Published: Aug. 7, 2011 at 12:49 AM

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

LOS ANGELES (AP)—The Washington Nationals were on their way to their first
one-run victory since July 6, when hard-throwing reliever Henry Rodriguez(notes) got a
little too far behind one of his heavy fastballs and threw it to the backstop
with Rafael Furcal(notes) at the plate and a runner at third base.

The wild pitch in the seventh inning enabled the Los Angeles Dodgers to tie
the score, and Furcal hit an RBI double with one out in the ninth to sent the
Nationals to a 7-6 loss on Saturday night.

Trailing 6-5, Los Angeles loaded the bases in the sixth. But James Loney(notes)
grounded out against Rodriguez, who had given up a single to Matt Kemp(notes) and a
walk to Juan Rivera(notes) after following Ross Detwiler(notes) out of the bullpen.

The Dodgers got another chance in the seventh, however. Dioner Navarro(notes) drew
a one-out walk before pinch-runner Eugenio Velez(notes) stole second and took third on
a hit-and-run comebacker to Rodriguez. The 24-year-old right-hander then fell
behind Furcal 3-0 before walking him with a pitch that sailed over Wilson Ramos’(notes)
head, allowing Velez to score.

Rodriguez has a team-high nine wild pitches in 35 2-3 innings, two more than
he had last season with Oakland in just 27 2-3 innings. His fastball has been
clocked in triple digits, and harnessing all that power can be a problem for a
young pitcher.

“He’s a young guy who throws real hard, and he has a tendency to want to
let everything go. But that’s part of the package with a guy like that,”
Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty said. “You just talk to him about
slowing everything down in his head, focusing on what he’s doing and trusting
himself to make pitches. You have to convince him that 98 and 97 is still pretty
good, and that he just has to throw strikes. It’s a work in progress.”

Rod Barajas(notes) led off the ninth with a single against Ryan Mattheus(notes) (2-2) and
was forced at second when Ramos jumped on Trent Oeltjen’s(notes) attempted sacrifice
bunt and made a one-hop throw that shortstop Ian Desmond(notes) dug out of the dirt
with his foot on the bag. But Jamey Carroll(notes) singled and Furcal drove a 2-0 to
the gap in left-center to bring home Oeltjen.

“That was awesome,” Oeltjen said. “Furky came through big at the end.
He’s been unlucky with some injuries this year, so it’s huge for him and huge
for this team to get us going. I hope we can take off from here and keep it
going.”

Dodgers rookie closer Javy Guerra(notes) (2-0) pitched one inning for the victory,
helping send the Nationals to their seventh straight loss in one-run decisions
after winning 12 of their previous 14 under those circumstances.

“We’re just kind of spinning our wheels a little bit right now,” right
fielder Jayson Werth(notes) said. “We’re playing good baseball, but we’re just on the
wrong side of things. Every night we feel like we’re going to score a bunch of
runs. We’re just one swing away.”

Washington starter Tom Gorzelanny(notes) threw 66 pitches over three innings in his
second-shortest outing this season, after pitching only two innings last Sunday
in Atlanta and tweaking his right ankle in a collision with Braves catcher Brian
McCann(notes). The Dodgers got five runs and eight hits against the left-hander, who
departed with a one-run lead.

“I don’t think there were any effects at all from the ankle,” McCatty
said. “When he warmed up in the bullpen, his ankle was fine and there were no
problems. It’s just that his ball was up.”

Dodgers lefty Ted Lilly(notes) gave up six runs and eight hits in five innings, and
is 1-5 with a 7.47 ERA over his last seven outings. He struck out six and did
not allow a homer for the first time in his last six outings.

The Nationals staked Gorzelanny to a 6-2 lead with three runs in the first
inning and three more in the third. But the Dodgers got three in the bottom of
the third, as Loney hit a sacrifice fly and Lilly hit a two-run double with two
outs after an intentional walk to Navarro.

“Fortunately I was able to help with the bat, because I put us in a big
hole,” Lilly said. “We were able to come back, in large part due to the work
the bullpen did. Then obviously we got some clutch hits as the game went on.”

Washington scored its first three runs when Werth followed an RBI double by
Michael Morse(notes) with a two-run double. After the Dodgers chipped away with runs in
the first two innings, the Nats came back in the third as Rick Ankiel(notes) doubled
home a pair and scored on a hit-and-run infield single.

“We had a pretty standard approach against Lilly,” Werth said. “We’ve
seen him a lot before, so you know what you’re getting yourself into, and we
jumped out ahead. But they kept battling back all game, and our inability to
tack on runs after the third was the difference. When you don’t score any more
runs, it’s tough to win ballgames like that.”

Notes: Saturday marked what would have been the 75th birthday of Hall of
Fame pitcher and former Dodgers broadcaster Don Drysdale. The Dodgers were in
Montreal, the Nationals’ former home, to play the Expos on July 3, 2003, when
Drysdale was found dead in his hotel room at age 56 after suffering a heart
attack. Ann Meyers-Drysdale was on hand Saturday with their sons, D.J. and
Darren, each of whom threw out a ceremonial first pitch. The Dodgers’ grounds
crew painted Drysdale’s No. 53 on the back slope of the mound. … Dave Van
Horne, who did play-by-play for the Expos during their first 32 seasons, was
inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday in a ceremony at Doubleday Field in
Cooperstown, N.Y. It was the first time that the winner of the annual Ford C.
Frick Award was enshrined the day before the players were.

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Los Angeles Dodgers fans waits for an autograph from pitcher John Ely before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers fans waits for an autograph from pitcher John…

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Juan Uribe, left, tags out Milwaukee Brewers’ Brandon Boggs during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Juan Uribe, left, tags out…

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly signs autographs before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly signs autographs before…

Milwaukee Brewers’ Chris Dickerson steals second during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers’ Chris Dickerson steals second during the fourth…

Milwaukee Brewers’ Erick Almonte hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers’ Erick Almonte hits a single against the Los…

Milwaukee Brewers’ Rickie Weeks, right, smiles as he talks to Craig Counsell during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers’ Rickie Weeks, right, smiles as he talks to Craig…

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Juan Uribe, right, throws to first base after forcing out Milwaukee Brewers’ Craig Counsell during the third inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Milwaukee Brewers’ Yuniesky Betancourt was out at first. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Juan Uribe, right, throws to…

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Marcus Thames hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Marcus Thames hits a single against the…

Milwaukee Brewers first base coach Garth Iorg, right, talks to Yuniesky Betancourt during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers first base coach Garth Iorg, right, talks to…

Milwaukee Brewers’ Erick Almonte, right, is safe at second as Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal misses the catch from second baseman Juan Uribe during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers’ Erick Almonte, right, is safe at second as Los…

Milwaukee Brewers’ Erick Almonte, right, is safe at second as Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal misses the catch from second baseman Juan Uribe during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers’ Erick Almonte, right, is safe at second as Los…

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Xavier Paul stretches before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Xavier Paul stretches before the Dodgers’…

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws during…

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws during…

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly signs autographs before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly signs autographs before…

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, right, of Japan, talks to catcher Rod Barajas as they walk to the dugout before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, right, of…

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher John Garland, left, signs autographs before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher John Garland, left, signs autographs…

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, of Japan, throws before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, of Japan,…

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, of Japan, throws before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, of Japan,…

Los Angeles Dodgers fans get autographs from manager Don Mattingly before the Dodgers’ spring training baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers fans get autographs from manager Don Mattingly…

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Randy Wolf throws during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Randy Wolf throws during the…

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Randy Wolf throws during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, March 19, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. Photo: Nam Y. Huh / AP

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Randy Wolf throws during the…

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Published: Saturday, March 19, 2011, 1:50 AM     Updated: Saturday, March 19, 2011, 1:55 AM

LOS ANGELES – Former Great Lakes Loons star Jerry Sands was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top hitter this spring.

But that didn’t keep the Dodgers from sending him back to the minors, either at Double A or Triple A.

The Dodgers made it official, although it probably wasn’t easy. Sands hit .364 with a .773 slugging percentage during the spring. Instead, the Dodgers will go with Jay Gibbons, Marcus Thames and Tony Gwynn Jr. in left field.

latimes.com: For now, let him develop. It would help if they felt certain which position was in his future. Outfield or first base (James Loney is 26), or do they try to groom him to take over for Casey Blake at third?

The Dodgers’ pipeline has dried up the past few years, but Sands could lead the next wave. If they just give him a little time.

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Published: Saturday, March 19, 2011, 1:29 AM     Updated: Saturday, March 19, 2011, 1:37 AM

LOS ANGELES – Former Great Lakes Loons pitcher Rubby De La Rosa probably will not break camp with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

De La Rosa, 22, is expected to begin the season in Triple A, even though he was wowed the Dodgers during spring training, including pitching coach Rick Honeycutt.

This spring, De La Rosa has allowed two runs in 10 innings, with seven strikeouts and three walks.

De La Rosa began in the 2010 season in the Loons’ bullpen, where he struggled. But once he was put into the starting rotation, De La Rosa’s prospects took off.

This spring, he’s allowed two runs in 10 innings for a 1.80 ERA with seven strikeouts and three walks (all Friday).

He was 4-1 with a 3.19 ERA at Great Lakes, then was promoted to Double A Chattanooga, where he was 3-1 with a 1.41 ERA.

mlb.com: When asked if De La Rosa was reminiscent of Kershaw, Honeycutt said: “Yeah, he’s got a lot of positives. A plus arm, ‘pitchability.’ A little wild with the fastball at times, but he always came back. The changeup is filthy. If I had that, I wouldn’t throw anything else. But he can throw 97 [mph]. The one thing is throwing consistently for strikes. But a 20-year-old won’t have everything figured out.”

That’s all the news for today.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Irving Falu begins a fruitless dive-attempt on a single by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Marcus Thames in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game in Surprise, Ariz., Saturday, March 12, 2011. Photo by The Associated Press.

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

SURPRISE, Ariz. | The Royals trimmed their camp roster before Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers by sending six pitchers to minor-league camp.

There were no surprises.

Left-hander Everett Teaford and right-hander Kevin Pucetas were optioned to Class AAA Omaha, while right-hander Steve Shell and lefties Chris Dwyer, John Lamb and Will Smith were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Players on the 40-man roster must be optioned, while players not on the roster can simply be reassigned.

“It’s better for them to go (the minor-league camp) and get their innings,” manager Ned Yost said. “That way, when we need them over the course of the year, they’re ready and prepared. Instead of having them sitting here and backing up every day, we want them over there pitching.”

The moves reduced the camp roster to 53 players, including 23 pitchers.

Kendall in action

Veteran catcher Jason Kendall planned to test the recovery of his right shoulder Saturday in game conditions for the first time by playing three innings in a minor-league intrasquad game.

Kendall, 36, underwent surgery Sept. 3 to repair complete tears in three of four tendons in his right rotator cuff. The typical recovery period for the procedure is eight to 10 months.

While Kendall was scheduled to play defensively, the Royals don’t plan to have him throw to bases.

“He is at that point (that he could throw to bases),” Yost said, “but I told him I don’t want any throwing today. I want him just getting his legs underneath him the first time out in a controlled setting; just catching, receiving, blocking balls in the dirt and calling the game.”

Pitching plans

Pitching plans are now set through Wednesday and show an emphasis to create competitive opportunities for those on the bubble by assigning some roster locks to minor-league intrasquad games.

Jeff Francis pitched Saturday in a minor-league game, and plans call for Luke Hochevar, Robinson Tejeda and Joakim Soria to do so on Wednesday.

That creates the opportunity for Rule 5 acquisition Nate Adcock to start Tuesday against Oakland, and Mike Montgomery to start Wednesday night against Cincinnati.

“We know what Hoch and Francis can do against major-league hitters,” Yost said. “This gives us a chance to pitch Adcock against major-league hitters and evaluate Montgomery in a start situation.”

Tuesday’s other pitchers: Danny Duffy, Tim Collins, Aaron Crow, Blaine Hardy and Kanekoa Texeira. On Wednesday: Jeremy Jeffress, Greg Holland, Louis Coleman and Jesse Chavez.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4352, send email to bdutton@kcstar.com or follow him at twitter.com/royals_report.

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Not a lot else going on in the MLB world today.

That’s all the news for today.

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Not a lot else going on in the MLB world today.