6-4-2 — an Angels/Dodgers double play blog

Today's Birthdays

Drew's Big Game: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 3

El Duque and his stork-like delivery couldn't stymie the Dodgers; I caught mostly the end of this game, which apparently offered one of OP's better pitching performances of late. But the night was principally Drew's; with a solo homer and an RBI single that cashed in a pair, he maybe shed a bit of the anti-clutch reputation he acquired in his brief time with the Dodgers from 2005.

Maya should be pleased to note that the Human Walk Machine got his walk in a pinch-hitting performance; he also scored a run.

Recap

In Toronto, They're Starting To Notice Bengie's Lousy D

Says Ken Rosenthal:

While the Angels miss Bengie Molina's offense — their catching tandem of Jose Molina and Jeff Mathis entered Friday batting a combined .164 — a scout who recently saw Molina with the Blue Jays was highly critical of his defense.

"He was terrible," the scout says. "He did not receive balls cleanly. He doesn't move. He doesn't block balls. He's going to have a tough time handling some of the guys on their staff."

Molina, 31, lingered on the free-agent market until February, then signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Jays. He got off to a good offensive start, batting .314 with two homers in his first nine games.

There was a reason for that.

If You Can't Say Something Nice About A Catcher, Sit Right Over Here By Me

Rosenthal, again:

The Dodgers entered Friday 1-for-19 throwing out opposing base stealers. While their pitchers deserve a good portion of blame, scouts have been critical of catcher Dioner Navarro's footwork and handling of low pitches.

"He has a bad habit of going after balls that are down in the zone by keeping his palm down instead of up, resulting in less 'picks' and more balls getting away," one scout says. "He gets a little lazy with his body and relies on his glove too often."

The Dodgers believe Navarro can correct the problem; he's only 22, and, on the plus side, their pitchers like throwing to him. Class AAA catcher Russell Martin, a superior all-around player, still projects as the team's future starter at the position. Martin, 23, is actually older than Navarro, but this is his first year at Class AA.

Roster Notes

• Following yesterday's 2-5 performance for Las Vegas, it appears Nomar will start tonight at first base, and James Loney will be sent down to the minors.

  "I see a kid that got a good opportunity here for a couple weeks," [manager Grady] Little said. "He's made a good showing, but he still needs to continue to try to get better, and that takes time.

  "I think what will dictate this kid's future is going to be what he does with that bat."

• Though Danys Baez is so far doing a capable job as the Dodgers interim closer — a Ned Colletti move that's worked out admirably well — the other side of that equasion, Edwin Jackson, has been something of a wild card. Rotoworld speculates that Jackson, called up to start today's game against the Rangers, will be sent right back down. Why waste an option?
• The A's famed inability to keep their good players once more is fueling discussion of what's-gonna-happen-to-Barry Zito. Late last year, the Chronicle mentioned that Barry was the subject of long-term extension talks, but that appears to have gone nowhere, as the A's postponed discussions until after the season ended. In March, Zito hinted he would be willing to pitch in Southern California, leading to speculation that might mean, "for the Angels". Fanning those flames, Zito today goes on the record as saying nice things about Arte Moreno:

  "It's really cool to see a guy come in and lower beer prices for fans and to be a guy who is out there," Zito said. "So many [owners] are unseen, they're just an idea to players. He's concrete, tangible. It's exciting to see someone like that around fans instead of some rich guy just making millions off it, like a real-life poker game."

  ...

  "If nothing works out with Oakland, it's going to be a tough decision," said Zito, who won't pitch against the Angels in this series. "I know it's looming, it's six months away, but it's not in the forefront of my mind. I'll go down a checklist at some point to see what the coolest places are."

  Zito makes his offseason home in ... West Hollywood? Whoa. I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that, but maybe he'd want to sign with one of the New York teams allegedly, uh, hot for him?
• Rockies slugger Todd Helton was hospitalized overnight with stomache pains and a fever.