SPORTS NOTES : Dodgers Stadium Feels Like Home for the Pitching Martinez Brothers

Most baseball fans know about Ramon Martinez, the 6-foot-4 right-hander who is one of the mainstays on the Dodger starting rotation. Some might recall seeing Pedro Martinez, a 5-11 right-hander, pitch briefly with the Dodgers late last season.

Not many in Los Angeles know much about the third Martinez brother, Jesus, a 6-2 left-hander. But they are likely to know a lot about him in the future.

Ralph Avila, director of the Dodgers’ Campo Las Palmas player development complex near Santo Domingo, says Jesus might become the best of the three.

The brothers trained together in Vero Beach during the spring, with 25-year-old Ramon keeping a close eye on Pedro, 21, and Jesus, 19.

“I would like it if one day the three of us could pitch in the same rotation,” Ramon said. “Jesus needs to mature (as a pitcher), but he’s ready to turn the corner.”

Nearly 900 students from 40 high schools, continuation schools and junior highs completed the L.A. Marathon on March 8, despite 90-degree temperatures. They included Sandra Loera of Roosevelt High, who was featured in the Feb. 11 Nuestro Tiempo. Overall, nearly 20,000 runners entered the race. Hector Lopez, 25, was the top finisher from Los Angeles, placing 14th in 2:30:30.

Junior Denise Caudillo of Roosevelt High and senior Michelle Gonzalez of South Gate earned all-city basketball honors for the second consecutive season with their selection to the 4-A first team. Deana Duran, a junior from Garfield, was named to the 3-A first team.

Seniors Alex Gomez of Garfield and Ruben Castellanos of Lincoln were chosen to the 3-A first team.

The artificial turf at East Los Angeles College’s Weingart Stadium will be replaced by grass as part of a $1-million renovation agreement with L.A. Promotions, a private company that will get a five-year lease for use of the stadium. The football field will be reconfigured to allow for soccer and football as part of the first phase to be completed in May.