Arroyo at Dodgers
Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Redsright-hander Bronson Arroyo hasn’t minced words about his current use of supplements.
Nor has he when asked about his former teammates’ use of performance- enhancing drugs.
Facing former Boston Red Sox teammate Manny Ramirez for the first time, Arroyo takes the mound Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Dodgers -170 moneyline favorites for Sunday’s game against the Reds. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 59% of more than 165 bets for this game have been placed on the Dodgers -170.
In a USA Today interview earlier this month, Arroyo (11-12, 4.43 ERA) admitted to taking androstenedione and amphetamines before they were banned by MLB and that he still takes up to 16 supplements per day.
"I have a lot of guys in (the locker room) who think I’m out of (my) mind because I’m taking a lot of things not on the (MLB-approved) list," Arroyo said. "I take some Korean ginseng and a few other proteins out there that are not certified. But I haven’t failed any tests, so I figured I’m good."
Following a report last month that Ramirez and Boston designated hitter David Ortiz were among the 104 players that tested positive for performance enhancers in 2003, the former Red Sox pitcher said he could also be on that list.
"Before (2004), none of us paid attention to what we took," Arroyo said. "Back then, nobody knew what was in the stuff, because the (Federal Drug Administration) wasn’t regulating all of it."
When Ramirez was suspended for 50 games in May for violating MLB’s drug policy, Arroyo wasn’t convinced the enigmatic outfielder had unknowingly taken a medication that included a banned substance.
"Manny likes to play stupid, but he’s a pretty bright guy," said Arroyo, Ramirez’s teammate from 2003-05. "And he’s definitely aware of a lot of things that he tries to act like he’s completely oblivious to."
Since Ramirez returned from his suspension, the NL West-leading Dodgers (77-53) are 27-24. Ramirez is batting .284 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs during this stretch.
After striking out with the bases loaded to end Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Reds, Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the first inning of Saturday’s 11-4 victory. It was his first extra-base hit in eight games and third homer since a game-winning, pinch-hit grand slam versus Cincinnati (56-72) on July 22.
"We get a lift when (Ramirez) comes to the ballpark every day," said outfielder Matt Kemp, batting .400 with three homers in his last nine games. "His attitude is great. You can never tell if he’s struggling or hitting good."
Dodgers manager Joe Torre gives the ball to Clayton Kershaw (8-7, 2.96) in the series finale. He is 0-2 with a 2.97 ERA in his last seven starts after going 5-0 with a 0.63 ERA from June 16-July 18.
After Kershaw struck out Brad Hawpe to lead off the seventh in Tuesday’s 5-4, 10-inning loss at Colorado, Torre replaced the 21-year-old left-hander, who allowed two runs and four hits in his 104-pitch outing. Kershaw has been limited to 100 pitches or fewer in 13 of his 26 starts.
"It’s not my call," Kershaw said of his pitch count. "They pay me to pitch and I have fun doing it. I’ll throw 300 pitches if they want me to do that."
He has never faced the Reds.
Los Angeles has won 27 of 35 against Cincinnati since getting swept in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium from May 14-16, 2004.
Posted: 8/30/09 6:00AM ET
