McCourt takes loan to cover Dodgers payroll (this month)

How bad is it at Dodger Stadium? Forget the team's sad play on the field. Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times says Frank McCourt borrowed $30 million from Fox to cover the Dodgers' first payday. "The Dodgers met the first payroll of the season Friday. The loan is expected to carry the Dodgers through the April 30 payroll as well," Shaikin reports, based on three sources "briefed on the arrangement."

The money is expected to cover the Dodgers' expenses into next month. Commissioner Bud Selig has yet to say whether he will approve a proposed television contract between Fox and the Dodgers, which McCourt has presented as a long-term solution to the team's financial troubles.

The loan marks the second time since the end of last season that Fox has provided money to the Dodgers owner so he could cover expenses.

The loan was furnished to McCourt personally rather than to the debt-strapped Dodgers, so the arrangement did not require Selig's approval, according to the people briefed on the deal.

Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly tonight left starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw — fatigued and struggling in the 5th inning, as Vin Scully repeatedly pointed out — in the game for one pitch too many. Three-run homer, and an eventual 9-2 victory by the Cardinals. The Dodgers also put key relief pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo on the disabled list.

Nice moment: Dodgers rookie Ivan De Jesus Jr. collected his first hit in the big leagues, 37 years after his dad did the same thing for the Dodgers. Son is two years older than Dad was. Also: Shaikin notes on Twitter that De Jesus is the first player from the Dodgers' 2005 draft class to get a hit in the majors.

Also this: Crowd at Dodger Stadium was the smallest for a Saturday night game there since 2002, Shaikin tweets.

Scully totally gets it: Shaikin, who has been covering the McCourt saga and Dodger Stadium security issues as much as the game on the field, also tweeted tonight: "Vin Scully sees me after the game and starts laughing. 'You've been busy,' he said, smiling. God has spoken."

Dodgers photo of McCourt: Jon SooHoo