LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPS
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2012
Los Angeles Times:
Ace is weak, but Dodgers still win opener
Clayton Kershaw can go only three innings because of stomach virus, then the bullpen and Matt Kemp pick up the slack
in 5-3 victory over Padres.
By Dylan Hernandez
April 5, 2012, 11:11 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — Jamey Wright was sitting in the visiting clubhouse at Petco Park before the Dodgers' season opener when
utilityman Adam Kennedy told the reliever to start stretching.
Clayton Kershaw was sick. Really sick.
"It's not funny on opening day," Wright told him.
But Kennedy wasn't kidding.
Kershaw made it to the mound to face the San Diego Padres in front of new owner Magic Johnson on Thursday — long
enough to spare Wright from making an emergency start but not long enough to provide the bullpen with a day off.
With a stomach virus knocking Kershaw out of the game after three scoreless innings, the 5-3 victory required the use of
five relievers and a two-run home run in the eighth inning by Matt Kemp.
"We had to step up in all aspects," outfielder Andre Ethier said. "The bullpen did a great job. We got some key hits and
key runs. We came up with a good win here."
The Dodgers were grateful they were able to get even three innings out of Kershaw, which prevented them from using a
sixth, or perhaps even a seventh, reliever.
"You don't want to do that on opening day, basically blow up the 'pen," Manager Don Mattingly said.
Kershaw had trouble eating. He cut short his warmup. Afterward, catcher A.J. Ellis saw him slumped over on the dugout
steps.
"I didn't expect him to start the game at all," Ellis said.
But Kershaw insisted on pitching.
"We have to be crafty today," Ellis said he told Kershaw.
Ellis was right. The velocity of Kershaw's fastball was down.
"When he's throwing fastballs at 88, 89 [mph], you know he's not feeling good," Mattingly said.
The Padres' No. 3 hitter, Chase Headley, noticed too.
"I was wondering what was wrong," Headley said. "But at the same time, nothing was in the middle of the plate. He was
still nasty."
Headley faced Kershaw with two out and the bases loaded in the third inning and Kershaw struck him out with a 92-mph
fastball to preserve the scoreless tie.
"He really reached back for that fastball," Ellis said. "It was probably the only pitch he let loose all day."
Kershaw's day was over. Soon after, Mattingly said he saw Kershaw lying down in the tunnel between the visiting dugout
and clubhouse.
Kershaw didn't speak to reporters after the game, saying he felt too sick.
When Kershaw departed the game, he was the only player with a hit against Edinson Volquez. But the hard-throwing
Volquez struggled in the fourth inning, allowing the Dodgers to take a 2-0 lead.
Volquez walked James Loney with the bases loaded to push home Kemp. Ellis also drew a walk with the bases full, this
one scoring Juan Rivera.
The Dodgers added another run in the fifth. Dee Gordon led off with a deep fly ball to center field that was dropped by
Cameron Maybin. Gordon reached third and scored when shortstop Jason Bartlett failed to properly field a sharply hit
grounder by Kemp.
With Kershaw ineligible for the win, the victory went to the man who replaced him: Josh Lindblom.
Lindblom was told two days earlier that he had made his first opening-day roster. Now he was being asked to pitch two
innings, something he didn't do once during spring training.
Lindblom's two innings were perfect.
"Awesome 48 hours," Lindblom said. "I couldn't imagine making my first opening-day roster and have that win on
opening day and be a part of all that. It's a special, special experience I'll remember for the rest of my life."
There were some turbulent times over the final four innings as Mike MacDougal was charged with a run in the sixth
inning and Kenley Jansen served up a two-run home run to Maybin in the eighth.
But Javy Guerra closed the game by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
Magic Johnson's pride of Dodgers ownership
On opening day, he watches his group's newly purchased team defeat the San Diego Padres, and it's clear the Dodgers
have a new face and voice.
By Bill Plaschke
April 5, 2012, 11:22 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — It was the day Magic Johnson flew again.
"When Dee Gordon ran all the way to third on that dropped fly ball, I was so excited, I swear, I jumped completely out of
my seat," he said.
It was the day Magic Johnson dished again.
"The Dodgers have their Kobe, and his name is Matt Kemp," he said.
It was the day Magic Johnson physically planted himself in the middle of the Los Angeles sports scene again, as he
grabbed a front-row aisle seat at Petco Park on Thursday to watch his group's newly purchased Dodgers defeat the San
Diego Padres, 5-3, in a 2012 season opener.
"Man, it was fun," he said. "I was like a kid at a candy store."
He spent the game in the awkward position of sitting next to despised former owner Frank McCourt, just a week after
fronting a group that bought the team for $2.15 billion. Yet judging from the sound of his voice as he excitedly gabbed
about the game during a phone interview with The Times afterward, the view was just fine.
"Watching somebody like Clayton Kershaw go out there and pitch even though he was really sick, I'm falling in love with
the passion and energy of this team, and I know Los Angeles will be the same way," he said.
Johnson arrived shortly before the first pitch, sticking his head briefly in the visiting clubhouse to shake hands and drop
jaws.
"I looked over there and saw Magic Johnson and I almost started crying," said Gordon.
The kid restrained his tears long enough to pretend to post up the giant Johnson, even though Gordon is barely 5 feet 11
and barely weighs 160. Those sorts of challenges have been a bit of a joking theme in the clubhouse since the players
first learned about Magic's involvement. Kemp has claimed he could beat Johnson in a one-on-one game of basketball.
So too has the former basketball star Gordon. For the first time Thursday, Johnson laughingly addressed those claims.
"You're kidding me, right?" he said. "I don't step on their field, yet they want to come to my court? Do they have any
idea that I can still play?"
Johnson immediately made two predictions of his own.
"First, I beat Dee Gordon, 15-3, because he's too small for me," Johnson said. "Then I beat Matt Kemp, 15-7, only
because he's just a little bigger."
As for all other potential challengers in that clubhouse, Johnson said he can't wait.
"I'll play any of them after the season, we won't be boss and baseball player, we'll be just two guys going at it," he said.
"Anybody else wants some of this, they will get some of this."
For now, Johnson is content to watch his new team shine, so much so that he couldn't contain himself after Kemp hit an
opposite-field, two-run homer in the eighth inning to give the Dodgers a four-run cushion. He not only jumped out of his
seat, but he actually walked over to the dugout, stuck his head in and congratulated Kemp.
Said Johnson: "I just had to show him my respect and appreciation. It was amazing to watch him, to see how he loves
the big stage and creates the big moments."
Said Kemp: "That was kind of cool.... He was like 'Nice job, kid,' and I was like 'Hey, that's Magic Johnson right there.'"
Kemp was still in awe later, saying, "Wow. It was good to have him around. It was good to see him. That was a little
motivation right there."
Johnson owns only a tiny percentage of the team, which will be run by longtime baseball executive Stan Kasten and
funded by Mark Walter's Guggenheim Baseball Management. There are not yet any guarantees about the scope of his
daily influence or power.
But this much is clear. He is their new face. He is their new voice. He is even their new conscience, as the Dodgers kept
sneaking peeks at him before taking the field each inning Thursday, and then glanced up at him as if seeking approval
after each big play.
"When my group bought this team, I said I was going to be there with them, and for them," he said. "Today I wanted to
show the players exactly what I meant."
On a day his new Dodgers battled to a season-opening win with their Cy Young winner flat on his back, Magic Johnson
was beaming, and that light was contagious.
Dodgers' opening-day payroll close to last season's
The payroll of $91 million was only about $5 million less than in 2011. The Dodgers owe an additional $22 million to
former players in deferred salaries and option buyouts.
By Dylan Hernandez
April 5, 2012, 9:37 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers' opening-day payroll was only slightly less than it was last season.
The 25 players on the active roster will be paid $77,031,500, according to union filings of salary figures obtained by The
Times. The Dodgers will pay an additional $13,456,000 to their four players on the disabled list and the major league
minimum of $480,000 to Ronald Belisario, who is on the restricted list while serving a 25-game drug suspension.
The opening-day payroll of $91 million was only $5 million or so less than it was last year.
The Dodgers owe an additional $22 million to former players in deferred salaries and option buyouts.
The payroll including deferred salaries and buyouts was about the same as it was last season.
Ted Lilly is the team's highest-paid player at $12 million, followed by Andre Ethier at $10.95 million, Matt Kemp at $10
million and Chad Billingsley at $9 million.
Twelve of the 25 players on the opening-day roster will earn less than $1 million, including shortstop Dee Gordon
($485,000), catcher A.J. Ellis ($490,000), closer Javy Guerra ($485,000) and setup man Kenley Jansen ($491,000).
The Dodgers' payroll will increase in 2014, a byproduct of the backloaded deals signed by several of their players. The
team has 11 players under contract next season for $94 million, plus another $10 million or so in buyouts and deferred
salaries.
First of 50?
Kemp's first home run of the season was a towering opposite-field shot that landed on top of the short right-field wall in
the spacious Petco Park.
Kemp's two-run blast in the eighth inning accounted for the Dodgers' final two runs in a 5-3 victory over the San Diego
Padres on Thursday.
"Some guys hit pop flies and they're pop flies," Ethier said. "Some guys hit pop flies and they're home runs."
Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly shook his head.
"That ball he hit — wow," Mattingly said. "I guess we're not worried about spring anymore."
Kemp hit only .262 in spring training and struck out 26 times in 65 at-bats.
"In this ballpark? Oppo?" Mattingly said. "Mmmm."
Because of where the game was played, Kemp didn't know whether the ball had cleared the fence.
"This is a hard place to hit home runs," he said. "Sometimes you're not quite sure you hit it, knowing the ball doesn't
travel too good here. … I was almost on second base when it landed. I knew I had to get running because I didn't know it
was going to get out."
With a sizable contingent of Dodgers fans at the ballpark, Kemp was serenaded with "M-V-P!" chants late in the game.
"Seriously, it gives you goose bumps," Kemp said.
Even if the chants might be premature.
"They're jumping the gun a little bit," Kemp said. "We've got 161 left. Let's take it game by game and see how it goes."
You can do better
Before the game, some players wore blue T-shirts bearing the image of Juan Uribe pointing surrounded by the words,
"You Can Do Better."
The shirts were designed and distributed by Uribe, who was paying tribute to affable Dodgers instructor Maury Wills.
"He's always telling us, 'You can do better,' 'You're not that good,'" Uribe said.
Uribe continued, "It's just something to motivate us."
Uribe could do better. He was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in the season opener.
Terms of Dodgers sale to be filed Friday
Before the deal can close April 30, the terms must be approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and will be reviewed by
attorneys for Major League Baseball, Fox Sports and Jamie McCourt.
By Bill Shaikin
April 5, 2012, 8:55 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — Frank McCourt and Magic Johnson sat next to each other Thursday, the outgoing owner and the most
famous of the incoming owners watching the Dodgers play on opening day.
For McCourt and for Johnson, the work in the Dodgers sale is done. For the attorneys responsible for turning a winning
bid into contractual agreements that satisfy the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the race is on.
The terms of the sale are scheduled to be filed in court Friday, the first of several steps required before April 30, when
the deal is set to close.
The court is expected to approve the sale April 13. However, the sale terms will be reviewed closely by attorneys for
Major League Baseball, Fox Sports and McCourt's ex-wife, all of whom have reserved the right to object.
MLB could mount the most significant challenge, though the league does not intend to derail the sale and in any case
appears to lack the legal authority to do so, according to people familiar with the sale process but not authorized to
discuss it.
Johnson and veteran baseball executive Stan Kasten are fronting Guggenheim Baseball Management, the group that
agreed last week to buy the Dodgers for $2.15 billion, a world-record price for a sports franchise.
The league generally has the final say over a franchise sale. However, in order to get McCourt to sell the Dodgers, the
league agreed to preapprove a number of bidders and let McCourt pick the winner, with the process overseen by a
court-appointed mediator.
MLB owners approved the Guggenheim bid, 30-0. The group at that point had offered about $1.6 million, and the league
had reserved the right to review the financial structure of any group whose offer was raised substantially in the final
bidding.
Several owners have expressed concern that a significant amount of the purchase price is expected to be funded by
Guggenheim-controlled insurance companies, according to the people familiar with the sale process.
Guggenheim is expected to add local investors after the deal closes, which would reduce the reliance on insurance
funding, but the league cannot mandate any such change as a condition of the sale, according to one of the people.
Joseph Farnan, the retired federal judge acting as the mediator, would probably reject any MLB challenge on the basis
that the basic financial terms of the deal have not changed from the one the league already had approved. That is, there
are no new investors, and there is no added debt because the bid remains all cash except for assumption of the Dodgers'
current debts, according to one of the people.
Fox Sports had reserved the right to challenge any involvement by rival Time Warner Cable in a new Dodgers ownership
group. Guggenheim has no deal with Time Warner Cable, according to two of the people, leaving the new owners free to
launch a team-owned cable channel or auction the Dodgers' television rights among Fox, TWC or CBS.
Frank McCourt must pay his ex-wife, Jamie, $131 million in a divorce settlement. She has asked the court to consider
whether she can claim proceeds directly from the sale rather than wait for Frank McCourt to pay her afterward.
Dodgers provide Josh Lindblom with 48 hours to remember
By Steve Dilbeck
April 5, 2012, 9:44 p.m.
SAN DIEGO -- Not a bad couple of days for a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be on the Dodgers' roster.
But Ted Lilly is lost to a stiff neck to start the season, and on the final day they can add a reliever to the team, they tell
Josh Lindblom he’ll be on the opening-day roster.
Then opening day arrives Thursday, Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw is sick and can go only three innings, and the call
goes to Lindblom. Who throws two scoreless innings and picks up the victory.
“It’s been an awesome 48 hours,” the 24-year-old Lindblom said. “I couldn’t even imagine making my first opening-day
roster. And now having that win on opening day and being able to pitch and a part of all of this. It’s a special, special
experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Kershaw was fighting flu prior to the game, but was determined to start.
“After warming up, I honestly didn’t expect him to go out there and start,” said catcherA.J. Ellis. “That just shows his
character.”
The team all knew what Kershaw was going through, and long man Jamey Wright warmed up early.
“At that point, you’re kind of on high alert,” Lindblom said.
Kershaw was not exactly his normal dominating self, but was still good enough to hold the Padres scoreless for three
innings. Then he hit the wall.
“He was done,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “He was knocked out. The last time I saw him, he was lying on the floor.”
So the call went to the bullpen, not for Wright or anyone else scheduled to be part of it this season, but to Lindblom.
“I was a little surprised. but whatever role I have to fill on this team – whether it’s long, short, one batter, whatever it is
– I’m just going to come out and compete, and give the team a chance to win,” Lindblom said.
First game, and the bullpen needed the kid to bring calm to a tense situation.
“You don’t want to start off on opening day by blowing out your bullpen,” Mattingly said. “Those were two huge
scoreless innings.”
Lindblom had not thrown two consecutive innings all spring.
“I kind of figured it would be a multi-inning situation, but the mind-set can’t change,” Lindblom said. “You still have to
attack hitters and go right after them. Just go as hard as you can, as long as you can, until Donny or Rick (Honeycutt) say
we’re bringing somebody else in.”
In his two innings, Lindblom retired six consecutive batters.
“When Clayton Kershaw starts, it’s almost a day off for the middle of the bullpen, if not the end,” Ellis said. “What Josh
Lindblom did in the fourth and fifth was huge.”
Matt Kemp starts it off for Dodgers in 5-3 win over Padres
Kemp puts on a repeat of his 2011 form, hitting a two-run home run to help the Dodgers overcome an early exit by
starter Clayton Kershaw.
By Steve Dilbeck
April 5, 2012, 7:13 p.m.
SAN DIEGO -- One game into the season and Clayton Kershaw is already sick of the Padres. Or maybe it’s the other way
around. Either way, it all worked out for the Dodgers.
Kershaw had the flu Thursday, started the season opener at Petco Park anyway, and lasted three innings. This being
Kershaw, they were still three scoreless innings.
With Matt Kemp acting like it was 2011 all over again and hitting a two-run homer, the Dodgers wrapped up the opener
with a 5-3 victory.
The game was scoreless after three innings, but Kershaw was done, leaving for a pinch hitter in the fourth. He gave up
two hits and a walk, with three strikeouts.
The Dodgers, however, rallied with a pair of runs in the fourth. Anyway, they scored a pair of runs. Both were forced in
with bases-loaded walks.
Kemp singled and took second on a wild pitch before right-hander Edinson Volquez walked Andre Ethier. A broken-bat
single by Juan Rivera loaded the bases.
Volquez then pretty much lost all control. He walked James Loney to force in the game’s first run. He threw a pitch past
catcher Nick Hundley that went to the backstop. Ethier tried to score from third, but was called out by home plate
umpire Gary Darling, though replays showed he was safe.
If the Dodgers were struggling to find hits, Volquez came to the rescue by walking Juan Uribe and then A.J. Ellis to force
in a second run.
The Dodgers went up 3-0 in the fifth on a pair of San Diego errors. Dee Gordon’s drive off Cameron Maybin’s glove left
him at third, from where he scored when Jason Bartlett booted a hard grounder hit by Kemp.
It’s not like anyone is predicting the Padres will be a great club this season.
San Diego got one back in the sixth on a walk and double by Jesus Guzman off Mike MacDougal, but the Dodgers took
their 5-1 lead in the eighth against reliever Brad Bach after Mark Ellis doubled and Kemp hit a two-run, opposite-field
homer that just cleared the right-field wall.
With Kershaw taking an early exit, the Dodgers’ bullpen got an opening-day workout.
Josh Lindblom pitched two scoreless innings, MacDougal allowed the one run in his only inning and Matt Guerrier threw
a scoreless seventh inning.
Kenley Jansen, however, did not fare so well. After an infield hit, he gave up a rocket to Maybin, who drilled a two-run
homer that bounced off the third-floor façade on the Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field.
Javy Guerra also picked up where he left off, putting the Padres down in the ninth inning to earn the save.
Clayton Kershaw leaves Dodgers opener with flu
By Steve Dilbeck
April 5, 2012, 5:31 p.m.
SAN DIEGO -- Clayton Kershaw must have been spending too much time around Andre Ethier.
Ethier missed Saturday’s Freeway Series game against the Angels with a stomach bug, and it apparently made its way to
Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw started the season opener for the Dodgers on Thursday, despite battling the flu.
After three innings, however, the flu won and Kershaw left the game against the Padres.
Kershaw did not give up a run in his three innings, walking one and striking out one. He also had the Dodgers’ first single,
so at least he left with a perfect ERA and batting average.
The decision to start Kershaw could come back to haunt the Dodgers, however, as they will now have to use much of
their bullpen in the first game of the year. The Dodgers have three more games scheduled against the Padres over the
weekend.
Josh Lindblom, making his first appearance on an opening-day roster, took over for Kershaw to start the fourth.
Predicting the Dodgers' 2012 season: Take it to the bank
By Steve Dilbeck
April 5, 2012, 1:56 p.m.
SAN DIEGO -- Here is this year's list of 25 things I absolutely, positively guarantee will happen with the Dodgers this
season. One day, I'll miss on one.
1) On April 14, Magic Johnson, Mark Walter, Peter Guber, Stan Kasten and company, will be introduced at a news
conference as the Dodgers new owners, and at the end of it we still won't know who owns what.
2) Andre Ethier really will come back with his best year, and it will cost the new owners serious moola.
3) Sometime between April 14 and April 30, Frank McCourt will file something that will delay the ownership transfer.
4) Jamie McCourt, ballooned to a size 1½ after losing her mansion with the pool, will take this opportunity to try and
renegotiate her divorce settlement, figuring her original deal fell only about $400 million short.
5) Magic will kick Matt Kemp's butt going one-on-one.
6) Dee Gordon will steal exactly 58 bases. I'm sure on this.
7) Chris Capuano will leave the Dodgers in mid-June to use his Duke economics degree by becoming President Obama’s
national financial adviser. Mitt Romney responds by alleging Capuano doesn't even appreciate sabermetrics.
8) Rubby De La Rosa will return by mid-July and become a lights-out … middle reliever.
9) The fans will return to Dodger Stadium once Frank leaves, but only about half.
10) Javy Guerra will keep the closer's role all season, earn 36 saves and become the new Southern California heartthrob.
11) On May 14, Guggenheim Partners will fire Walter as chief executive, demand the team be sold but struggle to find a
taker. Something about wanting to make a profit on that $2.15-billion investment.
12) Steve Garvey will announce, really, he's putting together a group to buy the team.
13) Nathan Eovaldi will be called up to take the place of an injured starter before the month is up.
14) Vin Scully will be forced to ask people, please, stop bringing him cookies.
15) Mark Ellis will have a better season at second for the Dodgers than Jamey Carroll for the Twins, but barely.
16) On July 1, Kemp will return after missing two weeks with an ankle sprained playing basketball against Magic.
17) Clayton Kershaw will pitch just as well as he did last season, but Roy Halladay takes the Cy Young.
18) Stan Kasten will triple the team's player development budget.
19) Juan Uribe will hit .228 with 13 homers and 54 RBIs, and it will be hailed as a great comeback.
20) Justin Sellers will get a new tattoo. No one will be able to notice.
21) Jerry Sands will get off to a slow start in Albuquerque and someone will try to change his swing.
22) James Loney will not be involved in a freeway car accident.
23) Ted Lilly will say same something funny. Feeling dangerous.
24) A.J. Ellis will catch, hit and lead better than anyone had a right to expect.
25) The Dodgers will finish 83-79, a half-game better than last year, and call it progress.
Not-so-fresh start: Magic takes in Dodgers' opener with McCourt
Why is the new face of the Dodgers sitting in the Petco Park stands beside Frank McCourt, the man who ruined the
Dodgers fan experience for so many?
By T.J. Simers
April 5, 2012, 8:23 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — I thought it was the start to a new Dodgers era: The Dodgers winning and everyone happy. Or the Dodgers
losing, Magic smiling and everyone still feeling better.
But if the Dodgers are poised to get off to a fresh start, why is Magic sitting beside Frank McCourt for the team's opener
at Petco Park?
Why would the best thing that has happened to the Dodgers in recent years allow himself to be photographed sitting
next to the worst thing that has happened to the Dodgers?
Is Magic oblivious to what has happened to the Dodgers fans' experience? Is that why he said he was excited about
building on the fantastic foundation laid by McCourt? Who says something like that?
After the game, asked why he was sitting with McCourt, Magic said, "I'm just here enjoying the game."
Asked don't appearances mean something if you're going to be the face of the Dodgers in this fresh start, Magic said,
"I'm just here enjoying the game." And then he left with McCourt.
As loved as Magic might be, is he clueless to what McCourt means right now to Dodgers fans? Does Magic realize that
Frank is using him as a shield from rotten tomatoes coming his way?
Who is advising Magic? It can't be a close friend or anyone interested in preserving Magic's reputation, because they
would tell him the last place he should be seen these days is sitting beside McCourt.
Howard Sunkin, who has been McCourt's flunky, was also there. So was Lon Rosen, who failed in a previous stint with
the Dodgers and now serves as Magic's flunky.
What does one flunky say to another? I'm guessing Rosen wanted to know all about the $400,000 McCourt took out of
the team's Dream Foundation to boost Sunkin's pay.
Why would Magic allow himself to be seen sitting in the same row as Sunkin? His group has already won the bid to buy
the Dodgers; does this mean Sunkin remains as a Guggenheim business partner like McCourt?
No one questions Magic's credentials as a great basketball player and sports icon, but he's still going to have to prove
himself as a baseball executive. So far his judgment has been suspect.
In basketball parlance, someone should have set a screen — keeping Magic as far away from McCourt as a photo lens
might reach.
There is already a huge question mark hanging over this new ownership group: The guys who bought the Dodgers
agreed to keep McCourt as a business partner. They haven't explained that yet.
But must they now remind everyone with photos of Magic and McCourt sitting together that McCourt really isn't going
anywhere?
There are indications that Magic will probably own less than 3% of the Dodgers once the deal is complete, but his value
to the franchise has already been astronomical.
No one probably cares that a couple of unnamed insurance companies will be providing much of the money used to buy
the team and that there could be investor problems down the road. As long as Magic is OK with everything, what's not
to like?
Why jeopardize that credibility by linking himself to maybe the most despised figure in Dodgers history?
Before the opener, I found GM Ned Colletti and McCourt standing in the hallway outside the Dodgers' clubhouse. I
suspect they were asking each other what they're going to do next in their lives.
I got a "hello" out of McCourt, which is one more word than I got out of Angels owner Arte Moreno a day earlier.
Manager Don Mattingly said that as far as he knew McCourt had not spoken to the team. What a wasted motivational
opportunity.
I know how much athletes like money, and McCourt explaining to the players how he swung a $2.15-billion deal would
have gone so much further than Mattingly telling the guys "to be ready."
Mattingly said there was "a little bit" of emotion as he realized he might be saying goodbye to McCourt. Funny, never
once has he said he misses Jamie McCourt.
More telling, though, was his answer to the question of whether he's heard from the new controlling owner.
First he needed help, not sure if the new owner's last name was Walter or Walters.
Mattingly said he has yet to hear from Mark Walter via a phone call or text. Maybe the Chicago businessman is too busy
watching his Cubs play.
Mattingly said Stan Kasten sent him a "good luck" text, and so obviously Kasten has done his homework and knows A.J.
Ellis is now the Dodgers' starting catcher.
As for the players, it was opening day and Andre Ethier was already in a funk. How can a baseball player not be giddy
with excitement on opening day?
But as interested as Ethier always is in getting a new contract, he must be really on edge waiting for the new owners to
officially take over.
No one on the Dodgers should be happier with a change in ownership than Ethier. He will be a free agent at the end of
the season and the new owners will want to do everything they can to let the fans know they are going to be big
spenders.
That should make Ethier rich, so why is the guy so moody? I hope we don't find out he's been hanging with Andrew
Bynum.
As for the 2012 Dodgers, they begin the season given a terrific chance to have a good record, with 28 very winnable
games.
Seven of their first 10 games come against the Padres, the closest thing the majors have to a minor league team. They
also get Houston and Pittsburgh early.
They should be sitting in first place when Guggenheim officially takes over, which ought to make the insurance company
investors very happy.
In fact, the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised once Guggenheim takes over to see Magic walking McCourt to
the mound so he might throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Free entry to Dodger Stadium today for broadcast of season opener
April 5, 2012 | 12:45 pm
In a possible sign of a changing culture, the Dodgers are inviting fans to come to Dodger Stadium to watch the team's
season opener at San Diego for free.
Team officials say more than 15,000 fans have RSVP'd for Thursday’s event. The team will offer free parking, a discount
on team merchandise and an autograph session from former Dodger infielder Ron Cey as well as concessions. The game
broadcast will be shown on the DodgerVision video screen in the stadium outfield.
A news release from the team said Gate A at Elysian Park Avenue and Stadium Way will open an hour before first pitch
at 4:05 p.m.
The move is intended to help bring fans back to Dodger Stadium after the team recorded its lowest attendance in 11
years last season. The team had been embroiled in a sell-off by former owner Frank McCourt, but fans largely rejoiced
last week when Major League Baseball announced that a group led by Magic Johnson had purchased the team for $2
billion.
The former Laker star-turned-businessman subsequently told The Times, “You'll see the team invest money.” Fans will
likely expect the new owners to do so after the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed superstar slugger Albert Pujos and
pitcher C.J. Wilson last fall.
The Dodgers' first home game is Tuesday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
ESPN.com
Dodgers 5, Padres 3: 3 up, 3 down
By Tony Jackson | ESPNLosAngeles.com
SAN DIEGO -- Despite losing Clayton Kershaw to a stomach flu after the reigning National League Cy Young Award
winner gamely battled through three shutout innings, the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen was just good enough hold the
San Diego Padres at bay in a 5-3, season-opening victory for the Dodgers before a sellout crowd of 42,941 at Petco Park.
The Dodgers went ahead to stay on a pair of bases-loaded walks in the fourth inning by James Loney and A.J. Ellis, then
put the game to bed on Matt Kemp's two-run homer in the top of the eighth. Javy Guerra, who as a rookie saved 21
games for the Dodgers last season, notched his first one of 2012 by pitching the ninth inning.
Kershaw's early departure forced the Dodgers to go deep into their bullpen in their first game of the season, as he was
followed by a parade of five relievers. But manager Don Mattingly didn't call on long reliever Jamey Wright, meaning
the Dodgers probably are OK for Friday night's game without calling up additional bullpen help from the minors.
The good
Beast mode. Any concerns about Kemp's high strikeout rate in spring training quickly dissipated as the Dodgers center
fielder went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, three RBIs and his first home run of the season, a two-run shot off Padres
reliever Brad Brach in the eighth inning that landed atop the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center.
Glove Swag. Dee Gordon might have been robbed of his first triple of the year by a tough official scorer, who ruled
three-base error on a ball that ticked off the glove of Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin. But nothing could take
away the defensive play Gordon made to end the fourth inning, a diving stop behind the bag and on the edge of the
outfield grass. Gordon got to his feet quickly and fired a bullet to first, taking what would have been a clean single to
center away from Yonder Alonso.
Patience is a Virtue. Although the Dodgers could do nothing against a dominating Edinson Volquez through three
innings, the one thing they did was make him work -- 44 pitches through the third. Then, they made him throw 34 in the
fourth inning alone, during which Volquez walked four batters, two of them with the bases loaded, and threw a wild
pitch as the Dodgers built a 2-0 lead. Volquez was gone after five, by which time he had thrown 97 pitches.
The bad
Pen springs a leak. The Dodgers enter the season with what appears to be an outstanding bullpen, but it was anything
but in the opener. Although Josh Lindblom, who barely made the team, and Matt Guerrier, who was shaky last year,
each came through, Mike MacDougal issued a one-out walk in the sixth that led to the Padres' first run. And then, in the
eighth, fireballing setup man Kenley Jansen gave up two runs before he recorded an out, an infield single by Jeremy
Hermida followed by Maybin's two-run homer.
Oops. Juan Rivera went 2-for-4 with a double, but made a ghastly baserunning blunder in the eighth inning that may or
may not have cost the Dodgers a run. After moving too far off second on a liner to left by Loney that Jesus Guzman
caught easily, Rivera tried to scamper back to the bag. But he began his headfirst slide about three steps too early and
came to a stop with his outstretched hand still well short of the base as Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson tagged
him to complete the inning-ending double play.
The table not set. The scorer's decision aside, Gordon went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts, pretty much the exact opposite
of what the Dodgers need their leadoff man to do. For Gordon to steal bases and wreak havoc on the basepaths, he has
to actually get on base. Moreover, the Dodgers struck out 10 times overall. Was it a one-game aberration? Or was it the
beginning of a disturbing trend?
Clayton Kershaw leaves start early
By Tony Jackson | ESPNLosAngeles.com
SAN DIEGO -- Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw lasted just three innings into his Opening Day start
Thursday before leaving the game because of a stomach flu.
Before succumbing, Kershaw, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, held the Padres scoreless on two
hits and even delivered the Dodgers' first hit of the season -- a two-out, opposite-field single up the left-field line in the
top of the third inning. He also took second when Padres left fielder Jesus Guzman bobbled the ball and was charged
with an error.
Vin Scully, the Dodgers' Hall of Fame broadcaster, reported on the air during the first inning that manager Don Mattingly
considered scratching Kershaw from the lineup just before game time because of the illness, but that Kershaw talked
Mattingly out of it. It became clear that Kershaw was done as the Dodgers were staging a lengthy rally in the top of the
fourth, as reliever Josh Lindblom warmed up quickly in the bullpen.
As Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis batted with the bases loaded and two outs -- he eventually would walk, forcing in the
second run of the inning -- Adam Kennedy came out on deck to pinch hit, a clear sign Kershaw was finished.
Although Kershaw left with the Dodgers leading 2-0, he didn't qualify for the win because he hadn't pitched the requisite
five innings.
Josh Lindblom is story on first day
Reliever is pressed into duty after Kershaw's illness and steadies Dodgers to win.
By Tony Jackson | ESPNLosAngeles.com
SAN DIEGO -- Forty-eight hours earlier, Josh Lindblom had simply hoped he would be at Petco Park on Thursday. He
never dreamed, never even fantasized, that he would end up where he was at the start of the bottom of the fourth
inning.
Clayton Kershaw never thought he would be where he was at that juncture of the Los Angeles Dodgers' season opener,
either. But there he was, lying flat on his back on the dirty floor of a tunnel between the visiting dugout and clubhouse,
beset by varying degrees of nausea, chills and fever, three valiant and scoreless innings behind him but nothing ahead of
him except the comfort of a table in the trainers' room, if only he could manage to get up and walk that far.
"It's not good sign when you see your starting pitcher laying down," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would say later.
When it became obvious to everyone Kershaw couldn't go any further, it was Lindblom who got the call to loosen up as
quickly as he could. Aided by a long top of the fourth, when the Dodgers worked Padres starter Edinson Volquez for four
walks, two of them with the bases loaded, to grab a 2-0 lead, Lindblom got plenty loosened up, and then he came on to
pitch two perfect innings against an overmatched-looking Padres lineup.
In the grand scheme of baseball's interminable season, Opening Day is a blip. Six months from now, this game will be all
but forgotten. But to Lindblom, it may never be forgotten.
"This has been an awesome 48 hours," he said. "I have to thank God for the opportunity He provided for me. I never
imagined I would come in for the fourth inning on Opening Day and get a win in my first Opening Day. It was an
awesome experience all the way through. This is a great bunch of guys, and I'm just happy to be a part of this team."
He almost wasn't, of course. Or at least in his mind, he almost wasn't. And in one of those sad twists that baseball
almost always seems to present, he might not be for very long.
In the waning days of spring training, Mattingly kept insisting to the media that non-roster lefty Scott Rice still was in
contention for that final bullpen spot, a spot that wouldn't have existed if not for the fact that starter Ted Lilly would
open the season on the disabled list to try to make up for the time he missed this spring because of neck stiffness. But
anyone with any familiarity with the way these things usually work could have figured out Lindblom was going to be the
guy. He had a 40-man roster spot. Rice didn't. And the Dodgers didn't have one to spare.
Lindblom didn't really examine the situation that closely.
"There are situations all the time where they're going to take the best arms that give them the best chance to win," he
said. "The most important thing is for us to put the best team we can out on the field."
And so, when Lindblom was summoned to Mattingly's office late Tuesday night, where both Mattingly and general
manager Ned Colletti waited to speak with him behind closed doors, he didn't know what to expect. On his way, he
texted his wife, Aurielle.
"I just told her, 'Pray, [because] I'm going in," he said.
The conversation, as best Lindblom could recall two days later, went something like this:
"They said, 'We have sat here before,' and I said, 'Yeah, I hope this is better than the last time we sat down.' And then
Ned laughed and said, 'It's good news. You're on the team.'"
And then, Lindblom had a little fun with his wife.
"Two seconds later, I texted her again and said, 'Pray harder.' And then I texted her again, and it was just a dot-dot-dot."
He may have thought about keeping her in suspense, about waiting until he got back to the hotel to tell her the good
news, but Lindblom ultimately decided he owed it to Aurielle. After all, she was the one who would have to make all the
arrangements, to get the car to either Los Angeles or Albuquerque -- he already had bought her a plane ticket back to
Phoenix to pick it up -- while he went wherever it was he was going.
"Really, [not knowing] is easier for me because I'm going to be on a flight," Lindblom said. "The tough part is for your
family and your wife."
The even tougher part for guys who are at the stage of their careers that Lindblom finds himself, less than four years
after the Dodgers drafted him in the second round out of Purdue University and less than a year after he made his big
league debut, is that even making the team can be a temporary thing. Lilly is coming back next week, and Lindblom has
minor league options.
For now, though, Lindblom is here and determined to make the most of it. And on a day when Kershaw's inability to
continue could have put the Dodgers' bullpen in a shambles right out of the chute, they were able to make the most of
Lindblom's presence, as well.
"That was huge," Mattingly said. "Two solid innings. You never want to have to get into your bullpen that early, but it
was just one of those things, and he was able to get us where we needed to get."
Kershaw's dogged ability to get as far as he got helped, too. Although long reliever Jamey Wright was told just before
game time to start getting loose in case Kershaw couldn't go, the combination of Kershaw for three and Lindblom for
two allowed Mattingly to stay away from Wright and ensure that the bullpen really wasn't taxed at all by Kershaw's early
exit. Wright wasn't used and will be at the ready Friday night if needed.
There is a long season ahead for the Dodgers, 161 games to go and possibly, they hope, more. There will be plenty of
heroes, plenty of goats, plenty of hot streaks, slumps and in-betweens. And there will be storylines, many, many
storylines.
One game in, though, one of those storylines was Lindblom. And the Dodgers, who for the fourth time in the past five
years have begun a season with a 1-0 record, were better for it.
Matt Kemp homers as Dodgers top Padres in opener
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO -- It was a Magic start to the season for everyone with the Los Angeles Dodgers except for reigning NL Cy
Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who was too sick to go longer than three innings on Opening Day.
With incoming and outgoing owners Magic Johnson and Frank McCourt watching from next to the dugout, the Dodgers
beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 Thursday.
Johnson, the former Lakers great who is part of a group buying the Dodgers from McCourt for $2.15 billion, had a big
smile after Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer in the eighth, giving him three RBIs.
"It was kind of cool -- right when I came back from hitting the home run, he stuck his head in the dugout and said, 'Nice
job, kid,' " Kemp said. "I was like, 'Hey, it's Magic Johnson right there, man.' It's good to have him around and good to
see him. That was a little motivation right there. I was pretty pumped up for that. It was a good day all around. Good W."
Johnson and McCourt sat next to each other and chatted throughout the game.
Johnson didn't comment as he was quickly whisked out of the ballpark in an SUV.
Kershaw left with the stomach flu after limiting the Padres to two hits through three innings. He struck out three, walked
one and singled off newcomer Edinson Volquez in the third for the Dodgers' first hit of the season.
Manager Don Mattingly said he saw Kershaw lying down in the tunnel behind the dugout after the third.
"It's not a real good sign when your starting pitcher was laying down," Mattingly said.
Mattingly said he and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt discussed holding out Kershaw.
"He wanted to go," the manager said. "He wasn't dizzy or didn't have a fever or any of that kind of stuff, so it was one of
those situations where he wanted to go.
"I'm sure (the Padres) were looking for a lot more out there on Opening Day," Mattingly added. "His fastball probably
looked more like some type of a changeup or something. Basically he was trying to get quick innings, get through them,
get off the field, try to survive inning by inning. Pretty impressive, really, that he gets that far."
Said Padres manager Bud Black: "It's nice to get him out of the game, thinking the Cy Young Award winner is out and you
have six innings to go score runs."
Josh Lindblom (1-0) pitched two perfect innings in relief of Kershaw. Javy Guerra pitched the ninth for the save.
It was a poor start for the Padres. Volquez walked in L.A.'s first two runs in the fourth inning and the Padres committed
three errors, two of which led to the Dodgers' third run.
Volquez (0-1), Cincinnati's opening-day starter a year ago, struck out five through three scoreless innings and singled off
Kershaw in the third for the Padres' first hit.
He then allowed two runs on four walks, including three in a row, and two singles in the fourth. Volquez loaded the
bases with one out before walking James Loney. Andre Ethier was called out trying to score on a wild pitch, but replays
showed he touched the plate just before Volquez tagged him. Volquez again loaded the bases, and then walked A.J. Ellis.
"I lost my control a little bit in the fourth," Volquez said. "I got lucky to get out of there with two runs. I thought I made
some good pitches for strikes and they were called balls."
A half-inning earlier, the Padres loaded the bases with two outs against Kershaw before Chase Headley took a called
third strike.
Volquez went five, allowing three runs, two earned, and three hits. He struck out seven and walked four.
Dee Gordon led off the Dodgers' fifth with a fly ball to center that glanced off Cameron Maybin's glove for a three-base
error. With one out, Gordon scored when shortstop Jason Bartlett booted Kemp's grounder.
Kemp hit a drive to right off Brad Brach in the eighth, making it 5-1. Brach was recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A.
San Diego's Jesus Guzman hit an RBI double off Mike MacDougal in the sixth and Maybin had a two-run homer to left off
Kenley Jansen in the eighth that was estimated at 445 feet.
Game notes
The Padres placed RHP Tim Stauffer on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, with a strained pitching
elbow. Stauffer had been expected to start the season opener before he experienced soreness in his arm. To take
Stauffer's roster spot, Brach was recalled from Tucson. ... The four-game series continues Friday night, when the
scheduled starters are Chad Billingsley for the Dodgers and Cory Luebke for the Padres. ... Jerry Coleman, celebrating his
70th year in baseball and his 40th with the Padres, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The longtime broadcaster
played second base for the New York Yankees for nine seasons and managed the Padres in 1980.
Kershaw hurls Dodgers to victory
Posted on April 5, 2012 by Jon Weisman
It’s not the best sign for Opening Day when Vin Scully starts the game talking about diarrhea.
The starting pitcher of the team Scully is broadcasting for the 63rd season, Clayton Kershaw, was putting on a private
performance of the New Flu Revue. Even so, everything came out okay for the Dodgers, who launched their bid for an
undefeated season with a 5-3 victory over San Diego.
Kershaw stomached three innings, surviving a bases-loaded scenario in the second, before his day ended. The
Associated Press provided this summary:
… Mattingly said he saw Kershaw lying down in the tunnel behind the dugout after the third.
“It’s not a real good sign when your starting pitcher was laying down,” Mattingly said.
Mattingly said he and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt discussed holding out Kershaw.
“He wanted to go,” the manager said. “He wasn’t dizzy or didn’t have a fever or any of that kind of stuff, so it was one of
those situations where he wanted to go. …
Kershaw struck out three, while also producing the Dodgers’ first hit of the season. It was a game effort. But it was up to
his teammates to pick up the slack.
And so they did, with a little help from Padres starting pitcher Edinson Volquez. The offseason acquisition from
Cincinnati struck out five batters in his first three innings, but gave up two singles and four walks in the fourth inning.
Two of the walks came with the bases loaded, to James Loney and A.J. Ellis, allowing the Dodgers to take a 2-0 lead that
would have been more had Andre Ethier not been incorrectly ruled out at home on an ostensible wild pitch. (Ellis also
had a single in three at-bats on the day and saw 28 pitches in his four plate appearances.)
While Josh Lindblom was holding San Diego scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, the Dodgers tacked on another run
thanks to a three-base error by San Diego centerfielder Cameron Maybin, who was too shocked that Gordon hit one
over his head to make the catch after he went back and reached it. One out later, Matt Kemp himself reached base on
an infield error to bring Gordon home. Although Gordon went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts, he made his presence felt
not only on the bases but with a spectacular dive and throw-out in the fourth.
Mike MacDougal gave up a run in the sixth, but Matt Guerrier pitched a shutout seventh and Kemp seemed to put the
game away in the eighth with a home run that was straight out of the Mike Piazza repetoire, a towering shot to rightcenter field to make the score 5-1.
Kenley Jansen echoed his poor first outing in 2011 by allowing a two-run home run to Maybin in the bottom of the
eighth. That meant Javy Guerra would get a save opportunity in his 2012 debut after all, and Guerra retired the side in
order on 14 pitches.
Juan Rivera had two singles for the Dodgers, and perhaps most amazingly, Juan Uribe had a walk.
This Dodger win came on a day that Detroit wasted eight innings of two-hit ball by Justin Verlander before edging
Boston, a day that Cleveland blew a 4-1 ninth-inning lead and then lost in 16 innings (the longest Opening Day ever) and
a day that eight of the 12 other teams playing were held to two runs or less. It was a day that could have easily given the
Dodgers and their fans the heaves, but instead, they’ll go to sleep tonight with a nice victory to digest.
Welcome to Opening Day 2012
Posted on April 5, 2012 by Jon Weisman
On an Opening Day for many teams that has had runs at a distinct premium, it will take some swift work by the Irony
Committee for a dusky game at Petco Park to generate any offensive fireworks. But the folk on that Committee are
known for their around-the-clock efforts, so we’ll see …
I’m enjoying these last few moments before we enter the blender. But I’m also ready to suffer with every pitch and be
reborn with the next. To shake my head at the disappointments and revel in the celebrations. To accept my lot in life,
which is to be a follower of the confounding team that is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dodgers at Padres, 4:05 p.m.
Dee Gordon, SS
Mark Ellis, 2B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Rivera, LF
James Loney, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
Dodgers.com:
Kershaw's moxie sets tone as LA tops Friars
Dodgers ace guts out flu while Kemp and Co. pick up slack
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 4/6/2012 12:30 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Wins, complete games, shutouts. These are the marvelous contributions the Dodgers now expect from
Clayton Kershaw.
But with incoming and outgoing owners Magic Johnson and Frank McCourt watching side by side on Thursday, the
defending National League Cy Young Award winner added to his list of impressive achievements on Opening Day when
he lasted only three innings.
Literally sick to his stomach, Kershaw gutted out 39 pitches so the Dodgers wouldn't burn out the bullpen with 161
games to go. Relievers handled the other six innings and Matt Kemp elicited "M-V-P" chants from visiting fans with a
homer and three RBIs in a 5-3 win over the Padres.
"The last time I looked, he's laying on the floor in the tunnel and I knew he was done," manager Don Mattingly said of
his ace's condition while the Dodgers batted in the top of the fourth. "It's not a real good sign when your starting pitcher
is laying down."
Catcher A.J. Ellis realized Kershaw was in trouble before the game started.
"After warming up, I didn't think he would start the game at all," said Ellis, who singled and received one of four walks
from losing pitcher Edinson Volquez in a two-run fourth inning. "He's so routine and detail oriented. He throws a set
amount of pitches to each side of the plate, but he finally said, 'five more' and then he walked straight to the clubhouse.
That's not him.
"He wasn't letting loose. It was as if he was afraid he'd throw up if he followed through.
"For him to do what he did -- not to get over-dramatic -- but three innings was really, really awesome. He's dying in the
trainer's room right now."
Kershaw, who rolled to an All-Star berth, the Cy Young Award and a $19 million, two-year contract with a 95-mph
fastball last season, opened this season with an 85-mph fastball. He topped at 92, but was consistently 87-89, pitching
stiff and upright.
"Warming up, he was just flipping the ball," said Ellis. "I said to him, 'We'll be crafty today.' He threw a lot of really good
changeups and got outs. Maybe he'll have more confidence in that pitch."
Mattingly said he and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt talked about scratching Kershaw entirely, replacing him with Jamey
Wright and going with an entire bullpen game. It was the shortest Opening Day start by a Dodgers arm in 20 years
(Ramon Martinez, 2 2/3 innings, 1992).
But, said Mattingly, Kershaw "wanted to go. He just kind of pitched. I'm sure [the Padres] were looking for a lot more,
like 93 and 94. His fastball looked like some type of changeup. He was just trying to get quick innings and get off the
field."
"It's nice to get him out of the game," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "The Cy Young winner is out [of the game] with
six more [innings left] ..."
The win went to Josh Lindblom, who was in the ballpark only because Ted Lilly went on the disabled list with a sore neck.
Lindblom, told Tuesday night he made the club as an eighth reliever, pitched two perfect innings.
"It's been an awesome 48 hours for me," he said. "My first Opening Day, I relieve and get the win. It's a special, special
experience I'll remember the rest of my life."
Lindblom, one of Kershaw's closest friends on the team, said the outcome might have been different if Kershaw hadn't
pitched his three innings.
"He went out and battled, and I wouldn't expect anything less out of Kersh," he said. "But in the dugout, he looked
terrible."
Lindblom also wasn't surprised that the Dodgers would deal so smoothly with Kershaw's setback.
"You'll see a team through the presence of the manager and all year you'll see a lot of that," Lindblom said. "Guys
picking each other up."
Matt Guerrier pitched a scoreless seventh and Javy Guerra the ninth for his first save. But Mike MacDougal's control
problems persisted as he allowed a run, and Kenley Jansen -- who allowed three homers in nine spring innings -- served
up a 445-foot two-run blast to Cameron Maybin in the eighth inning that made for Guerra's save situation.
Kemp went 2-for-4 with a hard-hit one-hopper booted by shortstop Jason Bartlett that drove in a run. The home run was
a towering blast that landed on the top of the out-of-town scoreboard in right field.
"It was good seeing Magic," said Kemp. "I've seen him before but never had a conversation. I met him before the game.
He walked in our dugout and said, 'You look focused; I won't bother you.' He said, 'Congratulations on everything and go
get 'em.' Right when I came in the dugout after the home run, he stuck his head in the dugout and said, 'Nice going, kid.'
That's Magic Johnson."
"That ball he hit -- wow," said Mattingly. "Guess we're not worried about spring anymore."
Kemp hit .262 in Spring Training with 26 strikeouts in 65 at-bats.
Juan Rivera also had two hits.
Kemp, Maybin put on show in opener
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com | 04/06/12 12:50 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- The best athlete in Petco Park on Opening Day -- Matt Kemp, Cameron Maybin or Magic Johnson -- was
open to debate.
There could be no dispute about how thoroughly entertaining Kemp and Maybin, the two center fielders, were for
Johnson, part of the Dodgers' incoming ownership group. Johnson was seated alongside outgoing owner Frank McCourt
in the front row next to the visitors' dugout.
Kemp, who led the National League in homers, RBIs and runs, was third in batting average and second in steals in 2011,
picked up where he left off with an opposite-field, two-run homer along with a single.
His three RBIs drove the Dodgers to a 5-3 decision with only three scoreless innings from reigning NL Cy Young Award
winner Clayton Kershaw, who left with the stomach flu.
The Padres' Maybin launched a two-run homer an estimated 445 feet, tying for seventh-farthest hit in the cavernous
park known for its thick marine layer and intimidating dimensions.
Both homers came in the eighth inning. After Kemp provided breathing room for the bullpen, Maybin gave his team and
the Padres partisans in the sellout crowd hope the home side could rally and steal it.
But it was Kemp enjoying the last laugh with the happy ending amid "M-V-P" chants. He also was awarded the seal of
approval from the Magic Man.
"It was good seeing Magic," Kemp said. "I've seen him before, but we've never had a conversation. I met him before the
game. He walked in our dugout and said, 'You look focused; I don't want to bother you.' He said, 'Congratulations on
everything and go get 'em.'
"Right when I came in the dugout after the home run, he stuck his head in the dugout and said, 'Nice going, kid.' That's
Magic Johnson."
Mention of those "M-V-P" chants brought a grin from Kemp, who ran second to the Brewers' Ryan Braun in a muchdebated 2011 ballot.
"They're jumping the gun a little bit," Kemp said. "We've got 161 left. Let's take it game by game. But it's a good feeling
for our fans to drive two hours down to San Diego and fill up the stadium. To hear your name is a great feeling."
Maybin and Kemp got to know each other during Spring Training in 2011 in Arizona and have developed a close bond.
But that ends when they step between the lines.
"He's my guy, my buddy," Maybin said. "But when we show up on the field, it's time to play ball. We don't talk on the
field. He's super competitive, and so am I.
"When it's all said and done, what you saw out there today, I think you'll be seeing it from us for a long time."
Maybin's blast traveled an estimated 64 feet deeper than Kemp's, amazing in several respects.
San Diego's leadoff man, Maybin had nine home runs last season and owns 23 in his career. Kemp, who launched 39 in
2011 and has targeted 50 (along with 50 steals this season), entered his sixth season with 129 homers.
"That was a prime example of how strong he is," Maybin said. "He got it out in a place not many right-handed hitters are
able to reach. He barreled it but kind of missed that ball -- and still got enough backspin on it. He's one of those special
guys who can do things like that."
Maybin is filling out his 6-foot-3 frame at 210 pounds and beginning to fulfill his promise at 25 in his third full season,
with his third organization. After Detroit dealt him to Florida in the Miguel Cabrera swap following the 2007 season, the
Marlins enriched the Padres at the cost of pitchers Edward Mujica and Brian Webb after the 2010 season.
Kemp is two years older, an inch taller, 15 pounds heavier and far more experienced.
"He hit that ball today," Kemp said approvingly of Maybin. "He's a good dude with a lot of talent. Works hard."
When Maybin watches Kemp he sees the player he wants to be and a level of excellence he believes he can approach.
"I put him at the top of my list," Maybin said when asked if he views Kemp as the game's best player. "Factor in his
offense, the position he plays and the way he plays it, it's got to be Kemp. They talk about five-tool players -- Matt's a
six-tool guy, whatever that sixth tool is. He can do it all.
"In the offseason, if I need anything, I'm not scared to ask Kemp. What I love about him is he keeps it real. That's why
I've got so much respect for him. He's a big star, but he doesn't act like it."
One thing Kemp won't give Maybin, apparently, is a piece of wood the Padres' leadoff man might use to hurt the
Dodgers.
"He won't give me one of his bats, he told me, until he's done," Maybin said, beaming. "He said, 'I don't want you to use
it and beat us with it.'
"When it's time to compete, it's time to compete. You've got to respect that."
Luebke looks to set tone against Dodgers
By Quinn Roberts / Special to MLB.com | 4/5/2012 11:41 PM ET
It was quite an eventful offseason for Padres starter Cory Luebke, who signed a contract extension with San Diego
through the 2015 season with club options for '16 and '17, the deal guaranteeing him $12 million.
The left-hander will get his first chance to prove the Padres made the right decision when he faces off against the
Dodgers on Friday at Petco Park in the second game of the season.
Starting last season as a long reliever before moving into the rotation, Luebke impressed the Padres in allowing only 105
hits in 139 2/3 innings. He also struck out 154 and walked only 44.
"He's got good stuff, and he's got an assortment of pitches now that he can feel confident in to keep him progressing,"
said Padres manager Bud Black.
Luebke will face a tough challenger, though, in Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley, who finished Spring Training pleased
with his progress.
"I can attack with my fastball, the curve is my out pitch, and the changeup I can throw in any count and have a lot of
confidence in that right now," Billingsley said. "I don't know if I'll throw the cutter, though -- the left side it just spins all
the time."
Making slight alterations to his delivery during Spring Training, the right-hander will try to match the success he had
against the Padres last season.
At his best against San Diego in two starts last year, Billingsley went 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA and held the team to a .186
batting average.
"I've talked about it with Chad, the consistency. The stuff is there," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "If he's happy
with his mechanics and most of his pitches and he's healthy, that's a good sign."
Dodgers: Mattingly says final goodbye to McCourt
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly spoke with outgoing owner Frank McCourt on Thursday for the first time since the
announcement was made that the club and Dodger Stadium would be sold to Guggenheim Partners.
"It was just talking," Mattingly said. "He gave me the opportunity [to manage] when, really, a lot of people probably
wouldn't have. I appreciate the confidence he had in me. I guess, in a sense, it was saying goodbye, knowing he's got
things to do in the next month."
• Dodgers Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw was removed from his Opening Day start Thursday in the fourth inning with
the stomach flu. While he had the Dodgers' first hit in the game, Kershaw struggled with his fastball velocity, throwing
39 pitches, the fastest at 92 mph.
Padres: Sore elbow lands Stauffer on DL
Before the Padres opened the regular season against the Dodgers at Petco Park on Thursday, they placed Tim Stauffer
on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow. Reliever Brad Brach was recalled to take Stauffer's place.
Stauffer was targeted to be the Padres' starting pitcher on Opening Day, but first complained about soreness in his
elbow after a start on March 26 against the Cubs. Five days later, he allowed six earned runs in five innings against the
Brewers, and his velocity was way down.
"We felt it was the right thing to do," Black said. "Our doctors think this thing will resolve itself with rest and therapy."
Worth Noting
• After Thursday's 5-3 win over the Padres, the Dodgers are now 28-27 in the first game of the season since moving to
Los Angeles.
• There are eight players on the Dodgers' 2012 Opening Day Roster who weren't in the organization last year.
• Six Padres players made their first appearance on a Major League Opening Day roster Thursday, the oldest being leftfielder Jesus Guzman, who is 27.
Mattingly confident 'pen will rise to challenge
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 04/05/12 7:00 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he's comfortable with the makeup of his bullpen, even though most
of the relievers he's counting on had rocky springs.
Closer Javy Guerra walked five in 7 2/3 innings. Kenley Jansen had a 5.00 ERA and allowed three homers in nine innings.
Scott Elbert had a 4.15 ERA and walked five in 8 2/3 innings. Mike MacDougal had a 7.88 ERA with eight walks in eight
innings. Todd Coffey had a 10.57 ERA with six walks in 7 2/3 innings.
"Well, [Clayton] Kershaw wasn't good last time out," Mattingly offered as a comparison. "Spring Training doesn't mean a
whole lot to me, nothing until you show up here. Our guys have come in confident. The games will tell us where we are.
"I feel good about the bullpen. Everybody we bring out of the there comes with a good arm and gives us the flexibility
for matchups."
The Dodgers open the season with eight relievers because starting pitcher Ted Lilly is on the disabled list, primarily to
build up his pitch count after missing time with a stiff neck. Lilly had a bullpen session Thursday and is scheduled to
make a rehab start for Class A Rancho Cucamonga Sunday.
Grateful Mattingly says goodbye to McCourt
SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he spoke with outgoing owner Frank McCourt Thursday for the first
time since the announcement that the club and Dodger Stadium would be sold to Guggenheim Partners, Magic Johnson
and Stan Kasten.
"It was just talking," said Mattingly. "He gave me the opportunity [to manage] when, really, a lot of people probably
wouldn't have. I appreciate the confidence he had in me. I guess, in a sense, it was saying goodbye, knowing he's got
things to do in the next month."
Mattingly was asked if it was an emotional farewell.
"A little bit," he said. "I wasn't crying, but people become part of your life, part of the process."
The sale, overseen by a Delaware bankruptcy court, is scheduled to close by April 30.
Mattingly, who received a good-luck text from Kasten Thursday, said last week's announcement of the agreement
changed the tone around the club.
"It's a little different, that's for sure," he said. "There's a lot more energy and it's positive around the club. Instantly in
Spring Training you could feel a different energy."
Sellers savors Opening Day opportunity
SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers rookie Justin Sellers said his first Opening Day in the Major Leagues is even more meaningful than
last year's debut.
"It was a big deal last year to be called up in my hometown, but to make the team out of Spring Training, after all the
hard work I put in, it means so much to me and my family," said Sellers, the son of former Major Leaguer Jeff Sellers.
Sellers, who beat out Josh Fields and Luis Cruz for the final position spot, is one of five Dodgers on an Opening Day roster
for the first time. The others are Dee Gordon, Josh Lindblom, Scott Elbert and Javy Guerra.
Sellers said he's accepted his backup role and cut down his swing as the staff has insisted.
"I can just do what I'm told and get better every day," he said. "I'm going to pick Jerry Hairston's brain. He's been a utility
man for so many years. I want to be the best utility player I can be."
Dodgers' Minor League rosters take shape
SAN DIEGO -- The Dodgers made several Minor League roster moves over the past few days, including releasing infielder
Russell Mitchell and left-handed pitcher Matt Chico.
Mitchell, who played briefly in the Major Leagues the past two years for the Dodgers, was made expendable by the play
this spring of Josh Fields, also a corner infielder who has gone to Triple-A Albuquerque. Chico also was an early cut in
Spring Training.
Meanwhile, journeyman catcher Josh Bard, who was released by the team last week, accepted assignment to Triple-A
Albuquerque, where he will back up prospect Tim Federowicz.
The pitching staff at Albuquerque includes six former Major Leaguers: John Ely, Brent Leach, Wil Ledezma, Fernando
Nieve, Mike Parisi and Ramon Troncoso.
Daily News:
JILL PAINTER: Sitting in the front row? It's Magic, McCourt
jill.painter@dailynews.com twitter.com/jillpainter
Posted: 04/05/2012 11:58:34 PM PDT
Updated: 04/06/2012 12:00:07 AM PDT
SAN DIEGO
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is on his goodbye tour and his latest stop was Petco Park for Opening Day.
It's still his team until a court finalizes the purchase by the Guggenheim Baseball Partners LLC. And if this is McCourt's
last public appearance at a game before Magic Johnson takes over, it was a blockbuster way to go out for him.
McCourt sat in the front row next to Johnson.
Have you ever seen anything like it?
McCourt, the once-embattled owner who's soon to pocket nearly $1billion from selling the team he kicked into
bankruptcy, and Johnson, the most beloved man in the city for the magic he made with the Lakers, in the community
and the magic he's making by taking over as owner, made nice.
Must've been Magic's idea.
Johnson was so close to the Dodgers dugout that he peered around and inside to congratulate Matt Kemp after his tworun home run in the eighth inning. The Dodgers beat the Padres 5-3 despite Clayton Kershaw - fresh off his Cy Young
Award - being so sick with the stomach flu that he was done after three innings.
The Magic effect.
"He said, `Nice job, guy,"' Kemp said. "Wow. Magic is talking to me during the game. That's cool."
McCourt gestured and mostly chatted while Johnson tried to pay attention to the game. You couldn't help but notice.
"That was definitely different," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, who met Johnson right before he went on the
field. "It was the changing of the guards, in a sense."
From debacle to miracle.
McCourt was in all his glory Thursday, until he tried to leave.
He hugged Johnson in the parking lot, and laughed at something Johnson said. Johnson smiled at reporters and left
immediately in a black SUV.
McCourt wasn't so lucky. The BMW he was in - driven by Howard Sunkin, who manages public affairs for the Dodgers
and McCourt Group - couldn't go anywhere. A valet worker had blocked in McCourt's wheels.
Must be a Dodgers fan.
Isn't that just perfect? Johnson cruises out of the parking lot with ease, and McCourt is stuck in traffic.
It's one parking lot McCourt has no control over.
McCourt was flaunting his happiness, so he deserved to be held up. He's making money after not spending to sign freeagent players. He's still involved in the parking lots, though he can't make a move without the Guggenheim Group's OK.
He was all too happy to participate in the made-for-television moment next to Johnson.
It looked awkward. Johnson is usually smiling, but he seemed mostly serious.
"It wasn't strange at all," Kemp said. "It was strange to see Magic there because we see Frank all the time. We've got to
get used to that."
Shortstop Dee Gordon couldn't believe Johnson came through the clubhouse before Opening Day.
"I wanted to cry when they told me he was here," Gordon said.
Instead, Gordon - who weighs 160 pounds - mockingly tried to post up Johnson.
"Then I ran away so he didn't hurt me," Gordon said with a laugh.
The laugh is on us with McCourt. He was in such a giving mood that he shared his ballpark snacks with his security detail
that sat behind him.
Guess he's learned to trust his bodyguard again.
McCourt might as well have worn a shirt that said "winning." Showoff.
Since he's on his goodbye tour, McCourt has done some good. He called Jaime Jarrin, the Dodgers' Hall of Fame Spanishlanguage broadcaster, and thanked him.
McCourt should thank fans by attending the Dodgers' season opener Tuesday without Johnson and his security detail in
tow.
Now that would be quite a show.
DODGERS NOTEBOOK: All's calm on Opening Day
By J.P. Hoornstra jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.com twitter.com/jphoornstra Staff Writer
Posted: 04/05/2012 11:45:32 PM PDT
Updated: 04/05/2012 11:46:45 PM PDT
SAN DIEGO - Maybe the first lesson Jerry Hairston Jr. imparts to Justin Sellers is this: Don't try to fool yourself on
Opening Day.
How could you, given the scene at Petco Park on Thursday? Minutes before Padres starter Edinson Volquez threw his
first pitch against the Dodgers, a series of fireworks erupted on the field. An American flag covered the outfield grass
and a Marine Corps Harrier jet buzzed over the city skyline.
From the outset, it was clear Game 1 was not going to be like the next 161.
But the 25-year-old Sellers insisted he had no butterflies on the verge of his first opening day.
"They're all gone now," he said in the visitors' clubhouse before the game.
"I feel really relaxed now."
That wasn't even a question for Hairston as he prepared for his 10th opening day in the major leagues. Sellers, named to
the Dodgers' opening-day roster two days earlier, said Thursday he's named Hairston as his mentor.
"He's had a long career and he's a utility player," Sellers said. "He's never been a star, or started every game of every
season. He's had his role on every team he's played on. He's been a winning player and he's got that mentality, so do I.
"Why not latch on to somebody like Jerry Hairston Jr.?"
Sellers figures to play a similar role to Hairston this season. After appearing in 36 games at the end of last season, the
rookie isn't expected to play much this year unless injuries or matchups dictate it.
Hairston said he's already advised Sellers to "enjoy it - and don't take too much stock in Game 1."
Consider it a lesson learned: About an hour before the game Sellers posted a photo to his Twitter account. It was him, in
the clubhouse, hugging Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, who celebrated his 63rd Opening Day on Thursday.
Danger on basepaths
It was the first game of the season, but the Padres knew their scouting report on Dee Gordon from a year ago. Every
team knows about his speed.
With Gordon on third base and first and second open, Padres shortstop Jason Bartlett took his eye off a ball hit by Matt
Kemp in the fifth inning and tried to keep Gordon at third. The ball hit the bottom of his forearm. Gordon scored on the
play, and Kemp reached on the error.
Gordon's speed is a constant concern for every team.
"I hope they're worried about it," Gordon said. "I want them to rush (making plays) so my teammates can reap the
benefits of that."
Also...
In addition to Sellers, four other Dodgers made their first opening-day roster: Scott Elbert, Dee Gordon, Javy Guerra and
Josh Lindblom. Dodger Stadium opened its doors to an estimated 6,000 fans who watched the game on the outfield
video board. New bullpen catcher/batting practice pitcher Wes McCollum threw batting practice to the Dodgers in his
first day on the job. McCollum is taking over for Mike Kashirsky, who held the role on a trial basis during spring training.
Left-hander Ted Lilly is scheduled to make a Single-A rehab start Sunday for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes against the
Inland Empire 66ers. Lilly is symptom-free after experiencing stiffness in his neck late in spring training.
Dodgers open feeling much better
By J.P. Hoornstra jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.com twitter.com/jphoornstra Staff Writer
Posted: 04/05/2012 11:44:30 PM PDT
Updated: 04/05/2012 11:45:25 PM PDT
SAN DIEGO - The first sideshow of the season commenced when Magic Johnson and Frank McCourt took their seats at
Petco Park, side-by-side outside the visitors' dugout.
The next came in the top of the fourth inning, when an ailing Clayton Kershaw walked into the tunnel leading into the
Dodgers' clubhouse and lay down on the floor, the Opening Day starter never to be seen again on Opening Day.
The final score in first game of the season? Almost a footnote in a 5-3 Dodgers win over the San Diego Padres at Petco
Park.
"Obviously you don't think it's going to happen that way," Dodgers pitcher Josh Lindblom said, "but you can't script out
anything."
By pitching two scoreless innings, Lindblom (1-0) found himself an unsung hero and the winning pitcher Thursday after
Kershaw left the game with the stomach flu.
Kershaw, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, was no sure bet to make his long-awaited Opening Day
start. He wound up lasting three scoreless innings on a day when he couldn't eat, couldn't hold down food and couldn't
even walk from the dugout to the clubhouse once his outing was over, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.
Catcher A.J. Ellis joined a chorus of players and coaches who were surprised Kershaw even came out to pitch.
"For him to do what he did today - not to be overdramatic, he gave us three innings - but it was really, really awesome,"
Ellis said.
Lindblom, Mike MacDougal, Matt Guerrier, Kenley Jansen and Javy Guerra pitched the final six innings, with Guerra
working a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.
Matt Kemp's two-run home run in the eighth inning served as the game-winning hit and capped a 2-for-5 day for the
slugger. Juan Rivera went 2 for 4 with a double and Mark Ellis, A.J. Ellis and Kershaw had one hit apiece.
The Dodgers won't complain if the Padres gift-wrap another three errors and five walks in the final three games of the
season-opening series. Starter Edinson Volquez struggled with control in his five innings, enough that the Dodgers got
their first two runs on bases-loaded walks in a marathon fourth inning.
With one out, a single by Kemp, a walk to Andre Ethier and a single by Rivera loaded the bases for James Loney. He drew
a five-pitch walk to record his first RBI of the season, bringing Kemp home with the first run.
Volquez bounced a pitch to the next batter, Juan Uribe, that trickled to the backstop and sent Ethier running home from
third base. Home-plate umpire Gary Darling ruled Volquez tagged Ethier out on the throw from catcher Nick Hundley,
but television replays showed Ethier touched the plate before the tag was applied.
The Dodgers got the run back a moment later. Uribe and A.J. Ellis drew back-to-back walks, the latter scoring Rivera
from third.
The long inning served another purpose: Getting the bullpen ready.
After recording the final out of the third inning Kershaw headed for the clubhouse, followed by trainer Nancy Patterson
and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. Lindblom, who grabbed the final bullpen spot out of spring training, got up to throw
and was plenty warm by the time Adam Kennedy stepped into the batter's box to pinch-hit for Kershaw.
A.J. Ellis said Kershaw only "cut loose" on his 39th and final pitch of the day, using it to strike out Chase Headley with
two outs and the bases loaded in the third. Otherwise, Kershaw was forced to throw more changeups than usual - an
unlikely asset against a Padres lineup expecting a steady diet of mid-90s heat.
"He was just trying to get quick innings, get through 'em," manager Don Mattingly said. "It was impressive he was able
to get that far."
The Dodgers took a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning thanks to a pair of Padres errors. Center fielder Cameron Maybin let deep
fly by Gordon get over his head for a three-base error. Gordon scored easily when Kemp's grounder to shortstop was
mishandled by Jason Bartlett.
San Diego broke up the shutout in the sixth inning off MacDougal when Will Venable walked, stole second, advanced to
third on a groundout and scored on Jesus Guzman's double.
With Mark Ellis on second and none out in the eighth inning, Kemp drove a Brad Brach fastball the opposite way and just
cleared the fence in right field. That gave the Dodgers a 5-1 lead and unleashed a small chorus of "M-V-P" chants from
the announced crowd of 42,941.
The home run took on a greater purpose in the bottom of the eighth inning, when Cameron Maybin uncorked a 445-foot
home run to left field off Jansen, a two-run blast that made it 5-3.
Last year, Kershaw's teammates were accustomed to lauding the pitcher after long and near-perfect performances.
Thursday's outing was neither long nor perfect and forced the Dodgers to deviate from the opening-day script.
That's OK, Gordon said.
"You've got to pick him up. He picked us up all year last year. We had to show him what kind of teammates we are."
BASEBALL: No ill will for Dodgers in victory
Kershaw leaves with flu, but L.A. tops Padres in opener
By J.P. Hoornstra, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/05/2012 11:07:00 PM PDT
Updated: 04/05/2012 11:09:02 PM PDT
SAN DIEGO - The first sideshow of the season commenced when Magic Johnson and Frank McCourt took their seats at
Petco Park, side-by-side outside the visitors' dugout.
The next came in the top of the fourth inning, when an ailing Clayton Kershaw walked into the tunnel leading into the
Dodgers' clubhouse and lay down on the floor, the opening-day starter never to be seen again on opening day.
The final score in first game of the season? Almost a footnote in a 5-3 Dodgers win over the San Diego Padres.
"Obviously you don't think it's going to happen that way," Dodgers pitcher Josh Lindblom said, "but you can't script out
anything."
By pitching two scoreless innings, Lindblom (1-0) found himself an unsung hero and the winning pitcher Thursday after
Kershaw left the game with the stomach flu.
Kershaw, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, was no sure bet to make his long-awaited Opening Day
start. He wound up lasting three scoreless innings on a day when he couldn't eat, couldn't hold down food and couldn't
even walk from the dugout to the clubhouse once his outing was over, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.
Catcher A.J. Ellis joined a chorus of players and coaches who were surprised Kershaw even came out to pitch.
"For him to do what he did today - not to be overdramatic, he gave us three innings - but it was really, really awesome,"
Ellis said.
Lindblom, Mike MacDougal, Matt Guerrier, Kenley Jansen and Javy Guerra pitched the final six innings, with Guerra
working a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.
Matt Kemp's two-run home run in the eighth inning served as the game-winning hit and capped a 2-for-5 day for the
slugger. Juan Rivera went 2 for 4 with a double and Mark Ellis, A.J. Ellis and Kershaw had one hit apiece.
The Dodgers won't complain if the Padres gift-wrap another three errors and five walks in the final three games of this
season-opening series. Starter Edinson Volquez struggled with his control in his five innings, enough that the Dodgers
got their first two runs on bases-loaded walks in a marathon fourth inning.
With one out, a single by Kemp, a walk to Andre Ethier and a single by Rivera loaded the bases for James Loney. He drew
a five-pitch walk to record his first RBI of the season, bringing Kemp home with the first run.
Volquez bounced a pitch to the next batter, Juan Uribe, that trickled to the backstop and sent Ethier running home from
third base. Home-plate umpire Gary Darling ruled Volquez tagged Ethier out on the throw from catcher Nick Hundley,
but television replays showed Ethier touched the plate before the tag was applied.
The Dodgers got the run back a moment later. Uribe and A.J. Ellis drew back-to-back walks, the latter scoring Rivera
from third.
The long inning served another purpose: Getting the bullpen ready.
After recording the final out of the third inning Kershaw headed for the clubhouse, followed by trainer Nancy Patterson
and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. Lindblom, who grabbed the final bullpen spot out of spring training, got up to throw
and was plenty warm by the time Adam Kennedy stepped into the batter's box to pinch-hit for Kershaw.
A.J. Ellis said Kershaw only "cut loose" on his 39th and final pitch of the day, using it to strike out Chase Headley with
two outs and the bases loaded in the third. Otherwise, Kershaw was forced to throw more changeups than usual - an
unlikely asset against a Padres lineup expecting a steady diet of mid-90s heat.
"He was just trying to get quick innings, get through 'em," manager Don Mattingly said. "It was impressive he was able
to get that far."
The Dodgers took a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning thanks to a pair of Padres errors. Center fielder Cameron Maybin let deep
fly by Gordon get over his head for a three-base error. Gordon scored easily when Kemp's grounder to shortstop was
mishandled by Jason Bartlett.
San Diego broke up the shutout in the sixth inning off MacDougal when Will Venable walked, stole second, advanced to
third on a groundout and scored on Jesus Guzman's double.
Maybin clubbed a two-run home run to left off Jansen in the eighth to conclude the scoring.
With Mark Ellis on second and none out in the eighth inning, Kemp drove a Brad Brach fastball the opposite way and just
cleared the fence in right field. That gave the Dodgers a 5-1 lead and unleashed a small chorus of "M-V-P" chants from
the announced crowd of 42,941.
Last year, Kershaw's teammates were accustomed to lauding the pitcher after long and near-perfect performances.
Thursday's outing was neither long nor perfect and forced the Dodgers to deviate from the opening-day script.
That's OK, Gordon said.
"You've got to pick him up. He picked us up all year last year. We had to show him what kind of teammates we are."
Press-Enterprise:
BASEBALL: Magical day for Dodgers
BY BERNIE WILSON
AP SPORTS WRITER
Published: 05 April 2012 09:32 PM
SAN DIEGO — It was a Magic start to the season for everyone with the Los Angeles Dodgers except for reigning NL Cy
Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who was too sick to go longer than three innings on opening day.
With incoming and outgoing owners Magic Johnson and Frank McCourt watching from next to the dugout, the Dodgers
beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 Thursday.
Johnson, the former Lakers great who is part of a group buying the Dodgers from McCourt for $2.15 billion, had a big
smile after Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer in the eighth, giving him three RBIs.
“It was kind of cool — right when I came back from hitting the home run, he stuck his head in the dugout and said, `Nice
job, kid,’” Kemp said. “I was like, `Hey, it's Magic Johnson right there, man.’ It's good to have him around and good to
see him. That was a little motivation right there. I was pretty pumped up for that. It was a good day all around. Good
W.”
Johnson and McCourt sat next to each other and chatted throughout the game.
Johnson didn't comment as he was quickly whisked out of the ballpark in an SUV.
Kershaw left with the stomach flu after limiting the Padres to two hits through three innings. He struck out three, walked
one and singled off newcomer Edinson Volquez in the third for the Dodgers' first hit of the season.
Manager Don Mattingly said he saw Kershaw lying down in the tunnel behind the dugout after the third.
“It's not a real good sign when your starting pitcher was laying down,” Mattingly said.
Mattingly said he and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt discussed holding out Kershaw.
“He wanted to go,” the manager said. “He wasn't dizzy or didn't have a fever or any of that kind of stuff, so it was one of
those situations where he wanted to go.
“I'm sure (the Padres) were looking for a lot more out there on opening day,” Mattingly added. “His fastball probably
looked more like some type of a changeup or something. Basically he was trying to get quick innings, get through them,
get off the field, try to survive inning by inning. Pretty impressive, really, that he gets that far.”
Said Padres manager Bud Black: “It's nice to get him out of the game, thinking the Cy Young Award winner is out and you
have six innings to go score runs.”
Josh Lindblom (1-0) pitched two perfect innings in relief of Kershaw. Javy Guerra pitched the ninth for the save.
It was a poor start for the Padres. Volquez walked in LA's first two runs in the fourth inning and the Padres committed
three errors, two of which led to the Dodgers' third run.
Volquez (0-1), Cincinnati's opening-day starter a year ago, struck out five through three scoreless innings and singled off
Kershaw in the third for the Padres' first hit.
He then allowed two runs on four walks, including three in a row, and two singles in the fourth. Volquez loaded the
bases with one out before walking James Loney. Andre Ethier was called out trying to score on a wild pitch, but replays
showed he touched the plate just before Volquez tagged him. Volquez again loaded the bases, and then walked A.J. Ellis.
“I lost my control a little bit in the fourth,” Volquez said. “I got lucky to get out of there with two runs. I thought I made
some good pitches for strikes and they were called balls.”
A half-inning earlier, the Padres loaded the bases with two outs against Kershaw before Chase Headley took a called
third strike.
Volquez went five, allowing three runs, two earned, and three hits. He struck out seven and walked four.
Dee Gordon led off the Dodgers' fifth with a fly ball to center that glanced off Cameron Maybin's glove for a three-base
error. With one out, Gordon scored when shortstop Jason Bartlett booted Kemp's grounder.
Kemp hit a drive to right off Brad Brach in the eighth, making it 5-1. Brach was recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A.
San Diego's Jesus Guzman hit an RBI double off Mike MacDougal in the sixth and Maybin had a two-run homer to left off
Kenley Jansen in the eighth that was estimated at 445 feet.
NOTES: The Padres placed RHP Tim Stauffer on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, with a strained
pitching elbow. Stauffer had been expected to start the season opener before he experienced soreness in his arm. To
take Stauffer's roster spot, Brach was recalled from Tucson. … The four-game series continues Friday night, when the
scheduled starters are Chad Billingsley for the Dodgers and Cory Luebke for the Padres. … Jerry Coleman, celebrating his
70th year in baseball and his 40th with the Padres, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The longtime broadcaster
played second base for the New York Yankees for nine seasons and managed the Padres in 1980.
Orange County Register:
Dodgers open book on 2012 season
April 5th, 2012, 9:11 am · · posted by Howard Cole, OCREGISTER.COM
Tell me if you can relate to this dilemma. It’s Opening Day, a religious holiday if ever there was one.
But there are two; an actual opener and a home opener, which for the Dodgers means a road game today in San Diego,
and the big celebration at the stadium Tuesday. So which is your day of observance?
I no longer have to choose, of course, because of this cool job I have, but you poor civilians do. So which is it, today or
Tuesday? If it were up to me, all banks, post offices and schools would close for both dates. But if push comes to shove,
I’d say the home opener is the one, and especially if you have tickets.
Don’t call in sick, now. Be honest. Just tell the man what you have planned, and if he doesn’t get it, well, you’re just plain
working in the wrong place. Quit immediately.
And look, forget what you’re hearing about Los Angeles rating anywhere from mediocre-to-bad in 2012. They’ll be
somewhere between mediocre and good, OK? Mediocre-to-good.
I take the Dodgers in my predictions column every year – and this makes 13, if you’re scoring – even when I don’t really
believe it, because I’d rather be wrong and optimistic than right and resigned-to-failure going into the season.
So what follows are my Dodgers-related predictions for 2012. For the full-sport perspective, check the old publication
here.
Chavez Ravine construction begins with improvements on the Loge, Reserve and Top Deck levels, but not the God-awful550-feet-from-home-plate right field upper deck section that Orel Hershiser would like to see built. There will be no
connecting of the pavilions, and capacity will remain at exactly 56,000. Fatburger and Starbucks stands open around the
park.
Hershiser and Steve Garvey, none too pleased with their status as former Dodger greats, will find some other moneymaking project to attach themselves to.
Mark Ellis will remind no one of Jeff Kent, but will have you thinking about Jamey Carroll. Ellis will hit some 20 points
below Carroll’s 2011 .290 average, but will best the former Dodger infielder’s .193 with runners in scoring position by
about 100, with ten homers, while driving in 50.
While Dee Gordon may prove what we all know, that young shortstops make errors, he’ll commit fewer E-6s than Bill
Russell in his first season as the Dodgers’ primary shortstop (34 errors in 1972), Maury Wills in his first year as the regular
(40 in 1960), or Pee Wee Reese in his (47 in 1941). Gordon’s numbers: .285, 175 hits, 100 runs, 55 RBIs, an OBP of .350
and 75 steals.
Andre Ethier leaves Los Angeles for the biggest free agent offer on the table, whether it’s from a contender or not.
NL MVP: Matt Kemp.
Hitting in front of Ethier, Kemp establishes a career-high in walks.
Aaron Harang is L.A.’s second best starting pitcher.
Frustrated, the Dodgers finally give up on Chad Billingsley.
Back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards for Clayton Kershaw, who manages to top his 2011 season, not so much in the triple
crown categories, but by reducing his pitch counts and WHIP figure, tossing his first career no-hitter and winning at least
one postseason game.
The Dodgers will acquire a corner infielder, an impact outfielder, and a prominent starting pitcher, beginning a midseason makeover several weeks before the July 31 trading deadline.
A battery of free agent signings brings Russell Martin and Cole Hamels to Los Angeles.
Sandy Koufax finally gets his statue at Dodger Stadium.
Pasadena Star-News
Steve Smith: Beach Boys open for the Dodgers; and the Bee Gees to reunite
Posted: 04/05/2012 03:11:28 PM PDT
Beach Boys open for the Dodgers
The Beach Boys and Dodger Stadium are both celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year, so the legendary band from
Hawthorne and the team with its new owners are teaming up for a season-long celebration, according to the Dodgers.
It will all begin on Opening Day, Tuesday, at the Dodgers-Pirates game with a special pre-game one-song performance by
the reunited Beach Boys that includes Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks. Then the
group will sing the national anthem.
Throughout the year, merchandise featuring the band's and the stadium's 50th anniversary logos will be available. May
18 will be Beach Boys Night at the stadium when the group's surf classics will be played on the PA systems throughout
the game and a special fireworks show after the game will feature all-Beach Boys songs.
The Beach Boys reunion tour, the first with Wilson in more than two decades, begins on April 24 in Tucson and includes
stops on June 2 at the Hollywood Bowl and June 3 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine.
Fox Sports West:
Opening day win fun for Dodgers, Magic
Joe McDonnell
April 5, 2012
SAN DIEGO — With the team ownership situation extremely close to be resolved, Dodgers players are hoping they can
put the trauma of 2011 behind them and just concentrate on 2012.
Not likely to happen. Not yet, anyway.
Not when a group including Los Angeles icon Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the new ownership team in waiting. And not
when embattled, and still current, owner Frank McCourt takes to the road and joins you at Petco Park for Opening Day.
McCourt, who agreed to sell the team to the Guggenheim Baseball Group for $2.15 billion dollars late last month, met
with the team prior to its 5-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday.
Manager Don Mattingly said that McCourt was just there to say hello to the players and wish them good luck. No
speeches or pep talks. Just a smiling McCourt shaking hands with his players. While some in the clubhouse have
privately expressed frustration about the controversy which has engulfed the Dodgers in the last year, center fielder
Matt Kemp isn't one of them.
After McCourt signed the NL MVP runner-up to a $160 million contract in the offseason, Kemp on Thursday would only
praise his owner.
"My thoughts about Frank are never going to change," Kemp said. "I've always thought of him as a good guy, as
somebody I could talk to. His office doors were always open to me and he always respected me as a man.
"For him, it's an unfortunate situation, but hopefully he moves on to bigger and better things. I wish him nothing but
good luck in everything he has going on in his life."
But while ownership may change, Kemp’s game has not, if one game is any indication. Kemp paced the Dodgers offense
on Thursday, getting a pair of hits, including a two-run home run to right field in the eighth, and driving in three runs.
Kemp was the Dodger on-field leader last year, batting .324 with 39 home runs, 126 RBI and 40 stolen bases. He also
developed a leadership presence in the clubhouse, becoming — along with Mattingly — the team spokesman in the
roughest moments of the McCourt situation.
Kemp, who attends Laker games whenever he's in town during the offseason, was noticeably happy upon hearing that
Johnson was going to be in attendance. In a somewhat bizarre scene, Magic was sitting with McCourt in seats just to the
left of the Dodgers' dugout Thursday.
"Wow, what a strange day," Kemp said after the game with a smile on his face. "Magic was sitting right by our dugout . .
.it was good to see him. Hopefully we can get some more wins with him around."
Talking to a reporter as he exited the clubhouse with McCourt, Johnson said "this is a great way to start. It's going to be
fun." He declined to talk about the sale or the pending approval of the bankruptcy judge, expected later this month.
It was definitely a fun day for the visitors, even as 2011 CY Young winner Clayton Kershaw was the victim of a stomach
flu, insisting he take the mound and then battling through three scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out
three. He did work his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the third, blowing a strike past the stunned
Padres' third baseman, Chase Headley. He also got the game’s first hit in the third inning.
The Dodgers got to Padres starter Edinson Volquez in the fourth inning, when singles by Kemp and Juan Rivera and a
walk to right fielder Andre Ethier filled the bases. Volquez proceeded to lose the strike zone, walking James Loney and
A.J. Ellis to force in the first two runs. The Dodgers added three more runs courtesy of Kemp, driving in Dee Gordon in
the fifth before the eighth-inning blast off reliever Brad Brach that turned out to be the difference in the game.
Overall it was great way to start the season, Kemp said. "One down, 161 more wins to go," Kemp yelled to his
teammates as he accepted congratulations in the clubhouse following the win.
"It's such a great feeling to know that we're playing games (that count), games that get your adrenalin going a lot. It's
great to be back out there on the field, knowing that the game means something.
"I have (complete) faith in our team that we're going to make the playoffs, and then do what it takes to go as far as we
can. The only thing that will hold us back is ourselves. If we continue to do our jobs and everyone fills their roll,
everything is going to be good.
"We'll definitely be one of those last teams standing when the season is over with."
NOTES: Josh Lindblom, who beat out Scott Rice for the final roster spot, earned the win. He relieved Kershaw and
pitched two scoreless, hitless innings with one strikeout . . . Mattingly said Kershaw went as far as he could before finally
calling it a night. He was spotted resting on a trainer's table after the game . . . Cameron Maybin hit a 445-foot, two-run
shot to left off Dodger reliever Kenley Jansen in the eighth, tying Matt Holiday for the seventh-longest home run ever hit
at Petco Park . . . Chad Billingsley goes Friday night for the Dodgers against the Padres’ Cory Luebke.
True Blue LA:
Dodgers 4/5/12 Minor League Report - Zach is bril-Lee-ant despite Quakes Loss
by Brandon Lennox on Apr 6, 2012 12:15 AM PDT
Not only was Thursday opening day for the Dodgers, but it was also the first game of the season for the Isotopes, the
Lookouts, and Quakes (the Loons start tomorrow). I broke down all of the minor league opening day rosters here, and
also provided a little analysis on each team. Overall it wasn't a good start to the season for the Dodgers minor league
affiliates as all three lost their season openers.
Minor League Player of the Day – Zach Lee - 5 IP, 0 Runs, 5 K's, 1 hit, 1 BB. I didn't get a chance to attend or listen to the
Quakes game today, but from the looks of it Zach Lee didn't have any trouble adjusting to the California League in his
2012 debut. Not only did give up just 1 hit, but he only allowed 3 balls to leave the infield.
AAA – The Isotopes started their 2012 season in Omaha, and while Albuquerque took an early lead they were
eventually doubled up by the Storm Chasers 8 to 4. Topes' starter Mike Parisi actually had a decent game as he allowed
just 2 runs over 5 innings, but his relievers weren't as solid as Brent Leach, Josh Wall, and Cole St. Clair combined to
allow 6 runs (4 earned). Wall had the worst outing of the group in his AAA debut as he gave up 3 hits and 2 runs while
recording just 1 out. There were a couple of offense highlights for the Isotopes in the loss, starting with a booming home
run to left field by Scott Van Slyke. 2nd baseman Alex Castellanos also had a good night as he reached base 3 times via a
triple and 2 walks, and he also stole 2 bases. Jerry Sands picked up a couple of RBI's, but he went 0 for 4 and struck out
twice.
AA – Rain delayed the start of Chattanooga's season for about an hour, but when the game finally started it was the
Lookouts' play that was a little under the weather as Chattanooga lost to the Tennessee Smokies 4 to 1. Allen
Webster's 2012 campaign got off to a rough start as he allowed 12 base runners in just 3.1 innings of work (7 hits, 5
runs), although he was only charged with 2 runs. Lefty reliever Geison Aguasviva looks like he's healthy again and made
his AA debut a successful one as he was perfect for 2.2 frames, and while Javier Solano gave up a run while recording his
6 outs, he did strike out 4. The Lookouts' offense was very quiet in the loss as the home team managed just 4 singles and
a double. The finally healthy Pedro Baez collected the lone two bagger, while 2nd baseman Rafael Ynoa had the only
multi-hit game for Chattanooga. Blake Smith and Griff Erickson both had dismal debuts as they each went 0 for 4 with 3
K's.
HiA – Rancho Cucamonga had a 3 run lead after 7 innings thanks to an outstanding start by Zach Lee, but a trio of 26
year old relievers gave up the lead in the later innings and the Quakes eventually lost to the 66ers in their season
opener, 6 to 5 in 11 innings. As mentioned above Lee was dominant and allowed just 1 hit over 5 brilliant frames, so you
better go out and see him while he's still local because he could be moved up to AA within a few months. Local boy Bret
Montgomery, lefty Jordan Roberts, and independent ball veteran PJ Zocchi were the relievers that gave up the lead, but
they didn't get any help from the defense as three Rancho errors led to 4 unearned runs. The hard throwing Juan
Rodriguez picked up the loss after he walked in the eventual winning run in the top of the 11th. At the dish Nick Akins
went 2 for 5 and hit the Quakes' lone homer, while Austin Gallagher, Chris O'Brien, and Charlie Mirabal all collected a
pair of base knocks as well. Leadoff man Casio Grider tripled and scored two runs, and Leon Landry's double was the
final extra base hit for the Quakes.
LoA – Season starts tomorrow
Coming up - I'll be at the Quakes game tomorrow with my family watching from the stands, and it looks like 2011 1st
round pick Chris Reed will be on the mound. The Loons start their season on the road and have apparently tabbed Jarret
Martin as their opening day starter, while the Lookouts and Isotopes will use Ethan Martin and Michael Antonini on the
bump tomorrow, respectively.
Clayton Kershaw Guts One Out For Dodgers
by Eric Stephen on Apr 5, 2012 9:03 PM PDT
Long before the Dodgers would beat the Padres 5-3 on opening day at Petco Park, catcher A.J. Ellis knew something was
up during pregame warmups on Thursday. Clayton Kershaw did something he almost never does.
"After warming up, I didn't expect him to start the game at all," Ellis said of Kershaw. "He's so routine and detailoriented, he throws the exact same number of warmup pitches. About midway through, he looked at me and said, 'Only
five more.' I thought, 'Oh my gosh, this is not good'."
Ellis walked with Kershaw straight to the clubhouse, as the pitcher had spend all day dealing with the stomach flu, not
able to keep anything down, and Kershaw hadn't eaten all day.
Manager Don Mattingly thought about starting Jamey Wright and essentially making it a bullpen game, but Kershaw felt
good enough to take the mound to start the game. Kershaw retired the first eight batters he faced, and even got a single
while batting, but it was clear he was not himself.
"When he's throwing fastballs at 89, 88, you know he's not feeling good," Mattingly said.
Ellis said that without his fastball, the one saving grace for Kershaw was his changeup, the pitch Kershaw has been trying
to hone for years with limited success.
"He really wasn't letting it loose. I joked with him and said, 'let's get a little crafty today'," Ellis said. "Striking out [Chase]
Headley with the bases loaded, he really reached back for that fastball, probably the only fastball he cut loose all game.
It was the biggest pitch of the game at that point."
Indeed, that pitch to Headley ended the third inning and kept the game scoreless, but by that point Kershaw was done,
physically.
"The last time I looked, he was laying on the floor down in the tunnel," Mattingly said. "It's not a good sign when your
starting pitcher is laying down."
Kershaw allowed two hits and a walk, striking out three in his three scoreless innings, keeping his career opening day
ERA at 0.00 (over 10 innings).
"To do what he did tonight, to give us three innings, when he was dying in the training room, it was pretty awesome,"
Ellis said of Kershaw.
Josh Lindblom pitched two scoreless innings, retiring all six batters he faced, helping lessen the blow of Kershaw leaving
early.
"You get spoiled and you get to the point where you think when Clayton's pitching it's almost a day off, for the middle
guys for sure," Ellis said. "They stepped up. What Josh Lindblom did to bridge the game to the back end was huge and
kept us in control, along with Matt Guerrier coming in and throwing a big seventh inning and of course Javy shutting the
door."
Kemp Meets Magic
Magic Johnson, part of the pending new ownership group of the Dodgers, met very briefly in the dugout with Mattingly
and a few of the players before the game, including Matt Kemp. Johnson sat with Frank McCourt directly next to the
Dodgers third base dugout.
After Kemp homered in the eighth inning, his first of the season, Johnson looked into the dugout and said to Kemp,
"Nice job."
Kemp, who last week said he looked forward to looking from the on deck circle to see Magic in the nearby ownership
seats at Dodger Stadium, was giddy. "I thought, wow, Magic is talking to me during the game," Kemp said.
Turning Point
The game was scoreless until the fourth inning, as Edinson Volquez was matching Kershaw with zeroes. But Volquez got
a little wild in the top of the fourth, walking four Dodgers. Two of the walks came with the bases loaded, with James
Loney and Ellis knocking in runs.
It was the first time the Dodgers had multiple walks with the bases loaded in the same inning since August 30, 2011,
when they had three in the bottom of the second inning against Tim Stauffer and the Padres at Dodger Stadium.
Up Next
The Dodgers and Padres do battle again on Friday night, with Chad Billingsley looking to right the ship after a tough
spring facing Cory Luebke for San Diego.
Time: 7:05 p.m.
TV: KCAL
Kershaw Has Flu, But Padres Unable To Keep Dodgers Down
by Eric Stephen on Apr 5, 2012 7:05 PM PDT
Both opening day starting pitchers brought their A game on Thursday evening, and both blew chunks as well, though at
different times. Luckily for the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw didn't have much trouble on the mound during his abbreviated
start and the Dodgers captured the opener against the Padres, 5-3 at Petco Park.
Edinson Volquez, like Kershaw, retired the first eight batters of the game. The first baserunner by either team was
Kershaw, who singled in the third inning with two outs. Volquez returned the favor in the next half inning, singling off
Kershaw to become the first Padre to reach base.
San Diego mounted a rally, adding a single and a walk to Volquez's two-out hit, but Kershaw was able to strikeout Chase
Headley to end the threat. Unfortunately for Kershaw and the Dodgers, that was the last batter he would face.
Kershaw had the stomach flu and was nearly scratched from his start, but reportedly pleaded with manager Don
Mattingly and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt to pitch, per Vin Scully on the Dodgers television broadcast.
Josh Lindblom picked up the slack, with two scoreless innings of relief. Lindblom retired all six batters he faced, including
Younder Alonso grounding out to end the fourth inning on a fantastic play by shosrtstop Dee Gordon.
Volquez struck out seven in his five innings of work, but his four walks came all bunched together in the fourth inning.
The Dodgers had just two hits in the top of the fourth inning, but bases loaded free passes to James Loney and A.J. Ellis
gave the Dodgers the lead.
The two teams traded two-run home runs in the eighth inning, with the blasts spawning different reactions to spring
trends. Matt Kemp struck out 26 times in 70 plate appearances in spring training, and much of the last week or so has
featured questions on whether or not the Dodgers are worried about the strikeouts. Not after two hits and an opposite
field home run, they aren't.
Cameron Maybin crushed a pitch from Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, a blast that was estimated at 445 feet. Jansen
gave up three home runs in nine innings during the spring, after giving up three in nearly 54 innings last season.
Javy Guerra pitched a perfect ninth for his first save of the season.
Today's Particulars
Home Runs: Matt Kemp (1); Cameron Maybin (1)
WP - Josh Lindblom (1-0): 2 IP, 1 strikeout
LP - Edinson Volquez (0-1): 5 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
Sv - Javy Guerra (1): 1 IP, 1 strikeout
Clayton Kershaw Looks To Carve Up Padres
by Eric Stephen on Apr 5, 2012 3:23 PM PDT
Clayton Kershaw starts his second consecutive opening day for the Dodgers as they battle the San Diego Padres this
afternoon at Petco Park. Kershaw has feasted on the Padres in his career.
Kershaw is 7-3 with a 2.32 ERA in 13 career starts against the Padres, including 3-1 with a 2.21 ERA in six starts in San
Diego. He has never given up more than two runs in any of his six starts at Petco Park. Against today's Padres' lineup,
Kershaw has been superb:
 Cameron Maybin: 1-for-6 with a walk
 Chris Denorfia: 2-for-9
 Chase Headley: Four doubles and a single in 27 at-bats
 Jesus Guzman: Single and double in 11 at-bats, with five strikeouts
 Nick Hundley: 6-for-18 with a double and a walk
 Yonder Alonso: has never faced Kershaw
 Orlando Hudson: 4-for-14 with two doubles and a home run
 Jason Bartlett: 1-for-9 with two walks
Hundley and Hudson are the only two batters in the lineup with any success against Kershaw, and the group is hitting a
combined .223/.255/.309.
Notes
 Manager Don Mattingly talked briefly on Thursday with outgoing Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, and
Mattingly characterized the encounter as a goodbye meeting. "I basically thanked him for giving me an
opportunity when really a lot of people wouldn't have. I appreciated the confidence he had in me,"
Mattingly said.
 Mattingly, on starting his second season at the helm of the Dodgers: "I'm feeling more settled. I've got a
year of managing under my belt. The guys know me better, I know them better. It's definitely a different
feeling. But it's the same kind of energy, looking forward to the year."
 Dave Winfield stopped by the dugout to say hello to Mattingly, his former teammate with the New York
Yankees. I asked Mattingly if he still gives Winfield a hard time for beating him on the final day of the
season for the 1984 batting title. Mattingly, who went 4-for-5 on the final day of the season to edge
Winfield in 1984, .343 to .340 (he trailed entering the day), said he did not needle the Hall of Famer.
"Winny? He's awesome," Mattingly said. "I don't think he's worried about it."
 The Padres before the game placed starting pitcher Tim Stauffer, who wasn't scheduled to pitch this series,
on the 15-day disabled list, and recalled reliever Brad Brach. Both the Padres and Dodgers will have an
eight-man bullpen this weekend.
Starting Lineups
Dodgers
Padres
SS Gordon
CF Maybin
2B Ellis
RF Denorfia
CF Kemp
3B Headley
RF Ethier
LF Guzman
LF Rivera
C
Hundley
1B Loney
1B Alonso
3B Uribe
2B Hudson
C
Ellis
SS Bartlett
P
Kershaw
P
Volquez
Game Time: 4:05 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
Dodgers Opening Day Miscellany
by Eric Stephen on Apr 5, 2012 1:06 PM PDT
As the first day of the baseball season is finally here, sit back and peruse these opening day-related notes regarding the
Dodgers. First, the lineup:
Dee Gordon: This is Gordon's first opening day. The LA Dodgers record for stolen bases on opening day is three, by
Davey Lopes against the Atlanta Braves on April 7, 1978.
Mark Ellis: This is the ninth opening day start for Ellis, who has three hits in 24 at-bats on the season's first day, with a
home runs and four walks.
Matt Kemp: This is the fifth straight opening day start for Kemp, including the last four in center field. The last Dodger
center fielder to start four straight opening days was Brett Butler (1991-1994). The last center fielder to have a longer
string of opening day starts was Ken Landreaux, who started six straight from 1981-1986. Kemp has a four-game opening
day hitting streak, with five hits in 13 at-bats, including a double, a home run, and four walks.
Andre Ethier: This is the sixth straight opening day start for Ethier, including the last four in right field. On opening day,
he has four hits in 19 at-bats, with a double. This is Ethier's fifth opening day start in right field with the Dodgers, tying
him with Ron Fairly, Mike Marshall, and Raul Mondesi for the most since moving to Los Angeles.
Juan Rivera: He has started on opening day now three years in a row, for three different teams, and today is Rivera's
fourth straight opening day start. Rivera is 4-for-15 with a double on opening day.
James Loney: This is the fifth consecutive opening day start for Loney, who is 6-for-16 with a double in his previous four
opening days. Loney's fifth opening day start ties him with Wes Parker for third most by a Los Angeles Dodger first
baseman, behind only Eric Karros (nine) and Steve Garvey (eight).
Juan Uribe: He has started two straight opening days at third base for the Dodgers, and this is his eighth opening day
start overall (seven for 23 with a double and two walks). Uribe will now have started multiple games at third base
(twice), second base (twice), and shortstop (four times) in his career.
A.J. Ellis: This is the first career opening day start for Ellis, who was one of three catchers on the opening day roster last
year but did not play. Ellis is the 16th Los Angeles Dodger catcher to start on opening day.
Clayton Kershaw: This is the second straight opening day start for Kershaw, who will look to tie Fernando Valenzuela,
Ramon Martinez, and Kevin Brown for the third most wins (two) on opening day since the Dodgers moved to Los
Angeles. Kershaw struck out nine in seven scoreless innings on opening day last season against the Giants.
The Dodgers are 27-27 on opening day since moving to Los Angeles, but they are just 12-16 on the road.
This is the third time the Dodgers have opened the season in San Diego, and their second opening day at Petco Park. The
Dodgers beat Jake Peavy and the Padres 4-1 on April 6, 2009, but they lost 4-2 at Jack Murphy Stadium on April 6, 1973.
The Dodgers are 4-6 when opening the season on April 5 since moving to Los Angeles, but have lost their last three such
occasions, the last coming in Pittsburgh in 2010.
Dodgers Vs. Padres: Opening Day Rosters
by Eric Stephen on Apr 5, 2012 10:00 AM PDT
For the second time in four seasons, the Dodgers open their season at Petco Park in San Diego. The four-game series
begins Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. PDT. Phil Gurnee already broken down the Padres' roster, and Gary Scott went into
great detail analyzing the four starting pitchers scheduled for San Diego.
To keep it simple, here is a side-by-side look at the opening day 25-man active rosters for both the Dodgers and Padres:
Dodgers
Padres
C
A.J. Ellis
R
C
Nick Hundley
R
1B
James Loney
L
1B
Yonder Alonso
L
2B
Mark Ellis
R
2B
Orlando Hudson
S
3B
Juan Uribe
R
3B
Chase Headley
S
SS
Dee Gordon
L
SS
Jason Bartlett
R
LF
Juan Rivera
R
LF
Kyle Blanks
L
CF
Matt Kemp
R
CF
Cameron Maybin
R
RF
Andre Ethier
L
RF
Will Venable
L
IF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr.
R
OF/1B Jesus Guzman
R
OF
Tony Gwynn Jr.
L
OF
Chris Denorfia
R
IF
Adam Kennedy
L
OF
Jeremy Hermida
L
IF
Justin Sellers
R
IF
Andy Parrino
S
C
Matt Treanor
R
C
John Baker
L
SP
Clayton Kershaw
L
SP
Edinson Volquez
R
SP
Chad Billingsley
R
SP
Cory Luebke
R
SP
Chris Capuano
L
SP
Dustin Moseley
R
SP
Aaron Harang
R
SP
Clayton Richard
L
SP
Tim Stauffer
R
CL
Javy Guerra
R
CL
Huston Street
R
RP
Kenley Jansen
R
RP
Luke Gregerson
L
RP
Matt Guerrier
R
RP
Ernesto Frieri
R
RP
Mike MacDougal
R
RP
Anthony Bass
R
RP
Scott Elbert
L
RP
Andrew Cashner
R
RP
Todd Coffey
R
RP
Joe Thatcher
L
RP
Jamey Wright
R
RP
Micah Owings
R
RP
Josh Lindblom
R
RP
Brad Brach
R
UPDATE: The Padres now also have an eight-man bullpen as Tim Stauffer was placed on the disabled list with a right
elbow strain, per Padres broadcaster Andy Masur. Reliever Brad Brach was recalled from Triple A Tucson for San Diego.
ESPN Deportes:
Dodgers ganan pero Kershaw salió enfermo
por Enrique Rojas, 05 abr 02:18 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Bajo la presencia de "Magic" Johnson y Frank McCourt en las gradas el jardinero Todos Estrellas Matt
Kemp bateó jonrón y empujó tres carreras para dirigir a los Dodgers de Los Angeles a un triunfo 5-3 sobre los Padres de
San Diego en la apertura de la temporada de Grandes Ligas en el Petco Park.
El abridor de los Dodgers, el zurdo Clayton Kershaw, lanzó tres ceros antes de abandonar el encuentro afectado por un
virus gripal. Kershaw, ganador del premio Cy Young de la Liga Nacional en el 2011, solamente permitió dos hits y ponchó
a tres bateadores.
Josh Lindblom (1-0) siguió a Kershaw con dos entradas en blanco para anotarse la victoria. Javy Guerra lanzó una
entrada perfecta para quedarse con el salvamento. El derecho dominicano Edinson Vólquez (0-1) permitió tres hits y dos
carreras limpias en cinco episodios para resultar el lanzador derrotado.
Los Dodgers ganaban 3-1 en el octavo, pero aseguraron el resultado cuando Kemp bateó su primer cuadrangular de la
temporada, con Mark Ellis en las bases, contra el relevista Brad Bach. San Diego anotó dos carreras en el cierre del
episodio, pero luego no pudieron hacer mucho contra Guerra en el noveno.
Kemp se fue de 5-3 y el jardinero venezolano Juan Rivera pegó doble y sencillo en cuatro oportunidades. Por los Padres,
el jardinero Cameron Maybin bateó cuadrangular y el venezolano Jesús Guzmán un doble en cuatro turnos. Es la
séptima vez que Dodgers y Padres comienzan una temporada chocando entre ellos, pero apenas la tercera ocasión que
lo hacen en San Diego (1973 y 2009). Los Angeles tuvo marca de 13-5 contra San Diego en el 2011.
El legendario Earvin "Magic" Johnson fue espectador en este primer partido de la jornada inaugural de los Dodgers de
Los Ángeles, el equipo que el grupo inversionista al que pertenece compraron por más de 2.000 millones de dólares.
Johnson y el ex-dueño Frank McCourt acompañaron al equipo hasta San Diego, donde comenzaron la nueva temporada.
El exjugador de los Lakers mostró su felicidad cuando el jardinero central Matt Kemp conectó el cuadrangular de dos
carreras.
Día de apertura: Los Dodgers tienen marca de 28-27 en partidos inaugurales en los 55 años desde que se mudaron de
Nueva York a Los Angeles. No jugaban por encima de .500 en el primer día desde el 2004, cuando pusieron su foja en 2524.
Lo que viene: El viernes se jugará el segundo partido de la serie de tres en San Diego. Chad Billinsgley enfrentará a Cory
Luebke, un relevista convertido en abridor. El encuentro está programado para arrancar a las 7:05 PT (10:05 ET).
Kershaw tuvo que abandonar el juego
por ESPNLosAngeles.com, 05 abr 00:30 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- El zurdo Clayton Kershaw de Los Dodgers de Los Angeles duró apenas tres entradas en su día de apertura
el jueves antes de abandonar el juego debido a un virus estomacal.
Kershaw, ganador del premio Cy Young, había dejado a los Padres sin carreras y tan sólo había permitido dos hits, una
base por bola y había abanicado a tres contrarios.
Kershaw incluso conectó una la línea por el del jardín izquierdo en el la parte superior de la tercera entrada.También
avanzó a segunda cuando el jardinero izquierdo de los Padres de Jesús Guzmán malabareó la pelota por error.
Vin Scully, locutor de radio los Dodgers, informó en el aire durante la primera entrada que el manager Don Mattingly,
consideró a Kershaw en la alineación poco antes del juego a causa de la enfermedad.
Luego de que el receptor de los Dodgers A.J. Ellis bateo hit con las bases llenas y dos outs, Adam Kennedy apareció como
emergente en clara señal de que Kershaw había terminado su acción. Kershaw dejó ganando a los Dodgers 2-0 pero no
clasificó para apuntarse el triunfo debido a que no completó las cinco entradas necesarias.
Con la presencia de 'Magic' Johnson, Dodgers derrotó a los Padres
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO -- Con Earvin "Magic" Johnson y Frank McCourt cerca de la caseta, los Dodgers de Los Angeles vencieron el
jueves 5-3 a los Padres de San Diego a pesar de que el actual premio Cy Young Clayton Kershaw salió por gripe luego de
tres entradas.
Earvin Johnson, leyenda de Los Angeles Lakers de la NBA y parte del grupo que le compró los Dodgers a McCourt por
2.150 millones de dólares, mostró una gran sonrisa cuando Matt Kemp conectó un jonrón de dos carreras en la octava
que le permitió sumar tres remolcadas en el partido. Johnson y McCourt se sentaron juntos y conversaron durante el
encuentro.
Kershaw dejó la loma luego de limitar a los Padres a dos imparables en tres episodios. Ponchó a tres, dio un boleto y le
pegó un sencillo en el tercer inning al dominicano Edinson Vólquez, el primer hit de los Dodgers en la nueva temporada
de las Grandes Ligas.
Josh Lindblom (1-0) lanzó dos entradas perfectas en relevo de Kershaw. Javy Guerra trabajó el noveno episodio para
llevarse el triunfo.
Vólquez (0-1), quien abrió el primer partido de Cincinnati de la campaña hace un año, ponchó a cinco en tres entradas
sin carreras y le conectó un sencillo a Kershaw en el tercer capítulo, el primer imparable de los Padres.
Por los Dodgers, el venezolano Juan Rivera se fue de 4-2 con una anotada. El dominicano Juan Uribe de 3-0.
Por los Padres, el venezolano Jesús Guzmán de 4-1 con una empujada. El cubano Yonder Alonso de 4-0. El dominicano
Vólquez de 1-1.
Los Angeles 000 210 020_5 7 0
San Diego 000 001 020_3 5 3
Kershaw, Lindblom (4), MacDougal (6), Guerrier (7), Jansen (8), Guerra (9) y A.Ellis; Vólquez, Bass (6), Brach (8), Frieri (9)
y Hundley. G_Lindblom 1-0. P_Volquez 0-1. Sv_Guerra (1). Jrs_Los Angeles, Kemp (1). San Diego, Maybin (1).
La Opinion:
Los Dodgers te invitan a un partido mañana
POR: AP | 02:22 pm | 04/04/2012 | La Opinión
Transmitirán gratis, para toda su fanaticada, el encuentro con los Padres de San Diego
LOS ANGELES.- La temporada pasada, los Dodgers perdieron cerca de 3 millones de asistentes a sus juegos, algo que no
les ocurría desde 1992.
Los dueños del equipo no quieren que algo similar les ocurra durante esta temporada, por lo que hoy anunciaron que
invitan a todas las personas a darse cita mañana, en el Dodgers Stadium, para que desde allí vean la transmisión del
partido que tendrán contra los Padres, en San Diego. ¿El costo de la entrada? Ninguno.
El estacionamiento también será gratis, mientras que el costo de los alimentos rondará los $4. Toda la mercancía
relacionada al equipo será vendida con 15% de descuento.
Por otro lado, también se anunció que el exDodger Ron Cey estará en la instalación otorgando autógrafos.
Los Dodgers jugarán como locales el próximo 10 de abril.
USA Today:
Awkward? Magic Johnson, Frank McCourt take in Dodgers opener
Apr 05, 2012
By Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
SAN DIEGO – Seconds before the season opener's first pitch at Petco Park, Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier
reached into the box seats next to the dugout and shook hands with an imposing gentleman.
It was his new boss, Magic Johnson, seated next to his soon-to-be old boss, Frank McCourt.
A torch was not quite passed between the two executives – the $2.15 billion sale of the Dodgers from McCourt to a
group fronted by Johnson may not be completed for a few more weeks – but the symbolism of the moment was hard to
miss as they yukked it up together.
"Obviously Frank's passing the baton off to him, I guess you could say the keys to this team, and kind of showing him the
in and outs of what this team's about,'' Ethier said after the Dodgers' 5-3 win over the San Diego Padres. "Hopefully that
will make for a smoother transition.''
It's hard to imagine it will be any rougher than the last two years of McCourt's eight-year tenure, which have been
marked by his bitter, public divorce from ex-wife and Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt, and by the team sinking into
mediocrity.
Frank McCourt, who has become reviled in L.A. while steering the storied Dodgers into bankruptcy, represents a recent
past Angelenos can't wait to leave behind.
Johnson, beloved for bringing five NBA titles to L.A. with the Lakers and for investing in underprivileged communities,
stands for the near future fans are eager to embrace.
"With the new group coming in there's a lot more energy; it's positive around our club,'' Dodgers manager Don
Mattingly said. "Instantly in spring training you could feel a different energy among the fans.''
The players sense a difference too, part of it stemming from the relief of no longer having to answer questions about the
club's unsettled ownership, but also from the optimism engendered by Johnson's credentials and winning persona.
His celebrity is appealing as well.
After Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, Johnson offered his congratulations.
"He looked in there and said, 'Nice job, guy,''' Kemp said. "And I'm like, 'Wow, Magic's talking to me during the game. It's
kind of cool.' I told him it was good to have him around.''
Those around the team are also enthused over the possibility that the new investment group – headed by chief
executive Mark Walter, with Stan Kasten in charge of baseball operations – will have the wherewithal and desire to
improve the Dodgers.
"This group is all about winning. That's clear,'' general manager Ned Colletti said. "If we have a chance to add in July, I'm
fairly certain we'll be able to do it.''
That won't be for a while. Thursday was about enjoying Opening Day.
On his way out of the clubhouse after the game, Johnson was asked how the experience had been.
"The best,'' he said, flashing his famous smile.
Yahoo Sports:
Magic Johnson and dual ownership dramas supersede baseball as Dodgers defeat Padres
By Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports
SAN DIEGO – In a heart-soldering display of unity in transition, outgoing Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and
incoming savior Magic Johnson sat shoulder to shoulder Thursday beside the third-base dugout at Petco Park.
There they shared the experience of opening day, a full ballpark, a few stray chants of “Beat L.A.,” and maybe, a box of
popcorn with butter flavoring. Magic, presumably, bought.
The Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres, too, by a 5-3 score, and as the game slid into the late innings and cool early
evening, Magic did not budge from his seat, unlike many around him.
“It was very exciting for me,” Magic texted from the passenger seat of his black SUV on the way home.
McCourt had arrived early in the final days of his mercurial and ultimately doomed ownership and the last of his nine
opening days in charge. He stood in the clubhouse a few hours before game time and shook hands with many of his
soon-to-be former employees, smiling and wishing them luck. Dutifully, the players waited their turns, smiled their
smiles, and accepted the gesture.
Or, perhaps, they wondered why Magic was running late.
A couple hours later, having navigated the southbound Golden State Freeway at midday, Magic stood in the dugout and
greeted a few of his soon-to-be employees. He wore a gray cardigan over a white T-shirt, still on the good side of cool at
52.
If the McCourt years generally weren’t much to look at, it seems the turnover at the top – from L.A. pariah to L.A. icon –
will go better.
McCourt walks with $2.15 billion, something close to half of that in straight profit, along with the lovely brunette he
showed up with at Petco. And Magic gets one of the signature brands in sports, largely on someone else’s dime, along
with a fawning fan base. He thus begins a second life as a heroic figure in town, you know, assuming Mark Walter and
Guggenheim Partners intend to live up to their billions.
So, everybody wins. Right?
Well, while all this chumminess was going on, and as the Dodgers ran up a 5-1 lead because of Matt Kemp’s two-run
home run and in spite of Clayton Kershaw’s start-shortening stomach flu, one couldn’t help but think about the third
owner in the ballpark, that being John Moores, and the fourth owner, Jeff Moorad, who, we’re guessing, watched on TV.
Moores has been trying to dump the Padres’ franchise for three years. Moorad has been in limbo for that long.
What Moores got instead was a buyer with a layaway plan, a guy who couldn’t summon the tacit trust or official
approval of the other 29 owners, and now – it seems – a complete do-over. Maybe, given what the exorbitant Dodgers
sale could do for franchise values and what media rights deals are suddenly worth, that works out well for Moores. In
the meantime, Padres fans are left with a team last in payroll and due perhaps for another 91-loss season.
Moorad, who had lined up the money to complete the $500 million purchase, withdrew his confirmation bid in early
March and a short time later stepped down as CEO of the Padres. If he was in the ballpark Thursday, he went unnoticed.
He did not answer a text message.
Moores, too, largely kept out of sight, meaning the two most conspicuous team officials in the ballpark weren’t even
Padres. They were Dodgers. The hated Dodgers.
None of this seems entirely fair, does it?
The large-market Dodgers endured a divorce at the top, spilled blood on the streets of L.A., and were undone by
community property laws.
Yet McCourt sat a few feet from third base alongside one of the sports legends of our time, a matter of weeks from
filling his pockets with hundreds of millions of dollars.
And Moores sat in the shadows, his former owner-in-waiting and CEO apparently not even in the ballpark.
A major-league source said it appeared Moores was now hoping for a fast-track sale of the club, that it wouldn’t be to
Moorad, and that it could happen shortly after negotiating the new television deal. Given the recent sales of the
Dodgers, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers, it would seem the league office has a
deep list of qualified buyers. And the Padres, this time, could go for more than the $500 million they did three years ago.
This sale could be cleaner than the last, if nothing else, and that would be oh-so welcome in San Diego. Maybe the next
group puts Dave Winfield out in front, like the Guggenheim group put Magic out in front. The organization could use a
friendly and familiar face again.
Winfield smiled and declined comment.
Just more than a week ago, the Dodgers came out from under the McCourt era and into the Magic open floor. Their
manager, Don Mattingly, commented that, in hindsight, it had seemed for a couple years like Dodgers baseball rated
behind McCourt survival.
The Padres manager, Bud Black, was asked if the same might be said for San Diego and its ballclub.
“I think they’re completely different,” Black insisted. “I’m not totally informed on all the stuff. But, I do know that
through all this that John has been our owner. That’s always been the story. Don looked at it over the course of a year.
We’ve looked at it over the course of, what, 10 days?”
On the day of a season-opening win, already there was evidence those priorities had reversed for the Dodgers. A twoout hit was applauded. A well-placed curveball earned a grin. And, in the case of a two-run home run, the new owner
leaned into the dugout and shouted encouragement.
“Nice job, kid,” Magic shouted to Kemp.
Perhaps unaccustomed to fraternizing with the folks in the grandstands between at-bats, Kemp took a moment before it
registered.
He waved to the large gentleman at the far end of the dugout and, as he related later, thought, “Hey, that’s Magic
Johnson right there. That’s kinda cool.”