Dodgers beat Rockies with Manny set to return

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 1-0 on Wednesday to win their final contest before slugger Manny Ramirez''s 50-game suspension expires.

Ramirez, who was suspended for testing positive for a banned substance on May 7, is now eligible to return on Friday against the San Diego Padres.

The victory saw the Dodgers (50-29) become the first Major League club to reach 50 wins this season.

"We''re in first place, we have played well (without Ramirez)," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre.

"We are aware of the crowd that Manny draws. We are prepared for it. It is a distraction, but we cannot ignore the fact that it is going to be there. We are ready for him to come back."

Los Angeles left-hander Clayton Kershaw started with five scoreless innings before Ronald Belisario, Ramon Troncoso and Jonathan Broxton nailed down the final four frames.

Rafael Furcal delivered an RBI single in the eighth inning to score catcher Brad Ausmus.

Colorado starter Jason Hammel pitched eight innings and struck out five batters. The Rockies managed just three hits in the game.

Despite the loss, the Rockies (41-37) are 23-9 since manager Jim Tracy took over for the fired Clint Hurdle on May 29.

"We will not be discouraged one bit by what took place in this series," Tracy said. "We should feel very good about the fact of what took place out there, even though we didn''t win the series."

Los Angeles finished 29-21 in their 50 games without Ramirez, helped in large part by the play of Juan Pierre in left field.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)