DODGERS INSIDE LOOK: ANOTHER STRONG EFFORT LOST FOR PEREZ.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Odalis Perez might not bear the distinction as the Dodgers' ace. He just pitches like it.

In typical Perez-like fashion on Wednesday, he worked through the Marlins' lineup with ease, save for a few spots.

He retired the first eight batters of the game, then allowed a single to pitcher Ismael Valdez. But he threw strikes all game. And everything he threw - from his curveball to his changeup - seemed to be for strikes.

Perez was so efficient, there was never any activity in the Dodgers' bullpen until after the eighth inning. Perez threw only 94 pitches in eight innings and by all accounts could've closed the game. But with closer Eric Gagne in the bullpen and a two-run Dodgers, it wasn't necessary.

Well, on most nights. Who would've predicted another blown save by Gagne? The first happened on July 5.

And the second came Wednesday as Florida rallied for a 6-4 win.

In typical fashion, the Dodgers wasted another stellar Perez gem.

The left-hander allowed just six hits and two runs - one earned - in eight innings. Sound familiar? It should. Perez has pitched like that all year. He has allowed two earned runs or less in 15 of his 22 starts, including the last four. He had won three consecutive decisions and was primed to win a fourth.

Perez, who won 12 games last year and 15 the year before, is stuck on six wins. But that's certainly no fault of his own. He hasn't had the support of his offense. He did for a while Wednesday. Shawn Green, Steve Finley and Milton Bradley all homered to give Perez the cushion he needed. And the way Perez pitches, he doesn't need much.

Perez got help from his defense with three double plays.

He even helped himself by driving in a run.

Valdez intentionally walked Brent Mayne to get to Perez in the fourth inning and Perez singled to right-center field on the first pitch. Green scored from second base, to put the Dodgers ahead 4-2. Perez stood at first base and clapped.

Perez needed just nine pitches to get through the eighth inning. Perez got Mike Redmond to ground out to shortstop, then got pinch hitter Mike Mordecai to ground out to Green at first. Juan Pierre flew out to second and Perez walked off the mound clapping in his glove, like he did all night.

A couple of times, Perez had to wait on the mound while a beach ball was taken off the field. He stood there and blew bubbles with his gum.

Nothing seemed to disrupt his rhythm.

There's no telling what he was doing as Paul Lo Duca and Co. were cheering after scoring four runs off Gagne in the ninth.

Perez allowed a combined seven earned runs in four starts that spanned the end of June and early July , but he didn't get a decision in any of them. Same story last year, same story this year.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com