Jim Colborn

Starter Jeff Weaver has given up 18 hits and 11 earned runs in his last 8 2/3 innings, contributing to his 6.89 earned-run average. The right-hander was chased in the sixth inning of Sunday's 7-6 victory over San Francisco, facing five batters and failing to record an out in the inning. Barry Bonds tagged Weaver for an RBI double and homers No. 664 and 665. The Dodgers said Tuesday they were not concerned about Weaver, however, because, well, Bonds is Bonds.

Starter Jeff Weaver has given up 18 hits and 11 earned runs in his last 8 2/3 innings, contributing to his 6.89 earned-run average. The right-hander was chased in the sixth inning of Sunday's 7-6 victory over San Francisco, facing five batters and failing to record an out in the inning. Barry Bonds tagged Weaver for an RBI double and homers No. 664 and 665. The Dodgers said Tuesday they were not concerned about Weaver, however, because, well, Bonds is Bonds.

Kevin Brown, eager to rejoin the rotation, cleared his final hurdle Saturday in a bullpen session to test his stamina. The right-hander said he did not experience pain in the partially torn muscle on his pitching elbow after throwing 80 pitches and taking four breaks to simulate a game. Pitching coach Jim Colborn said the club's top pitcher was "ready to go" after watching him work at Turner Field.

A six-week stretch in which their 26-13 record is the National League's best illustrates that the Dodgers have more good things going for them now than at any time in six months. The catalog is larger, but citing only the ongoing dominance of the rotation and bullpen, the offensive revival of Shawn Green and Adrian Beltre, the middle-infield defense of Cesar Izturis and Alex Cora and the wider contributions of the lineup and bench, the Dodgers suddenly have the look of a formidable October team.

I like one of the Dodgers--I'm sure I will get over it. It could take awhile, though. Jim Colborn is the pitching coach for the Dodgers, and while he has done his best work for Seattle so far in uniting Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki with the Mariners, it shows he knows something about making baseball exciting. I'm not talking about that look of excitement in the eyes of those who get to bat against Eric Gagne, but a thrilling reason to come to the park.

A six-week stretch in which their 26-13 record is the National League's best illustrates that the Dodgers have more good things going for them now than at any time in six months. The catalog is larger, but citing only the ongoing dominance of the rotation and bullpen, the offensive revival of Shawn Green and Adrian Beltre, the middle-infield defense of Cesar Izturis and Alex Cora and the wider contributions of the lineup and bench, the Dodgers suddenly have the look of a formidable October team.

I am watching replays of the Wednesday night incident involving Guillermo Mota and Mike Piazza and reading comments by the Dodgers and New York Mets e-mailed to me by colleagues. Though several hundred miles from the rhetoric, I still feel the vibrations from the Dodger spin and see Mota's blue cap take the shape of a dunce.

It was by no means a typical salutation. "Happy 25th anniversary to Jenny and Jim Colb . . . Colborn." That was what the man with the microphone said to the 6,000-plus folks squeezed into a baseball stadium in Comstock Park, Mich. "Hey," he said, upon further consideration, "that's our manager." The guests had come together not to celebrate the silver anniversary of the Ventura County couple, but rather for an equally (although some would say more) special occasion.

Owners of minor league baseball teams in the California League are expected to vote tonight at a meeting in San Jose to approve the move of the Lodi franchise to Ventura County. The franchise, owned by Ventura County businessmen Ken McMullen, Jim Colborn and Jim Biby, won approval Tuesday night from the Ventura County Community College District Board to play its home games next season at Ventura College.

Dan Evans' first official move as new Dodger General Manager on Wednesday was renewing the contracts of Manager Jim Tracy's coaching staff for the 2002 season, giving the rookie manager a modicum of continuity to work with this winter and next year.

I am watching replays of the Wednesday night incident involving Guillermo Mota and Mike Piazza and reading comments by the Dodgers and New York Mets e-mailed to me by colleagues. Though several hundred miles from the rhetoric, I still feel the vibrations from the Dodger spin and see Mota's blue cap take the shape of a dunce.

Kevin Brown, eager to rejoin the rotation, cleared his final hurdle Saturday in a bullpen session to test his stamina. The right-hander said he did not experience pain in the partially torn muscle on his pitching elbow after throwing 80 pitches and taking four breaks to simulate a game. Pitching coach Jim Colborn said the club's top pitcher was "ready to go" after watching him work at Turner Field.

I like one of the Dodgers--I'm sure I will get over it. It could take awhile, though. Jim Colborn is the pitching coach for the Dodgers, and while he has done his best work for Seattle so far in uniting Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki with the Mariners, it shows he knows something about making baseball exciting. I'm not talking about that look of excitement in the eyes of those who get to bat against Eric Gagne, but a thrilling reason to come to the park.

It was by no means a typical salutation. "Happy 25th anniversary to Jenny and Jim Colb . . . Colborn." That was what the man with the microphone said to the 6,000-plus folks squeezed into a baseball stadium in Comstock Park, Mich. "Hey," he said, upon further consideration, "that's our manager." The guests had come together not to celebrate the silver anniversary of the Ventura County couple, but rather for an equally (although some would say more) special occasion.

DODGERS' ODALIS PEREZ vs. INDIANS' BRIAN ANDERSON *--* THE MATCHUP 20 03 TEAM 2003 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA REC W-L IP ERA DODGERS/Perez (L) 4-4 4.72 7-5 -- -- -- Cleveland/Anderson (L) 3-6 4.86 3-8 -- -- -- *--* Jacobs Field, 4 p.m. TV -- Fox Sports Net 2 Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330) Update -- Perez is 0-2 with a 10.80 earned-run average in his last three starts.

Kevin Brown, who Saturday was put on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 24, threw an 18-minute bullpen workout Monday before the Dodgers' 1-0 win over Milwaukee. "He looks not quite 100% sharp, but he's working on strengthening his arm," pitching coach Jim Colborn said. "The next step is getting him back in his rhythm." Brown, who has a strained right Achilles' tendon, will also begin working with physical therapist Pat Screnar.