LAst Night's Action: Dodgers, Angels Prevail

Manny Ramirez hits a double. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

LA Dodgers defeat San Francisco Giants 5-3. In the past when the Dodgers would lose a stretch of games they could look to Brad Penny or Derek Lowe and be pretty assured they would win. Chad Billingsley is starting to look like that this season for the Dodgers despite not getting a decision in his 7 1/3 innings pitched. The Giants would score the game tying run in the eighth inning on a bases loaded walk with Jonathan Broxton pitching to deny Bills the win. But true to form the Dodgers MVPs came through in the ninth inning with Manny Ramirez doubling, taking third on a wild pitch and scoring after Russell Martin struck out on an Andre Ethier double. Matt Kemp would emerge from his slump to hit a triple to right field scoring Ethier for the insurance run. Will Ohman would get the save pitching a perfect ninth. As Vin Scully pointed out with nine hits, nine walks and two errors the Dodgers should have scored more runs. But a win is a win.

LA Angels defeat Baltimore Orioles 7-5. With the family of the late Nick Adenhart in attendance at Camden Yards, the Angels rallied from an early deficit to defeat the birds. Chone Figgins got on base four times, scored twice and stole second base twice to help fuel the Angel's scoring machine. Meanwhile the bullpen held things down except for the Adam Jones homer in the ninth inning off of closer Brian Fuentes. Of note Scot Shields who has struggled in his command pitched a strong eighth inning giving up only one walk on 17 pitches. With this victory the Angels become the last team to win back-to-back games in the majors (which does include the woeful Washington Nationals).

Notable Notes

• One league's garbage is another league's treasure. Pitcher Hideki Irabu, who was a bust with the Yankees after having a heralded career in Japan, has signed with the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League. The Long Beach Armada also boasts LIMA TIME! Yes, Jose Lima is with the team also, although it remains to be see if he arrived on flotation devices.
• There is an official Mannywood section. The Dodgers will be selling seats to the field level sections 51 and 53 as a part of their Mannywood campaign. Two seats on the fair side of the left field foul pole with a Mannywood t-shirt will cost $99. On May 5 the t-shirts will read, "Yo estuve en Mannywood." Quelle cute.
• Staying on the baseball tip, San Francisco Giants + Twitter = utter hilarity. First Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito uploaded a picture of gingerbread pigs fucking each other. Then the Giant's closer Brian Wilson tweeted Saturday night in the Phoenix area about going out clubbing and dealing with male over aggression. The next day when trying to close out a 4-1 lead he blew the lead losing 5-4. Summarily his Twitter account was deleted. I'm waiting to see if Randy Johnson's tweets. If so you can bet your sweet bippy that I'll follow.

Tonight's Action

LA Dodgers at San Francisco Giants. Eric Stults vs. Tim Lincecum. 7:15 pm FS Prime Ticket, AM 790 KABC.

LA Angels at Baltimore Orioles. 9:35 am Shane Loux vs. Koji Uehara. FSWest, AM 830 KLAA/AM 980 KFWB