Rafael Furcal News

At least the Mets weren't the only flops to take the field in New York over the past week.

Vargas talked about his long road back, in particular the time he spent in extended spring training.

The Mets ' losing streak, hitting woes and the return of pitcher Oliver Perez came together Wednesday night at Citi Field .

Now is not a good time to be a Mets fan. Injuries to three key everyday players have left the Mets with what looks like a AAA lineup that can't score any runs... by How Bout Them Mets 20 reads Sports Now is not a good time to be a Mets fan.

He couldn't sign Rafael Furcal, Ken Griffey, Jr., Jake Peavy, or John Smoltz Braves fans weren't at all excited about Plan B choices Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami, Javier Vazquez, and Garrett Anderson.

Reporting from San Diego -- Manny Ramirez made sure his presence was noticed before he even stepped on the field at Petco Park on Friday, stopping in the Dodgers dugout to preen for photographers.

NL ROUNDUP Dodgers 1, Rockies 0 - Los Angeles played and won its 50th and final game without the suspended Manny Ramirez, beating visiting Colorado on pinch-hitter Rafael Furcal's RBI single in the eighth.

Manny Ramirez 's suspension didn't slow down the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers played their 50th and final game without Ramirez, beating the Colorado Rockies, 1-0, Wednesday on pinch hitter Rafael Furcal 's RBI single in the eighth inning.

Dodgers 1, Rockies 0. AP Photo LAD106, LAD105 LOS ANGELES Rafael Furcal had a pinch hit, RBI single in the eighth inning Wednesday, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 1-0 in the final game of Manny Ramirez's 50-game drug suspension.

With Erick Aybar, the spectacular play has become commonplace. Only two things have kept him from joining the elite Major League shortstops: durability and making the routine play.

Hernandez allowed an unearned run, struck out nine and walked one. Ichiro Suzuki went 3 for 5 to raise his major league-leading average to .375 and record his seventh straight multihit game, matching his career best.

The Dodgers touched Jered Weaver in the top of the fifth, after they first seemed to waste their opportunities.

Joe Saunders and Chad Billingsley were expected to kick off the Freeway Series with a pitchers' duel on Friday, but that must wait until today's Weaver versus Weaver matchup.

Opening Day starter Hiroki Kuroda finally picked up victory No. 2 in dominating fashion with a complete-game three-hitter as the Dodgers beat the White Sox in Interleague Play on Tuesday night, 5-2. Kuroda struck out a season-high nine without a walk.

Kobe Bryant was seated in the first row behind the Dodgers dugout. A fan ran onto the Angel Stadium field and decked a security guard.

Oakland Athletics shortstop Orlando Cabrera, left, tries to steal second as Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal takes a throw from first during the second inning of their Major League Baseball game, Thursday, June 18, 2009, in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES After a controversial moment in the bottom of the 10th Tuesday night, ended things in simple terms.

Juan Rivera hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning to help the Angels beat the Dodgers, 5-4, on Friday night at Angel Stadium.

Top 7th: Oakland N. Garciaparra singled to left, R. Davis to second, R. Davis scored advancing on throw So says the Yahoo box score , but in reality, it was Rafael Furcal calling for the ball to go to second from noodle-armed Juan Pierre on a blooper from Nomar that caused the fleet Rajai Davis to keep running from third and eventually score.

On Wednesday, though, Oakland's bullpen was able to overcome the defensive lapses, pinning down a 5-4 victory over the Dodgers, baseball's winningest team, and snapping a four-game losing streak.