BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT

Although the Dodgers were in first place in the National League West going into Friday night’s game against the Houston Astros, Executive Vice President Fred Claire doesn’t place much significance on the standings.

“I don’t pay too much attention to that,” Claire said. “This is a division where you can go from last to first or first to last in one evening or two.

“It’s close and it’s going to be close. I don’t see anything changing there. We’ve already played 70-some games and we’re moving in on the halfway mark. Barring any serious injuries, I think the foundation is pretty well set for what we’re going to see.

“We are going to start playing within the division. After the Cubs series, I think we start six consecutive series with Western Division teams. That will give it a little more shape, but I don’t look for anything dramatic there. It’s going to be a long, hot summer.”

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Going into Friday night’s game, Dodger relievers hadn’t lost a decision in 19 games. During that span the relief corps is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA. They’ve struck out 55 batters in 56 innings while walking only 24 and have blown only one save in the last 16 opportunities.

“They’ve pitched well,” Claire said. “I haven’t seen the team stats, but there can’t be a bullpen in baseball that’s pitched any better than ours has. Everybody has their role and knows their role and they’ve done a great, great job.”

Said Mark Guthrie: “The only time you notice [the bullpen] is when it blows up. As long as we don’t get noticed, we’ll be doing our job.”

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Ramon Martinez’s wife, Doris, gave birth to their third daughter, Kisha, Thursday. . . . The Dodgers traded left-hander Billy Brewer, who was playing at triple-A Albuquerque, to the New York Yankees for right-hander Michael Judd, who was playing for the Yankees’ Class-A franchise in Greensboro, S.C. Judd has been assigned to the Dodgers’ Class-A affiliate in Savannah, Ga. . . . Houston catcher Tony Eusebio suffered a broken hand in the bottom of the first inning.