May 2008 Archives

OK, now it's clear. This is never going to be easy for the Angels, who haven't scored more than four runs against the Blue Jays in the last 17 games.

You can double the degree of difficulty when you realize the Angels are averaging just 2.25 runs in the four games John Lackey has started since his return May 14. And so when Lackey left Saturday's game, after eight innings of limiting the Blue Jays to two runs on six hits, he wasn't leading.

But despite what would end up as a 16-6 Angels' hitting edge, neither were the guys from Anaheim. The best they could do was 2-2 with a two-for-11 mark hitting with runners in scoring position.

Then Maicer Izturis got his career-high-tying fourth hit, bunting for a base hit behind Casey Kotchman, who had singled to lead off the 10th, and both moved up on a wild throw. After an intentional walk, Juan Rivera came up in the pinch-hitting role he's finally starting to feel comfortable in.

And he took a hard inside sinker, despite breaking his bat on it, into right center for the game-winner,

So you get to Angel Stadium early and wonder what to watch besides batting practice.

Here's a tip. Keep your eye on the third base-left-field foul line.

On back-to-back days, that's where the action was.

On Friday, after putting up a screen to protect them, a half-dozen of the Angels' ground crew broke out the shovels and shears and were digging a basketball backboard size hole in search of a sprinkler leak that was creating a sinkhole that had crept into the third-base coach's box.

Bot try as they might, for the first half-hour anyway and despite breaking out the architectural drawings that looked like an old pirates' treasure map, they couldn't find it to the amusement of Angels players, coaches and media.

And then they did, after hauling mud away and replacing it with sand.

Saturday, it was something else as a half-dozen of the younger Angels players and pitchers not starting, played Hacky Sack but with a baseball, not a bean bag. And they weren't bad although the hard ball made hitting with the head a bit of a challenge.

No better time than now to shake up an Angels' lineup facing its first three-game losing streak in nearly a year as it ends May hitting a lousy .225 while producing three runs or fewer in 12 of the last 16 games.

So hats off to Torii Hunter, batting fifth, and Casey Kotchman right behind him at the No. 6 spot. They're the only two Angels hitting in the same spot they did Friday.

Seven others will be coming from another place including leadoff hitter Reggie Willits, in for the slumping Gary Matthews Jr. Howie Kendrick in his second game back moves from the seventh spot to second.

Garret Anderson and Vlad Guerrero exchange spots with Vlad going back to the cleanup spot and Garret moving up to third.

Here's the entire order for the bunch that will face Blue Jays righty Shaun Marcum (4-3, 2.80 ERA). Willits LF, Kendrick 2B, Anderson DH, Guerrero RF, Hunter, CF, Kotchman, 1B, Maicer Izturis SS, Jeff Mathis C and Robb Quinlan 3B with John Lackey (1-1, 2.05) getting his fourth start since coming off the DL May 14.

In the bowels of Shea Stadium fresh after a loss, this is what Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti had to say...

We need to get healthy and get confident. We're playing with a very young club, and we're within a pitch and a hit of winning. In four of the five games (this road trip), we came right down to the last pitch. We're encouraged by that. We're not getting embarrassed. You've got to figure out how to win the game, and we're transitioning into the process of doing that. Losses aren't fun to watch, but if we were getting run out of the park...

It's sunny now, so yay.

Pierre, LF
Kemp, CF
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
DeWitt, 3B
Maza, SS
Billingsley, P

It's begun raining here at Shea Stadium, and the tarp is out, with plans already in place to play a split doubleheader tomorrow if this doesn't let up. Hope the weather is better back home. At least this gives me more time to kill so I can surf eBay to keep up with the Clayton Kershaw craze.

Time: 12:55 p.m.
TV: FOX
RHP Chad Billingsley (4-6, 3.68 ERA) vs. Mets RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-6, 5.33)

It seemed a promising start, the two wins the Angels recorded in three starts in Toronto earlier this month.

Would this be the year, just the third year in the last 11 seasons, that the Angels come out on top in the season series between these two? After all, a team that could handle the Yankees over this same period surely could play with the Jays, couldn't it?

Friday's game, the 10-4 romp by the Jays that Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said would only leave then the choice to "turn the page'' and move on, says maybe not.

We'll see starting tonight at 6:05 as Angels ace John Lackey (1-1, 2.05 ERA) faces another of the competent Blue Jays' pitchers, Shaun Marcum (4-3, 2.80).

But the real challenge will be for the slumping Angels' offense as it tries to get out of the month of May while facing off against a hot-hitting Toronto team. Or will it come down to what it has most of the month for an Angels team that's managed to stay on top the AL West thanks to its sterling starting pitching?

Jered Weaver said he didn't think he had that bad a night, allowing 10 hits and six runs without getting an out in the fifth to a hot-hitting Toronto team.

But despite getting ahead early in the count and throwing a number of good pitches, Weaver (4-6, 4.69 ERA), couldn't put a Blue Jay away when he had to.

If he threw a good pitch, they'd break a bat and bloop an RBI single on the way to 17 hits.

If he missed and got the ball up, as he did to Lyle Overbay, he'd get it hit out as he did in the second by Overbay, who came back to finish his night off with another home run in the seventh. Not bad for a guy on an 0-for-11 streak going into the game with just three home runs all season.

And so the Blue Jays' weird mastery over the Angels continued, raising their record against the team from Anaheim to 27-15 since 2003.

You know the NCAA Division I baseball tournament has started when Angels players are lining both couches in front of the TV sets to catch some of the action, as they were before Friday's game.

Starting pitcher Jered Weaver could only watch one of the called strikes on a breaking ball maybe nine inches outside and recall his days as a Long Beach State All-American and dream of "that college strike zone,'' he said..

They were only off for a day Thursday in the midst of a six-game homestand but tonight's Angels-Blue Jays game has all the feel of a homecoming -- or two.

First, there's Howie Kendrick, out since Apr. 13 with a strained left hamstring that's cost him 42 games. The Angels aren't messing around. After two rehab games this week at Triple A Salt Lake, here he is -- back in the lineup at second base and batting seventh.

The fact that he was hitting .500 in his 10 games this season, and had hits in nine of those, didn't hurt his quick return.

Also back for the first time since ending a four-year stint as the Angels shortstop (2001-2004) is David Eckstein, who helped the Angels to the 2002 World Series (and then the Cardinals on his next stop).

The last time the Blue Jays shortstop played in Angel Stadium appearance was in that 2004 season..

- Blake DeWitt has begun taking ground balls at second base, turning double plays with Russell Martin at shortstop. "I like it," DeWitt said.

- Gary Bennett is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment with Class A Inland Empire on Monday after leaving extended spring training in Vero Beach.

The Lakers aren't saying who they want to face next, but that doesn't stop the rest of us from weighing in on the topic. Now that the Lakers have successfully dispatched of the defending champion Spurs with tonight's series-clinching victory, what would you rather see? A historic, nostalgia-packed series with the Celtics? Or a chance at some revenge for 2004 against the Pistons?

The Lakers, who beat the San Antonio Spurs to reach the NBA Finals, still don't know who they will meet.

It will either be the Detroit Pistons or the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

The Lakers have a championship history against both of them and it is not good.

The Lakers have played the Celtics 10 times for the NBA championship and lost eight -- in a row at one point.

But the Lakers have won the last two times they met the Celtics, in 1985 and 1987.

The Lakers have met the Pistons three times for the title and have lost twice.

Detroit upset the Lakers in the 2004 Finals and beat them in 1989, stopping LA's three-peat.

The Lakers beat the Pistons in the 1988 Finals.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

A crowd had formed around the locker of Lamar Odom after the game.

The media wanted him to share his feelings about reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in his career.

But Odom was no where to be found.

Finally, Odom appeared out of the shower,a tower wrapped around his waist.

He stood in front of the mirror drying off.

``I had to soak all this in,'' Odom said. ``I had to let one drip down my face.''

Odom smiled, and then admitted that he didn't shed a tear.

But he was overjoyed at going to the NBA Finals.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

For a team with only three players remaining from the 2004 Finals team, the Lakers sure aren't starry-eyed about getting to the finals.
Asked how he felt when the clock expired, Vladmir Radmanovic said, "It felt like zero. That was it. We want to win a championship. We don't want to win this."
So there.

Final score: Lakers 100, Spurs 92 --- So the Spurs have blown a 20-point lead in Game 1, lost by 30 in game 2 and blown a 17-point lead in game 5. You think they'll be having Staples Center nightmares?

Kobe wins the series MVP.
Gasol finishes with a game-high 19 rebounds.

We'll have post-game reaction on the blog and in tomorrow's P-E.

Now the Lakers are getting contributions from everyone. A steal and driving layup from Jordan Farmar. A right-wing three from Sasha. A follow slam from Pau Gasol.
Oh, and ho-hum, Kobe Bryant has 29 ... just another night in Lakerdom.

Jason Schmidt (shoulder) is scheduled to make his fourth rehabilitation start with Class A Inland Empire on Saturday, going on regular rest for the first time during the recovery process.

Rafael Furcal (back) will likely need to a minor league rehabilitation assignment before he can return to the team, according to Manager Joe Torre.

... goes to the immortal Dr. Dre.

The famed rapper appeared on Staples big screen midway through the third quarter, drawing a raucous ovation from the crowd.

Oh, and the game? 58-52 Spurs, four minutes to go, third quarter.

The NBA plans to review "flops" next year and fine players who deliberately exaggerate or fake fouls.
I hope they extend it to cover whatever it is that Sasha Vujacic does on the floor ad nauseum -- grabbing his face like he's been shot when Manu Ginobili brushes his cheek, his expression squished up like a 2-year-old just short of tears.
Then there's the lying on the floor, curled up in a ball, when someone bumps him to the hardwood. It's a physical sport. Get used to it.
He must have learned the drama in Europe, but it's way, way, way too much acting. If I wanted to see those kinds of shenanigans, I'd go down to the Home Depot Center and watch soccer players writhe around hoping for a red card.

The Spurs lead by six at the half, but they can't be feeling too good about it. Buoyed by Kobe Bryant's aggressive forays to the bucket and some more urgent perimeter defense, the Lakers finished the half on an 11-2 run.
Derek Fisher drilled a left-wing three -- his second of the series -- to bring the Lakers within nine. Lamar Odom finally made a positive offensive contribution seconds later, getting fouled on a driving layup and converting a free throw to make it 46-40. The teams traded baskets going into the half to account for the 48-42 halftime score.

That's right: Clippers owner Donald Sterling, accompanied by club president Andy Roeser, showed up midway through the second quarter, fashionably late. Considering that Sterling doesn't even attend when his team plays its Staples archrivals and it's a Laker home game, that's saying something.

Or maybe they came to show their support for ex-Clipper Brent Barry.

As you might expect, there's a bevy of Hollywood's finest sitting courtside at Staples Center. Among the famous faces: Dustin Hoffman, Cameron Diaz, Adam Sandler, Lionel Ritchie and, of course, Jack Nicholson.

EDIT: Other noteworthy celebs: Dr. Dre, Diddy and Denzel Washington

If the Lakers are going to win the Western Conference tonight, they're going to need another comeback.
Michael Finley tallied eight first-quarter points and Tim Duncan has seven as the Spurs reeled off a 15-2 run to end the quarter, building a 28-15 lead.
The Lakers are out of sync at both ends of the court. They're shooting 7-for-24 in the first quarter and struggling to keep the Spurs out of the lane defensively.

Another game, another hot start for Vladimir Radmanovic. The forward drained an early right-wing three and a free throw line jumper, tying the score at 13 apiece with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Riverside's Lorelei Caylan Sinco sang the national anthem Thursday prior to tip-off of the Lakers Spurs game. Caylan Sinco, a finalist on CBS's Star Search in 2003, attends Loma Linda Academy.

As I write this, the game is about 10 minutes from tipoff. More than the usual amount of people are already in their Staples Center seats -- most wearing the yellow "I love LA" t-shirts provided on each seat. No late arrivals tonight.
Anticipation anyone? I guess that's what happens when Lakers fanatics can taste the NBA Finals again.
I'm guessing you would have a hard time finding anyone who thinks they can lose this game.

Spotted at courtside shortly before tipoff: Jerry West, looking quite relaxed in retirement.

After writing a column today about the difficulty of officiating NBA basketball, I thought it was interesting to hear Phil Jackson get philosphical about it tonight:
"I take my hat off to those guys. They are doing the best they can, and it is an almost impossible game to officiate. It is too much contact. It is not a contact sport, as we know.
"I'm glad someone is willing to do it. I certainly wouldn't want to do it."

On Wednesday, a day after the event happened, the NBA made an interesting ruling.

The NBA issued a statement saying that the officials should have called a foul on Derek Fisher and that Brent Barry should have been awarded two free throws.

The Lakers led by two points with 2.1 seconds left in the game when Barry attempted a three-pointer.

But before he got the shot off, Fisher pumped into Barry's body. No foul was called.

Barry took a dribble and hoisted up a three-pointer that missed and allowed the Lakers to win and take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

``Shoulda, woulda, coulda,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

If you're wondering why the entire crowd is clad in yellow, I've got the answer for you. The Lakers handed out yellow "I Love LA" t-shirts to fans as they walked through the turnstiles. Nice touch, but I can't help feeling like this has already been done.

The NBA's announcement today that it will begin fining players who flop in search of a foul call brought this gem from Brent Barry:

"There goes half of Manu's (Ginobili) contract."

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was obviously effective in shutting himself off from all public comment and reaction in the last couple of days, because he said during tonight's pre-game briefing he had no idea that the NBA had publicly confirmed a foul should have been called on Derek Fisher at the end of Tuesday night's Game 4.

"Oh, thank you, that's a great help," Popovich said when informed of it. "I'll send some flowers to the NBA. That's great."

Oh, no, he wasn't very sarcastic. Not at all.

Meanwhile, the guy who would have stepped to the free throw line if that foul had been called, Brent Barry, milked it for plenty of material.

"I told Craig Sager from TNT, Doc Brown is waiting for me outside, and we're going to get into the DeLorean and fire up the flux capacitor, and we're going to go back and shoot a couple of free throws," Barry quipped.

(Kids, if you don't understand that reference, go rent "Back To The Future.")

"I told one of my buddies that I had Matt Walsh film it and sent the tape in to Commissioner Stern," he added.

"I've had time to write lines. Too much time. If you give me idle time, you're in trouble."

In a slightly more serious vein, Barry said: "Too much has been made of the whole thing. There was no call made, move on, we're down 3-1. We need to win three straight games, and that's it."

Only eight NBA teams have come back from a 3-1 playoff deficit, but the Lakers know all too well that it's not an insurmountable deficit. Only two years ago, they led the Phoenix Suns, 3-1, in a first-round series, only to watch the Suns storm back to capture the final three games of the series.

This is from the city of Big Bear:

Big Bear Lake, Calif. May 29, 2008 -Ryan Hall, a local Big Bear resident, is favored to win a medal in the marathon event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The community of Big Bear is honored to have its local athlete represent the United States at the Olympics, and proud to announce Ryan Hall is the official ambassador for the Big Bear Marathon September 6, 2008.
"We are ecstatic that our local hero has potential to bring home the gold!" said Big Bear Lake Mayor Rick Herrick. "His accomplishments as an athlete are impressive, but his genuine characteristics as a person are priceless."
Mr. Hall is thrilled to see an event that he excels at happen in his hometown of Big Bear Lake. Hall endorses the event as an Olympic athlete and as a local Big Bear resident. Hall is scheduled to give an inspirational speech at the Big Bear Marathon Expo "carb-load" dinner on Friday, September 5. On race day, Saturday, September 6 Hall will sound the horn at the starting gate of the race. He will also assist at an aid station sponsored by Big Bear High School Cross Country team during the race, where he will hand out ice-cream to runners.
"Big Bear is such a special place for me. It's where it all started," said Ryan Hall. "The beauty of Big Bear never ceases to amaze me, and I am sure it will power the runners to the finish line."
To learn about everything there is to see and do in Big Bear Lake, to book lodging accommodations, or to request a Visitors Guide, log on to www.bigbear.com or call 1.800.4.BIG.BEAR (1.800.424.4232).

When asked if he preferred a new number, Clayton Kershaw said he liked the No. 22, later explaining that he was a big fan of Will Clark's. Clark is known as a rival Giant, but also played for Texas. Mark Sweeney gave up the number, though not without ribbing the rookie (You know my grandfather wore 22?) Sweeney switched to No. 21, which he is wearing to honor the memory of former teammate Ken Caminiti.

It's less than 2 1/2 hours until game time, so I thought I'd give those of you who can't afford a ticket tonight a chance to weigh in on the game. Can the Spurs stave off elimination? Or will tonight be a purple and gold coronation?

It's a wonder the Angels haven't lost more often in this wretched stretch in which they are hitting .179 and averaging just 2.6 runs over their past nine games.

Wednesday, when Armando Galarraga limited the Angels to just three hits in 8 1/3 innings while striking out four in the Angels' 6-2 loss to Detroit, was the 12th time in the club's past 15 games they've scored three runs or less.

Except this time, they weren't bailed out by a marvelous pitching performance or any late-inning luck. Everything, instead, rolled downhill.

"Their confidence is fine," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "If there was no confidence, there's nothing to be frustrated about. These guys know they're better ballplayers."

Joe Saunders (8-2) allowed five runs in five innings and a pair of home runs to Marcus Thames, who also flied out to the warning track twice. It equaled his shortest outing this season and before Thames' blasts, the lefty had allowed just five homers in 10 starts this year.

It ended a superb run in which Angels' starters had thrown nine quality starts in their past 11 games and combined for a 1.30 ERA in their past five.

"They weren't bad pitches, they just weren't the right pitches," said Saunders, dismayed he didn't shake off catcher Mike Napoli. "I executed the pitches and he executed the home runs."

Dodgers rookie infielder Tony Abreu underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right hip Wednesday that was his second operation in eight months and will take at least another three months to recover from.

The surgery repaired a torn labrum in Abreu's hip joint that is believed be the cause of groin pain that has sidelined him from baseball activities, and he can now expect to resume those in about six weeks.

"Hopefully, this solves all the problems," Manager Joe Torre said.

For a brief time, Abreu had been in line to be the team's opening day third baseman and would have also spent time playing shortstop for an injured Rafael Furcal and back up at second base.

But rest and rehabilitation on a groin strain suffered during a March 25 spring training game has not enabled Abreu to play without discomfort, so he was examined by leading hip surgeon Marc Philippon at his Vail, Colo. clinic and had the procedure done there.

Abreu also underwent surgery last October to repair a torn abdominal muscle, three months after originally injuring himself.

Marcus Thames has connected for two home runs against Angels starter Joe Saunders through the first five innings, equaling the most Saunders has allowed in a game this season.

The lefty, who entered looking for his AL-leading ninth win, had only allowed five homers all season and never given up more than four runs in 10 starts this year.

He has already allowed five in five innings as the Angels trail 5-0.

On Friday, Clayton Kershaw will pitch wearing the No. 22, and he'll turn in the No. 54 jersey. If you're wondering what becomes of Mark Sweeney, he's taking No. 21.

My question is why wouldn't Dewitt be moved to second and Laroche brought up for third base. Dewitt played 2nd base in the minors and he seems more athletic enough to handle second than Laroche. I know he wasn't as good at second as he was at 3rd, but how bad was he? As bad as Delwyn or as bad as Kent? It just seems like the most sensible move.

Blake DeWitt could being taking ground balls at second base, according Manager Joe Torre, but DeWitt hasn't heard anything about it yet. "I liked playing there," said DeWitt, who spent part of the 2006 season at Class A Vero Beach playing second. "If the opportunity came up, playing a game there would be fine."

For the second time in four games, Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero is out of the Angels' lineup. In Sunday's game in Chicago, it was for Guerrero to "re-charge" and today it seems like it is the same thing.

Manager Mike Scioscia said he's using today to combine with tomorrow's off day to give Guerrero two days off in a row because it "will allow him to catch his breath," Scioscia said.

Here is tonight's lineup in the finale against the Tigers:

Willits - LF
Izturis - SS
Anderson - DH
Hunter - CF
Matthews - RF
Kotchman - 1B
Napoli - C
Wood - 3B
Rodriguez - 2B

Saunders - P

The reporter asked a simple question, in many regards, and was given a simple answer.

The question was how does Lakers coach Phil Jackson keep his cool no matter how intense the game is.

So, Jackson, how do you do that?

``Breathing,'' Jackson answered, smiling.

Does that help, came the reply?

``That helps,'' Jackson said, smiling again.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Lakers coach Phil Jackson has done his share of lobbying to the officials through the media.

Jackson has done his share of complaining about the officials.

He has been fined his share of times for admonishing the officials.

With that in mind, Jackson was asked after practice Wednesday what type of official he would be.

``You know, I like to act as God,'' Jackson said, smiling. ``But as police and judge, I'm not very good at both of those things. So I'm not that good at it.''

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Tampa Bay pitcher Troy Percival limped off the mound with tightness in his left hamstring during the ninth inning of the Rays' 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

Percival, the former Angel from Riverside and UCR, has been a big part of the AL East leaders' success this season. The 38-year-old closer clutched his hamstring with his glove after throwing a third strike to Brandon Boggs for the second out of the inning.

"We don't know how serious it is," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Percival is 1-0 with 14 saves in 16 chances and a 2.95 ERA.

In an official announcement this afternoon at Angel Stadium, the Angels were awarded the 2010 All-Star Game by Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig.

Banners are already draped outside Angel Stadium and a logo is on the right-center field wall proclaiming The Big A as the "Home of the 2010 All-Star Game."

In a short press conference on a stage set up in front of the Angels dugout, Selig said "Awarding an All-Star Game, there are myriad factors that take place, but this one was easy. Quite frankly, this franchise has become a model for all other franchises."

The game will be played on Tuesday July 13, 2010 with all kinds of events surrounding the game. Five to seven days' worth of events, Selig said.

Many of the 30,000 Angels' season ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets for the game and stay in their seats. However, because of some MLB restrictions, "some people will relocate," Angels owner Arte Moreno said.

A man claiming to be a college basketball referee called one of the talk shows last night and explained why there was no foul called on Lakers guard Derek Fisher when he collided with San Antonio's Brent Barry at the end of last night's playoff game.

The basketball "rule of verticality" applies if a defensive player jumps straight up to block a shot and the offensive player jumps into him to create contact.

In the case of last night's final play, Fisher jumped into Barry and Barry leaned into Fisher, both equally culpable in creating the contact. According to the caller, Barry lost his case to draw the foul when he leaned into Fisher and the referees working the game made the right no call. ...

Sports radio this morning enjoyed an equally hearty debate on the officiating during the final minute of the game. A couple points of conversation:
1. Did Fisher foul Barry?
2. Was Lamar Odom's goal-tending call against Tony Parker correct? (Consensus: No)
3. Was Parker fouled on that play? (Not any more than Kobe Bryant was fouled going to the basket on any of a dozen plays)

How about this one:
1. Was Manu Ginobili's foot across the three-point line when he made the shot that was credited to close the lead from 93-86 to 93-89? (Check out the replay on that one)

And, finally:
1. What was ABC thinking staying at commercial during Danica's now-famous march down pit road at Sunday's Indy 500? (How could I resist.)

Joe Saunders is seeking to become the American League's first nine-game winner and to continue a string of dominance by Angels' pitchers as the team looks for a three-game sweep against the Tigers tonight.

Angels pitchers have thrown nine quality starts in their past 11 games, and they have combined for a 1.29 ERA over the past five games, or one turn through the rotation.

"They're keeping it close regardless of what we do at the plate, which has to be frustrating for the pitchers," Casey Kotchman said. "But they keep putting up zeroes for us."

Since Daisuke Matsuzaka didn't factor into a decision last night for the Red Sox, Saunders has a chance to really make a statement tonight.

The Lakers have not rebounded the basketball well in the Western Conference playoffs.

Worse, the Lakers have been allowing teams to get too many offensive rebounds, which has led to too many second-chance points.

But in Game 4, the Lakers out-rebounded the San Antonio Spurs, 46-37.

The Lakers had 13 offensive rebounds.

That led to 26 second-chance points for the Lakers.

They limited the Spurs to just eight offensive rebounds.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Lost in the victory was a less-than-spectacular night for the kids off the bench. Luke Walton scored 9 points, and had 5 rebounds, but took more shots (some ill-advised) than either Lamar Odom or Pau Gasol in far less time, and had three ugly turnovers.
Meanwhile, Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar were each 1-of-6 from the field, and picked up seven personal fouls. Ronny Turiaf hit only one of his three shots, and got no rebounds.
Not that they will worry about it, at least according to Derek Fisher who had an interesting take on the second unit earlier this week, comparing them to children who don't dwell on criticism.
"Like when you tell a kid not to touch something, you turn around and there he is putting his hands on it again. I think it's one reason why we've been so successful. They can go 1-for-8 but they don't let it bother them. They think they're going to go 8-for-8 the next time."

None of the Lakers, especially Kobe Bryant, believe that it is possible for the league MVP to not be shooting many free throws in the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

But Bryant has not been getting to the line much.

In fact, in Game 4, Bryant didn't shoot one free throw.

He played 41 minutes. He took 29 shots.

And still no free throws.

``It is impossible to take 29 shots and not be fouled,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ``But tonight was one of those exceptions, I guess.''

Bryant has shot just six free throws in the first four games, making five.

This after shooting 96 free throws in the Utah Jazz series.

``We hope to guard him and not foul him,'' Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ``Kobe at the free-throw line 10-to-15 times is a devastating thing.''

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Lamar Odom had a nice return from his Game 3 Nowheresville visit. He missed some shots early but stayed with it and made some big shots as the fourth quarter leaked away and the Lakers needed to stay in front. He finished with 16, inlcuding a solid 8-of-9 from the free throw line.
Pau Gasol, also not very productive in game 3, wasn't quite there tonight, but he made up for it with his all-around game. He scored 10 points, but added 10 rebounds and six assists. He also was extremely active in keeping the ball alive, helping the Lakers get 13 offensive rebounds.

Garret Anderson's single in the eighth tied Tuesday's game, 2-2, but it was more important than that.

Anderson's single to left that brought in Sean Rodriguez was the team's first in 27 at-bats with runners in scoring position, spanning the past four games.

Ervin Santana just retired the side in order to send it to the bottom of the ninth, tied, 2-2.

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points and the Lakers held off a late rally to defeat the Spurs, 93-91, Tuesday night in San Antonio to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Western Conference Championship series.

Game 5 is Thursday night at Staples Center (6 p.m., TNT) where the Lakers will look to close out the defending NBA Champs and return to the Finals for the first time since 2004.

The Lakers led 93-86 after two Lamar Odom free throws with 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

San Antonio charged back.

Manu Ginobili made a questionable 3-pointer (wasn't his foot on the line?) with