The Dodger Blues Begin

Twenty-four hours ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers were on top of the world. They had the best record in MLB and were undefeated at home.

But with Manny Ramirez's 50 game suspension for performance enhancing drugs the Dodger blues have begun.

Things did get off to a good start. The Dodgers scored six runs in the first inning against the lowly Washington Nationals. But the Nationals never gave in and would score 10 unanswered runs (including six runs in the 8th inning) en route to an 11-9 victory handing the Dodgers their first loss in Chavez Ravine this season.

Whether the arc of this first game without Manny is a sign of things to come over the next seven weeks remains to be seen but it is certainly inauspicious.