FanHouse Wilson Valdez

San Diego set an attendance record for a three game series over the weekend, meaning just over 44,000 people were on hand to witness an excellent pitchers duel. While they probably didn't receive the outcome they would have liked, nobody can say they didn't get their money's worth. The Dodgers stranded 15 runners in the 17 inning contest that lasted a Petco Park record 4:55, which is also currently the longest game of the year.

The Dodgers went ahead in the top of the 17th on an RBI double by Brady Clark. Clark drove in Wilson Valdez who reached on a bunt after first baseman Pete LaForest (generally the backup catcher) dropped the throw at first. The Dodgers got the win after reliever Chad Billingsley shut San Diego down in the bottom of the 17th, for a 5-4 final score. The Dodgers' pen went 10 and two thirds of scoreless ball, while the Padres bullpen produced 11 scoreless innings before Justin Hampson finally gave one up in the 17th. What adds insult to injury is losing a game after burning so many pitchers in your staff. Maybe a sign that it was LA's night was Jeff Kent (pictured) and Luis Gonzalez hitting back-to-back home runs, which was quite an improbable feat considering the team had only 12 home runs entering the game. The victory helped the Dodgers take two of three in the intra-divisional series.

Here's a look around the NL West and what final roster moves your team made to prepare for Opening Day:

Diamondbacks: Infielder Brian Barden and utility man Robby Hammock made the squad. Hammock showed promise in '03 and '04, but missed all of '05 because of shoulder surgery. Right handers Dustin Nippert and J.D. Durbin won the final spots in the bullpen. (via East Valley Tribune)

Dodgers: Matt Kemp made the club as the final outfielder, beating out Larry Bigbie and James Loney (who hit .414 in Spring and didn't take the news well), presumably because Kemp's a right-handed hitter while Bigbie and Loney are lefties. Wilson Valdez will replace Rafael Furcal on the opening day roster. Furcal will start the season on the DL retroactive to March 23rd. Rudy Seanez is the final pitcher on the 11 man staff. (via LA Times)

Giants: They're going with a 12 man pitching staff, the seven men in the bullpen will be Armando Benitez, Vinnie Chulk, Kevin Correia, Brad Hennessey, Steve Kline, Jonathan Sanchez, and Jack Taschner. Scott Munter and candidate for the closer job, Brian Wilson, were optioned to Triple A amongst others. Todd Linden made the team as a bench player, Mark Sweeney was placed on the DL to start the year, and Jason Ellison was traded to the Mariners. (via Giants official site and Contra Costa Times)

Padres: Mike Thompson and Kevin Cameron made the final two spots in the bullpen. Cameron is a Rule 5 draft pick from Minnesota. Paul McAnulty will be the final bench player. (via San Diego Union-Tribune)

Rockies: Veteran John Mabry (pictured) beat out Ryan Spilborghs and Alexis Gomez for the final bench spot. Mabry is a left-handed pinch hitter who can fill holes as a corner outfielder and corner infield. Jeff Baker and Steve Finley are the other bench players in the outfield. Manny Corpas and Ramon Ramirez were awarded the final spots in the bullpen as well. (via Denver Post and Rockies.com)

Yesterday I alerted you that Rafael Furcal was carted off the field in the 1st inning of the Dodgers loss to the Orioles. The preliminary diagnosis was a left ankle sprain, and then the X-rays came back negative. Now Furcal's status for opening day seems questionable at best, producing a gaping hole at shortstop for the Dodgers. Team trainer Stan Conte said

"It will be longer than a week," Conte said. "I will know better in a couple of days ... Right now, this is 100 percent medical. With respect to figuring out when he will be able to play, that is kind of the least of our concerns at this point. It just doesn't help anybody to try to figure out if he'll be ready by Opening Day or not."

Translation: I am trying to spin this in the most positive light possible, but it does not look good, and forget about Opening Day.

Of course if it's up to Furcal, he'll be back out there within a week because he can take some pain

"I'll play when I'm 80 percent, because you have to play hurt sometimes. For me, it's no problem."

As for the Dodgers -- that means Wilson Alvarez Valdez will probably fill in at shortstop, and Juan Pierre will most likely move to the leadoff spot. This is a bad loss for the Dodgers, who are already dealing with shoulder injuries to Brad Penny and now Hong-Chi Kuo, coupled with losing five straight spring training games by a combined score of 41-3. Ouch.

Wait a tick, all these injuries and Nomahh's still healthy?!?!?

(Chest Bump Sons of Steve Garvey)

UPDATE: Furcal will have an MRI on his ankle after swelling subsides
UPDATE: The swelling has subsided, and Furcal could be ready for the opener


Previously at FanHouse:
Rafael Furcal Carted Off Field With Leg Injury
Rafael Furcal's Not Playing Enough Baseball