Game 52: Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves 8:3

Maybe Aaron Sele should have played in the National League his whole career. He continues to defy the skeptics (myself included) by pitching remarkably well. Having been fortunate to get the call up from Las Vegas instead of Chad Billingsby or Greg Miller, Sele had seemed to be at the end of his career. Coming off a four year span where he was lucky to compile a mediocre 30-36 record, Sele has proven he still has major league caliber stuff. Although he didn't get the win, we was impressive nonetheless.

Andre Ethier continues to make GM Ned Colletti look like a genius in what appears to be the first trade in which Billy Beane got fleeced. Ethier hit his fourth home run of the season since being called up on May 2. Grady Little showed his confidence in rookie Ethier by allowing the left handed hitter against veteran left-handed reliever Mike Remlinger. The vote of confidence payed off when he singled home the go-ahead run. He is now batting .313 with 12 RBIs.

"He showed us a lot in spring training, but what he's been able
to show us when he's been with the club has been amazing,"

Dodgers manager Grady Little said.

Sele, having spent the beginning of the season at Triple-A Las Vegas had been privy to getting a first hand experience of the young guys that are making a large contribution at Chavez Ravine this year.

"They have the right attitude," said Sele. "They show up

and they're ready to work. They absorb what's going on.

That's why they've had such great success."

The Dodgers have won 10 of last 12 games and are 18-9 in May. The last time they won 18 games in May was in 1993, when they were 18-8.

"They've got one of the best hitting teams we've face,"
Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "They're good."

Here is some food for thought:

1) What should Grady Little and Ned Colletti do when Jason Repko and Ricky Ledee return from the disabled list? Do one of them go down to Las Vegas, or do we send down veteran Jose Cruz, Jr.?

2) Danys Baez, who earned the win by pitching two innings in relief, seems to have gotten his confidence back in the set-up role and with Eric Gagne's imminent return scheduled for Thursday, the question seems to be what do we do with Joe Beimel who has been impressive thus far?

3) With Jeff Kent missing another day, is it time to put him on a short DL stint to let him heal thouroughly?