The Los Angeles Dodgers had plenty of reasons to be distracted, but they didn't show it Wednesday night as they beat the Atlanta Braves 6-1 at Dodger Stadium. Earlier in the day, Major League Baseball announced it was taking control of the Dodgers' finances and day-to-day operations. Later that night, on the field, Jon Garland took control of Atlanta.
Garland threw the first complete game of the season for the Dodgers, picking up his first win of the season. Garland (1-1) allowed one run on four hits, walking two while striking out four. He was backed with some early offense from Juan Uribe and Andre Ethier. Uribe entered the game with three RBI on the season, but had two singles and four RBI by the end of the second inning against Derek Lowe.
Ethier had three hits, including a double and a home run, extending his hitting streak to 17-games, the longest this season in MLB. The home run for Ethier was the 100th of his career, and was the first home run at Dodger Stadium by a Dodger not named Matt Kemp this season. The Dodgers look to win the series with an afternoon affair on Thursday, with Clayton Kershaw facing Jair Jurrjens.
Near the end of the game, Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt issued a statement in response to MLB assuming control of the day-to-day operations of the club. "Major League Baseball sets strict financial guidelines which all 30 teams must follow. The Dodgers are in compliance with these guidelines. On this basis, it is hard to understand the Commissioner's action today," McCourt said.
For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on today's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.