A minute before the Los Angeles Dodgers were about to hold a pregame team meeting Monday, outfielder Matt Kemp strolled into the visitor’s locker room ready to go to work at Chase Field.

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He wasn’t late for the meeting, but he most likely was trying to avoid pregame questions from reporters about his pursuit of the Triple Crown.

A strong September is allowing Kemp to continue his chase for a Triple Crown, a feat most recently accomplished in the National League by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Joe Medwick in 1937 and in the American League in 1967 by the Boston Red Sox’s Carl Yastrzemski.

“Do I want it (Triple Crown)?” he said after Monday’s game. “Of course. But I don’t want to force it. I have about nine or 10 at-bats, we’ll see what happens.”

Kemp’s day got off to a good start, as he was named the NL Player of the Week after posting a .423 batting average (11 for 26) and hitting three home runs in six games last week.

He went 1 for 4 on Monday night with a three-run home run. The home run was his 38th of the season, breaking a tie with St. Louis’ Albert Pujols and giving him the outright lead. His 123 RBIs also lead the league.

But his .324 average trails Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (.334) and New York’s Jose Reyes (.334).

“It is what it is,” Kemp said. “(You have) two good hitters (in) Jose Reyes and Ryan Braun. Those guys can hit. It’s going to be tough, but I take my hat off to them. Both of them have had (great) seasons.”

After the 2010 season, Kemp believed he’d post big numbers in 2011, predicting he’d become the fifth major-leaguer to join the 40-40 club (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases).

Two more homers, and he’ll do just that.

Kemp will face Diamondbacks right-hander Jarrod Parker, who is making his major-league debut, Tuesday night and end his great season Wednesday against left-hander Joe Saunders, who has allowed nine hits, including three home runs, in 27 at-bats against Kemp.

“It’s fun (watching Kemp),” Dodgers first baseman James Loney said. “He has an all-around game. He can do different things and can change a game with his speed and power or his arm. He is just working hard and doing the best for his team.”

Said Kemp after Monday’s game: “I don’t want to put no pressure on myself,” he said. “I’m going to continue to go out there and have fun and whatever happens happens.

“If it’s meant to be it is meant to be.”

Read More: Ted Lilly (P – LOS), Mike MacDougal (P – LOS), Prince Fielder (1B – MIL), Matt Kemp (CF – LOS), James Loney (1B – LOS), Scott Elbert (P – LOS), Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers, Aug 15, 2011 5:10 PM PDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers had several chances to score on Monday night, but they hit into four double plays and a triple play in their 3-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the opening game of a three-game series at Miller Park. It was the 17th win in their last 19 games for the Brewers, who are now a stellar 45-15 at home this season.

The Dodgers collected seven hits and five walks on the night, but couldn’t plate a single run. They hit into double plays in the first, fourth, fifth, and ninth innings Monday night, but the play that will be remembered was a ball hit by James Loney in the top of the second inning. The Dodgers had runners on first and second base, and James Loney hit into a 4-6-3 double play, but when Prince Fielder immediately threw home to nail Matt Kemp at the plate the inning was over with an unconventional 6-4-3-2 triple play.

Was Kemp out at the plate? It’s hard to tell on the replay:

Ryan Braun hit a solo home run off Ted Lilly in the fourth inning, but that was the only blemish allowed by Lilly in his seven innings. Lilly has allowed four runs in his last three starts, but is 0-3 during that span. Milwaukee added two more solo home runs in the eighth inning off Scott Elbert and Mike MacDougal. Former Dodger Randy Wolf pitched eight scoreless innings to pick up his 10th win of the season.

For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on Monday’s game in Milwaukee, be sure to read True Blue LA.

Updated Aug 3, 2011 4:34 AM ET

SAN DIEGO (AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Rubby De La Rosa will have Tommy John surgery on his left elbow and miss the rest of the season.

The Dodgers said De La Rosa had an MRI on Monday after complaining of soreness in the elbow and results revealed a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. The recovery time for elbow reconstruction surgery typically spans nine to 12 months.

De La Rosa was promoted from Double-A Chattanooga in May and made 10 starts for the Dodgers, going 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA and 60 strikeouts.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would not commit to a replacement in the starting rotation for De La Rosa.

John Ely was promoted from Triple-A Alburquerque on Monday, but Mattingly said he will work out of the bullpen for now.

Ely made one start earlier this season for the Dodgers and made 18 starts in 2010, going 4-10 with a 5.49 ERA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed infielder Aaron Miles on Monday to a Minor League contract with an invitation to spring training.

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – The Los Angeles Dodgers signed infielder Aaron Miles on Monday to a Minor League contract with an invitation to spring training.

The eight-year journeyman hit .281 in 79 appearances with St Louis last season. He is a .282 career hitter with 184 RBI and 16 homers.

Miles will compete for a middle infield spot with Ivan DeJesus Jr. and Juan Castro.

© 2011 The Sports Network