Andre Ethier hits 100th career home run, extends hitting streak to 17 games

Andre Ethier hit his 100th home run in the fourth inning of the Dodgers’ 6-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night, sending a pitch by Cristhian Martinez into the visitor’s bullpen. Ethier became the 24th player in Dodgers history to hit 100 home runs for the team.

“It’s nice that I’ve done it all here in a Dodgers uniform,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to start hitting milestones being all in the same city, same team, same uniform.”

Ethier, who was 3 for 4 with a double, extended his hitting streak to a career-best 17 games.

The last Dodger to hit in as many consecutive games was Orlando Hudson, who had a 17-game streak from May 9 to 27 in 2009.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier singles to score Jon Garland against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of their baseball game, Wednesday in L.A. The Dodgers won 6-1. Credit: Danny Moloshok / AP

Daily Dodger in review: The amazing disappearance of Ronnie Belliard

RONNIE BELLIARD, 35, infielder

Final 2010 stats: .216 batting average, two home runs, 19 RBI, 10 doubles, .295 on-base percentage, .327 slugging percentage in 162 at-bats.

Contract status: Free agent.

The good: Alas, his season peaked in the third game, at Pittsburgh, when he went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and home run. At least he started like he might pick up where he left off last season, hitting .289 in April. Defensively played first, second and third base.

The bad: After May 21, he was trapped in Nowhere Land, batting just .183 (19 for 104) with one home run. He no longer resembled the infielder the Dodgers had acquired at the trading deadline in 2009 and hit so well that he supplanted Orlando Hudson as the starting second baseman down the stretch and into the playoffs.

The right-handed hitter batted only .167 against left-handers and .184 at Dodger Stadium. With two outs and runner in scoring position, went 3-for-19 (.158).

What’s next: Zippo as a Dodger.

The take: Though he performed well in the fall of 2009, you always had the feeling he was largely kept around because he was buddies with Manny Ramirez. A few days after Manny was claimed by the White Sox, the Dodgers waived Belliard and then released him when he went unclaimed.

It didn’t help his cause that Jamey Carroll, a utility infielder, was also signed, but Carroll stepped up and Belliard did not. He probably needed more consistent playing time to perform at the expected level, but it’s not like he earned it.

He’s probably looking at being invited to someone’s camp -- probably as a non-roster invitee -- but can’t imagine him returning to the Dodgers. Some will always have Paris, Belliard will always have his September-October of ’09.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Daily Dodger in review: Ryan Theriot -- should he stay or should he go now?

RYAN THERIOT, 30, second baseman.

Final 2010 stats: .270 batting average, two home runs, 29 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, .321 on-base percentage, .312 slugging percentage.

Contract status: Arbitration eligible.

The good: Better defensive second baseman than most anticipated. Career  .284 batting average. A plus in the clubhouse. Scrappy, hustling player.

The bad: Hit an empty .242 after coming over from the Cubs in a July 31 deadline deal. Was advertised as having more pop than Blake DeWitt, but it never materialized. On the season in 586 at-bats, he hit two home runs. DeWitt hit five in 440 at-bats.

In his last 92 at-bats, Theriot did not collect a single extra-base hit. He’s a lineup problem. His on-base percentage is so weak, it doesn’t warrant batting him high in the order, and he has little power to bat at the end of it.

What’s next:The Dodgers have to decide whether to offer him arbitration. Most have simply assumed they will since they 1) need a second baseman, and 2) probably feel they have to show something for their trading of DeWitt, particularly if they are unable to re-sign left-hander Ted Lilly.

There is reason, however, to non-tender Theriot. He made $2.6 million last season, will probably get close to $4 million in arbitration and turns 31 in December.

The take:It seems like Theriot hasn't been around long enough to get much of a feel for him. Of course, that could simply be in response to what little impact he’s had since donning Dodger Blue.

More careful consideration of what Theriot brings to the roster makes offering arbitration far less than certain. There are a host of players who can put up numbers similar to Theriot’s.

Mike Petriello of MikeSciosciasTragicIllness.com makes a pretty convincing case for letting him walk. He would prefer the Dodgers spend another mil or so and land Juan Uribe, who would at least offer some power.

I understand there is also this guy named Orlando Hudson available. And, really, think triple-A Albuquerque’s Ivan DeJesus couldn’t put up stats similar to Theriot’s and at about $3 million less?

--Steve Dilbeck

Tipping the cap to Orlando Hudson

As he officially moves on, a little appreciation for the brief Dodgers career of Orlando Hudson.

It was a quick, one-year stop but it seems too easy for most to dismiss him. To focus on the end of his season here, when he faded and lost his starting job, and not on the previous five months when he was more than the Dodgers had any right to expect.

OK, maybe he wasn't the next Davey Lopes or Jeff Kent, but he never was supposed to be. What he was, was a small godsend from the troubled economy that allowed the Dodgers to sign him late and in a position of need.

And he delivered, became more than just a reliable part of the team. Played well enough to be named an All-Star. Played well enough that he helped the Dodgers endure the 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez.

When Ramirez came back, the Dodgers had the best record in baseball. And on the day Ramirez returned July 3, Hudson was batting .294, with five home runs, 41 RBI and 48 runs.

He ran the bases well, was good in the clubhouse, and if not quite the defender he once was, still was well above average.

Hudson, 32, understandably was looking for a bump in the $3.4 guaranteed contract (though hefty incentives reportedly ultimately brought the deal to almost $7 million). The Dodgers did not offer arbitration, so there will be no bonus draft pick.

The Twins, who also signed Dodger-for-a-moment Jim Thome, obviously believe Hudson is still enough of a hitter and defender to warrant a one-year $5 million deal and plan to bat him second.

They think he fell into their laps. Sort of like the Dodgers last year.

Meanwhile, second base remains unsettled for the Dodgers. They have options and should be fine, but the possibility remains they may appreciate Hudson more now that he's gone.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Orlando Hudson. Credit: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times.

Hudson reportedly near deal with Twins

There are several reports that Orlando Hudson, the Dodgers starting second baseman last season almost up until the playoffs, is on the verge of signing with the Minnesota Twins.

The report was first made by MLB.com and has since been picked up by several media outlets.

Hudson was a late addition to the Dodgers and enjoyed a solid start, until fading down the stretch and losing his job to Ronnie Belliard in the postseason.

A four-time Gold Glove winner, Hudson batted .283 with 35 doubles, nine home runs and 62 RBI for the Dodgers.

Hudson, 32, is expected to bat second  for the Twins.

With incentives, he made close to $7 million last season and reportedly was looking for a guaranteed contract in the coming season at the same amount.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Orlando Hudson. Credit: Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times.