Could Hiroki Kuroda of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitch a perfect game?  The Japanese import was just six outs away from the first Perfect Game in the Majors since Randy Johnson did it against the Braves on May 18, 2004. 

UPDATE:  Through seven, Kuroda threw just 65 pitches with 45 of them strikes and gave up no hits and no walks.  Atlanta's Mark Teixeira led off the eighth inning with a double -- ending Kuroda's Perfect Game bid.  Now, he will have to regroup as the Dodgers lead the Braves, 3-0.

UPDATE:  Kuroda finished up the eighth inning without further damage.  He now chases a one-hitter which would be the first by a Dodger since August 31, 2005.

UPDATE:  Kuroda polished off the Braves with a 1-2-3 ninth and became the third pitcher this season to pitch a complete game one-hitter -- Tampa Bay's Matt Garza and James Shields were the other two.  He finished the game with just 91 pitches thrown.  It was the least pitches thrown by a Dodgers' pitcher in a nine-inning complete game since Odalis Perez on June 25, 2002 who threw just 87 pitches in a one-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Rockies.  It was the second time Perez threw a one-hitter that season -- he had a one-hitter against the Cubs that season where he also threw just 91 pitches on April 26, 2002.

The Dodgers are now tied with the Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West.  Both teams are 44-45.

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...After all the rumors and allegations, it's official. Cynthia Rodriguez has filed for divorce in the family division of the Miami Dade Court.

"The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken because of the husband's extramarital affairs and other marital misconduct," according to Cynthia Rodriguez's petition for dissolution of marriage..

This comes after rumors of A-Rod being linked to the new single Madonna. Not to be out done, Cynthia Rodriguez was seen in Paris hanging out with rocker Lenny Kravitz. She also claims that Rodriguez has "emotionally abandoned his wife and children."

...With Sabathia going to Milwaukee, the Cubs are looking towards Rich Harden of the Oakland Athletics. This according to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun times.

...The Dodgers are in the market for a Shortstop due to Rafael Furcal being injury prone this year - and his return from the DL is hazy. The rumor is that they're pursuing SS Jack Wilson of the Pittsburgh Pirates which would more than likely allow the Dodgers to let Furcal go to Free Agency.

...Can't get enough of the Sabathia coverage? Gord Ash VP and Assistant GM of the Milwaukee Brewers was on "Baseball This Morning" on XM 175 and had this to say about the deal that landed lefty CC Sabathia.

“If we were going to pay the price that we were going to need to pay, we needed to make this not a July 31st deal, we needed to get those extra starts to make a difference...that came together nicely…when you’re able to make a deal of this magnitude, you want to do it as soon as possible, quite frankly, I’m not sure there’s another pitcher of this caliber that’s going to be available…”

...With trade season heating up Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald takes a look at the Red Sox "Wish List", which includes a catcher and a shortstop.

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The Milwaukee Brewers and Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin have just announced they have acquired LHP C.C. Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for OF Matt LaPorta, LHP Zach Jackson, RHP Rob Bryson and a player to be named. 

Sabathia will wear uniform #52 when he joins the Brewers. 

From the Brewers' press release...

"The acquisition of C.C. is a credit to all of the fan support that this organization has enjoyed over the last few years," said Melvin.  “Without their support, we would not be in a position to acquire a pitcher of this caliber.  This addition to our ballclub is also a credit to our great scouting and player development departments led by Jack Zduriencik and Reid Nichols.  Without their expertise, we would not have produced the kind of talented players needed to make a deal of this magnitude.  We also could not have made this deal without the undying support of our ownership.”

Sabathia, 27, owns a career record of 106-71 with a 3.83 ERA in 237 starts over eight seasons with the Indians.  He is a three-time All-Star (2003-04, 2007) and has pitched in the postseason twice (2001 and 2007).  Since making his debut in 2001, he is among the Major League leaders in both wins (T10th, 106 - T5th among lefthanders) and strikeouts (5th, 1,265 - 3rd among lefthanders).  He recorded at least 11 victories in each of his first seven seasons.

“C.C. is one of the top pitchers in the game today,” said Melvin.  “His addition to the starting rotation will be a major key in helping the team reach its ultimate goal of going to the postseason and beyond.”

Sabathia is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA in 18 starts this season.  He currently leads the American League in strikeouts (123) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (9.0) while ranking second in innings pitched (122.1) and tied for second in complete games (3).  Since April 22 he is 6-5 with a 2.16 ERA in 14 starts (104.1ip, 25er).  His ERA since April 22 ranks third in the Major Leagues.  He has tossed 10 quality starts this season and has produced five double-digit strikeout performances, including three in a row from June 15-27.

I hope to talk to Matt LaPorta some time today.

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