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 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.

Braves Hold Down Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in 10 innings, their second straight loss to the Braves in extras. Clayton Kershaw threw a gem, allowing only three baserunners over seven innings of work while striking out 10. The Dodgers could not get a clutch hit, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Atlanta took the lead after Kelly Johnson hit his second two-run homer in as many games in the 10th inning. LA tried to stage a comeback, but ultimately fell a run short. Andre Ethier had the only RBI, driving in Juan Pierre. Matt Kemp had two hits and a stolen base.

Scott Elbert was demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque, and Ronald Belisario was activated to take his place. Eric Stults will be called up to start tomorrow's game.

Dodgers Scratch Out Win over Rox

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 1-0, taking the series 2-1. Both teams had trouble scoring, collecting only three hits through the first seven innings. However, Brad Ausmus singled to start the eighth, Juan Castro bunted him to second, and with Russell Martin pinch-running, Rafael Furcal hit a pinch-hit single that scored Martin. Clayton Kershaw went five innings, allowing only one hit, and the bullpen held Colorado to nothing for the rest of the game. Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save of the season. Brad Hawpe had two of the Rockies' three hits, including a double.

This was the last game the Dodgers played without Manny Ramirez. The embroiled slugger will return to the lineup Friday due to tomorrow's off-day.

The victory gave the Dodgers their 50th win, the first team in baseball to reach that mark.

The Dodgers made a few moves during the day. Eric Stults was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A so he could play regularly. Catcher A.J. Ellis was sent down to Triple-A as well, and Mitch Jones was designated for assignment. Jones now has 10 days to be traded, claimed by another team, or released. If he clears waivers, he will return to the minors. Claudio Vargas is expected to be activated from the 60-day DL, a move that could force the Dodgers to move Hong-Chih Kuo to that same list from the 15-day DL. Manny Ramirez will be activated from the Restricted List now that his suspension is over.

Dodgers Bludgeon Cubs for Split

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-2, splitting the four-game series to two games apiece. The Dodgers had five consecutive singles to start the first inning, en route to hanging five runs by the time the third out was recorded. Matt Kemp homered in the third, and the Dodgers never looked back. Eric Milton had his second win in as many starts, allowing only two runs in five-and-one-third innings of work, and the bullpen shut down Chicago for the rest of the night. The 1-7 hitters in the LA lineup each had a hit and either an RBI or a run scored. Mark Loretta and James Loney both doubled and drove in two runs, Russell Martin reached base four times and scored twice, and Rafael Furcal had two hits and scored a run. Reed Johnson had three hits for the Cubs, including a two-run double that provided all of Chicago's offense.

Eric Stults was placed on the 15-day disabled list for his sore left thumb. He sprained the thumb in a start, and had to skip his turn in the rotation to recover. He then returned against Colorado and Chicago, giving up eight runs, nine hits, and seven walks in 7.1 innings combined. Travis Schlichting was called up from Double-A to take his place, though the replacement will most likely be short-lived. Hiroki Kuroda is expected to be activated from the disabled list to start tomorrow's game against Arizona. It will be Kuroda's first start since his opening-day debut where he went 5-and-two-thirds innings, allowing only one run on four hits.

Cubs Shell Dodgers in Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Chicago Cubs 7-0, their first shutout loss of the season. The Dodgers could manage only five hits and two walks through the entire game. The Cubs enjoyed what could be Eric Stults's last start with the club before being sent down to the minors, scoring four runs off of him in three-plus innings of work. Jeff Weaver was unable to keep LA in the game, giving up three runs in 2.1 innings. Reed Johnson had three hits, including a homer, two runs scored and two RBI, and Milton Bradley collected three hits. Mike Fontenot had a double and a triple and drove in two runs. Matt Kemp had two hits, and Andre Ethier and Russell Martin doubled but to no avail.

Blake Powers Dodgers to Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 5-3, their third win in a row. Chad Billingsley struggled, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks, but got his sixth win of the season after Casey Blake hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning. Juan Pierre scored a run in the first inning, and Orlando Hudson drove in a run before leaving the game with a bruised shoulder. Matt Kemp and James Loney each had a hit and a run scored, and Billingsley helped his own cause with an RBI-double. David Wright had a hit, RBI, and run scored for the Mets, and pitcher John Maine drove in two runs. Jonathan Broxton had a perfect ninth for his 10th save of the season.

Hudson suffered a bruised left shoulder after landing akwardly while trying to make an over-the-shoulder catch. He will be day-to-day.

Eric Stults was scratched from his start tomorrow due to a sore thumb. Jeff Weaver will make the start instead, and Eric Milton's spot will be skipped due to Thursday's off-day.

Stults Throws Gem in Victory

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 8-0, snapping a two-game losing streak and their first win without Manny Ramirez. Eric Stults was dominant, pitching a complete-game shutout while only allowing four hits, no walks, and striking out five. Juan Pierre doubled twice, knocked in three and scoring a run, and Orlando Hudson had a double and a run scored. Juan Castro also had two RBI-doubles, and Russell Martin walked three times and singled to reach base in all four plate-appearances. Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria had the Giants' only extra-base hits as both doubled.

Dodgers Make History with Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-2, their 19th win of the season. It also marked their 11th straight home win, the first team in the N.L. in modern history to open the season at 11-0 at home. Eric Stults got his third win of the season, throwing just under six innings, allowing only two runs on five hits. Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier connected for back-to-back homers, and Manny also had an RBI-double. Matt Kemp had a double and scored two runs, and Casey Blake also scored twice. The D-Backs turned a triple-play in the second inning, only the second in franchise history. Mark Reynolds had a home run for Arizona.

Lincecum Looks Sharp as Dodgers Fall

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the San Francisco Giants 9-4, dropping the series two games to one. LA finished the road-trip going 4-5. Cy Young-winner Tim Lincecum was solid, keeping the Dodgers scoreless up to the eighth inning when he left the game with runners on. He finished giving up three runs and striking out eight. Eric Stults was shaky, allowing five runs on seven hits in less than three innings of work. Orlando Hudson had two hits, including a double, and an RBI, and Manny Ramirez had a hit and scored a run. Juan Pierre had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Bengie Molina was money for the Giants, getting a single, triple, and homer, finishing with four runs-batted-in. Edgar Renteria had four hits, knocked in two, and scored twice.

Stults Gets Plenty of Support in Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-2, completing the three-game sweep of their bitter rivals. Eric Stults pitched five innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and three walks to get the win. Rafael Furcal hit a leadoff home run on the third pitch of the first inning, and Matt Kemp hit an RBI-triple and scored two runs. Casey Blake drove in two runs, and Doug Mientkiewicz had a pinch-hit, two-run double. However, on his slide into second, Mientkiewicz dislocated his right shoulder, and he is most likely going to the disabled list. The Giants hit just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring-position. Emmanuel Burris had three hits for San Fran, including a double, and scored a run.

Dodger News: Rotation Shuffle, Young Has Interest

The Los Angeles Dodgers are just one week into the season and already they are shuffling their pitching rotation. Eric Stults is being put into the rotation as James McDonald is moved to the bullpen. Stults joined the team after Hiroki Kuroda hit the DL, pitching more than five innings of one-run ball yesterday against Arizona. McDonald had a disastrous outing, giving up five runs in less than three innings against the same D-Backs. The Dodgers don't need a fifth starter for a few days with the off-day Tuesday, but will need one on Sunday against Colorado. That game will be a "bullpen" game, in which McDonald will pitch 2-3 innings, with the rest of the bullpen pitching in relief. Manager Joe Torre can use the bullpen like that since the Monday after is an off-day.

Delwyn Young has interest from other clubs, and could be traded by the end of the week. Young is currently on the disabled list and is playing in Triple-A Albuquerque to rehab a troubled elbow. Young is out of minor-league options and lacks a solid glove and versatility, making the club reluctant to put him on the roster. He is a switch-hitter, and has become an adept pinch-hitter. While with the Isotopes, Young caught the attention of scouts from Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.

Dodgers Enjoy Offensive Outburst

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-2, snapping a mini 2-game losing streak. Eric Stults shined in his substitution for the injured Hiroki Kuroda, pitching five-and-a-third innings while allowing just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five. Orlando Hudson hit a solo homer and a two-run double against his former team, and Russell Martin, Casey Blake, Andre Ethier, and James Loney each had a double. Martin and Ethier finished with two RBI's each, and Loney and Hudson both scored twice. Mark Reynolds had a triple and scored a run, and Chris Young doubled and scored.

Kuroda Goes on DL

Hiroki Kuroda will not make his scheduled start against Arizona on Saturday. Instead, he will be put on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left oblique muscle. Eric Stults will make the start instead.

Roster Moves: McDonald Makes Rotation

The Los Angeles Dodgers made more roster moves after their exhibition loss, the most notable was the naming of James McDonald as the fifth starter. McDonald has a 5.03 ERA this spring, and will show his stuff in today's game against the Giants. Chin-lung Hu failed to make the roster, and will start the season in Triple-A. Joining Hu are Jeff Weaver, Jason Repko, Xavier Paul, Eric Stults, and A.J. Ellis. Will Ohman made the roster, defying expectations that he would begin the season in the minors. Weaver will pitch in Triple-A to prepare for his role as a long-reliever and spot-starter.

Dodgers News: Hitting Gallery, Injury Bug, and Manny's in Left

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Milwuakee Brewers 12-8, their 14th loss of the spring. Andre Ethier had 3 hits and three RBI's, and Orlando Hudson had two hits and a run scored. Russell Martin had a two-run double, and Manny Ramirez had a hit and scored a run. Eric Stults struggled, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks in less than three innings. Claudio Vargas also struggled, surrendering four runs in just one inning of work. Not one of the Dodgers' pitchers had a scoreless outing, giving up a total of five home runs.

More Dodgers have entered the infirmary. Jason Repko left last night's game after feeling a twinge in his left hamstring. A.J. Ellis left the complex after suffering from flu-like symptoms. Delwyn Young's right shoulder flared up, but an MRI showed no damage. Young had his elbow surgically repaired during the offseason.

Manny Ramirez returned to left field for the first time since aggravating his left hamstring.

Dodgers News: Happy Birthday, So Long Yhency, and New Promotion

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-2, snapping a four-game losing streak. Clayton Kershaw, who turned 21 today, pitched five scoreless innings, giving up just a walk and a double while striking out three. He also hit a solo-homer in the third inning. Russell Martin had a double, run, and RBI, and Andre Ethier had two hits. Eric Stults ran into trouble in his first game of the spring, giving up two runs in less than two innings. Jeff Weaver and Ramon Troncoso both pitched scoreless innings.

Josh Lindblom was promoted from minor-league camp to the majors. Lindblom was a second-round pick last year and made one relief appearance this spring, pitching two scoreless innings against Oakland.

The Dodgers released Yhency Brazoban today. Brazoban was an acquisition from the Yankees and became the team closer in 2005 after Eric Gagne was injured. However, he has been troubled with weight and health issues, having Tommy John surgery in 2006 and shoulder labrum surgery in 2007.

Jamie Hoffmann was sent to the minors so he can get more playing time. Hoffmann went four-for-six in Spring Training with three doubles, five RBI's, and three runs scored.

Dodgers News: Tough Thrashing, Schmidt Can't Pitch, and Manny Can't Play

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Colorado Rockies 9-5, their seventh loss of the season. Manny Ramirez made his debut in left-field, but left the game after injuring his hamstring. Eric Milton and Claudio Vargas both had rough outings, Milton giving up four runs in his first inning of work, and Vargas surrendering three runs in three innings. Valentino Pascucci had a two-run homer, and Hector Luna had a double, RBI, and three runs scored. Russell Martin and Casey Blake both had doubles, and Juan Castro had a hit and RBI.

Manny Ramirez was lifted in the fourth inning for a pinch-hitter after Ramirez tweaked his left hamstring. He received the injury after trying to run down a double in the top of the fourth. The hamstring tightened on Thursday, keeping him out of the lineup against Korea. Ramirez will not play in any game tomorrow, and might not play Tuesday with Wednesday an off-day.

Eric Stults, a long-shot candidate for the fifth-starter spot, pitched three shutout innings in a B-game against the Chicago White Sox yesterday.

Justin Orenduff cleared waivers and was sent to the minors. Orenduff was designated for assignment after LA signed Manny Ramirez.

Jason Schmidt complained of full-body fatigue and was given an extra day of rest. He was scheduled to pitch in today's game, but will instead start tomorrow against Oakland.

The Dodgers will play two split-squad games tomorrow, one against Oakland and the other against Seattle. While Schmidt going against the A's, Hiroki Kuroda will start against the Mariners.