Extra! Extra! (7.9)

Some players rest during the break. Some go fishing. Derek Lowe is going to put on his tinkering hat and figure out what's wrong, because as Saturday's seven earned runs in only 4.2 innings showed, something ain't right. After all, Lowe was down 4-0 before recording an out. That'll mess with the ol' ERA. And though the offense showed some life and tried to bail Lowe out, in the end even Eric Gagne's anesthesia laced premonitions weren't enough to prevent an 11-7 loss to the Giants. In a Barry-less lineup, the box score shows damage done by the other guys. Ray Durham. Steve Finley. Moises Alou. Even pitcher Noah Lowry went deep.

Since Eric Gagne was feeling good enough to play Kreskin, it's pretty clear his surgery went well. That said, he may not wear Dodger Blue in a game again. Speaking of guys who could be wearing new unis — or in this case would like to be — though Toby Hall says it's fun to be on a contender and believes Russell Martin is "the real deal," he wouldn't mind moving.

One guy who won't be moving along is Cesar Izturis, who has adapted remarkably well to third base. Rafael Furcal has gone goony bird since his one-day demotion from the leadoff spot.

Jeff Kent won't rush back from his rib injury, and the Dodgers hope the break does the trick from a healing standpoint. As for Russell Martin, he made some adjustments before hitting the mini-vacation.    

When it comes to the NL West, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Dodgers haven't showed much consistency, and pitching help isn't growing on trees.

One word. Fernandomania.

Comments

[Michael Teniente]

Man, I just love what Jason Giambi is doing in N.Y.. OK, after all the steroids controversy...after the cancer...the guy is clean. The guy is producing big time. It just goes to prove that he doesn't need steroids to do what he's doing. Steroids doesn't give you discipline in the batters box.

mike