Jewish Holiday Won’t Take Green Out

Dodger right fielder Shawn Green will observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, next month, but he said he isn’t planning on giving up any playing time.

“The schedule works out well this time,” he said.

Jews are forbidden from eating, drinking or working on the Day of Atonement, which is determined by the Jewish calendar.

Last year, Green sat out a game to observe the holiday, which begins at sundown and ends around 40 minutes after sundown the following day, or when three stars can be seen in the sky.

This year, Yom Kippur begins at sundown Sunday, Sept. 15. Assuming there is no strike, the Dodgers are in Colorado that day to face the Rockies in a game that begins at noon PDT. They are at home Monday night for the 7 p.m. opener of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants

Look for Manager Jim Tracy to be peeking out of the dugout around game time, scanning the skies for those three stars.

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Although right-hander Kevin Brown, recovering from elbow and back surgery, gave up three runs and seven hits in three innings Tuesday night against the Florida Marlins in his second relief appearance, Tracy was quick to defend him Wednesday.

“A lot of people hear the name Kevin Brown and they think he is invincible,” Tracy said. “He’s not.... He’s going to have some ups and downs. I saw some great pitches [Tuesday night] and I saw some flat ones. There is no sense of urgency. We are not pushing any panic button. We’ve got to be patient.”

Tracy, however, was anything but patient when questions about Brown persisted.

“How many different questions about this can I answer?” he said. “It takes time. That’s the answer to all the questions about this, time.”

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Dodger announcer Vin Scully missed Wednesday’s game because of laryngitis. Ross Porter came back from vacation to fill in.

TODAY

DODGERS’

HIDEO NOMO

(11-6, 3.53 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’

JOSH BECKETT

(4-6, 4.31 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, noon

TV--Channel 13

Radio -- KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

Update--Nomo has had less success against Florida than any other team, losing 10 consecutive decisions to the Marlins after winning his first two against them.

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.