Nothing but blue skies in LA

The Dodgers own baseball's best record and have a comfortable lead in the National League West. Ramírez is due back July 3 at San Diego after a minor league rehab assignment that is expected to last 7-10 days at the Dodgers' Triple A affiliate in Albuquerque.

This couldn't have worked out better for the Dodgers, who have excelled with Juan Pierre, somewhat of a forgotten figure, replacing Ramírez.

"Juan Pierre has been our MVP," said utilityman Mark Loretta.

Pierre went into the weekend hitting .351 with an on-base percentage of .408 as the leadoff hitter. When Ramírez returns, they hope it will have the feel of a midseason acquisition, as it was when they picked up Ramírez from the Red Sox on July 31 last year.

"We're a better team with him," said right fielder Andre Ethier. "There's no doubt about that.

"I think early in spring training we were able to draw the conclusion that Manny wasn't with us and that we had a good team anyway and that we were just going to go along as if we didn't have him around."

While no one was helped more than Ethier by Ramírez's presence in the lineup last season, he is making his own mark as a hitter without that protection.

"I think what we did, to be honest with you, is we shelved him," said backup catcher Brad Ausmus. "We knew he wasn't going to be with us, so we made a conscious decision that there's no reason to dwell on it.

"When he comes back, he'll have no problem sliding back into the lineup on this team. He's easygoing and, sure, there'll be a few days of media hype over his return, but after that, we've added one of the best hitters in the game to our lineup. So it's all positive."

Ramírez made news again last week when he spoke to the media inside the Dodgers clubhouse.

Under the conditions of his suspension, he is supposed to depart the clubhouse before media availability, which is 3 1/2 hours prior to game time - thus, he broke a rule.

Major League Baseball didn't take any action but advised the Dodgers to make sure Ramírez leaves the clubhouse on time.

In talking to reporters, Ramírez did not directly address the specifics of his transgression with performance enhancers - what exactly he did and why he did it - but made a general comment, saying, "I didn't murder nobody. I didn't rape nobody."

An old friend of Ramírez's said he has become very hard to find since the suspension.

"He's disappeared from everyone," said the friend. "He changed his phone numbers and he's not talking to anyone."

But if Ramírez returns in the right frame of mind, it will be gravy for the Dodgers in an already great season.

Loretta, who has been on winning teams, said of this Dodger edition, "This is one of the most balanced teams I've ever been on. We've been able to win a lot of different ways."

The Dodgers have surprised most pundits with their pitching (first overall in ERA at 3.64), including the development of Chad Billingsley (8-3) and Clayton Kershaw, the strong outings by veteran Randy Wolf, and the young bullpen anchored by closer Jonathan Broxton.

Part of the pitching success is due to the work of catcher Russell Martin, who, according to Ausmus, "has done a tremendous job handling the staff and with pitch selection. He's made a difference with the younger pitchers. He's definitely guided them in the right direction. I think that's something that doesn't get mentioned very often."

The lineup has produced a major league-best .279 average and a second-best on-base percentage of .358. They love Dodger Stadium, where they are 23-9. The signing of Orlando Hudson and the re-signing of Rafael Furcal have improved the defense up the middle exponentially.

There's also more familiarity with manager Joe Torre, who has not had any "trust issues" with the Dodgers, as some expected after his book revealed details of private conversations with players during his Yankee years.

"I think there's a better understanding of what Joe is looking for and what he expects from us," Ethier said.

Ramírez could indeed be the icing on the regular-season cake. And in the postseason? Might we finally see that Dodgers-Red Sox Manny reunion in the World Series?

Allison a restarting pitcher

How are things going?

JA: "I'm pitching here in Jupiter, in A ball, and my goal is to keep moving up. I'm throwing the ball well most of the time. Every now and then I have a bad start, but I can't get crazy over it. I know the Florida Marlins care about my well-being first. They truly care about me as a person. They've given me chances over and over and over again, so I know how much they care about me."

Is staying sober still a struggle?

JA: "I've been sober for 2 1/2 years now. Through the help of the Marlins, my family, my girlfriend Aubrey Hall, my trainer and strength coach Phil Brady, I've been able to stay clean. There are lonely days and nights sometimes and off-days and things like that, but I have my family and Aubrey and her family to help me through."

Have the Marlins assigned someone to be with you?

JA: "I'm 24 years old now. I'm a big boy. If I'm going to screw up again, it's on me. People can only do so much for me. Two and a half years ago, I made the decision that I wanted to do this for myself. The past is past. Can't go back and fix the things I messed up, but I feel God put me here for a reason. I'm a better brother, son, and boyfriend. I think I have better self-esteem. I once made it as a top pick on raw talent. Now, I go out and I have to prove I can do it again. I throw 92-93 miles per hour, not quite like I used to throw, but I've accepted things. I've accepted being here, and whatever the Marlins have planned for me I'll accept as well."

Are you inspired by Josh Hamilton's story?

JA: "Of course. Josh Hamilton put his life in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ from the start. I have done that as well, though it took me longer to get there. I love and respect the game or I wouldn't be here. Every day when I come to the ballpark, I take nothing for granted. The smell, the sounds, being on the field. It's a continuing process."

Do you feel you can make it to the big leagues?

JA: "I want to get as far as I can. I have preconceived dreams about that. I know where I've come from and what I've done in my life. I know where I am now. I just need to be healthy."

If teams aren't going anywhere, the players could be moving

The Angels, particularly manager Mike Scioscia, are getting frustrated, and change was promised. Howie Kendrick was demoted to Triple A. Third baseman Brandon Wood, who is now playing some first base, may come up to add much-needed power. Until Jake Peavy twisted an ankle, there was talk of the Angels going after him, with John Lackey pitching so poorly. They may go after another pitcher.

The White Sox have a chance to pick up some decent pieces if they've decided it's time to look ahead rather than try to win now. After the aborted Peavy deal, they might be positioning themselves to trade Jermaine Dye.

Although Miguel Tejada's name has come up in this space the past few weeks, the Astros are only six games out in the NL Central, so trading the league's top hitter might not be in their plans.

"His value probably wouldn't be greater than it is right now," said one talent evaluator, "but the Astros always think they're in the race."

Although he's perceived as more of a third baseman at this stage, Tejada wants to play shortstop and he wants to play every day. The Cardinals could surely use him.

With John Maine on the disabled list, you would think the Mets would have heightened their search for a starting pitcher. Brad Penny and Carl Pavano could be targets, though entering the weekend there didn't see to be much movement.

The Giants are searching everywhere for a hitter, preferably one who can play third base. Seattle's Adrian Beltre and Colorado's Garrett Atkins may be candidates; Atkins has struggled, while Beltre is on an upswing. The Giants have always liked Mike Lowell, but unless the Red Sox acquire a first baseman (Nick Johnson?) and move Kevin Youkilis to third, that move is far-fetched.

There's always the Matt Holliday-going-somewhere rumor. Holliday is hitting much better, and Oakland seems to be entertaining inquiries on him and Orlando Cabrera, but those who have spoken to the A's say they've been asking for quite a lot, which is why the Red Sox backed off.

Etc.

2. Nolan Ryan, president, Rangers: He has started weaning coaches and managers off strict pitch counts and is bringing toughness back to baseball. "I think Nolan is really against the soft player, the guy who won't go out there if he has a hangnail," said a baseball official, "and there's a growing number of players who are getting that soft label around baseball."

3. Colorado Rockies: Nice week. They have won eight straight (on the road) under new manager Jim Tracy and had, in the words of an opposing scouting director, "a great draft - they got some top-end kids." Top pick Tyler Matzek might be tough to sign, looking for more than $7 million.

4. Jake Locker, QB, Washington: Locker, who doesn't play baseball at Washington, is considering signing with the Angels, who drafted him in the 10th round. But he won't quit football. "I'm staying put to play football at Washington," said Locker, who was also drafted by the Angels in '06 in the 40th round. "All my attention is on football, and this doesn't change any of that. They understand that if I have a chance to play football, I'm going to." If he agrees to a deal with the Angels by Aug. 17, they would hold his rights for six years. The tricky part is he can't have an agent or he loses his amateur status. He would also forfeit the final two years of his scholarship, but the Angels would likely pick up the tab.

5. Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Angels: He has experienced a power outage since his return from the disabled list. Not good timing for the free agent-to-be. In his first 16 games back, he hit .266 (17 for 64) with two doubles, a triple, and no home runs.

6. Garrett Atkins, 3B, Rockies: Talk about a guy who has fallen off the face of the earth. His name came up in trade talks often in the offseason, now he can't get back into the lineup. He was below the Mendoza Line (.193) heading into the weekend, with five homers and 20 RBIs; last year he hit 21 homers and drove in 99. He's been replaced by Ian Stewart, who was 13 for 36 with three doubles, four homers, and 12 RBIs during the win streak.

7. Emilio Bonifacio, 3B, Marlins: Remember that incredible start - 14 for 24, four steals in his first five games? Well, long gone and hard to find. He has a .290 on-base percentage and leads third basemen with 11 errors. The Marlins hoped to improve their defense by moving Bonifacio from second to third, but it hasn't worked out.

8. Coco Crisp, OF, Royals: Safe to declare the Red Sox the clear winner in this trade? Long way to go, but right now Crisp's .228 average and lack of arm strength have offset his great defense and speed. The Royals are also in a 7-23 dip. While Ramon Ramírez has come down to Earth, he is 4-2, 2.10, and has been huge for the Sox.

9. Tom Glavine, LHP, free agent: Looks as though he'll be slipping into retirement, spending time with the kids and settling into family life. Glavine is about to receive the first of six deferred annual payments of $2.5 million from his Mets contract. He's also shying away from a grievance against the Braves.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com.