GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Don Mattingly is looking for progress more than victories early in spring training.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ new manager was happy to get both Sunday.

Mattingly got his first Cactus league victory with a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

“Everything looks pretty good right now,” said Mattingly, 1-1 in Cactus League play after working a 4-1 split-squad loss Saturday to the Angels. “We just want to stay on this path.”

The Dodgers kept the Angels from scoring a single run with some effective pitching and timely defense. It began with right-hander John Ely(notes), who started and picked up the victory with two innings of work. He gave up one hit and struck out three.

The Dodgers are looking for consistency from Ely, who was impressive early last season. From May 6 to June 1 in 2010, Ely was impressive in six starts. However, he struggled after that to a 4-10 record with a 5.49 ERA.

“He kept us in games early last season,” Mattingly said before Ely threw his first pitch. “But it seems like his command wasn’t nearly as good as it was early on. He has to show us he can be as consistent as he was early.”

Through two innings, at least, Mattingly saw the Ely he hopes to see throughout this season.

“He looked good,” Mattingly said. “He attacked, tossed strikes. He looked like he did early last year.”

Six pitchers picked up where Ely left off, allowing the Angels only three more hits and protecting an early lead.

The Dodgers’ bats went to work in the first inning. Center fielder Matt Kemp(notes) got things started in with a two-RBI single, scoring shortstop Rafael Furcal(notes) and third baseman Casey Blake(notes).

In the second, first baseman James Loney(notes) and left fielder Marcus Thames(notes) each singled. Then, Hector Gimenez(notes), a catcher getting in some work as a designated hitter, drove Loney home on a sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, it was Rod Barajas’(notes) turn. He added a fourth run to the Dodgers’ total by launching a homer off Angels lefty Trevor Reckling(notes) first pitch over the left-field fence and into a crowd of picnickers perched on a lawn overlooking the park.

In the eighth, there was some insurance. Veteran infielder Jamey Carroll(notes) walked, stole second and moved to third on a routine ground-out. Then, he scored on a Xavier Paul(notes) sacrifice.

“I thought we attacked the strike zone,” Mattingly said.

Notes: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw(notes) is scheduled to start Monday against the Chicago White Sox, who will counter with right-hander Gavin Floyd(notes). … When the Dodgers opened camp on Feb. 16, Mattingly announced that Kershaw was his Opening Day starter on March 31 against the San Francisco Giants. … Angels LHP Dallas Braden(notes) is scheduled to start Monday against Oakland A’s right-hander Joel Pineiro(notes). … Mattingly knew that veteran INF Jamey Carroll is from his hometown, Evansville, Ind. But everything else about Carroll has surprised Mattingly. “Yeah, I was surprised at how good he is,” Mattingly said of Carroll, who last season hit .291 and led the Dodgers with a .379 on-base percentage.

Read More: Joel Pineiro (P – ANA), Rod Barajas (C – LOS), Fernando Rodney (P – ANA), Scott Kazmir (P – ANA), Alberto Callaspo (3B – ANA), Rafael Furcal (SS – LOS), Clayton Kershaw (P – LOS), John Ely (P – LOS), Mike Trout (CF – ANA), Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers played their first home game of spring training today, beating the Angels 5-0 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Rafael Furcal, playing his first game of the spring, had two hits in his two at-bats, stole a base, and scored a run. It was the first win of the spring for the Dodgers, who lost a pair of split squad games on Saturday.

Rod Barajas, who is expected to get the day off on Monday, along with several Dodger regulars, homered. John Ely started for the Dodgers, and struck out three in his two innings of work, allowing one hit. All in all, seven Dodgers pitchers combined to shutout the Angels, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out 11. However, the Angels played no regulars in the game, though pseudo regular Alberto Callaspo did start at designated hitter.

Scott Kazmir, the $12 million man who struggled last season and figures to be the Angels’ fifth starter this season, allowed five hits and three runs in his two innings of work. Fernando Rodney struck out two in his scoreless inning of work for the Angels. Angels’ top prospect Mike Trout singled in three at-bats for the Angels.

Legendary Dodgers Hall of Famer Duke Snider passed away early Sunday morning in Escondido, California. Snider was 84. The Dodgers host the White Sox on Monday, with Clayton Kershaw starting on the mound. The Angels host Oakland in Tempe on Monday, with Joel Pineiro getting the start.

For more news and information on today’s game, be sure to read True Blue LA and Halos Heaven.

Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-1 win over a Los Angeles Dodgers split squad on Saturday in the Cactus League opener for both teams.

Trumbo’s homer to right-center field with two away in the fourth inning came off right-hander Rubby De La Rosa, the Dodgers’ second pitcher of the game.

Trumbo, who has hit 120 homers in six seasons in the Angels’ minor-league organization, hit 36 homers and drove in 122 runs with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2010. He had one hit in 15 trips to the plate with the Angels in 2010.

“The kid’s a strong kid,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s been swinging the bat well in camp and he got hold of one today.”

He could be the Angels’ starting first baseman should Kendry Morales’ recovery from a broken leg limit him to hitting duties only.

Angels starter Trevor Bell worked two innings, allowing a run on one hit. Garrett Richards and Eric Junge also worked two scoreless innings for the Angels.

“I think (Bell) feels he has the tools to pitch at a higher level,” Scioscia said. “You could see why we’re excited about Garrett Richards.”

Bell is hoping to make the Angels squad in some fashion. He pitched in 25 games with seven starts for the Angels in 2010, posting a 2-5 record with a 4.72 ERA.

Richards fanned two with a walk.

Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda allowed one hit in two innings with a strikeout. Kuroda, went 11-13 with a 3.39 ERA in 31 starts for the Dodgers in 2010.

Dodgers right-hander Lance Cormier, a non-roster invitee and a candidate for a starting spot, allowed two hits and a run (earned) in one inning (the fifth).

Matt Kemp, one of three possible starting position players in the Dodgers’ lineup, put the Dodgers on the board with his base running in the second.

After bouncing a single up the middle, Kemp stole second and took third on a bouncer to short. He then scored on Russell Mitchell’s shallow fly to center, barely beating Peter Bourjos’ throw to the plate.

Reggie Willits’ one-out single to center scored Peter Bourjos from second for the Angels’ third run in the fifth.

Chris Pettit added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Read More: Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers open their spring training schedule with two games today. They battle the Angels in Tempe, and the Giants in Scottsdale. Both games begin at 12:05 p.m. PST; the game against the Giants will be broadcast on 790 KABC radio, and be followed by the first DodgerTalk postgame show of the year, with Josh Suchon and Joe Block.

Here are today’s Dodgers lineups:

vs. Giants

Tony Gwynn Jr. CF
Jamey Carroll SS
James Loney 1B
Rod Barajas C
Marcus Thames DH
Xavier Paul LF
Gabe Kapler RF
Ivan DeJesus Jr. 2B
Aaron Miles 3B

Tim Redding, Carlos Monasterios, Oscar Villarreal, Jon Huber, and Wilkin De La Rosa are scheduled to pitch against the Giants. Jonathan Sanchez will start for San Francisco.

vs Angels

Jamie Hoffmann LF
Dioner Navarro C
Andre Ethier RF
Matt Kemp CF
Hector Gimenez DH
Russ Mitchell 3B
Jerry Sands 1B
Justin Sellers 2B
Juan Castro SS

Hiroki Kuroda, Rubby De La Rosa, then Scott Elbert, Lance Cormier, Roman Colon, and Luis Vasquez are scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers. Trevor Bell, Eric Junge, Michael Kohn, Matt Meyer, Anthony Ortega and Garrett Richards are scheduled to pitch for the Angels.

For more information on today’s games, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt, embroiled in a messy divorce battle for over a year, has long maintained his desire to remain sole owner of the team, even after court proceedings that may have said otherwise. However, McCourt’s continued ownership may have hit a rather large glitch. MLB commissioner Bud Selig has reportedly rejected a proposed $200 million loan to McCourt by Fox, which would have been secured by the Dodgers’ television rights, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times:

Selig made his decision several weeks ago. Since then, McCourt has continued to explore financing options that would enable him to satisfy the commissioner and manage a debt that, according to court records, exceeded $430 million as of November 2009.

Shaikin reported that the loan from Fox could have extended the Dodgers’ TV rights for up to four years, if McCourt defaulted on the loan, in essence giving the Dodgers a television contract with Fox for $50 million per season. The Dodgers’ current deal with Fox pays them an average of $37 million per season through 2013. Last month, Shaikin also reported that Fox advanced the Dodgers money on their current TV deal to help cover operating expenses.

The Dodgers’ payroll in 2011 is estimated to be roughly $111 million, which includes over $16 million in deferred salaries and buyouts. The Dodgers open their spring training schedule on Saturday, with a pair of split squad games, in Tempe against the Angels and in Scottsdale against the Giants.

For more Dodgers news and information, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt, embroiled in a messy divorce battle for over a year, has long maintained his desire to remain sole owner of the team, even after court proceedings that may have said otherwise. However, McCourt’s continued ownership may have hit a rather large glitch. MLB commissioner Bud Selig has reportedly rejected a proposed $200 million loan to McCourt by Fox, which would have been secured by the Dodgers’ television rights, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times:

Selig made his decision several weeks ago. Since then, McCourt has continued to explore financing options that would enable him to satisfy the commissioner and manage a debt that, according to court records, exceeded $430 million as of November 2009.

Shaikin reported that the loan from Fox could have extended the Dodgers’ TV rights for up to four years, if McCourt defaulted on the loan, in essence giving the Dodgers a television contract with Fox for $50 million per season. The Dodgers’ current deal with Fox pays them an average of $37 million per season through 2013. Last month, Shaikin also reported that Fox advanced the Dodgers money on their current TV deal to help cover operating expenses.

The Dodgers’ payroll in 2011 is estimated to be roughly $111 million, which includes over $16 million in deferred salaries and buyouts. The Dodgers open their spring training schedule on Saturday, with a pair of split squad games, in Tempe against the Angels and in Scottsdale against the Giants.

For more Dodgers news and information, be sure to read True Blue LA.