Mlb, Los Angeles Dodgers | featured news

Carlos Ruiz’s three-run homer highlighted a five-run fifth inning, Raul Ibanez added a three-run shot in the eighth and the Philadelphia beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 on Thursday night to win the opener of the NL championship series.

Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier provided the offense as the Dodgers got a strong outing from Vicente Padilla to advance to the National League Championship Series for the second year in a row.

Yorvit Torrealba hit a two-run homer, Aaron Cook pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Colorado Rockies beat Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 to even their NL playoff series at a game apiece.

They score five runs in the seventh inning to end losing streak and win the division again. On one side of the clubhouse, Frank McCourt was emptying a bottle of champagne over Manny Ramirez's head.

The surging Colorado Rockies are poised to pull off an improbable finish. Ubaldo Jimenez allowed a run and two hits over six innings and struck out 10, leading the Rockies to a 4-3 victory Friday night over the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and trimming their lead to one. Colorado has won five straight and nine of 12, while the Dodgers have lost a season-worst five in a row.

After a champagne celebration at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies headed to Los Angeles with a playoff berth in their back pocket and another goal in mind: snatching the NL West title from the reeling Dodgers....

While Prince Fielder took batting practice at Dodger Stadium before Wednesday night's game, no fewer than nine stern-faced members of the ballpark's security staff maintained a vigilant presence outside the Milwaukee Brewers' clubhouse.

Mannywood's main attraction was back in residence at Dodger Stadium and Manny Ramirez received a warm welcome, even if he wasn't any help.

Manny Ramirez has apologized to fans and his teammates. He's not talking about steroids, though.

James Loney hit a two-run homer that was upheld by video review, Clayton Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 on Sunday night to take two of three in the Freeway Series.