Tracy: Sport Can Help Nation Heal

Manager Jim Tracy said it’s time for baseball to get back to work and help the United States start the healing process.

“We’re to the point where you have to do something,” he said. “Some season is left to play, and we must get started. You can’t put it off any longer, because you would run the risk of the caliber [of play] being less than expected.

“We can provide our country with relief from what’s going on. We have to do this for ourselves and for this country.”

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Fans will face closer security scrutiny as they return to stadiums today, undergoing inspections of their bags for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.

Coolers, backpacks and large bags will not be permitted, and the commissioner’s office has instructed clubs to increase the presence of uniformed police officers and inspect facilities each day before gates open.

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Rosalind Iams, an LAPD officer, will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America” tonight.

U.S. flags will be handed out at gates and a large flag will be unfurled on the field before the first pitch.

Curt Schilling has been dominant against the Dodgers this season, and the Diamondback right-hander is scheduled to start two more times in the clubs’ final two series.

Arizona Manager Bob Brenly altered his rotation in part because Schilling-20-6 with a 2.85 earned-run average-is 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 25 innings against the Dodgers.

Schilling and Terry Adams are the scheduled starters Sunday in the final game of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium, and Schilling also is expected to start Sept. 30 in the teams’ last meeting at Bank One Ballpark.

ON DECK

Opponent-San Diego Padres, three games.

Site-Dodger Stadium.

Tonight-7.

TV-Fox Sports Net 2 every game.

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

Records-Dodgers 78-65, Padres 70-73.

Record vs. Padres-7-6.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN

(10-4, 2.75 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ JASON MIDDLEBROOK

(0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Update-The Dodgers begin their final homestand. After 10 games against the Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers finish the season on a nine-game, 10-day trip against those clubs.

Tuesday, 7 p.m.-Terry Adams (12-6, 4.32) vs Kevin Jarvis (11-10, 4.72).

Wednesday, 7 p.m.-James Baldwin (2-4, 5.08) vs Brian Tollberg (7-4, 4.04).