July 2008 Archives

Though the Dodgers lost their final game in the month of July, it was a good month for them.

The Dodgers posted a 16-9 record, ranking them third in the National League during July behind the New York Mets (18-8) and Colorado Rockies (17-9).

The 16 wins by the Dodgers are their most in a calendar month since May, 2007, when they went 16-11.

The Dodgers scored 117 runs and averaged 4.7 runs per game in July.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com
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The Dodgers gave starter Derek Lowe a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning, but he was unable to protect it.

Lowe allowed two runs on three hits in the seventh inning.

When he gave up his third hit in the inning, Dodgers manager Joe Torre pulled Lowe out and replaced him with Hong-Chih Kuo.

Lowe wasn't as sharp as he was in his last outing, when allowed just one hit over eight innings of shutout baseball.

Thursday night, Lowe allowed seven hits. He left with the Dodgers trailing, 2-1.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

In crushing the Yankees, 12-6, the Angels set some offensive marks for the month of July.

-- Their 19-6 record is the second-best mark ever for July, trailing only July 1998 when they went 22-6.

-- They batted .296 and averaged 6.4 runs per game. The runs per game average is the second-best for a month in club history, behind the July 1995 club's 7.4 per game average.

-- The Angels are 11-2 after the break and are hitting .306 with runners in scoring position in July. They hit .330 in those situations post-break.

-- Their 67-42 record is their best ever after 108 games in franchise history.

The Dodgers were forced to make changes to their starting lineup because of an injury and because of a sick player.

Andre Ethier wasn't in the lineup Thursday night because he was sick with a stomach virus.

It meant that Andruw Jones and his .167 batting average was starting in centerfield.

Second baseman Jeff Kent was unavailable to play because of a left knee injury. Kent was injured during Wednesday night's game running the bases.

Pablo Ozuna started at second base.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Torii Hunter, Juan Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero have all hit three-run home runs for the Angels, Hunter and Rivera both going yard in the third inning. The Angels lead 10-2 in the seventh.

The last time the Angels had three three-run home runs in one game came June 8, 1978 at Oakland when Brian Downing hit one in the fifth, Reggie Jackson had one in the eighth and Don Baylor went deep in the ninth.

Apparently fans and players aren't the only ones trying to take a piece of Yankee Stadium with them in the final season of the hallowed park.

"I heard the ground crew saying they were going to put some infield dirt in vials and sell it for $50," Robb Quinlan said. Hearing the news, Quinlan relayed that Mike Napoli, who left the team to begin a rehab assignment, told him he's "going to fill up his whole catcher's bag with this stuff."

Napoli isn't the only Angels' player to want a piece of the House That Ruth Built to go back to California with him. Torii Hunter, in fact, said he wanted to bring Ruth himself.

"I'm going to take one of the monuments when no one's looking - Babe Ruth's," the center fielder joked before turning serious. "There will be something missing from these walls and I got it. Sorry about that."

Aside from the thievery that may - or may not - take place in the Angels' final visit to Yankee Stadium, many of the players will miss playing here. However, everyone spoken with can't wait to play in the new Yankee Stadium, being built just past left field, next season.

"It's weird to this stadium, that it's my last time in this stadium," Hunter said. "I'm happy to tell my grandkids I played in this stadium and I'll get a chance to be one of the first ones to play in the new stadium."

- Ned Colletti hinted that one of the sticking points to the deal was not having to give up Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp.

- Ramirez's two $20 million options are now out the window in exchange for him agreeing to the trade. If the Dodgers offer him arbitration and he doesn't accept and leaves the team, they would receive two premium draft picks.

- Logan White spoke with Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris, and he said LaRoche was excited to go to Pittsburgh. Asked if White was sad to see LaRoche go, he said, "Not at all."

- Joe Torre on Ramirez conforming to his grooming standards: Beimel's waiting with baited breath with a smirk on his face.

- Jeff Kent was scratched from the lineup because of a knee issue. Andre Ethier is out of the lineup due to an illness.

- Scott Proctor threw 25 pitches in a simulated game and is nearing a rehabilitation assignment.

Owner Frank McCourt:

Deals like these are complicated. It was a difficult deal.

In terms of that punch in the lineup, it's going to help a lot.

I'm not concerned about a rental.

On Ramirez possibly being a distraction: Not with Joe here. (cleared with Joe this morning)

The one thing about Manny is he's a winner.

It did come down to the wire. There was a minute or two left.

He's a very, very good fit for this club right now. It was a very sensible deal.

To me, it's the manager, the players who made this move possible. I feel very good about our team.

We have Manny for the rest of the season. Our focus is winning the world championship. What happens in the offseason is up to Ned and his people.

On what he remembers about Ramirez from his Boston days: How he can hit the ball and how far it goes.

Well, he's a personality. He's got a lot of personality. It really is dwarfed by his baseball skills. He's one of the greatest hitters I've seen in my lifetime. We also know Manny wants to win and has won.

Things happen for a reason. We're very happy the opportunity presented itself.

I'm very happy with the moves that have been made. There have a been a number of moves Ned has made that has given us some depth.

I'm impressed about the patience we've had in the young players on this team. We have a critical mass of talent here.

I really applaud Ned for pulling all of these days off in the framework of keeping the most coveted players on our roster. It takes a lot to resist.

I think Ned's done a great job at the trade deadline.

Manager Joe Torre:

When a player like Manny becomes available, I don't think there's a manager in baseball who says, 'I'm not interested.'

We've been inconsistent. Hopefully, Manny will up that level.

On an excess of outfielders: We'll have a plan by the time Manny gets here.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia first came to Yankee Stadium as a 17-year-old in 1976 and his first memory of the hallowed grounds is his best one.

"In high school, I came up here and I remember I got to meet Billy Martin and use Graig Nettles' bat and put on the uniform," Scioscia said. "It was a special day. I got to sit behind the dugout and Reggie Jackson was playing for the Orioles. What a day! It was fun."

Scioscia said he hit two home runs because of the short porch in right field (down the line it's only 314 feet) and was pretty excited about hitting two out in Yankee Stadium. His dad, however, deflated that balloon. "I was kind of puffing my chest and he said 'Those balls on your high school field would be fly outs to right."

And, finally, Scioscia said he would miss the food here the most. Shocker.

"The only thing coming out of the clubhouse will be the gas from the Italian food," he said. "All those peppers and sausages killed me."

It was no secret Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez wanted out of Boston. Today he's getting his wish.

Ramirez is headed to the Dodgers as part of a three-team trade between the Dodgers, Boston and Pittsburgh.

As part of the deal, the Dodgers are giving up third baseman Andy LaRoche (whose brother Adam plays for the Pirates), and pitcher Bryan Morris, a first-round pick in 2006, to Pittsburgh.

Pirates outfielder Jason Bay is going to Boston.

Happy with their deal two days ago for Mark Teixeira, the Angels didn't add - or subtract - from their team at Thursday's non-waiver trading deadline.

Already with an 11 1/2-game lead in the American League West the Angels almost assuredly have an easy ticket into the playoffs. Adding Teixeira to hit third only sets their sights on a World Series.

Teixeira, who went 0 for 4 in his Angels' debut said "A World Series would make this trade successful."

Now he and Vladimir Guerrero make up perhaps the best 3-4 tandem in the AL.

"Mark can certainly work counts, draw a walk and he has a high on-base percentage," Manager Mike Scioscia said about hitting Teixeira third and Guerrero fourth. "We can adjust from it if we have to, but right now, to be able to feed Vlad, Torii (Hunter) and GA (Garret Anderson), who are starting to starting to swing well."

I had called Tony Reagins yesterday to discuss a number of things, some of them concerning Mark Teixeira, some of them concerning minor-league pitcher Tommy Mendoza, who was suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games for testing positive for amphetamines.

Well, he's a busy man these days, what with the trade deadline and all approaching, so he called me back not too long ago.

Our discussion was short because it's been about 18 hours since I left him a message and most of my topics are somewhat stale, but we chatted anyways about today's impending 4 p.m. EDT trade deadline.

The other day during the Teixeira conference call Reagins said he would still be "pounding the pavement" to make the Angels better, but with a few short hours until the trade deadline, all is quiet on the Western front.

"There's nothing I see happening in the next three hours," he said.

Tonight begins a four-game series with the Yankees, the final leg of the Angels' three-city, 10-game road trip. So far, the Angels are 5-1 on it.

And sweeping the Red Sox for the first time at Fenway Park since 2001 doesn't add any confidence.

"We've had confidence all year long," Garret Anderson said. "We'll keep plugging along, keep going out and playing everyday."

Jon Garland will pitch for the Angels tonight. He is 3-5 with a 4.26 ERA lifetime against the Yankees.

In July the Angels are hitting .289 with 33 homers - their most in a month since July 2006 - and averaging 6.2 runs per game. With 11 wins in their past 13 games, are there any thoughts that the Angels are peaking too early?

"I think we're peaking too late," Torii Hunter said.

Francisco Rodriguez was at it again. After saying in spring training this was "probably" his last year as an Angel, then again at the All-Star break saying he is going to test the market, he popped off in Thursday's editions of USA Today.

The highlights of a good piece covering his childhood and impending free agency, include the following paragraphs:

"They could have made a better effort to keep me, but they didn't, which led to my decision to go to free agency," says Rodriguez, who rejected a three-year offer in the $32 million range last winter, when closers Mariano Rivera (three years, $45 million), Joe Nathan (four years, $47 million) and Francisco Cordero (four years, $46 million) cashed in.

Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, says the parties haven't negotiated since February and doesn't think the team intends to re-sign Rodriguez, who has the most saves in baseball since 2005.

Owner Arte Moreno won't get into specifics about the club's plans regarding Rodriguez, but says, "You're limited in how many high, multiple-year contracts you can have and still maintain a balance to be able to compete at a high level."

Both sides maintain the door still is open, but Rodriguez insists he would only return after testing the market.

"They had all the time in the world to do it," says Rodriguez, 26. "I'm a young player looking for a contract for four or five years. I felt insulted by that part of the offer, that it was only for three years."

Casey Kotchman hit third in his Atlanta debut on Wednesday night and went 0-5.

From the Associated Press story:

They left the bases loaded three times and stranded 14 runners overall, a major problem for them all season. Casey Kotchman, acquired Tuesday in the blockbuster deal that sent Mark Teixeira to the Los Angeles Angels, grounded out with three on to end the eighth. The new first baseman went 0-for-5 in his Atlanta debut.

"Obviously I wanted a different outcome tonight," Kotchman said.

Chad Billingsley tosses his first career shutout with a five-hitter despite this pre-game interview...

Leung: How's it going?

Billingsley: Good.

Leung: *Proceeds to next question*

Billingsley: I'm starting.

Leung: *Covers mouth*

Joe Saunders pitched six solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits and Garret Anderson went 4 for 5 with a home run in a six-run sixth inning as the Angels swept the Red Sox on Wednesday in a 9-2 victory.

"I think it's a confidence-builder," Saunders said. "Any time you sweep a team like this, it's a huge confidence-builder."

Anderson, however, downplayed things saying "We've had confidence all year long."

Manager Mike Scioscia said the sweep was not a statement series, although he said that two weekends ago when the Angels swept Boston at home. It's the first time in franchise history the Angels have swept series vs. the Red Sox at home and in Fenway Park.

"I said early on when all the cylinders are clicking this team can be pretty special," Torii Hunter said. "That's what's happening."

With Brad Penny going to his native Oklahoma to rehab on Saturday, he said he wouldn't be able to make a previously scheduled appearance at this week's MMA Expo event at the Long Beach Convention Center.

As the game heads into the ninth inning with the Angels ahead 8-2 - paced by a five-run sixth inning that featured three Boston errors - the Angels will have won eight straight games against the Red Sox this season.

It will be the first time in club history that the Angels swept a series at home and road vs. Sox in same season.

The first three-game sweep at Fenway for the Angels since July 31, 2001-Aug. 2, 2001.

And, the Angels will have won their last eight games vs. Red Sox, matching the longest win streak vs. Boston in club history (8/26/61 - 5/30/62).

Mark Teixeira wore #23 while with Texas, and #24 with Atlanta.

So, why is he wearing #25 with the Angels? Because that's what was available. Pitching coach Mike Butcher wears #23 and Gary Matthews Jr. has #24.

Maybe, when talking about his new number, 25, Teixeira gave some small insight into his plans next year. Informed that Butcher said "he can have it" referring to No. 23 - the number Teixeira wore in Texas, an ode to Don Mattingly - Teixeira said "I'm not going to take anyone's number."

Ah, but there's a catch. "If we win the World Series this year, maybe we'll talk after the season," Teixeira said.

So, win a title, Teixeira re-signs. Easy enough.

OK, so it wasn't with one out in the ninth, but just as an FYI, Boston's Dustin Pedroia broke up Joe Saunders' no-hitter bid with a third inning double.

Mark Teixeira, hitting third, worked the count to 3-0 against Boston pitcher Josh Beckett in his first at-bat as an Angel before lining a hard-hit 3-1 fastball to deep center field for a line out.

Here's a look at Teixeira's splits, how he does in certain situations and vs. different pitchers.

Here is tonight's lineup, the first one with newly acquired Mark Teixeira against Red Sox righty Josh Beckett:

Figgins - 3B
Izturis - SS
Teixeira - 1B
Guerrero - DH
Hunter - CF
Anderson - LF
Kendrick - 2B
Matthews - RF
Mathis - C

Saunders - P

The Associated Press is reporting that Angels minor leaguer Thomas Mendoza has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for an amphetamine

The commissioner's office said Wednesday that the suspension of Mendoza, who plays for Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the California League, is effective immediately.

Mendoza, a pitcher, is 4-12 with a 4.73 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) this season for the Quakes. He has allowed 130 hits in 110.1 innings.

Mendoza, 20, from Hialeah, Florida, was a fifth-round pick in the 2005 draft.

Courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau:

LACKEY LOSES NO-HITTER IN NINTH INNING
* John Lackey lost his no-hit bid with one out in the ninth inning
on Tuesday night when Dustin Pedroia singled. It's been 50 years since
a visiting pitcher threw a no-hitter against the Red Sox at Fenway Park;
the Tigers' Jim Bunning did that on July 20, 1958. In the half-century
since Bunning's no-no, only two visiting pitchers have taken a no-hitter
into the ninth inning at Fenway Park: Lackey and Mike Mussina.
Mussina's bid, on September 2, 2001, was a perfect game broken up with
two outs in the ninth inning by a Carl Everett single.

Lackey came close to becoming only the second pitcher since 1975 to
throw a no-hitter against the defending World Series champions. The two
most recent pitchers to do that were Nolan Ryan in 1990 (against
Oakland) and Dick Bosman in 1974 (also against Oakland).

ANGELS WIN THEIR SEVENTH STRAIGHT GAME AGAINST BOSTON
* With their victory on Tuesday night, the Angels have now won
seven consecutive games against the Red Sox. Over the last ten seasons
(1999-2008) only one other team won at least seven straight games versus
the defending World Series champions. That was the 2003 Orioles, who
won eight in a row against the Angels.

What's the bigger story? That Mark Teixeira is making his Angels debut or that the Angels are going for their first sweep at Fenway Park since 2001.

Obviously the news is Teixeira, due to arrive at Logan Airport at 1:30 p.m. EDT and set to hit third for the Angels tonight. He will wear No. 25. His usual No. 23 is worn by pitching coach Mike Butcher.

Teixeira hasn't faced American League pitching on a consistent basis since last July when he was sent from Texas to Atlanta, but he hardly had any adjusting to the National League. In 157 games with the Braves he hit .295 with 37 homers and 134 RBI.

"I hope not," he said when asked about an adjustment period. "Fortunately this year we played the AL West. Now I don't have to face the Angels anymore so that makes my job easier. Hopefully one year off, I won't miss a step."

Teixeira, who was acquired by the Braves to help them into the postseason, will finally be playing with a team who is expected to easily slide into the playoffs.

"That puts an extra pep in your step the last few months," he said.

When Juan Pierre stole second base in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's game against the San Francisco Giants, it was his 100th stolen base as a Dodger.

He has stolen at least 100 stolen bases with three different teams.

Pierre had 100 with the Colorado Rockies and 167 with the Florida Marlins.

Only four players in major league history have accomplished that feat.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

With starter Jason Johnson pitching six shut out innings, and relievers Chan Ho Park and Jonathan Broxton not allowing a run in the final three innings, that helped the Dodgers post their ninth shutout of the season.

That leads the National league.

The Dodgers have three shutouts in their last four games.

All nine shutouts have come at Dodger Stadium.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Casey Kotchman was drafted by the Angels and at 25 knows no other organization in his life. That's because his father, Tom, has been with the franchise for 25 years and often would take Casey with him when he went to manage their rookie league teams.

So, when asked about leaving, Kotchman actually seemed happy to head to Atlanta.

"It's not hard for me," he said. "I just feel thankful to go to a place that wants you, to go to a franchise like Atlanta."

Growing up in St. Petersburg, the Braves were the closest team he could follow because neither the Marlins in Miami or the Rays in Tampa Bay had been established yet.

"Definitely, it's an East Coast team and a southern team. Bobby Cox has been there forever and seeing how he handles players and playing for him, I've got to believe it's a blessing for me to start a new chapter there."

Asked if he was surprised, Kotchman said no. After all, his name had been rumored to be traded pretty much since he first hit the majors in 2005.

"Nothing surprises me in this industry," he said. "You get traded somewhere, you're going somewhere, a place where somebody wants you. To me, that's exciting."

Our sister paper, the Providence Journal, has an exceptional Red Sox beat writer named Sean McAdam, whose name you may recognize because he also has written for ESPN.com.

Soon after finding out about the Angels acquiring Mark Teixeira, he got a Red Sox response, tracking down Josh Beckett right before the clubhouse was closed this afternoon.

Asked if the deal makes the Angels the team to beat, Beckett said "We've got the World Series rings that say 2007. That's my take."

Was Beckett surprised by the deal?

"I was a little surprised they went for a power bat. That's not their style. They've got seven guys hitting .300 or better with runners in scoring position."

Matt Kemp lined a single that bounced off the glove of Giants' third baseman Rich Aurilia for a hit in the third inning.

It meant Kemp kept his hitting streak alive, extending it to a career-high 16 consecutive games.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

The Dodgers made a change to their starting lineup Tuesday night.

Catcher Russell Martin was on the bench resting.

"I wanted him to play all four games against Arizona,'' Dodgers manager Joe Torre said.

The Dodgers play the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game set starting Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

Danny Ardoin started in Martin's place.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Dustin Pedroia singled with one out in the ninth inning to ruin John Lackey's chances of pitching a no-hitter.

Then, two pitches later, Kevin Youkilis' two-run homer ruined Lackey's chances of throwing a shutout.

Almost forgotten in all of this Mark Teixeira hysteria is tonight's game.

Through seven innings, John Lackey is throwing a no-hitter. He has walked one batter and hit another, so the prospect of a perfect game is out.

David Ortiz just hit a long fly ball to right field that Vladimir Guerrero caught at the track. That's been the closest thing to a hit all night.

During the conference call, several reporters were asking Mark Teixeira about his chances of re-signing with the Angels at the end of the year.

He gave the typical non-answer about letting things play out. However, a lot of those questions had jabs at his agent, Scott Boras, in them.

Such as: "We know your agent doesn't ever use the term 'contract-extension' ..." Or "Your agent has made it clear about what you want ..."

Moments after answering a question, a voice piped in "Scott Boras here." Apparently he didn't like his good name getting tarnished.

In Mark Teixeira, the Angels acquired a 27-year-old switch-hitting first baseman who is a two-time Gold Glove winner. Entering 2008, Teixeira averaged 34 homers and 111 RBIs over his first five seasons. (He's at 20 dingers and 78 RBIs so far this season.)

As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote this spring, "He's a franchise-caliber player entering his prime, and will likely command at least $20 million annually in a long-term contract.

"Some believe agent Scott Boras could land Teixeira a six- or seven-year deal worth $25 million or more annually, considering the other contracts that have been handed out in recent years and Teixeira's age and all-around skills."

So, if the Angels are only renting Teixeira for a potential run deep into October, who plays first next season? Kendry Morales?

In a just-completed conference call, the question was posed to GM Tony Reagins, who engineered the trade to bring in Mark Teixeira, if the Angels do not win a World Series, if it was considered a failure.

"Hopefully we'll play deep into October," is what he said.

When Teixeira finally had a moment to speak, he said "A World Series for me would make this successful. Personal goals don't matter."

Here's a comment from Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman on his trade to the Atlanta Braves:

"I'm excited to go to Atlanta and play for Bobby Cox. At the same time my teammates here know how I feel about them. I love my teammates and the camaraderie in the locker room here. The players individually come to play here every single day and throw it out on the line and it was fun to be part of."

Reporters are on a conference call with Mark Teixeira and General Manager Tony Reagins.

Pierre, LF
Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Berroa, SS
Ardoin, C
Johnson, P

UPDATE: Giants just released theirs...

Lewis, LF
Castillo, 2B
Winn, RF
Molina, C
Rowand, CF
Bowker, 1B
Aurilia, 3B
Vizquel, SS
Cain, P

Casey Kotchman just told our beat writer Matt Hurst that he had been traded to Atlanta in a deal for slugger Mark Teixeira.

The deal includes minor league pitcher Steven Marek going to the Braves. ...

More to come as Matt reports from Boston. ...

Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
RHP Jason Johnson (0-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. Giants RHP Matt Cain (6-8, 3.82)

Two things will be going against John Lackey as he takes the mound against the Red Sox tonight.

One, he acknowledged in Baltimore that he is dealing with a "dead arm" and he has allowed 20 earned runs in his past four starts, spanning 23 2/3 innings.

Then, Lackey is pitching in Fenway Park, a place he cursed during his start last season that was visible on TV. Lackey is 1-4 in his career at Fenway with a 7.46 ERA in seven starts.

However, there is this stat: Lackey is 15-3 with a 2.51 ERA (147 IP - 41 ER) in his last 19 road starts

Blake DeWitt hit a two-run homer to the tie the score in the bottom of the ninth in his first game back for Class AAA Las Vegas. He also managed to play some first base in the game.

Also, Jerome Williams has been promoted to Las Vegas.

Nomar Garciaparra has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee that will have him shut down from baseball activities for the next few days.

The Angels' chartered plane from Baltimore to Boston was momentarily stuck in Atlanta, causing a minor delay, however it wasn't because it was detoured there to pick up Mark Teixeira.

While it would seem that the Angels, averaging 6.1 runs per game this month, might finally not need that elusive big bat, general manager Tony Reagins emphatically said "No" Monday when asked if he could rule out making an offensive upgrade.

Teixeira, several Web sites reported, was finally put on the market by the Braves. Reagins did say "we're not close on anything" with Thursday's trading deadline creeping closer, but the Angels could again be interested in adding Teixeira.

"There are scenarios out there and they could be of help," Reagins said by phone from Southern California after Monday's 7-5 victory over Boston. "Do I think they're realistic? No. I think it's unlikely we'll add anything of that nature."

Without ruling out making a move for a player entering free agency - the kind of players owner Arte Moreno is typically against - Reagins also said that the team had entertained thoughts of adding to their pitching depth.

"That's something we've looked at," he said. "You look at those scenarios and you weight the value of what you're adding versus what you're subtracting. Right now, we don't see anything making the club better."

Though Mike Napoli said "I think I'm ready" to begin a rehab assignment after throwing from about 180 feet on Monday, Scioscia wasn't yet convinced.

"He's close," Scioscia said, "but we want to repeat the workout with him."

Napoli, on the disabled list since July 6 with a frayed right labrum, will have to throw to bases before departing on a rehab assignment which will likely be with Class A Rancho Cucamonga this weekend.

It took the Angels five innings, but they figured out Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Having only faced him in last year's playoffs, Dice-K allowed just one run on three hits through the first five innings, striking out three.

But in the sixth Casey Kotchman hit a two-run homer for a one-run lead and Torii Hunter blasted a prodigious blast, a three-run shot knocking Matsuzaka out of the game.

Matsuzaka had one bad start this season - June 21 vs. St. Louis when he allowed seven runs on six hits in one inning (no, that's not a typo). However his 11-1 record and 2.63 ERA coming into the game should be with a grain of salt. He has only faced five teams this season (until tonight) with records over .500.

- Nomar Garciaparra needed to undergo an MRI exam on his left knee, and results were not immediately available. The Dodgers have a renewed interest in Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, but don't count out Rafael Furcal returning in September. He's currently rehabbing at Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona.

- Brad Penny will make a rehabilitation start on Wednesday for Class A Inland Empire, and if all goes well will follow that up with one for Class AAA Las Vegas on Monday. He could return by the Giants series on the next road trip.

Here is the Angels' lineup for their first-ever regular-season meeting with Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka (11-1, 2.63 ERA):

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Izturis - SS
Guerrero - RF
Hunter - CF
Anderson - LF
Kendrick - 2B
Rivera - DH
Mathis - C

Weaver - P

No Andruw, Nomar...

Pierre, LF
Kemp, CF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Berroa, SS
Kuroda, P

Tonight Daisuke Matsuzaka will make his regular-season debut against the Angels.

He pitched Game 2 of the ALDS against the Angels last October, allowing three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out three.

Dice-K was scheduled to face the Angels in April when they first came to Fenway, but was scratched because of a team-wide flu.

RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-7, 3.98) vs. Giants RHP Kevin Correia (1-5, 5.71)

The Dodgers have won three straight but still trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by a game in the NL West.
Matt Kemp has a 14-game hit streak on the line and Nomar Garciaparra will be examined after injuring his knee on Sunday.

Tonight the Angels begin a three-game series in Boston's Fenway Park, a place where they've had little success over the years.

They have won just nine of their past 27 games there and just 16 of 41 total contests there under Manager Mike Scioscia. That even includes winning two of three there in April.

However, with that experience and their recent three-game sweep of the Sox in Anaheim two weekends ago, perhaps things have changed.

Joe Saunders said after Sunday's loss to Baltimore "Another good series would obviously boost our confidence, but our confidence is very high right now. We're playing well. I believe we're the team to beat right now. What we have to offer is the best in baseball."

The Angels, averaging six runs per game this month, will send Jered Weaver to the mound. Weaver lasted just three innings in his previous start against Boston allowed five runs in five innings.

Dodger rookie Clayton Kershaw picked up his first career win Sunday, shutting out the Washington Nationals through six-plus innings in a 2-0 LA victory at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw, the No. 1 rated prospect in the Dodgers' organization, gave up four hits and struck out five. He was 0-3 and was sent down to Class AA Jacksonville earlier this month. The lefty struggled in his return last week - a 10-1 loss at Colorado - but had no such problems Sunday.
James Loney's home run in the second staked the Dodgers to a 1-0 lead. Russell Martin knocked in Juan Pierre in the fifth for the final margin of victory.
LA has won three straight to even its record at 52-52

Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra left Sunday's game with what was described as an irritated left knee. He will be re-evaluated Monday.

The Dodgers have optioned third baseman Andy LaRoche a day after doing the same to Blake DeWitt. Pinch-hitting specialist Mark Sweeney is back on the active roster. The 38-year-old is hitting .094 with three RBI in 60 games with the Dodgers. LaRoche was batting .203 with two homers and six RBI in 27 games.

Thoughts?

Pierre LF
Kemp CF
Martin C
Kent 2B
Loney 1B
Garciaparra SS
Blake 3B
Ethier RF
Kershaw P

One Dodger fan's perspective

"Well, there's no question that Casey Blake will potentially produce more than Andy LaRoche or Blake DeWitt," she writes.

I have to give Angels manager Mike Scioscia a lot of credit for today's lineup. It is sweltering here in Baltimore, not just the heat for today's game (10:35 a.m. start PDT) but the humidity is disgusting. Sitting here, yes just sitting here in the press box, I am sweating. It's gross.

With that said, Scioscia elected to rest Jeff Mathis, a very knowledgeable move so the catcher doesn't get worn out because he has been - and will be - highly depended on until Mike Napoli returns from injury. Facing lefty Garrett Olson, Scioscia elected to rest Casey Kotchman and Garret Anderson. Here is today's lineup:

Figgins - 3B
Aybar - SS
Kendrick - 2B
Guerrero - DH
Hunter - CF
Rivera - RF
Matthews - LF
Quinlan - 1B
Budde - C

Santana - P

Matt Kemp now has a 13-game hitting steak, his career high.

Kemp hit a two-run home run in the first inning to keep his streak alive.

He is batting .351 (20-for-57) during this hot span and is tied with Seattle's Jose Lopez for the longest active streak in the major leagues.

Kemp leads the Dodgers with 12 home runs and is tied with James Loney for the team lead in RBI with 57.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

On what he remembers about Odalis Perez from 'o6: "My Adderall probably wore off. Remembering something from three years ago isn't going to happen."

On being the subject of trade rumors (Ned Colletti said earlier he wasn't going to trade Lowe): "They have those MLB rumor sites for a reason. Never does that affect you in any form."

On whether he wants to stay a Dodger this year, Lowe said yes. "I consider my tenure to be a failure. We've only won one playoff game."

Torii Hunter said over "the last couple of weeks I found something in my swing." Over the last couple of weeks the Angels found some things, too: their offense, their power and a guy named Juan Rivera.

Extensive video review of his past two seasons exposed a flaw in Hunter's swing - he wasn't keeping his hands back long enough. The adjustment has led to a .308 average this month with six homers, 14 RBI and 19 runs scored after he went 3 for 3 on Saturday with a pair of homers, five RBI and four runs scored in the Angels' 11-6 win over Baltimore.

Hunter is not alone in leading the Angels' offensive resurgence. Rivera, sparsely used in the first half, has a .340 average with five homers, 12 RBI and nine runs this month, including an eighth inning, three-run homer.

"I didn't get really desperate," Rivera said through a translator, of not playing much until late June. "I always wanted a chance. Even though I wanted to play, I'm not one of those players demanding to play. I was always waiting for my chance."

They haven't been alone. Casey Kotchman, who hit a two-run homer in the third, is batting .291 this month with three long balls and 14 RBI, Garret Anderson is hitting .328 with 15 RBI, Howie Kendrick is hitting .395 with 18 RBI and Vladimir Guerrero has four homers and 10 RBI in July.

The team has 28 homers in 20 games this month - six in their past two games - after hitting just 20 in 26 games in June. It's come at a time when the starting pitchers haven't been as effective allowing 16 earned runs over their past four starts, totaling 20 innings.

"It's nice to see, definitely," said Jon Garland, who won despite allowing five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. "At this time of year a lot of pitchers go through a dead stage. Hopefully they can feed off it and gain more confidence every time they step to the plate."

Nomar Garciaparra started at first place for the first time this season.

It was Garciaparra's main position last season.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre played Garciaparra there so that James Loney could have a day off.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Juan Pierre, just back from being on the disabled list with a sprained left knee, was back in the starting lineup in left field and leading off.

The Dodgers are trying to figure out a way to use four outfielders -- Pierre, Andruw Jones, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.

Here is Pierre's take on the situation:

``It's the same situation we had in April and I wasn't playing,'' Pierre said. ``I was the odd man out. Then stuff happened where I got a chance to start playing every day. I really don't know how they are going to do it.

``We've been in this situation before. It's out my hands. It's out all our hands as players. The manager is going to pick who he thinks is the best to go in. It's on him. I just try to stay as positive as possible, cause all of us want to play and deserve to play. You can't really justify what's going on.''

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

- Casey Blake said he was excited about gaining free agency at season's end and has said he would like to retire a Cleveland Indian. "I still have a chance to finish my career there," he said. Joe Torre plans to put him every day in the lineup.

- Ned Colletti on Casey Blake: "He doesn't take an at-bat off and doesn't take a play in the field off. A little more stability. A little more offense. A veteran who's been though a lot of different things before."

- Colletti said he is now looking to acquire a relief pitcher, as he's not too excited about the starting pitchers available.

- When Andy LaRoche heard about the trade from a friend, his reaction was, "I'm going to Cleveland? I didn't want to go to Cleveland. It's too cold up there."

- LaRoche on Casey Blake: "If he's going to help me get a ring, throw him out there. I have to accept my role. I'm a young guy. I can't complain. I'm here. I'd rather be in LA than anywhere else. This is my home now. All my friends are on this team. Obviously, it (stinks not playing)."

- Blake DeWitt will be asked to play second base at Class AAA Las Vegas as well. "When you don't produce, it's not going to be in your favor."

- Joe Torre on Casey Blake: "He has a grinding attitude and has been on a winner. He's a little further along than (DeWitt and LaRoche) at this juncture. He was a tough out. I just like his overall personality. Casey Blake, he's going to be a tough at-bat from the experience he has."

- Torre on Colletti: "I think Colletti did a hell of a job in making a deal. On a daily basis, his work ethic is second to none as far as I'm concerned."

- Colletti on the Andruw Jones situation: "We have three everyday outfielders and somebody who's struggling to get his game together."

- Brad Penny threw about 50 pitches in the sim game and is expected to get a rehab start next week.

- Mark Sweeney is working with Don Mattingly instead of going back on a rehab assignment.

The Dodgers optioned infielder Blake DeWitt down to their Class AAA Las Vegas team Saturday evening.

The move was made after the Dodgers acquired Casey Blake from the Cleveland Indians earlier Saturday.

Blake was in the starting lineup at third base for the game against the Washington Nationals.

DeWitt was one of the young Dodgers, along with Andy LaRoche, who played third base.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

Jon Garland lasted just 5 1/3 innings here Friday, just getting yanked after allowing a two-run homer to Luke Scott.

Garland allowed seven hits and five earned runs. Jose Arredondo has entered to face Kevin Millar, who homered twice last night.

The Angels, so far, have been buoyed by home runs from Casey Kotchman (a two-run shot in the third) and Torii Hunter (a solo shot in the third) and lead 6-5.

Here is the Angels' lineup against Baltimore's Radahames Liz:

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Izturis - SS
Guerrero - RF
Hunter - CF
Anderson - DH
Kendrick - 2B
Rivera - LF
Mathis - C

Garland - P

FWIW, Blake DeWitt is facing Brad Penny in the sim game.

Jon Meloan knew something was up when as the scheduled starter in last night's game at Class AAA Las Vegas, he was told to sit this one out. Then he woke up this morning and found his cell phone was jammed with missed calls, voicemails and text messages, including one from Indians assistant general manager Chris Antonetti.

"It feels weird," Meloan said in a phone interview. "I didn't feel like I'd be traded. I don't know if they see it as my value went down, but I can't dwell on that.

"A lot of times a trade is the best thing that can happen. If the (Indians) are giving up a big-time third baseman, they must like me."

Meloan said his status at this point was unknown at this point and that he might immediately be called up to pitch for the Cleveland. He said he remained confident that converting back to being a starting pitcher was the right decision.

"I've had some sloppy starts that are unacceptable as a starter," Meloan said. "The ability is there, it's just the consistency."

The Dodgers have acquired Cleveland third baseman Casey Blake in exchange for minor leaguers Jon Meloan and Carlos Santana on Saturday.

The Indians would also pay the remainder of Blake's $6.1 million salary this season.

Blake, who turns 35 next month, is hitting .289 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI. He is eligible for free agency after the season. His arrival comes at a time when rookies Blake DeWitt and Andy LaRoche are manning the position.

"Casey Blake is a gamer," General Manager Ned Colletti said in a statement.

Meloan, 24, was 5-10 with a 4.97 ERA in 20 starts this season for Class AAA Las Vegas after being reconverted into a starting pitcher.

Santana, a 22-year-old catcher, is having a breakout season at Class A Inland Empire hitting .323 with 14 home runs and 96 RBI, which leads the California League.

RHP Derek Lowe (7-8, 3.97) takes on Nationals lefty and former Dodger Odalis Perez (3-7, 3.99).

Lowe has a 2.93 ERA over his past 11 starts, but his record is just 5-4 during that span. He is 4-0 with three saves and a 3.58 ERA against the Nationals/Expos.

Jon Garland, now pitching third in the rotation since his spot was pushed back after a stiff neck last week, faces Baltimore for the second time in today's 4:05 PDT game.

In Garland's previous start vs. the Orioles he went eight innings and allowed one run.

In his career Garland is 6-2 with a 4.00 ERA lifetime in 54 innings vs. Baltimore.

Nomar Garciaparra's two-run single capped a three-run sixth and the Dodgers held on for a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals.

Chad Billingsley picked up his team-leading 10th win, giving up five hits and two runs in 7 2/3 innings.

Outfielder Juan Pierre, back off the DL after rehabbing a knee injury, is just 1 for 4 but his one hit started a Dodger rally.

He singled and scored in a three-run sixth. The Dodgers have a 3-2 lead in the eighth.

The Angels beat Baltimore 6-5 to open their 10-game road trip, using an unlikely but welcomed face - the offense - to do so.

With two more home runs - a solo shot by Juan Rivera, followed three batters later by Casey Kotchman's two-run job - the team has hit 24 homers this month after hitting just 20 in June. This month, the team is hitting a collective .290 and averaging 5.95 runs per game. In May and June, the team averaged 3.7 runs per game and hit .242, the lowest totals in the American League for those two months combined.

"There was a time when the other team would score five runs and it would be tough for us," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "Right now it's good to see the offense picking the pitchers up. That's a good sign."

For six innings Joe Saunders didn't need any pick-me-ups even after the offense chased Orioles starter Brian Burres after 1 2/3 innings. Saunders, though, became "too fine" in the seventh, allowing a bases-loaded double and then his fourth ball to pinch-hitter Luke Scott crossed up Jeff Mathis for a passed ball, bringing in another run.

Scot Shields, who had only begun warming up a few pitches earlier - "on the double, on the double," he said with a smile - came in and struck out Brian Roberts on three pitches with two on.

After the evening practice, Norv Turner explained -- sort of -- the decision to put Antonio Gates, Nick Hardwick, Andrew Pinnock and Anthony Waters on the "active-physically unable to perform" list:

"Obviously, it gives them a chance to get healthy. It's really not a major deal. When they're ready to go, we'll take them off it and they'll start practicing ... I think all of them are on schedule. I think you'll find over the next two to three weeks, that gradually we'll get each of them back."

Hardwick and Gates, both offensive starters, seemed to indicate that they're on track in their return from foot surgeries, and both fully expect to be active by Aug. 30, when they must either be activated or forced to sit out the first six games.

Pierre LF
Kemp RF
Martin C
Kent 2B
Garciaparra SS
Loney 1B
Jones CF
LaRoche 3B
Billingsley P

- Free (Andre) Ethier.

- Send Andruw Jones to AAA Las Vegas.

- Or give Oklahoma native Matt Kemp an NBA team to root for called the Bison.

A family friend who is at tonight's game has provided this picture of a current Angel as a little Angel. Who is it?

Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates and center Nick Hardwick were placed on the Chargers' "active-physically unable to perform" list this afternoon, along with fullback Andrew Pinnock and linebacker Anthony Waters.

Gates had foot surgery in February to repair a torn plantar plate and faced a four to six month rehab process. Hardwick had foot surgery in March for a severe sprain. Pinnock tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the playoffs and needed surgery, while Waters had his left knee scoped Tuesday.

As of now, the four are still on the roster but cannot practice until they pass a physical. They can remain on the "active-PUP" list up to August 30, the final roster cutdown date, but anyone not activated by then will have to miss the first six games of the regular season.

Juan Pierre was originally slated to miss six weeks with a sprained knee but was reinstated from the DL on Friday after sitting out just 20 games. He injured it sliding into second on June 29.

Pierre will leadoff tonight in the opener of a three-game set against the Nationals

To make room for Pierre on the 25-man roster, outfielder Delwyn Young, a former State Championship MVP at Riverside Community College, was placed on the DL with an oblique strain.

Young injured the oblique on Wednesday in a pinch-hitting performance at Colorado.

First-round draft choice Antoine Cason was on the practice field Friday after signing his contract Thursday, three days after the other rookies began workouts. Cason, a cornerback from Arizona, signed a reported five-year, $12 million deal, with more than half of the money guaranteed.

"It's great to be on board," he said. "It's about time.

"Of course, I was a little antsy. But I didn't think too much about the whole process, becuase that's not my field of work. I don't really handle that side. So I just kept working out throughout the week ... That I'm here on time is the biggest thing. I'm just a guy who wants to play football. If I play well, everything else will take care of itself."

Cason could see significant activity in nickel situations, especially with Drayton Florence gone to Jacksonville as a free agent.

"It's nice to have him here," Coach Norv Turner said. "I was extremely impressed with him during our offseason work. He's a very natural football player, he's a very instinctive football player and he's going to help us."

Day one with the full squad in Chargers' camp is a little more settled than it was a year ago, when Norv Turner and his staff were new to the players and vice versa.

Now, LaDainian Tomlinson said, there's a comfort level.

"He's been here and we know what to expect," LT said. "It's a sense of comfort, just knowing a coach and knowing what he expects from you and knowing the way he runs practices. Last yera it was kind of the unknown, not knowing the way he ran practices, and so it was a little different.

"I think it'll be very helpful, just 'cause I don't think we'll have that slow start we had last year, trying to get to know each other. If we get off to a slow start it's our own fault. It's nobody else's. It's not the coaching change and all that kind of stuff and excuses that we had last year (when they started 1-3)."

The familiarity works both ways, Turner said.

"There are a lot of examples," he said. "I'll give you the best one I can with Darren Sproles. We know him a lot better now than I did a year ago at this time.

"He was coming off an injury. But as the year went on, obviously he was able to contribute. He did obviously on special teams all year, but during that last six to eight weeks we used him a little bit more on offense and we found out that he can be a real force and factor for us as a change-up guy. He's be one of the guys we'll lean on a little bit in that area."

That suggests Sproles, who averaged 4.4 yards in 37 carries in 2007, could have a shot at being Tomlinson's backup, a position left open when Michael Turner signed with Atlanta.

After some tense negotiations, the Lakers and restricted guard Sasha Vujacic agreed to a deal Friday afternoon.

Vujacic agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal, an anonymous sources close to the 6-7 guard said.

He'll earn $5 million per season.

The Lakers original offer was three years, $12 million, a deal worth $4 million per season.

Vujacic and his representatives rejected the offer and threaten to accept an offer from a European team instead.

But Vujacic, who was planning on taking a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Europe Friday, never left Los Angeles and will start his fifth season with the Lakers.

Vujacic, 24, and his representatives actually sought a four-year, $24 million deal, but the Lakers weren't willing to go that long or that high.

It was similar to what Jason Kapono (4 years, $24 million from Toronto), James Posey (4 years, $25 million from New Orleans) and Mickael Pietrus (4 years, $25.1 million from Orlando) got.

Vujacic averaged a career-high 8.8 points last season and made 45.4 percent of his field goals, 43.7 percent of his three-pointers, earning him the nicknamed ``The Machine'' because of his prolific shooting.

The Lakers extended Vujacic, who earned $1.76 million last season, a qualifying offer of about $2.6 million this summer to make him a restricted free agent.

The Lakers already had lost restricted free agent Ronny Turiaf when they declined to match the four-year, $17-million deal he signed with the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers didn't want to lose Vujacic, whom they considered a vital part of the success they had in reaching the NBA Finals and in their future.

Both sides continued to negotiate and were able to get the deal done.

Both the Lakers and Vujacic and his representatives are to be commended for continuing to work until the deal was completed.

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

John Lackey, in so many words, claimed it was a fatigued arm that is to blame for his recent struggles.

Lackey has allowed 20 earned runs on 36 hits over his past four starts, totaling 23 2/3 innings.

"It usually happens 100 innings into a season," Lackey said. "My 100 innings happen to be later than normal."

Lackey has tossed 92 1/3 innings this season.

Torii Hunter rejoined the Angels from his bereavement leave today in Baltimore, but his ailing grandmother, whom he visited in Pine Bluff, Ark. passed away this morning.

Hunter is expected to play this weekend's three-game series in Baltimore, but is expected to miss a few games next week to attend the funeral. It is currently unknown which dates and games he will miss. The Angels begin a three-game series in Boston beginning Monday and a four-game set next Thursday in New York.

Ryan Clady, an offensive tackle from Rialto Eisenhower High School, signed his first professional contract with the Denver Broncos on Friday.

The deal is believed to be worth $20 million over six years and was completed in time for the Clady to join the team's first workout, the Associated Press reported.

Clady was the No. 12 overall selection in April's NFL draft after three seasons at Boise State. He is expected to step in and start at left tackle for the Broncos.

Tonight marks the opener of a 10-game road trip through Baltimore, Boston and New York, a grinding East Coast swing that surely will test the Angels' mettle and whether or not they remain holding the best record in the majors come August 4 as they do now.

The Angels send lefty Joe Saunders to the hill, who is 12-5 with a 3.05 ERA. He is 3-0 lifetime with a career 5.63 ERA vs. Baltimore.

He will be facing soft-tossing lefty Brian Burress, who is 7-6 with a 5.02 ERA.

Time: 7:40 p.m.
TV: KCAL
RHP Chad Billingsley (9-9, 3.32 ERA) vs. Nationals LHP John Lannan (6-9, 3.29)

Here's the story on Matt Kemp, who had a huge hit earlier in the week against the Diamondbacks. Some of us remember it. Others were forced to hang on every moment by game tracker. Take it away, Troy from West Virginia.

- Luis Maza has been outrighted to Class AAA Las Vegas.

- Infielder Ramon Martinez, who played for the Dodgers from 2006-07, was released from Class AAA Las Vegas.

- Class AAA Las Vegas reliever Greg Miller was placed on the disabled list with lower back tightness.

- Former major leaguer Matt Riley was released from Class AAA Las Vegas.

- Former major leaguer Mark Bellhorn was released form Class AA Jacksonville.

Defensive back Antoine Cason, the Chargers first-round draft pick in April's draft, has signed a five-year deal worth $12 million, assuring he will be in camp when the team holds its first full-squad practice on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

"It's a big relief," Cason said. "Of course I was concerned but I had faith that it would get done. All I could do was work out and control the things I was able to control and that was that. I didn't worry about it too much because I knew it would get done, so I did the things I could control."

Cason was the team's last draft pick to sign. He missed three days of rookie camp.

As a senior at Arizona, Cason was named the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's best college defensive back.

The defending AFC Western Division Champion Chargers will conduct their first full-squad practices Friday with a closed session in the morning and the team's first summer public session scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m.

Other open practices scheduled this weekend:

** Saturday: 9-10:45 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. (both are open to the public)
** Sunday: 4-6 p.m.

The Dodgers' young players (and one old one) will be out and about for the next couple weeks signing autographs, as the team released a press release today. It doesn't include this appearance on Saturday by Matt Kemp, who will be the subject of a Press-Enterprise story in tomorrow's paper.

Friday, July 25 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Blake DeWitt at:
Staples Los Angeles
11341 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 445-4041

Saturday, July 26 - 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Chad Billingsley at:
AT&T Los Angeles
3764 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 388-9444

Saturday, July 26 - 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Cory Wade at:
Wal-Mart Santa Clarita
25450 Old Road
Valencia, CA 91381
(661) 253-1911

Saturday, July 26 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Jeff Kent at:
MACY's Northridge - Men's Department
9301 Tampa Ave # 2500
Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 885-6611

Saturday, August 2 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Andre Ethier at:
AT&T
3851 Overland Ave
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 559-2019

Received the following e-mail from Scott:

"Is there an update on the Vladdy contract extension discussions? What is it looking like in terms of money?"

Guerrero has a $15 million option for 2009 certain to be exercised but beyond that there have been no discussions. I know the Angels would like to keep Guerrero in Anaheim for the remainder of his career, but will he accept a deal that will continue to pay him less than Torii Hunter ($18 million average)?

Guerrero's slow start this season and his aching back and knees don't provide him with much leverage for a long-term deal. But, I think the Angels might consider something in the three-year range, for about the same cost as now (between $14 and $15 million per season) thinking in the final years of a new deal, Guerrero could play out his contract as the primary designated hitter.

Jeff Mathis' career-best four hits drove in a career-high six runs, including a fifth inning grand slam; Howie Kendrick tied a club record with three doubles and his four hits and three RBI matched career bests; and Casey Kotchman had the first five-hit game that he could ever remember.

It all added up to a 14-11 win over Cleveland.

"Howie will be there, I can promise you that. That dude can hit," said John Lackey, who won despite allowing six runs and eight hits in five innings. "Kotch has been clutch for us all year, driving in key runs. And Mathis, he's getting his feet wet and swinging the bat well."

Questions linger about whether the Angels will upgrade their offense in the final week before the trading deadline, but a game like Wednesday's - or a month like July when the Angels are averaging six runs per game - could go a long way in determining things.

"You have to understand the potential of our offense," said Manager Mike Scioscia, whose team scored their most runs and banged out their most hits, 19, all season. "It's much closer to the productive offense we've seen in the last 20 games than the one that struggled before that."

Chone Figgins, who went 0 for 6 Wednesday, has finished his cycle of antibiotics for the staph infection in his left knee that sidelined him for two games in late June. Since returning, Figgins is hitting just .192 (14 for 73) and has seen his on-base percentage fall from .408 on June 25 to its current .368.

"The medication was so strong, it would make you feel sluggish," Figgins said. "Besides everything that happened, I feel fine."

Juan Pierre will begin his rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Las Vegas tonight and is expected to return to hit leadoff even after Matt Kemp had compiled a .393 on-base percentage in 18 games hitting there in the lineup.

"He doesn't give us the power that Kemp gives us, but he knows how to lead off," Torre said of Pierre.

"Hopefully the stuff he gained while batting leadoff will help him confidence-wise," Torre said of Kemp.

Jeff Mathis just hit a grand slam in the fifth inning to give the Angels a 10-6 lead.

It was Mathis' first career grand slam and his third hit of the game. The three hits equals a career best, the second time he's done that this season and the four RBI he has is a career high.

It is the third grand slam by the Angels this season. Torii Hunter and Mike Napoli also have hit grand slams, Hunter's coming against the same Cleveland club.

The Indians have allowed 10 grand slams this season, the most ever by the team, dating back to when they kept such statistics in 1951.

Howie Kendrick has three doubles in three at-bats so far today, hitting one to each outfield spot.

Kendrick already has scored twice, knocked in a run and tied the club record for doubles in a game.

But, he is still the third Angel with three doubles in a game this season, joining Erick Aybar and Torii Hunter in doing so.

"The sense is we'll do something," Manager Joe Torre said. "Ned has many irons in the fire. It's a matter of what makes sense overall."

Asked if a blockbuster might be in the works, Torre said, "As of right now, I don't see that happening."

Meanwhile, special assistant to the GM Toney Howell was seen at a Rangers-White Sox game.

Facing left-hander Aaron Laffey, here is today's Angels' lineup:

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Aybar - SS
Guerrero - DH
Rivera - RF
Kendrick - 2B
Anderson - LF
Matthews - CF
Mathis - C

Lackey - P

Jason Bulger was brought up from Class AAA to aid the bullpen after the Angels used four relievers in last night's 3-2 victory.

Infielder Sean Rodriguez was optioned back to Salt Lake.

It's unlikely Bulger will be with the team much longer. He is taking Torii Hunter's spot on the roster, the center fielder on the bereavement list to be with his ailing grandmother in Pine Bluff, Ark.

Hunter is expected to re-join the team on Friday in Baltimore.

Time: 12:05 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.79 ERA) vs. Rockies LHP Glendon Rusch (2-1, 5.09)

FWIW, GM Ned Colletti is not currently with the team, but is in Las Vegas.

In this afternoon's game, the finale of a short, six-game homestand, John Lackey is looking to give the Angels five wins and another series victory, which would make them 12-0-2 in their past 14 series against AL opponents.

Lackey is 7-2 with a complete game and a 2.58 ERA in 12 starts. He is 3-5 with a 2.85 ERA lifetime against Cleveland.

In this afternoon's game, the finale of a short, six-game homestand, John Lackey is looking to give the Angels five wins and another series victory, which would make them 12-0-2 in their past 14 series against AL opponents.

Lackey is 7-2 with a complete game and a 2.58 ERA in 12 starts. He is 3-5 with a 2.85 ERA lifetime against Cleveland.

Entering in the fourth inning for Jered Weaver, forced to leave due to a knot in his right scapula, Darren Oliver and three other relievers allowed just four hits while striking out six batters in the final six innings of a 3-2 victory over Cleveland.

"It's a tough job," said Scot Shields of being a middle reliever, a position he once held. "You're caught off guard a little bit, but that's pretty outstanding."

Oliver allowed just one hit in 2 2/3 innings before Jose Arredondo pitched 1 1/3 scoreless and Shields and Francisco Rodriguez each struck out a pair in their scoreless frames. Rodriguez got pinch-hitter Ryan Garko swinging on a change-up to end the game with a man on second, notching his 41st save.

Though, technically, the save could be added to Oliver's line.

"He gave us a big lift tonight," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "That was important at the time."

Weaver, pitching for the first time in 13 days, said he first felt tightness behind his shoulder blade in the first inning. He needed 77 pitches to get through his three innings, getting a visit from Scioscia and trainer Adam Nevala during Casey Blake's at-bat in the third.

"I think that probably had something to do with my two weeks off," said Weaver, who last started on July 9, but threw two bullpen sessions in between. "The weeks off felt great and I thought the rest would help me out. But I got a big, ol' knot and it caused me not to finish my pitches."

Jered Weaver, it was just announced, left Tuesday's game with tightness in his mid back.

Weaver was making his first start in 13 days, but had thrown three bullpen sessions in the meantime, so it's not like he wasn't accustomed to the time off.

With Thursday's off day, the rotation shouldn't take a hit or need re-shuffling as Weaver was listed as day to day.

The Angels pulled Jered Weaver out of the game after three innings and 77 pitches.

During the third inning Manager Mike Scioscia and trainer Adam Nevala went out to visit Weaver on the mound and he stayed in the game, but was gone by the start of the fourth.

Stay tuned for the reason.

Making his first start in nine days Tuesday, Gary Matthews Jr. said the small tear in his left patellar tendon "felt a little better after the rest," but the time off, Matthews said, affected his timing. Matthews dropped a fly ball in right field and struck out twice.

Not a good way to prove everything is fine and you deserve more playing time.

"Obviously I want to play everyday," he said. "It's not going to feel great but, let's be honest, my performance will determine how much I'll play. If I play well, I'll get at-bats. Hopefully my knee will allow me to do that."

Matthews is expected to start in center field today against Cleveland lefty Aaron Laffey.

"I'd rather play everyday, that's what I want my role to be," Matthews said. "I think that's possible. I'd like to find out."

Facing righty Matt Ginter:

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Izturis - SS
Guerrero - RF
Anderson - DH
Kendrick - 2B
Rivera - LF
Mathis - C
Willits - CF

Weaver - P

There was a story that hit the Internet today saying that all the Angels had to do to obtain Mark Teixeira from the Braves was to trade Robb Quinlan and Brandon Wood.

Last year the Angels were in discussions with Texas regarding Teixeira and offered far more than that. When told the latest rumor, general manager Tony Reagins laughed for a short while.

"Wow," he finally said. "Those bloggers, man."

- Pitcher James Adkins, a Dodgers first-round pick in 2007, has been promoted to Class AA Jacksonville, where he will replace Clayton Kershaw on the roster. Adkins had been pitching for Class A Inland Empire.

- Pitcher Wilfredo Diaz was released from Class A Great Lakes. Diaz made headlines this spring when the Puerto Rican reported to Vero Beach authorities that he was robbed at gunpoint near Dodgertown. He was said to be tremendously shaken up by the incident.

Eric Stults has been optioned to Class AAA Las Vegas after a poor start last night. Meanwhile, Juan Pierre has left the team and will begin a rehabilitation assignment for Las Vegas tomorrow.

The Padres continued to move veteran players, trading pitcher Randy Wolf to Houston on Tuesday for minor league pitcher Chad Reineke.

Wolf, an NL All-Star in 2003, is 6-10 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts for the Padres this season. The 31-year-old is in his 10th season and will play for his fourth team.

He previously played for Philadelphia (1999-2006) and the Dodgers (2007) before joining the Padres this season.

The Astros said Wolf is scheduled to start on Sunday at Milwaukee, the Associated Press reported.

Reineke, a right-hander, is 5-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 19 starts for Triple-A Round Rock this season.

Defensive end Luis Castillo has agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2014 from the Chargers. The deal is valued at more than $43 million, according to an Associated Press report.
Castillo is scheduled to receive a guaranteed $17.5 million in signing and roster bonuses.
Castillo's contract had been due to expire after the 2009 season.
"Since his arrival, Luis has played a huge role in the success we've had as a defense," general manager A.J. Smith said in a statement. "He's an ascending player who is committed to getting better."
Castillo was the second of the Chargers' two first-round draft picks in 2005. He has 13 sacks in 36 career games, including 33 starts.

Time: 6:05 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 4.42 ERA) vs. Rockies RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9, 4.20)

The Dodgers are currently scouting the A's, though interest in closer Huston Street and shortstop Bobby Crosby appears lukewarm at this time. What's interesting is that the team also continues to scout the Blue Jays, and they've been doing so since May. The Blue Jays have infielders David Eckstein, John McDonald and Marco Scutaro to offer and maybe even pitcher A.J. Burnett. Reportedly, the Blue Jays have scouted Class A Great Lakes.

Could a team with the best record in baseball, a team that's 21 games above .500 against teams with winning records, fall below .500 against opponents with losing records?

The answer will come tonight -- and maybe tomorrow.

That's because the 39-18 Angels (against winning teams) will put their 21-21 mark against losers on the line against the 44-54 Indians.

Jered Weaver (8-8, 4.03 ERA) gets the first shot tonight to keep the Angels above water against RHP Matt Ginter (1-0, 0.00) in a 7:05 game (FSNW-HD).

The Angels close out the homestand Wednesday with John Lackey (7-2, 2.58 ERA) facing Aaron Lafley (5-6, 3.61).

Forget that five-game Angels' win streak.

The guys from Anaheim with the best record in MLB (60-39) were back playing a team with a losing record Monday and fell back to .500 (21-21) against ball clubs under .500 after getting bashed 5-2 by the longball-hitting Tribe, the AL Central's fifth-place team.

Ervin Santana dropped to 11-4 when the All-Star Angel got behind on a couple of hitters and grooved two pitches over the plate and saw them disappear over the fence despite striking out eight and walking none.

Angels hitters had little luck, especially with men on base, and got almost nothing done against former teammate Paul Byrd, who improved his record to 4-10 as he flipped the ball inside and out, moved it up and down, "invented pitches,'' Torii Hunter said, "and pitched backwards'' said Angels Manager Mike Scioscia.

No matter for the Angels. They still own the longest division lead in MLB. And after two more games against the Indians, they're on the road against winning teams like the Red Sox and yankees and an Orioles team that could be over .500 by then.

Facing former Angel Paul Byrd (3-10, 5.47 ERA), the Angels have gone to a lineup that will feature five batters swinging from the left-hand side tonight including switch-hitters Chone Figgins, Maicer Izturis and Gary Matthews Jr.

They join lefties Casey Kotchman and Garret Anderson.

Here's the entire Angels' lineup:

1) Figgins, 3B (.278); 2) Kotchman, 1B (.283); 3) Izturis, SS (.271); 4) Vladimir Guerrero, DH (.287): 5) Torii Hunter, CF (.273); 6) Anderson, LF (.269); 7) Howie Kendrick, 2B (.316); 8) Matthews Jr., RF (.235); 9) Mathis, C (.206).

Pitching for the Angels will be right-hander Ervin Santana (11-3, 3.34 ERA), in his first start since pitching in the All-Star game Tuesday. Game time is 7:05 on FSNW (HD).

They would spot him, when his knee felt good, said Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, of outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., who agreed.

Despite a slight tear in his left patellar tendon, there would be days when the knee felt good and he could get an occasional spot start has been the rationale for the rest of the season.

Well, that time is the opener of the Cleveland series tonight. Matthews, hitting just .235, will start in right field and bat eighth.

"He's feeling good,'' Scioscia said. "I think the break has done him well.''

And if the Angels are going to spot-start Matthews, "He's got to get out there and play,'' Scioscia said. "We can't evaluate him until he does.''

The Dodgers will recall Clayton Kershaw to start tomorrow's game in place of Jason Johnson. Kershaw racked up two wins while he was gone and will be pitching on regular rest. A corresponding roster move will be made tomorrow.

With the sweep of Boston behind them, the Angels are three wins ahead of a Red Sox team that started the weekend tied with them at 57 wins.

Not that that should be much surprise. Against teams above .500, the Angels are now 39-18. But the danger comes the next three days against a Cleveland Indians team struggling to keep its head above water.

Against teams with records below .500, the Angels are barely above water themselves at 21-20.

Don't ask Manager Mike Scioscia for an explanation. He has none.

But his team with the best record in baseball (60-38) gets a chance to right things a bit starting tonight with a three-game home series against Cleveland.

An ex-Angel, Paul Byrd (3-10, 5.47 ERA) will be on the mound for the Indians against All-Star Ervin Santana (11-3, 3.34) in his first start afyer the break. Game time is 7:05 on FSNW (HD).

The formula seems awfully simple for the Angels these days.

Score first. Get a timely hit -- or three, and a quality start, in this case, from Jon Garland.

Then turn the game over to Frankie Rodriguez, who obliged by striking out the Red Sox side in the ninth.

All that the Angels (60-38) did again Sunday in coming from ahead, and behind, to finish off a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 5-3 win.

Eighth-inning doubles from Juan Rivera, Howie Kendrick and Casey Kotchman book-ended second-inning home runs from Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter to guarantee the Angels, who have won five of six against the Sox this season, their first season series win against Boston since 2001.

It was also the Angels first three-game sweep in Anaheim of the Red Sox since April of 1998.

Celebration thread is open...

The Dodgers roared back with five runs in the ninth inning against Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon to come from behind for a 6-5 win on Sunday that has the two teams tied for first place in the National League West once again.

With the Dodgers down to their final strike, Matt Kemp hit a double that scored the newly signed Pablo Ozuna to tie the score 4-4, and Andre Ethier followed with a triple that put the Dodgers ahead.

Jonathan Broxton despite allowing a run recorded his second save of the series, allowing the Dodgers two take two of three in the series.

Derek Lowe surrendered three first-inning runs, and Brandon Webb in his first appearances since the All-Star game held the Dodgers to a run in eight innings.

The Angels get their most-recent set lineup vs. righties on the field again today:

Here's how the home team is lining up:

1) Chone Figgins, 3B (.277); 2) Casey Kotchman, 1B (.280); 3) Maicer Izturis, SS (.275); 4) Vlad Guerrero, RF (.288); 5) Torii Hunter, CF (.272); 6) Garret Anderson, LF (. 272); 7) Juan Rivera, DH (.242); 8) Howie Kendrick, 2B (.316); 9) Jeff Mathis, C (.208).

Sitting pretty with the best record in baseball (59-38) and MLB highs in winning percentage (.608), games over .500 (21) and division lead (8.0 games), the Angels go for their fifth straight win and sixth in the last seven today in attempting to sweep the Red Sox.

A win for the Angels, now 4-1 against Boston, would clinch their first season series win against the Red Sox since the 2001 season.

The Angels will throw RHP Jon Garland (8-6, 4.20 ERA) against Red Sox knuckleball specialist Tim Wakefield (6-6, 3.60). The 3:05 p.m. ESPN national game was moved up to an earlier start as a lead-in to the ESPY Awards show to follow.

The Dodgers have signed utility infielder Pablo Ozuna, who was recently designated for assignment by the White Sox and in turn designated Luis Maza for assignment. Ozuna, 33, hit .281 with no home runs and six RBI in 32 games for the White Sox. Don't expect him to be the answer at shortstop, as he hasn't played there this season and has mostly played second, third and the outfield in his career. Developing...

Blake DeWitt hasn't hit a home run and has seen his batting average drop 45 points since being chosen as the league's Rookie of the Month in May.

But the Dodgers' rookie third baseman has also been written into Manager Joe Torre's lineup for the past nine games even with Andy LaRoche on the team when it was the more highly touted LaRoche that was ahead on the depth chart during the spring.

DeWitt is hitting only .258, but it's been his defense that has impressed. Memorable plays this month include a put-out that helped keep Hiroki Kuroda's perfect game bid going and another in Friday's 8-7 win.

DeWitt made a sliding back-handed stop of a ball and threw out Augie Ojeda to end the ninth inning as the potential winning run crossed the plate, and the Dodgers went on to win in the 11th.

"A lot of the young guys if they're not hitting well will let it affect the other side," Torre said. "He's pretty grounded.

"It's not affecting his defense. And he's going to give you an honest at-bat."

DeWitt credited minor league infield coordinator Matt Martin with working with him last year to improve at the hot corner, encouraging him to get his feet going on every single play.

"Sometimes you slip up on routine plays," DeWitt said. "You have to be consistent on every play. There are no routine plays in this game."

Torre said in choosing DeWitt to play the majority of the time that he was going by "feel."

"It probably worked against LaRoche that I've seen so much of DeWitt," Torre said. "It's not anything against LaRoche. Blake is filling the bill, so to speak."

LaRoche has made only three starts at third base this month, with all three coming against left-handed starting pitchers.

"I'm learning my role right now," LaRoche said.

Gary Matthews Jr. revealed publicly on Saturday that he has a small tear in his left patella tendon, an injury first discovered in an MRI earlier this week and an injury he's been playing with since last year.

Matthews, who missed last year's playoffs because of the knee, met with team physician, Dr. Lewis Yocum, on Saturday to discuss the outfielder's options and "the plan now is to treat it and strengthen it."

Matthews, who is hitting .235 with a .310 on-base percentage and has lost playing time to Juan Rivera, has initially ruled out surgery to repair the tendon and plans to still remain available to play.

"I wouldn't have surgery unless it blows out," he said. "Surgery is like four to six months and that's not something I want to do, so let's not even discuss that."

- As expected, Chin-lung Hu has been activated from the disabled list at Class AAA Las Vegas after missing more than a month with blurred vision.

- Mark Sweeney is expected to be activated from the disabled list in the next couple of days, with a pitcher being sent down.

- Yhency Brazoban had his rehabilitation assignment stopped due to knee tenderness while he is recovering from shoulder inflammation.

- Class AA Jacksonville pitcher Mario Alvarez is expected to miss the remainder of the season with an elbow injury.

Josh Beckett's first 77 pitches, through six innings, were extraordinary. The fireballing righty stranded Chone Figgins at third twice and was cruising through the Angels, striking out five to that point. He had allowed just four hits and it appeared Youkilis' homer would be enough on this day.

However, his 78th pitch was crushed by Vladimir Guerrero to lead off the seventh and it put into motion the Angels' fourth straight victory over the Red Sox. Torii Hunter and Garret Anderson followed with a singles, pinch-hitter Reggie Willits laid down a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Howie Kendrick loaded the bases.

Pinch-hitter Erick Aybar turned on a fastball and hit it down the right-field line clearing the bases and boosting the Angels to a 4-2 lead.

The Angels have twice put a runner on third - both times it was Chone Figgins - and neither time have they been able to break through against Boston's Josh Beckett.

Figgins led off the game with a single, stole second and went to third on Casey Kotchman's fly out, but was stranded there as Maicer Izturis popped out and Vladimir Guerrero grounded out.

In the sixth Figgins hit a one-out double, went to third on a wild pitch, but Kotchman struck out looking and Izturis flied out to center.

Red Sox lead 2-0 off Kevin Youkilis' two-run homer in the second inning.

General Manager Tony Reagins is expected to talk to Dr. Lewis Yocum today when the team physician examines Gary Matthews Jr. but Reagins said a date for Kelvim Escobar's surgery won't be known until Monday.

Escobar will have surgery to repair a torn labrum later this month, the surgery being performed by Dr. David Altchek, however right now there is only a "general range" of dates, Reagins said.

Boston:
Ellsbury - LF
Pedroia - 2B
Drew - RF
Ramirez - DH
Lowell - 3B
Youkilis - 1B
Crisp - CF
Varitek - C
Lowrie - SS

Beckett - P

Angels:
Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Izturis - SS
Guerrero - DH
Hunter - CF
Anderson - LF
Rivera - RF
Kendrick - 2B
Mathis - C

Saunders - P

Jon Garland was scratched from today's start with a stiff neck and instead will start Sunday. Joe Saunders, who is 3-0 with a 2.92 career ERA in four starts vs. the Red Sox, will take Garland's place.

"If they needed me, I could do it," said Garland, who is 4-5 with a 5.57 ERA vs. Boston. "I played catch (Thursday), I'm still able to throw. I don't know if I did something before and tweaked it, but I'm good and I'll be ready to go."

John Lackey had his best-ever start against Boston and the Angels scored 11 runs for the second time in a week, defeating the Red Sox 11-3 on Friday.

The Angels pounded Boston to open the second half of the season but there was no gloating about their third straight victory over the Red Sox, the first time they've done that in a season since 2005.

"It's a little sticky to make too big a deal of one game," said Lackey, who allowed just three runs on five hits in seven innings, while striking out six. "It's a team we might run into again, but we've got to handle our business and we'll talk about it when we get there."

After averaging just 3.8 runs per game in June, the Angels have now scored seven runs in six of their past eight wins, averaging 6.1 in July.

Garret Anderson drove in five runs, his solo homer in the fourth breaking a 3-3 tie, while Howie Kendrick and Maicer Izturis knocked in two apiece.

"It seemed like us winning games wasn't a big deal, people were talking about the offense a lot," said Anderson, referring to having the American League's best record.

As surprising as the offense's outburst was - it was the most runs the team had scored against Boston since August 18, 2005 - more surprising was the way Lackey mowed through a Sox lineup devoid of David Ortiz yet still second in the league in runs and average.

The Angels' ace entered the game 1-6 with a career 6.27 ERA and when it was brought up after the game, Lackey snapped "Let's talk about tonight, how about that?"

Lackey retired 12 of the final 13 hitters he faced and matched his longest outing against a team that not only had his, but the Angels' number.

"It doesn't matter that we're playing them," Anderson said. "I think that's more for you guys to talk about."

Mike Napoli took some early batting practice and also hit off a tee and hit soft toss, testing his injured right shoulder. Napoli, on the disabled list since July 6, said he "felt pretty good. Yesterday it was a little sore, but I came out today and there was no pain."

Napoli caught bullpen sessions during Thursday's workout and before Friday's game, but relied on bullpen catcher Steve Soliz to throw the ball for him. Napoli will begin throwing "in the next couple of days."

Andruw Jones left the game after four innings because he was experiencing flu-like symptoms, but not before striking out twice and committing a fielding error.

By striking out Kevin Youkilis in the fourth inning, John Lackey recorded his 1,000th career strikeout. A message noting the occasion flashed on the board and parts of the sellout crowd gave Lackey a standing ovation.

The next batter, Sean Casey, took a moment before getting into the box to let Lackey acknowledge the crowd, but he didn't. Four pitches later Casey became Lackey's 1,001 punchout.

Only about 4,700 to reach Nolan Ryan.

Gary Matthews Jr. had an MRI on his left knee over the All-Star break and while the results were not immediately available, he was not in the lineup Friday and is set to meet with Dr. Lewis Yocum today, according to Manager Mike Scioscia.

Matthews, hitting .235 with a .310 on-base percentage, missed all of last year's playoffs because of an injured patella in the left knee and has lost his starting job of late to Juan Rivera.

"It's been there. No doubt, it's affected some of the things he needs to do at times this year," Scioscia said. "From the left side, it's hampered some of the things he wants to do in the box."

The Dodgers purchased the contract of right-hander Jason Johnson from Class AAA Las Vegas, and Johnson will start on Tuesday in place of Chan Ho Park, who will take on a more prominent late-inning role in the bullpen. Johnson was picked over Clayton Kershaw to start because of his experience, according to Manager Joe Torre. To make room for Johnson on the 40-man roster, Yhency Brazoban was transferred from the minor league disabled list to the major league 60-day disabled list. Meanwhile, Torre was unsure whether or not Mark Sweeney would be activated from the disabled list tomorrow on the first day eligible, but he is apparently healthy. Oh, and Jason Schmidt has been shut down again with shoulder discomfort for a few days, and his rehabilitation assignment clock has been stopped.

Lakers forward Luke Walton had successful surgery on his right ankle Friday and is expected to rehabilitate it for six weeks.

Walton should be ready for the start of training camp in October.

Walton had bone spurs and scare tissue removed and had some cartilage debris cleaned up in his ankle during a 60-minute procedure performed by Dr. David Thordarson at USC.

-- Broderick Turner
-- reach bturner@PE.com

Today's game vs. Diamondbacks
Time: 6:40 p.m.
TV: KCAL
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.43 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LHP Doug Davis (3-4, 3.80)

You won't read much first-person material here, but this was pretty random. I was having breakfast here at my Tempe hotel (not the team hotel) and got up to get some milk. On the Alta Dena 2% reduced fat milk carton was a mug shot of none other than Andruw Jones, who as part of an educational message campaign says his favorite school subject his math, adding "I liked working with numbers. Math skills are great for figuring out baseball statistics."

James Loney was on the other carton, but I don't drink non-fat. Speaking of public service announcements, I think this one actually applies to Jones and Chin-lung Hu.

Only All-Star pitchers Francisco Rodriguez and Ervin Santana, who were excused from Thursday's team workout, were among the missing this afternoon at Angel Stadium.

Even All-Star, and new dad, Joe Saunders made the scene to talk about his New York experience -- and five-day-old daughter, Matea.

"Adorable'' was the word Saunders used to describe Matea.

"Once-in-a-lifetime'' is the way Saunders described his All-Star experience in the last year of Yankee Stadium, with a trip to Monument Park, a chance to see the new Yankee Stadium next door and a visit with Hall-of-Famers like lefty Whitey Ford, and his Yankees battery-mate Yogi Berra.

The pair may have been in their prime nearly five decades ago and long before Saunders was born, were still his "heroes,'' he said.
.

The two AL teams with 57 wins at the All-Star break, and two of MLB's three with 57 along with the Chicago Cubs start off the second half of the season Friday night in Anaheim (7:05, FSNW) with Angels ace John Lackey (6-2, 2.46 ERA) having the edge on recent returnee Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.70 ERA), just back a week ago after two mnonths on the DL.

With all the Angels starters ready and rested and David Ortiz still out for the Red Sox, the homestanding Angels could have an edge here.

Here's what came out of closer Takashi Saito's press conference on Thursday.

- He said he hasn't considered retirement and expects to be back at the end of August.

- The 38-yearo-old also said Tommy John surgery was a possibility.

- He will visit his family in Japan for 10 days. He said he was told to just rest the arm and will not undergo any therapy or rehab while in Japan. He'll be reevaluated when he returns.

- He said he was sad to hear about the retirement of former Dodger Hideo Nomo and called the league's first Japanese player "a pioneer."

Angels minor league players Kevin Jepsen (RHP) and Matt Brown (INF) have been selected to the US Olympic team and the pair of AAA Salt Lake players will leave their the team July 27 and return Aug. 25.

Former MLB manager Davey Johnson heads up the team.

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said the Olympics experience, and the baseball they will get exposed to, will make up for their loss to the organization of nearly a month.

PRESS RELEASE:

Los Angeles Dodgers Announce June Winners of Dodger Pride Awards, Presented by Under Armour - The New Prototype

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the June winners of the Dodger Pride Awards, presented by Under Armour - The New Prototype. The Dodger Pride Awards were created by General Manager Ned Colletti, and are given on a monthly basis to the players at each level of the club's minor league system who play the game with a hustling, smart, aggressive style. The players and staff on each respective club vote for the awards.

"These awards are given to the players who not only perform on the field, but who provide leadership to teammates by the example they set," Colletti said.

The winners for June are as follows:

Triple-A Las Vegas 51s

Pitcher - RHP Brian Falkenborg posted five saves and a 0.82 ERA (1 ER/11.0 IP) in 10 appearances...he struck out 11 and walked just two in that time...the 30-year-old, who signed with Los Angeles as a minor league free agent in December, had his contract purchased by the Dodgers on June 25...he is 1-2 with 6.43 ERA in nine games with Los Angeles...Falkenborg went 1-1 with 13 saves and a 3.60 ERA in 32 games overall with Las Vegas.

Player - OF Jason Repko hit .375 (39-for-104) with eight doubles, two homers, 15 RBI, eight steals, and 23 runs scored in 26 games...the 27-year-old was summoned to the big league club on June 30 after Juan Pierre went down with a knee injury...Repko appeared in four games (one start) with the Dodgers before being optioned back to Las Vegas on July 4...the right-handed hitter, who was selected 37th overall by the Dodgers in the 1999 draft, is batting .282 with 18 doubles, six homers, 31 RBI, and 63 runs scored in 83 games overall with Las Vegas.

Double-A Jacksonville Suns

Pitcher - RHP Jesus Castillo went 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA (5 ER/30.2 IP) in five starts...opponents hit just .179 against the Mexico-born 24-year-old, who also was a co-winner of this award in May...Castillo is 6-4 with a 2.99 ERA in 19 starts overall.

RHP Travis Schlichting went 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA (4 ER/19.0 IP) in nine relief outings...the 23-year-old, who was signed as a free agent last October, is 3-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 17 games overall...he is limiting left-handed hitters to a .146 average (6-for-41).

Player - INF Adolfo Gonzalez hit .313 (10-for-32) with four doubles and three RBI in 13 games...the 23-year-old has played third base, second base, first base, and has served as the designated hitter and as a pinch hitter on several occasions...he also has been called upon to pitch on four occasions...the switch-hitter is batting .531 (17-for-32) thus far in July to up his season average to .338 in 58 games.

Single-A Inland Empire 66ers

Pitcher - LHP David Pfeiffer struck out 17 in 11.2 innings of work (eight appearances), including seven K's in 4.0 innings of relief in his final outing of the month, June 28 at Lancaster (Red Sox)...during the month, the 22-year-old changed his arm angle, which is much lower now, with great improvement and has had a positive attitude throughout the process...Pfeiffer is 1-2 with one save and a 7.45 ERA in 23 games overall...he has 36 strikeouts in 29.0 innings of work.

Player - OF Ryan Rogowski batted .329 (26-for-79) with seven doubles, 15 RBI, 12 steals, and 21 runs scored in 22 games...after seven games in July, he was promoted to Double-A Jacksonville...the 24-year-old, who was signed as a non-draft free agent in August 2005, hit .270 with 13 doubles, 35 RBI, 30 steals, and 48 runs scored in 74 games overall with the 66ers before his promotion.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

Pitcher - LHP Victor Garate went 1-3 with a 1.85 ERA (7 ER/34.0 IP) in six starts...he struck out 45 in his 34.0 innings of work, an average of 11.9 strikeouts per 9 innings...the Venezuelan was selected by Los Angeles in the minor league phase of the 2007 Rule 5 Draft, and is 5-3 with a 2.04 ERA in 16 games (11 starts) overall this year...he has 95 strikeouts in 70.2 innings, an average of 12.1 K's per 9 innings.

Player - OF Andrew Lambo batted .320 (32-for-100) with eight doubles, three homers, 12 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 26 games...the left-handed hitter had four straight multi-hit games June 5-8, going 10-for-17 in that span...the 19-year-old, who was selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2007 draft out of Newbury Park High School, is hitting .294 with 24 doubles, 11 homers, and 62 RBI in 88 games overall...the Midwest League All-Star is tied for second in the league in RBI.

Single-A Ogden Raptors

Pitcher - LHP Geison Aguasviva went 0-1 with a 2.76 ERA (5 ER/16.1 IP) in three starts...the 20-year-old is 0-2 with a 5.20 ERA in six starts overall...he began the year with Single-A Great Lakes, where he went 1-2 with an 8.38 ERA in eight games (two starts).

Player - 3B Pedro Baez hit .281 (16-for-57) with five doubles, two homers, and eight RBI in 13 games...the 20-year-old is batting .404 (19-for-47) in 11 games thus far in July, and is hitting .336 with 24 RBI in 25 games overall...he ranks sixth in the Pioneer League in hitting and second in RBI...Baez signed with the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in January 2007, and batted .274 in 53 games that year with the GCL Dodgers.

Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Dodgers

Pitcher - RHP Edwin Contreras tossed a combined 10.0 scoreless innings in two starts...he allowed five hits and struck out four in that time...the 19-year-old is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four starts overall...Contreras is limiting left-handed hitters to a .140 average (7-for-50), while right-handed hitters are batting .348 (8-for-23) against him.

Player - C Keyter Collado went 4-for-14 (.286) with an RBI in four games...the 22-year-old has hit safely in each of his seven games in July, and is now hitting .382 with five RBI in 11 games overall...Collado was signed by Los Angeles as a non-drafted free agent in May 2004.

Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Dodgers

Pitcher - LHP Antonio Castillo went 0-1 with a 1.86 ERA (4 ER/19.1 IP) in four games (two starts)...he struck out 24 in his 19.1 innings during the month...the 20-year-old is 2-1 with a 1.36 ERA in eight games (six starts) overall.

Player - INF Enlly Morales hit .400 (30-for-75) with 13 doubles and 12 RBI in 21 games...the 18-year-old, who is in his first year of pro ball, had a 12-game hitting streak from June 23-July 5, during which he batted .392 (20-for-51)...Morales is batting .341 with 17 doubles and 19 RBI in 37 games overall.

The May winners of the Dodger Pride Awards...

Las Vegas:

Pitcher - RHP Jason Johnson (5-0 with a 1.31 ERA (5 ER/34.1 IP) in six starts)

Player - C A.J. Ellis (.298 (14-for-47) with a homer, 13 RBI, 11 walks, and a .441 on-base percentage in 15 games)

Jacksonville:

Pitcher - RHP Jesus Castillo (3-2 with a 3.55 ERA (13 ER/33.0 IP) in six starts)

RHP James McDonald (2-1 with a 3.82 (14 ER/33.0 IP) in six starts)

Player - INF Ivan DeJesus (.299 (29-for-97) with 18 walks, 24 runs, and a .412 on-base percentage in 28 games)

Inland Empire:

Pitcher - RHP Francisco Felix (3-0 with a save and a 3.86 ERA (5 ER/11.2 IP) in eight relief appearances)

Player - OF Matt Berezay (.346 (28-for-81) with six homers, 19 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 20 games)

Great Lakes:

Pitcher - RHP Miguel Ramirez (1-2 with six saves, while tossing 13.2 innings without allowing an earned run)

Player - C Alex Garabedian (.341 (14-for-41) with four doubles and six RBI in 12 games)

Extended Spring:

Pitcher - RHP Luis Garcia

Player - INF Pedro Guerrero

The April winners of the Dodger Pride Awards...

Las Vegas:

Pitcher - RHP Dwayne Pollock (2-0, one save, 1.93 ERA (5 ER/23.1 IP) in nine relief appearances)

Player - INF/OF Terry Tiffee (.486 (51-for-105), 16 doubles, three homers, 24 RBI in 26 games)

Jacksonville:

Pitcher - LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-3, 1.40 ERA (4 ER/25.2 IP) in 10 games (nine starts))

Player - OF Jamie Hoffman (.247 (22-for-89) with six RBI in 25 games) and INF Juan Gonzalez (.329 (24-for-73), five homers, 15 RBI in 21 games)

Inland Empire:

Pitcher - RHP Paul Koss (0-0, 15 strikeouts, 1.32 ERA (2 ER/13.2 IP) in 10 relief appearances)

Player - C Carlos Santana (.294 (25-for-85), 18 RBI in 24 games)

Great Lakes:

Pitcher - RHP Matt Sartor (1-1, one save, 25 strikeouts, 1.15 ERA (2 ER/15.2 IP) in seven relief appearances)

Player - INF Joe Becker (.239 (17-for-71), eight walks, 10 runs scored in 22 games)

Extended Spring:

Pitcher - RHP Luis Garcia

Player - INF Pedro Guerrero

Hideo Nomo has reportedly announced his retirement on his official Web site. Nomo, 39, won National League Rookie of the Year honors with the Dodgers in 1995. He pitched in three games for Kansas City this season.

Dodgers marketing and community relations person Steve Garvey speaks to TMZ.

The team that beat the Lakers for the NBA Championship, the Boston Celtics, just got a little weaker.

But the team the Lakers nosed out for the best record in the Western Conference, the New Orleans Hornets, just got a little stronger with Wednesday's signing of unrestricted free agent forward James Posey.

Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, in an Associated Press report, says Posey, agreed to a four-year contract worth $25 million.

Posey, 31, was a key role player in the Celtics' championship run, averaging 22 minutes, scoring 6.7 points and grabbing 3.6 rebounds per game.

Here's the rest of the AP report:

Pitcher Mike Koplove and third baseman Terry Tiffee are headed to Beijing after being selected to the U.S. Olympic team this morning. Both are spring non-roster invitees with big league experience who are currently with Class AAA Las Vegas. Koplove returns to Beijing after playing for the Dodgers during the two-game exhibition series in March. Tiffee played in six games for the Dodgers this season and is playing in today's Triple-A All-Star game.

Maybe, but as of right now, Clayton Kershaw is the scheduled starter in tomorrow's game for Class AA Jacksonville.

David Wells finished 63rd at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe on Sunday and then blamed his performance on a lack of practice time since he was spending it trying to get back to the majors, as he told a blogger on his Southwest flight home.

Chin-hui Tsao made the Taiwan Olympic team last week after the Kansas City Royals released him from their minor league system last month.

Shea Hillenbrand signed a contract with the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League in hopes of making a return to the majors. Reportedly, he had earlier been close to signing with the Bridgeport Bluefish.

And finally, my monthly update on Wilson Valdez, who is now with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows after things didn't work out with the Kia Tigers.

- Takashi Saito suffered a sprained ulnar collateral ligament that will sideline him for at least six weeks.

- Terry Tiffee, American hero?

Dodgers closer Takashi Saito has a sprained ligament in his right elbow and will undergo rehabilitation for an estimated six weeks before being reevaluated. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and a roster move will be made Friday.

"We'll get together with Joe (Torre) and come up with a plan," General Manager Ned Colletti said in a statement. "Obviously, it is not easy replacing someone like him. As far as trading for a closer, it's a lot like trying to acquire a shortstop - it's a premium position, and most teams don't carry an excess.

"We also have candidates within the staff. Many times closers are discovered in times like this. We'll know more about what we'll do short-term in a couple of days. And we'll know more about Saito's status as the rehab develops."

The American League gets last at-bats tonight at Yankee Stadium, if necessary, and that's another strike against the stars from the National League, who haven't won in this midseason exhibition since 1996.

They'll play the game anyway, if only for the nostalgia and the viewers on Fox, which will no doubt play up the farewell to "The House that Ruth Built" aspect of this ad nauseam. (What, they're not all tuning in to see the pitching showdown between Cliff Lee and Ben Sheets?)

Regardless of the game, the must see TV aspect of tonight's show should be the pre-game introduction of as many living Hall of Fame players as they could lure to the Bronx..

Here's the results of the past All-Star Games, dating to 1933 (from the AP):

Class AAA Las Vegas shortstop Chin-lung Hu could be activated from the disabled list by the end of the week after missing more than a month with blurred vision in his right eye.

Takashi Saito underwent an MRI exam on his right elbow MRI today, and he will be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache tomorrow. ElAttrache will review the MRI and determine the next course of treatment.

Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa expressed his thoughts on his team today in an interview with a Philadelphia radio station. Here's some of what was said...

We have absolutely no offense. We're last in home runs, last in doubles, last in walks. I've never gone this long...teams go in slumps - there's no question - individuals go in slumps, but to see a team go into a slump from April until now....And I know a lot of that has to do with (Rafael) Furcal and (Juan) Pierre. I mean, those two guys sort of ignited us, and they've been out for a long time now, and (Brad) Penny's been out. We've had our share of injuries, but you know, that's still no excuse. You still have big league hitters, and we're just not getting it done.

We definitely could use a bat, and that might be something that might be going on right now because we have some arms that I'm not saying we want to give away, but I know one guy is a free agent after this year, and I don't think the Dodgers want to see him walk, and that's Derek Lowe, and he's been pitching as good as anybody in our rotation, so I'm sure there's a lot of talk going on because there is a concern for our offense right now. It's non-existent to this point.

We're definitely looking for a bat. We're looking for about three bats. We have some pitching to offer. I mean, we got this kid (Clayton) Kershaw who's probably going to be called up after the break who's 20 years old. He's a pretty good pitcher. He's going to be pretty good. Penny's going to be coming back off the list. I don't think you're going to get (Chad) Billingsley. I don't think you're going to get (Hiroki) Kuroda. But you know, I think the mindset of a general manager or an organization is that if you know - and I don't think it's 100 percent that Derek Lowe's going to go out and be a free agent and listen to everybody - is you'd much rather get a baseball player, a big league player back as opposed to getting draft picks, so I mean, I'm sure it's an option the Dodgers are looking into.

What's up with Tony Delmonico? Can you let us know where they stand on him.

Delmonico, the team's sixth-round pick, agreed to terms today days after his father reportedly said he expected him to stay in school. The Dodgers have now signed all but one of their top 15 draft picks. Tenth-rounder Christopher Joyce is the highest remaining unsigned pick, and the Dodgers have until Aug. 15 to sign the left-hander.

The Angels can thank rarely-used Reggie Willits for that, the speedy outfielder capping a two-run ninth against A's closer Huston Street by scoring from second base on Erick Aybar's infield single with two out in the ninth for the difference in a 4-3 victory.

Willie Mays Hayes it wasn't, but Willits never hesitated as he rounded second base, scoring only because Oakland first baseman Daric Barton double-pumped before finally throwing home.

"I just went to throw, I see (Suzuki) looking up the (third base) line," Barton explained. "First thing that comes to your head, if somebody's looking up the line, you don't throw it. If I had thrown it the first time we'd have had him."

Making third base coach Dino Ebel's decision to wave Willits that much more gutsy. However, Ebel's swinging right arm may not have mattered.

"He waved me, I'm pretty sure," Willits said. "To be honest, I got a good jump and was running pretty hard. Dino did a good job of recognizing it and it reinforced what I was already thinking."

It changed the game, the Angels rallying for two runs in the ninth against A's closer Huston Street. And, it changed the standings. Instead of being four games up (with a loss), the Angels are now six games up.

"I think it's good when you finish up like that," Torii Hunter said. "We're able to go home and think positive all the time. To go home on a positive note, to be six games up, you've got to be happy. But it's far from over."

A wild play in the ninth won it for the Angels.

Reggie Willits scored from second base on Erick Aybar's infield single. Yes, an infield single.

With two outs, Willits, who pinch-ran for Juan Rivera, was on second when Aybar hit a slow bouncer to shortstop Donnie Murphy. Aybar beat the throw to first and first baseman Daric Barton pumped once before throwing home. Had Barton thrown the first time, he would have easily nailed Willits. However, his throw was a moment late, Willits sliding in for the margin of victory.

The Angels were down 3-2 opening the ninth before Torii Hunter and Rivera singled off A's closer Huston Street. Howie Kendrick hit a sac fly and the game was tied.

Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 38th save, leaving him just 21 behind the record. But it wasn't without drama. Rodriguez loaded the bases with one out before striking out Rob Bowen looking and struck out Kurt Suzuki swinging.

Justin Duchscherer continued his impressive season, holding the Angels to two runs over 7 2/3 innings, keeping his grip on the American League ERA title. Duchscherer, a second-time All-Star, has a 1.82 ERA.

Dustin Moseley, filling in for Joe Saunders, who missed his start because his wife gave birth on Saturday to the couple's first child, was steady, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings, striking out four.

Pitching on three days' rest, Moseley may have put himself back into the Angels' picture with his performance.

The A's scored twice in the first inning, but Moseley retired 14 of the next 15 batters he faced before giving way to Darren Oliver. The lefty's first pitch was sent screaming over the wall by Jack Cust.

The Angels just tied the game 3-3 in the ninth on Howie Kendrick's sac fly.

Torii Hunter and Juan Rivera led off with singles, Hunter going to third.

The Dodgers have signed seventh-round draft pick Cole St. Clair and 11-rounder Nathan Eovaldi, who the team showed around in Houston.

Time: 1:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
RHP Chad Billingsley (8-8, 3.38 ERA) vs. Marlins LHP Andrew Miller (5-8, 5.09)

Kemp, RF
Ethier, LF
Martin, C
Garciaparra, SS
Jones, CF
Loney, 1B
LaRoche, 3B
Maza, 2B
Billingsley, P

FWIW, Mitch Poole was in the process of putting together a Dodgers jersey with the last name "Wilson" on the back. He made a Clemens one last year with the trading deadline coming up.

Takashi Saito will undergo an MRI exam on Monday.

Joe Saunders' wife, Shanel, gave birth during Saturday's game to an eight-pound girl, Matea. However, the lefty will not start today, instead Dustin Moseley will pitch on three-days' rest.

On Wednesday, Moseley allowed three runs on six hits in six innings, walking three and striking out three. He is 5-5 with a 5.88 ERA in Class AAA and a 1-3 mark with a 7.85 ERA in seven games with the Angels.

"Joe has been up close to 20 hours we need to let him rest," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "It doesn't make sense to fly up (today) and have him try to pitch. We'll probably use most of our guys, so we don't have to extend Moseley."

Dodgers closer Takashi Saito left the game with right elbow tightness he felt in throwing his final two pitches before trainer Stan Conte and Manager Joe Torre paid him a visit.

Easily the anti-Garland, Ervin Santana's success against the Angels' intrastate neighbors is unrivaled. Following Jon Garland's disastrous outing Friday - dropping his career mark vs. Oakland to 4-11 with a 5.22 ERA - Santana's brilliance simply continued, the 25-year-old now 9-1 with a 1.36 ERA against the A's.

"He's the same every time,'' Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis said. "For whatever reason, he has our number. It seems like whatever we're looking for, he throws something else. Tonight it was a lot of breaking balls, a lot of sliders, and you expect a guy who throws that hard to use his fastball more. He keeps you off balance."

Looks can be deceptive, so when Ervin Santana said he felt he didn't have "that kind of power, energy" during Saturday's game, it was hard to believe it.

Asked why, the freshly minted All-Star shrugged. And, to further confound everyone, Santana said that his slider "was not good enough" even though he used it judiciously to overwhelm the A's and strike out a season-high 10 in seven innings, including five of eight batters at one point.

Maybe the one thing that shouldn't be surprising is that Santana dominated Oakland, allowing just one runner past second base as he scattered five hits in the Angels' 4-1 victory.

Joe Saunders' wife, Shanel, went into labor with the couple's first child on Saturday but it's still unknown if the left-handed All-Star will make his scheduled start today.

"If the baby is not here by the end of the game, it will be tough for him to get here and pitch," Manager Mike Scioscia said.

Scioscia said that a pitcher from Class AAA would start, and it would likely be either Nick Adenhart, who is slated to make his next start today, or Dustin Moseley, scheduled to pitch Monday.

Jered Weaver, who started Wednesday, will not start on three days' rest, but is available to pitch in relief.

The Angels placed Chone Figgins on the bereavement list on Saturday, the day the infielder left the team to be with his ailing father, Charles, in Florida. His father is suffering from the residual effects of suffering two strokes over the past two years.

Figgins has to be on the list a minimum of three days and no more than 10 days. Infielder Sean Rodriguez was called up from Class AAA to take Figgins' spot.

On Nomar Garciaparra and not Matt Kemp leading off: "We'll sacrifice the speed for someone that will give us a quality at-bat."

On Nomar: "He's aggressive. He's not your prototypical leadoff hitter because he doesn't go up there looking to walk."

On Kemp: "He goes up there and sometimes has quality at-bats. Other times, he gets impatient."

On Jeff Kent: "He's the perfect example of a player. He's struggling, but we know we're going to get a professional at-bat every time he gets in the box."

Joe Saunders' wife is currently in labor and should the couple's first child come out soon, the Angels' lefty will be on a flight tonight and join the team for his regularly scheduled start tomorrow.

Should the labor take a long time, the Angels will start either Class AAA pitchers Nick Adenhart, who is scheduled to start Sunday, or Dustin Moseley, who is slated for Monday.

Jered Weaver will not start on three days' rest, but will be available out of the bullpen.

Nomar, SS
Ethier, LF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Jones, CF
Loney, 1B
Kemp, RF
DeWitt, 3B
Kuroda, P

Dodgers RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.39) vs. Florida's Ricky Nolasco (10-4, 3.74)

Kuroda took a perfect game into the eighth in his last appearance Monday against the Braves. He finished with a complete-game one-hitter and struck out six.

Nolasco has won five straight and has pitched at least seven innings in all five. The Rialto High grad has one start against the Dodgers - a lost last year when he gave up six runs in six innings.

Making his first American League start since being traded to Oakland from Chicago, right-hander Sean Gallagher allowed just two hits over seven innings Friday and outfielder Matt Murton, also part of that trade and in his A's debut, had a key two-run single during a six-run second inning to lead a 9-2 thrashing over the Angels.

Oakland rocked Jon Garland for seven runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings, his shortest outing since August 19 last season. It came on the heels of John Lackey's franchise-tying 15 hits allowed a night earlier, meaning that in the past two games Angels' starters have allowed 25 hits in 45 at-bats, a .556 clip.

Though upset with his performance, calling it "an overall bad game" Garland was also ticked at home plate umpire Chris Guccione and when he was pulled, stopped a moment to talk to him.

"I was a little upset, he was telling me to hurry up and he was letting every guy take their time in the box," Garland said. "He was ripping his mask off and yelling at me and saying nothing to the hitters. I just let it be known. We had our quibble and moved on."

Garland, who had allowed eight runs in his previous four starts, continued his misery against Oakland, which cut the Angels' lead to four games in the American League West. Garland, now 4-11 with a 5.22 ERA lifetime vs. Oakland, is 1-3 with a 7.48 ERA in four starts against them this season.

Only Russell Martin's two-out RBI single in the ninth prevented the Dodgers from being shut out by Florida's Chris Volstad.

Volstad was making his first big league start and looked sharp throughout. LA had just three singles until getting a pair of hits in the ninth. Martin's hit knocked out Volstad, but Kevin Gregg closed it out for his 19th save.

Jon Garland continued the Angels' shaky starting pitching performance by allowing seven runs on 10 hits in just 2 2/3 innings.

Currently, the A's lead 9-2 in the bottom of the sixth.

Garland followed John Lackey's 15-hit performance with another wretched outing, pulled during a six-run third inning after the Angels had given him a 2-1 lead on Chone Figgins' triple and Casey Kotchman's sac fly.

In the past two games, Angels starters Lackey and Garland have allowed 25 hits in 45 at-bats, a .556 average.

Here's the AP story on the move:

VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers made their departure from Vero Beach official, terminating their facility use agreement.

After calling Vero Beach their spring home for 61 years dating to when they were the Brooklyn Dodgers, they informed Indian River County, Fla., officials that they were exercising their option to terminate the agreement in anticipation of opening a $100 million, two-team facility in Glendale, Ariz.

Craig Callan, the Dodgers' vice president of spring training and minor league facilities, notified Indian River County administrator Joe Baird and Vero Beach City Manager Jim Gabbard of the decision Thursday evening.

''I guess there's no particular place in the world including my home that holds more memories for me than Dodgertown,'' Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully said Friday in the Dodger Stadium press box that bears his name.

''I've been going there for 59 years, and just imagine the parade of players, coaches, newspapermen, owners and managers that went through there. So it really has always been cherished ground for me. But nothing is forever, and it was time. I mean, that was hallowed ground for the Brooklyn Dodgers. But it should be closer to Los Angeles, so I'm all for it. To me, there's no deep sentiment. I'm not touched by leaving there.''

Scully's oldest recollection from the Dodgertown years took place in 1950, his first season in the team's broadcast booth. First baseman Chuck Connors offered to drive him to the beach one afternoon, and it was a harrowing experience.

''Chuck was a character,'' Scully recalled. ''There was an old wooden bridge that led out the beach, and we got into a convertible and drove over that wooden bridge. Whatever the law allowed, we went faster and bits and pieces of wood were flying in the air. I was scared to death.''

Beginning next spring, the Dodgers will write another chapter in their new facility, which they will share with the Chicago White Sox the team they beat in the 1958 World Series for their first championship in Los Angeles.

Scully, who had former Dodgers coach Leo Durocher as a roommate at Dodgertown for several years, is one of a handful of Dodger luminaries over the years who have been honored with a street named after him in Vero Beach. This spring, he asked Callan to save him one of the signs that say ''Vin Scully Way.''

''It's one of those things that would be nice to have,'' Scully said. ''I'll hang it on the front door of the house and really confuse the mailman.''

The Dodgers agreed to terms of an exit agreement in February, and the team had until next Tuesday to inform the county without penalty if they were not planning to return in 2009.

Although the Nov. 19 groundbreaking in Glendale was later than originally anticipated, construction crews are making up lost time by working double shifts each day, and Callan said the Dodgers were comfortable with the progress made in recent months.

''The comfort level was such that we felt it was appropriate that we move on,'' he said.

It's time for Indian River County to move on as well. Baird said he has a draft agreement with a replacement team, believed to be the Baltimore Orioles but not confirmed.

''We've always had a good relationship with the Dodgers,'' Baird said. ''It's kind of sad. They've been good to the community. They've had a 60-year relationship. But we had anticipated this.

''It's a definite that they aren't going to be here. That's the good thing, so we can get another team in.''

Kemp RF
Ethier LF
Martin C
Kent 2B
Jones CF
Loney 1B
Garciaparra SS
DeWitt 3B
Stults P

As expected, Kelvim Escobar will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder later this month.

Mets physician and shoulder specialist Dr. David Altchek will perform the surgery and will miss what figures to be the better portion of a year.

"History tells us it will be significant time," general manager Tony Reagins said.

There is a chance Escobar could miss most of, if not all of next season.

Lefty Eric Stults (2-1, 2.22) faces Marlins RHP Chris Volstad (1-0, 0.00)

It will be Stults' fifth start of the season. He had a no-decision Sunday against the Giants after giving up two runs (one earned) in four innings.

Volstad will be making his first major league start. He pitched two innings in relief to earn a win against Colorado on Sunday.

Tonight opens the final series before the All-Star break and it's between the first and second place teams in the AL West.

However the Angels are guaranteed to be in first place at the break, currently holding a five-game lead in the division, the largest of any first-place club in baseball.

Jon Garland, who is just 4-10 with a 4.70 ERA vs. Oakland in career, takes on Sean Gallagher, who was just acquired from the Cubs for Rich Harden and who will be making his first career AL start.

Hanley Ramirez belted his 23rd homer, a blast to right-center in the 11th, to lead the Marlins to a 5-4 win over the Dodgers Thursday night.

The all-star shortstop finished 5 for 6 with a double. The five hits ties a club record.
"He's a one-man gang," manager Joe Torre said.

Let's just let some of the quotes stand as the summation of this one, shall we?

"A sac bunt and a bloop hit ends up doing it after all that," Manager Mike Scioscia sighed. "I guess it's kind of ironic when there were 32 hits between the teams."

"In this ballpark, anything can happen," Francisco Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, on his mis-read of a bunt in the 11th when he threw the ball to center field, that put two runners on: "I missed it. I saw the ball pop up, I broke (in) so hard and over-ran it. I tried to look up and it was over my head. If I set my feet and make a nice throw ... But, no, that wasn't the plan."

John Lackey allowed a franchise-tying 15 hits by a starter, tying Paul Hartzell in 1976.

"I don't know if I've ever seen a pitcher give up 15 hits and still be in line for a win," Scioscia said.

"I thought, honestly, I was going to steal one, as many close ones as I've been in," said Lackey, who had only had 31 total runs scored in his 10 previous starts. "But I can't complain with the way I pitched. I didn't deserve one."

The Dodgers and Marlins enter the 10th tied 4-4.
Some interesting numbers:
The Dodgers are 4-3 in extra innings. They are also 8-1 when tied after seven.

The Angels and Rangers are tied, 10-10 and head to the 10th inning.

Several Angels have shown their displeasure with home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez's strike zone this evening.

Scot Shields barked at Marquez as he walked off the mound following a seventh inning when he allowed Max Ramirez's game-tying home run. Casey Kotchman, who rarely exhibits emotion on the field, slumped his shoulders and rolled his eyes at a strike call in the eighth.

Earlier in the game, Manager Mike Scioscia yelled from the dugout at Marquez about his strike zone and throughout the night hitting instructor Mickey Hatcher has been hopping around the dugout mad about the zone.

The Dodgers signed first-round draft pick Ethan Martin on Thursday. The 19-year-old pitcher, who also played third base in high school, signed for a bonus of around $1.7 million.

John Lackey just tied a dubious Angels franchise record by allowing his 15th base hit of the night.

Lackey was just pulled from the game after Michael Young's single to right in the sixth inning.

Lackey tied Paul Hartzell's record, accomplished on September 9, 1976 at Kansas City. The difference? Hartzell allowed that many hits in 8 2/3 innings. Lackey lasted 5 1/3, but leads 10-6.

The Mariners released slugger Richie Sexson on Thursday and though his .218 average and 30 homers surely aren't expected from the power-hitter, his 11 homers would be fourth on the Angels.

Perhaps he could provide pinch-hitting power or the occasional bat off the bench.

But before this post lights up the message boards and trade rumor sites, consider that the Angels have no desire to add Sexson, even for the prorated rate of the major-league minimum $390,000.

"Richie is the type of player who needs a lot of playing time," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "He has a very powerful swing and still has the bat speed to be productive. Our feeling is that he's got to play a lot. I don't know if we have enough at-bats for him. We already have guys on the bench who need at-bats and I don't know if Richie would be a fit."

Plus, this video clip was Sexson's highlight of the season.

Facing, RHP Scott Feldman, the Angels will send out the following lineup.

Remember, Feldman is the guy who hit former Angel and Riverside native Adam Kennedy a few years ago, inciting a bench-clearing brawl.

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Guerrero - RF
Hunter - CF
Anderson - LF
Rivera - DH
Kendrick - 2B
Mathis - C
Aybar - SS

Lackey - P

Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
Young, LF
DeWitt, 3B
Berroa, SS
Park, P

Former UCLA players Cedric Bozeman and Lorenzo Mata-Real and former USC Trojan Davon Jefferson are on the Lakers roster for the Las Vegas summer league that opens play Friday, the team announced today.

Here's the Lakers scheudle with the full roster below:

Fri.....July.. 11... Detroit, 5 pm at COX Pavilion
Sun...July.. 13... Memphis, 5 pm at COX Pavilion
Tue...July.. 15... Philadelphia, 5 pm at COX Pavilion
Wed..July.. 16... Minnesota, 5:30 pm at Thomas and Mack
Fri.....July.. 18... Toronto, 5:30 pm at Thomas and Mack
Sat....July.. 19... Denver, 3:30 pm at Thomas and Mack
All times Pacific

Roster

No. ....Player.............Pos. ... HT.... WT.... School
1 .....Cedric Bozeman ....G ...6-6 ...220 ....UCLA
25 ...Pat Calathes ..........F ...6-10 ..210 ....St. Josephs
15 ...Nik Caner-Medley. ..F ...6-8 ....240 ....Maryland
12 ...Joe Crawford .........G ...6-5 ....207 ....Kentucky
26 ...Bryant Dunston ......F ...6-9 ....250 ....Fordham
20 ...Sharrod Ford ..........F ....6-9 ....235 ....Clemson
21 ...Taj Gray .................F ...6-9 ....230 ....Oklahoma
23 ...Davon Jefferson .......F ...6-7 ....215 ....USC
11 ...Coby Karl ................G ...6-5 ....210 ....Boise State
9 .....Marcelus Kemp ........G ...6-5 ....210 .....Nevada
22 ...Yi Li .........................F ...6-9 ....210 .....Nanjing (CBA)
31 ...Lorenzo Mata-Real ....F ...6-9 ....245 .....UCLA
3 .....Dwayne Mitchell .......G ...6-5 ....210 .....La Lafayette
5 .....Brian Roberts ..........G ....6-2 ....175 .....Dayton
35 ...Michael Southhall .....C ....6-10 ..260 .....La Lafayette
10 ...James White ............G/F..6-6 ....195 .....Cincinnati

Head coach: Dan Panaggio (SUNY-Brockport)
Assistants: Chucky Brown (North Carolina State) & Rasheed Hazzard (George Washington)

One more segment from Kings President/GM Dean Lombardi, on No. 2 pick Drew Doughty and his search for a coach:

More from Kings President/GM Dean Lombardi on the rebuilding process, and how hard it is on a fan base that has redefined the term "long-suffering":

More from Kings President/GM Dean Lombardi, on multi-tasking:

Still more from Dean Lombardi, on trades:

More from Kings President/GM Dean Lombardi, on how soon the kids will be ready:

Chan Ho Park takes the mound in the first of four against the Marlins. Park allowed a run and three hits in 6 innings in his last start at San Francisco. Game time is 7:10 p.m.

It's a scenario that John Lackey doesn't like talking about anymore because it's been brought up over the course of his career ad nausea.

However when he takes the mound tonight, he will likely have many family and friends from Abilene - about a two-and-a-half hour drive - in attendance.

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Even after an Abilene TV station sent a reporter to interview him about it again yesterday. Lackey, however, will be making his 24th career start against the Rangers and his 13th here in Arlington.

He is 9-8 with a 5.21 career ERA against Texas but just 4-5 with a 6.24 ERA at Rangers Ballpark.

The second segment of a conversation with Kings President/GM Dean Lombardi, on the instructional model for the development camp -- and whether it hurts to not have a head coach in place:

In conjunction with today's column on the Kings -- prompted by their development camp currently taking place at El Segundo -- here's the first of a few segments with the club's president and general manager Dean Lombardi.

Why several? Put it this way: When Lombardi gets going, he'll fill your recorder.

(Incidentally, the camp runs through July 18, with individual position sessions running from 8-11:30 and everybody on the ice from 3:45-4:45. There's no charge for the daily sessions at the Toyota Sports Center, 555 Nash in El Segundo. The only exception is a scrimmage on July 14 at 3 p.m.; there, admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 18.)

Anyway, here's Dean, talking about the origins of the development camp.

Derek Lowe took a perfect game into the seventh and had to settle for a two-hitter over 7 2/3 innings in a 2-1 victory over the Braves tonight.

Matt Kemp homered and Andruw Jones hit an RBI-single for the Dodgers.

Dodgers down Braves

Dodgers first-round pick pitcher Ethan Martin was at Dodger Stadium and on the field prior to the game. That is an indication that Martin could be just about ready to sign, possibly as early as Thursday.

Francisco Rodriguez allowed a walkoff, two-run home run to Josh Hamilton to give the Rangers a wild come-from-behind victory on Wednesday night.

Rodriguez, who has a major-league leading 35 saves, blew just his third save this season when Hamilton hammered a 3-1 curveball to right field, wasting a solid pitching performance from Jered Weaver.

Rodriguez walked pinch-hitter Ramon Vazquez to open the inning before Michael Young's two-out single brought him in. Hamilton, the next hitter, finished it off.

After making a costly error in the sixth inning to put a runner on third - who scored on Vladimir Guerrero's error - Juan Rivera slammed a two-run home run in his next at-bat to propel the Angels to a 4-2 win over the Rangers.

Rivera was starting in Gary Matthews Jr.'s place and has three homers and seven RBI past three starts. It seems a safe bet he's going to be getting a lot more at-bats in the coming weeks.

Jered Weaver pitched six effective innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out five. Jose Arredondo and Scot Shields each pitched scoreless innings, striking out three combined.

In talking with Joe Torre, something that stood out about the change to make Don Mattingly hitting coach was the timing of it. Torre said he and Mattingly had been talking for a month that the time was right and the decision was made several weeks ago.

Torre said that had this not been leaked to the media that he would not have told Mike Easler about it until the weekend, just before the All-Star Break.

For his part, Easler said he completely understood the situation.

"A manager has to have who he is comfortable with, and I respect that," Easler said. "Him and Donnie are like fathers and sons, and I respect that. If I thought it was (based on) job performance, I would tell you that. But I know it's not."

*Brad Penny, who had a cortisone injection in his right shoulder on Monday, will begin throwing on Thursday, Torre said.

*Mark Sweeney (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Las Vegas Thursday and split time between first base and designated hitter. He could return after the All-Star Break.

*Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will be given Thursday off.

It wasn't missing 33 games on the disabled list that messed with Chone Figgins.

It was playing with an infected knee and then not starting two games that led to his tailspin.

With just six hits in his past 42 at-bats entering Wednesday, Figgins' average has dipped from .312 to .278.

"I feel fine, I'm just trying to get my legs back under me," he said. "I couldn't do my lifting like I like to because of the swelling. ... I was doing good (after the DL stint) then I got the infection. For me my legs are very important."

Finally giving Juan Rivera a chance to get some at-bats, the Angels will have Rivera play for a few games and Gary Matthews Jr. will sit out.

"We're going to get Juan a few looks and it's good for Gary to take a little blow, regroup a little bit and find some things," Manager Mike Scioscia said.

Today's lineup against RHP Warner Madrigal

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Izturis - SS
Guerrero - RF
Hunter - CF
Anderson - DH
Rivera - LF
Kendrick - 2B
Mathis - C

Weaver - P

Don Mattingly will return as Dodgers hitting coach beginning after the All-Star break while Mike Easler will be reassigned as a roving hitting instructor, it was announced today. For Mattingly, spending more time with the team during the second half was something he discussed last month, as it seems things back home are better for him. At that point, he said he had to clear things with General Manager Ned Colletti. This will now be the second straight season the Dodgers will have changed hitting coaches.

Kemp, RF
Ethier, LF
Garciaparra, SS
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Jones, CF
DeWitt, 3B
Maza, 2B
Lowe, P

The Rangers announced that Michael Ballard, scheduled to make his major-league debut tonight vs. the Angels has been scratched in favor of Warner Madrigal, the former Angel.

It will be pitcher by committee for Texas tonight as Madrigal pitched an inning during Monday night's game.

The Chargers open training camp July 25 at their Murphy Canyon Road complex and you are invited to watch. For free. Certain practices, that is.

Here are the practices scheduled to be open to public:

July 25 (4 p.m.)
July 26 (10 a.m. & 4 p.m.)
July 27 (4 p.m.)
July 28 (4 p.m.)
July 29 (4 p.m.)
July 31 (4 p.m.)
August 1 (4 p.m.)
August 5 (4 p.m.)
August 6 (7 p.m.) ** Autograph session from 6:30-7 p.m.
August 11 (4 p.m.)
August 12 (4 p.m.)
August 14 (4 p.m.)

The team's fanfest is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2 at Qualcomm Stadium (10 a.m.).

Bleacher seating is available and fans are welcome to bring their own chairs.

Charger Park is located at 4020 Murphy Canyon Road, just west of I-15 between Aero Drive and Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

Jered Weaver will start tonight for the Angels in the third game of the four-game series vs. Texas.

Weaver is making his second start of the season vs. the Rangers after allowing no runs in seven innings his first outing against them on April 5. Since then it's been an up and down season for the 25-year-old.

He's 8-8 with a 4.17 ERA and may be on an up period right now. Over his past three starts, he's allowed just three earned runs.

In seven total appearances against Texas, Weaver is 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Andruw Jones is being booed relentlessly by the Dodger Stadium crowd again, despite getting an infield hit that raised his average into the .160s. In his ninth-inning at-bat, his music was "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

I just find an incredible sense of irony in the choice of music for that one but I will let you find your own punch-line....

(And on a side note, he did single in that at-bat)

Jason Schmidt threw a four-inning rehab assignment in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. He threw 59 pitches, allowed three runs (two earned), a walk, five hits and two strikeouts.

Making his Major League debut, left-hander Matt Harrison limited the Angels to two runs on five hits in seven innings to lead the Rangers to a 3-2 victory on Tuesday night.

The Angels loaded the bases in the ninth inning, but failed to score when pinch-hitter Juan Rivera grounded out to end the game.

Joe Saunders went eight strong innings, allowing six hits and three runs but fell to 12-5. He missed out on his 13th win, which would join him with Nolan Ryan and Bill Singer as the only two Angels pitchers with 13 or more wins by the All-Star break. Ryan was 13-8 in 1977 and Singer was 15-5 in 1973.

Chris Davis hit a solo homer to center in the fifth, to tie the game at 2-apiece before Ian Kinsler extended his hitting streak to 20 games with a leadoff double in the sixth. Josh Hamilton, who leads the majors in RBI and had a sac fly in the first inning, singled two batters later for the Rangers' third run.

The Angels announced their Organizational Players for the month of June.

The following is the team's press release:

"ORGANIZATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE MONTH: The Angels' minor league department announced the Organizational Players of the Month for June: double-A Arkansas OF Brian Stavisky was named the Player of the Month after batting .353 (36/102) with 21 runs scored, 10 doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI in 27 games; LHP Trevor Reckling, who was 3-0 with a 0.77 ERA (35 IP - 3 ER) and allowed 19 hits, six walks with 19 strikeouts in five starts for single-A Cedar Rapids, was named Pitcher of the Month; and triple-A Salt Lake INF Gary Patchett was named Defensive Player of the Month, after committing two errors in 97 total chances (25 PO/70 A) in 22 games."

Manager Joe Torre said he will sit down with pitching coach Rick Honeycutt in the next several days to determine the rotation coming out of the second half, but he alluded that Hiroki Kuroda may be bumped back to allow for some extra rest. Kuroda recently came off the DL and is pitching every five games instead of every six like he did in Japan.

Brad Penny received a cortisone injection in his right shoulder and will likely not throw for several days. It is still undecided if he will need a rehab start.

The game just began after a 56-minute rain delay and here's the Angels' lineup against Rangers LHP Matt Harrison, making his major-league debut:

Figgins - 3B
Matthews - RF
Aybar - SS
Guerrero - DH
Hunter - CF
Kendrick - 2B
Anderson - LF
Quinlan - 1B
Mathis - C

Saunders - P

Upon hearing news that Oakland traded right-hander Rich Harden - as well as top reliever Chad Gaudin - the Angels more or less shrugged their shoulders.

With a six-game lead heading into tonight's game, the Angels have the largest lead of any first-place team in baseball. Does that show that the A's are waving the white flag?

"I really don't see that at all," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said. "That team is a competitive team and who knows what else they might do. I don't see them waving the white flag at all. We've got to play our game on a day-to-day basis. That's all we can do."

Tonight's lineup...

Kemp RF
Ethier LF
Martin C
Kent 2B
Loney 1B
Jones CF
Garciaparra SS
DeWitt 3B
Billingsley P

Featuring the past two Home Run Derby champions:

Chad Billingsley (8-7, 3.12 ERA) takes the mound for the Dodgers on Tuesday. The Dodgers are tied with Arizona for first in the NL West and will look to get back to .500 for the first time since May 30.

Billingsley is coming off an 8-inning, no-earned-runs performance against Houston.

Lucky 13?

That would have to be asked twice during today's Angels-Rangers game, assuming Joe Saunders makes his scheduled start.

Saunders is on red alert since his wife was due with the couple's first child on Monday. He reported that she wasn't experiencing contractions yet and he's good to go for tonight's 5:05 p.m. (PST) game but if he leaves in the second inning, you'll know why.

Saunders is gunning for his 13th victory this season and will be making his first start vs. Texas this season and sixth overall. He is 2-2 with a 6.08 ERA against them lifetime.

He will be opposing Matt Harrison, making his major-league debut, who was acquired in the Mark Teixeira trade last summer. Harrison was 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in nine Class AA starts and had a no decision in his lone Class AAA start this season.

Dodgers P Hiroki Kuroda allowed a leadoff double in the eighth inning to break up his perfect game in leading the Dodgers to a 3-0 victory over the BRaves and back into a tie for first place in the NL West.

He was trying to join Sandy Koufax as the only Dodger to throw a perfect game. He becomes the 36th Dodger to throw a one-hitter and got it thanks to a pair of amazing defensive plays.

Blake DeWitt charged a ball in the seventh when Gregor Blanco tried to break up the perfect game with a bunt. DeWitt bare-handed it and threw Blanco out at first. In the ninth, Angel Berroa made an amazing spinning throw on the outfield grass deep in the hole to nail Greg Norton at first.

"He was as close to perfect as you could be," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who has been a part of two perfect games. "That's the only way to describe it. You couldn't get much closer to perfect than that.

I'm told that that it is very unlikely the Dodgers will be able to trade for Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson.

Four home runs by the Angels, tying their season high, led to a 9-6 victory over the Rangers as Ervin Santana earned his 10th win and Francisco Rodriguez set a major-league record for saves before an All-Star Game with his 35th.

Rodriguez allowed a leadoff double to Ian Kinsler, the Rangers' second baseman's fourth hit of the night, and walked Milton Bradley with two out before David Murphy, who had already hit a three-run homer against Ervin Santana lined out to end the threat.

Torii Hunter homered twice, both mammoth shots totaling 855 feet of power, and Vladimir Guerrero and Jeff Mathis provided two-run shots.

There was some intensity to the game that began 8-0, as Manager Mike Scioscia was ejected in the fifth inning after he argued vehemently that Howie Kendrick was hit by a pitch.

Then in the eighth, Mathis bowled over Texas catcher Max Ramirez and Mon the top step of the Rangers' Milton Bradley was seen dugout yelling at the Angels' bench.

With the score 8-1, Manager Mike Scioscia was just ejected from the game.

Upset by an earlier call that awarded Milton Bradley a base on a phantom hit by pitch, Scioscia was irked when Howie Kendrick appeared to get hit on the arm in the fifth and not given a base.

Replays showed Kendrick was indeed hit by a pitch from Dustin Nippert.

Scioscia came out to argue, lengthily, then retreated to the dugout where he continued yelling at home plate umpire Andy Fletcher.

Apparently it was enough and Scioscia was ejected from his second game this season.

It was just a ploy to get into his air conditioned office and out of the 91-degree Texas heat.

*Brad Penny will meet with a team doc sometime tonight regarding the discomfort in his shoulder stemming from his simulated game on Saturday.

*Outfielder Juan Pierre, who injured his left knee on June 29, was walking through the clubhouse without crutches but with a noticeable limp. He declined to comment about the injury.

*Pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney, who is hitting just .094 this season and is sidelined with a hamstring injury, could begin a rehab assignment as early as Wednesday at Class AAA Las Vegas.

*Pitcher Jason Schmidt will throw three full innings or about 70 pitches in a rehab game Tuesday with Las Vegas.

*Reliever Scott Proctor, who is out with a sore elbow, could begin throwing later this week.

The three home run inning the Angels enjoyed in the second was their first since June 30, 2006 when Orlando Cabrera, Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera did so in the third inning against Boston.

It is the 29th time in Angels history they have had a three home run inning.

The seven hits the Angels had in the inning tied a season high, of which they had done on April 4 vs. Texas.

The most homers the team had in a game is four, when they did so vs. Cleveland on April 9.

The Angels hit three home runs in the second inning, including back-to-back shots on consecutive pitches to take an 8-0 lead over the Rangers.

Jeff Mathis started it off with a two-run shot on 0-2 pitch, then Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run job. Torii Hunter followed with an upper deck shot, only the 15th in Ballpark at Arlington history.

Guerrero's homer went 436 feet and Hunter followed with a 442-foot shot.

Hunter is just the third opposing player to hit an upper tank shot, following Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria earlier this season and Mark McGwire, who did so for Oakland in 1997.

According to a team official, Vladimir Guerrero will not participate in next week's Home Run Derby, even though yesterday he told reporters he would defend his title.

Guerrero shrugged when asked by one reporter about competing in the Derby and was not available for comment by the time the team official said the Angels' slugger would not go to New York for it.

Mike Napoli had an MRI on his right shoulder today and is currently flying to Texas to join the team. The results of his MRI are pending and won't be known until later tonight or tomorrow. He is on the 15-day DL.

Kelvim Escobar was examined by New York Mets physician, Dr. David Altchek and nothing new was presented to him, according to Manager Mike Scioscia.

"Same guidelines that he and Dr. (Lewis) Yocum went over," Scioscia said.

General Manager Tony Reagins said Escobar is "weighing his options" on whether he'll have surgery or continue rehabbing.

"We know that surgery is an option and what Kelvim wants to do is exhaust all of his options," Reagins said. "That call, he has to make."

Here is today's lineup vs. Rangers RHP Luis Mendoza:

Figgins - 3B
Kotchman - 1B
Izturis - SS
Guerrero - RF
Hunter - CF
Anderson - DH
Matthews - LF
Knedrick - 2B
Mathis - C

Santana - P

Clayton Kershaw threw six innings today for Class AA Jacksonville at Mobile, allowing three runs (two earned), four hits, two walks and four strikeouts.

Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (4-6, 3.73 ERA) vs. Braves RHP Jorge Campillo (3-3, 2.99)

The flavor of the day in trade talks seems to be Indians third baseman Casey Blake, according to foxsports.com. I bring this up because on a day yesterday when it was learned the Dodgers lost out on acquiring Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia, Joe Torre had this to say before the game about trade talks: "I don't think there's going to be a franchise guy available to you at this juncture...When you see Cleveland struggling, and you know there's going to be free agents, that seems to be the hot club to talk to." Blake is a free agent at season's end.

The Dodgers are need of infield help since Nomar Garciaparra isn't expected to be able to play every day. Torre, who will give Garciaparra days off, had a nice quote on that situation as well.

"It's sort of a prophylactic measure," he said. "You like that one, huh? It fits him. It's trying to be safe."

Starting tonight (5:05, FSNW), the Angels get settled back in on the road where they are baseball's best team with a 27-15 record and 204 wins back to the 2005 season that is also the best in MLB.

Texas comes first, with four games in the Arlington heat that won't be any worse than what the Angels would be playing in had they stayed in Anaheim. The final three games before the All-Star break come this weekend in Oakland.

All-Star Ervin Santana (9-3, 3.26 ERA) gets things going tonight against righty Luis Mendoza (1-2, 4.64) but the real intrigue comes Tuesday when the Angels' second first-time All-Star Joe Saunders (12-4, 3.04 ERA) gets the call -- if he's still in town.

He's given his wife, Shanel, Angels Traveling Secretary Tom Taylor's cellphone number and could get a call that it's time to go if his wife is about to deliver the couple's first child.

And even if it comes during a game, say in the fifth inning, "I'm outta' there,'' Saunders said.

And that's fine with Manager Mike Scioscia, who said the Angels can handle it and wouldn't want it any other way.

Jon Garland may have given the game away Monday, after his last loss, decrying missing out on a chance "to put them away,'' is how he explained the Angels' approach to AL West challenger Oakland.

But Sunday, as the Angels returned to a season-best 18 games above .500 at 53-35 and improved to a season-best 6.0 games ahead of the A's with a 7-1 whipping of Toronto behind Garland's 98-pitch, six-hit complete game, that's what lies ahead.

Monday, the Angels open a seven-game weeklong road trip in the division that starts at Texas for four games beginning at 5:05 p.m. (FSNW) and Oakland for three through Sunday before the All-Star break, that's what's on the horizon.

Can the rejuvenated Angels' offense, averaging 6.4 runs a game the last five outings on 32 runs after a miserable 0.5 average the four games before on just two runs, put their AL West opponents away?

They do have a chance.

Take Sunday's seven runs heading into the top of the ninth ahead 7-1 over Toronto, add it to the 25 the Angels scored in their last four games. With 11 hits Sunday in eight innings, it looks like their long offensive drought may be coming to an end.

Those 32 runs, a 6.4 average, have produced four wins and stand in stark contrast to the four previous games when the Angels scored two runs, averaging .50 runs a game in dropping three of the four.

With the All-Star selections embargoed until right before Sunday's first pitch, here are some quick pool quotes from Angels reliever Frankie Rodriguez on his third selection to the AL All-Star squad.

Q: Three times now. Does it ever get old?
A: No no. Hopefully, they'll keep it coming. I'm really happy and excited, and I look forward to having another experience there.

Q:The 34 saves say it's so, but do you feel this is the best first half you've had among the three years you went to the All-Star Game?
A: Absolutely. It's been a great run so far, but I always say it's not how you start but how you finish. Hopefully I can continue doing what I'm doing right now and finish really strong. I'm really a competitive guy and I like to be out there helping my ballclub win ballgames. That's all. Thats what they pay me for. It has nothing to do with contracts or arbitration or anything else.

Q: On the first time you pitched at Yankee Stadium in 2002 in the AL Division Series for your first career postseason win?
A: It was an unbelievable feeling. I have so memories of pitching there the first year I came up. And now, being able to go back there for the All-Star Game in the last year of Yankee Stadium, it's going to be a lot of fun.

Maicer izturis was missing in action in the third spot of the lineup Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said he was going to try for a while against righthanders with Izturis batting behind new No. 2 hitter Casey Kotchman.

Vlad Guerrero returned to his old No. 3 slot Sunday with Erick Aybar starting at short and batting ninth for the Angels against righty Jesse Litsch (8-4, 3.69).

Here's the Angels Sunday lineup:

1) Chone Figgins, 3B (.290); 2) Kotchman, 1B (.293); 3) Guerrero, DH (.288); 4) Torii Hunter, CF (.268); 5) Garret Anderson, LF (.266); 6) Howie Kendrick, 2B (.321); 7) Juan Rivera, RF (.183); 8) Jeff Mathis, C (.212); 9) Aybar, SS (.277).

Not much doubt this season has been all about the Angels pitching.

And that fact was echoed in the All-Star selections just released that show two Angels first-time All-Stars in pitchers Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders.

They're joined by closer Frankie Rodriguez whose next save will give him a pre-All-Star MLB record of 35.

But Vladimir Guerrero did not make a team that saw the likes of Milton Bradley named to the team as the reserve DH.

Also not selected was Angels ace John Lackey (6-2, 1.93 ERA), who missed the first six weeks of the season with a strained right triceps.

As the only team in baseball to lead its division this Fourth of July weekend after doing so a year ago, the Angels remain remarkably consistent.

Except for this, and it's something they can work on one more time before the All-Star break.

The Angels' 7-5 loss Saturday to Toronto dropped their home record to 25-20. Last year's Angels didn't lose their 20th game at home until Aug. 25.

So with a seven-game road swing through Sunday to Texas and Oakland starting Monday, today is the last chance for the Angels to pick themselves up at home.

It won't be easy. Angels starter Jon Garland (7-5, 3.99 ERA) hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire recently and the Blue Jays' righty Jesse Litsch (8-4, 3.69) can make it tough on a team.

Game time is 12:35 p/m. (KCOP 13).

John Lackey was at best only OK in his first nonquality start of his 10 this season.

And the Angels' bats were a little late in showing up to score three runs the final two innings of a 7-5 loss to Toronto Saturday that ended a three-game Angel Stadium win streak.

But it was the defense, with a season-high-tying four errors, while allowing the Blue Jays six stolen bases in six tries.

That gives opponents all 26 of their last 26 attempts and highlighted the most disturbing part of a loss that didn't hurt the Angels' 5.0-game lead in the AL West with Oakland losing 6-1 to the White Sox.

At least the Angels kept their offense on track, having scored 25 runs in their last four games now after scoring just two in the four games before that as Vlad Guerrero homered and doubled, drove in three runs, while Chone Figgins went three-for-four with Casey Kotchman and Howie Kendrick having a pair of hits each.

Seen and heard:

Sports psychologist Dana Sinclair is currently visiting the team.

Ned Colletti on the the Dodgers being linked to C.C. Sabathia: "It's all speculation."

Andruw Jones reported feeling some soreness after the game. "It's different when you play nine innings," he said.

Newly signed former Giant Jerome Williams has been placed on the disabled list.

Angels pregame notes credit Manager Mike Scioscia, in numbers put together by the OC Register's Bill Plunkett, with using 69 different lineups in the first 86 games and not repeating a lineup since April 7.

And tonight, make that Lineup No. 70, with Mike Napoli catching. The previous time this week that Kotchman hit second, Jeff Mathis was the catcher.

This is how it's going to be, Manager Mike Scioscia said of his move-em-around order with Casey Kotchman hitting second and Maicer Izturis in the third slot Saturday night.

The lineup: 1) Chone Figgins, 3B (.282); 2) Kotchman, 1B (.291); 3) Izturis, SS (.266); 4) Vladimir Guerrero, RF (..285); 5) Torii Hunter, CF (.271); 6) Garret Anderson, DH (.265); 7) Gary Matthews Jr., LF (.239); 8) Howie Kendrick, 2B (.316); 9) Mike Napoli, C (.209).

He was headed into a pregame meeting with doctors and trainers but no decision has yet been made on whether Angels' rehabbing righty Kelvim Escobar will get a second opinion on the inflammation in his torn right labrum.

Escobar may shut down his throwing for a couple of days but wasn't able to say whether he'd be going back to Arizona for the summer league or stay with the team.

Manager Mike Scioscia seemed to think the first thing that could happen would be getting a second opinion on why his MRI showed no issues in his shoulder without explaining the inflammation and pain after throwing 10 tosses Friday.

Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny will now be out until after the All-Star break after having to cut short his simulated game today when he felt more discomfort in the back of his shoulder. Penny, who will see a doctor when he returns home with the team Monday, only stopped throwing when the tightness he felt made it necessary to do so. "It would stop him a time or two, but he didn't let on," Manager Joe Torre said. "He should tell you that for his own well-being."

Kemp, RF
Ethier, LF
Martin, 3B
Kent, 2B
Jones, CF
Garciaparra, SS
Loney, 1B
Ardoin, C
Park, P

Joe Saunders will be signing autographs before today's game between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at The Upper Deck Store in Huntington Beach.

The store is located in the Bella Terra Center, 7777 Edinger Ave. in Huntington Beach.

Any item to be signed is a $25 charge.

Garret Anderson had three hits, including a two-run home run, and Jered Weaver pitched 7 1/3 terrific innings in the Angels' 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday.

Weaver allowed just two runs, both coming in the eighth inning, on six hits and Anderson had two hard-hit singles before his two-run shot, his second in as many starts.

The Angels have scored 20 runs in their past three games after scoring just two in their previous four games.

"It's awesome, it's fun to watch these guys do their work," said Weaver, who has won four of his past six starts. "Our club is too talented. Today is a great stepping stone to what we can do. We've got to keep things the way they're going."

Jered Weaver's scoreless streak ended at 16 innings when Marco Scutaro scored on Joe Inglett's triple in the eighth inning.

Weaver was brilliant, again, however. He allowed just two earned runs (the second scoring after he'd left the game) in 7 1/3 innings on six hits.

Over his past three starts, which includes his no-hitter defeat, Weaver has allowed three earned runs in 18 2/3 innings on 10 hits.

The Angels are the only team in baseball leading their division on July 4th that was also in first place on Independence Day last season.

The results of the MRI on Kelvim Escobar's torn right labrum were good enough. But when the pitcher tried to throw on Friday, the results were "not good," he said.

"It's painful," Escobar said. "It doesn't feel right."

Escobar will seek a second opinion on the arm from a physician in New York and the likeliest route will be to have surgery. It's an option Escobar has resigned himself to.

"I've done everything on my side to come back," he said. "I'm in great shape. I've lost 10 pounds. That's why I want to go (to New York) to see what happens."

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti will be looking for a shortstop among other things before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, and the team is willing to adjust its philosophy of keeping their young players off-limits.

"We're more open-minded to who we may have to move," Colletti said.

Asked if he were referring to the young players, Colletti said, "They're not really young kids anymore."

Colletti's comments echoed what owner Frank McCourt told me earlier in the week when asked about the possibility of trading some of the kids. He said the ones they will hold onto are "the ones who are prepared to put in the work, listen to coaches and get better every day." The kids who they would be willing to part with are "the ones that can't do those things."

The Dodgers have placed pinch-hitting specialist Mark Sweeney on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Jason Repko has been optioned. Rafael Furcal has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

I got to sit down and pick the brain of Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti last week:

Colletti Q&A

Can you find out how much Ray signed for? Also, when Withrow is ready to pitch, is he going to be pitching at Inland Empire or are they going to put him somewhere else?

Can't imagine Melvin Ray signed for too much, being a low-round pick. Thus far, the Dodgers have only paid above slot money on one player in the draft. They gave ninth-rounder Steven Caseres $250,000 and had to go to the commissioner's office for approval on that one.

Chris Withrow is expected to head to rookie-level Ogden when his elbow gets better.

But no, it's not Elton Brand. At least not yet; there has been no word on whether he'll take the Golden State Warriors' contract offer or stay with the Clippers.

But Rob Blake is leaving LA. The former Kings captain signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the San Jose Sharks, with the idea that he'll serve much the same mentor role for their young defensemen that he would have with the Kings.

LA general manager Dean Lombardi had indicated he wanted Blake to return for another season. But the 38-year-old Blake told The Associated Press that Lombardi didn't return his calls in the early stages of the free agent period that began Tuesday. That gave the Sharks an opportunity, and they jumped on it.

"San Jose is something I've always admired," said Blake. "They have a ton of potential, and they're always right there every year. The excitement is in moving up the road a little and playing for a championship again."

Class AA Jacksonville left-hander Scott Elbert pitched three innings Wednesday in his first start in more than a year after shoulder surgery.

Another top draft pick, 2007 first-rounder Chris Withrow, currently has a tender right elbow and is working out in Class A Inland Empire.

Also, the Dodgers signed 33rd round pick Melvin Ray, who reportedly said he is a distant relative of Jackie Robinson's.

Jeff Kent left the game with back stiffness after leaving the game, but could be back as soon as tomorrow. He wasn't going to fight Manager Joe Torre about leaving with the Dodgers on their way to a win and a day game in San Francisco tomorrow. "Three fingers, three toes, I'd have played. Hopefully, I don't have a big deal on the plane. Looking forward to San Francisco, too."

Asked about the team possibly being a half-game out by the end of the day, Kent put his hand on my shoulder. "Three months to go, young pup. Hang on...Sometimes we have to hold the reigns on young reporters not to be so doom-and-gloom."

Asked about the game James Loney had, Kent said, "James is a wild bird."

Thanks to everyone who listened yesterday for my cameo appearance on Angels Talk. Terry Smith said there is a possibility it will happen again soon, but it would have to be during day games, for deadline purposes.

Received an e-mail question yesterday from co-worker Brian Rokos, an Angels fan who wanted to call into Angels Talk, but couldn't.

"I've met Mike Scioscia a couple times, and he isn't dull at all. I wonder how and why and when he decided to intentionally provide dull answers to the media, and what's it like working with a guy like that whom you interview every day? He's no Ozzie Guillen."

Guillen, he is not, that's for sure. I have been in group interviews with Ozzie, obviously seen everything written about what he's said and interviewed Ozzie once. Let's just say this - in my one interview with Ozzie, however brief, he referenced the use of a banana tree while growing up (about all I am at liberty to say on this) to me, a complete stranger.

As far as Scioscia, he is rather dull and vanilla and it's on purpose. He never wants something he says to gain national attention and only twice that I can think of in my four years on the beat has he ever said anything critical about one of his own players.

Here are some of the great things about constantly interviewing Scioscia (at the very least, twice a day - before and after every game): he will answer every question, no matter how asinine; he will never jump down a reporter's throat about a question asked; he will never blow up like Bobby Knight or Earl Weaver or Hal McRae; he is always willing to talk baseball; he is very easy to get along with; and he will usually give reporters as much one-on-one time as necessary.

The bad things is that he has several phrases he trots out ad naseum; he will be purposefully boring so as not to incite anything worthy of headline-grabbing attention; he will protect his players until he's blue in the face; and there are times he won't answer questions directly, preferring to dance around tougher subjects.

However, when he does say something interesting, it certainly catches your attention because of all the times he says "We'll look at a couple things" then he may say one time later in the season "We're changing this up ..." and you obviously notice it.

Scioscia is truly a good guy to work with and makes reporters lives easier than many managers. When he has a problem with a reporter, he lets you know, in private. And, once a year the reporters have a dinner with him where it's just chit-chat nothing special, but a good bull session where we all get along.

No, he's not Ozzie Guillen, but neither is he mercurial or aloof. He is a stand-up guy and very media-friendly no matter how dull or vanilla he intentionally tries to be.

Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent left the game with back stiffness...developing...

As somewhat expected, Andruw Jones and Nomar Garciaparra will be activated from the disabled list tomorrow and be able to play beginning Friday in San Francisco, where Garciaparra is scheduled to start at shortstop. The two cut short their rehabilitation assignments after three games and will fly to San Francisco today rather than play in Las Vegas tonight.

Brad Penny will not be able to come off the disabled list to make Saturday's start, which will go back to Chan Ho Park. Manager Joe Torre said it wasn't about discomfort, but more about a lack of command Penny showed during his simulated game the other day. Penny will now either throw another simulated game or make a rehab appearances for Las Vegas before being scheduled for his next start.

Oh, and you're wondering what's up with Chin-lung Hu, after seeing a neuro-opthamologist, he has been prescribed eye drops that he's supposed to take for about two weeks to clear up the blurred vision in his right eye.

Time: 11:05 a.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
RHP Chad Billingsley (7-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Astros RHP Brandon Backe (5-8, 5.12)

Just a hunch, but stay tuned for injury updates...

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

Andruw Jones is swinging the bat well while testing his surgically repaired right knee at Class AAA Las Vegas and is feeling so good that he could come off the disabled list before the All-Star break and be activated as soon as Friday in San Francisco.

Jones had been tentatively scheduled to play 12 rehab games and return July 18, but is now looking to beat that date by a bunch after playing in the finale of tomorrow's four-game homestand in Las Vegas.

The Dodgers have a shortage of outfielders after Juan Pierre went down with knee injury himself earlier this week, so they might not mind.

"We haven't dismissed it," Manager Joe Torre said. "He feels he's ready to go. His stats are good."

Shortstop and leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal will undergo back surgery tomorrow and miss about another eight weeks. The microdiscectomy operation will involve removing a part of a bulging disk in his lower left back in order to reliever pressure. "It's a blow, but it's reality," Manager Joe Torre said. "We anticipate this will solve everything." Nomar Garciaparra is expected to be activated from the DL by the end of the week to play shortstop, but Torre conceded he won't be able to go everyday. Class AA Jacksonville shortstop Ivan DeJesus Jr. is also being considered while GM Ned Colletti talks to other teams about outside possibilities.

Shortstop and leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal will undergo back surgery tomorrow and miss about another eight weeks. The microdiscectomy operation will involve removing a part of a bulging disk in his lower left back in order to reliever pressure. "It's a blow, but it's reality," Manager Joe Torre said. "We anticipate this will solve everything." Nomar Garciaparra is expected to be activated from the DL by the end of the week to play shortstop, but Torre conceded he won't be able to go everyday. Class AA Jacksonville shortstop Ivan DeJesus Jr. is also being considered.

The Dodgers signed 16-year-old right-hander Jose Morillo from the Dominican Republic for about $30,000 on the first day of the international signing period.

Former major league left-hander Eric Cyr was re-signed and assigned to Class A Inland Empire.

Rookie-level Ogden outfielder Travis Vetters separated his shoulder during Monday's brawl along with being ejected.

Dodgers bullpen coach Ken Howell had a part of his third toe on his right foot amputated at USC Medical Center on Tuesday due to a foot infection. Howell is expected to be discharged from the hospital by Friday.

Joe Saunders pitched 6 1/3 solid innings, allowing just two earned runs to pick up his AL-leading 12th victory and Francisco Rodriguez earned his 34th save in the Angels' 7-4 win over the A's on Wednesday.

It was the second consecutive win for the Angels when they scored at least five runs, the first time they've done that since June 20-21 and only the second time the team has done so since late April.

Juan Rivera, playing for Garret Anderson against left-hander Dana Eveland, hit a two-run homer in a three-run sixth inning, and Erick Aybar added a solo homer in the eighth.

After getting just four extra base hits in their entire three-game series against the Dodgers, the Angels followed up Tuesday's three extra base hits with five on Wednesday, including three in the sixth inning when Torii Hunter and Casey Kotchman each doubled before Rivera hit his no-doubter to left.

The Dodgers have optioned 20-year-old rookie left-hander Clayton Kershaw to Class AA Jacksonville the day after he made his 17th professional start of the season without getting a win. Kershaw found out about 10 minutes ago and was packing his things. "It's disappointing, but it's a business," he said. "I'm going to Jacksonville to keep pitching like I'm supposed to. I didn't expect it. Right now, I'm just disappointed." Mark Sweeney saw Kershaw with media gathered around his locker and told Kershaw, "Keep going, buddy."

Egged on by a few readers who listen to Angels' broadcasts, this blog is entirely composed of self-promotion.

I will be part of Angels Talk following today's game on AM 830 along with Terry Smith. So be sure to listen and be sure to call in and ask some questions.

Joe Saunders departed with one out and one on in the seventh inning, the Angels holding a two-run lead.

Jose Arredondo relieved and got a grounder that turned into a run-scoring error before getting out of the jam with another ground ball and a line-out, keeping the Angels ahead, 5-4.

Should this hold up (jinx alert!) Saunders would become the American League's only 12-game winner.

Question from loyal e-mailer Leona Kline:

"The Angels did so good last night that maybe they should start wearing their Red tops more often! Are you still answering questions on the computer? Cause I don't see your blog like you had last year."

The Angels are wearing their red tops again today, as Joe Saunders again opted for "rally red" as he called it a couple of weeks ago. With the Angels leading 2-0 in the third, perhaps there is something to the alternate tops.

And, since Kelvim Escobar isn't expected back this season, someone else has to sport the red jerseys. Last year Escobar exclusively picked the red tops - it's the starting pitcher's discretion which ones to wear - and Ervin Santana liked them as well.

As far as answering questions, I am always available and will answer any question on this blog. I just have not received many this year.

Anyone can e-mail me with a question at: mhurst@PE.com

Figgins - 3B
Matthews - RF
Aybar - SS
Guerrero - DH
Hunter - CF
Kendrick - 2B
Kotchman - 1B
Rivera - LF
Napoli - C

Saunders - P

Time: 5:05 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (3-6, 4.04 ERA) vs. Astros RHP Runelvys Hernandez (0-1, 5.40)

Kuroda comes off the DL, and a roster move will have to be made before the game. In the meantime, enjoy some pregame reading with a feature on Class A Inland Empire's Carlos Santana, another Dodger minor leaguer converted to catching. Also in the minors, Yhency Brazoban, who has been on the DL for nearly a month now with shoulder inflammation, is starting a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League.

The diagnosis on Kelvim Escobar's shoulder, as determined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, was that it was irritated and the pitcher was told to rest.

Escobar's shoulder will be re-evaluated this weekend.

Casey Kotchman is hitting second tonight, the first time he ever remembered hitting in that spot in the order.

It must be Manager Mike Scioscia's attempt to juggle the lineup since Maicer Izturis is hitting third and Garret Anderson sixth.

"I look forward to hitting in a new spot," Kotchman said. "Hopefully it works and hopefully it gets us going."

The Angels haven't scored more than one run in four consecutive games.

Will hitting second alter how Kotchman approaches his at-bats?

"The objective is the same no matter where I'm hitting - to get on base," Kotchman said.

But doesn't the approach change a little hitting second if Chone Figgins is on base?

"I don't know, we'll have to see," Kotchman said. "It depends on what the pitcher is doing and what (Figgins) is doing."

The Dodgers have focused their efforts making bids on seven Dominican players in advance of tomorrow's start of the international signing players when 16-year-olds who turn 17 after Sept. 6 may sign with major league clubs. But don't expect the Dodgers to be throwing around seven-figure bonuses like the A's reportedly did in giving Michel Inoa $4.25 million. Assistant general manager Logan White said the team has not changed its philosophy of not getting into bidding wars on players they have attached a dollar amount to in value. "We can't shoot ourselves in the foot by overbidding," White said. "We're active. We're just not active on the high-dollar guys. We just don't like them as high-dollar as other teams do."

Rafael Furcal woke up with more discomfort in his back the morning after making his Class AAA debut and has been sent back to Los Angeles.

Kelvim Escobar said that "when I woke up this morning, I was in pain. It was very painful."

Escobar is rehabbing a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an injury that's kept him out of action thus far this season and now appears to threaten any chance of him playing at all this year. He was expected to rejoin the team sometime later this month, likely as a reliever.

Escobar will meet with Dr. Lewis Yocum in a few hours and it is believed he will have an MRI.

"No soreness," Escobar said about the day-after effect pitchers have. "It hurts."

Escobar threw 39 pitches in a rehab start last night for Class A Rancho Cucamonga and his line score (three innings, one hit, three strikeouts) was terrific. However, he said he had trouble getting warmed up and in retrospect should not have pushed himself to pitch.

"It's hard to make that call because that's like spring training for me," he said. "I shouldn't have pitched last night because when I was trying to get loose, I felt like I was pushing the ball and guarding my shoulder and that's no good at all. With everything I've done to this point, I expected to feel a lot better."

Kemp, CF
Young, LF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
LaRoche, 3B
Ethier, RF
Maza, SS
Kershaw, P

Joe Torre hasn't spoken today yet, but did mention weeks ago about the possibility of Matt Kemp hitting leadoff. "Kemp has the footspeed, but needs to make more contact," Torre said then. "He would be the one just off his tools."

It all went down with the rookie-ball Ogden Raptors when recent fourth-round pick Devaris Strange-Gordon was hit by a pitch in yesterday's game. Among the others ejected were third-round pick Kyle Russell.

Speaking of draft picks, assistant GM Logan White and scouting director Tim Hallgren were out here at Minute Maid Park yesterday showing around 11th-round pick Nathan Eovaldi, an Alvin, Texas native who is considered a "tough sign." If Eovaldi signs, he'll be another talented right-hander in the system.

Time: 5:05 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 4.36 ERA) vs. Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez (3-3, 2.58)

I'm curious to see how the Dodgers will hold up today with an injury-riddled team that has kept Stan Conte busy.

As the NHL free-agency period gets underway, the Ducks have quickly inked leading-scorer Corey Perry to a five-year $26.625 contract ($5.325 million average).

---Graig Woodburn

Talk to anyone with an Angels' uniform on and the word is the same; This offensive slump will pass.

The Angels are too good, they say, and work too hard and care too much to stay in the downward spiral that has seen them drop four of five games and score just two runs in the last 36 innings against the Dodgers and A's as their 6.5-game lead in the AL West has dwindled to just 3.5.

Maybe it will turn around tonight (7:05, (FSNW-HD) with Ervin Santana (9-3, 3.34 ERA) on the mound for the Angels.

The bad news is he's facing unbeaten A's ace Rich Harden (5-0, 2.15) who's not likely to open things up much for the slumping Angels.

Although it's not just a recent slump, for an Angels team that's succeeding at an historic level despite scoring 84 fewer runs (341) than the Red Sox (425), the AL leaders in that category.

Only three teams in baseball history, all in the dead ball and dead bat era, the 1906 and 1907 Cubs and the 1910 A's, have managed to win a higher percentage of their three-or-fewer-runs-scored games than have the Angels (14-20, .444) according to research by STATS LLC.