Series Recap: Kuroda Feelin' Fine

The series against Arizona took a gruesome turn when Hiroki Kuroda was struck in the head by a line-drive. Medical analysis shows he will make a full recovery, and could begin pitching very soon this season. His Thursday start is doubtful.

SAT - The injury to Kuroda set the stage for a heart-wrenching 4-3 loss, where Jonathan Broxton gave up back-to-back home runs to Mark Reynolds and Miguel Montero to tie the game. Ramon Troncoso continued to struggle, giving up a hit and two walks before allowing a deep single to center to drive in the winning run.

SUN - The Dodgers managed to salvage their series with the D-Backs with a 9-3 blowout. Randy Wolf cruised through seven innings before hitting trouble in the eighth, and even contributed with the bat, falling a triple short of the cycle. Andre Ethier hit a three-run homer before the first out of the game could be recorded, and Orlando Hudson drove in two runs with his own home run.

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.

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 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.

Schmidt Leads Way to Dodger Victory

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-0, the first meeting between the two clubs this season. Jason Schmidt cruised to his second victory, allowing only one base hit in six innings of work. Andre Ethier had a three-run homer which was more than enough, and Rafael Furcal drove in a run. Orlando Hudson scored twice, and Russell Martin had two hits and a run scored. Ethier capped it with another RBI. The Braves had only three hits in the entire game, with Chipper Jones reaching base three times, twice by walk.

George Sherrill made his Dodger debut, inheriting a two-on, no-out situation. He struck out the side, allowing only a walk.

Blake Pushes Dodgers to Walk-Off Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Florida Marlins 4-3, evening the series at a game apiece. Florida had a two run lead going into the sixth, but the Dodgers rallied to tie, and in the ninth Casey Blake singled with the bases loaded to drive in the winning run. Rafael Furcal had two hits, including a triple, and scored twice, and Orlando Hudson singled three times and drove in a run. Andre Ethier reached base in all five of his plate appearances, three times by hit and twice by walk. Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh win of the season. Hanley Ramirez scored a run for the Marlins, and Jorge Cantu had a double and an RBI.

Dodgers Complete Comeback Against 'Stros

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros 4-3, splitting the series two games apiece. Houston opened up with a three-run lead after the third inning, but the Dodgers scratched back for two runs before tying the game in the seventh on two errors by pitcher Alberto Arias. In the eighth, Matt Kemp homered with two out to give the Dodgers the lead for good. Jonathan Broxton rebounded from a tough outing yesterday to get his 22nd save. Kemp also doubled and scored all four runs, and Brad Ausmus doubled twice, driving in Kemp both times. Andre Ethier had three hits, and Rafael Furcal had an RBI. Michael Bourn doubled and scored a run for the Astros, and Geoff Blum hit a two-run homer.

Orlando Hudson injured his left wrist after bumping into Astros pitcher Russ Ortiz while running to first. It is the same wrist that Hudson underwent surgery on after he injured it last season. However, the Dodgers are saying the injury was sustained in a different area, and it is not serious. He is listed as day-to-day, and will have X-rays.

In addition to Jason Schmidt, who will make his first start since 2007 tomorrow against the Reds, two other Dodgers are on the verge of returning from the disabled list. Hong-Chih Kuo is making progress in his rehab starts, and Doug Mientkiewicz is ready begin his rehab and could be back in a matter of weeks.

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.

Billingsley Gets Slaughtered in Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros 8-1, their fourth loss to Houston in five games this year. Chad Billingsley had his worst outing this season, giving up six runs on nine hits in less than two innings of work before being pulled. Roy Oswalt was just as good as Billingsley was bad, allowing only one run on four hits while going the distance. Orlando Hudson tripled on a ball lost in the sky, and scored on Russell Martin's RBI-ground out. Miguel Tejada homered for the 'Stros, and Ivan Rodriguez had four hits, two RBI's, and two runs scored. Hunter Pence knocked in two runs, and Kazuo Matsui, Michael Bourn and Carlos Lee each scored a run.

Astros Silence Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros 3-0, their first game of the second-half. Randy Wolf pitched six quality innings before allowing three singles to start the seventh, while Wandy Rodriguez was lights-out for Houston, shutting LA down. The Dodgers left nine men on base, and batted a collective 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Orlando Hudson was the sole bright spot of the game, notching three hits including a double. Kaz Matsui doubled and drove in a run for the 'Stros, and Humberto Quintero hit his first homer of the year.

Corey Wade was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The Dodgers called up Blake DeWitt to replace him in the roster.

Struggles Continue for NL in Loss

The American League topped the National League 4-3 in the 2009 MLB All Star Game to win home-field advantage in the World Series, the AL's 12th straight ASG victory. The Junior Circuit had the early advantage, scoring twice in the first inning off the Giant's Tim Lincecum. The NL responded though, scoring three runs in the second off Toronto's Roy Halladay to take the lead, capped by Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, who hit an RBI-double. The Dodgers' Chad Billingsley surrendered the lead in the fifth, giving up a double to Minnesota's Joe Mauer that scored the Yankee's Derek Jeter. San Diego's Heath Bell then gave up a triple to Curtis Granderson of Detroit, and Baltimore's Adam Jones hit a sacrafice-fly to knock Granderson home. Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford robbed Brad Hawpe of the Rockies of a home run that would have tied the game, and his superb defense earned him the All Star MVP award. The Dodgers' Orlando Hudson entered the game as a replacement, and went 1-for-2 with a stolen base.

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 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 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.

Dodgers to Send Three to ASG

The rosters for the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game were announced today, and three Dodgers will make the journey to St. Louis. Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton and Orlando Hudson were all named to the National League team. Billingsley is having a breakout year, standing among the league-leaders in strikeouts, ERA and wins. Broxton has become one of the most dominant closers in the game, leading all active closers in strikeouts. Hudson had a career-year before falling into a deep slump, at one point leading the NL in hits. Joe Torre will accompany the three to Missouri, where he will be one of Charlie Manuel's bench coaches.

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.

Dodgers Can't Survive Extras

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Chicago White Sox 6-5 in 13 innings, dropping the series 2-1. The Dodgers had an early 4-0 lead, but Chad Billingsley fell apart in the fifth and sixth innings, giving up five runs over that span. The Dodgers came back to tie it in the seventh, but the offense shutdown after that, not getting a hit for the rest of the game. The bullpen, specifically Jeff Weaver, held Chicago back well, but he faced a jam after the ChiSox loaded the bases with nobody out in the 13th. After getting two shallow flyouts, Weaver had Scott Podsednik on a 2-2 count. However, Podsednik lined his next pitch into centerfield for a base-hit, and won the game. Neither team hit well with runners in scoring position, going a combined 6-for-28. Orlando Hudson had three hits, two RBI's and a run scored, and Mark Loretta doubled twice and drove in two runs. Juan Pierre and Russell Martin both had a hit and run scored, and Casey Blake collected a run and an RBI. Paul Konerko had a solo-homer for the Sox, and Jermaine Dye had two hits and scored a run. A.J. Pierzynski's three-run homer gave Chicago their first lead of the game, and turned out to be a huge difference.

Manny Ramirez did not start for Triple-A Albuquerque today as planned; a rain-delay forced the team to keep him out to avoid any risk of injury.

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.

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.