It was on May 15, the last time the Dodgers played a series at Petco Park, that Ethier was scratched from the starting lineup just before game time after breaking a small bone in the pinkie of his right hand taking batting practice in an indoor batting cage. That injury came at a time when Ethier led the National League in hitting at .392 and was tied for the league lead with 11 homers and 38 RBIs. He would end up on the disabled list and wouldn't return until May 31.
A club official said that this time, Ethier had nothing more than a stomach ailment similar to the one closer Jonathan Broxton had last week and catcher Brad Ausmus had last weekend. Ethier was replaced in the lineup by Garret Anderson, who started in left field, with Xavier Paul moving from left to right.
Ethier did pinch hit, however, delivering a clutch two-run single with two outs in the seventh to give the Dodgers a 2-0 win.
Tony Jackson covers the Dodgers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario resumes workouts
