DODGERS - 8/4/03 Tied-3rd place in the NL West
55-55, 13.5 games behind the Giants
6.5 out of the wild card


Dodgers Hopes Fading
On Saturday, the Dodgers sunk to a game under .500 and have seen their playoff hopes fade with each day. Their last three series were a significant testing ground against the NL elite, Arizona, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Unfortunately they didn't fare well losing 7 of 9 including a sweep at the hands of the wild card leading Phillies. It's looking like another lost season for the Dodgers as their offense just won't be enough to get the job done. In the Arizona series, the Dodgers scored just 2 runs and against the Phillies they scored just 5 runs.

Ventura Acquired at Trade Deadline
Pass on Boone-Perez Proposal
The Dodgers were pretty quiet on the trade deadline as rumors had the Dodgers passing on a three team deal that would have sent pitcher Odalis Perez to the Red Sox, third baseman Aaron Boone to the Dodgers and prospects to the Reds. Apparently cash came down to the final sticking point and of course the Yankees came up with the cash and acquired Boone. However, knowing GM Dan Evans, I believe that he knew that acquiring Boone would have little impact on the low octane Dodger offense so it wasn't worth giving up one of the top young left-handers in the game.

Instead the Dodgers acquired the Yankees scraps 3B Robin Ventura for minor leaguers Bubba Crosby and Scott Proctor. Ventura had moved way down the Yankee heirarchy as manager Joe Torre said that Ventura had less range than Enrique Wilson. Dodger fans hope that the Ventura acquisition will spark Adrian Beltre's toothpick bat much like the Tyler Houston acquisition did last season.

Ventura will play third base and some first base for the Dodgers. However fans shouldn't expect much offense from the 36-year-old. Over the last three years, he's been a much better first half player and this season is no different. In April, Ventura hit .270 with 4 homers and in May he hit .300 with 3 homers; however in June he hit just .202 with 1 homer and in July he hit .231 with no homers. Over the last three years, Ventura's OPS was 140 points better in the first half. Of course virtually anything is better than Beltre's woeful play this season. Beltre is hitting just .222 with a .280 OBP and .368 SLG.

Injuries
Kaz Ishii (SP) - 15-Day DL (sprained knee)
Ishii is on the DL with a sprained left knee ligament. He could be activated on August 14th; however the timetable could change after Ishii has an MRI today in LA. "I've had this in the past, and it really didn't have an effect," Ishii said. "But the last game, it had a little effect."

Fred McGriff (1B) - 15-Day DL (strained groin)
McGriff injured his right knee while recovering from a left groin strain and there is no timetable for his return. There are some officials in the organization that believe McGriff's injuries might sideline him for the rest of the season.

Brian Jordan (OF) - 15-Day DL (strained patella tendon)
Ron Coomer (3B) - 15-Day DL (headaches, dizziness)
Darren Dreifort (SP) - 15-day DL (right knee)
Todd Hundley (C) - Status: 15-day DL, irritation of sciatic nerve (back)
Troy Brohawn (RP) - Status: 15-day DL, tendinitis in rotator cuff

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