Dodgers owner Frank McCourt gives vote of confidence to Ned Colletti

The Dodgers are on pace to post consecutive losing seasons for the first time since Frank McCourt bought the team in 2004, but the embattled owner said Monday that he supports General Manager Ned Colletti.

The All-Star game festivities were abuzz with rumors that McCourt might soon fire Colletti and replace him with one of the Dodgers’ assistant general managers, DeJon Watson or Logan White. However, in a statement, McCourt dismissed those rumors and extended a vote of confidence to Colletti.

“Any rumors about Ned being replaced are inaccurate, false and utterly unfounded,” said the statement issued by Steve Sugerman, a spokesman for McCourt. “He has Frank’s support.”

Colletti declined to comment. He is in his sixth season as the Dodgers’ general manager and the team made the playoffs three times in his first five seasons, including back-to-back appearances in the National League Championship Series in 2008-09.

Colletti’s contract expires after next season, although the contract could be extended if option years are exercised.

Bill Shaikin

The late Gene Autry, the original owner of the Angels, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony before a July 19 game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium.

Former Angels Nolan Ryan, Rod Carew, Bobby Grich, Chuck Finley and Brian Downing, as well as Autry’s widow, Jackie, will take part in the ceremony. Ryan, a Rangers owner, will receive his Angels Hall of Fame ring and throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Autry will be the ninth member of the team’s Hall of Fame, joining Ryan, Grich, Carew, Downing, Finley, Don Baylor, Jim Fregosi and Jimmie Reese. In celebration of the induction, fans in attendance will receive an Angels Hall of Fame shirt.

Mike DiGiovanna

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge pitched a perfect inning for double-A Reading (Pa.) on Monday while coming back from shoulder and elbow problems. He hopes to rejoin the major league club sometime after the All-Star break.

Lidge, 34, hasn’t pitched in the majors this season. For Reading, he struck out two in the sixth inning of an 11-inning, 7-6 Eastern League win over Trenton. In three appearances for Class-A Lakewood (N.J.), have gave up one run in three innings.