Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

It's back to the bench for Dodgers' Juan Pierre

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July 3

Los Angeles Times

"Orlando Hudson said Juan Pierre should be an All-Star. So did Matt Kemp. But with Manny Ramirez set to return from a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy, Pierre will be back where he was at the start of the season when the Dodgers open a three-game series tonight in San Pierre was Ramirez's stand-in over the Dodgers' last 50 games, batting .317, scoring 31 runs and stealing 21 bases. "I think he really and truly deserves to be on the All-Star team," second baseman Hudson said. "When you look at the numbers, what he's done, it's amazing. When you look at the numbers of some of the guys probably going to the All-Star game, if he had more games, he would be better than a ..."

Manny creating quite a buzz

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July 3

Los Angeles Times

"Reporting from San Diego -- The scene in left field at Petco Park on Thursday was like something out of the Old Testament -- and Manny Ramirez wasn't even there. The first bizarre episode of what could be an eventful weekend took place on the eve of the Dodgers' series opener at the San Diego Padres' ballpark, as a couple of thousand bees swarmed the area in the outfield that Ramirez is expected to patrol tonight when he returns from a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy."

Dodgers' Ramirez is back in blue tonight

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July 3

L.A. Daily News

"He's baaaaaaaaaack. Manny Ramirez returns to Major League Baseball today after a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. His May 7 suspension rocked the Dodgers initially, but they proved they were just fine without him, evidenced by a 29-21 record during that stretch. The Dodgers still own the best record in baseball at 50-29. Still, the Dodgers welcome back the controversial slugger with open arms. Ramirez makes his first start in nearly two months in left field at Petco Park in San Diego, the same place where a fan once threw a syringe at Barry Bonds. Ramirez's return is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated of any athlete - via injury or suspension - and Ramirez ..."

How the media tries to cover every nook and Manny

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July 3

L.A. Daily News

columnist Tom Hoffarth

"This whole surreal 50-game Manny Ramirez Midseason Vacation and Home Pregnancy Test thing has been something of an ongoing media fascination - and it can explode even more this Fourth of July weekend, since Ramirez has refused to defuse the situation. A made-for-TV event, unraveling right before our dreadlocks. His first re-appearance with the Dodgers in San Diego has been spread among Prime Ticket (tonight, 7 p.m.), a Fox regional broadcast (Ch. 11, Saturday, 1 p.m.) and KCAL-Ch. 9 (Sunday, 1 p.m.), plus ESPN breaking in for live updates on "Baseball Tonight" if it all aligns right for "drama on the diamond," a phrase a certain anchor likes to throw out there. For those who might be ..."

Manny Ramirez's return covered from every angle

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July 3

Los Angeles Times

"It's time for the Manny Show(s). Fox's Prime Ticket will have enhanced features on tonight's broadcast of Manny Ramirez's return in San Diego and why not? The network has added an extra right-field camera for more and better shots of Ramirez. See Manny bend over to smell the grass. See Manny wipe his face. See Manny shake his hair. Plus there will be a special road edition of the "Dodgers Live" pregame and postgame 30-minute shows. And the Dodgers-Padres Saturday game is one of three regional games of the week for Fox (Channel 11 locally). The network will break in on its other Saturday telecasts -- Mets at Phillies and Tigers at Twins -- to show Ramirez's first at-bat Saturday, though ..."

Ramirez set to re-enter Mannywood at Dodger Stadium

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July 2

USA Today

"The eyes of baseball will be on the Dodgers this weekend as Manny Ramirez makes his return to the lineup after serving his 50-game suspension for violating the MLB's drug policy.He's expected to be in left field Friday night when the Dodgers open a three-game series at San Diego. Joe Torre's club hardly skipped a beat without Ramirez. The Dodgers went 29-21 with Juan Pierre holding the fort in left field (he hit .318 and stole 21 bases). When Ramirez began his serving his suspension the Dodgers were 21-8 with a 6 1/2-game lead in the NL East. Entering Friday's action they have a 7-game advantage on the second-place Giants. And the team's chemistry seems to be every bit as good as its ..."

Dodgers make flurry of roster moves

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July 2

MLB.com

"The Dodgers made a handful of personnel moves Wednesday, in part to prepare the roster for the Friday return of suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez.In the morning, they activated hurler Eric Stults from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque. Now healed after a sprained left thumb, Stults will start regularly, either to earn another shot at the Dodgers' fifth-starter spot or to showcase his talents to other teams with the month's-end Trade Deadline approaching.After Wednesday's game, the club also optioned third-string catcher A.J. Ellis to Albuquerque and designated for assignment outfielder Mitch Jones. Ellis will continue catching regularly and will likely get ..."

Dodgers survive control issues

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July 2

L.A. Daily News

"Clayton Kershaw battled two enemies Wednesday at Dodger Stadium and managed to get the best of both. Not only did the pesky and patient Colorado Rockies provide an obstacle, Kershaw also overcame his own lack of control to pitch the opening leg of the Dodgers' fifth shutout this season and first since June 3. The Dodgers' 1-0 victory over the Rockies, in the team's last game without Manny Ramirez, was their third by that score this year, proving that the pitching staff knows how to turn a little into a lot. The lone run came on Rafael Furcal's pinch-hit single in the eighth inning. To say the Dodgers are relieved to be adding a bat like Ramirez's on Friday is an understatement. Since ..."

Dodgers manager Torre will brief Manny

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July 2

L.A. Daily News

"It won't be a heart-to-heart, but rather a simple face-to-face when manager Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez have their expected chat before first pitch at San Diego on Friday. Torre said Wednesday he has no big-picture themes to discuss with the slugger coming off a 50-game suspension, and certainly doesn't have amotivational speech lined up. Team members and coaches are gearing up for a crush of media and harsh reactions from fans around the country. After San Diego, the Dodgers head straight into the fire that is New York, before closing out the road trip, and the first half, in Milwaukee. Torre does plan on discussing the situation with Ramirez, though, however briefly. "I don't know about ..."

Forgive Manny, but don't forget

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July 2

USA Today

columnist Mike Lopresti

"How time flies. Manny Ramirez rejoins the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday and it seems like only yesterday he was saying he was sorry for his 50-game drug suspension.Sort of. Or was he sorry that he was caught? It's hard to remember which. Anyway, he's back, just like the Terminator. He's returned, with only slightly less fanfare than General MacArthur to the Philippines. And about the fans, as the prodigal son prepares to man the post again in left field - have they forgiven and forgotten? Are you kidding? The only reason Ramirez won't get a standing ovation in Dodger Stadium Friday night is because his team is playing in San Diego, to open a long road trip. The L.A.-Manny love fest will have ..."

Returning from suspension, L.A. love fest awaits Ramirez

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July 2

USA Today

"Jeannette Romero almost can't sit still.It's not because of anything happening on the pristine Dodger Stadium field below her as her beloved Los Angeles Dodgers battle to maintain baseball's best record. Just one simple fact makes her giddy. Manny Ramirez is returning. "I can't wait," said Romero, 55, at a game during the Dodgers' most recent homestand. "He made a mistake, and we're moving on. I love Manny." Romero seemingly is like most Dodgers fans, eager to celebrate the return of their dreadlocked slugger. They still wear his No. 99 jerseys to games, chant his name and mob him at his minor league rehab appearances. Friday, when the Dodgers open a three-game series in San Diego, Ramirez ..."

Players, fans don't care about steroids so ... welcome back, Manny!

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July 2

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Scott Ostler

"Thanks to Manny Ramirez, I have seen the light. When Ramirez becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame, he gets my vote. Same with all the other 'roid boys. No longer will I try to hijack the game of baseball from its rightful owners - the fans and players. Ramirez has provided the final proof that nobody cares if a player has more needles stuck in his butt than a porcupine. If the fans don't care, and the players don't care, who am I to care? What am I? A knucklehead? Ramirez returns to the Dodgers on Friday in San Diego, and it could get brutal out there at Petco. Who knows what might happen when those Padres' fans get all hopped up on microbrew and fish tacos? "You may have a few ..."

Rockies angry with loss of series at L.A

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July 2

Denver Post

"Respect is not the destination, which illustrates just how far the Rockies have ascended in a month. On May 29, their manager was fired, and any cliche about saving the season would have been too lame to use in a pregame speech. "We were out of it, completely dead, according to most people," closer Huston Street said. A month later, the Rockies departed Dodger Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, genuinely disappointed over losing a series to the National League's best team following a 1-0 defeat. "I am not into moral victories," said first baseman Todd Helton. "We came here expecting to win." That was the prevailing vibe afterward. Dropping two of three games to the Dodgers left the Rockies ..."

Dodgers blank Rockies 1-0 in series finale

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July 2

Denver Post

"You expect this kind of series in October, not July. When the Dodgers, the National League's best team, collided with the Rockies, the NL's hottest team, there intensity befitted the Fall. Nothing specifically was a stake. But the Rockies earned a measure of respect and hinted strongly that the season's final three games in Los Angeles could take on special significance. On a blistering hot day, the Rockies fell 1-0, Jason Hammel the victim of one mistake. It didn't seem fair. As people became mouse potatoes following the game cast on their computers - the game wasn't televised - Hammel muzzled the Dodgers for seven innings. Entering the eighth, the Dodgers' scoreless streak sat at 16 ..."

Dodgers' offense will finally get a boost

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"The 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez ended on the day the Dodgers became the first team to win 50 games this season -- and with the Dodgers' top standing in the National League, little changed from the day he was banned. After squeaking past the Colorado Rockies, 1-0, at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, the Dodgers finished with a record of 29-21 during Ramirez's absence and are now 50-29. The Dodgers also hold a seven-game lead in the NL West over the San Francisco Giants, which is half a game bigger than the lead they had when Ramirez was suspended May 7 for violating baseball's drug policy. And they edged Colorado in front of 40,455 much the same way they won many of their games during ..."

For Randy Wolf, decisions don't come easily Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times Randy Wolf runs to first base after hitting a two-RBI single in the bottom of the 5th inning against the Colorado Rockies on Monday at Dodger Stadium.

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"Dodgers starting pitcher Randy Wolf is 3-3 this season with a 3.61 earned-run average, but there's another notable statistic: He has 11 no-decisions in 17 starts. Wolf said that's probably his career high at this point in a season -- "I don't think I've had more than 12 in a season, maybe 13" -- and he acknowledged that it briefly left him a bit frustrated. "As a starting pitcher you can have like a 6.00 ERA but if you have 15, 20 wins you're looked at as a great pitcher," said the veteran left-hander from Canoga Park. "But if you have like 10, 11 wins and you have a 2.50 ERA they look at you like there's something wrong. "Unfortunately in our job sometimes perception is reality, so I was ..."

Dodgers' offense will finally get a boost

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"The 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez ended on the day the Dodgers became the first team to win 50 games this season -- and with the Dodgers' top standing in the National League, little changed from the day he was banned. After squeaking past the Colorado Rockies, 1-0, at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, the Dodgers finished with a record of 29-21 during Ramirez's absence and are now 50-29. The Dodgers also hold a seven-game lead in the NL West over the San Francisco Giants, which is half a game bigger than the lead they had when Ramirez was suspended May 7 for violating baseball's drug policy. And they edged Colorado in front of 40,455 much the same way they won many of their games during ..."

Two familiar faces could be missing

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July 1

MLB.com

"The sights and sounds of St. Louis will be familiar for fans in the great Midwestern baseball town when the 80th All-Star Game is played at Busch Stadium there July 14. But it's looking likely that two Midsummer mainstays won't be suiting up in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. With barely more than a day remaining before exclusive online balloting closes for the All-Star Game, and four days until the full rosters are revealed, there's a strong possibility that Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez won't make the National League team and Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez won't be part of the American League team. In the latest voting update, Ramirez, currently serving out the final days of ..."

Marquis discovers "special" gem in L.A.

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July 1

Denver Post

"They aren't exactly shivers looking for a spine to race up. But the Rockies have become scary to the rest of the National League. There is only one bully, and the Rockies finally looked the Dodgers in the eye Tuesday night without a quivering lip. With an efficient right arm and a single, two-run swing of the bat, Jason Marquis reduced the Dodgers to splinters, guiding the Rockies to a 3-0 victory. "That was something special, as good as I have seen in my 7 1/2 years behind this desk," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. For those doubting Marquis' all-star candidacy, this performance offered a chilling rebuttal. It was magnificent, if not notable, on many levels. He finished with 66 strikes ..."

Bullpen boost now becoming high priority

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July 1

Denver Post

"Forget the standings. The difference between the Rockies and Dodgers can be explained by their bullpens, underlining why the Rockies are actively looking for relief help. The Dodgers have won nine of 11 games against Colorado. In the head-to-head matchups, Los Angeles' bullpen owned a 2.66 ERA, compared with the Rockies' 8.25 performance. So it should come as no surprise that Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd is trolling for a reliever. Colorado had interest in Washington's Joel Hanrahan, who was traded Tuesday to Pittsburgh, and would love to bring back Houston's LaTroy Hawkins, though he's not yet on the block. "If something hits us in the face and makes sense, we have to look at it," ..."

Manny's return could help Rockies

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July 1

Denver Post

columnist Troy E. Renck

"Manny Ramirez returns Friday. That's when the Rockies need to make up ground. I know it doesn't make any sense that the Dodgers will be worse with their best player back. But hear me out. Ramirez isn't returning after missing a few days with a strained hamstring or sore knee. He will have missed 50 games for cheating - a lengthy, humiliating absence that's foreign to him. When Ramirez rejoins the lineup Friday, it might as well be March 1. That's how far he will be behind. "It's not like he's going to hit five home runs in the first 10 games," Dodgers third-base coach Larry Bowa said. "It's going to take him a few weeks to get going." Even people close to Ramirez don't dispute this logic, ..."

Dodgers' Martin gets extended rest to help his offensive struggles

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July 1

L.A. Daily News

"The All-Star break has come early for catcher Russell Martin, who is in the midst of a three-day mental break aimed at helping his offensive woes. Martin was given Tuesday off and also will not play in today's 12:10 p.m. series finale against the Colorado Rockies. Add that to Thursday's off day and Martin will get an unprecedented three days off in the middle of the schedule. "I think he might be a little drained on the mental side, (catching) and then trying to go up there and not being the offensive player he knows he is and knows he's going to be," manager Joe Torre said. Torre has no problems with Martin's defense or how he is handling the pitching staff. The offensive side has been ..."

Andre Ethier is a natural for walk-off drama Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times Andre Ethier celebrates his game-ending home run against Colorado Rockies in the 13th inning Monday night. He has seven walk-off, game-winning hits since the start of the 2008 season, tops in the major leagues.

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July 1

Los Angeles Times

"With the score tied 2-2, Juan Pierre on third base and two out in the 10th inning, the Dodgers' Andre Ethier faced Colorado Rockies reliever Alan Embree with a chance to win the game. But Embree struck him out with a slider. Three innings later, though, Ethier lined a home run into the right-field pavilion at Dodger Stadium to give the Dodgers a 4-2 win Monday night -- his fourth walk-off hit this season. Ethier has seven walk-off, game-winning hits since the start of the 2008 season, tops in the major leagues. And his latest came after he hit three home runs in an 8-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Ethier has a team-leading 15 homers. The left-handed hitter said being in "the ..."

Dodgers are shut down by Rockies' Jason Marquis Mark Avery / Associated Press Colorado starter Jason Marquis pitched a complete game, giving up no runs and two hits with three strikeouts, and also drove in a pair of runs in the Rockies' 3-0 victory over the Dodgers.

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July 1

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers' Chad Billingsley pitched well Tuesday night in his quest to become the National League's first 10-game winner. Unfortunately for the right-hander and the Dodgers, they faced the Colorado Rockies' Jason Marquis, who pitched -- and hit -- even better and did become the league's first 10-game winner. Marquis threw a two-hit shutout and drove in two runs to lead the Rockies past the Dodgers, 3-0, in front of 43,437 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night. It was the first time the Dodgers were limited to two hits in more than a year, and their off-and-on offense has scored only seven runs in the last four games. As a result, the Dodgers have lost five of their last seven games. Marquis ..."

Manny finishes fifth, final rehab game

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June 30

MLB.com

"Manny-mania in the Minors is officially over. Despite Dodgers manager Joe Torre's initial belief that Manny Ramirez would DH for the Class A Inland Empire 66ers on Tuesday, Ramirez's Minor League assignment came to an end Monday night. After Ramirez, who was suspended 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy, left the stadium in the fifth inning, the Dodgers confirmed that he will not play with the Sixers on Tuesday. On Monday, Ramirez went 1-for-3 in five innings against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. In his five games in the Minors, Ramirez recorded three hits in 10 at-bats and hit one home run. Ramirez, suspended for 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy, led off the game with an ..."

Not so fast: Wolf, Martin lose track of outs

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June 30

MLB.com

"It was vintage Randy Wolf. The left-hander tossed a 68-mph curveball on a 1-2 count past the bat of a guessing Chris Iannetta for strike three and the third inning was seemingly over. Catcher Russell Martin just rolled the ball toward the mound and the batterymates trotted back toward the Dodgers' dugout. But there was just one problem -- it was just the second out of the inning. "For some reason, we just both thought there was three outs," Wolf said with a laugh after the game in which the Dodgers won, 4-2, over the Rockies in 13 innings. "I have no idea why. I think I like Jedi-mind-tricked him into thinking there was three outs." Martin also chuckled when asked about the play after the ..."

Thirteen lucky for Dodgers, Ethier

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June 30

L.A. Daily News

"Andre Ethier is at it again. His two-run home run in the bottom of the 13th inning Monday gave the Dodgers a 4-2 victory over the red-hot Colorado Rockies. It was Ethier's fourth walk-off hit this season and his major-league leading seventh since 2007. Ethier came to the plate in the 13 th with Casey Blake on first base and sheepishly admitted that he had a slightly different plan on his mind. "I don't think (manager) Joe (Torre) is going to be too happy to hear this, but I was thinking about maybe bunting Casey over just to get a guy at second base and avoid maybe a double-play ball," Ethier said. "I have a tendency sometimes to hit into double plays." He thought better of that idea and ..."

Manny's being Manny, yet that seems to suit Dodgers fans just fine

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June 30

L.A. Daily News

columnist Jill Painter

"Manny Ramirez is big-leaguing the minor leagues. The suspended Dodgers star might not need a fancy chair or his own chef, but he's sure not giving much of his time to fans or his new teammates. If you were Man-Ram, wouldn't you be working overtime to overhaul your image? Wouldn't you be signing autographs until your fingers cramped? John Wooden, 98, only recently slowed in the autograph signing department, but I've seen him sign for two hours until every last person waiting received his trademark signature and a warm hello. What's wrong with Ramirez? Sure, he's signed a few autographs here and there, cameras capturing each stroke of the pen. But if you were Manny, wouldn't you spend ..."

Dodgers manager Torre: Real test for Manny starts Friday

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June 30

L.A. Daily News

"Manny Ramirez can test himself in all the minor-league games he wants, but according to Dodgers manager Joe Torre, the real stretching and straining of muscles won't begin until Friday. That would be the day Ramirez finally puts on his Dodgers uniform for the first time in 50 games and takes swings with complete inspiration behind them while tracking down flyballs with all the gusto he can manage. "You can do all the stuff in the gym and the weight room that you want to do, but still you're going to have to go out there (Friday) and use muscles you're not used to using," Torre said. "He's going to get in the best shape just playing games starting Friday." That's not to say that Ramirez ..."

Rockies lose in 13th inning at L.A.

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June 30

Denver Post

"Everything about the Rockies' revival suggests that it has roots, that this team should be able to contend for the next three months. But a missing component exists that is impossible to ignore: The Rockies can't beat the Dodgers. The Rockies fell 4-2 on Monday night in 13 innings on Andre Ethier's walk-off home run, their ninth loss in 10 games against the National League's best team. "That's a (heck) of a tough game to lose," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. The Rockies have a new coach, but when they come to Los Angeles they need a couch. It was one game in a season that hasn't reached the halfway point. But to dismiss its importance out of hand would be foolish. The Dodgers remain in ..."

Red-hot Rockies now a bigger threat to Dodgers

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June 30

Denver Post

"With the red-hot Rockies set to take on the division-leading Dodgers tonight for the first of a three-game series, both clubs are playing down the matchup. The Dodgers have no reason to acknowledge the Rockies as a threat. They have beaten them eight times in nine games this season. And Dodgers manager Joe Torre admitted today: "Regardless of what happens, if we win the series it's not going to change how they think about themselves or affect either team's pysche." Perhaps. But in this month-long redemption tour, it wouldn't hurt the Rockies to stare down the division bully, take a punch and give one back. The last time the Rockies and Dodgers faced one another the Rockies were last in the ..."

Manny Ramirez finishes tour in minor leagues

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June 30

Los Angeles Times

"Circled by security guards wearing lemon-lime jackets who kept a mob of fans away from him, Manny Ramirez made his way out of Arrowhead Credit Union Park, probably for the last time. Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti, who watched Ramirez play for the Inland Empire 66ers on Monday, confirmed that the All-Star outfielder's weeklong minor league assignment ended when he exited the Class-A affiliate's San Bernardino ballpark. Ramirez had three at-bats in five innings as the 66ers' designated hitter and was one for three with an infield single and two strikeouts. He also struck out twice on Sunday. So is Ramirez ready to make a return to the big leagues? Ramirez didn't make himself available ..."

Thirteen lucky for Dodgers, Ethier

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June 30

L.A. Daily News

"Andre Ethier is at it again. His two-run home run in the bottom of the 13th inning Monday gave the Dodgers a 4-2 victory over the red-hot Colorado Rockies. It was Ethier's fourth walk-off hit this season and his major-league leading seventh since 2007. Ethier came to the plate in the 13 th with Casey Blake on first base and sheepishly admitted that he had a slightly different plan on his mind. "I don't think (manager) Joe (Torre) is going to be too happy to hear this, but I was thinking about maybe bunting Casey over just to get a guy at second base and avoid maybe a double-play ball," Ethier said. "I have a tendency sometimes to hit into double plays." He thought better of that idea and ..."

Eric Milton will be available for relief duty

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June 30

Los Angeles Times

"Eric Milton for now remains the fifth starter in the Dodgers' rotation despite being knocked around in his outing Saturday, Manager Joe Torre said Monday. "We just called in Eric and told him his next start is in Milwaukee on the 11th of July," Torre said before Monday's game with the Colorado Rockies. "I said to him like I'll say to you, between now and then things can change." But in the meantime, Torre added, Milton would be available for relief. Three days ago, in his first start after missing three weeks because of a strained lower back, Milton gave up seven hits and four runs in five innings in a 5-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners. That dropped the left-hander to 2-1 with a 3.80 ..."

Andre Ethier's homer in 13th lifts Dodgers over Rockies

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June 30

Los Angeles Times

"Andre Ethier hit another walk-off home run -- this one in the 13th inning -- to lift the Dodgers past the Colorado Rockies, 4-2, Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Ethier's blast off Colorado reliever Joel Peralta on a 1-2 pitch came after Casey Blake singled to open the inning. It was Ethier's fourth walk-off home run of the season, "and I didn't know if it was going out, if it was going to be high enough," said Manager Joe Torre. "To have that thing stay in the air was a beautiful sight." Ethier said he "was just going up there and having fun," but said this game-winner was especially satisfying because "you've got to win the division games if you want to make the playoffs. We found that ..."

Dodgers drop another to Mariners

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June 29

Orange County Register

"After inspired play in many of the 47 games without suspended star Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers finally appear to be running on fumes. Their 4-2 defeat on Sunday to the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium gave the Dodgers back-to-back series defeats to a pair of mediocre American League clubs that are gasping for breath above the .500 mark. Losing two out of three to the White Sox at Chicago was one thing, but over the weekend, the club with the best home record in the National League let two of three get away to the Mariners. Despite having the best record in baseball at 48-28, the Dodgers have lost four of their past five and will try to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the ..."

Once a future star, Darren Dreifort is left with scars

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June 29

Los Angeles Times

columnist Jerry Crowe

"His attendance at Friday's enshrinement in Lubbock, Texas, Dreifort notes without hint of irony or pathos, depends on "whether I can walk, or how well I'm getting around." He's recovering from surgery. This probably will come as no surprise to anyone who closely followed the star-crossed professional career of the former Dodgers right-hander. A seemingly can't-miss prospect, he wound up spending as much time rehabbing injuries as he did dueling batters during 11 major league seasons. A hip procedure last Wednesday in Beverly Hills was his 22nd surgery -- his 20th since he left Wichita State after being the second player taken in the 1993 amateur draft behind only a slugging high school ..."

Manny Ramirez's minor league tour coming to end

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June 29

Los Angeles Times

"Manny Ramirez's weeklong tour of the minors probably will end tonight in San Bernardino. Ramirez is tentatively scheduled to play for the Class-A Inland Empire 66ers again on Tuesday for their series finale against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, but sources in his camp are saying he probably will skip the game because of its 11 a.m. start time. Ramirez had a quiet night Sunday, as he was 0 for 2 with two strikeouts and a walk. He also played six innings in left field. The night was a memorable one for Quakes starter Alexander Torres, a 21-year-old left-hander from Venezuela who pitched in the California/Carolina League All-Star game last week. Torres was saddled with the loss in the 66ers' ..."

If Joe Torre had his druthers, Dodgers would skip interleague play

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June 29

Los Angeles Times

"As the Dodgers closed this year's interleague play Sunday with their game against the Seattle Mariners, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre reiterated that he could do without playing American League teams in the regular season. "I'm not a big fan" of interleague play, Torre said. "It's a novelty for the fans; I think we're doing it for the fans. Which is fine. "In certain cities, it works. I mean, we play the Angels, and, of course, Chicago with the White Sox and the Cubbies." Some Dodgers players said they don't share Torre's view. "I enjoy interleague," pitcher Jeff Weaver said. "It gives you a chance to see different ballclubs, different cities, gives you a challenge. It gives you a chance to ..."

Offensive surge carries Mariners past Dodgers

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June 29

Los Angeles Times

"The Seattle Mariners used a three-run third inning against Hiroki Kuroda to outlast the Dodgers, 4-2, on a 90-degree Sunday at Dodger Stadium. The win gave Seattle a 2-1 edge in the teams' three-game series on the final day of interleague play in the regular season. The Dodgers overall split their 18 games with American League clubs. The Dodgers have now lost four of their last five games and two of their last three series, despite remaining comfortably atop the National League West. Kuroda, the Dodgers starting pitcher, finally had his first showdown with fellow Japanese player Ichiro Suzuki, the major leagues' best hitter at .372, and Ichiro got the upper hand in front of 49,355. With ..."

Dodgers' Kuroda shows L.A. isn't perfect

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June 29

L.A. Daily News

"Leave it to the Dodgers' pitcher to make an errant throw and end the club's run of mistake-free defense. Hiroki Kuroda's wild pickoff attempt in the third inning Sunday marked the end of 50"

Latest Dodgers defeat leads to Manny questions

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June 29

L.A. Daily News

columnist Doug Padilla

"Uninspired play leads some to wonder if slugger's upcoming return becoming distraction for club. After inspired play in many of the 47 games without their suspended superstar, the Dodgers appear to be running on fumes. Their 4-2 defeat on Sunday to the Seattle Mariners gave the Dodgers back-to-back series defeats to a pair of mediocre American League clubs that are gasping for breath above the .500 mark. Losing two out of three to the White Sox at Chicago was one thing, but over the weekend, the club with the best home record in the National League let two of three get away to the Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Despite having the best record in baseball at 48-28, the Dodgers have lost four of ..."

Dodgers slugger Ramirez has another quiet night with Inland Empire

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June 29

L.A. Daily News

"Dodgers star doesn't speak to media again, goes 0-for-2 during rehab stint with Single-A Inland Empire. SAN BERNARDINO - The arrival of Manny Ramirez with the Inland Empire 66ers created a surreal atmosphere for not only their opponents, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, but within most of the 66ers themselves. But shortstop Christian Lara has had a little more experience than any of his teammates in dealing with the Dodgers' suspended slugger. Lara was a member of the Boston Red Sox farm system until he was traded to the Dodgers organization in April 2008. He said Ramirez remembered him when Ramirez joined the team Saturday. "He said, `I see you everywhere,"' said Lara, who spent several games ..."

Torre meets with Belisario about arrest

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June 28

MLB.com

"Dodgers manager Joe Torre had a private meeting with reliever Ronald Belisario, who was arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol near his Pasadena apartment. Torre said the meeting was "short," but that he let the 26-year-old rookie know that he is in the public eye and such behavior will not be tolerated. "I think we make that point with players for a variety of reasons, and I think it's a good thing [to make that point]," Torre said. "Years ago, if you were on a team, they might let it slide, but now they make examples of you, which is fine." Belisario was reportedly pulled over by California Highway Patrol at 2:27 a.m. PT after talking on ..."

Dodgers eager to see Manny in field

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June 28

MLB.com

"Dodgers manager Joe Torre said Sunday that he's "curious" to see how Manny Ramirez responds both physically and mentally when he returns to the club on July 3. Torre said it's difficult to predict how Ramirez will play when he returns because of both the 50-game layoff and the fact that Ramirez is still embarrassed by his suspension. "I'm certainly curious to find at what time he'll start settling in," Torre said. "The only thing you can do is to go out and play. I think it's going to take some time for him to get ready to play every day, which he's not used to right now." But Torre said he was pleased by Ramirez's performance on Saturday when he homered, walked and singled in a rehab game ..."

Torre: Manny won't be Manny right away

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June 28

MLB.com

"Suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez's Minor League assignment, which resumed on Saturday night when he homered in his first at-bat in Lake Elsinore, won't be enough to get him in top form for his Thursday night return, Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "Personally, I think it will take a week or so to get his feet on the ground," Torre said. "And part of that will be the circus. I know he's blocked out that stuff in the past, but he's never had anything like this. This will be different -- a different scenario." Ramirez, suspended 50 games for violating the MLB drug policy, is expected to return July 3 in San Diego. After four games against the Padres, the Dodgers play a three-game series in ..."

Mariners win, but lose Adrian Beltre to surgery

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June 28

Seattle Times

"On a night in which Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 620th career home run, Russ Branyan legged out his first triple of the season and added a towering homer, Ichiro raised his average to .375 and Felix Hernandez pitched another gem, it was a pending departure that dominated - and dampened - the Mariners' emotions. With Adrian Beltre possibly playing his final game before undergoing shoulder surgery, the Mariners defeated the Dodgers 5-1 Saturday night as Hernandez allowed only an unearned run in eight brilliant innings. "That's tough. He's the best third baseman in the league," second baseman Jose Lopez said of Beltre. "That guy plays hurt, but he needs surgery." Beltre informed the Mariners ..."

"People love me wherever I go," Manny Ramirez said when Albuquerque fans gave him a rousing welcome.

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June 28

San Francisco Chronicle

"Sounds like contrition lite. Yo, Manny, if you ever get tired of that brain-dead adulation, come pay a visit to the Bay Area. Ramirez played two games for the Isotopes, a team named for some chemicals Manny ingested to treat a personal medical condition related to pregnancy. Manscam rejoins the Dodgers on Friday, and when the team returns to L.A., fans will greet Ramirez as if he just flew solo New York-to-Paris. Don't you hate it when you get ticker-tape in your dreads? It reminds me of Jerry Coleman, the Padres' play-by-play announcer, when he told listeners of a team program to promote drug-abuse awareness. Said Coleman, "Hats off to drug abusers everywhere!""

Dodgers' Ronald Belisario arrested early Saturday

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June 28

Los Angeles Times

"Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol early Saturday after being stopped by the California Highway Patrol near his Pasadena apartment. He was taken to the Pasadena Police Department and later released. He reported to Dodger Stadium as usual Saturday afternoon. Officers stopped Belisario at 2:27 a.m. on Fair Oaks Avenue south of Colorado Boulevard after observing him talking on his cellphone, according to CHP officer Francisco Villalobos. Officers then observed symptoms of possible alcohol intoxication and placed Belisario under arrest. Belisario said he was coming home from dinner when he was pulled over and dismissed the ..."

Nothing corny about Casey Blake's Dodgers stint

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June 28

Los Angeles Times

columnist T.J. Simmers

"I was telling Manny Ramirez the other day I was going to do a nice story on the Dodgers' best mid-season acquisition a year ago, Manny laughing because he knew I was talking about Casey Blake. In so many ways, as Manny would agree, there's no argument. But it's such a difficult column to compose, almost nothing negative to say about Blake, so obviously I don't know where to begin. He looks like the double for the Most Interesting Man in the World, but he's from Iowa, the world one big cornfield as far as he's concerned. That's right, he's a hick, "a wild night in L.A. so far," he says, "the drive home after the game," Blake making the hay-wagon jump from Indianola, Iowa, to Hollywood, ..."

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