LAst Night's Action: The Road Still Haunts Dodgers

Houston Astros defeat LA Dodgers 6-5. Randy Wolf and Roy Oswalt went tit for tat both giving up four runs in their outings. The big play of the game was Manny Ramirez's booming homer in the top of the sixth inning that literally went out of the park over left field. Ronald Belisario pitched the eighth inning for the Dodgers hoping to cling onto a 5-4 lead. But a homer to Lance Berkman and an RBI single to Ivan Rodriguez after Hunter Pence got on board with a ground-rule double and an intentional walk to Geoff Blum was all she wrote. While it's a little troubling that the Dodgers have problems winning on the road, it's hardly time to sound the warning horns.

Detroit Tigers defeat LA Angels 12- 8. This was supposed to be a pitching duel between Joe Saunders and Justin Verlander. Between the two of them they gave up 12 runs in the five innings they pitched. But the biggest meltdown had to the be Angels bullpen in the seventh inning. Scot Shields loaded the bases and walked Gerald Laird to score Magglio Ordonez. Jose Arredondo then allowed four more runs to score, three of which were charged to Shields, before getting Ordonez to ground into an inning-ending double play. The Angels pitching situation is not very good. With four starters on the disabled list, their bullpen needs to shore things up in order for the Angels to survive for the next month when the starters start coming back.

FC Toronto defeat Chivas USA 1-0. So much for an undefeated season for the Rojablanco. With nine regulars missing from the lineup due to injuries, Chivas USA couldn't get much going on offense. While no yellow cards were issued, the game was very physical with Alecko Eskandarian and Sacha Kljestan getting cautions for Chivas. Chivas still remains in first place in the West with 13 points and a 4-1-1 record. It's a short turnaround for Chivas who come home to play Dallas on Saturday.

Notable Notes

• The Wall Street Journal's Hannah Karp writes about why the Lakers own the LA market. Karp makes a connection between Magic Johnson, "The White Shadow" and Oaxaca. It's a very interesting read and will hopefully propel the Lakers to a victory later tonight against the Jazz in Salt Lake City.
• In response to all the recent hubbub about stadium safety, the Dodgers issued a press release reaffirming their commitment to prohibiting alcohol consumption in the parking lot. They will increase patrols in the parking lot and have more signage in both English and Spanish. Violators are subject to ejection.
• Lenny Dykstra is a real grade A asshole.

Tonight's Action

LA Lakers at Utah Jazz. Game 3 with the Lakers leading 2-0. 7:30 pm KCAL 9, TNT, AM 570 KLAC.

LA Dodgers at Houston Astros. Chad Billlingsley vs. Wandy Rodriguez. 5:05 pm MLB Network, AM 790 KABC. (No local tv broadcast)

Detroit Tigers at LA Angels. Edwin Jackson vs. Matt Palmer. 7:05 pm FSWest, AM 830 KLAA/AM 980 KFWB.

San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks. Game 4 with the Ducks leading 2-1. 7:30 pm FS Prime Ticket, AM 1150 KTLK.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip