The Dodgers not only got off to a 13-6 start, but they also won 12 of their first 16 against National League West opponents during a season-opening stretch in which they will play 28 of their first 33 games within the division. The Dodgers already have won five of six from Colorado, swept a three-game series from San Francisco, and took two of three from Arizona. Their only hiccup thus far has been a season-opening, four-game split at San Diego in which the final game got away in the eighth inning, a big reason why the Padres continue to hover just behind the Dodgers at the top of the division standings. With the notoriously weak division appearing to be no stronger than it has been in recent seasons, the Dodgers are the clear favorites to win it. But they aren't scheduled to play a contending team outside the division until visiting Philadelphia on May 12.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Cory Wade, who had been on the 15-day disabled list since April 18 with bursitis in his right shoulder, was activated before Thursday's game. Dodgers manager Joe Torre said earlier this week that Wade likely would fill the eighth-inning setup role until LHP Hong-Chih Kuo becomes consistent enough to reclaim the job. Wade pitched the eighth inning, setting down the Padres in order on three flyballs.
--INF Doug Mientkiewicz was transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL to clear a 40-man roster spot for RHP Jeff Weaver. Mientkiewicz has been sidelined since dislocating his right shoulder on an awkward slide into second base April 16 against San Francisco. The injury required surgery, and Mientkiewicz isn't expected to return until late summer or early fall.
--RHP Ronald Belisario, a rookie, picked up his first major league win after pitching out of Will Ohman's jam in the eighth inning. Belisario did allow an inherited runner to score, and he has now allowed four of the five runners he has inherited this season to score. But he lowered his ERA to 3.45 in 11 appearances.
--RHP Jeff Weaver's contract was purchased from Class AAA Albuquerque. He pitched four shutout innings in relief Thursday for the Dodgers. INF Blake DeWitt, hitting .176, was optioned to Albuquerque.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Cory Wade (right shoulder bursitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He made a rehab appearance for Class A Inland Empire on April 28, and he was activated April 30.
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (strained left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He received a cortisone shot and will need to make a rehab start before rejoining the Dodgers.
RHP Jason Schmidt (right shoulder surgery) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 30. He was still pitching in extended spring training as of late April.
RHP Claudio Vargas (right elbow tendinitis) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to April 6. He might return as soon as he's eligible.
INF Doug Mientkiewicz (dislocated right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list April 17, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 30. He had surgery April 20, and he is unlikely to return before September.
ROTATION:
LHP Randy Wolf
RHP Chad Billingsley
LHP Clayton Kershaw
LHP Eric Stults
RHP James McDonald
BULLPEN:
RHP Jonathan Broxton (closer)
RHP Cory Wade
LHP Hong-Chih Kuo
RHP Guillermo Mota
LHP Will Ohman
RHP Ronald Belisario
RHP Ramon Troncoso
RHP Jeff Weaver
CATCHERS:
Russell Martin
Brad Ausmus
INFIELDERS:
1B James Loney
2B Orlando Hudson
SS Rafael Furcal
3B Casey Blake
INF Juan Castro
INF Mark Loretta
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Matt Kemp
RF Andre Ethier
OF Juan Pierre
