D-Backs Down Dodgers in Opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1, their second loss in a row. Dan Haren shut LA down for eight innings, holding them to just one run on six hits while striking out eight. Clayton Kershaw hit trouble in the second, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks. Matt Kemp hit his 17th home run of the season, and Manny Ramirez had three hits.

The Dodgers signed second-round draft pick Garrett Gould to a contract. Gould is a first-round talent who dropped to the second due to signability issues.

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 Pad Lead with Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Dodgers hit Jonathan Sanchez for four runs in the fourth inning, the back-breaker being Matt Kemp's bases-loaded double that drove in all three runners. Mark Loretta then singled to drive in Kemp. Manny Ramirez had two hits and a run scored. Hiroki Kuroda pitched 6-and-a-third effective innings, allowing only one run. Travis Ishikawa and Bengie Molina both had solo-homers to account for the Giants' only two runs.

Orlando Hudson had to leave the game after feeling pain in his groin area. He is listed as day-to-day.

Dodgers Drop Series to Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Altanta Braves 8-2, dropping the four-game series 3-1. Javier Vazquez held the Dodgers to just one run over eight innings of work, and the offense floundered again, going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Martin Prado had two hits and three RBI's, and Matt Diaz homered, scored twice and drove in two runs. Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson both scored two runs. Manny Ramirez had three hits and a run scored for LA, and Andre Ethier scored the only other run. Casey Blake had the lone RBI.

Eric Stults had the start for the game, and went five innings while allowing three runs. To make room for Stults on the roster, Tony Abreu was demoted to Triple-A.

Mr. Walkoff: Ethier Sends Dodger Fans Home Happy

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-4, their second victory over Atlanta this season. With the Dodgers down 4-2, Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal scratched out bases hits, and Andre Ethier knocked a home run over the right-field wall, his fifth walk-off hit of the season. Furcal had two hits, and Manny Ramirez knocked in a run. Orlando Hudson had a run scored, and Pierre collected an RBI. Derek Lowe pitched 6-plus innings against his former club, limiting LA to just two runs. Chipper Jones hit a homer, and Matt Diaz had three hits, a run scored and an RBI for the Braves.

Dodgers Pulverize Brewers

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 17-4, the most runs LA has scored in a game this year. The Dodgers collected 18 base-hits, five walks and two hit-by-pitches in their onslaught. The real damage came in three innings, with four runs coming in the first, seven coming in the sixth, and for good measure, five in the eighth. Manny Ramirez busted his mini-slump with a solo-homer and a two-run double, and Matt Kemp homered and drove in five runs, matching a career-high. Russell Martin reached base five times, scoring twice, and Casey Blake had two hits, two runs scored and two runs-batted-in. Andre Ethier had two RBI's and three runs, and Rafael Furcal scored twice. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun both had two hits and an RBI for Milwaukee.

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.

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 Make Most of Schmidt's Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-5 in what was Jason Schmidt's first start with the Dodgers since 2007. Schmidt gave up three runs in the first inning, but that was all as he cruised through the next four to earn only his second win with LA. The Dodgers helped his cause by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, and never trailed after that. Jonathan Broxton collected his 23rd save of the season. Russell Martin had three hits and scored twice, and Andre Ethier doubled, homered, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Manny Ramirez had a home run, and Casey Blake had a double and two RBI's. Brandon Phillips had three hits for the Reds, as well as a run-batted-in and a run scored.

In order to make room for Schmidt on the 25-man roster, Scott Elbert was optioned to Triple-A. Eric Milton was transfered from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.

Kershaw's Gem Helps Dodgers Beat Astros

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros 5-2, preventing their first three-game losing streak of the season. Clayton Kershaw was dominant, shutting Houston out for seven innings on just two hits and one walk. The bullpen struggled though in the eighth, and Jonathan Broxton loaded the bases in the ninth, but he struck out the side and earned his 21st save of the season. Orlando Hudson had three hits, including a triple, scored twice and drove in a run. Manny Ramirez doubled and Matt Kemp had two RBI's and a run scored. Chris Coste doubled and scored a run for the Astros, and Jason Michaels drove in a run.

Before the game, the Dodgers announced that Jason Schmidt will be activated on Monday, where he will start that day against Cincinnati.

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 Pummel Mets for Series Victory

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 11-2, taking the series two games to one. The Dodgers led before the first out could be recorded, and scored enough runs in the first inning to win the game. LA totaled 17 hits, and Randy Wolf's shaky outing was enough to get him his fourth win of the season. Rafael Furcal doubled twice and scored three runs, Manny Ramirez had two hits, RBI's and runs scored, and Andre Ethier collected two runs. Casey Blake drove in and scored a run, and Orlando Hudson had a three-run double. Matt Kemp had three hits, and Russell Martin had two runs-batted-in. David Wright had two hits and scored a run for the Mets, and Gary Sheffield drove in a run.

Orlando Hudson was struck by a pitch on the leg, and had to be replaced with a pinch-runner. He will be in the lineup for Friday's game in Milwaukee.

Randy Wolf changed his number to help him get his fourth win. He previously wore #21, but after four out of five of his last starts ended in a no-decision he changed it to #43, the record he hoped to reach with tonight's start. He did get the win.

Dodgers Come Up Short Against Mets

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the New York Mets 5-4, splitting the series at a game apiece. The Dodgers struck early, scoring in the first, but Hiroki Kuroda could not get outs, giving up eight hits and two walks that resulted in five runs scoring. The bullpen held New York back, but the offense failed in the clutch, hitting 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Boys in Blue tried to get back into the game, scoring a run in the eighth and in the ninth to cut the deficit to one. However, with two on and one out Andre Ethier grounded into a double-play to end the game. Rafael Furcal had two hits and two RBI's, and Matt Kemp tripled and scored twice. Russell Martin reached base four times, twice by hit and twice by walk. Manny Ramirez hit a home run in the ninth to cut the lead in half. David Wright scored two runs and drove in a run for the Mets.

Ronald Belisario was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a stiff shoulder, though the MRI revealed no structural damage. Corey Wade was called up from Triple-A to take his place.

Dodgers Defeat Mets Handily

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 8-0, their first victory in the Mets' new Citi Field. The Dodgers struck early in the second with three runs, and led for the rest of the game. New York could only muster four hits and two walks over nine innings. Rafael Furcal scored twice, and Orlando Hudson drove in two runs. Manny Ramirez collected three RBI's before being ejected after reacting negatively to a strike out. Matt Kemp totaled two hits, a run scored, a run-batted-in, and an outfield assist. Blake DeWitt had a pinch-hit homer, his first blast of the season. Juan Pierre tripled and scored a run after replacing Manny. Clayton Kershaw pitched six shutout innings, striking out seven and walking only two. Luis Castillo had only one of the Amazins' four hits.

Claudio Vargas made his Dodger debut after spending the entire season on the disabled list. Vargas had a perfect inning, but was struck by a line-drive.

Ronald Belisario returned to Los Angeles to have an MRI on his right elbow after he complained of stiffness. There is no word if he will be placed on the disabled list.

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.

Editor's Note: Welcome Back?

Manny's return was somewhat aptly timed from a public-relations perspective. The entire nation is still hooked on the Michael Jackson storyline, and LA is reeling from Trevor Ariza's departure and Ron Artest's subsequent arrival. If there was ever a time for Manny's suspension to end, this would probably be the best. Still, every sports-related medium will have their eyes glued to the goings-ons in PETCO Park tonight as he returns to the lineup after being served a 50-game suspension back in early May. Manny's homecoming raises a tough moral dilemma in fans though: do we cheer him, boo him, or neither? Cheers should be reserved for a reason to celebrate, and certainly nobody wants to celebrate cheating. But as a member of the team, you can't boo him or else you also boo the Dodgers. Indifference is the correct stance as of now. Manny must learn that he cannot just show up and expect all to be forgiven. He betrayed us all, and must work to reenter our hearts, whether by apology or by home run. Whether you go to San Diego, New York, Milwaukee, or Los Angeles, don't boo or cheer. Just let Manny know he's got a long way to go.