Opening Day at Dodger Stadium

Opening Day Game Report from Dodger Stadium
Hudson hits for the cycle.

Note: I have never seen anyone hit for the cycle before. While in the press box, when the O-Dog came up to bat for the fourth time in the game, I knew I had to contain my excitement. But when the energetic second baseman came to bat in the sixth inning and proceeded to hit a drive into the right field corner, I blurted out "He's going to hit for the cycle!" Oh well, so much for no cheering in the press box.

NeHwest Dodger does it all

By Mike Takeuchi

April 14, 2009 10:34 AM

Los Angeles — On Monday's 48th Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, the home team pulled out all the stops prior to the gam, including Vin Scully throwing out the first pitch, a flyover, a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, doves, streamers and fireworks.

But it turned out they didn't need the pyrotechnics after all thanks to Orlando Hudson. The Dodger second baseman became the first Dodger to hit for the cycle in Chavez Ravine during an 11-1 drubbing of divisional rival San Francisco.

Starting pitcher Chad Billingsley provided a stellar performance on the mound by pitching seven innings and allowing one run, striking out eleven batters while not allowing a walk. The gem came in front of a stadium record 57,099 fans who gave their full-throated approval to the home team while uncharacteristically staying till the end of the game.

Aside from fan favorite Manny Ramirez, the Dodger who received the loudest cheers was Hudson, an offseason acquisition. After hitting an infield single in the first inning, the speedy Hudson electrified the crowd in the third with a laser beam that cleared the short fence in left field near the foul pole for the first run at Dodger Stadium this season.

After the Giants (2-5) tied it up in the top of the fourth on a Travis Ishikawa single, the Dodgers (5-3) erupted for six runs in the bottom of the inning. Sparked by the first of two home runs from right fielder Andre Ethier, the home team peppered future Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson with six runs on five hits, including a double by Hudson to make the score 7-1.

Los Angeles wasn't done, adding four more runs, including three on Ethier's second blast, in the eighth. With the outcome essentially decided, the only suspense on the afternoon was whether Hudson would become the first Dodger since Wes Parker to hit for the cycle. Parker did so in a 10-inning game on May 7. 1970.

In the sixth inning, Hudson smacked an 0-1 pitch in the deep right field corner. Off at the crack of the bat, he seemed to pick up speed as he rounded second and headed toward third. With the ball slightly behind the runner, Hudson slid ahead of the tag before popping up and slapping his hands as the crowd roared.

After the locker room cleared out, the 31-year-old was still beaming.

"You know, I'm a middle infielder and I know when that relay comes in you have to rush it just to get it there and there's a good chance that the runner is going to make it," Hudson said. "So I went for it and by the grace of God, I was able to make it."

All told, the Dodgers had 15 hits to go with their 11 runs in handing Johnson (0-2, 11.42 ERA) his ever first loss (against seven wins and a 2.04 ERA) in Los Angeles. Almost lost in talk of the cycle, was Ethier's pair of home runs and the emergence of Billingsley, who in addition to being 2-0 this year, is 18-6 in his last 30 starts.

"I don't even think the cycle was the marquee thing," Ethier said. "I think it was Chad's performance. The way he pitched, he gave us a chance to get our offense going. Randy kept us off balance for the first three innings and he not only matched him pitch for pitch, but took it four innings more.

"That was huge."

After playing every day since their opener last Monday, the Dodgers are off today. They will continue their series against the Giants on Wednesday when Clayton Kershaw (0-0) goes up against Matt Cain (1-0).

Note: Not everyone in the Dodgers organization was happy on Monday. Former Santa Barbara City College and Santa Barbara Foresters player Delwyn Young was designated for assignment. The outfielder, who initially made the Dodgers Opening Day roster, was put on the disabled list last week retroactively to March 27. After a short stint with the club's Triple A team in Albuquerque , where he went 1-for-9 with a walk, the team announced that he was being removed from the 40 man roster. Because he is out of options, the Dodgers have 10 days to decide what to do with Young by trading him, releasing him or putting him on waivers. Once he clears waivers the team may outright him to the minors provided another team doesn't claim him.