Weaver's Struggles Set Dodgers Back

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3, evening the series at a game apiece. Jeff Weaver struggled, giving up four runs (two earned) over three-and-a-third innings, and it was a deficit the Dodgers could not escape. Rafael Furcal and Andre Ethier had back-to-back homers, with Furcal hitting a two-run shot, and Matt Kemp scored a run. Prince Fielder had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Brewers, and J.J. Hardy drove in two runs.

Jonathan Broxton will not pitch tomorrow or participate in the All Star Game this Tuesday due to a nerve issue in his right-big toe. The toe was a problem for him before in mid-June, and just recently started to affect his pushoff, explaining his recent performances.

Blake DeWitt was demoted to Triple-A for the third time this season. Scott Elbert was called up to replace him. Elbert had two-and-two-thirds shutout innings in the game.

Lakers Still Negotiating with Odom

The Los Angeles Lakers are still negotiating a contract with Lamar Odom to resign him. The power-forward was a key part of the championship run after Andrew Bynum injured his knee, and later in the playoffs as Bynum piled up fouls. Portland is the only team with enough salary-cap space to sign Odom, but so far their interest has been mild at best.

Dodgers Overpower Brewers for Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 12-8 in 10 innings, their first victory of the season against the Brew Crew. The Dodgers had an early lead after Andre Ethier homered in the first, but Chad Billingsley did not have his A-game, yielding two runs in the first before recording three outs. After trading runs in the fourth innings, Manny Ramirez and Russell Martin both slammed jacks to give the Dodgers a two-run cushion. Billingsley once again surrendered two more runs to tie the game. Mat Gamel then homered in the eighth to give Milwaukee a one-run lead. However, the Dodgers got to closer Trevor Hoffman, with Mark Loretta singling home the tying run in the ninth. In the 10th, LA broke the game open, scoring two runs before loading the bases, where Matt Kemp delivered a grand-slam home run to put the game out of reach for Milwaukee. Despite allowing two runs in the bottom of the inning, Jonathan Broxton held on to seal the victory. Kemp finished with a double and single in addition to the grand-slam, and Martin had three hits and scored three runs. James Loney homered, and Casey Blake hit an RBI-triple in the 10th that gave the Dodgers the lead. Gamel finished the game with three RBI's for the Brewers, and J.J. Hardy smashed a homer and drove in three runs. Prince Fielder scored twice, and Mike Cameron had three hits.

Clippers Sign Griffin

The Los Angeles Clippers signed Blake Griffin to a three-year contract with a team-option for the fourth year, though the figures of the deal were not revealed. The Clippers will also be able to make a qualifying offer after the contract expires.

The team has not yet finalized the trade of Zach Randolph with the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Quentin Richardson.

The Clippers have made a qualifying offer to Steve Novak.

Dodgers Pummel Mets for Series Victory

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 11-2, taking the series two games to one. The Dodgers led before the first out could be recorded, and scored enough runs in the first inning to win the game. LA totaled 17 hits, and Randy Wolf's shaky outing was enough to get him his fourth win of the season. Rafael Furcal doubled twice and scored three runs, Manny Ramirez had two hits, RBI's and runs scored, and Andre Ethier collected two runs. Casey Blake drove in and scored a run, and Orlando Hudson had a three-run double. Matt Kemp had three hits, and Russell Martin had two runs-batted-in. David Wright had two hits and scored a run for the Mets, and Gary Sheffield drove in a run.

Orlando Hudson was struck by a pitch on the leg, and had to be replaced with a pinch-runner. He will be in the lineup for Friday's game in Milwaukee.

Randy Wolf changed his number to help him get his fourth win. He previously wore #21, but after four out of five of his last starts ended in a no-decision he changed it to #43, the record he hoped to reach with tonight's start. He did get the win.

Editor's Note: How the West Has Won

The NL West was supposed to be the worst division in the Major Leagues. That theory has quickly died, though no one seems up to giving a big, hearty "Mea Culpa" to the mistaken belief. Don't get me wrong. This division had very little going for it at the beginning of the season. The Dodgers won the West with just 84 wins. The Padres looked like they were a glorified Triple-A team. The Giants had the worst lineup of the bunch. The only shining beacon of the division would be the Dodgers, and even then Sports Illustrated's Baseball Preview edition predicted the Boys in Blue would garner only 88 wins, four more than last season's net-total. Unfortunately for the pundits, their theories were soundly squashed. The Dodgers are baseball's best team, and the Giants and Rockies are leading the pack for the NL Wild Card. Only two teams in the National League boast a winning record against ballclubs west of the Rocky Mountains. Both Los Angeles and San Francisco have the privilege of calling their pitching staffs the best in the Majors, not just the NL. Yet no one has taken a step forward to apologize. The East-Coast leaning general consensus is that the Western Division is still subpar, and the Dodgers have fattened up on h'ors-doeuvres, not the real meat of the league. Call me biased, but the NL West deserves the credit that it has earned.

Kemp Can't Make Final Vote

Matt Kemp could not win the Final Vote which determines the final roster spot of the National League All Star team. He finished fourth, behind Shane Victorino, Pablo Sandoval, and Mark Reynolds. Kemp could still possibly make the team if Carlos Beltran or Raul Ibanez drop out due to injury.

Dodgers Come Up Short Against Mets

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the New York Mets 5-4, splitting the series at a game apiece. The Dodgers struck early, scoring in the first, but Hiroki Kuroda could not get outs, giving up eight hits and two walks that resulted in five runs scoring. The bullpen held New York back, but the offense failed in the clutch, hitting 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Boys in Blue tried to get back into the game, scoring a run in the eighth and in the ninth to cut the deficit to one. However, with two on and one out Andre Ethier grounded into a double-play to end the game. Rafael Furcal had two hits and two RBI's, and Matt Kemp tripled and scored twice. Russell Martin reached base four times, twice by hit and twice by walk. Manny Ramirez hit a home run in the ninth to cut the lead in half. David Wright scored two runs and drove in a run for the Mets.

Ronald Belisario was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a stiff shoulder, though the MRI revealed no structural damage. Corey Wade was called up from Triple-A to take his place.

Artest Formally Introduced as Laker

Last night at 9 o'clock, free-agents were allowed to officially sign with teams. The Lakers wasted no time, making deals with Ron Artest and Shannon Brown as the clock struck nine in Beverly Hills. Artest was introduced at a press conference earlier today, and fielded questions from the press. His jersey number was also revealed; Artest chose 37 after fans requested it via Facebook and Twitter to honor the late Michael Jackson, whose album "Thriller" was number one on the charts for 37 weeks.

Dodgers Defeat Mets Handily

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 8-0, their first victory in the Mets' new Citi Field. The Dodgers struck early in the second with three runs, and led for the rest of the game. New York could only muster four hits and two walks over nine innings. Rafael Furcal scored twice, and Orlando Hudson drove in two runs. Manny Ramirez collected three RBI's before being ejected after reacting negatively to a strike out. Matt Kemp totaled two hits, a run scored, a run-batted-in, and an outfield assist. Blake DeWitt had a pinch-hit homer, his first blast of the season. Juan Pierre tripled and scored a run after replacing Manny. Clayton Kershaw pitched six shutout innings, striking out seven and walking only two. Luis Castillo had only one of the Amazins' four hits.

Claudio Vargas made his Dodger debut after spending the entire season on the disabled list. Vargas had a perfect inning, but was struck by a line-drive.

Ronald Belisario returned to Los Angeles to have an MRI on his right elbow after he complained of stiffness. There is no word if he will be placed on the disabled list.

Lakers Resign Brown

The Los Angeles Lakers resigned PG Shannon Brown to a two-year, $4.2 million contract with a player option for the second year, according to the LA Times. Brown was acquired mid-season in a trade with Charlotte that sent him and Adam Morrison to LA and Vladimir Radmanovic to the Bobcats. Brown initially sat on the bench for most of the season, but his minutes increased in the playoffs after Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar struggled. He reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from other teams to take this deal.

Dodgers Salvage Game in Extras

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-6 in 13 innings, taking the series 2-1. The Dodgers seemed to be in complete control entering the bottom of the ninth, as Chad Billingsley was cruising to what looked like a complete-game and his 10th win of the season. However, a homer and a double later, he was pulled and Jonathan Broxton was put in with a still comfortable four-run lead. Things took a turn for the worst in Broxton's worst outing of the season though, as he gave up a walk, single, walk, walk, and single to tie the game at six runs apiece. In the 13th inning, James Loney broke the game open with a solo-homer, and Jeff Weaver spun three innings of no-hit ball to get his fourth win. Casey Blake hit a three-run home run, and Andre Ethier had a solo-shot. Billingsley doubled and hit his first career homer. Juan Pierre had four hits, and Rafael Furcal scored twice. Kevin Kouzmanoff and Chase Headley both had solo-homers for the Padres, and Everth Cabrera had the game-tying, two-run single.

Eric Milton was placed on the 15-day disabled list, again because a troubling back. Jeff Weaver, James McDonald, and Claudio Vargas are all capable of filling his spot in the rotation. Blake DeWitt was called up to replace him on the roster.

Dodgers to Send Three to ASG

The rosters for the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game were announced today, and three Dodgers will make the journey to St. Louis. Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton and Orlando Hudson were all named to the National League team. Billingsley is having a breakout year, standing among the league-leaders in strikeouts, ERA and wins. Broxton has become one of the most dominant closers in the game, leading all active closers in strikeouts. Hudson had a career-year before falling into a deep slump, at one point leading the NL in hits. Joe Torre will accompany the three to Missouri, where he will be one of Charlie Manuel's bench coaches.