If you figured Shea Hillenbrand's baseball career was over after he was cut loose twice this season by contending teams — the Angels and Padres — then you'll be surprised at who popped into the Dodgers dugout tonight. To make room for Hillenbrand's veteran but punchless bat (and sub-par glove), the Dodgers sent Delwyn Young back to the minors after the kid managed to hit only .500 in his short stay. I wonder if Olmedo Saenz going 2-for-27 since June explains Hillenbrand's employment. In tonight's game, Hillenbrand took over at third when Nomar Garciaparra was ejected and in his first at-bat in blue grounded into a double play to end the 6th inning. In the ninth, he grounded out. Dodgers lose 4-1 to the Astros.

Blog reactions: Dodger Thoughts, Tony Jackson, 6-4-2

Fun read: Baseball Analysts blogger Rich Lederer's tale of suiting up and standing in for slugger Mark McGwire at Long Beach's Blair Field.