Subject :SAN DIEGO - Dan Haren finally feels comfortable in Dodger blue. Kosuke Fukudome Jersey . Haren didnt
SAN DIEGO - Dan Haren finally feels comfortable in Dodger blue. Kosuke Fukudome Jersey . Haren didnt go with the Dodgers to Australia for their season-opening, two-game series against Arizona, so he didnt get his first taste of real action with his new team until he threw six strong innings in a 5-1 victory against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. "I feel like part of the team now," Haren said. "I havent done anything up to now. Im just happy that I was able to come through for the guys. "I really wasnt with the team that much," said Haren, who signed as a free agent in late November. "Teams often bond on the road. Theyre in the clubhouse a lot, on the plane or bus, whatever. So I really didnt have that. Im just glad I was able to come through, and Im looking forward to getting back home." While the Dodgers were in Arizona, Haren, their No. 4 starter, pitched in minor league games. "Man, I got my butt kicked in those camp games," he said. "The adrenaline level, theres nobody watching, its dead silence. Its hard to simulate major league innings." Haren retired the first nine batters before Everth Cabrera singled to centre leading off the fourth and eventually scored on Yonder Alonsos one-out single to right. The run was unearned because Seth Smith, batting after Cabrera, reached on catchers interference by A.J. Ellis. Haren (1-0) allowed four hits, struck out seven and walked none. The Dodgers took two of three from the Padres and now play their home opener Friday afternoon against San Francisco. The Dodgers jumped on Tyson Ross (0-1) for three runs in the first inning. Carl Crawford doubled to left-centre and advanced on Yasiel Puigs sacrifice bunt. Puig was safe when Ross throw pulled first baseman Alonso off the bag. Manager Bud Black went out to challenge the play, but umpires determined he didnt do so in a timely manner. Hanley Ramirez doubled to left to bring in both runners and then scored on Adrian Gonzalezs single to centre. Ramirez scored again in the fifth when he walked with one out and eventually came in on Andre Ethiers two-out single to right. Ross allowed four runs, three earned, in five innings while striking out seven and walking four. "His stuff was good, he just really couldnt command his fastball early in the game," Black said. "The first two innings, 50-plus pitches. He had to work awfully hard to get those six outs. He had a real tough team getting the ball in the strike zone early. "Haren, on the other hand, was getting the ball in the strike zone early. He was pretty efficient the first three innings." Los Angeles added another run in the eighth against Donn Roach, who was making his big league debut. Roach came on with two outs and allowed singles to Juan Uribe and Ellis, and an RBI double to Dee Gordon. NOTES: The Dodgers put reliever Brian Wilson on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, with inflammation in the ulnar nerve in his right elbow, and recalled right-hander Jose Dominguez from Triple-A Albuquerque. Manager Don Mattingly said Wilson threw Wednesday and will continue building from there. ... Mattingly said OF Matt Kemp (right ankle surgery) is on track to be activated from the disabled list on Friday. ... RHP Josh Beckett (bruised right thumb) is scheduled to pitch for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night as he works his way back from the DL. ... The Padres claimed LHP Bobby LaFromboise off waivers from the Seattle Mariners and optioned him to Triple-A El Paso. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club transferred right-hander Joe Wieland from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. Wieland, still rehabbing from reconstructive elbow surgery, recently had arthroscopic surgery to relieve irritation in the back of his elbow, pushing back his return. Manager Bud Black thinks Wieland can return before the All-Star break. ... Both teams are off Thursday. The Dodgers play their home opener Friday against San Francisco. RHP Ryan Vogelsong is scheduled to make his season debut for the Giants while LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0) goes for the Dodgers. The Padres are at Miami. The scheduled starters are LHP Eric Stults (season debut) for San Diego and RHP Tom Koehler (season debut) for Miami Starlin Castro Authentic Jersey . The St. Louis Cardinals were scheduled to arrive in Boston in time for a workout on Tuesday afternoon. Much of Mondays discussion focused on Bostons lineup considerations as the series progresses, specifically when the venue shifts to St. Fergie Jenkins Jersey . The Predators announced that Rinne had been cleared for the next step of his recovery after meeting with doctors earlier Monday. Coach Barry Trotz said a meeting was planned for later Monday to set a weekly plan for Rinne.DETROIT – The red hot Blue Jays continued to surge on Wednesday, beating the Tigers 8-2 for a fourth-straight win and 13th in 15 games. The victory, however, came with a price. Edwin Encarnacion left the game in the ninth inning with tightness in his back. His status for Thursday afternoons series finale at Comerica Park is uncertain. "I dont think its anything bad," said Encarnacion. "Well see (Thursday) if it maybe needs one day, or iif I can play DH. Fergie Jenkins Cubs Jersey. Well see (Thursday)." Encarnacion is the club leader in home runs (19) and slugging percentage (.612). Hes coming off American League Player of the Month honours for his 16-home run May, the first time in his career hes won the award. He doesnt have a history of back problems. "Its been bothering me a little bit," said Encarnacion. "It was getting tighter and tighter after inning by inning." ' ' ' |
