Dodgers Pull One Out in Matinee

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in 10 innings, taking the series 2-1. The Dodgers had a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth, but Jonathan Broxton gave up a game-tying double to Carlos Ruiz with two outs. However, Andre Ethier walked with two out in the top of the tenth, and Russell Martin doubled, James Loney walked, and Matt Kemp doubled to put LA up by two. Chad Billingsley was sharp despite not getting the win, allowing only one run on three hits and nine strikeouts. Ramon Troncoso had his second save of the season. Martin finished with three hits, Kemp had a triple and finished just a homer short of the cycle, and Loney had his second home run in as many days. Xavier Paul doubled, the first extra-base hit of his career, and Casey Blake added a single, double, RBI, and run scored. Raul Ibanez had two hits and scored a run for the Phillies, and Jimmy Rollins had a double.

The Dodgers optioned James McDonald to the minors, and called up veteran Eric Milton to replace him. Milton will start Saturday against the Marlins instead of Jeff Weaver. McDonald struggled in his rookie season, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

Dodgers Blow Past Phils

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 9-2, snapping a two-game losing streak. LA put the hurt on Jamie Moyer, tagging him for seven runs in less than five innings of work. Randy Wolf was solid against his former team, allowing only one run on three hits and striking out 8 in six innings. James Loney had his first homer of the season, a three-run dinger, and Casey Blake had a two-run blast, his seventh home run. Loney finished with 5 RBI, and Blake finished with 3. Juan Pierre had a single, double, and two steals, and Orlando Hudson doubled twice and scored a run. Russell Martin and Matt Kemp both scored twice. Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez both had solo-homers for the Phillies.

Joe Torre was chosen by Philly's manager Charlie Manuel to be part of his coaching staff in the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis. Torre played for the Cardinals during his professional career, and also managed them for six seasons before he joined the Yankees.

WBC Semifinal: Japanese Ensure Return Trip

JAPAN 9 - USA 4: Team Japan defeated Team USA to defend their World Baseball Classic title tomorrow against Korea. Japan scored 5 runs in the fourth inning off Roy Oswalt, and to secure their win, scored 3 more runs in the eighth. Brian Roberts hit a leadoff home run off Daisuke Matsuzaka in the first inning, and Jimmy Rollins had four hits, including a triple, and scored a run. David Wright, Ryan Braun, and Mark DeRosa each had a double. Jonathan Broxton did not enter the game for Team USA. Akinori Iwamura had a triple for the Japanese, and Ichiro Suzuki had an RBI and a run scored. Japan and Korea have already played four times, twice in each pool, and have split their matchups, both winning twice.

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.