The Trolley Dodger

Opening Day versus the Giants at Dodger Stadium. Spot the lead story.

• Chad Billingsly has 11 strikeouts and moves to 2-0.
• Andre Ethier hits two homeruns, including a three-run jack.
• Matt Kemp has hit in every game so far this season, even the one he didn’t start in.
• The Dodgers destroy the Giants 11-1.
• And for good measure, Vin Scully threw out the first pitch!

That’s a pretty awesome game, eh?

Oh, and, uh, Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle.

Yep. The cycle.

First Dodger to hit for the cycle since 1970. First cycle ever by a Dodger at Dodger Stadium.

I think I may need some oxygen.

Welcome to Los Angeles, O-Dawg!

UPDATE:

As if we needed more, it has been pointed out that,

• Chad also had 0 walks to go with all his Ks.
• This was the largest crowd ever at Dodger Stadium, 57,099.

Made it out for the Inland Empire 66ers opening night this past Thursday. The park and food improvements made since the team re-affiliated with the Dodgers a few years back continue, and despite a small increase in various prices ($4 parking, versus $3; $10 for best seats, versus $9) still represents a fairly good value if you’re looking for cheap entertainment. Food prices are steep, but that’s true of anywhere sports or movie related, I suppose.

Also, they’ve really got to replace the scoreboard and monochromatic video screen someday soon — it looks like a large version of an old Gameboy. In fact, their newer advertising video screen out by the freeway is way better than the one in the park. It does, however, have a certain quaint charm, not unlike an Amish buggy. ;)

The Sixers wound up losing despite some great pitching from the awesomely named Alberto Bastardo, who has been with the team for at least a couple of years. Got to see Preston Mattingly for the first time, not to mention catcher Kenley Jansen, who looks even bigger in person than he did during the World Baseball Classic for the Netherlands.

Not a great game for the team otherwise, but it was still fun to finally be at a ballpark. Looking forward to being at one during the warmer months. And hey, at least it didn’t get rained out like a couple of years ago. ;)

First Dodger Dog of the year — definitely better grilled, of course, but it was a happy moment nonetheless.

Don Mattingly’s son, formerly an infielder. He’s been struggling at the plate I understand. Good to know left field is also protected by the US Border Patrol. I noticed the "Dodgertown Inland Empire," which I guess is the new theme of having several Dodgertowns around (LA, IE, Camelback AZ, etc.) instead of just the one. Sorry for the blurriness — camera on extreme zoom.

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs & Roasted Corn. My stepson Hans reacting to the foodstuff available. We haven’t tried those yet, but I hear they’re crazy good. Perhaps they’re just crazy. ;)

This is the 66ers’ mascot Bernie, who has a very funny act. Kids love him, as do most of the adults. Good crowd rapport, plus funny shtick with the umpires.

Bernie and handlers advertising the Dodger blanket giveaway the next night. With the weather forecast I read, they would probably need it!

About half the size as previously, but now free.

Boy, this is some cutting-edge sports research they’re doing at ESPN.com:

“What is Alex Rodriguez’s overall effect on a clubhouse?”

Really? You’re asking us, 99.99999% of whom have never been near a clubhouse, much less one that A-Rod is in? And no semi-funny answers to choose from, just Positive/Neutral/Negative? No other newsworthy questions to choose from this morning?

This is what happens when you pick only one division to obsess over. Between this and the stupid Joba/Yogi “controversy,” there’s even less reason to pay attention to ESPN’s baseball coverage. Especially with the so-far stellar MLB Network available.

What an awful moment — our thoughts are with Adenhart’s family and the Angels organization.

LA Times: “Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart killed in accident”

Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was among the three people killed in a crash in Fullerton when a driver ran a red light, an associate of the rookie player said this morning. The crash occurred hours after the 22-year-old appeared in Wednesday night’s Angels game.

In advance of tomorrow night’s Inland Empire 66ers home opener (which we have tix for), I’ve been waiting for the team to announce their roster. Ken Gurnick’s note about Greg Miller being re-signed and sent to the High-A team had me looking again. And sure enough, the press release is up:

The 66ers will be managed Carlos Subero, who enters his first year with the club after leading the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League to a 74-63 record and playoff birth. Former Dodger and 25-year Major League veteran Charlie Hough returns for his third year as pitching coach. Hough will work with three former Dodger first-round draft picks on the 2009 pitching staff, Greg Miller (2002), Justin Orenduff (2002) and Withrow. Another former Dodger, Franklin Stubbs, joins the 66ers as the hitting coach. The former first baseman was a key part of the 1988 Dodgers World Series championship team.

The 2009 roster includes five of the Dodgers top-30 prospects according to Baseball America. Four of the top five prospects are pitchers: Chris Withrow (9), Steven Johnson (15), Daigoro Rondon (23) and Josh Wall (29). Rounding out the prospect group is infielder Pedro Baez (13), who slugged 12 homeruns and drove in 50 runs in 61 games with short-season Class-A Ogden in 2008.

Here’s the whole 66ers roster.

And the other affiliate rosters are up as well:

• AAA Albuquerque Isotopes: Press Release and Roster
• AA Chattanooga Lookouts: Press Release and Roster
• Low A Great Lakes Loons: Press Release and Roster