Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets

Since returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup about a week ago, Manny Ramirez has not exactly been lighting the world on fire.

Apparently showing the rust of his 50-game layoff from being suspended for using a performance enhanced drug, Ramirez has been batting .273 (3 for 11) with a home run and four RBIs.

Things have look more encouraging for the embattled slugger as he plated three runs in the Dodgers (53-30) 8-0 whitewash of the fading and home standing New York Mets on Tuesday. Los Angeles is hopeful that performance, along with his been tossed by home plate umpire John Hirschbeck after arguing over a strike call in the fifth, will be the fire lit for Ramirez.

The New York Mets (39-43) are fading quickly from contention as they look to avoid losing their fifth straight when they face the Dodgers in the middle game of a three-game set at Citi Field.

After being swept by Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend, New York finds themselves in fourth place, 4 1/2 games out of first and a half game behind the third-place Atlanta Braves.

Trying to keep the pressure going, the Los Angeles Dodgers will turn to Hiroki Kuroda (3-4, 3.91) and gain their fifth win in six games since the return of Ramirez. Kruoda was the pitcher in his much heralded return, allowing three runs on four hits in a 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres in 5 1/3 innings. Kuroda could not hold a 5-0 lead and received a no-decision.

Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.97) will hope he can recapture some past magic to get the Mets out of the doldrums as he makes his first start since May 2 because of patellar tendonitis in his right knee. Perez started 9 1/3 innings over two starts at AAA Buffalo and was a bit wild when he walked nine batters.

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