Let’s hope C-Bill can pitch, not just throw! Furcal is out again, and Saito is home with the flu. DeWitt moves up to the 2-hole! Torre must really like the kid.  Matt Kemp is a PUMA, not a BISON!  Think about it!

Starting Lineup:

1. Pierre, LF
2. DeWitt, 3B
3. Kemp, RF
4. Kent, 2B
5. Martin, C
6. Loney, 1B
7. Jones, CF
8. Hu, SS
9. Billingsley, P

GAME NOTES:

• Enjoy some wholesome family entertainment tonight as Pamela Anderson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch tonight, alongside her sons, Brandon and Dylan. The boys are members of the Malibu Little League Dodgers, who are also on hand for the game and will collectively announce “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball” over the A prior to the Dodgers taking the field. The first 50,000 fans will recieve a copy of the video she made with Tommy Lee. Isn’t that special? A lot of people knock Pam Anderson. I wonder how her knockers feel now?
• The Dodger bullpen ranks third in the National League with a 2.81 ERA, trailing just Arizona (2.65) and Philadelphia (2.72). Since April 27, the bullpen has posted a 1.45 ERA (7 ER/43.1 IP). During that stretch, the ‘pen is 5-0 while limiting the opposition to a .190 batting average and fanning 9.3 batters per nine innings. 

To be a prospect, you have to have less than 1 year of major league service and be in the minors (Schmidt and Nomar don’t qualify, but LaRoche does).  Here’s the list:

1. Clayton Kershaw  (SP) - Could it be anyone else?
2. Andy LaRoche (3B) - Ditto
3. James McDonald (SP) - Still there after a shaky start
4. Lucas May (C) - Just needs more reps as a catcher or he’d be up already
5. Ivan DeJesus, Jr. (SS) - Doing quite well at AA
6. Jon Meloan (RP) - Switch to starter coming along and helping his control - probably will relieve in the majors
7. Josh Bell (3B/LF) - New body has elevated his status - watch this guy.
8. Andrew Lambo (LF) - Still in low Class A, but he’s the real deal.
9. Pedro Baez (3B/2B) - Raw, very raw, but very talented
10. Ramon Troncoso (P) - Has a great arm - should be in the pen for a long time.
11. Xavier Paul  (OF) - 4th or 5th OF.
12. Justin Orenduff (SP) - could be a #5.
13. Greg Miller (RP) - Only because his stuff is filthy!  No control…
14. James Adkins  (SP) - Has a shot to be a starter in the show.
15. Tie-Cody White, Josh Wall,  Carlos Santana - A long way to go, but possible.

Just missed - Trayvon Robinson  (CF) Fast and raw.  We’ll see!

…at least I think he is! If you remember, he had elbow tightness a few games ago - nothing has been said since, but I think it’s lingering. I think he got loose in the bullpen before the game and came out and threw a great 7 pitch first inning (his sinker was excellent) and then couldn’t get loose after the break between the inning and the rest of the game. I hope I am wrong. but that’s my take.

DODGER NOTES:

• DeWitt & Loney were both 2-4, and Jones doubled and did not strike out, which is improvement. Loney only has 2 more doubles than Jones!
• Proctor continues his struggles, but the rest of the pen, including Yency, looked good as usual.
• We aren’t the same team without Raffy…

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