DODGERS - 4/11/03
3rd place in the NL West
5-6, 4.5 games behind the Giants



Last Week's Results (3-4)
4/4: 4-2 loss to Padres
4/5: 3-0 loss to Padres
4/6: 4-3 win over Padres
4/7: 6-4 loss to Diamondbacks
4/8: 5-3 win over Diamondbacks
4/9: 5-2 win over Diamondbacks
4/10: 2-1 loss to Giants

OFFENSIVE OFFENSE
The Dodger pitching staff has the 2nd best ERA in the NL (2.90), however, the offense is struggling much like it did to begin last season. The Dodgers have scored just 39 runs in 11 games (3.5 runs/game). The team ranks 14th in batting average (.228), 12th in on-base percentage (.304), 14th in slugging percentage (.354) and 3rd in strikeouts (73). Beyond Shawn Green, Brian Jordan and Paul Lo Duca, there is virtually no production. Leadoff man Dave Roberts is hitting just .184 with a .245 OBP. Offseason pickup Fred McGriff is barking up a .162 average with a .351 SLG. The Dodger infield of McGriff, Beltre, Cora and Izturis is hitting a combined .217 with 3 homers and 9 RBI. The team is hitting just .235 with runners in scoring position. The offense needs to step it up or it's going to be a long year.

DREIFORT INJURY WATCH
Feel good story of spring, Darren Dreifort underwent a precautionary MRI exam and bone scan on his surgically repaired right knee, and the results were negative. Given Dreifort's injury history, this is an early red flag. He'll have his spot in the rotation skipped with an offday on Monday and he'll make his next start on April 19th against the Giants. Dreifort is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He's pitched well so far, but he's walked 7 in 12 innings; control has always been an issue with Dreifort in the past.

BROWN IS IN FORM
Kevin Brown has been spectacular since the start of spring training. He's the dominant ace that he was just a couple of years ago before injuries hampered him for two years. So far Brown is 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA and 0.81 WHIP.

IZTURIS LINE
The Mendoza Line may soon be renamed the Izturis line. I may just rant about Izturis every single week because there is no way this guy should be an everyday player. Okay he's decent from the right side, but batting lefty he's worse than Rey Ordonez. Yes worse!!! This season he's hitting .233 with a .233 SLG. Last season he hit .195 with a .253 SLG in 292 at-bats. Sure Izturis plays a great defensive shortstop, but he's a second pitcher in the lineup. Why he doesn't just bat from the right side is beyond me.

LOCAL BUZZ
New year, same old Dodgers, which equals great pitching and not enough hitting. The hitting has looked anemic so far and one wonders when the team will call up Joe Thurston to try to kick start the offense. The Dodgers are 4-2 against the NL West Champion D'Backs; but they dropped 3 of 4 to the lowly Padres. Every year they seem to find a way to lose too many games against the Padres.

TRANSACTIONS
- optioned INF Jason Romano to Triple-A Las Vegas
- recalled LHP Troy Brohawn from Las Vegas
- moved LHP Derek Thompson from 15-day DL to the 60-day DL

INJURIES
Darren Dreifort (P) - Status: skip start (sore knee)
Dreifort had an precautionary MRI on his surgically repaired knee turn up negative. Don't panic yet.

Cesar Izturis (SS) - Status: in lineup (sprained foot)
Izturis injured his foot in a collision with D'Backs catcher Chad Moeller. He missed one game but appears to be fine; unfortunately his bat does not.

HOT (last 7 days)
Eric Gagne: 5IP 0.00ERA 0.40WHIP 7SO
Paul Lo Duca (C): .417 (10-24), 3-2B, 3RBI
Adrian Beltre (3B): .280 (7-25), 4R, 2-2B, 1HR, 2RBI

NOT (last 7 days)
Shawn Green (OF): .161 (4-28), 1HR, 4RBI
Dave Roberts (OF): .161 (5-31), 4R, .212OBP
Fred McGriff (1B): .190 (4-21), 2HR, 2RBI
Alex Cora (2B): .190 (4-21), 0R, 1-2B
Cesar Izturis (SS): .192 (5-26), 3R

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