In an effort to show the league that the Mets haven’t found every possible way to lose, the Los Angelos Angels of Anaheim threw a no hitter against the Dodgers, and lost. Matt Kemp reached safely on an error by Weaver , stole, took another base on an error, and got sacrificed home.

The bar is raised. Or lowered. I’m not sure which. Either way, your move Oliver Perez, your move. This is really just incredible. No hits. Three walks. Loss. The only way they could have done this better would have been getting a balk in there.

Fresh off their series win vs the D’Backs, the Mets travel to Chavez Ravine to play the Dodgers in the opening game of their three game set. Oliver Perez (2-2) will take the mound for the Mets. In his last start out versus the Pirates, Perez allowed seven runs in 1.2 innings. Chad Billingsley (1-4) will pitch for the Dodgers. Although Billingsley’s record is unimpressive, he has K’d 40 in 27 innings so far this year.

Lineup courtesy of John Delcos at his blog for the Journal News

• SS Jose Reyes
• RF Ryan Church
• 3B David Wright
• CF Carlos Beltran
• LF Moises Alou
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• C Brian Schneider
• 2B Luis Castillo
• P Oliver Perez

I like the looks of that lineup…

As always, head on over to The Hot Foot Bleachers to chat during the game.

The Dodgers and Padres tied 3-3 in what was the first MLB game in China. The game, played last night, gathered a crowd of over 12,000 people in a newly constructed venue for the Beijing Olympics this summer.

A true testament to the fact that the game wasn’t played in the US was:

The concessions were cheaper than the U.S. - about $1.50 for a soft drink or a beer, and $3 for a bag of peanuts.

There will be a second game between the teams is set for Sunday.

Wow, normally priced concessions, what a dream.

Dodger coach Larry Bowa likes not your silly rules on coaches wearing helmets. Bowa told the LA Times he will not wear one and coaches know the risk and should be allowed to decide for themselves. From the Bowa’s mouth:

“I’m willing to write out a check for whatever the fine is for every game. Whatever 162 games is, I’ll write out a check for it.”

I’d assume style has a lot to do with this, cause lets face it. With Jeff Kent and that Stache, man you got to look cool. Its LA man, not wherever the hell the Brewers play (Wisconsin maybe? Near Green Bay?).  Though he out to be careful about offering to pay a fine. This is the same mlb that charges fans a good $100 bucks for a Kris Benson Pirates jersey, you know they’ll take your money. 

According to Ken Gurnick over at MLB.com, Japanese Right Hander Hiroki Kuroda finalized a three year deal worth about 35.3m

Kuroda went 12-8 with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan last year.

Jerry Crasnick writes on the ESPN Winter Meetings blog that have more interest in Erik Bedard than Johan Santana and may be more willing to include Matt Kemp now that they have acquired Andruw Jones.

Crasnick proposes that a deal would probably be a 4-for-1 swap centered around their top pitching prospect, Clayton Kershaw, along with either Kemp or Andre Ethier.

Crasnick believes they will first explore less pricey options first, such as free agent Hiroki Kuroda or Oakland’s Joe Blanton.

Andrew Kamenetzky of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers and centerfielder Andruw Jones have reportedly reach an agreement on a two-year contract worth $36 million. Jones will receive $9 million in 2008, $15 million in 2009, and a $12 million signing bonus.

That pushes Juan Pierre and the rest of his $36.5 million contract over the next four years to left field.

Jones, 30, one of the best defensive centerfielder’s to ever play the game, hit .222 with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs in a down year for the Atlanta Braves last season.

This would seem to make it more likely for the Dodgers to deal Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier in a package for a frontline starter.

John Delcos provides this report via his blog for the Journal News

Dodgers confirmed talking with center fielder Andruw Jones, who is coming off the worst season of his career at .222, 26 homers and 96 RBI. Jones is a 10-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star. Torii Hunter got a five-year, $90-million deal from the Angels. That’s the starting point.

Delcos also reports that the Brewers are thinking about moving Ryan Bruan to left field and going after St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen. Bruan had a poor defensive showing at third base last year.

The veteran committee has sent five people to Cooperstown today.

Dick Williams (manager), Billy Southworth (manager), Barney Dreyfuss (executive), Bowie Kuhn (executive) and Walter O’Malley (executive) will be inducted in Juiy. Williams is the only new Hall of Famer still living.

O’Malley is best known within New York City as the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers and was responsible for moving his team to the west coast following the 1957 baseball season.