MLB Draft: Dodgers Select LHP Miller

In the 2009 MLB Draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers used their 36th overall pick to select Aaron Miller, a LHP from Baylor University. Yahoo Sports' description: "Miller is a two-way standout from Baylor. Some teams had him projected on the offensive side, but at 6-3 and left handed he should be on the rubber." The Dodgers did not have a first-round pick due to the signing of Orlando Hudson. Instead, they received a supplemental-round pick because Atlanta signed Derek Lowe.

In all, the Dodgers drafted Blake Smith, an outfielder from UC Berkely; Garrett Gould, a RHP out of Maize High School in Kansas; and Brett Wallach, a pitcher from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California.

Breaking News: Floyd Resigns

Tim Floyd (right), coach for the USC men's basketball team, resigned from his position today, according to ESPN. Floyd became embroiled in a long and tumultuous controversy involving the signing of O.J. Mayo (left). He was accused of paying a man close to Mayo to persuade him into joining Southern California, a major violation of NCAA rules. Floyd led the Trojans to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and just last season led the team to the Pac-10 Championship.

Phils Batter Dodgers for Split

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2, ending the 4-game series in a split. The Dodgers did not get any help from Randy Wolf, who gave up six runs in less than seven innings of work. The Phillies used LA pitching for batting-practice, as Shane Victorino, Ryan Howard, and Carlos Ruiz each had a homer for Philadelphia. Juan Pierre had two hits, including a double, and Matt Kemp had an RBI. Casey Blake doubled and scored a run, and Ethier crossed home-plate as well.

Eric Milton was placed on the 15-day disabled list for tightness in his back. The Dodgers recalled Blake DeWitt to take his place on the roster. Milton was 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA. A fifth starter will not be needed due to three off-days until June 20 against the Angels. However, by that time Eric Stults is expected to be ready to come off the disabled list. The extra bench-player will help as the Dodgers enter interleague play, and travel to Texas and Chicago to play the Rangers and the White Sox with the designated-hitter rule.

Game 2: Lakers Sweep Home Stretch

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 101-96 in overtime, taking a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. The series heads to Orlando for the next three games. The Lakers entered the fourth quarter trailing by two, but managed to send the game into overtime as Courtney Lee missed an alley-oop layup. LA won the OT 13-8. Both teams struggled to sink shots early in the game, as both teams tied at 15 at the end of the first quarter, the lowest scoring first in Finals history. The score was at 40-35 Lakers going into halftime. Orlando vastly improved their shooting, going .423 from the field, including 10-for-30 behind the arc. The Lakers countered by forcing 20 turnovers, but lost on the boards, being out-rebounded 44-35. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Purple and Gold with 29 points and 8 assists, and Pau Gasol scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Derek Fisher had 12 points and three clutch steals, and Lamar Odom was 8-for-9 off the bench, scoring 19 points and landing 8 rebounds. Rashard Lewis was deadly for the Magic, hitting six 3-pointers and scoring 34 points, throwing up 7 assists, and taking 11 boards. Hedo Turkoglu added 22 points, and Dwight Howard had 17 points, 16 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocked shots.

Ethier Repeats in Dodgers' Victory

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in 12 innings, their fourth win in five games. The Dodgers won in the bottom of the twelfth after Andre Ethier hit a solo-homer with two outs, his second walk-off hit in as many games. It was also Ethier's second home run of the day. Hiroki Kuroda had six shutout innings, but Ronald Belisario could not preserve the lead, giving up two runs in the seventh that led the Phillies take the lead. However, in the bottom of the ninth Rafael Furcal hit a pinch-hit homer to tie the game and send it into extra-innings. James Loney had three hits, and Juan Castro had two. Matt Stairs hit a two-run single that gave the Phils their short lead, and Pedro Feliz had two hits and scored a run.

Ninth Inning Rally Spells Victory for Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3, their third win in four games. The Dodgers won in the bottom of the ninth after Brad Lidge got two outs with the Phillies up by one, leaving the Dodgers with their final out. Casey Blake subsequently singled, James Loney walked, and Russell Martin reached first on a fielding error by Pedro Feliz. Andre Ethier immediately doubled on the first pitch, sending Blake and Loney home to win the game. Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal both scored, and Loney had an RBI. Jonathan Broxton struck out the side in the ninth to get his sixth win of the season. Chase Utley had a two-run double for the Phils, and Jayson Werth reached base four times and scored a run.

Editor's Note: Make a Point of It

The Los Angeles Lakers proved their worth when the refused to release the gas pedal in the pounding of the Orlando Magic. They proved they are the better team, that they can enter a mode that no team can contain. The only problem is if they can do that for four games. The first game is in the rear-view mirror, and the magic number is now at three. The Lakers need to follow the same formula each game and this series will fall into their laps. They need to cover the perimeter at least decently, and if it looks like the Magic's 3-pointers are dropping, they need to solidify that defense. They can't concern themselves with Dwight Howard. Last night was a fluke for him. He will not be held to 11 points throughout the finals. And the Magic will not shoot 29.9% either. The Lakers have to focus on their defense, as it's the only thing that can contain Orlando.

Dodgers Go Silent in Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0, their fourth loss in seven games. The Dodgers could not get the bats going, collecting only five hits in the entire game. Cole Hamels pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out five without walking anybody. Andre Ethier doubled but could not be picked up. Jayson Werth had two hits, and RBI, and a run scored for the Phillies, and Carlos Ruiz had two singles and scored as well. Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez both drove in runs.

Game 1: Perfect Start

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 100-75, taking Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals. The Lakers were sluggish early, trailing by 5 in the second quarter, but they started an offensive tear to go into the halftime leading by 10. It was all LA after that, as the Purple and Gold out-scored Orlando 47-32 in the second-half. The Magic could not escape the Lakers' stifling defense, shooting just .299 from the field and losing on the boards 55-41. Kobe Bryant led the way as he scored 40 points to go with 8 rebounds and 8 assists, his most dominating performance in his Finals career. Pau Gasol added 16 points, and Lamar Odom put up 11 and 14 rebounds as the wealth was spread throughout the Laker lineup. The Magic starting-five were dormant for the entire game, shooting a combined 11-for-46. Mickael Pietrus led Orlando with 14 points, Hedo Turkoglu added 13, and Dwight Howard had 12 and 15 rebounds.

No Hanging Chad: Dodgers Pick Up Billingsley in Nick of Time

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0, their sixth win in eight games against the Snakes. Chad Billingsley pitched six shutout innings, and the Dodgers managed to score a run in the bottom of the sixth to put him in the position to win. The bullpen did the rest as Jonathan Broxton's perfect ninth inning gave him his 13th save. Billingsley received his seventh victory, and James Loney scored the only run on a leadoff triple in the sixth, sent home by Casey Blake's sac-fly. The D-Backs could not muster any offense; Stephen Drew was the only player with two hits.

Loney's Double Saves Wolf in Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5, their 36th win of the season. The Dodgers were in an early hole after Justin Upton hit a grand-slam that put Arizona up 5-0 in the second inning, but the Dodgers did not stop fighting. Andre Ethier hit a solo-homer, and LA broke out in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded, Orlando Hudson worked a walk and James Loney immediately followed with a 3-run double that tied the score. Casey Blake singled to drive Loney home for the game-winning run. Randy Wolf went six innings despite giving up five runs, and received his ninth no-decision of the season. Jonathan Broxton pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save of the season. Felipe Lopez had two hits and scored twice for the D-Backs, and Dan Haren went seven innings, allowing only one run on two hits with seven strikeouts.

Dodgers Can't Pick Up Kuroda in Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2, their third loss in five games. Hiroki Kuroda made his first start since Opening Day, and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts. However, the Dodgers could not get on the board for the first eight innings, going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position during that span. Billy Buckner held LA to just four hits and two walks over six innings to get the win. Matt Kemp and Orlando Hudson both doubled, and Juan Pierre had three hits and an RBI. Josh Whitesell had a two-run double for the D-Backs, and Mark Reynolds drove in the other run with a sac-fly.

Editor's Note: Don't Vote for Manny

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is not a joke. It is the most honored and revered of all the professional sporting All-Star games. That's why I don't like it when people decide to turn the game into a mockery. Milwaukee fans are already drunk off their first visit to the postseason, and as a result any Brewer with a pulse is getting a bulk of the votes, enough to put the deserving Hanley Ramirez in a close second behind (gulp) J.J. Hardy. But now a push has been started to get Manny Ramirez into the Midsummer Classic. The same Manny who is currently in the middle of a 50-game suspension for a drug violation. Why is he being voted for? It's not because a large consortium of Dodger fans want to see the man who pushed the Boys in Blue into the postseason take part in the game. It's because someone thought it would be a good lesson for Bud Selig and the MLB front-office. They want Selig to learn some kind of complicated lesson by ruining the most treasured holiday of the summer behind Independence Day. What is this lesson? It's that Selig should not sit on his hands, hoping Manny doesn't garner enough votes to become a starter. They've decided to ignore the fact that this situation has never occurred before, or that Manny's suspension will be up by the time the All-Star Game rolls in and the Players' Union would fight tooth-and-nail to make sure Manny can play. The only way to cease the speculation is for Manny himself to come out and announce he will not travel to St. Louis to take part in the festivities. We can only hope that can end the idiocy once and for all.

Dodgers Bludgeon Cubs for Split

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-2, splitting the four-game series to two games apiece. The Dodgers had five consecutive singles to start the first inning, en route to hanging five runs by the time the third out was recorded. Matt Kemp homered in the third, and the Dodgers never looked back. Eric Milton had his second win in as many starts, allowing only two runs in five-and-one-third innings of work, and the bullpen shut down Chicago for the rest of the night. The 1-7 hitters in the LA lineup each had a hit and either an RBI or a run scored. Mark Loretta and James Loney both doubled and drove in two runs, Russell Martin reached base four times and scored twice, and Rafael Furcal had two hits and scored a run. Reed Johnson had three hits for the Cubs, including a two-run double that provided all of Chicago's offense.

Eric Stults was placed on the 15-day disabled list for his sore left thumb. He sprained the thumb in a start, and had to skip his turn in the rotation to recover. He then returned against Colorado and Chicago, giving up eight runs, nine hits, and seven walks in 7.1 innings combined. Travis Schlichting was called up from Double-A to take his place, though the replacement will most likely be short-lived. Hiroki Kuroda is expected to be activated from the disabled list to start tomorrow's game against Arizona. It will be Kuroda's first start since his opening-day debut where he went 5-and-two-thirds innings, allowing only one run on four hits.

Editor's Note: The Beginning of the End

There are only two options left for the Lakers: win the championship or lose. The gold Larry O'Brien championship trophy is just four victories beyond their grasp, and they will have to deal with the Orlando Magic to get it. Orlando offers a much different team than the ones the Lakers have seen in the playoffs. The Magic have one of the best all-around lineups, with Dwight Howard in the frontcourt and Rafer Alston and Rashard Lewis in the back. A series victory will require the best combined team-effort the Lakers can muster. But there are holes in Orlando's seemingly impenetrable armor. They are a team that lives and dies by the 3-pointer, and a strong perimeter defense can kill their most potent weapon. Dwight Howard has spectacular defense and will give Pau Gasol no room, but that just opens the lane for Kobe Bryant. Once he can get inside, he can take the pressure off Gasol and create more opportunities. Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar are quick and will put pressure on the Magic's reserves. Lamar Odom has proven he can be a force when needed, and Trevor Ariza can shine knowing he won't be needed to guard LeBron James. This series will be tough, but it is far from impossible.