Kershaw's Gem Helps Dodgers Beat Astros

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros 5-2, preventing their first three-game losing streak of the season. Clayton Kershaw was dominant, shutting Houston out for seven innings on just two hits and one walk. The bullpen struggled though in the eighth, and Jonathan Broxton loaded the bases in the ninth, but he struck out the side and earned his 21st save of the season. Orlando Hudson had three hits, including a triple, scored twice and drove in a run. Manny Ramirez doubled and Matt Kemp had two RBI's and a run scored. Chris Coste doubled and scored a run for the Astros, and Jason Michaels drove in a run.

Before the game, the Dodgers announced that Jason Schmidt will be activated on Monday, where he will start that day against Cincinnati.

Clips' Deal Randolph

The Los Angeles Clippers finalized their trade for Quentin Richardson from Memphis in exchange for Zach Randolph. The deal was struck early in the off-season, but the two teams made the transaction official today.

Billingsley Gets Slaughtered in Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros 8-1, their fourth loss to Houston in five games this year. Chad Billingsley had his worst outing this season, giving up six runs on nine hits in less than two innings of work before being pulled. Roy Oswalt was just as good as Billingsley was bad, allowing only one run on four hits while going the distance. Orlando Hudson tripled on a ball lost in the sky, and scored on Russell Martin's RBI-ground out. Miguel Tejada homered for the 'Stros, and Ivan Rodriguez had four hits, two RBI's, and two runs scored. Hunter Pence knocked in two runs, and Kazuo Matsui, Michael Bourn and Carlos Lee each scored a run.

Editor's Note: Halladay In

Roy Halladay looks like the only real superstar on the trade market, and the Blue Jays will want a minor-league roster of prospects in exchange. You can stop daydreaming of trades involving McDonald, DeWitt, Elbert and Hu. It will not happen. Toronto won't even talk with the Dodgers unless they will part with Broxton, Kershaw, Billingsley, or Kemp, and as of now the Dodgers refuse to tamper with the current 25-man roster. A trade for Kershaw may seem like a temporary solution, and if the World Series can return to Los Angeles, why not do it? Only, trading for an ace is nowhere near a lock to even make it through the first round of the playoffs (see: Milwaukee and CC Sabathia). Sure, Halladay improves the chances, but Kershaw's raw potential rivals any pitcher in the majors. The Dodgers have held on to these guys, not because they were waiting for the right opportunity to trade them as if it were a high-stakes poker game, but because they want to build a team around them. Ned Colletti has other concerns than acquiring an ace, like repairing the overworked bullpen and finding a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher to solidify the fifth-starter role. While Halladay would be a nice addition, the cost is unneccesary and even harmful.

Astros Silence Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros 3-0, their first game of the second-half. Randy Wolf pitched six quality innings before allowing three singles to start the seventh, while Wandy Rodriguez was lights-out for Houston, shutting LA down. The Dodgers left nine men on base, and batted a collective 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Orlando Hudson was the sole bright spot of the game, notching three hits including a double. Kaz Matsui doubled and drove in a run for the 'Stros, and Humberto Quintero hit his first homer of the year.

Corey Wade was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The Dodgers called up Blake DeWitt to replace him in the roster.

Editor's Note: Odom and Lakers Staring at Lose-Lose Situation

The LA Times is reporting the Lakers have pulled their offer to Lamar Odom of three years, $27 million. Odom's agent wants five years with a base salary of $10 million a year, but that's really just a pipe dream. In a situation vaguely similar to the Dodgers' tumultuous negotiations with Manny Ramirez, Odom's best, and as it stands only, option is to return to the Lakers. He could get the five years he wants with Miami or Dallas, but the salary would be nowhere close to LA's offer since the two only possess their mid-level exception. Odom would be a key part of a dynasty-bound team in Los Angeles, but with the Heat or Mavericks he'd only be part of a one-and-done franchise. The Lakers need Odom to be their best player off the bench; if he leaves, the sixth-man role goes to Luke Walton. Both sides need the other to succeed, and if money splits the two apart, they both could face struggles that will make them regret their stubbornness.

Struggles Continue for NL in Loss

The American League topped the National League 4-3 in the 2009 MLB All Star Game to win home-field advantage in the World Series, the AL's 12th straight ASG victory. The Junior Circuit had the early advantage, scoring twice in the first inning off the Giant's Tim Lincecum. The NL responded though, scoring three runs in the second off Toronto's Roy Halladay to take the lead, capped by Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, who hit an RBI-double. The Dodgers' Chad Billingsley surrendered the lead in the fifth, giving up a double to Minnesota's Joe Mauer that scored the Yankee's Derek Jeter. San Diego's Heath Bell then gave up a triple to Curtis Granderson of Detroit, and Baltimore's Adam Jones hit a sacrafice-fly to knock Granderson home. Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford robbed Brad Hawpe of the Rockies of a home run that would have tied the game, and his superb defense earned him the All Star MVP award. The Dodgers' Orlando Hudson entered the game as a replacement, and went 1-for-2 with a stolen base.

Milton Figures to Miss Season

Eric Milton will most likely be finished for the rest of the season after suffering a herniated disk. He underwent surgery today to remove the problematic disk, and figures to be transferred to the 60-day disabled list. The Dodgers signed Milton during the off-season to be one of the candidates for the fifth-starter role, but a terrible Spring Training forced him to start the season in Triple-A Albuquerque. when James McDonald could not fulfill the role though, Milton was called up to replace him in the rotation. There is no word as to who will be the full-time fifth starter once the All Star break ends.

Lakers Having Trouble with Odom

The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an impass with free-agent Lamar Odom after his agent rejected their latest offer. The Lakers offered the forward a 3-year deal worth more than $9 million each year. However, Odom is looking for a five-year deal worth $10 million each season. GM Mitch Kupchak was interviewed at a Lakers' Summer League game, and said he was feeling less confident that a contract could be reached than he felt on Friday. The Purple and Gold originally offered $7 million, then raised it to $8 million. The LA Times reports Miami, who still hold's their mid-level exception, could become involved.

Editor's Note: Morrison Hopes to Find Luck in Vegas

The NBA hasn't worked out the way Adam Morrison had hoped it would. After setting himself out as one of college basketball's elite, the Charlotte Bobcats had high hopes that he could lead the oft-struggling franchise. He came out of Gonzaga as the third overall pick in the 2006 Draft. Now Morrison is playing for the Lakers' Summer League team in Las Vegas to restart his career. His life with the Bobcats was a struggle from the begginning, facing heavy pressure after being picked personally by Michael Jordan. He lost his starting job midway through the 2006-07 season, and before the '07-'08 season even started Morrison's had ended. He tore a ligament in his knee during a pre-season game, and missed the entire year. Another poor season spelled doom for Morrison as he could not jump back into the 2008-07 season with the same intensity he displayed during his college career. His troubles sent him to Los Angeles with Shannon Brown in exchange for Vladimir Radmanovic. Morrison saw nothing but garbage time with the Lakers, and never even stepped foot on the court during LA's championship playoff run. Now Morrison is fighting for a chance to make the team in the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Clippers in "Serious" Talks with Iverson

The Los Angeles Clippers are negotiating with Allen Iverson, according to the LA Times. Iverson has been one of the best players of this generation, reaching the Finals once in 2001 with Philadelphia, the same year he won the MVP. He then was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2006, and just last season was traded to Detroit. His stint with the Pistons was the worst in his career, as his refusal to move to the bench led Detroit to deactivate him for the rest of the season.

Dodgers Finish Half on Right Note

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4, taking the series 2-1. The Dodgers had the early advantage, scoring twice in the first inning. Clayton Kershaw was solid, giving up only one run on two hits and five walks over six-plus innings of work. Ramon Troncoso notched the save with a scoreless ninth. Brad Ausmus connected for his first homer of the season, and Orlando Hudson had two home runs, one from each side of the plate. James Loney drove in two runs, and Manny Ramirez doubled twice and scored twice. Mike Cameron and Bill Hall both doubled, knocked in a run and scored a run for the Brewers.

The victory ended the Dodgers' nine-game road trip, in which they went 6-3. It was also the last game before the All Star Break, which signals the end of the first half of the season.