An extraordinary day in Dodgers history: A recap

It was a remarkable day in Dodgers history, one in which there were so many twists and turns that a fan, well, almost needed a program to keep up.

Here’s a recap of Saturday’s events:

— The Dodgers close the biggest trade in their history, obtaining first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, pitcher Josh Beckett, outfielder Carl Crawford and utility fielder Nick Punto from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for first baseman James Loney and four prospects, three of them with major league experience.

— Dodgers management holds a pregame news conference heralding the deal, in which the club also will inherit a jaw-dropping $260 million in player salaries. Co-owner Magic Johnson declares “We want to win now.”

PHOTOS: Adrian Gonzalez’s dazzling debut

— In a you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up moment, Gonzalez slams a three-run home run in his first at-bat as a Dodger, sending the crowd at Dodger Stadium into a frenzy.

— Starting pitcher Chad Billingsley is placed on the disabled list with a sore elbow, a potential major blow to the Dodgers’ playoff hopes.

— Left fielder Shane Victorino, himself recently acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, is scratched from the lineup with lower back tightness.

— Right fielder Andre Ethier has four hits in the Dodgers’ 8-2 win over the Miami Marlins, including a home run, giving him 10 consecutive hits overall, setting a new record in Los Angeles Dodgers franchise history.

— Gonzalez, Beckett and Punto hold an extraordinary postgame news conference at home plate after the game to introduce themselves to their new fan base.

— The incomparable broadcaster Vin Scully agrees to return for an unprecedented 64th season calling the Dodgers’ games in 2013, the Los Angeles Times learns.

The Dodgers enter Sunday’s game with a record of 69-58, and they’re two games behind the first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West. There are 35 games left in the regular season.

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