Illness sidelines Crawford for second straight day

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford was feeling ill again on Sunday and was held out of the lineup for the second straight day.

Crawford was sent to the emergency room Saturday as a precaution. He was sick on Friday, though he started against the Reds and had three hits. But he wasn't feeling better Sunday.

"He's still kind of the same, his temperature is going up and down, still fighting off an infection," manager Don Mattingly said.

Mattingly said he did not know if Crawford would be available off the bench for Sunday's series finale against the Reds. The Dodgers are off Monday and the club hopes the extra rest will help Crawford return to the field for Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

"He's been to the doctors and they all feel like it's just a matter of getting antibiotics in there," Mattingly said. "With the off-day tomorrow, we're assuming he's going to be fine on Tuesday."

The illness comes at a time when Crawford was heating up at the plate. He's broken out of a 2-for-30 skid with a seven-game hit streak, going 14-for-33 (.424) with three doubles and three RBIs during that span.

Crawford has also missed time this season with hamstring and lower back issues, and has been limited to 67 games.

Mark Ellis filled in for Crawford in the leadoff spot, while Jerry Hairston Jr. started in left.