Dodgers Manny their way into first place

Manny tied Ted Williams, Willie McCovey, and Frank Thomas with his 521st lifetime home run and the Dodgers knocked Arizona out of first place for the first time since April 5. They play again tomorrow to see if it sticks — the Dodgers will either go up by a game and a half, or fall back into second place. Either way, it's been a pretty good comeback from the recent bad losing streak. The Dodgers have won seven in a row with Saturday's 7-2 win. Manny drove in 5 runs, and has as many home runs in 34 games as a Dodger than Jeff Kent or James Loney have all season.

Noted: Vin Scully agreed to return for a 60th season with the Dodgers. Amusing letter in today's LAT:

For all of his brilliance, Vin Scully cannot stay away from the one phrase that sends me directly to my radio's off button: "And as we go to the fourth, here's Charley Steiner."

Michael Hawkins
Newbury Park