The eighth-largest crowd in the history of Holman Stadium (8,080) watched the Dodgers defeat the Boston Red Sox, 6-4, this afternoon. Starter Derek Lowe allowed two hits in four scoreless innings and the Dodgers hit three home runs for the second consecutive game – today’s longballs by Ramon Martinez, Cody Ross and J.D. Drew.

Dodger leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton left the game in the first inning after he was hit by a pitch. Lofton suffered a bruised right knee.

Outfielder Andre Ethier is day-to-day after an MRI exam revealed a sprained right shoulder, which he suffered while diving for a ball earlier on Tuesday at Jupiter against the Cardinals.

The most popular T-shirt among Boston fans in the grandstands was the "NOW I CAN DIE IN PEACE" motto, coined after the team’s World Series victory in 2004. … Also attending the game was Lyle Spatz, Chairman of the Baseball Records Committee for the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Spatz said it was the first time in 49 years he witnessed a game in person when the Dodgers wore their home uniforms. His last Dodger home game was 1957 in Brooklyn. Spatz recited the uniform numbers for the 1957 squad, including No. 41, worn by Brooklyn and Los Angeles pitcher Clem Labine (1950-60), a Vero Beach resident who attended Thursday’s game. …

Back in Los Angeles, the Dodgers would like to wish a speedy recovery to longtime Dodger usher and elevator operator Luis Arevalo, who began his career at Dodger Stadium in 1984 and recently underwent surgery to amputate his leg due to complications from diabetes.

Here are the lineups for today’s Red Sox-Dodgers game at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach:

Boston – Coco Crisp, CF; Tony Graffanino, 3B; Trot Nixon, RF; Dustan Mohr, LF; J.T. Snow, 1B; Willie Harris, 2B; Alejandro Machado, SS; Luis A. Jimenez, DH; Dusty Brown, C. Starting pitcher – Bronson Arroyo.

Los Angeles – Kenny Lofton, CF; Nomar Garciaparra, 1B; J.D. Drew, DH; Jeff Kent, 2B; Joel Guzman, LF; Dioner Navarro, C; Jason Repko, RF; Ramon Martinez, 3B; Tony Abreu, SS. Starting pitcher – Derek Lowe.

NOTES – Former Dodger pitcher Jerry Reuss arrived this morning to begin preparing for Friday’s radio broadcast. Reuss was a member of the Dodgers’ 1981 championship team. The franchise will celebrate the 25th anniversary of that season throughout the 2006 campaign. … Happy birthday to Dodger infielder Willy Aybar, who turns 23 today … Veteran umpire Bruce Froemming, who will be at first base for today’s game, is a Vero Beach resident and a frequent visitor to Dodgertown. At 7 o’clock this morning, Froemming walked his dog on one of the empty minor league fields … This is the eighth anniversary of a street sign dedication ceremony at Dodgertown in honor of broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. 

The Boston Red Sox make their only Spring Training visit to Dodgertown on Thursday. There are familiar faces on both sides of the field as the 2006 Dodgers feature several former Red Sox, including infielders Nomar Garciaparra (1996-2004), Bill Mueller (2003-05), pitcher Derek Lowe (1997-2004) and non-roster pitcher Aaron Sele (1993-97).

First-year Dodger manager Grady Little piloted the Red Sox in 2002 and 2003, posting a combined 188-136 regular season record. Dodger bench coach Dave Jauss spent the last three seasons as an advance scout for the Red Sox also served with Boston as a director of player development; minor league field coordinator; and as first base coach from 1997-99 when Grady Little was the bench coach.

The Red Sox spring roster features former Dodger infielder Alex Cora (1998-2004), relief pitcher Rudy Seanez (1994-95) and catcher Ken Huckaby (1996-97).

Boston coaches Ron Jackson and Brad Mills are former Dodger minor league instructors. And best wishes for a speedy recovery to Dave Wallace, the Red Sox pitching coach who served many roles in the Dodger organization, including pitching coach (1995-97) and interim general manager (2001). Wallace is currently recovering from surgery relating to an infection in his right hip.

Also in attendance this week at Dodgertown is Devil Rays scout Stan Williams, a right-hander pitcher for the Dodgers from 1958-62 and who also served as Boston’s pitching coach in 1975 and 1976. Williams reported to Dodgertown for the first time as a player in 1955 at age 18. Two years later, he joined the Major League camp and on his first day was invited to dinner by Dodgers Carl Erskine and Duke Snider. When he returned to Dodgertown that night, Williams wrote 17 letters to friends and family, telling the story of how two veterans had taken a rookie under their wing.

One of the most popular topics of conversation has been the World Baseball Classic, especially at the dinner table tonight following the day’s activities. The international flavor of the tournament allows the discussions to range from the strength of the current Cuban team compared to its past Olympic squads; the 11-inning thriller between Panama and Cuba; and the stunning 8-6 victory by Canada over the United States.

Thursday’s game and next Monday’s game against Boston will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Pacific time in Los Angeles on KFWB. The live broadcast will be carried on MLB.com and affiliates.

Here is today’s starting lineup for the Dodgers vs. Baltimore at Vero Beach:

Kenny Lofton, CF; Nomar Garciaparra, 1B; J.D. Drew, RF; Jeff Kent, DH; Matt Kemp, LF; Bill Mueller, 3B; Sandy Alomar Jr., C; Willy Aybar, 2B; Oscar Robles, SS. Starting pitcher – Chad Billingsley.

In response to the comment about our Spring Training broadcasts, I wanted to make sure you all know how important it is to us that our fans get a chance to listen whenever possible.

As you probably know, we were airing our games on tape delay on KFWB for the last couple years and that did not go over very well with our fans. This year, we knew that airing the games live on the radio still was not a possibility, given the format of the station, so making them available on dodgers.com was our next-best option. Of course, we do realize that to access those games, you must buy a subscription to the Gameday Audio. But, I do honestly believe that $14.95 is very reasonable, considering that you get access to more than 2,400 games, including the entire regular season.

In doing a little research, I’ve found that very few teams around baseball broadcast all of their spring games and some only do a handful. While that’s not a reason for us to change what we do, we also have to understand the needs and interests of our radio partner.

However, you should all know that we put quite a bit of thought into maximizing the amount of games that could be heard from Florida this spring and that we take your comments seriously when it comes to matters like this.

It is with deep sadness that I devote my space today on the passing of Kirby Puckett. I was a teammate of Kirby’s with the Twins from 1986-1990. As I have told many people over the last 24 hours, Kirby was the real deal. What you saw on TV is what you got. He never forgot where he came from which was the projects in Chicago. He treated the clubhouse kids, the front office people and media as if they were all longtime friends. He was generous to a fault. I can talk all day about what a great ballplayer he was, but it was the enthusiasm and little boy’s joy that he brought to the game that set him apart and made him the revered figure that he is. He is the guy that I will always hold up as an example of everything that you want in a player and a teammate.

I always tell this story about how one night the alarm went off in my brand new car. I ran out of my apartment looking for something to grab in case there was someone trying to break into my car. It turned out to be nothing. I told the story in the clubhouse the next day and Kirby, who was standing nearby, offered me an old bat. He told me he always kept a bat near his bed since he was a little boy in case someone broke into his house when he lived in the projects. Even though he had electronic security now, he never got out of the habit. I took the bat home with me and said to myself, "I can’t use this bat, this is Kirby’s." I still have that bat and will cherish it the rest of my life. It reminds me of this great guy and ballplayer who never forgot what it was like to be poor. And THAT, more than his Hall of Fame numbers, is what made him special.

Starting lineup for the Dodgers today vs. St. Louis at Jupiter:

Jason Repko, CF; Willy Aybar, 3B; Andre Ethier, RF; Joel Guzman, LF; James Loney, 1B; Russell Martin, C; Ramon Martinez, SS; Tony Abreu, 2B; Brett Tomko, P.

One day after scoring 16 runs against the Mets, two Dodger split-squad teams managed one run over a combined 19 innings. At Holman Stadium, the Dodgers and visiting Washington Nationals played nine scoreless innings. The game was called after nine because Washington ran out of pitchers. Starter Brad Penny, who didn’t throw a ball during a regular exhibition game in 2005, looked strong in his three innings. So did relief pitcher Takashi Saito, who struck out three batters in two innings. After his appearance, Saito received a round of applause from the crowd alongside the bullplen. He tipped his cap and bowed.

At Jupiter, the Dodgers and Marlins played to a 1-1 tie in a game called after 10 innings. Non-roster pitcher Aaron Sele started and allowed two hits in 2.2 scoreless innings.

You never know who will show up at the ballpark, especially during the relaxed atmosphere in spring training. In the press box, the Little League coach of Nationals GM Jim Bowden was looking for his former first baseman from 40 years ago.

Former Dodgers Frank Robinson, the Washington manager, and coach Davey Lopes stayed behind at the Nationals’ spring complex in Viera for a split-squad game. Lopes is wearing uniform No. 5 this season, the first uniform number of his professional career when he broke into pro ball with the Dodgers in 1968. He wore No. 15 with the Dodgers from 1972-81.

On a personal note, it was great to see my namesake, non-roster catcher Eric Langill, Monday morning in the Dodger clubhouse. Don’t know if we’re related, but we’re both French Canadian and have the same middle name (Joseph). He lost 25 pounds during the offseason after playing for Team Canada in the IBAF World Cup held in the Netherlands. Eric also has a weekly 20-minute sports segment on a Vancouver radio station and plans to interview Dodger manager Grady Little as his guest on Friday.

Eric Gagne threw on the sidelines today and is expected to pitch in Wednesday’s home game against the Orioles.

   

Here’s today’s lineups for the two games in Florida.

At home, we’ll have:

Kenny Lofton, CF…Delwyn Young, LF…J.D. Drew, DH…Nomar Garciaparra, 1B…Andre Ethier, RF…Andy LaRoche, 3B…Willy Aybar, 2B…Russell Martin, C…Brad Penny, P.

In Jupiter, we’ll send:

Oscar Robles, 2B…Ramon Martinez, SS…Bill Mueller, 3B…Matt Kemp, CF…Dioner Navarro, C…Cody Ross, LF…Jon Weber, RF…Chris Truby, 1B…Aaron Sele, P.

With the Mets playing Puerto Rico at home, their split squad came to Dodgertown today with only one regular starter and the Dodgers took advantage of New York’s young prospects with a 16-2 victory. Andy LaRoche (pictured) had six RBI in one inning (yes, you read that right) and the Dodgers hit five homers after failing to go deep at all during the first three games of the spring.

Derek Lowe pitched three perfect innings and Odalis Perez followed with three strong innings of one-hit ball (a bunt single).

For those who missed their Sunday morning reading, Bill Plaschke wrote a great article today about Kenny Lofton in today’s L.A. Times, while Carlos Alvarado wrote a feature about Rafael Furcal in La Opinion for our Spanish-speaking blog readers.

As for me, it’s back to Los Angeles tomorrow for two weeks, where I’ll be working to get everything in working order at Dodger Stadium (the PR Department, that is). Mark Langill, who has been posting periodically from L.A. will be out here in Vero Beach with daily updates from Dodgertown. I’ll check in with an occasional word from Chavez Ravine.

And for those who were wondering, no, Mark Langill is of no relation to Eric Langill, the non-roster catcher here with the Dodgers. Mark pronounces his last name lan-jill and Eric is lane-gill. Now you can all sleep easy tonight, having that important piece of information.