Daily Clips

July 30, 2015

LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPS THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

DODGERS.COM: LA set to deal for Braves' Wood, Marlins' Latos – Ken Gurnick Dodgers score 8 two-out runs to drop A's – Jane Lee and Steve Bourbon Puig goes off on bobblehead night – Lyle Spencer Dodgers come through with backs against wall – Steve Bourbon Dodgers may get right chips to trade for Price – Ken Gurnick Kershaw scratched, set to start Friday – Steve Bourbon Puig HRs, mom throws first pitch on Bobblehead Night – Matt Monagan Kershaw rides scoreless streak into Freeway Series – Steve Bourbon Pederson shares cereal power rankings, MLB advice – Gemma Kaneko Turner treated at hospital for infection on leg – Steve Bourbon LA TIMES: Mike Bolsinger frustrated with his performance after comeback victory – Alex Shultz Yasiel Puig breaks out of slump with laugh, and with mom – Bill Shaikin Sore hip keeps Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw from making his start – Bill Shaikin Dodgers have deals in place to acquire Mat Latos, Alex Wood, four other players – Bill Shaikin Dodgers rally to remain in first another day, downing Athletics, 10-7 – Steve Dilbeck Clayton Kershaw scratched from start on Wednesday with sore hip – Alex Shultz Dodgers drop Joc Pederson from leadoff spot – Bill Shaikin Cole Hamels? David Price? No, Dodgers trade for Marlins' Mat Latos – Bill Shaikin Dodgers reportedly acquire Mat Latos, Michael Morse from Marlins – Steve Dilbeck OC REGISTER: Miller: Baseball trade deadline bluster might best be used to fly a kite – Jeff Miller With roster in flux, Dodgers use five-run rally to beat A's, remain atop NL West – Bill Plunkett Dodgers have 3-team deal in place to acquire Latos, Wood, still in David Price derby – Bill Plunkett Moura: David Price likely worth the cost for Dodgers – Pedro Moura Dodgers scratch Clayton Kershaw from Wednesday's start, likely to face Angels on Friday – Bill Plunkett Reports: Dodgers set to acquire Mat Latos, Michael Morse from Marlins – Bill Plunkett Final: Dodgers bounce back with five-run rally to beat A's, 10-7 – Bill Plunkett LA DAILY NEWS: Reports: L.A. Dodgers in three-way trade with Marlins and Braves, then may pursue David Price – JP Hoornstra L.A. Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw rests ailing hip, insists it’s ‘a little sore’ – JP Hoornstra TRUEBLUELA.COM: Alex Verdugo continues his hot July – David Hood Dodgers faith in Jimmy Rollins starting to pay off – Eric Stephen Dodgers rally late to topple A's – Eric Stephen Dodgers reported 3-team trade with Braves, Marlins parlays L.A. financial advantage – Eric Stephen Clayton Kershaw's hip still sore, slated for Friday start – Eric Stephen Mike Bolsinger starts for Dodgers, Joc Pederson dropped to 7th, Alex Guerrero gets rare start at 3B – Eric Stephen Dodgers acquire Mat Latos, Mike Morse, draft pick from Marlins for 3 minor leaguers, per reports – Eric Stephen ESPNLA: Prospects galore move in Hamels, Latos trades – Eric Karabell Dodgers' trades set them up for World Series run – Mark Saxon Dodgers rally in 7th for dramatic 10-7 win over Oakland – Associated Press Rapid Reaction: Dodgers 10, Athletics 7 – Mark Saxon Justin Turner will be out at least a few days with leg infection – Mark Saxon

Tigers to 'reboot,' listening on offers for David Price, others – Jayson Stark Dodgers and Marlins agree to trade, but deal held up, source says – ESPN.com Clayton Kershaw scratched with hip soreness, will start Friday – ESPN.com DODGER INSIDER: Dodger minor league report No. 15: The Tulsa treasure chest and the trade deadline – Cary Osborne Kershaw start delayed until Friday — Bolsinger to start tonight – Jon Weisman DODGERS PHOTO BLOG: 7/29/15-Something Current-LAD-10,OAK-7 - Jon SooHoo NBCLA: Dodgers Rally To Beat A's With 5-Run 7th, Puig Homers on his own Bobblehead Night – Michael Duarte FOX SPORTS: Report: Dodgers, Zaidi have interest in A's Jesse Chavez – FOX Sports Dodgers' Joc Pederson upset Taylor Swift didn't invite him to concert – FOX Sports Marlins working on deal to send Latos, Morse to Dodgers – Christina De Nicola Dodgers close to acquiring RHP Latos, IF/OF Morse from Marlins – FOX Sports New Clipper Pierce booed by Dodger fans after first pitch fail – FOX Sports CBS SPORTS: Dodgers potential 3-way deal paves way for David Price pursuit - David Brown Reports: Marlins trade of Mat Latos, Mike Morse to Dodgers on hold – Eye on Baseball GRANTLAND: #LOLMets: The Carlos Gomez Deal Falls Through, the Dodgers Confuse Everyone, and Cole Hamels Finally Gets Dealt on a Supremely Bizarre Night – Michael Baumann THEJEWISHLINK.COM: Dodgers open kosher food stand at Dodger Stadium – The Jewish Link Jewish Community Night At Dodgers Stadium – The Jewish Link TULSA WORLD: Dodgers pitching prospect Julio Urias believes move from Tulsa to L.A. is only matter of time – Kevin Henry

LOS ANGELES DODGERS DAILY CLIPS

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

DODGERS.COM

LA set to deal for Braves' Wood, Marlins' Latos

By Ken Gurnick

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' pending acquisition of starting pitcher Mat Latos and outfielder Michael

Morse from the Marlins has expanded into multiple trades involving three teams, 12 players and a Draft

pick.

If completed, the Dodgers would receive Latos and Morse from the Marlins and starting pitcher Alex

Wood, closer Jim Johnson, reliever Luis Avilan and infielder Jose Peraza from the Braves. Miami would

get Minor League pitchers Jeff Brigham, Victor Araujo and Kevin Guzman from Los Angeles, while

Atlanta would get a competitive-balance Draft pick from the Marlins; from the Dodgers, the Braves

would get recent Cuban signee Hector Olivera and injured reliever Paco Rodriguez, all according to

Major League sources.

The clubs have not confirmed the deal.

Trading Olivera is more than a little surprising, as the Dodgers outbid all of baseball and signed the 30-

year-old Cuban star to a $62.5 million deal in March, though his fast track to the Major Leagues has

been slowed by a strained hamstring that is still healing.

Latos, 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA, isn't the superstar (David Price, Cole Hamels) Dodgers fans have hoped for,

but he's a three-time 14-game winner and is a rental who will be a free agent after this season. He is

earning $9.4 million this year and would slide into a rotation that has had trouble overcoming season-

ending injuries to Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy.

Latos has regained velocity and pitched more effectively since returning from a stint on the disabled list

for knee inflammation on June 13, posting a 2.96 ERA over seven starts.

The left-handed Wood, 24, is 7-6 with a 3.54 ERA. He's a former second-round Draft pick. Johnson would

provide the late-inning complement to closer Kenley Jansen. The 32-year-old right-hander has nine

saves and a 2.25 ERA. Morse is hitting .214 in 52 games and is signed through 2016, when he will earn

$8.5 million and have a tough time breaking into an outfield that already doesn't have room for Carl

Crawford. He receives $7.5 million this year.

Peraza is Atlanta's top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, but the Braves gained some concerns about

the speedy 21-year-old middle infielder as he batted .295 with a .319 on-base percentage and .380

slugging percentage through his first 95 games with Triple-A Gwinnett this year.

Current Dodgers senior vice president Josh Byrnes, shortly after taking over as Padres general manager

in 2010, traded Latos to the Reds in 2011 in a multi-player package that brought current Dodgers

catcher Yasmani Grandal to San Diego.

Last winter, the Dodgers also dealt with the Marlins, sending Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas and

$12.5 million to Miami for Chris Hatcher, Enrique Hernandez, Austin Barnes and Andrew Heaney, then

flipping Heaney to the Angels for second baseman Howie Kendrick.

Dodgers score 8 two-out runs to drop A's

By Jane Lee and Steve Bourbon

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers responded to the A's four-run seventh with a five-spot in the bottom of the

inning and two more runs in the eighth, doing most of their damage with two outs, to earn a 10-7

victory and snap their three-game losing streak on Wednesday night.

A's reliever Fernando Rodriguez walked two of his four batters to begin the seventh, putting runners at

first and second for Adrian Gonzalez, who notched an RBI double off lefty Drew Pomeranz. Yasmani

Grandal's ensuing dribbler down the third-base line led to another run, and Kiké Hernandez put the

Dodgers on top, 7-6, with a two-run double. Yasiel Puig, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth, drove in

Hernandez with a single off Dan Otero to cap the rally.

After Howie Kendrick's two-run single in the eighth extended the Dodgers' lead to 10-6, the A's got a

solo homer in the ninth from Brett Lawrie, who finished with four RBIs and a career-high four hits. Josh

Reddick chipped in for Oakland, going 3-for-5, and Eric Sogard drove in two runs.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Two-out magic: After the A's put four runs on the board in the top of the seventh, the Dodgers had just

one runner on with two outs in the bottom of the frame. Then the rally started as a Kendrick walk

preceded four straight hits as Los Angeles took the lead for good with a five-spot. The Dodgers scored

eight runs with two outs on the night.

"There were a lot of big at-bats," manager Don Mattingly said. "It just kind of kept going and that got us

back in it."

Bullpen meltdown: An A's bullpen that had posted a 2.80 ERA since the All-Star break returned to its old

ways, letting a three-run lead quickly slip away. Oakland relievers surrendered seven runs on nine hits in

its 19th loss of the season. Pomeranz, who had not allowed a run in 11 of his last 12 appearances, was

responsible for three of them after facing just three batters.

"It's been tough for us this year, it has," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Recently, we've been pretty

good. We've probably had our best streak with the bullpen here recently, but not tonight."

No relief: Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell had a few streaks snapped during the A's four-run seventh inning.

Howell was charged with three runs (two earned) on three hits while recording just one out. Howell

hadn't allowed a run in 18 innings, a span of 22 games, and he hadn't allowed an earned run since April

10, a span of 28 1/3 innings that dated back to his third appearance of the season.

Bright spots: Despite staring down a deflating loss by night's end, the A's walked away having done

plenty of good things amid the bad. With runners at the corners in the fourth, Sam Fuld executed a

beauty of a bunt down the first-base line for an RBI hit. Fuld also singled in the A's four-run seventh that

featured a double steal leading up to Sogard's two-run single, and he made a tremendous diving catch in

the eighth to rob Scott Van Slyke of a hit.

QUOTABLE

"It felt great. It's been like two months since I got a hit." -- Puig, on breaking out of a 2-for-24 slump on

Yasiel Puig Bobblehead Night at Dodger Stadium

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

In the seventh inning, the A's challenged the ruling on the field that Puig was safe at second base. After

an RBI single, Puig advanced to second on the throw, which was cut off and relayed to second base.

After the review, the call was overturned and Puig was ruled out to end the inning.

WHAT'S NEXT

Athletics: The A's head back north for an 11-game homestand that begins Thursday with the first of four

games against Brandon Moss and the Indians. Right-hander Chris Bassitt, who is 0-3 despite pitching to a

2.74 ERA in four starts, will be on the mound in the 7:05 p.m. PT series opener.

Dodgers: The Dodgers are off Thursday before hosting the Angels for a weekend series at Dodger

Stadium. Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start Friday's 7:10 p.m. PT opener after being scratched on

Wednesday due to sore hip muscles. The ace lefty is riding a scoreless streak of 29 innings and has

thrown shutouts in two of his last three starts.

Puig goes off on bobblehead night

By Lyle Spencer

LOS ANGELES -- At times such as this, ignorance truly can be bliss for a ballplayer with a job to do. As

trade winds swirled all day around the Dodgers, Yasiel Puig was focused on mom, bobbleheads and,

finally, pitches landing in his happy zone.

Rumors that he could be on the block with the non-waiver Trade Deadline looming on Friday at 1 p.m.

PT never reached him, Puig insisted in the afterglow of a 10-7 victory on Wednesday night that gave the

Dodgers an Interleague split with the Athletics.

"I don't read English," Puig said, in English.

It had been an eventful day, even for Puig, whose life is an ongoing reality show of its own. His mother

threw out the ceremonial first pitch as fans clutched their Puig bobblehead -- he's diving for a fly ball --

in a festive Dodger Stadium crowd numbering 51,788.

After crushing a two-run homer to deliver a two-run lead in the fourth inning, Puig came through again

with a two-out run-scoring single during a five-run seventh inning that was the difference.

"I'm going to talk to the Dodgers," Puig said in Spanish through a translator, "and see if they can do

more bobblehead nights -- and have my mom throw out the first pitch as much as possible."

Maybe he's on to something. Puig, according to club research, is the first Dodgers player to go deep on

his bobblehead night since Hanley Ramirez in April 2013. Puig is 4-for-7 with four RBIs on the two

occasions his likeness has been presented to fans.

Boisterous by nature, with a booming voice, Puig has been quiet with the bat of late, his average dipping

all the way to .249 as the night began. If he felt any tension in the rumor-filled air, he did a fine job of

concealing it.

There were rumblings near and far that Puig could be involved in a deal for a front-line starting pitcher.

The Dodgers put such talk to rest, insisting the gifted Cuban was staying right where he is.

"It's not a distraction for me at all," Puig said, adding that he was unaware of any contact between

management and his agent over his status. "No one really knows anything. It's gossip you guys are trying

to write."

And if it did happen, out of the blue, and he was sent elsewhere?

"I have nothing to do with any of the trade rumors," Puig said. "In baseball, people go through slumps. If

it goes to the point that the Dodgers decide to trade me, I'll go to that team and do my best."

Puig was not part of the Dodgers' reported deals involving the Marlins and Braves that reportedly were

close to completion. The moves would bring four pitchers (Mat Latos, Alex Wood, Jim Johnson and Luis

Avilan) along with infielder Jose Peraza and outfielder Michael Morse to the Dodgers at the cost of

Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, reliever Paco Rodriguez and three pitching prospects.

Puig's night, apart from catching a nice pregame toss by his mother, didn't get off to a bang-up start.

With runners at the corners in the first, Andre Ethier having given Mike Bolsinger a lead with a two-out

RBI single, Puig popped out against right-hander Jesse Chavez.

In his next at-bat, following Ethier's leadoff double in the fourth, Puig launched his seventh homer of the

season over the wall in left.

"Home runs always feel good," he said, beaming.

Puig tapped out in his third at-bat. Then came the seventh, the A's having scored four times in the top

half to seize a three-run lead.

With two outs and two runners aboard, Adrian Gonzalez slammed a run-scoring double to center off

lefty Drew Pomeranz. Yasmani Grandal smashed bullets foul down both lines before a slow roller stayed

fair for a single, cashing in a run.

Kiké Hernandez, batting in Ethier's spot after a double switch, lashed a go-ahead two-run double to the

left-center gap. Summoned to face Puig, right-hander Dan Otero went to a full count before Puig slashed

an RBI single to left. He was out at second trying to advance, but nobody was complaining.

"Yasiel obviously had a big game -- home run and a big hit," manager Don Mattingly said.

Eight two-out runs producing a victory can make everything feel right in any clubhouse. With the Giants

breathing down their necks in a lively National League West race, the Dodgers got what they needed

after losing four of the previous seven while scoring only 20 runs.

Now back to those trade winds.

"We'll know what we have" by Friday afternoon, Mattingly said, referring to his ever-changing roster.

Known as "The Hit Man" when he powered the Bronx Bombers in a time preceding social media and

rampant rumors, Mattingly clearly is looking forward to August, when the focus falls entirely on the

games and races.

Dodgers come through with backs against wall

By Steve Bourbon

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers allowed four runs in the seventh and trailed the A's 6-3 on Wednesday

night, and it looked like the club might drop its fourth straight game for the first time this season.

But the heart of the order put together a five-run rally to lead the Dodgers a 10-7 win over the A's that

kept them from falling out of first place for the first time since May 29. The Giants, having won 13 of

their last 15 games, sit a half-game back.

After Howie Kendrick drew a walk with two outs and a runner on first in the seventh, the red-hot Adrian

Gonzalez came through with an RBI double off the wall. The veteran slugger's clutch hit off A's lefty

Drew Pomeranz was the first of four consecutive hits as L.A. took the lead back with five runs. Eight of

the Dodgers' runs Wednesday were scored with two outs.

"We're a veteran team. It's always good to see the guys up and down and one after the next put

together good at-bats," Gonzalez said. "We were able to do everything we needed to do to win. It's a big

win for us."

Gonzalez, who reached base three times, is hitting .415 since the All-Star break. He's reached base in 10

of 11 games in the second half.

After Gonzalez got the Dodgers within striking distance, Yasmani Grandal knocked in a run with a

swinging bunt down the third-base line and pinch-hitter Kiké Hernandez laced a two-run double into the

left-center-field gap to put the Dodgers ahead for good.

"With two strikes, I was really just trying to get a good pitch or get a walk because I knew I had [Yasiel

Puig] behind me, and he had taken good at-bats all night," Hernandez said. "[Pomeranz] hung a

curveball and I put a good swing on it."

On a night Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his start just a few hours before first pitch, the Dodgers

got a solid effort out of his replacement, Mike Bolsinger. The right-hander lasted five innings, allowing

eight hits and three walks, but surrendered just two runs.

Bolsinger didn't know when he was going to pitch, whether it be today, Friday or Saturday, but he was

effective enough to keep the Dodgers in the game.

"I wasn't able to stay with my routine [since last pitching]. Probably the worst I felt all year," Bolsinger

said. "Maybe the fact I didn't know when I would pitch, I have to learn to adjust and I didn't adjust as

well as I should have."

Dodgers may get right chips to trade for Price

By Ken Gurnick

LOS ANGELES -- Detroit pitcher David Price remains the Dodgers' top target and the team's pending

trade with Atlanta might help make it happen before Friday afternoon's non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Young left-handed starter Alex Wood, one of the players the Dodgers are expected to receive from the

Braves, has long attracted the attention of the Tigers, who have tried to trade for him in the past,

according to a baseball source. Wood could be flipped to Detroit as the key part of a package to obtain

Price.

The Tigers also apparently covet Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect and former first-round pick

Grant Holmes.

Despite long-running speculation that the Dodgers wanted to acquire Cole Hamels, Price has always

been the preferred target of Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who ran

Tampa Bay and traded Price last year to the Tigers. Hamels is reportedly heading to the Rangers.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are determined to add Price as a dominant third starter behind Clayton

Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Brett Anderson would be the fourth starter and Mat Latos, whose acquisition

from Miami is also pending, would be fifth in the rotation.

Price will be a free agent after this season. Greinke could join him because he has an opt-out clause in

his contract.

The Dodgers have been looking to replenish a rotation that lost Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy to

season-ending surgeries.

Kershaw scratched, set to start Friday

By Steve Bourbon

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled start against the A's on

Wednesday night because of a sore hip muscle, and the team said he will instead start against the

Angels on Friday.

Kershaw, in the midst of a 29-inning scoreless streak, was replaced Wednesday by right-hander Mike

Bolsinger, who had previously pitched a week ago because of the shuffling necessitated by Zack

Greinke's placement on the paternity list.

Manager Don Mattingly said Kershaw didn't sustain the injury in New York, rather in a between-starts

bullpen session.

"I think yesterday he was a little tender. When I saw his face coming in, I knew," Mattingly said. "We

thought he'd be ready to roll tonight, but yesterday wasn't that great. With [Bolsinger] on regular rest,

and the off-day tomorrow, there's no reason to push it."

Moving Kershaw to Friday puts Greinke in line to start on Saturday. Sunday's starter hasn't been

announced. Reports have indicated that the Dodgers are close to acquiring Mat Latos from the Marlins,

and Los Angeles still has Zach Lee, who made his Major League debut last week, on the active roster.

Kershaw missed a start in September 2012 with a right hip impingement that responded to treatment.

When asked if this injury was similar to the one in the past, Kershaw was curt.

"I don't want to talk about last year or a few years ago," he said. "It flared up this time. I don't know

why."

Worth noting

Relief pitcher Chris Hatcher threw a scoreless inning for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga on

Wednesday, recording a strikeout and allowing no hits in his third rehab outing.

The right-hander, who is 1-4 with a 6.38 ERA in 27 appearances for the Dodgers this season, has been on

the disabled list since June 17 with a strained left oblique.

Kershaw rides scoreless streak into Freeway Series

By Steve Bourbon

After being scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday, Clayton Kershaw will be back on the

mound Friday, looking to extend his 29-inning scoreless streak as the Dodgers host the Angels.

Kershaw's sore hip held him out of the Dodgers finale vs. the A's, but after Los Angeles' off-day, he

expects to be ready to go. The 2014 National League MVP and Cy Young Award winner has tossed

shutouts in two of his last three starts.

The Angels will counter with Hector Santiago, who is enjoying a career year. The lefty is 7-4 with a 2.43

ERA, which is fourth-best in the American League. Santiago has won three of his last four decisions and

hasn't taken a loss since June 17.

Things to know:

• This is the first of six games this season in the Freeway Series. The Dodgers took home the bragging

rights last season by winning three of four games.

• Kershaw has struggled against the Angels in his career. He's 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA, which is the highest

ERA he has against any team he's faced more than three times.

• Angels slugger Albert Pujols has been among the league's best this season, but he's hitting .212 against

lefties.

Turner treated at hospital for infection on leg

By Steve Bourbon

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was out of the lineup and in the emergency room

Tuesday after trainers discovered an infection on his leg.

While there is still no official diagnosis, Turner was released from the hospital before the end of

Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Oakland. Manager Don Mattingly said he was given antibiotics orally and through

an IV. He is listed as day-to-day.

"I actually had him in the lineup [Tuesday]. Then I heard about it, went to see him and they sent him to

the emergency room," Mattingly said. "It kind of blew up and it wasn't very pretty."

Turner was replaced by Carl Crawford as a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of Sunday's game against the

Mets, but Mattingly said it wasn't something that was affecting Turner over the weekend.

"It wasn't something anyone was worried about until he got here today," Mattingly said. "It was this itty

bitty thing then it turned into something a little more dangerous."

Turner is hitting .323 this season and has 13 home runs with 44 RBIs.

LA TIMES

Mike Bolsinger frustrated with his performance after comeback victory

By Alex Shultz

The Dodgers completed a wild 10-7 victory against Oakland on Wednesday night, but starting pitcher

Mike Bolsinger was mostly disappointed he couldn't give his team a few more innings of help.

Bolsinger allowed eight hits and three walks over 90 pitches, leading to two earned runs in five innings.

"That’s probably the worst I’ve felt all year pitching," Bolsinger said. "I didn’t have control of any pitches

tonight, it was just kind of — I wouldn’t even call it effectively wild, it was just me being wild. It was like I

had no control throughout the game.”

Manager Don Mattingly took a less critical tone, complimenting Bolsinger's ability to prevent too much

damage from being done.

“I thought it was kind of similar to what we’d been seeing,” Mattingly said. “Basically, he was kind of

running out of pitches right there around the sixth, but again, for the most part not really giving up runs.

That’s the one thing Mike’s been able to do. … He’s kept us in the game and given us a chance to win

every time he pitches.”

The starter for Wednesday's game was supposed to be Clayton Kershaw, who was scratched with a sore

right hip. Bolsinger acknowledged the unpredictability of his pitching schedule might've affected his

outing.

“You have a routine that you’ve been working on this whole year, and when you get thrown off like that,

I guess you kind of have to learn to adjust," Bolsinger said. "And maybe me personally, I didn’t adjust as

well as I should’ve.“

Friday's looming trade deadline won't help with establishing a consistent routine, as the Dodgers are

said to be exploring deals for starting pitching and arms in the bullpen. For now, all Bolsinger can do is

bide his time.

“I’m just going to come to the field in my off day, work out and just wait until someone tells me what’s

going on,” Bolsinger said.

Yasiel Puig breaks out of slump with laugh, and with mom

By Bill Shaikin

Yasiel Puig was in a rather jovial mood late Wednesday night, and why not?

The Dodgers gave out Puig bobbleheads. He caught the ceremonial first pitch, from his mother. He hit a

home run, making him the first Dodgers player to homer on his bobblehead night since Hanley Ramirez

two years ago.

Puig drove in three runs and got two hits, after getting two hits in his previous 24 at-bats.

"It's been, like, two months since I've gotten a hit," Puig joked, via an interpreter.

The trade deadline will have come and gone the next time the Dodgers take the field, with all indications

that Puig will remain with the team. He said he has "no clue" what the Dodgers might have told his

agent about their intention to keep him, and he said he is not fazed by what he called the "gossip" of

trade rumors.

"It's not a distraction for me at all," he said. "I don't even read in English."

Puig has seven home runs this season -- three in the last eight games.

"I just stopped playing soccer video games," he said. "I've found, when I play baseball video games, I do

better."

This is the second time the Dodgers have given out Puig bobbleheads. He has four hits in seven at-bats

in those two games, with a home run, double and four runs batted in.

"I'm going to ask the Dodgers to see if they can have some more bobblehead nights," he said, "and have

my mom throw out the first pitch as much as possible."

Puig left the clubhouse clutching a Puig bobblehead doll.

Sore hip keeps Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw from making his start

By Bill Shaikin

As the Dodgers braced for the loss of third baseman Justin Turner into the weekend and perhaps

beyond, they scratched ace Clayton Kershaw from his start Wednesday because of a sore hip.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said Kershaw completed his bullpen session this week without incident

but reported soreness thereafter. Mattingly said he knew the Dodgers would scratch Kershaw "when I

saw his face coming in" on Tuesday.

The Dodgers are off Thursday. Kershaw is scheduled to start Friday.

"We didn't see a reason to push it," Mattingly said.

The Dodgers sent Turner home from the stadium Wednesday so he could recover from a thigh infection.

Turner spent Tuesday in an emergency room and got oral and intravenous antibiotics. Mattingly said

doctors took a culture to determine the cause of the infection.

If the infection does not heal rapidly, the Dodgers could put Turner on the 15-day disabled list.

"At this point, we're hopeful it's just a few days," Mattingly said.

Turner leads the team in batting average (.323), slugging percentage (.563) and OPS (.950.) He has 13

home runs — a career high — in 87 games.

Kershaw missed a start three years ago because of a hip issue. He said his hip is "a little sore" now but

declined to compare the condition with the one in 2012.

"It flared up this time," he said. "I don't know why."

He said he probably would watch rather than participate at his charity ping-pong event Thursday. He

responded sharply to the question of whether he was worried that pitching through soreness could

impact his delivery.

"If it's not sore, it won't affect it," Kershaw said.

No derby hangover

On the day the Dodgers dropped Joc Pederson out of the leadoff spot, the rookie center fielder wanted

to make one thing perfectly clear: the home run derby did not ruin his swing and dump him into a

slump.

"I think I was going through it before the All-Star break," Pederson said.

Mattingly restored Jimmy Rollins to the leadoff spot and dropped Pederson to seventh. Pederson struck

out three times on Tuesday, once failing to run to first base on a dropped third strike, and heard some

boos from the Dodger Stadium crowd.

"He really seemed frustrated last night," Mattingly said. "I didn't want to keep seeing that."

The change didn't help Wednesday, as Pederson went 0 for 4 with three more strikeouts, dropping his

average for the month to .169. In 93 plate appearances, he has one home run, four walks and 31

strikeouts.

Pederson did not object to the lineup change. "I just show up," he said. "Whatever Donnie thinks is the

best lineup to win the game, I'm all for it."

Mattingly said he wanted to ease the burden on Pederson. "I want him to feel like he can just go play

and not feel the pressure of being the guy at the top of the order," Mattingly said.

Pederson is batting .225 with 21 home runs, tied with Adrian Gonzalez for the team lead. Pederson leads

the National League in strikeouts with 125.

The manager said he spoke with Pederson, emphasizing his ability to help the team in the field and on

the bases even when he is not hitting.

"I really think Joc is going to be a special player," Mattingly said. "Sometimes it takes a little time.

Sometimes it takes failure."

Dodgers have deals in place to acquire Mat Latos, Alex Wood, four other players

By Bill Shaikin

Mike Bolsinger awoke Wednesday as the Dodgers' fourth starter. In the morning, reports trickled out

about the Dodgers trading for Mat Latos of the Miami Marlins, which would have made Bolsinger the

fifth starter.

In the evening, as Bolsinger took the mound, reports surfaced that the trade included three teams, with

the Dodgers getting Alex Wood from the Atlanta Braves. That would make Bolsinger the odd man out of

the rotation, and quite possibly bound for the minor leagues, and could trigger the arrival of David Price

in Los Angeles.

If this was Bolsinger's farewell, he will leave with a 2.83 earned-run average, lower than any Dodgers

starter not named Clayton Kershaw or Zack Greinke. Yasiel Puig homered, singled and drove in three

runs on his bobblehead night, powering the Dodgers to a 10-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

And then the Dodgers players went home to wait, to see just who would show up in their clubhouse for

the next home game Friday, after a day and night of reports the Dodgers had a two-team trade done, a

two-team trade collapsing, and a three-team trade all but about done.

"It's kind of weird," pitcher Brett Anderson said. "You don't really know who's going to be your

teammate, or not be your teammate."

Anderson nodded toward the clubhouse television screen, where "Deal or No Deal" appeared to be the

theme on MLB Network.

"Not too many times do you see the words 'mass confusion' with a trade," Anderson said.

Nonetheless, the Dodgers were closing in late Wednesday on a three-team trade that would fill their

starting rotation without depriving them of any key prospects that could be used to acquire a third ace

in Price.

The trade had not been confirmed or announced by the time the Dodgers' game ended Wednesday

night. However, the deal would bring Latos and Wood, relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan, first

baseman-outfielder Michael Morse and infield prospect Jose Peraza to Los Angeles, according to

reports. The Dodgers do not appear to have any need for Morse, but their willingness to pay the

remaining $14 million on his contract all but secured Latos.

The Dodgers would send Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, signed this spring in a $62.5-million deal, to the

Braves and three non-elite minor league pitchers to the thrifty Marlins.

If the deal is completed, the Dodgers would pay seven players — Olivera, Matt Kemp, Dan Haren, Dee

Gordon, Brian Wilson, Brandon League and Ryan Webb — $80 million not to play for them. The Tampa

Bay Rays had an opening-day payroll of $76 million this season.

Friedman left the Rays last fall to become the Dodgers' president of baseball operations.

Latos and Wood could fill the final two spots in the rotation beyond Kershaw, Greinke, and Anderson.

Latos, 27, was 4-7 with a 4.48 earned-run average for the Marlins this year, but 3-3 with a 2.96 ERA since

returning from the disabled list after a bout with an inflamed knee.

Wood, 24, is 7-6 with a 3.54 ERA for the Braves.

Peraza could replace Olivera in the Dodgers' infield of the future. Peraza, a 21-year-old second baseman,

is batting .295 with three home runs and 25 stolen bases for the Braves' triple-A Gwinnett farm team.

The Detroit Tigers said Wednesday they would entertain offers for Price, whom the Dodgers long have

coveted.

The Dodgers do not plan to trade either of their two very best prospects, infielder Corey Seager and

pitcher Julio Urias, but should have enough of an inventory to acquire Price, who is three months from

free agency. The Dodgers also could include Wood and/or Peraza in a package for Price.

"I have faith in our front office," Anderson said. "The moves will be the right ones.

"It will be interesting to see how the next day or so plays out."

Up next

The Dodgers are off Thursday. Kershaw (8-6, 2.51 ERA) wil face the Angels' Hector Santiago (7-4, 2.43)

on Friday at 7:10 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020.

Dodgers rally to remain in first another day, downing Athletics, 10-7

By Steve Dilbeck

Things were getting a little nervous there for the Dodgers, what with their falling behind 6-3 to the

Oakland Athletics and in danger of losing their division lead for the first time since May 29.

But the Dodgers rallied for five runs in the seventh Wednesday and went on to down the Athletics, 10-7,

before a Dodger Stadium crowd of 51,788. The victory maintained their half-game lead over the Giants

in the National League West.

On a night when the Angels were falling out of first, it briefly appeared both Los Angeles area teams

would after the Athletics scored four times in the top of the seventh to take their three-run lead.

Things had gotten off to a bad enough beginning for the Dodgers when Clayton Kershaw’s scheduled

start was pushed back to Friday because of a sore hip. Mike Bolsinger, who had not started in over a

week, replaced Kershaw.

Bolsinger pitched OK, but with the Dodgers trying to finalize a three-player deal that is expected to net

them two starting pitchers, probably not well enough to keep him in the rotation.

Bolsinger gave up two runs in five innings on eight hits and three walks, but a pair of double plays

helped limit the damage. He struck out three.

Yasiel Puig, on his bobble-head night, hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.

After the Athletics had pulled within one, they scored four times in the top of the seventh against the

Dodgers' bullpen to take the 6-3 lead.

But in the bottom of the inning the Dodgers' slumbering offense finally got going. After a pair of walks,

Adrian Gonzalez doubled in one run and Yasmani Grandal's little roller down the third-base line scored a

second.

Pinch-hitter Enrique Hernandez put the Dodgers ahead, driving a 3-2 pitch in the left-center gap to score

two. Puig singled in one more, but was thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a double.

Howie Kendrick drove in a pair of insurance runs in the eighth. The Dodgers finished the night with 12

hits. The Athletics finished with 13 hits.

Despite going into the top of the ninth with a four-run lead, the Dodgers callled on closer Kenley Jansen.

He gave up a mammoth solo home run to Brett Lawrie -- one of his four hits -- to complete the scoring.

Clayton Kershaw scratched from start on Wednesday with sore hip

By Alex Shultz

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will not make his scheduled start against the Oakland Athletics on

Wednesday after being scratched from the lineup with a sore right hip.

"It's a little sore right now," Kershaw said. "Figure give it a couple days and you're good to go."

Kershaw has been nearly unhittable in July, allowing one earned run in 33 innings while striking out 45

batters. Filling in for him is Mike Bolsinger, who has a 5-3 record and a 2.79 earned-run average this

season.

"It's just probably the right decision to let Bolsinger pitch tonight," Kershaw said. "He's on regular rest,

so it works out for him to pitch. And just with off days and stuff, it seemed like a good time to give it a

shot."

The Dodgers didn't play Tuesday and have another off day Thursday. Manager Don Mattingly told

reporters he first noticed something was amiss with Kershaw after the conclusion of their series against

the Mets.

"Yesterday he was still a little tender," Mattingly said.

The new plan is to have Kershaw pitch Friday against the Angels, though that could change if he still has

any discomfort.

Meanwhile, third baseman Justin Turner continues to rest at home with a thigh infection. He's expected

to be re-examined after the Dodgers' off day.

"He came in today and is still on antibiotics," Mattingly said. "At this point, we’re hopeful it’s just a few

days."

Dodgers drop Joc Pederson from leadoff spot

By Bill Shaikin

On the day the Dodgers dropped Joc Pederson out of the leadoff spot, the rookie center fielder wanted

to make one thing perfectly clear: the home-run derby did not ruin his swing and dump him into a

slump.

"I think I was going through it before the All-Star break," Pederson said.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly restored Jimmy Rollins to the leadoff spot and dropped Pederson to

seventh. Pederson struck out three times Tuesday, once failing to run to first base on a dropped third

strike, and heard some boos from the Dodger Stadium crowd.

"He really seemed frustrated last night," Mattingly said. "I didn't want to keep seeing that."

Pederson is batting .176 this month, with a .239 on-base percentage. In 89 plate appearances, he has

one home run, four walks and 28 strikeouts. He did not object to the lineup change.

"I just show up," he said. "Whatever Donnie thinks is the best lineup to win the game, I'm all for it."

Mattingly said he wanted to ease the burden on Pederson.

"I want him to feel like he can just go play and not feel the pressure of being the guy at the top of the

order," Mattingly said.

Pederson is batting .228 with 21 home runs, tied with Adrian Gonzalez for the team lead. Pederson leads

the National League in strikeouts.

The manager said he spoke with Pederson, emphasizing his ability to help the team in the field and on

the bases even when he is not hitting.

"I really think Joc is going to be a special player," Mattingly said. "Sometimes it takes a little time.

Sometimes it takes failure."

Cole Hamels? David Price? No, Dodgers trade for Marlins' Mat Latos

By Bill Shaikin

Cole Hamels this, David Price that, on and on for weeks. And the Dodgers got ... Mat Latos?

It's fine, really. No need to be disappointed. The Dodgers' starting rotation is better Wednesday than it

was Tuesday.

And it still could get better. The Dodgers still have the prospects, the financial resources and the desire

to get Hamels or Price — preferably Price.

Neither the Dodgers nor the Miami Marlins had made an announcement as of noon Wednesday, but

sources say the Dodgers are getting Latos, first baseman-outfielder Michael Morse and a draft pick for

three prospects, as yet unidentified.

The moral of this story: It's good to be rich. The Dodgers got Latos, owed a little more than $3 million for

the rest of the season, because they agreed to take Morse, owed $13.5 million through 2016.

The Dodgers do not need Morse — he is an aging version of Scott Van Slyke — but they also got a draft

pick to help their revitalized minor league system. For the second time this season, the Dodgers

essentially have purchased a "competitive balance" draft pick, intended to help small-market and low-

revenue teams better compete.

Talk about revenue sharing: With this trade — and last winter's trade in which the Dodgers sent Dee

Gordon and Dan Haren to Miami and covered their entire salaries in 2015 — the Dodgers are paying

25% of the Marlins' player salaries this season.

Latos is 4-7 with a 4.48 earned-run average this year, but 3-3 with a 2.96 ERA since returning from the

disabled list after a bout with an inflamed knee.

The Dodgers do not need him to be Clayton Kershaw or Zack Greinke. They need him to be better than

Carlos Frias and Zach Lee.

He is. You can talk all you want about setting up the rotation for the playoffs, and maybe the Dodgers

should be running away with the National League West, but for now, every game counts.

The Dodgers led the San Francisco Giants by a half-game as of noon Wednesday; the Giants play an

afternoon game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

So, when the Dodgers take the field Wednesday night against the Oakland Athletics, they might not

have sole possession of first place in the NL West for the first time since May 29.

Dodgers reportedly acquire Mat Latos, Michael Morse from Marlins

By Steve Dilbeck

The Dodgers have begun their attempt to bolster their rotation, and if it isn’t that significant ace, it’s still

a nice upgrade.

According to multiple reports, the Dodgers are exercising their financial muscle once again, acquiring

right-hander Mat Latos, first baseman-outfielder Michael Morse and a competitive first-round pick from

the Miami Marlins for three minor leaguers.

The Dodgers have yet to confirm the reports.

For the Marlins, the deal amounts to a familiar salary dump, but the Dodgers get a much needed solid

starter in the 27-year-old Latos, who can become a free agent at the end of the season.

Latos has made 16 starts for the Marlins this season, going 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He has

pitched better recently, going 2-2 with a 2.08 ERA in his last four starts.

For his seven-year career, Latos is 64-52 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.

Morse lost his job at first base to Justin Bour after he hit just .214 with 12 RBI. Miami signed him the off-

season to a two-year, $16-million deal.

The nonwaiver trade deadline ends Friday, so the Dodgers are presumably still trying to work out a deal

for the Phillies' Cole Hamels or the Tigers' David Price.

OC REGISTER

Miller: Baseball trade deadline bluster might best be used to fly a kite

By Jeff Miller

And, meanwhile, we’re all still waiting for that A’s-Tigers American League Championship Series to

begin.

It’s quite possible that no subject in sports receives more unrequited hype than baseball’s trading

deadline, which is quite a statement, yes, seeing how much effort was put into documenting the NFL

career of Tim Tebow.

A year ago this week, everyone was convinced Oakland and Detroit – based on the landscape-altering

pitching acquisitions both teams had just made – were shoo-ins to meet in the 2014 ALCS.

It was so obvious even DeAndre Jordan never wavered in his commitment to the notion. The A’s added

Jon Lester and the Tigers picked up David Price, and how could such brazen moves possibly not

determine the fate of an entire league?

The only thing left to be resolved was which team would emerge from the NL to lose to the A’s-Tigers

survivor in the World Series.

As it turned out, Oakland and Detroit instead came up just a little short: they combined to win zero

playoff games.

Still, this devastating and indisputable fact won’t even in the slightest bit discourage people this week

from again making preposterous, sweeping projections based on the trades that happen between now

and 1 p.m. PDT Friday.

Personally, I can’t wait for those post-deadline stories identifying the winners and losers, grading each

team and every deal and sounding so authoritative that it can be easy to forget that the observations

might as well be coming from a roomful of iPad-armed monkeys.

I understand that instant analysis is a part of this business. And the roughly 196 Web sites dedicated to

following the whereabouts of all-important players like Kelly Johnson exist for a reason.

But just keep in mind that, as it relates to what really will happen over the final two months of the

regular season and in the playoffs, all this scrutiny should be received with an equal and opposite

amount of skepticism.

In other words, it could be a very minor deal that ultimately makes the major difference, which might

explain the Angels’ strategy so far, following up their trade for Shane Victorino by adding David DeJesus

and then David Murphy.

The Angels might not win the World Series, but I love their chances if baseball becomes a contest to see

who can make the most overwhelming number of underwhelming acquisitions.

The truth, though, is that the Angels might have the right approach, given how little the events of late

July can eventually matter by the time mid-October rolls around.

Baseball, you see, isn’t like the weather in San Diego; it just isn’t that easy to forecast. Like San Diego’s

current team, the 2015 Padres, baseball can’t be counted on to deliver anything that’s expected.

If it were a simple sport to predict, I wouldn’t have picked Boston to finish last in the AL East in 2013, the

same year the Red Sox, if you want to get technical, won the World Series.

For whatever reason, baseball is the game where we tend to overthink everything and outthink

everyone, including ourselves. We’re convinced we’re smarter than baseball, when, in comparison, we

have the mental capacity of a rosin bag.

There are entirely too many moving parts, too many performances that hinge on other performances to

draw bankable conclusions based on the presence of a single player, no matter how much everyone

loves Cole Hamels.

Trying to solve baseball is one of the things that led to the analytics movement now threatening to take

a sport that’s already too boring too often into the realm of the wholly comatose.

This week, the advanced metrics age and the trade deadline hype came together in the form of one

brilliant paragraph contained in various reports regarding Kansas City’s acquisition of Ben Zobrist.

“According to ESPN’s Stats & Information,” the paragraph began, “only three position players – Miguel

Cabrera, Robinson Cano and Adrian Beltre – have accumulated more wins above replacement (WAR)

than Zobrist since 2009.”

So, based on this measure, the Royals were better off getting Zobrist than, say, Mike Trout, who,

admittedly, wasn’t even accumulating big-league wins above replacement until 2011.

This is nonsense, of course. But the point is a lot of the analysis spawned by the trade deadline will

prove to be nonsense, too, logical, factual-based observations that baseball and its maddening nuances

ultimately will dismiss as gibberish.

Remember, San Francisco has won three of the past five World Series titles and, never once during that

streak of absurd success, entered a season or postseason as the projected odds-on favorite.

By the way, know how many players the eventual champion Giants had in the top 50 in WAR last

season? Two. The Angels had more. So did the Tigers. And the Indians, Pirates, Mariners, White Sox and

Reds – teams that totaled no playoff victories.

So enjoy the trade deadline bluster, just don’t buy every word you read and hear. There’s a lot more to

the hype than you might think. Also a lot less.

Speaking of which, the Philadelphia Eagles open training camp Saturday, when, among other hopefuls,

they’ll welcome Tim Tebow.

With roster in flux, Dodgers use five-run rally to beat A's, remain atop NL West

By Bill Plunkett

LOS ANGELES – Whatever the Dodgers team looks like the next time it gathers, this version went out in

style.

After blowing a one-run lead by surrendering four runs in the top of the seventh, the Dodgers were on

the verge of dropping out of first place in the NL West for the first time since May 29. But they

pummeled the A’s bullpen for seven two-out runs in the seventh and eighth innings, rallying to hand

Oakland a 10-7 defeat Wednesday night.

The comeback snapped a three-game losing streak for the Dodgers (they have not lost four in a row

since September 2013) and kept the San Francisco Giants at bay for another day. The Giants won for the

13th time in their past 15 games Wednesday but remain a half-game behind the Dodgers.

Both teams are off Thursday. The non-waiver trade deadline arrives Friday at 1 p.m.

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said when asked what his team would look

like on Friday. “Everybody’s got a new show. They cover the deadline from Monday through Friday.”

Mattingly doesn’t sound like a big fan of the wall-to-wall coverage that has exploded around the trade

deadline.

“I always worry about the club going into the (All-Star) break, and around the trade deadline,” he said.

“It’s so much stuff going on that you kind of lose focus on where you’re at. You start talking about all

these new guys. To me that kind of disorients your club a little bit.

“Obviously going into the off day (Thursday) it gets us closer to the end of the deadline, and hopefully

that gets straightened out whichever way it goes.”

Veteran Adrian Gonzalez sounded weary of the rumors and speculation, unwilling to offer an opinion on

what the Dodgers’ front office is obviously expending so much energy to accomplish this week.

“I just know there’s a lot of stuff out there,” he said. “A lot of headlines, a lot of false headlines.

“If you’ve been around long enough, you know nothing matters until it says, ‘Acquired’ or ‘Official.’ …

When it’s official, I’ll have an official opinion.”

While the wheels were in motion for a three-team trade that would bring both rotation and bullpen

help, the Dodgers’ bullpen went about showing why it needs reinforcements.

Pressed into starting duty when Clayton Kershaw was scratched due to a sore hip, right-hander Mike

Bolsinger gave the Dodgers five strong innings in what could be his final big-league start for awhile

(pending the arrival of Alex Wood and Mat Latos in trades).

Bolsinger scattered eight hits in his five innings but gave up just single runs in the fourth and fifth

innings.

The Dodgers gave him a lead with Andre Ethier’s RBI single in the first inning and Yasiel Puig’s two-run

home run in the fourth. Puig’s homer snapped an 0-for-11 stretch during which he struck out six times.

He added an RBI single later in the game, thoroughly enjoying his bobblehead night and having his

mother, Maritza, throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

“It’s been like two months since I got a hit. So it felt great,” he said through an interpreter. “I’m going to

have to talk to the Dodgers and see if I can have more bobblehead nights and have my mom throw out

the first pitch every night. It obviously helped.”

The lead disappeared in a seventh inning that even a mother couldn’t love. The A’s batted around

against three Dodgers relievers and Howie Kendrick committed a costly error.

After Kendrick fumbled a potential double-play ball to load the bases with no outs, Howell gave up a

two-run single to Brett Lawrie and an RBI single to Eric Sogard. That ended a scoreless streak of 18

innings and 22 appearances for Howell, who had not been charged with an earned run since April 10, a

streak of 28-1/3 innings and 36 appearances without allowing an earned run (two short of matching

Craig Kimbrel’s record).

In the bottom of the inning, though, the Dodgers scored five times on four hits and two walks against

three A’s relievers. All but one of the walks came after there were two outs in the inning.

Gonzalez had an RBI double. Yasmani Grandal hit rockets foul down each line then dribbled a swinging

bunt up the third-base line for an RBI single. Kike Hernandez added a two-run pinch-hit double and Puig

added his RBI single.

In the eighth, Kendrick drove in two more runs with a two-out single.

Dodgers have 3-team deal in place to acquire Latos, Wood, still in David Price derby

By Bill Plunkett

LOS ANGELES – It’s the Winter Meetings in July.

Spinning players and prospects while leveraging the franchise’s seemingly limitless financial resources,

the Dodgers are set to pull off a midseason makeover unmatched in – well, seven months or so. The

pieces are in place for a three-team trade with the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins that would bring

the Dodgers depth for both the rotation and bullpen while collecting assets for a potential run at David

Price.

Coincidence or not, the Dodgers’ complicated trade pieces came together on the same day that Detroit

Tigers president and GM Dave Dombrowski announced that his team was “rebooting going into next

year” and would entertain trade offers for any of their walk-year players – a group led by Price, who

won 82 games and a Cy Young Award for Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman

when Friedman ran the Tampa Bay Rays.

With reports that the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies have reached agreement on a trade that

would send Cole Hamels to the Rangers, Price remains the biggest prize available with the non-waiver

trade deadline set to arrive Friday at 1 p.m.

Wednesday’s deals have not been officially announced by any of the teams involved as medical

information is exchanged, terms are approved by Major League Baseball and players involved –

scattered across the majors, two levels of the minor leagues and the Dodgers’ training complex in

Arizona – are informed.

When the dust settles, the Dodgers will have obtained two starting pitchers for their depleted rotation

(right-hander Mat Latos from the Miami Marlins, left-hander Alex Wood from the Atlanta Braves), two

established relievers to shore up an inconsistent bullpen (right-hander Jim Johnson and left-hander Luis

Avilan from the Braves), an infield prospect to replace the older one dealt away (Triple-A second

baseman Jose Peraza from the Braves) and a journeyman bench player of dubious value to them (Mike

Morse from the Marlins).

What it will cost the Dodgers is four minor-league pitchers, rehabbing left-hander Paco Rodriguez, a

competitive-balance draft pick (acquired from the Marlins and then sent to the Braves) and, surprisingly,

Cuban infielder Hector Olivera before he ever set foot in Los Angeles.

The minor-league pitchers – right-handers Kevin Guzman, Victor Araujo and Jeff Brigham will go to the

Marlins, Zack Bird to the Braves – are all in Class-A and leave untouched the Dodgers’ cache of higher-

rated pitching prospects (Julio Urias, Grant Holmes, Jose De Leon and Chris Anderson), possibly for use

in luring Price away from the Tigers. Rodriguez is currently rehabbing from surgery to remove bone

spurs in his pitching elbow and is not expected to return to action until September.

Olivera, meanwhile, was rehabbing at the Dodgers’ training complex in Arizona after aggravating the

hamstring injury he suffered in June while playing for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Signed to a six-year, $62.5

million contract this spring, the Dodgers will be obligated to pay Olivera his $28 million signing bonus.

The Braves (who also pursued Olivera before he signed with the Dodgers) get the 30-year-old infielder

for $34.5 million over the next six years – much lower than the bidding this spring.

The Dodgers also give the Marlins something that franchise seems to value more than anything else –

salary relief. The Dodgers are already paying the Marlins approximately $12.5 million as part of the

December trade that sent Dee Gordon and Dan Haren to Miami. By taking Morse along with Latos, the

Dodgers continue subsidizing that franchise by taking approximately $14 million more off the Marlins’

books over the next year and a half. Latos is a potential free agent after this season. Morse signed a two-

year, $16 million deal with the Marlins as a free agent last winter but quickly lost any every-day role with

the team by hitting .214 with just four home runs in 52 games.

Latos, 27, was 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts for the Marlins this season but had a career ERA about a

run lower heading into this season after winning 64 games over six seasons with the Reds and Padres.

He missed about three weeks with knee inflammation in May and June but has gone 3-3 with a 2.96 ERA

and 0.94 WHIP in seven starts since returning, holding batters to a .198 average over that stretch.

But the 24-year-old Wood could be the prize of Wednesday’s haul, giving the Dodgers a solid starter to

upgrade their rotation this year and a young pitcher under club control for four more seasons – perhaps

not coincidentally, exactly the type of talent the Tigers will be seeking in any deal for Price.

A second-round draft pick out of the University of Georgia in 2012, Wood established himself in the

Braves’ rotation last year by going 11-11 with a 2.78 ERA in 35 appearances (24 starts). This season, he is

7-6 with a 3.48 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.

Nine years younger than Olivera, the 21-year-old Peraza is a well-regarded infield prospect who has

played both shortstop and second base. He was hitting .295 with 25 stolen bases at Triple-A Gwinnett

this season. The Dodgers’ infield is loaded with potential free agents this year (Howie Kendrick, Justin

Turner and Jimmy Rollins) with only blue-chip prospect Corey Seager lined up as a replacement.

Moura: David Price likely worth the cost for Dodgers

By Pedro Moura

LOS ANGELES – The Detroit Tigers made David Price formally available Wednesday, giving six or so teams

up to 48 hours to put together their best packages for 12 regular-season starts – and up to six in the

postseason – from the 29-year-old left-hander.

Here’s Dodgers decision-maker Andrew Friedman: “I think we had a chance today to add what we

believe is a very important building block, and a potential upper-echelon starting pitcher. And we were

prepared to do what it takes to make sure he became part of our organization.”

Oh, but Friedman said that about Price in the summer of 2007, when he was with the Tampa Bay Devil

Rays and they reached agreeement with their first overall pick on the day of the signing deadline.

Whichever what-it-takes offer Detroit decides on now will be weighty, surely. Friedman knows that

better than anybody, having dealt Price a year ago.

For the right to pay roughly $25 million for 11/3 seasons of Price last July 31, Friedman acquired an

above-average left-handed starter in the third year of his major-league career, a talented, far-off

shortstop prospect, and a probable utilityman.

Friedman might have helped himself for this year by setting a market value. The team that acquires

Price this week will presumably pay a lesser price. For it, that team will of course receive one of the men

most preferred to start a meaningful game.

Price is a superb starting pitcher, one who offers both impeccable control and elite left-handed velocity.

He has never had a bad year. He’s been on the disabled list once in seven seasons. Until 2015, his

fielding-independent pitching statistics had improved every season since he was a rookie in 2009.

Since that rookie season, Price has been the sixth-most valuable pitcher in baseball, behind Clayton

Kershaw, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Cliff Lee. If the Dodgers acquired him, they

would own the three most valuable, healthy pitchers in the National League.

But the Tigers had Verlander, Price and Max Scherzer a year ago, and they won precisely no playoff

games. The A’s had Sonny Gray, Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija, and they didn’t win any either.

No acquisition of any player, not even Mike Trout, will guarantee playoff victories – or victory. The truth

is that most projection systems, taking into account prior-year performances and the current season,

expect Price to be worth about one win more than Mike Bolsinger from this point forward. The

advantage Price provides over the likes of Bolsinger in any one game is harder to determine.

To guess, consider the Tigers won 21 of Price’s 32 starts since acquiring him – for a cool .656 winning

percentage. In the 126 games they played in which Price did not start, they posted a .476 winning

percentage.

It is certainly more complicated than that, but let’s play with those admittedly unscientific numbers for a

second. Assume a team has a 50-percent chance of winning a five-game playoff series. If Price provides

an 18-percent improvement to a team’s chances in one game and he starts twice, that’d give said team

a 57-percent chance of winning the series, assuming it went the distance.

That might not sound like much. Consider, then, that since 2003, home teams have won 54 percent of

regular-season games and 55 percent of playoff games.

Fangraphs.com studied the 21 teams who traded for elite starters during June or July over the past 20

years. Not one of those teams won the World Series. But 17 of them – 81 percent – made the playoffs.

And that is what the chase for Price is really about: Ensuring a playoff opportunity, preferably multiple,

by skipping the wild-card game altogether. Because we know that what happens once the playoff

opportunity is obtained is inexorably intertwined with luck.

The teams purportedly in on Price as of late Wednesday night – the Dodgers, Giants, Astros, Blue Jays

and Yankees – are all within two games of a playoff spot.

The Dodgers and Giants entered Wednesday tied with 56 wins in 101 tries this season. If one of them

obtains Price, they will gain a significant edge over the other in the 60 games that remain.

Any team that acquires him can count on benefitting with an extra win or so through the rest of the

season, and then a 5-7 percent boost in the division series and smaller advantages thereafter.

That is not a lot, really. But in the case of World Series chances, a little is a lot.

Dodgers scratch Clayton Kershaw from Wednesday's start, likely to face Angels on Friday

By Bill Plunkett

LOS ANGELES – Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday

against the Oakland A’s with soreness in his right hip and gluteus muscle.

Kershaw reluctantly accepted having his next start pushed back to Friday against the Angels.

Right-hander Mike Bolsinger made the start Wednesday in Kershaw’s place. Because the Dodgers have

off days Tuesday and Thursday this week, Bolsinger had not pitched since last Wednesday.

“It’s just a little sore right now,” Kershaw said. “We have a lot of off days right now so we’re just pushing

it back a couple days.”

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said the hip wasn’t an issue during Kershaw’s most recent start – a

three-hit shutout of the New York Mets on Thursday during which he took a perfect game into the

seventh inning – but it “flared up” during his between-starts throwing session Sunday. Mattingly said he

could tell Kershaw was still bothered by something when he saw him in the Dodgers’ clubhouse

Tuesday.

“I thought he’d be really ready to roll tonight, but yesterday wasn’t that great,’ Mattingly said. “I think

yesterday he was still a little tender. Once I saw his face coming in, I knew. We had already thought

about if he wasn’t feeling 100 percent, we were going to go this route.”

Kershaw had issues with a right hip impingement during September 2012 and saw a hip specialist

following that season. Adjustments in his workout regimen addressed the issue.

Asked if this problem was similar or related to his previous issues, Kershaw would not answer.

“I don’t want to talk about last year or a few years ago,” he said. “It flared up this time. I don’t know

why.”

Assuming Kershaw is able to pitch Friday, right-hander Zack Greinke would start Saturday against the

Angels. Sunday’s starter remains undecided with the Dodgers likely to have acquired multiple pitchers in

trades by then.

Reports: Dodgers set to acquire Mat Latos, Michael Morse from Marlins

By Bill Plunkett

LOS ANGELES - The Dodgers' search for starting pitching has landed on one of their off-season stops.

Multiple reports have the Dodgers acquiring right-hander Mat Latos along with first baseman Michael

Morse from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor-league prospects. The prospects are not expected

to be among the top assets in the Dodgers' farm system. Instead, the Marlins will take the salary relief of

unloading Morse who is signed through next season but has lost an every-day role. Latos is a potential

free agent this winter.

The Dodgers have not confirmed the trade and the names of the minor-leaguers involved are unknown

at this point. But Latos' wife, Dallas, seemed to confirm the deal when she posted on Twitter -- "I guess

it's a good thing I already follow the @Dodgers on here ;)"

The Dodgers will also reportedly acquire the Marlins' competitive balance pick in next year's draft, a pick

that should land between the 35th and 40th overall. The Dodgers already have the 36th pick in next

year's draft as compensation for their failure to sign Louisville right-hander Kyle Funkhouser after taking

him in this year's draft.

The acquisition of Latos does not preclude a move for another starting pitcher and the Dodgers are

believed to be in the hunt for Cole Hamels and others including David Price if he becomes available.

Latos does represent an upgrade over the current back of the Dodgers' rotation. The 27-year-old right-

hander has had an uneven season for the Marlins, going 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. But he has

pitched better recently, holding batters to a .185 batting average with a 2.08 ERA over his past four

starts.

Morse, 33, does not have much value for the Dodgers. The Dodgers are already paying the Marlins $12.5

million this season (the salaries of Dan Haren and Dee Gordon, traded to Miami in December) and would

be doing the Marlins another favor by taking on the remaining salaries of Latos and Morse --

approximately $14 million when Morse's $8 million 2016 salary is included.

Final: Dodgers bounce back with five-run rally to beat A's, 10-7

By Bill Plunkett

LOS ANGELES –Whatever the Dodgers team looks like the next time it gathers, this version went out in

style.

After blowing a one-run lead by surrendering four runs in the top of the seventh, the Dodgers were on

the verge of dropping out of first place in the NL West for the first time since May 29. But they

pummelled the A's bullpen for seven two-out runs in the seventh and eighth innings, rallying back to

hand the Oakland A's a 10-7 defeat Wednesday night.

The comeback snapped a three-game losing streak for the Dodgers (they have not lost four in a row

since September 2013) and kept the San Francisco Giants at bay for another day. The Giants won for the

13th time in their past 15 games Wednesday but remain a half-game behind the Dodgers.

Both teams are off Thursday. The non-waiver trade deadline arrives Friday at 1 p.m.

While the wheels were in motion for a three-time trade that would bring both rotation and bullpen help,

the Dodgers’ bullpen went about showing why it needs reinforcements.

Pressed into starting duty when Clayton Kershaw was scratched due to a sore hip, right-hander Mike

Bolsinger gave the Dodgers five strong innings in what could be his final big-league start for awhile

(pending the arrival of Alex Wood and Mat Latos in trades).

Bolsinger scattered eight hits in his five innings but gave up just single runs in the fourth and fifth

innings.

The Dodgers gave him a lead with Andre Ethier’s RBI single in the first inning and Yasiel Puig’s two-run

home run in the fourth. Puig’s homer snapped an 0-for-11 stretch during which he struck out six times.

The lead disappeared in the seventh inning when the A’s batted around against three Dodgers relievers

and Howie Kendrick committed a costly error. After Kendrick fumbled a potential double-play ball to

load the bases with no outs, Howell gave up a two-run single to Brett Lawrie and an RBI single to Eric

Sogard.

That ended a scoreless streak of 18 innings and 22 appearances for Howell, who had not been charged

with an earned run since April 10, a streak of 28-1/3 innings and 36 appearances without allowing an

earned run (two short of matching Craig Kimbrel’s record).

In the bottom of the inning, though, the Dodgers scored five times on four hits and two walks against

three A's relievers. All but one of the walks came after there were two outs in the inning.

Adrian Gonzalez had an RBI double. Yasmani Grandal hit rockets foul down each line then dribbled a

swinging bunt up the third-base line for an RBI single. Kike Hernandez added a two-run pinch-hit double

and Puig (thoroughly enjoying his bobblehead night) added an RBI single.

In the eighth, Kendrick drove in two more runs with a two-out single.

LA DAILY NEWS

Reports: L.A. Dodgers in three-way trade with Marlins and Braves, then may pursue David Price By JP Hoornstra Dodgers pitcher J.P. Howell played with Detroit Tigers pitcher David Price from 2008 to 2012 in Tampa Bay. Their first year as teammates, they played in a World Series together. Howell still keeps in touch with Price. He’d love for history to repeat itself. “(Price) said he’s heard about 300 different scenarios,” Howell said Wednesday afternoon. “I’m, like, hoping it was only one. “Of course we’d love to have him, but it’s tough to give up what we have here as well.” By the time the Dodgers beat the Oakland A’s 10-7, an unexpected possibility was in play: Howell could get his reunion with Price and not lose a single teammate. A three-team trade involving the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins was in the works Wednesday but not officially complete. The Marlins are sending outfielder Michael Morse, pitcher Mat Latos and a 2016 draft pick to the Dodgers in exchange for three minor-league pitchers — Kevin Guzman, Victor Araujo and Jeff Brigham, according to multiple reports. The Dodgers would then reportedly package minor league infielder Hector Olivera, pitcher Zack Bird and the Marlins’ draft pick to the Atlanta Braves. Another report had the Dodgers including injured pitcher Paco Rodriguez, who hasn’t pitched since May because of bone spurs in his left elbow. Asked if he had been informed of a trade as he left the clubhouse Wednesday, Rodriguez said “nobody’s told me anything.”

The Dodgers’ return has been reported differently by different outlets and could include starting pitcher Alex Wood, minor league utilityman Jose Peraza and a major league relief pitcher — Jim Johnson and/or Luis Avilan. The final piece of the puzzle? The Dodgers would have until 1 p.m. Friday to put together a package for Price, and up to six new players from which to deal. It wasn’t clear as of Wednesday night what could be preventing the trade from becoming official. Factors often include medical reports, cash exchanges, or even something as basic as which players will be involved. If nothing else, a trade for Latos and Wood would meet the Dodgers’ desire for bolstering their starting rotation. Latos will become a free agent at the end of the season. The 27-year-old right-hander is 64-52 with a 3.43 ERA over seven seasons with the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and Miami. Wood is 21-20 with a 3.10 ERA in three major league seasons, all with the Braves. The 24-year-old right-hander is under team control until 2020. Price has a record of 95-55 and a 3.13 ERA in his career, spent entirely in the American League. He’s 9-4 with a 2.53 ERA for the Tigers this year and has experience in 10 postseason games. With Cole Hamels going to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, and Johnny Cueto going to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, Price is considered the best starting pitcher still left on the trade market. A free agent at the end of the season, Price represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition who is owed a pro-rated portion of $19.75 million over the remainder of the season. Would he welcome a reunion with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who traded him to Detroit last July? “I’m assuming no doubt about it,” Howell said. “There was communication involved; it wasn’t just shock” when Friedman traded Price. The Dodgers’ win was a bit of a shock. Trailing 6-3 in the seventh inning, they rallied for five runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth against the A’s bullpen. A two-run double by Kiké Hernandez was the final dagger, turning a 6-5 deficit into a 7-6 lead that the Dodgers would not relinquish. Jimmy Rollins, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier and Howie Kendrick each had two of the Dodgers’ 12 hits. Puig had a home run and three RBIs, while Rollins had a double and a triple. Pedro Baez (3-2) got the win in relief of starter Mike Bolsinger, who allowed two runs in five innings. Because the San Francisco Giants won earlier in the day, the Dodgers needed the victory to maintain their half-game lead in the National League West standings. They won’t play another game until the

trade deadline passes at 1 p.m. Friday. The Dodgers don’t have a game Thursday and host the Angels on Friday night. HE SAID IT: Puig disclosed the secret to his success after hitting a home run and driving in three against the Oakland A’s on Thursday: “I stopped playing soccer video games. I found that when I play baseball video games I do better.” L.A. Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw rests ailing hip, insists it’s ‘a little sore’ By JP Hoornstra Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his start against the A’s on Wednesday due to a sore hip. Under the circumstances, it’s hard not to overreact. Having Kershaw pitch every fifth day is a linchpin to the Dodgers’ playoff hopes; having him pitch in October is integral to their championship strategy. Kershaw also had a hip issue late in the 2012 season, so any recurrence of that injury would be cause for concern. Kershaw did everything in his power to downplay the issue to reporters. He said he’ll pitch Friday against the Angels instead and insisted that his hip is merely “a little sore.” “I figure give it a couple days, it’ll be good to go,” Kershaw said. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Kershaw won’t make the start unless he is 100 percent healthy. Mike Bolsinger took Kershaw’s start Wednesday on regular rest. Zack Greinke will start Saturday against the Angels. Sunday’s starter has yet to be announced. “I think we know what kind of creatures of habit these guys are, as far as their routines,” Mattingly said. “Number one, you’re going to try to take care of Zack (Greinke), try to take care of Clayton. Everybody else has to fall in line with that.” When asked about his previous hip injury, Kershaw would not compare the two. The last one caused him to miss one start in September 2012. For now, this injury appears to be even less severe. The only thing Kershaw will miss entirely is his charity ping pong tournament on Thursday, an off-day in the Dodgers’ schedule. “I think I’ll probably have to sit some ping pong out and just be a spectator,” Kershaw said. TURNER STILL OUT Infielder Justin Turner missed his second consecutive game because of a skin infection on his leg. The source of the infection appears to be an ingrown hair.

“That’s kind of what it looked like at first,” Mattingly said. Turner is waiting for the lab results from a skin culture to determine more about the infection. Those results won’t be available for “a few days,” Mattingly said, and the team is hoping that’s all the time Turner will miss. Turner is having a career year, batting a team-leading .323 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs in 87 games this season. Alberto Callaspo started at third base in Turner’s absence on Tuesday and Alex Guerrero got the nod Wednesday. ALSO Center fielder Joc Pederson, who has 10 hits and one walk in 50 plate appearances since the All-Star break, was removed from the leadoff spot and demoted to seventh in the batting order. “He seemed frustrated last night,” Mattingly said. “I didn’t want to keep seeing that.” … The Angels will start three left-handers against the Dodgers this weekend: Hector Santiago on Friday, Andrew Heaney on Saturday and C.J. Wilson on Sunday. … Right-hander Chris Hatcher (oblique) threw a scoreless inning for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

TRUEBLUELA.COM

Alex Verdugo continues his hot July By David Hood The Drillers have a historic evening while several prospects had standout nights on the farm. Player of the day Alex Verdugo had three hits and knocked in two runs in the Loons shutout victory on Wednesday. Verdugo's selection for the player of the day comes at a season milestone, as Verdugo reached .290 in batting average, continuing his climb out of a slow start. Verdugo has hit .339/.357/.477 in the month of July, and now has an OPS of .710 on the season. The power has been a little slower to arrive, but Verdugo isn't lacking for contact and could be poised for a breakout season in the California League. Triple-A Oklahoma City The Dodgers dropped their afternoon affair with the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 3-2 while struggling to produce much offense. Solo home runs by Andy Wilkins and Kyle Jensen provided all the scoring for Oklahoma City. The Dodgers only produced five hits and no player had more than one. Eric Stults ran in to trouble in his fifth and final inning, allowing all three Redbirds' runs to score in that frame. He would allow nine hits against two strikeouts. Ian Thomas would pitch in relief of Stults, only to be ejected in the seventh inning with one out left in the frame. Double-A Tulsa

Tulsa was trailing 7-0 before scoring four runs in the seventh and five in the eighth to win in comeback fashion 9-7 over the Springfield Cardinals. Brandon Trinkwon and Peter Lavin each had eighth inning home runs to power the comeback, while Ronald Torreyes had three hits and a pair of doubles as the catalyst in the leadoff spot. Jairo Heredia was stellar in relief of Deck McGuire. Heredia went four scoreless innings, striking out four and allowing three hits in route to earning the victory. Ryan Dennick would close the door on the Cardinals in the ninth to earn his first save on the year. Class-A Rancho Cucamonga The Quakes bullpen let them down after a string of six scoreless innings to start the game, losing to the Lancaster Jethawks (Astros) 4-2. Chase DeJong is starting to find his comfort level in the Dodgers organization. DeJong went five scoreless innings, striking out eight and walking three. Chris Hatcher threw a scoreless inning in relief to follow DeJong, as Hatcher looks to wrap up his rehab assignment and rejoin the big league squad soon. Jacob Scavuzzo led all Quakes hitters with two hits, both doubles, and a run scored. Brandon Dixon and Cody Bellinger each added an extra base hit to the cause, a home run and double respectively, but the offense sputtered as a whole. Low Class-A Great Lakes The Loons shutout the South Bend Cubs 5-0 in Isaac Anderson's second stellar start for the club. A 40th round pick in this year's draft, Anderson has now climbed three levels and kept scoring at a premium. He pitched five innings in this game, striking out two and walking none. Cambell's Matt and James would pitch the final four scoreless frames to preserve the win. In addition to Verdugo's night at the plate, the Loons got two hits and three RBI from Justin Chigbogu. Matt Beaty and Julian Leon each had a double as their only hits. Short Season Ogden The Raptors came out the 14-8 victors over the Grand Junction Rockies in a slugfest in Ogden that saw the teams combine for thirty hits. Willie Calhoun went 3-3 with two walks and two doubles to raise his slash line to .272/.365/.510 on the season. Scott DeJong, Matt Jones, Jake Henson, and Jordan Tarsovich each homered as part of multi-hit nights for each player. Josh Sborz started and pitched two innings, allowing one unearned run, walking three and striking out two. MJ Villegas would get the win with three scoreless innings to follow. Arizona Rookie League Dodgers The Dodgers defeated the Rangers 5-4 in ten innings after a walk off single by Jordan Paroubeck. Paroubeck had two hits, including a double, and knocked in two runs in the victory. Ariel Sandoval had a pair of hits and a stolen base as well.

The bullpen three 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball in relief of starter Dennis Santana. Nolan Long struck out three in his two scoreless innings, while Shea Spitzbarth struck out five in two perfect frames for the victory. Transactions High A: Brock Stewart was placed on the the temporarily inactive list, with Kyle Hooper coming off the disabled list to take his place on the roster. Rookie: Logan Landon was assigned to the Dodgers from Ogden. Tuesday box scores Memphis 3, Oklahoma City 2 Tulsa 9, Springfield 7 Lancaster 4, Rancho Cucamonga 2 Great Lakes 5, South Bend 0 Ogden 14, Grand Junction 8 AZL Dodgers 5, AZL Rangers 4 in 10 Innings Thursday schedule 4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Tommy Bergjans) vs. South Bend (Tommy Thorpe) 5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBD) at Memphis (TBD) 5:10 p.m.: Tulsa (Jeremy Kehrt) at Arkansas (Chris Ellis) 6:05 p.m.: Ogden (Michael Boyle) at Idaho Falls (TBD) 7:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (John Richy) vs. Lake Elsinore (Brad Wieck) Dodgers faith in Jimmy Rollins starting to pay off By Eric Stephen LOS ANGELES -- In a case of fortuitous timing, Jimmy Rollins moved back into the leadoff spot on Wednesday, just as he continued his hot streak. Rollins tripled and doubled in the Dodgers' 10-7 win over the Athletics.

It was the 113th triple of Rollins' career, and his second this season. In his last seven games, Rollins has three home runs, two doubles and a triple. Before that, he had six extra-base hits in his previous 33 games. "I've just been able to I guess do what I've always been able to do, which is stay on the ball, pulling balls and be able to hit up the middle," Rollins said. "Early on it was the other way, the other way, the other way, because I was coming around a lot of balls, and being able to pull the ball wasn't consistent." Rollins' triple to lead off the third inning came batting left-handed, and was hit down the right field. His double in the eighth came batting right-handed, and was hit to left. Both extra-base hits were pulled, as were all three of his home runs at Citi Field against the Mets last weekend. "It's all the work we've done, me, [hitting coach Mark McGwire] and [assistant hitting coach John Valentin], that I no longer have to think about those things, that they start to feel natural after a while with repetition after repetition," Rollins explained. "You stop thinking about it and just let it happen. Hopefully you get results, hopefully you get hits, but the first part of that is just trying to put together good at-bats, trying to get pitches that you can handle." It has been a disappointing year at the plate for Rollins, hitting .213/.270/.361 even after his recent hot streak. But he hasn't let it affect his defense or his work ethic, both of which have been praised by manager Don Mattingly. "Jimmy's just a guy that's going to keep playing, kind of the opposite of Joc [Pederson]. He's not going to panic with his swing or change what he's doing. He's going to stay with the program," Mattingly said. "He's been doing this long enough to know the ebbs and flows of the game, and he's not going to fight it. He's going to keep going out there and not be concerned about what happened a month ago." Nearly one month ago, at the end of June, Rollins was at .208/.262/.326 on the season, but in July he is hitting .233/.300/.493. "There weren't down times in any mental matter. There was a down average, not getting on base, not getting hits, all those things to help your team win I wasn't able to do them. But as they say, steady as they go," Rollins said. "You have to keep something consistent just to have something to stand on. Trying to have a good approach, work counts, hopefully getting hits but if not hopefully you've seen five or six pitches and you took good swings that would translate to hits later, but it just wasn't happening. "It never changed my mindset of what my job was to do on both sides of the ball. Fortunately I'm starting to get those hits now." Dodgers rally late to topple A's By Eric Stephen LOS ANGELES -- The Athletics rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning, but then the Dodgers rallied for five in the bottom of the inning, securing a 10-7 win over the A's for a series split on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.

For the fifth time this season the Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak, and remain a half-game ahead of San Francisco in first place in the National League West. Oakland's rally in the seventh consisted of four singles, a walk, a double steal that saw Alex Guerrero react like someone who hadn't started at third base since May 24, and one error. That was enough to plate four runs including three charged to J.P. Howell, who last allowed a run on May 29. The Dodgers rally started with one on and two outs, Howie Kendrick walked to bring up Adrian Gonzalez as the potential tying run. Gonzalez almost realized those expectations with a drive to deep center field, but settled for a double off the wall to bring the Dodgers within 6-4. Yasmani Grandal then rocketed two balls foul, one down each line, before dribbling a ball up the third baseline that happened to stop in fair territory on the dirt roughly 50 feet from home plate. The infield single made it 6-5. Kiké Hernandez then followed with a pinch-hit double to score Gonzalez and Grandal, giving the Dodgers the lead again. "We had a lot of big at-bats really," manager Don Mattingly said. "We just kind of kept going, and got us back in it." Yasiel Puig, who homered in the fourth inning on his bobblehead night, a two-run shot on a night his mom threw out a first pitch at Dodger Stadium, hit a line drive single to left field to score Hernandez, giving the Dodgers a two-run advantage. "I'm going to talk to the Dodgers to get more bobblehead nights and have my mom throw out the first pitch more often," Puig joked after the game. Any secret to Puig's success? "I stopped playing soccer video games," Puig said. "I've found that when I play baseball video games, I do better." Howie Kendrick added a two-run single in the eighth inning to widen the Dodgers' lead. Jimmy Rollins doubled in the inning after tripling earlier. Rollins in his last seven games is 8-for-23 (.348) with six extra-base hits. Pedro Baez recorded the final two outs of the top of the seventh inning to earn the win. Drew Pomeranz allowed hits to all three batters he faced - Gonzalez, Grandal and Hernandez - to suffer the loss in relief. Joel Peralta pitched a perfect eighth inning for his first clean frame since June 30, then Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth to close out the win. It wasn't a save situation, but it was Jansen's first appearance since Friday and his second appearance in the last seven days. Jansen allowed a home run, crushed to center by Brett Lawrie, who was 4-for-5 and also had two doubles for Oakland.

The Dodgers are off Thursday. Up next The non-waiver trade deadline is Friday at 1 p.m. PT. Then the Angels are in town for three games. Wednesday particulars Home runs: Yasiel Puig (7); Brett Lawrie (9) WP - Pedro Baez (3-2): ⅔ IP, 1 hit LP - Drew Pomeranz (4-4): 0 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs Dodgers reported 3-team trade with Braves, Marlins parlays L.A. financial advantage By Eric Stephen The Dodgers' reported acquisition of Mat Latos and Michael Morse from the Marlins has reportedly become a lot more complicated. Borrowing a page from their winter meetings playbook, the Dodgers are reportedly engaged in a three-team trade with the Marlins and Braves, per multiple reports. Hector Olivera is now prominently featured in the deal, reportedly headed to Atlanta per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, and Jim Bowden of ESPN. The Dodgers appear to be receiving a total of six players: Latos and Morse from the Marlins, pitchers Alex Wood, Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan from the Braves, and minor league infielder Jose Peraza. The Dodgers are sending Paco Rodriguez and minor league pitcher Zachary Bird (per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports) to the Braves (per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com), plus Jeff Brigham, Victor Araujo and Kevin Guzman to the Marlins (per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com). The Braves will also get the Competitive Balance draft pick from the Marlins. There is a lot to unpack here, namely that the deal isn't yet official. But this looks like the Dodgers using their biggest advantage, cash, to acquire talent. The Dodgers took on nearly $15 million in Morse and Latos. Jim Johnson is making $1.6 million this year, with roughly $586,000 remaining. Avilan is making close to league minimum, and won't be a free agent until after 2018. Wood the same, though he has an extra year of control, through 2019. Olivera signed a $62.5 million deal in May, but that included a $28 million signing bonus that is already earned. He has roughly $732,000 remaining on his $2 million salary in 2015, then $32.5 million for the next five seasons.

None of the four minor leaguers given up by the Dodgers are too highly ranked (more on them later), so the Dodgers essentially paid $45 million to acquire two starting pitchers, two relievers, including one of each they can keep well beyond 2015, plus an infield prospect in Peraza who was ranked the 26th-best prospect in baseball at midseason by Baseball America. More details to follow, obviously, but for now it looks like the Dodgers used their most abundant resource to add several assets. Clayton Kershaw's hip still sore, slated for Friday start By Eric Stephen LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his start on Wednesday with a sore hip, and is scheduled instead to start Friday against the Angels. Mike Bolsinger starts Wednesday night against the Athletics. Kershaw didn't want to discuss whether the soreness was related to the hip impingement that sidelined him briefly in 2012, causing a couple starts to be pushed back. "It's a little sore right now," Kershaw said multiple times, not delving much deeper into his current state. Manager Don Mattingly said Kershaw didn't feel anything in his last start, on Thursday in New York, a three-hit shutout of the Mets. But Kershaw felt soreness in his hip during his bullpen session, and the soreness remained on Tuesday. "I thought he would really be ready to roll tonight, but yesterday he wasn't that great," Mattingly said. "At that point, we have [Bolsinger] ready, the off day coming. We just want to take advantage of the off day. "Yesterday he was still a little tender. Once I saw his face coming in, I knew. We had already thought about this." The Dodgers were off Monday, and they have off days again on Thursday and next Monday. The current plan is for Kershaw to start on Friday against the Angels, with Zack Greinke starting Saturday on five days rest. If Kershaw is healthy, that is. "If he's not 100 percent Friday, we won't start him," Mattingly said. Mike Bolsinger starts for Dodgers, Joc Pederson dropped to 7th, Alex Guerrero gets rare start at 3B By Eric Stephen

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers made it official, with Mike Bolsinger getting the start on Wednesday night against the Athletics, and Clayton Kershaw pushed to Friday against the Angels. The Dodgers also shuffled the lineup a bit. Joc Pederson, in the throws of a July swoon, was moved down to seventh in the order, with Jimmy Rollins taking over at leadoff. Pederson has a .239 on-base percentage this month, and was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Tuesday night. Manager Don Mattingly hinted after the game that moving Pederson out of the leadoff spot was an option. "We've been talking about it a little bit," Mattingly said. In addition, with Justin Turner still out, Alex Guerrero gets the super rare start at third base. It is the first start at third base for Guerrero since May 24, three days before the Juan Uribe trade. He has played 1⅓ defensive innings at the hot corner in the 58 games since, before Wednesday night. Dodgers acquire Mat Latos, Mike Morse, draft pick from Marlins for 3 minor leaguers, per reports By Eric Stephen The Dodgers made their first big splash before the non-waiver trade deadline on Wednesday, acquiring pitcher Mat Latos and outfielder / first baseman Mike Morse and a Competitive Balance draft pick from the Marlins in exchange for three minor leaguers, per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. More details certainly to follow, but here is what we know. Latos, 27, definitely fits the bill as someone whose peripherals are outperforming his superficial ones. Latos is 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts, with 79 strikeouts and 25 walks in 88⅓innings this season. His FIP is 3.34, his xFIP is 3.55 and his SIERA is 3.70. He averaged 180 innings and 164 strikeouts in 29 starts from 2010-2014 with a 3.27 ERA, a 116 ERA+. Morse, 33, is having a bad year in Miami, hitting .214/.277/.314, but he is one year removed from hitting .279/.336/.475 with 16 home runs for the Giants. Latos is making $9.5 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of the year. He has roughly $3.48 million remaining on his salary. Morse is making $7 million this year and $8 million in 2016, per Cot's, and sounds a lot like the freight used to buy an extra draft pick at the very least. He has roughly $2.56 million remaining in 2015. The Marlins might be sending money in the deal, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, but the details aren't yet known.

The Competitive Balance pick is one of 12 draft picks that can be traded, though each pick can be traded only once so this is the Dodgers' to keep. The pick is the fifth pick in Competitive Balance Round A, which is after the first round and supplemental first round.

ESPN LA Prospects galore move in Hamels, Latos trades By Eric Karabell It’s a tiny bit sad that as the Philadelphia Phillies sent their longtime ace and best player to the Texas Rangers for a reasonably exciting haul, the move was overshadowed by a trade that caused some tears and then ended up not happening. But still, in the world of fantasy baseball, we can only deal with official results. Left-hander Cole Hamels is moving to the American League, following Kansas City Royals right-hander Johnny Cueto in that regard. If you’re in an AL-only weekly league, Cueto comes more highly recommended than Hamels. Certainly the home ballparks –- and outfield defenses –- play a role, but Cueto has better numbers and has for years. That’s not to say that Hamels will suddenly struggle. He tossed a no-hitter in his last outing for the Phillies, and his track record is admirable. He’s durable, he strikes hitters out, and even in the overwhelming warmth of Arlington, Texas, it's unlikely that his impressive ERA and WHIP will suddenly blow up. Hamels will be fine, and he’s worth the waiver claim in AL-only formats, especially as a second option after Cueto. Hamels should start getting more run support now, at least! While it’s always risky to rely on prospects turning into great major leaguers, it appears the Phillies did well here; however, fantasy help is not coming in 2015. Don’t focus on what the Phillies didn’t receive, but on what they did. Catcher Jorge Alfaro has big-time power, perhaps a Salvador Perez-type future, as he has a similar arm and lack of plate discipline. Outfielder Nick Williams should hit the big leagues at some point next season, and his future as a potential five-category fantasy producer also looks bright. Pitchers Jake Thompson, Alec Asher and Jerad Eickhoff boast upside as well. But neither these players nor veteran lefty Matt Harrison figure to aid fantasy owners in 2015. Williams is the one I’d invest in first for dynasty formats. Pitchers are always dangerous, and so are catchers, especially ones that need to work on their defensive skills. Meanwhile, there was another rather large trade Wednesday, with the Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring right-hander Mat Latos, left-hander Alex Wood, right-hander Jim Johnson and outfielder Michael Morse. For Latos and Wood, little changes. Latos has pitched well the past two months and comes recommended for fantasy. Just forget about his first Marlins outing. He’s past that. Wood’s WHIP is a problem, and there’s no reason to believe it will suddenly get fixed in Los Angeles. Morse isn’t likely to see enough at-bats to matter, unless there’s another deal. However, the loser in fantasy value is clearly Johnson. He was the Atlanta Braves closer, after all. He will not close in L.A. My guess is right-hander Arodys Vizcaino, the eighth-inning fellow, moves into the saves spot, so go add him. Johnson joins Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen in going from really valuable in fantasy to free-agent material, through no fault of their own. Meanwhile, there are two other potentially big names for fantasy owners here. One is Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, moving from the Dodgers to the Braves. Olivera, 30, might not be promoted to the

majors anytime soon, since he’s on the DL with a hamstring injury, and because Adonis Garcia is looking competent at third base and Jace Peterson has been a reasonable second baseman, but at least now his path to playing time is clearer. It was murky with the Dodgers. Still, while he's worth investing in for dynasty formats, I wouldn’t expect much from him in 2015. The other possible big name is speedster Jose Peraza, a middle infielder who was hitting .295 for Triple-A Gwinnett with 25 stolen bases. The Dodgers don’t have room for him right now, but he’s probably next season’s second baseman, and he's capable of leading off and stealing many, many bases. One final note: With the Dodgers picking up several starting pitchers, it sure looks like right-hander Mike Bolsinger, a Derek Carty fave for DFS purposes, is getting pushed aside. NL report: Before we get to what happened on the field Wednesday -- and things certainly did happen -- Dodgers ace lefty Clayton Kershaw had his start pushed back to the weekend due to hip soreness. As of now, there's no reason to panic. He still has a 29-inning scoreless streak. … While the New York Mets didn’t win Wednesday and apparently did not make a big trade, first baseman Lucas Duda did swat three home runs, each of the solo variety. Some might be disappointed by Duda’s season, and it might not match 2014, but a 30-home-run season is still within reach. … St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday left his game early after re-aggravating a quad injury, and this one could be serious. More information is due out Thursday, but if Randal Grichuk is still available in your league, he’s probably going to be a regular. Stephen Piscotty will also get many at-bats, and he should hit, too. … It’s another day in the Chicago Cubs' closer saga, with Hector Rondon handling things Wednesday. Every day the carousel turns. Maybe they deal for Craig Kimbrel. At this point, it’s clear that even manager Joe Maddon isn’t quite sure who saves games over the weekend, so I’m not chasing names. … Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo homered twice off Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez, giving him double digits in the category for the season. Castillo also homered Monday. You could do worse for your second backstop. AL report: Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki made a successful debut with a home run, three runs batted in and three runs scored Wednesday, and he did so from the leadoff spot. If he remains in that lineup spot, Tulowitzki will still hit, but probably won't knock in many runs. And don’t expect stolen bases. Still, expect terrific numbers. … Blue Jays right-hander R.A. Dickey allowed two unearned runs over eight innings, lowering his ERA to 4.27. It was 2.57 for the month of July. That’s progress, and it's interesting for standard league owners. … One of these days Cleveland Indians right-hander Corey Kluber will begin a 10-game winning streak. He dominated the Kansas City Royals, allowing one ninth-inning run. Buy low if you can. … It may also be time to buy low with Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander. He fanned 10 Tampa Bay Rays over eight innings, allowing one run. His previous outing was terrific as well. I’m still skeptical. … I’m glad I dealt for Chicago White Sox outfielder Melky Cabrera three weeks ago. He added three more hits and is hitting .381 in July. … Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts won’t play for at least a week as he’s on the 7-day concussion DL. Hopefully he’ll be back soon. Looks like Jackie Bradley Jr. will handle center field, with Rusney Castillo in right. It’d be nice to see Castillo start against right-handed pitching before buying in. … What’s up with Minnesota Twins outfielder Aaron Hicks? He had three more hits Wednesday, his fourth consecutive multi-hit performance. And he’s not striking out. I’m intrigued now, especially if he runs more. … Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton hit his first home run of the big league season, but until his slugging percentage rises well above his on-base percentage -- it’s currently lower -- it’s tough to look his direction in fantasy. Dodgers' trades set them up for World Series run

By Mark Saxon LOS ANGELES -- If Billy Beane had taken the Boston Red Sox job at the end of that movie, the sequel wouldn't have lived up to the show the Los Angeles Dodgers are starting to put on. The biggest spenders in baseball wanted to mix in more new-school savvy when they hired Andrew Friedman from the Tampa Bay Rays as president of baseball operations, then let him bring in Farhan Zaidi, Josh Byrnes and a bunch of other products of higher education to build what the team thinks is baseball's West Coast think tank. Wednesday's day-long trade saga was the kind of thing they had in mind. Friedman and his guys came up with another deal that combines creativity and precision with a big blue-and-white bulldozer to move all the cash around. It's a three-team trade with the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. If it's completed, it would land the Dodgers two legit starting pitchers, Mat Latos and Alex Wood, and relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan, plus journeyman slugger Michael Morse, whose stay could be short, and well-regarded infield prospect Jose Peraza. Some people believe the deal simply buys the Dodgers the pieces to acquire David Price from the Detroit Tigers. Perhaps so, but even if it doesn't, this looks like a major boost to the Dodgers' World Series aspirations. Mike Bolsinger -- who pitched another a strong five innings in the Dodgers' 10-7 win over the Oakland A's on Wednesday and has a 2.83 ERA -- has done nothing to lose his rotation spot, but the Dodgers are a better team if they're stockpiling him at Triple-A or in their bullpen rather than relying on him every fifth day in what's shaping up as a heated pennant race. Wood, 24, is just the kind of controllable young pitcher that can ease some of the Dodgers' worries about their rotation in 2015 and beyond, when the rotation will be in flux beyond Clayton Kershaw. Wood won't be arbitration eligible until 2017 and won't hit free agency for five more years. Oh, by the way, he has a 3.10 lifetime ERA, throws left-handed and has well above-average stuff. Latos becomes one of the best fifth starters in the National League. He's still only 27 and he has a 2.96 ERA since he came back from the disabled list for an injured knee. The talent cost to the Dodgers is modest, to put it conservatively: four pitching prospects who aren't Julio Urias, their best young arm, minor-league infielder Hector Olivera and injured reliever Paco Rodriguez. That must have been some brilliant deal-making by Friedman and his guys, right? Maybe, but none of it would have been possible if the Dodgers' owners weren't willing to continue signing huge checks to players on other teams. The Dodgers already paid $28 million to Olivera as the signing bonus from his six-year, $62.5 million deal, making him a potential bargain for the Braves at $34.5 million for five-plus years. And they'll take Morse off the Marlins' hands and pay him the $11.5 million Miami would have owed him through 2016, though they have no real use for him. In fact, Morse could be designated for assignment before he ever pulls on a Dodgers jersey.

Combine that with the $12.5 million the Dodgers already sent Miami back in December to cover the costs of the contracts of pitcher Dan Haren and second baseman Dee Gordon and the Dodgers have practically turned the Marlins into their vassal state. Oh, and remember back in December, when they agreed to send $32 million to the San Diego Padres to complete the Matt Kemp deal? Add up all the dead money Friedman has thrown around -- including players signed by senior advisor Ned Colletti that he has tossed aside -- and it comes to $80 million. Never did Friedman have a payroll that big when he was in Tampa. Debate all you want about whether money or smarts is the Dodgers' biggest edge, but they plan on using both to stack the odds in their favor for multiple World Series titles in the coming years. Each of the major trades Friedman has group pulled off at the last winter meetings amounted to three-team deals, because they took a pitching prospect from San Diego and turned it into Jimmy Rollins then a pitching prospect from Miami and turned it into Howie Kendrick. The action became so frenetic on Wednesday that manager Don Mattingly actually became concerned that it was becoming a distraction to his team. He said as much after Wednesday's game, without confirming that the Dodgers are on the verge of any trades. "I just hear too much talk, too much chatter, guys just start talking about everything," Mattingly said. "There's nothing you can do about it. You just want your club to stay focused and just keep taking care of business." If the Dodgers do make a run at Price -- and they certainly will eventually, whether it's in the remaining hours before Friday's 1 p.m. PT trade deadline or the offseason via free agency -- they could have the prospects to do it now without including their two prized young players, Corey Seager and Urias, who has yet to turn 19 and is pitching well at Double-A. Peraza, 21, was ranked the No. 24 prospect in baseball by ESPN.com's Keith Law heading into the season and he has 25 stolen bases for the Braves' Triple-A club. The moves give them crucial insurance against the injuries that might arise in the next two months as they fight the San Francisco Giants for division supremacy. Kershaw is nursing a sore right hip. Brett Anderson is still getting treatment for a tight Achilles tendon. It allows them to give Brandon Beachy all the time he needs to hone his command as he attempts the brutally difficult task of returning from a second round of Tommy John surgery. It's an impressive upgrade, probably more impactful than the trade everyone thought they were fixated on for Cole Hamels. And, of course, 29 other general managers around baseball, maybe even Beane himself, are probably thinking, "I'd be pretty smart, too, if I could toss $80 million down the drain and still keep my job." Dodgers rally in 7th for dramatic 10-7 win over Oakland By Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- After Yasiel Puig's mother threw out the first pitch and 40,000 fans got his bobblehead doll, the slugger had his biggest game at the plate in quite a while. Puig and the Los Angeles Dodgers realize their roster could look much different when they go back to work in two days, so they enjoyed what might have been this group's last night together. Pinch-hitter Kike Hernandez delivered the go-ahead, two-run double during the Dodgers' five-run seventh inning, and Los Angeles rallied from a three-run deficit for a wild 10-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night. Puig hit a two-run homer and added an RBI single in the seventh for the Dodgers (57-45), who snapped their three-game losing streak and avoided falling out of first place for the first time in two months. Los Angeles is deep in trade discussions with the deadline approaching, but Puig and his teammates shut out the rumors in a cathartic win. "It's not distracting for me at all," Puig said through a translator. "I don't even read in English." The last-place A's scored four runs in the top half of the seventh to take a 6-3 lead, but Adrian Gonzalez and Yasmani Grandal delivered run-scoring hits off Drew Pomeranz (4-4) before Hernandez drilled a double to the left-center gap in his first plate appearance since last Friday. "They had the big inning, and we had to claw back," Gonzalez said. "We got a lot of good at-bats put together, and it was a big win." Puig's second big hit capped his first three-RBI game since July 9. The Cuban right fielder, who often jokes around in Spanish, credited his improvement to his decision to start playing baseball video games instead of soccer video games. "I'm going to talk to the Dodgers, see if they can have more bobblehead nights and get my mom to throw out the first pitch every night," added a grinning Puig, who had two hits in his last eight games. Howie Kendrick added a two-run single in the eighth for Los Angeles, which has been in first place since May 29 -- and for all but one day since April 16. The Dodgers, who lead San Francisco by a half-game, are the only team in the majors without a four-game skid this season. Pedro Baez (3-2) got two outs in the seventh. Brett Lawrie had a ninth-inning homer among his career-high four hits and four RBI for Oakland, which has lost five of six. Lawrie and Eric Sogard drove in two runs apiece for the A's in the seventh, but the Dodgers replied with a gritty two-out rally. "We had good at-bats to come back and take a lead," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "Then we got two outs and a 1-2 count on Kendrick in the seventh with no runs in. And the next thing you know, we didn't have a lead anymore." Pomeranz gave up three hits and three runs without recording an out in the seventh.

"They're a pretty aggressive team," Pomeranz said. "I left some balls over the plate, and they did what they're supposed to do with them. We all have games like this, for whatever reason." Mike Bolsinger yielded eight hits and three walks over five innings as a late replacement for Clayton Kershaw, who was scratched earlier in the day with hip soreness. BIG HEAD Puig became the first Dodgers player to homer on his bobblehead night since Hanley Ramirez on April 30, 2013, when his drive barely got over the fence in left for his seventh homer. When Puig returned to the dugout, Gonzalez grabbed Puig's head and shook it back and forth, bobblehead style. TRAINER'S ROOM Athletics: Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte will throw back-to-back rehab games for Triple-A Nashville this weekend, and could rejoin the A's after that. Dodgers: Kershaw felt soreness in his hip earlier in the week, so the club elected to hold back the NL MVP and Cy Young winner for two days. UP NEXT Athletics: Chris Bassitt (0-3, 2.94 ERA) takes the Coliseum mound in the opener of a four-game series against Cleveland. Dodgers: After a day off, Kershaw (8-6, 2.51 ERA) is expected to take his 29-inning scoreless streak into the Freeway Series opener against the Angels. Rapid Reaction: Dodgers 10, Athletics 7 By Mark Saxon LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers did their best to match the excitement their front office is generating. With the team on the verge of at least one major trade and maybe more, the Dodgers rallied for a 10-7 win over the Oakland Athletics to snap their three-game losing streak and stave off the hard-charging San Francisco Giants. How it happened: The Dodgers were about to fall out of first place for the first time since May 29 and lose four in a row for the first time since 2013. But they rallied for five runs off Oakland's leaky bullpen in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth, all with two outs. Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, Yasmani Grandal, Howie Kendrick and pinch hitter Enrique Hernandez all had RBI hits in the late-inning rallies. Kendrick made a costly error in the previous half-inning. He fielded Josh Reddick's sharp grounder and seemed intent on trying to turn a double play, but as he spun and went to throw to second, the ball

slipped out of his hand and he couldn't catch it in time even to get the out at first. That opened the gate for four Oakland runs, including the ones that snapped reliever J.P. Howell's scoreless streak at 22 appearances. Mike Bolsinger typically runs into a wall the third time through an opposing lineup and it happened again in the fifth inning, when he walked a batter and gave up a couple of hits, but Stephen Vogt hit into a double play, helping him ease out of what could have been a stickier jam. Bolsinger, who figures to lose his rotation spot when the Dodgers finalize their trade for pitchers Mat Latos and Alex Wood, gave the Dodgers another solid but short start: five innings, eight hits and two runs allowed. Puig, mired in a month-long slump, snapped out of it on his bobblehead night. He also hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Andre Ethier had driven in the Dodgers' first run on a two-out single in the first inning off Jesse Chavez, another player for whom the Dodgers have tried to trade. What it means: The Giants have won 13 of their past 15 games, but the Dodgers retained their half-game lead. It could be a spirited pennant race. Notable: Manager Don Mattingly was hopeful sliding Joc Pederson out of the leadoff spot would ease the pressure and help get him out of a July-long slump, but there were no immediate returns on the move. Pederson struck out three more times, was 0-for-4 and his batting average is sitting at .225. The man who took over the leadoff spot, Jimmy Rollins, had a third-inning triple and an eighth-inning double. … Alex Guerrero, who is the likeliest player on the Dodgers' 25-man roster to be traded, hasn't helped boost his value lately. Guerrero got a rare start at third base but went hitless and is nine for his past 62 (.145). ... The Dodgers might want to adjust their approach to Reddick. He was on base seven times in two games, going 6-for-8 with two doubles and a home run. Up next: The Dodgers are off Thursday before opening a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Angels. Justin Turner will be out at least a few days with leg infection By Mark Saxon LOS ANGELES -- Justin Turner still could wind up on the 15-day disabled list because of an infection in his right leg. Turner, the Los Angeles Dodgers' cleanup hitter, was at Dodger Stadium briefly to check in with trainers Wednesday, but was sent home to recover from the infection, according to manager Don Mattingly. Turner is on antibiotics and doctors took a culture to determine the nature of the infection. Mattingly said the initial suspicion was that Turner's infection came about because of an in-grown hair. "It will be a couple days before we know," Mattingly said. "At this point, we're hopeful it's just a few days. I feel like we'll know a lot more after [Thursday]. The culture takes a couple days to come back." Turner leads the Dodgers with a .950 OPS and his 3.5 WAR is second on the team to Adrian Gonzalez's. PEDERSON DROPPED

After 15 straight games in the leadoff spot, Joc Pederson was dropped all the way to the No. 6 spot in the order as he tries to get out of a batting slump that has him hitting .176 with 28 strikeouts this month. Mattingly said he and the coaches had been debating moving Pederson for days. He was replaced at leadoff hitter by veteran Jimmy Rollins, who began the season as the leadoff hitter but is batting just .210 for the season. "[Pederson] seemed frustrated last night and I didn't want to really keep seeing that," Mattingly said. "We're just trying to take some pressure off him putting him back at the bottom. I know Jimmy can handle the top." TRADES BREWING? As the Dodgers wait for a trade with the Miami Marlins that would net them starting pitcher Mat Latos and first baseman Michael Morse to be finalized, it's believed they also are trying to acquire Jesse Chavez from the Oakland A's. Ironically, Chavez is scheduled to pitch against the Dodgers Wednesday night. According to a source, Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi has been trying to acquire Chavez since he left Oakland to accept his position with the Dodgers in January. Tigers to 'reboot,' listening on offers for David Price, others By Jayson Stark Exactly a year after both were dealt on trade deadline day, David Price and Yoenis Cespedes are back on the market. Confirming an ESPN.com report, general manager Dave Dombrowski said he told multiple teams Wednesday afternoon that the Detroit Tigers will listen on all their potential free agents -- Price, Cespedes, closer Joakim Soria and others -- between now and Friday's trade deadline. Dombrowski labeled the decision a "rebooting," saying the Tigers have a solid foundation going forward. "We're only going to make a trade if we think it makes sense for us," the GM said, according to MLB.com. "But we think it gives us a chance to restock our club." The Tigers have been sliding in the standings since their 11-2 start and have fallen to a season-worst four games under .500, 13½ games out of first place in the AL Central and 4½ games behind in the wild-card race this week. Dombrowski said the decision to make those players available came after the Tigers rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Wednesday, and he soon called other teams to notify them. That means any of their six prospective free agents -- Price, Cespedes, Soria, catcher Alex Avila, pitcher Alfredo Simon and outfielder Rajai Davis -- could be dealt before the deadline.

But most of the attention will center on Price, Cespedes and Soria. The Tigers traded for Price last year hours before the deadline with hopes he could fill the void left by the impending departure of right-hander Max Scherzer via free agency. This year, they hope to do the same by dealing Price, who is fifth in the AL in ERA (2.53) and fourth in strikeouts (138 in 146 innings). The Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees are among the teams that have been in a holding pattern for some time, hoping Price would become available. Cespedes, meanwhile, joins Justin Upton as one of the biggest bats available on the market. The outfielder is hitting .289/.320/.487 with 17 homers, and he recently went nearly six weeks without drawing a walk. He has hit four home runs in his past nine games and is slugging .545 in July. Soria has saved 22 games in 25 opportunities and, other than a rough stretch in mid-June, has been dominant at times. Since the All-Star break, he has allowed hits to just three of the 25 hitters he has faced. Clubs that spoke with the Tigers on Wednesday got the impression the decision to "reboot, but not rebuild" came from owner Mike Ilitch but was endorsed by team president and Dombrowski. "They know Price is not coming back there," an executive of one team that talked with them said. "And if they hold him and get a draft pick, by the time that pick is in the big leagues, Mr. Ilitch will be 90. Their farm system is pretty bare. So I think they needed to do this." Dodgers and Marlins agree to trade, but deal held up, source says By ESPN.com The Marlins agreed Wednesday to trade pitcher Mat Latos and first baseman Michael Morse to the NL West-leading Dodgers for three minor league pitchers, but the deal apparently has been held up over player medical exams. The trade agreement between the teams was confirmed by ESPNLosAngeles.com's Mark Saxon. The Chicago Sun-Times initially reported that the deal hit a snag, and ESPN's Jim Bowden confirmed that report through a source. In addition to Latos and Morse, the Dodgers also will receive a competitive balance pick -- the No. 34 overall selection in next year's draft -- from the Marlins, according to the Miami Herald. According to MLB.com, the three pitching prospects heading from the Dodgers to Miami are Jeff Brigham, Victor Araujo and Kevin Guzman, none of whom made Keith Law's top 100 prospects list. If the deals are completed, the Dodgers are poised to add two starting pitchers, two relievers, a journeyman slugger and an infield prospect.

According to ESPN's Bowden, the trade also involves the Atlanta Braves, who would send talented young left-hander Alex Wood, closer Jim Johnson, lefty reliever Luis Avilan and minor league infielder Jose Peraza to the Dodgers. Peraza was Law's No. 24 prospect. In return, the Braves will receive minor league infielder Hector Olivera -- signed just two months ago to a six-year, $62.5 million deal -- as well as minor league pitcher Zack Bird, injured reliever Paco Rodriguez, according to reports, and the Marlins' compensation draft pick. Los Angeles will assume all of the remainder of both Latos' and Morse's salaries, according to reports. Latos is making $9.5 million this season and is scheduled to be a free agent in 2016, and Morse is in the first year of a two-year, $16 million contract. Latos would provide Los Angeles with a veteran No. 3 starter behind All-Stars Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke and also should fortify a Dodgers rotation that has been ravaged by injuries. Latos, 27, was traded to Miami by the Cincinnati Reds this past offseason and has gone 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts with the Marlins. But he has posted a 2.96 ERA in seven starts since returning from the disabled list in early June and has been outstanding over his past three starts, with a 1.80 ERA over that stretch. Morse is batting .214 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 52 games this season. Clayton Kershaw scratched with hip soreness, will start Friday By ESPN.com LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have scratched Clayton Kershaw from Wednesday's start against the Oakland Athletics with soreness in his right hip. He will be replaced by Mike Bolsinger. The team announced that Kershaw will instead pitch Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels. "It's just a little sore," Kershaw said. "We have a lot of off-days right now, so we're just pushing it back a couple days." Kershaw is 8-6 with a 2.51 ERA this season. In his most recent start, he took a perfect game into the seventh inning Thursday against the New York Mets. He hasn't allowed a run in 29 innings, the longest active scoreless stretch in the majors after teammate Zack Greinke's run of 45 2/3 innings ended Sunday. Also Wednesday, the Dodgers reportedly agreed to a deal with the Miami Marlins for right-hander Mat Latos and first baseman Michael Morse.

DODGER INSIDER Dodger minor league report No. 15: The Tulsa treasure chest and the trade deadline

By Cary Osborne You think the trade deadline makes Los Angeles spin? Consider Tulsa. The Dodgers’ Double-A partner, the Tulsa Drillers, has a treasure chest of pitching. Three of the Dodgers top seven prospects — Julio Urias (No. 2), Jose De Leon (No. 3) and Chris Anderson (No. 7) — are in the Drillers starting rotation. So is No. 16 prospect Jharel Cotton and No. 23 Ross Stripling. Any of those pitchers could be a trade chip, and because of that, the Tulsa clubhouse has been understandably uneasy lately. “It’s what they all talk about,” said Tulsa pitching coach Matt Herges. “Everybody has friends who are locked into the rumor mills and they call them.” Herges said the scouts and the radar guns have been constants in the stands at Drillers games. The former Dodger and 11-season big league pitcher said he’s done his best to keep his guys in the right frame of mind, but said the talk has the potential to affect them. “It does because the way information is so readily available they hear everything. They see everything. They see their name,” Herges said. “I’ve had 10 different conversations with 10 different guys about this. (I told them), ‘Just know that if your name is involved that’s a good thing. It means you’re good. Sure we want you to play in L.A. I want to see you play more in L.A. than anybody. But it doesn’t work out that way all the time. And you can’t control it.’” Herges’ best advice for the guys: Ignore it. Now to the rest of the report: Top prospects: MLB.com did its midseason top 100 prospects update this week, and Corey Seager is No. 2 overall behind Minnesota farmhand Byron Buxton. Urias is No. 5, De Leon is No. 29 and Grant Holmes is No. 67. Of the Dodgers’ top 30 prospects, the players who made the biggest leaps from the preseason list are first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, who went from No. 21 to No. 8, and Cotton (No. 27 to No. 16). New entries into the Dodgers’ top 30 include 2015 No. 1 pick Walker Buehler (No. 5), July international signing Yadier Alvarez (No. 9), 2015 second-rounder Mitch Hansen (No. 13), July international signing Starling Heredia (No. 14), 2015 fifth-rounder Brendon Davis (No. 17) and July trade acquisitions Chase De Jong (No. 19) and Jordan Paroubeck (No. 26). Drafted, now debuted: College World Series Most Outstanding Player and 2015 competitive balance pick Josh Sborz made his pro debut on July 24 and went two innings for Rookie League Ogden. He retired the first three batters he faced — the first two struck out swinging. He gave up a walk, single and an earned run in his second and final inning of work. He started on Wednesday, went two innings, walked three, struck out two and allowed an unearned run.

Ogden teammate and 2015 third-rounder Phil Pfeifer also debuted July 24 and walked three, gave up a hit and struck out three in 1 2/3 innings. Bellinger turns 20: Bellinger turned 20 on July 13, and on Tuesday he became the first Dodger farmhand to reach 20 home runs. The Rancho Cucamonga first baseman/outfielder hit home runs 19 and 20 in the game. He’s tied for fourth in the California League in home runs. Who’s hot: Holmes is knocked off the list this week by a fellow 2014 draftee. Third-rounder John Richy battled inconsistency through mid-June, but has been in a groove since June 21. In his last six starts, he has a 2.11 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. In his previous 12 games, he had a 4.73 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Ogden first baseman Scott De Jong, a 2014 32nd-rounder, is on one of the best runs we’ve seen this year from a Dodger minor leaguer. He is riding a 17-game hitting streak (he went 1 for 4 with a three-run home run on Wednesday). During that streak, he is 30 for 64 with seven home runs 20 RBI and a slash line of .469/.526/.938. Team records: Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA): 62-41 (first place) Tulsa Drillers (AA): 45-57 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A): 56-45 Great Lakes Loons (Low A): 52-49 Ogden Raptors (Rookie): 20-20 AZL Dodgers: 14-17 DSL Dodgers (Rookie): 20-31 Kershaw start delayed until Friday — Bolsinger to start tonight By Jon Weisman Clayton Kershaw’s scheduled start tonight has been moved to Friday by the Dodgers, amid reports of a sore left hip or glute muscle. Mike Bolsinger, who threw seven innings and allowed no earned runs seven days ago in Atlanta, will start in Kershaw’s place. Bolsinger has a 2.79 ERA this season — 1.59 in his past three starts. Kershaw will bring his 29-inning scoreless inning streak up against the Angels on Friday. Justin Turner, who is suffering from a leg infection, remains sidelined. Alex Guerrero is scheduled to make his first start at third base since May 19.

Joc Pederson is batting seventh, his lowest spot in the order since July 5. Pederson has a .239 on-base percentage and .271 slugging percentage in July, with one homer and four walks against 28 strikeouts. “He’s working on different things,” Don Mattingly said after Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Oakland, according to Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. “It’s not like he’s just going up there, I know it looks like he’s swinging for the fences all the time. That’s not what he’s trying to do. … He’s trying to get inside the ball a little bit using his bottom hand. He’s frustrated. “At some point Joc’s going to get that front side thing, and he’s going to be a monster. He’s going to be tough to get out.”

FOX SPORTS Report: Dodgers, Zaidi have interest in A's Jesse Chavez By FOX Sports Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi has a lengthy history with the Oakland Athletics, dating back to his years as Billy Beane's assistant GM. So it's within that context that it doesn't seem surprising to hear that Zaidi has his sights on an A's pitcher - right-hander Jesse Chavez, in fact. Chavez's name has surfaced in trade rumors and speculation over the past few weeks, though it's unclear if the A's plan to trade him to a contender. They certainly don't 'need' to in the same way Beane has with other players, considering his low salary and the fact that he's eligible for arbitration after this season - and won't be a free agent until at least 2017. In 2015, Chavez is 5-10 with a respectable 3.53 ERA, and all-time he's 22-33 with a 4.43 in his eight-year MLB career. Dodgers' Joc Pederson upset Taylor Swift didn't invite him to concert By FOX Sports Is anybody not a fan of Taylor Swift? Apparently Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson is (or was?) a big fan. When the Dodgers were in Washington, Taylor Swift performed a concert at Nationals Park...and upset Pederson in the process. Here's what he told MLB.com:

"I'm just kind of jealous she put on that good of a concert and didn't invite us. If she's gonna blow the lights out, she should invite us." In case you don't remember, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer blamed T-Swift for their power outage during a game. Maybe the players wouldn't have been so upset if they would have simply gotten the invite. Marlins working on deal to send Latos, Morse to Dodgers By Christina De Nicola MIAMI — Amid intense trade speculation, right-hander Mat Latos and first baseman Michael Morse stood with teammates for the National Anthem and sat in the dugout during the Miami Marlins' 7-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night. Earlier in the day, FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported the Marlins were working on a deal that would send Latos, Morse and a competitive-balance pick to the Los Angeles Dodgers for three minor-league pitchers. According to Rosenthal, the Dodgers would take on the rest of Latos' ($9.4 million) and Morse's ($7 million) contracts in 2015 as well as Morse's $8 million in 2016. The Marlins would also send the Dodgers their competitive-balance pick (No. 34 overall) in the 2016 MLB Draft. The clubhouse was not open to media. Neither player took the field with the ballclub for batting practice. Following the game, both lockers were cleared out. Latos and Morse walked out together without speaking to media. And yet, nothing has been confirmed or made official yet. In fact, as the night progressed, the deal seemed to grow even bigger in scope. According to reports, the Atlanta Braves joined in the trade talks and the deal would involve far more players and the pick. But even then, confusion remained. For instance, MLB.com reported the trade as the Dodgers getting Latos and Morse from the Marlins, and starting pitcher Alex Wood, closer Jim Johnson, reliever Luis Avilan and infielder Jose Peraza from the Braves. Minor-league pitchers Jeff Brigham, Victor Araujo and Kevin Guzman would go from Los Angeles to Miami, and Atlanta would get the pick from the Marlins and recent Cuban signee Hector Olivera and injured reliever Paco Rodriguez from the Dodgers, all according to Major League sources. ESPN.com added that the Braves would also get minor-league pitcher Zack Bird from the Dodgers. But later Wednesday, Rosenthal tweeted that Morse would actually be going to the Braves. "Nothing from (president of baseball operations) Michael (Hill)," manager Dan Jennings said postgame. "I know that they're upstairs. They've pretty much been upstairs the whole game. There's no news to report. There's nothing official.

"You potentially know that you can be managing short. We try to keep our guys informed and any of the guys their names are being bantered around out of respect to them. And so before game time we made sure that Morse and Latos were suited up. You never know if you're going to get a call down to the dugout that says, ‘Hey, these guys, get them out.' We've been on both sides of that through my time here with the Marlins. You really just have to stay mentally ready to go. You never know when that time is coming. Nothing official as of yet. Speaking to Mike probably five minutes ago." Both Marlins players, locals from Broward County, were key additions over the offseason for what Miami considered a strong push for the postseason. Latos, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in a trade for righty Anthony DeSclafani and catching prospect Chad Wallach, is a free agent at the end of the season. Like in 2014, injuries have played a factor in Latos' effectiveness this season. The 27-year-old righty was 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts for the Marlins. Left knee surgery over the offseason pushed back his spring training routine and he landed on the disabled list on May 23 with inflammation. Bruised toes also forced him to miss a start. However, over his past four outings, Latos has posted a 2.08 ERA. "It's almost like a season of two halves for him," Jennings said during batting practice. "The pre-injury and then when he came back. His last seven starts he's been outstanding. He has pitched some great games for us, going six innings or more in all of them. Somebody today flashed up his numbers before and after the DL time and his last seven I think he had an average against of .190 something. ... I think he showed that once he was healthy that he was the difference maker we knew he could be." Miami hoped Morse, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal as a free agent over the winter, would be a veteran presence with postseason experience -- he drove in two of the three runs in Game 7 of the World Series for the San Francisco Giants. But the 33-year-old first baseman/outfielder never found his stroke at the plate and spent more than a month on the DL with a right ring finger sprain. Morse batted .214 with four doubles, four homers and 12 RBI in 52 games. When he continued to struggle in May, rookie Justin Bour took over first-base duties. Upon his return, Morse played six games in the outfield and came off the bench. "Early he had some injuries and certainly that set him back," Jennings said. "The thing with the finger and anytime you're dealing with a hitter -- hands or wrist -- that's tough. That's tough to crawl over. It took some time for that to heal." Options to replace Latos in the rotation include a trio of pitchers in Triple-A New Orleans that made big-league debuts earlier this season. Since returning to the minors, 25-year-old southpaw Adam Conley has gone 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA in four starts. Over 25 innings, he has struck out 26 batters and walked seven. He has pitched at least six frames in each with two earned runs or fewer in all but one. Two of Miami's top prospects -- lefty Justin Nicolino and righty Jose Urena -- have struggled back in the minors. Nicolino has posted a 2-3 record and 5.06 ERA in five starts. Over 26 2/3 innings, he has struck out 13 and walked six. In his last outing, however, he permitted just one run over eight frames. Including

a complete game shutout on July 4, Urena is 2-1 with a 4.45 ERA over five starts. In 30 1/3 frames, he has surrendered 15 runs on 34 hits with seven walks and 19 strikeouts. "The good part is they've all been here," Jennings said. "They've been tested, they've got their feet wet. Now it's going to be an opportunity for one of them or all of them to come up here at different times and have a chance to make their case for the rest of this year or next year. It's good because we've seen them, we've seen them under fire. And they've come in -- for the most part the chances they've been given -- they've performed very well." Dodgers close to acquiring RHP Latos, IF/OF Morse from Marlins By FOX Sports The Los Angeles Dodgers are close to acquiring right-hander Mat Latos and infielder Mike Morse from the Miami Marlins, FOX Sports 1 MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reported. The deal has gotten weirder and weirder as the day has gone on. Shortly after the initial trade news broke it was reported that Latos and Morse were still in the Marlins clubhouse and that the trade was falling through. Then it was reported that they were in uniform and that the deal was being held up due to medicals. Then it was reported that there was a third team involved. And finally, Rosenthal reported that the third team was the Braves. Further details aren't known yet, but this is some weird trade. Latos is 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts this season. He has struck out 79 batters in 88 1/3 innings. Morse is hitting .214/.277/.314 with four homers and 12 RBI in 52 games this season. He has played primarily at first base but also has played in the outfield.

NBCLA

Dodgers Rally To Beat A's With 5-Run 7th, Puig Homers on his own Bobblehead Night By Michael Duarte The rally banana returned to Dodger Stadium as pinch-hitter Kiké Hernandez drove in the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the seventh and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied from a three-run deficit to defeat the Oakland A's 10-7 on Wednesday. Hernandez turned the tables on the A's with a pinch-hit, two-out, two-run double to left-center to complete the comeback. It was only Hernandez's second pinch-hit this season as he was 1-for-8 entering the game. "Anytime you can contribute and help your team win it's special," Hernandez said. "Today it happened to be me. It was a good team win." The Dodgers avoided a four-game losing streak and continue to be the only team in the Majors not to have lost four or more games in a row this season.

After Oakland put up four runs in the top of the seventh against the Dodgers bullpen, Los Angeles countered with five-runs in the bottom half of the inning to recapture the lead. Yasiel Puig went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs on his own bobblehead night. Puig becomes the first Dodger since Hanley Ramirez on April 30, 2013 to homer on his own promotional night. "I need to talk to the Dodgers and see if they can have more bobblehead nights for me," Puig joked after the game. "Maybe my Mom can throw out the first pitch every night, it obviously helped." Howie Kendrick went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and knocked in a pair as well. Adrian Gonzalez hit an RBI double off the wall in centerfield with two-outs to keep the rally going and keep the Dodgers a half-game ahead of the San Francisco Giants for first place in the NL West. "It was a big win for us," Gonzalez said. "We need to continue to win games and beat the teams we should beat." Clayton Kershaw was originally slated to start the game, but was a last minute scratch with a sore hip. He is expected to start on Friday instead. Starting in place of Kershaw was Mike Bolsinger who would have started Friday, or returned to the bullpen depending on what the Dodgers do at the trade deadline. Bolsinger was not on his normal routine, nor was he expected to start when he got to the ballpark, but pitched well nonetheless, allowing just two runs on eight hits in five innings of work. Alex Guerrero started at third base for the first time since May 24th as Justin Turner continues to be out with an infection on his leg from an ingrown hair. Joc Pederson and Jimmy Rollins swapped places in the lineup before the game, as Rollins returned to the leadoff role he started the season at. Pederson has struggled since the All-Star break, striking out 18 times with just one walk since July 14th. Josh Reddick had his second consecutive three-hit game as the right fielder went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Brett Lawrie brought a big bat to the game as the A's third baseman had a career-high four hits and was a triple shy of the cycle. Lawrie went 4-for-5 with a single, two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. Game Notes: J.P. Howell surrendered three runs in the top of the seventh inning, snapping his scoreless innings streak at 18. Entering the game, Howell had only allowed one unearned run all season. Puig's mother, Maritz Valdez, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game.

CBS SPORTS

Dodgers potential 3-way deal paves way for David Price pursuit By David Brown The Los Angeles Dodgers' drawn-out dealings with the Marlins and Braves appear to be a precursor for a much larger pursuit: The acquisition of left-hander David Price from the Detroit Tigers. CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman is among those reporting the Dodgers are close to landing right-hander Mat Latos from the Marlins, along with several players from the Braves who could help them land Price, one of the top pitchers available at the non-waiver deadline, which happens Friday at 4 p.m. ET. Price is a free agent at season's end, and is expected to command a contract worth in the neighborhood of $200 million. The Tigers, usually perennial contenders in the AL Central, are 49-52 and 3 1/2 games out of the wild-card -- certainly not an insurmountable amount to overcome, but one that has the team's general manager doubting they'll be competing for the World Series in October. Dombrowski didn't use the term "sell" to describe the Tigers' decision. Instead, he labeled it as a "rebooting," saying they have a solid foundation going forward. "We're only going to make a trade that we think makes sense for us," Dombrowski said. "But it's a situation where it gives us a chance to maybe restock our club, get some people that will help us reboot, and take it from there." Pending free agents David Price, Yoenis Cespedes and Joakim Soria are expected to be made available on the market. Rajai Davis and Alex Avila, both of whom are set to become free agents at the end of this season, could be dangled, too. "We're not giving up in the sense you try to win every day," Dombrowski said. "But in our position, we look at us more as rebooting going into next year." "Reboot" so they can contend next season, eh? That's why players such as Alex Wood make a lot of sense. He's 24 years old, left-handed, and has posted a 3.10 ERA with 337 strikeouts in 368 2/3 innings. He could help the Dodgers this season and going forward, but he makes more sense in Detroit, with Price certainly heading to free agency. Heyman says the Dodgers, of course, aren't the only team interested in Price: A bidding war complicates the process and, possibly, makes Price more expensive than, say, Johnny Cueto was for the Royals. He cost Kansas City three sound pitching prospects, including their No. 2 overall prospect, Brandon Finnegan. Whatever the Tigers get for Price probably would look like the Cueto deal, or better, but shouldn't be significantly better. If the Dodgers pull it off, expect someone like right-hander Zach Lee also to be part

of it. The Dodgers have better prospects -- shortstop Corey Seager and teen left-hander Julio Urias are among the best in baseball -- but they shouldn't have to part with either for a rental such as Price. Through the media, the Dodgers have said they feel they have a good chance to re-sign Price after the season. They certainly have the money for it, and he wouldn't be a bad investment alongside Clayton Kershaw and (if he re-signs after opting out) Zack Greinke. Keeping Price in the organization would make whatever prospect price they're set to pay -- short of Seager and Urias -- likely worth it. And he can help them get to the World Series in October. That's why the other four teams in the Price derby want him too. None of them, however, are likely to surrender their very best prospects just to rent Price for three months. Reports: Marlins trade of Mat Latos, Mike Morse to Dodgers on hold By Eye on Baseball UPDATE (8:30 p.m. ET): The trade between the Dodgers and Marlins is still likely to happen, per CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Multiple reports also indicate that a third team may be involved in the trade. UPDATE (6:45 p.m. ET): The trade between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins is on hold, new reports said Wednesday evening. The change of tune happened a few hours after several outlets -- including CBS Sports Baseball Insider Jon Heyman -- were told by sources that a deal sending right-hander Mat Latos and slugger Michael Morse to the Dodgers for prospects had been completed. The Dodgers also were to get a draft pick from Miami. Official word never came from either team, for uncertain reasons, and Latos and Morse were never told to pack their bags, so... We will continue to update the story as it develops. Here are the trade details as we had them this morning: The Dodgers would reportedly send three prospects to Miami. Behind Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, the Dodgers currently have Brett Anderson and Mike Bolsinger in the rotation. Latos will step into the fifth spot. Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder) and Brandon McCarthy (Tommy John) are both done for the year following surgery. Latos, 27, is 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA (85 ERA+) in 16 starts and 88 1/3 innings this season, but he has been much better of late. He has a 2.96 ERA in seven starts and 45 2/3 innings since coming back from a DL stint in mid-June. Latos had been sidelined by knee inflammation. The Dodgers don't appear to have much use for Morse with Adrian Gonzalez at first base and a glut of outfielders. It seems likely the club agreed to take on Morse's contract -- he is owed approximately $11.5 million through next season -- to lower the prospect price. They could flip Morse to another team or simply release him.

The prospects going to the Marlins are unknown at this time. The draft pick is from the recently completed competitive balance lottery -- those are the only draft picks that can be traded -- and figures to be in the 30-40 overall pick range come draft day. The final slot won't be decided until after the offseason, when free agents tied to draft pick compensation sign. The Marlins are currently in sell mode, having already traded ex-closer Steve Cishek to the Cardinals. They have several other rental players they could move as well, including Dan Haren and Jeff Baker. Martin Prado, who is signed through 2016, could also be on the block. The Dodgers come into Wednesday at 56-45, just a half-game up on the Giants in the NL West. Kershaw and Greinke have combined to throw 45.5 percent of the team's rotation innings. They simply needed someone like Latos to soak up innings and give the bullpen a rest. 1. Latos has pitched very well the last few weeks. The overall numbers are not pretty. Latos has a 4.48 ERA (85 ERA+) with a 1.25 WHIP this season, and opponents are hitting .251/.302/.354 against him. But, since returning from a knee inflammation-related DL stint, Latos has a 2.96 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP, and batters are hitting just .198/.242/.335 against him. That post-DL perfomance looks very much like the healthy Latos we saw from 2012-13. That guy had a 3.19 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, holding opponents to a .239/.298/.377 batting line. Latos probably won't be this good going forward, but he's not a true talent 85 ERA+ pitcher either. Latos has had elbow and knee problems the last two seasons but seems to be healthy now. 2. Latos has regained his velocity. No coincidentally, Latos has found some more velocity since coming back from his knee trouble this year. He sat in the 93-95 mph range from 2012-13, dropping down to 91-92 mph last year and earlier this year, but is again bumping 93-95 nowadays. Here's the month-by-month velocity graph from Brooks Baseball: Velocity isn't everything but it's not nothing either. The extra oomph gives Latos more margin for error and makes his offspeed stuff -- curveball, slider and changeup, specifically -- a bit more effective because hitters have to respect the heat. The bump to 2012-13 levels of velocity indicates Latos is healthy and in a good place mechanically. 3. The Dodgers "bought" another draft pick. Earlier this year, the Dodgers essentially bought a 2015 draft pick. They acquired the 74th overall selection from the Orioles by taking on Ryan Webb's contract ($2.69 million), which the O's no longer wanted on the books. Webb was released by the Dodgers soon after the trade. As this trade and the Webb trade show, Los Angeles is using their financial might by taking on bad contracts from other teams, as long as they throw in a draft pick. It's a smart strategy for a huge market team. 4. The Marlins have traded three draft picks in three years.

For the third time in three years, the Marlins have traded their competitive balance lottery pick. Their traded their 2014 pick to the Pirates for Bryan Morris, their 2015 pick to the Astros in the Jarred Cosart trade, and their 2016 pick to the Dodgers for salary relief. I'm not opposed to trading draft picks for actual MLB players, but using it to shed a contract like with Morse? That shows the system is not working as designed. The competitive balance lottery pick system was implemented to help small market teams add prospects, not sell off for financial relief.

GRANTLAND

#LOLMets: The Carlos Gomez Deal Falls Through, the Dodgers Confuse Everyone, and Cole Hamels Finally Gets Dealt on a Supremely Bizarre Night By Michael Baumann Pat Murphy, the interim manager of the San Diego Padres, took Matt Kemp and Justin Upton out of a game last night just to screw with reporters. It was a rare moment of cheekiness, a finger in the eye of Hug Watch, and it wasn’t the craziest instance of trade deadline-related shenanigans in the Mets-Padres game, let alone the entire league. The Dodgers and Marlins made a fairly substantial trade on Wednesday that may or may not be done, and may or may not currently involve the Braves. Troy Tulowitzki made his Blue Jays debut and blasted out of his Denver-to-Canada move like Patrick Roy in reverse, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and a home run. All of that would’ve made the A-block on Baseball Tonight in a normal night, and all of it wound up below the fold, like the ceasefire that ended the 100 Hour War between Honduras and El Salvador on July 20, 1969. Partially because Wilmer Flores cried on the field last night. Following an afternoon of insinuations about a “big bat” coming to Queens, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Carlos Gomez would be a Met, “pending physicals.” We hear that phrase a lot and tune it out, because players rarely fail physicals. Word eventually got down to Flores that he and Zack Wheeler had been traded to Milwaukee. This was textbook Hug Watch, with a player finding out he’s on the move midgame. Except Flores didn’t come out of the game. He stayed out at shortstop until the ninth inning, looking like he was reliving the last 20 minutes of Toy Story 3 in his mind. So when Mets GM Sandy Alderson came out and said that there was no trade, and would never be one, Baseball Twitter reacted appropriately to a warning — “pending physicals” — that it had ignored routinely for years finally becoming relevant. It reacted the way you’d react if you found yourself in the exit row and your plane started going down. Ken Rosenthal reported late Wednesday that the Mets backed out of the deal because of concerns over Gomez’s hip — a charge that Gomez’s agent, Scott Boras, vehemently denied — scuttling the trade and robbing the Mets not only of a very good two-way center fielder, but of the fleeting, irrational emotional salve of Gomez coming back after having been traded for Johan Santana in 2008 and then blossoming into an All-Star elsewhere.

And Flores cried on the field for nothing. Flores thought he was leaving the franchise he’d been with a third of his life, since he was 16 years old, and was put back in the field to ponder that silently, with half a dozen TV cameras trained on his face. You’d cry, too. It was the perfect #LOLMets moment, the capstone of a season in which flashes of extreme on-field competence are dissolved, like salt in water, into an organizational spectacle too literally pitiful to laugh at. And that wasn’t the biggest news of the night, either. Because after a year of being pilloried by the national media for its intransigence, the politburo that runs the Phillies finally traded Cole Hamels. Since the Phillies turned from powerhouse to laughingstock, Hamels’s name has been floated in trade rumors, and there has been no more persistent national narrative over the past eight months than that he must be traded now, for whatever the Phillies can get. And when GM Ruben Amaro held out for a would-be superstar, demanding Corey Seager from L.A. or Nomar Mazara from Texas, he was called stupid and stubborn in so many ways that you’d be forgiven for believing that he was literally a donkey, or worse, a teenager. What that narrative misses is that if you’re asking for a king’s ransom in a trade, it doesn’t matter how many times you hear “no” as long as you hear “yes” once. And Amaro finally got full value from the Rangers — not in the form of Mazara, but in depth of prospects. He wanted to trade a dollar bill for another dollar bill, but in Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Jake Thompson, Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff, and Matt Harrison, he got three quarters, two dimes, and a nickel. It wasn’t what he wanted, but he made absolutely sure that what he wanted wasn’t actually attainable before he settled for something close. This will almost certainly be the biggest deal of this deadline season, because even if David Price is a better player, Hamels is locked up through 2019,1 and Price is only locked up through the World Series. It’s an earthshaking move for two franchises, and for baseball at large. It was the biggest story of the night. It also closes the book on the Phillies’ incredible 2007-2011 run for good, since Hamels was the last member of those teams who was still on the Phillies and still performing up to the standard he set at that time. Hamels was one of the first pieces of that team to arrive, and the last to leave, marking 12 years with the franchise. The Phillies drafted Hamels when I was a freshman in high school, growing up across the river in South Jersey, and the landmarks in his career — any career that long, really — wound up echoing landmarks in the lives of thousands of fans, like me, who grew up as people while he grew up as a ballplayer. I remember the 2002 draft, the time he broke his hand in a bar fight, and picking up my phone in April 2007 to find my best friend from home on the other line, raving about how Hamels had struck out 15 Reds. There weren’t many other Phillies fans where I went to college, so I was on the phone with the same friend that October, when Hamels started the Phillies’ first playoff game since Joe Carter’s walk-off in 1993. There were more phone calls the next October, when Hamels was named MVP of the NLCS and World Series, and after we graduated from college, we defended Hamels, who had a year of BABIP Hell in 2009, on our tiny Phillies blog. And so on as Hamels added a curveball and cutter and turned into a monster, shutting out the Reds to clinch the 2010 NLDS, then tossing six shutout innings to win Game 3 of the next year’s NLDS in St. Louis — the last playoff game the Phillies won, or likely will win for some time to come. In recent years, as I’ve taken on a national focus for Grantland, I’ve stopped being the kid who calls people five states away to shout about Hamels going for double-digit strikeouts. Some of that’s

intentional, some not, but it’s part of growing up, as a writer and a person. Almost every national writer, no matter how universal his or her scope, or how coldly rational his or her analysis, started out as a kid who’d call long distance to talk about a favorite pitcher’s double-digit strikeout game with someone else who’d understand, and if you don’t believe that, go back and read Jonah Keri on Pedro Martinez. I genuinely didn’t think Hamels would get traded by Friday’s deadline, and looking back on it, I wonder how much of that was colored by the past 12 years — that it was just that tough to imagine Hamels playing anywhere else, and what that meant for the loud, naïve undergrad who watched Hamels pitch so many important games the better part of a decade ago. Anyway, that’s why we shouldn’t mock Wilmer Flores for crying on the field last night. Because on some level, I get it, and so do you.

THEJEWISHLINK.COM

Dodgers open kosher food stand at Dodger Stadium By The Jewish Link The Dodgers are opening a kosher food stand, located next to Tommy Lasorda’s Trattoria in the right field plaza. For now, the stand will offer three types of kosher hot dogs: regular ($9), jalapeno ($9) and Italian sausage ($10). The Dodgers say additional kosher offerings will be added as the season goes on. The stand will be closed Friday nights and Saturday, when Jews celebrate Shabbat, and on Jewish holidays. Jewish Community Night At Dodgers Stadium By The Jewish Link LOS ANGELES –The stand, located at the grill adjacent to Tommy Lasorda’s Trattoria in the right-field plaza, will offer a Kosher Dog and a Jalapeno Kosher Dog for $9 eachand a Kosher Italian Sausage for $10. The stand will be open at Dodger home games, except Fridays and Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Additional food items will be added in the future. The Dodgers will also celebrate their 16th annual Jewish Community Night on Sunday, Aug. 30 when they play host to the Chicago Cubs at 5:08 p.m. The Dodgers are offering a special ticket package, which includes a voucher for a Dodgers-in-Hebrew t-shirt and a ticket to the game in the Reserve MVP or Preferred Reserve section. A second Kosher food stand will be available in the left-field reserve section. In addition, the first 40,000 fans in attendance will also receive Dodger headphones. A limited number of tickets for Jewish Community Day are still available and can be purchased at www.dodgers.com/jewish or anyone interested in groups of 20 or more should call 323-224-2642.

In order to receive the commemorative item, fans must purchase the ticket package through the website. The commemorative item is available while supplies last.

TULSA WORLD

Dodgers pitching prospect Julio Urias believes move from Tulsa to L.A. is only matter of time By Kevin Henry Growing up in Mexico, Julio Urias always knew he was different. While some said it was because of the condition and the appearance of his left eye, Urias believed it was because of his gifts on the baseball field. Now 18 years old, a starting pitcher for the Tulsa Drillers and recently ranked as the second-best prospect still in the minor leagues by Sports Illustrated, Urias is still gathering attention because of his eye but is content to let his pitching speak louder than those whispering about its condition. After undergoing a cosmetic procedure in late May to remove a benign mass from his left eye that caused the eyelid to droop, the Los Angeles Dodgers prospect missed a month of action before returning on July 10. The procedure has gathered a lot of attention because of Urias’s status, but it was no big deal to the left-hander. “It really didn’t ever affect me. I was born like that,” Urias said through an interpreter Wednesday afternoon at ONEOK Field. “The Dodgers wanted me to have surgery this year. I accepted it and had it done. Now I’m moving forward.” The eye is something that has bothered others more than Urias his entire life. He has heard the people mocking him for the way he looks, but he has always used that as inspiration on the field. “Growing up, people made fun of me,” Urias said. “I’ve always stood out, but I think I’ve stood out because I was always the best one on the team. I don’t let what people say affect me or my game. I think you gain people’s respect by what you do out on the field.” Urias already has earned plenty of respect with the Dodgers, including logging a 3.29 ERA in eight starts with Double-A Tulsa this season. During this crazy week leading up to the Major League Baseball trading deadline, Los Angeles has made it clear to everyone that Urias is untouchable and won’t be included in any deal. “It’s been great that the Dodgers think that about me,” Urias said. “I also know you never know what can happen. My focus right now is on pitching and taking that next step to get to the big leagues.” Urias is hopeful he takes that next step sooner rather than later. Even at 18, the southpaw is confident he is close to being ready. “Since I was a little kid, I’ve always played against older guys. That doesn’t bother me,” Urias said. “When the Dodgers think I’m ready, I’ll be ready.

“Right now, I’m just going to focus on going out and competing against whomever I am playing against. I’ll keep pitching. I’ll keep working between starts and making adjustments. I’ll be ready.”