored three runs and knocked in two runs. Wolf had a double, RBI and run scored, and Furcal finished with four runs-batted-in and two runs scored. Cincinnati collected only five hits; Joey Votto homered and Jonny Gomes drove in a run.

Manny left the game after being struck on the left hand by a pitch. He immediately underwent an x-ray, which came up negative. Manny will be day-to-day.

Orlando Hudson returned to the lineup after sitting out just one game. Hudson injured his left wrist after running into an Astros pitcher on Sunday. That same wrist underwent surgery last year, and as a result Hudson cannot bend it backwards.

Dodgers Finish Half on Right Note

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4, taking the series 2-1. The Dodgers had the early advantage, scoring twice in the first inning. Clayton Kershaw was solid, giving up only one run on two hits and five walks over six-plus innings of work. Ramon Troncoso notched the save with a scoreless ninth. Brad Ausmus connected for his first homer of the season, and Orlando Hudson had two home runs, one from each side of the plate. James Loney drove in two runs, and Manny Ramirez doubled twice and scored twice. Mike Cameron and Bill Hall both doubled, knocked in a run and scored a run for the Brewers.

The victory ended the Dodgers' nine-game road trip, in which they went 6-3. It was also the last game before the All Star Break, which signals the end of the first half of the season.

Dodgers Overpower Brewers for Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 12-8 in 10 innings, their first victory of the season against the Brew Crew. The Dodgers had an early lead after Andre Ethier homered in the first, but Chad Billingsley did not have his A-game, yielding two runs in the first before recording three outs. After trading runs in the fourth innings, Manny Ramirez and Russell Martin both slammed jacks to give the Dodgers a two-run cushion. Billingsley once again surrendered two more runs to tie the game. Mat Gamel then homered in the eighth to give Milwaukee a one-run lead. However, the Dodgers got to closer Trevor Hoffman, with Mark Loretta singling home the tying run in the ninth. In the 10th, LA broke the game open, scoring two runs before loading the bases, where Matt Kemp delivered a grand-slam home run to put the game out of reach for Milwaukee. Despite allowing two runs in the bottom of the inning, Jonathan Broxton held on to seal the victory. Kemp finished with a double and single in addition to the grand-slam, and Martin had three hits and scored three runs. James Loney homered, and Casey Blake hit an RBI-triple in the 10th that gave the Dodgers the lead. Gamel finished the game with three RBI's for the Brewers, and J.J. Hardy smashed a homer and drove in three runs. Prince Fielder scored twice, and Mike Cameron had three hits.

Dodgers Salvage Game in Extras

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-6 in 13 innings, taking the series 2-1. The Dodgers seemed to be in complete control entering the bottom of the ninth, as Chad Billingsley was cruising to what looked like a complete-game and his 10th win of the season. However, a homer and a double later, he was pulled and Jonathan Broxton was put in with a still comfortable four-run lead. Things took a turn for the worst in Broxton's worst outing of the season though, as he gave up a walk, single, walk, walk, and single to tie the game at six runs apiece. In the 13th inning, James Loney broke the game open with a solo-homer, and Jeff Weaver spun three innings of no-hit ball to get his fourth win. Casey Blake hit a three-run home run, and Andre Ethier had a solo-shot. Billingsley doubled and hit his first career homer. Juan Pierre had four hits, and Rafael Furcal scored twice. Kevin Kouzmanoff and Chase Headley both had solo-homers for the Padres, and Everth Cabrera had the game-tying, two-run single.

Eric Milton was placed on the 15-day disabled list, again because a troubling back. Jeff Weaver, James McDonald, and Claudio Vargas are all capable of filling his spot in the rotation. Blake DeWitt was called up to replace him on the roster.

Bullpen Collapses in Dodgers' Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the San Diego Padres 7-4, evening the series at a game apiece. The Dodgers had the early advantage after Manny Ramirez homered in the first inning, and later scored a run in the seventh to break a 1-1 tie. However, Ronald Belisario fell apart, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk while only retiring one batter. Ramon Troncoso was the victim of poor defense in the eighth, as the Padres scored three unearned runs after the Dodgers infield committed two errors. Casey Blake had two hits and a run scored, Matt Kemp had an RBI, and both James Loney and Rafael Furcal scored a run. David Eckstein had two hits and drove in two runs for the Friars, and Everth Cabrera collected two hits, two runs scored and three RBI's.

Manny's Return Sparks Offensive Outburst

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 6-3, their first game with Manny Ramirez since he was suspended for violating MLB's drug policy. While Manny went 0-for-3 with a walk, the rest of the lineup seemed to be invigorated by his return, scoring five runs in the first inning. Rafael Furcal collected four hits, including a double, and scored a run, and Russell Martin singled twice and drove in two runs. Andre Ethier scored twice, and Matt Kemp had a two-run double. James Loney had a run scored and RBI. Hiroki Kuroda was shaky but solid enough to get his third win of the year, and Jonathan Broxton's perfect ninth gave him his 20th save. Scott Hairston had a solo-homer for San Diego, and Adrian Gonzalaz doubled to drive in two runs.

Silence Screams Loudly in Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Colorado Rockies 3-0, only the second time the Dodgers have been shutout all season. Chad Billingsley was spot-on, allowing only three runs while striking out 11, but it was only worth his fourth loss of the season. The Dodgers totaled only two hits in the entire game which lasted just two hours and 16 minutes, a stark contrast to yesterday's four hour-10 minute marathon. Jason Marquis was lights-out to become the NL's first 10-game winner, throwing a complete-game shutout in under 90 pitches. Juan Castro and James Loney were the only Dodgers that did not see goose-eggs in their box-scores, both getting a single. Brad Hawpe hit a solo-homer, and Marquis hit a two-run single that helped himself to some breathing room.

Felix Stymies Dodgers in Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Seattle Mariners 5-1, evening the series at one game apiece. Seattle jumped ahead early, scoring a run in the second and three runs in the third off Eric Milton. Meanwhile, Felix Hernandez thouroughly frustrated the Dodgers, holding them to just four hits, all singles, over eight innings with the only run scoring on an error by Ichiro Suzuki. Rafael Furcal had two of the four hits and scored the only run. James Loney had a ninth-inning double, and Orlando Hudson and Matt Kemp both singled. Suzuki had three hits and scored, and Ken Griffey, Jr. smashed a two-run homer, the 620th one of his career. Russell Branyan tripled and homered for the M's, and Jose Lopez singled twice and scored a run.

Manny Ramirez homered in his first at-bat for Single-A Inland Empire. He finished the day going 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored.

Homers Abound as ChiSox Beat Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Chicago White Sox 10-7, evening the series at a game apiece. The White Sox scored every run courtesy of the homer, as five of the Chicago Nine went deep. Randy Wolf was tossed around despite having a 3-1 lead for a cushion early in the game. Corey Wade entered the game in relief, and he was battered as well. Matt Kemp hit his own homer, a three-run tater, and Mark Loretta scored twice and drove in a run. James Loney scored two runs, and Orlando Hudson had an RBI. Alexei Ramirez, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Josh Fields, and Jayson Nix each smacked a home run, with Fields hitting two.

Manny Ramirez had another rehab start with Albuquerqe. This time he drew a walk in his first plate-appearance, but grounded-out to the shortstop in his second. Manny was originally supposed to be in the game for at least five innings, but he left after four.

Kuroda Gets Elusive Second Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-2, their seventh win in 11 days. The Dodgers jumped to an early lead after Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson hit back-to-back doubles. James Loney insured the lead with a two-run homer, his third bomb in four games. That was all LA needed as Hiroki Kuroda pitched a gem to get his second win of the year, allowing only two runs on four hits in 8 and two-thirds innings, striking out nine. Jonathan Broxton was brought in with two outs and the tying run on deck, and struck out Jim Thome to get his 18th save. Hudson scored a run, and Casey Blake had two RBI's. Mitch Jones had two hits, including a double, and scored his first career run. Former Dodger Paul Konerko hit a solo home run, and Jermaine Dye had two hits and a run-batted-in.

Manny Ramirez made his Isotope debut today, playing left field for Triple-A Albuquerque in a rehab start permitted by Major League Baseball. Manny batted lead-off as he struck out and grounded out to the shortstop in his only two at-bats.

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.