A miss is as good as a smile.

Cincinnati, OH

With the bases loaded and two out Manny Ramirez struck out looking at a slider. It was the third such time in the game Manny was ineffective with runners in scoring position. A timely hit could have propelled the Blue Crew to victory as they ended up losing by a small margin 4-2. Joe Torre was not thrilled after the game.

"We had the people we wanted up," said Torre. "We just didn't get it done. There's no question we need him [Ramirez], that's the responsibility he's had for years. Right now, he's just out of whack. He's dangerous and he's going to continue to be dangerous and start hitting again hopefully tomorrow," Torre added. "I have confidence in that part of him."

It makes me wonder what parts of Man-Ram skipper Joe Torre doesn't have confidence in. Is he worried the slugger won't be the same without steroids? Is he not confident in his fielding or his hustle? For the sake of Dodgers fans throughout the country, optimism remains high on the super capable slugger. Since LA last played the Reds on July 21st, the night Manny was hit on the hand, Ramirez has seen his average drop from .348 to .306.

Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley (12-8) was outperformed by the home teams Homer Bailey (4-4). Billingsley who started the season 10-5 with a 3.71 ERA has struggled as of late. Since his last win (vs. Cinn. July 22) the right hander was 2-2 with a 4.28 ERA in his last five starts. Last night Billingsley gave up 4 runs in 5 innings for a 7.2 ERA. He gave up seven hits and only faced one batter in the sixth inning. "I'm struggling right now," Billingsley said. "I just need to get back into a groove and find my rhythm again." He has been wearing a tightly wrapped bandage on his left hamstring, but claims he is OK. We will all find out how true that is soon enough. The Reds Homer Bailey pitched rather well. In fact he had a career game. His 8 innings and 7 K's were both career highs for the former first round pick. He allowed only seven hits, all singles, and one walk in leading Cincinnati to their fifth straight victory.

"I think it's just this much time being up. It's probably my longest so far," said Bailey when asked what has been different during his back-to-back victories. "I'm getting comfortable and realizing the things I can and can't do."

The Dodgers (76-53) meet the Reds (56-71) this afternoon at 1:10 p.m. Pacific Time. The game will be broadcast on FOX as part of the Game of the Week package with Eric Karros and Thom Brennaman calling the action.

Knocking on September's door...

Cincinnati, OH

Chad Billingsley, an Ohio native and the rest of the Dodgers (76-52) open up a three game series with the Reds (55-71) at Great American Ball Park tonight. Billingsley (12-7, 3.73 ERA) enjoys pitching in his home state and boasts a record of 3-1 with a minimal 1.40 ERA when pitching vs. Cincinnati. He is still wearing a tightly wrapped bandage on his tender left hamstring. His opponent will be fellow right hander Homer Bailey (3-4, 6.82 ERA). In his one previous start against Los Angeles, Bailey lasted only 2 2/3 innings giving up 9 runs (six earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks on July 21st. Bailey did get past a dismal first two innings in Pittsburgh on Sunday earning his first win in his past five starts, giving up just one run in seven innings against the Pirates.

The Dodgers who now have improved their lead over the Rockies in the West to 4.0 games hope to increase that number over the weekend. They could get some help if the Giants can continue what LA did and cool off the Red-Hot Rockies as they start a three game series with Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito, and Matt Cain going against Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Marquis, and Jason Hemmel respectively. Hopefully for the Dodgers, they are too busy pounding the Red Stockings back to Riverfront stadium to notice the battle going on back West. Skipper Joe Torre seemed optimistic and upbeat after the Colorado series saying,

"We just need to enhance our record. Our high-water mark was 27 games over .500. We came in here 23 games over and now we're 24 games over. You just hope to keep going in that direction." He also added, "We haven't been God-awful. Those guys have played their tail off."

When looking at the Dodgers offense, God-awful may not be too far off. With the exception of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier who have both bettered their career highs in Home Runs, Los Angeles has been mired in a sour patch as far as slugging is concerned. LA for most of the year has led the league in almost all offensive categories besides the long ball still lead the NL in hits (1,217) and team batting average (.274). As far as hitting for power though, they are 9th in 2B, 6th in 3B, and 13th of 16 NL teams in HR's hit. Ethier (27), Kemp (19), and Blake (16) all have more HR's than Manny Ramirez (13).

Ethier blast lifts Dodgers!

Los Angeles, CA

In a hard fought opening game with the visiting Atlanta Braves, it was Andre Ethier's late inning heroics once again. After trailing two runs in the 7th inning the Dodgers failed to convert twice (Ramirez, Kemp) leaving all of four men on base from that point on. A statistic that has actually been kind to the team all year, with 848 LOB at the All-Star break, the lowest in the NL. That can only help explain their good record. Thursday night both teams stranded nine total. The Dodgers also lead the NL in hits (1049).

For the Dodgers, Randy Wolf went seven innings giving up 4 runs on nine hits. He also struck out four in his ND effort. This is a ND I'm sure he'll enjoy as it could have been another loss. He had his first career stolen base in the bottom of the fourth eluding Derek Lowe and Brian McCann. He was previously 4-12 lifetime, losing in every decision since 2004 against Atlanta (0-5).

For Atlanta, Chipper crushed his 14th HR, a solo shot off Wolf in the seventh inning. He also posted a single and a double, ending his night just short of the cycle. Not helping the cause, it was Braves closer Rafael Soriano that didn't record an out and served up the decisive walk-off winner to Ethier in the bottom of the ninth. "I didn't have my good stuff that I've had all year," Soriano said after the game. "I missed with a lot of pitches and I had some bad luck." Braves reliever Peter Moylan, who provided timely strikeouts in both the seventh and eighth innings said,

"You just don't expect to see it. It's more of a shock than anything else. You're obviously not happy that you lost. But you are shocked that he actually gave up a run. Soriano has been so good all year."

Time to talk about Ethier, he is hitting .293 with a team-high 23 HRs and he comes up clutch time after time. This was his fifth walk-off hit of the season, also tops on the club, and the Majors for that matter. His high numbers, clutch performances, and good arm from right field are propelling him to become a true fan favorite and go to guy for his club. It was the MLB leading Dodgers 29th come from behind win of the season. That puts the magic number to make the playoffs 48.

Chargers open camp to public!

San Diego, CA

Qualcomm stadium opened its parking lots and gates free of charge for fans wanting to catch an early glimpse of the team Wednesday night. It was the first practice in open to the public and let fans watch L.T., Gates, Merriman, and Rivers go through some reps all while munching on $1 hot dogs. A perfect evening out for the Chargers family, even in this slumping economic time. For the five thousand or so who showed up, the Bolts backfield of LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles showed some life speeding through gaps and taking off for a few nice runs. It was a good sight, especially the moves put on by L.T. who recently turned 30 and has been hampered by injuries in each of the last two seasons.

The practice session ran from 7p.m. to 9:20p.m. and was broken down into small segments with a horn between each set. The fans gave the loudest cheers of the night for L.T. and Sproles each time they broke free, as well as on a one handed grab by Antoine Cason and a Clinton Hart interception off QB Billy Volek. Even the kickers got some reps in while working out the special teams units which seemed to be some of the fastest moving segments of the practice. Most fans already showed up wearing their Chargers jerseys and a few had faces painted and sported Mohawks. San Diego is famous for its fans wearing more jerseys on game day than almost any other team in the NFL. One Raiders fan was booed mercilessly near the West end zone for showing off his colors.

The Chargers will now hold a fan-fest that includes an autograph session this Saturday from 10:00a.m.-1:00p.m. The free parking will open at 8a.m. with the gates opening at 9:30. The final fan practice will be held the same time next Wednesday evening, the 12th of August. The team hopes to be back to a full open training camp for the fans next season.

Blue crew routs Brew crew in LA!

Los Angeles, Ca

Right from the jump, the Dodgers (66-41) took to beating the pants off the Milwaukee Brewers. That was until after the game, when Prince Fielder wanted some revenge for being hit. The 17-4 victory was the highest run total put up by the Dodgers since May 25, 1979. Matt kemp and Manny Ramirez led the club with a home run each and 8 RBIs between the two. Offense was the key to the night as Los Angeles scored four quick runs in the bottom of the first off pitcher Yovani Gallardo (10-8). LA starter Huroki Kuroda (4-5) went six strong innings giving up 3 runs on 9 hits but also struck out seven in his second start since returning from a two month stint on the DL.

For the 45,535 fans at Chavez Ravine, the price of the ticket was well worth it on this warm summer night. The home town Dodgers got their biggest home win in 30 years, with a big first inning to start things off, a streaker (albeit clothed) running through the outfield before finally being tackled and carted off to jail in the third, home runs from a pair of sluggers (Manny & Kemp), four hit batsmen, and a Juan Pierre catch at the let field wall to end the game. Dodgers security guards worked for their wage on the night too. After the young fan ran onto the field they had to corral a bigger fella' after the game. The Brewers 270lb. vegetarian first baseman tried to run into the Dodgers clubhouse after the game for a word (and presumably more) with relief pitcher Guillermo Mota after being plunked in the leg with two out in the 9th inning.

"He ran over there, and they weren't going to let him in, and everybody came back," said manager Ken Macha. "I don;t know if you can restrain Prince. I don't think I can. I don't think there's anybody else out there who can."

Dodgers security did well despite what Milwaukee's skipper had to say.

With four players HBP and a fuming Fielder, this should set up for a good rubber match at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night. This will be the final regular game of the season between the two clubs. Milwaukee and Los Angeles rank 3rd and 5th respectively for most hit batters this season. (46, 42) More important to Los Angeles and most likely over shadowed by the Brewers post game antics was slugger Manny Ramirez breaking out of a 7-for-44 slump with two big hits. After going 0-2 on two flyouts, Man-Ram hit a towering solo shot over the left-field fence and then drove in two on a bases loaded double in part of the Dodgers 7 run 6th inning.

"Manny was struggling and hopefully he broke out of it tonight," said Torre. "He's important for us. Not only for what he does for his bat, but what he does for people around him."

I think those words could not be more true than for center fielder Matt Kemp. After Manny hit his HR to gain his first RBI in 44 at bats (His last being the Bobblehead-Night Grand Slam) I looked over to my friend Travis who took in the game with me and said, "Now watch out for Kemp." I have noticed that Matt Kemp more than any other Dodger player really seems to explode on nights that Ramirez does well. When I watch this club it really seems like the young outfielder pays so much attention not his hero's production but to his focus and intensity. Keep an eye out for Kemp, one of my picks to be a future perennial All-Star. Really take your time and watch this blossoming star on nights that Ramirez plays well. I think the sky is the limit for this kid and he may just bring James Loney and Andre Ethier (the clubs HR leader) along for the ride. After Kemp's four hit, five RBI night, he had this to say. "I don't think you ever get used to five RBIs. It feels good to get five RBIs and help the team win." Get used to it Dodger fans, this kid is special.

In other notes, Matt Kemp's .323 avg. is good for fourth in the NL. Second baseman Orlando Hudson who missed the game with stomach problems should play in the series finale. Former Charger and Patriots linebacker Junior Seau was on hand as a dodger bat boy. The Chargers host their first training camp practice open to the public Wednesday night at Qualcomm.