Pedro Martinez pitched well, but still came away with a loss.

The skipper has warned Kosuke Fukudome that he may lose some playing time in the near future.  With the likes of Mike Fontenot, Mark DeRosa and Reed Johnson playing the way they are I really don’t fault Cubs manager Lou Piniella.  "We need him to start hitting," Piniella said before Sunday night's 6-2 win against the Cardinals. "If not, I'm going to have to start looking for other options."  He also mentioned, "I just look at trying to put lineups that produce runs.  We've got a couple of guys here that are swinging the bats. ... Sooner or later, I've got to give them opportunities." 

Tell us how you really feel Lou. 

Rich Harden did not get a decision in his last outing Tuesday against Houston. He gave up five runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings and admitted to being tired in the sixth. He'll be pitching against the Braves on seven days' rest. Keep an eye on Harden his arm appears weary at the end of the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Brad Penny made a start last week and pitched solid allowing only one hit over five innings on Friday.  Penny’s fastball was only clocked at 88 mph which is 5mph less than normal.  This has Dodger coach Joe Torre concerned and he will continue to monitor his ace during bullpen sessions throughout this week.  The Dodgers have an upcoming three series homestand versus Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies.  Derek Lowe will need to step his play up if LA has a shot at the playoffs.  For the second straight start, Lowe was given a lead by his offense and couldn't protect it. Instead, he had his worst start and earliest exit of the year, pounded for eight runs on 13 hits in only 3 1/3 innings. Lowe's ERA at Dodger Stadium is 2.72; on the road it's 5.88. He's 3-1 with a 2.84 lifetime against the Phillies.  Joe Torre questioned Manny Ramirez about his dreadlocks being cut.  The saga continues…

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks missed an opportunity last week going 4-6 in their last 10 games.  They weren’t able to capitalize against weaker Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves ball clubs during a recent homestand.  But in efforts to improve their lackluster offense the D-Back’s made a waiver deal for Adam Dunn of the Cincinnati Reds.  Dunn is tied for the Major League lead with 32 homers.  In exchange, Arizona gave up a Minor League pitcher Dallas Buck and two players to be named later.  The move for Dunn also bolsters their outfielders on defense.  The D-Backs have been without the services of right fielder Justin Upton, who went on the DL July 9 with a strained oblique muscle. Eric Byrnes is prone to injury so naturally the left fielder has missed time with a torn hamstring.   I think this was an intelligent move by the management.  They knew matching hitting power is of the essence since Manny Ramirez resides in La La land now.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brew Crew won an improbable game last night.  Gabe Kapler led off the bottom of the 13th inning with a walk-off homer to left field giving Milwaukee a 5-4 victory on Sunday.  The Brewers are 7-3 in their last 10 games with a five game winning streak.  They are picking up steam but still trail the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central by four games.  With a back injury sidelining Brewers All-Star left fielder Ryan Braun, the team is left a little shorthanded in the outfield.  The team has Kapler to fill the absence.  Take a look at his production from the bench.  Kapler’s hitting .310 with five home runs and 29 RBIs in 75 games [30 starts] before Braun's injury, and is hitting a robust .337 in his last 41 games.    

New York Mets

Pedro Martinez looked good in his start today he went six solid innings but his team still got the loss based on a struggling bullpen.  What do you know Mets fans-- another blown win?  Aaron Heilman (2-7) is struggling as a closer due to lack of confidence when he approaches the mound.  This is the number one ingredient for a closer but until Billy Wagner comes back from the DL they will loss close games.  Manager Jerry Manuel used five relievers after Martinez pitched adequately for six innings and all but one played roles in an excruciating 7-5 loss to the Pirates.

Colorado Rockies

So, the pick up of Livan Hernandez was supposed to pay dividends for the Rockies.  He is proven veteran that can place a team on his back and fight for a post season spot.  But Hernandez was bullied in his Rockies debut, and those sentiments were immediately put on hold. The last-place Padres slammed Colorado, 16-7, in front of 45,660 at Coors Field on Sunday to take the rubber game of the three-game series.  The Rockies did not take advantage of playing weaker teams last week.  "It's definitely frustrating," Troy Tulowitzki said. "We've been playing so well at home all year, and to come here and get beaten in series by two teams that we feel we should play better than is definitely tough to take."

Philadelphia Phillies

The fighting Phillies continue to be pesky in the competitive NL East, winning an impressive 13 of their last 20 games.  The Phillies are still 2.5 games ahead of the Florida Marlins and New York Mets.  Though the Phillies' offense has been subject to hot and cold streaks in the past two months,

Jamie Moyer's quality start was just the latest achievement for a rotation that has held opponents to six earned runs in its past 33 innings. 

Closer Brad Lidge is having complications with his throwing shoulder which could prove costly as we finish the season.  Lidge said his recent problems stemmed from his body going out in front during his delivery, which caused pressure on his shoulder.

San Francisco Giants

Lately, with a strong youth movement and some local pride the San Francisco Giants have not been the whipping boy of MLB. Including Sunday's 5-4 victory against the rival Dodgers at AT&T Park, the Giants have won six of nine games and have taken three consecutive series for the first time since April 2007.  Recently, they had a cheerful and tearful celebration of San Francisco Giant outfielders.  Barry Lamar Bonds made a speech declaring he can still beat the Dodgers and by the way he is not retired.  There is a ball club out there that can use the potent bat of Bonds.  Dealing with a short term headache could prove wise since its only half a season.  Ask the LA Dodgers.  I think Manny would look cool in a Mohawk how about you?