Rafael Furcal News

“We need to start hitting. Otherwise, it will put too much pressure on the staff.”

The Dodgers struggled on offense and battled to a stalemate against the pitching-rich Padres, so they had to scratch and claw on defense to take the series. via The Press-Enterprise

“They hit good pitches. It happens. "I'm not pitching against (Peavy). I'm pitching against their hitters.”

Jake Peavy was again so dominant against the Dodgers that Trevor Hoffman was left on the bench. via Press-Enterprise

“I watched the replay when I got back to the hotel and it even scared me then.”

Jake Peavy continues to dominate the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner threw a two-hitter for the first complete game in the big leagues this year, striking out eight to lead the San Diego Padres to a 4-1 win on Saturday.

Peavy (2-0) improved to 10-1 in 19 career starts against the Padres' biggest rival. Dodgers ace Brad Penny (1-1) went the other way, dropping to 3-7 against San Diego in 14 career starts.

It was Peavy's sixth career complete game and his first since Sept. 2, 2006, against Cincinnati. It matches the number of complete games by the Padres last year. Read more

Count on a soggy Friday; much of the East Coast has rain in the forecast. Still, we won't let that spoil our fantasy fun! Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda is scheduled to make his U.S. debut, 2007 NLCS combatants ... via ESPN

“My goal is to have everybody feeling comfortable and playing enough that they don't have to come off the bench and have it be completely foreign to them”

One day after settling on an opening-day outfield alignment that didn't include Juan Pierre, Dodgers manager Joe Torre shook up his lineup for Tuesday night's game with San Francisco. via Pasadena Star-News

Rafael Furcal scored from second on pinch hitter Delwyn Young's infield hit with two outs in the ninth inning, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.

Furcal hit a one-out single off Keiichi Yabu (0-1) and Russell Martin walked before Andre Ethier struck out. Young, batting for winning pitcher Tasaski Saito, followed by grounding a 2-2 pitch between first and second. Ray Durham made a sliding stop, but his throw to first was too late. Furcal never stopped, and slid around the tag of catcher Benjie Molina to beat first baseman Rich Aurilia's throw home. Read more

“I didn't feel overwhelmed. I kind of felt I belonged out there.”

On opening day, the one thing a baseball fan wants is hope. The Giants offered none Monday in a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. via Inside Bay Area

“I thought it was a heck of a show”

Strange times call for strange measures. That's what the Dodgers and Andruw Jones concluded Saturday night after one look at the miniature configuration of the Coliseum for the ThinkCure charity exhibition game ... via Major League Baseball

“I don't think you need to push the envelope. It's still spring training.”

In years past, the Dodgers and Angels have played a three-game Freeway Series to close the exhibition season. via The Press-Enterprise

“I want to be a Major League ballplayer.”

All baseball fans understand that becoming a Major Leaguer takes much dedication from the player, but I don't think we realize how much time the families spend helping their sons to achieve their goal. via Los Angeles Dodgers

MLB.com: Has having a full season under your belt made coming into Spring Training easier this year on you? And moving into your second year, what are some of the things you want to do as a manager to improve? ... via Major League Baseball

“He's taking ground balls, he's taking batting practice”

PHOENIX -- Nomar Garciaparra is "doubtful" for opening day, Manager Joe Torre said Thursday, and the Dodgers aren't sure how long a broken bone in his right hand will keep their starting third baseman ... via Los Angeles Times

“I tried to explain to him the difference between being released and put on waivers, but that was all I could say to him. He's nervous, kind of worried about it. ... To me, it's more important getting Uribe's mind cleared.”

Just a few days after bidding an emotional farewell to their longtime spring home, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked comfortable in their new neighborhood. via Monterey County Herald

'Tweren't nobody like Fookie in the Braves lineup, ever. Dude was the best shortstop ever in an Atlanta uniform--Edgar Renteria and Yunel Escobar come close, but Furcal could hit and run with speed like the ... via Atlanta Magazine

“If he pitches down, for the most part, and uses his breaking ball, he has a chance to be all right and be effective”

Long before Spring Training games began, Woody Williams knew exactly where he stood with the Astros. via Houston Astros

Andruw Jones hit a two-run home run to highlight a three-run eighth inning that broke a 4-4 tie and lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-4 Grapefruit League victory over the Baltimore Orioles. via Belleville News-Democrat

“It was obviously a mistake on our part”

Before leaving for China, Dodgers manager Joe Torre talked ad nauseum this spring about the need for the club to force the action, taking chances on the basepaths and manufacturing runs. via LA Daily News

“I am more comfortable. I just think being up here and being around it before. Coming up here the first year, it's a little intimidating never being around it before, but I am settling in.”

VERO BEACH , Fla. - The Nationals pounded out 13 hits in beating the Dodgers 10-4 at Holman Stadium. via WTOP

“I have always flown under the radar”

In any other spring training, it would be difficult to hide 10 Gold Gloves, a career average of 33home runs and a two-year, $36.2million contract. via LA Daily News

Spring Training is a time for separating the wannabes from the wills. That's tough work when everyone in the lineup crushes the ball, as the Dodgers did in today's 20-6 win over the Cards . via Los Angeles Times