Dodger bats fiddle as stadium burns

The Dodgers lost tonight to the Marlins 6-1, managing just six hits against a team forced by injury to use a relief pitcher to start. The highlight for fans came in the fifth inning, when smoke began drifting across the Dodger Stadium reserved level. The game continued while those in the seats wondered about the distinct burning smell and made jokes to each other about Frank McCourt burning the place down for the insurance. Eventually, the stadium announcer informed the crowd that there was a small paper fire in a storage area on the upper deck and not to worry. The first base side of the blue level was cleared out, as you can see — attendance is way down at the stadium this season, but it's not that bad. The loss dropped the Dodgers seven games under .500. Officially, the tickets sold were 29,971, or a little over half of capacity. Reporters keep saying that the actual crowds these days lag way behind the official count.

And now for the bad news: McCourt apparently can cover the May 31 payroll. Next window for him to default and Major League Baseball to take over is June 15.

Phone photos: Top submitted by Eric Estrin, left submitted by Donna Bojarsky.