A Sweep in San Francisco And Other Dodger News

The Dodgers leave San Francisco today with a series sweep over the Giants. How nice does that sound? Three days ago Dodger fans were up in arms over Joe Torre's bullpen debacle. What a difference three days in San Fran makes.

Matt Kemp started today after staying out of the starting line-up three consecutive games. He was huge in today's 8-2 victory, going 3 for 4 with a walk, homerun and three RBI. I hope this is the game that gets Matt Kemp going. Kemp and manager Joe Torre had a meeting on Tuesday. And even though the details of the meeting haven't come out, I hope the tension between the two has been cleared.

Rafael Furcal had another big game going 3 for 4 with a homerun and 2 runs batted in. He also scored three times. Since his father passed away, Rafa has gone16 for 34 with 11 runs and seven RBI. His father passing away is very sad, but it seems to have motivated the Dodger shortstop.

Vicente Padilla hit a milestone with his win today. It was win number 100 for the righty from Nicaragua. Vicente looked good, going seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking one and striking out five. His only blemish was a solo homerun given up to Aaron Rowand.

I have to say, I'm happy inter-league play is over. It's nice to get back to National League play. The team is off to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks. They get to face former Dodger Edwin Jackson who pitched a no-hitter just last Friday. Let's hope the roof is closed and the air conditioner is on in Phoenix. Today's high was 109 degrees.

In other Dodger news:

Manny Ramirez is scheduled to have an MRI on his injured right hamstring during Thursday’s day off in Phoenix.

After being designated for assignment on Friday, Charlie Haeger cleared waivers, and was outrighted to AAA Albuquerque.

All-Star voting ends Thursday. Andre Ethier still has the third most votes for National League outfielders.

Dodgers News And Notes

All the excitement I had before the Dodgers/Yankees game went away as I watched the Dodgers lose again. The offense is painful to watch. Yes, I know the Yanks had CC Sabathia on the mound, but this Dodger offense is bad. Some changes need to be made. I hope to see Joe Torre shake up the line-up a bit today. The Dodgers are facing a cold AJ Burnett tonight, who's looking to avoid losing five straight starts for the first time in five years. The Dodgers need to jump all over Burnett. We'll see what happens. The game is starting at 4:00 pm.

Let's take a look at what's going on in the Dodger world

Antonio Villaraigosa really likes going to Dodger games. More than 400 pages of records include an e-mail exchange in which a lobbyist for Staples Center's owner seems to advise how the mayor could cite 'official' business as a way to accept free tickets. Lawyers for the Los Angeles Mayor named the Dodgers as the most frequent donor of his free tickets.

Charlie Haeger had been designated for assignment. With Chad Billingsley coming off the disabled list Monday, the knuckleballer became expendable. He was 0-4 with an 8.40 earned-run average in nine games, including six starts. Placed on the disabled list May 9 because of a minor foot problem, he pitched only twice in the last 6½ weeks. He was charged with four runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings in his last start against the Angels.

Andrew Lambo is back with the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Dodger prospect returned from a 50-game suspension after testing positive for marijuana back in April. He went 1 for 4 in his first game back.

Prentice Redman suspended 50 games. The Minor League journeyman was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for an amphetamine, according to the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Redman was batting .332 with 10 homeruns and 41 RBI for the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes.

Dodgers News And Notes

Another loss to the Angels last night. This is embarrassing. The Dodgers still have two more games to play in Anaheim, and then a series with the New York Yankees. Great.

The Dodgers stink in interleague play. Including this season and the previous two, the Dodgers are 16-27 in interleague play.

Charlie Haeger will get another start. The knuckleballer will be activated from the Disabled List and given another shot in Anaheim Thursday against the Angels. Haeger is 0 and 4 and has an 8.53 era. Ouch.

The Hollywood Stars game returns August 7.  Top celebrities in film, television, music, and sports will come together at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, August 7, to play in the 52nd annual Hollywood Stars Game. This marks the return of celebrity baseball at Dodger Stadium, which had been converted to softball in recent years.


The full roster of stars is still being set, but celebrities scheduled to appear in the game include: Laker legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Billy Crystal ("City Slickers," "When Harry Met Sally"), Kevin James ("The Zookeeper," "Grown Ups," "The King of Queens"), Joe Mantegna ("Criminal Minds," "The Starter Wife"), Thomas Jane ("Hung"), Jon Hamm ("Mad Men"), Director Rob Reiner ("The Bucket List," "Rumor Has It," "A Few Good Men," "When Harry Met Sally"), Jack Black ("Tropic Thunder," "Nacho Libre," "King Kong"), Director Garry Marshall ("Valentine's Day," "Pretty Woman,"), Gabriel Macht ("One Way to Valhalla," "Whiteout"), Taylor Hoechlin ("Lincoln Heights," "My Boys"), Simon Helberg ("The Big Bang Theory") and Sean Astin ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "24").

Andre Ethier remains third among National League outfielders in All-Star voting. Despite his recent slump, Ethier is still on track to start the game. He trails second-place Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves  by just 63,520 votes and led fourth-place Jayson Werth of the Philadelphia Phillies by 377,468.

Dodgers News And Notes

Tonight is another bobblehead giveaway night at Dodger Stadium. The first 50,000 fans in attendance will receive a Jonathan Broxton bobblehead.

Yesterday was the 2010 First-Year Player MLB Draft. The Dodger selected McKinney (Texas) High School right-handed pitcher Zach Lee with their first-round pick (28th overall).

Charlie Haeger is making another trip to the disabled list.

Dodgers invite families to the 7th annual Father's Day Catch on June 20th.