DODGERS NOTEBOOK: LEARNING CURVE COULD HURT 'PEN.Byline: Tony Jackson
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer CINCINNATI -- The Dodgers have played the entire season with two pitchers in their seven-man bullpen that have to be used judiciously because they aren't far enough along in their development to be trusted in critical situations. Assuming the club stays in contention for the long haul Long distance. Long haul implies traversing a state or a country. Contrast with short haul. , the Dodgers can't continue to carry rookies D.J. Houlton and Steve Schmoll Stephen John Schmoll (born February 4, 1980 in Silver Spring, Maryland) is a Minor League Baseball pitcher in the New York Mets organization. He bats and throws right-handed. Schmoll graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park. if they can't be called upon when it counts. ``You would like to think that growth process will run its course, and you will get to the point where you say, 'Hey, it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a (to use them like everyone else),''' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy
In the eighth inning Friday night, Houlton was given the ball, a 13-run lead and the task of finishing the game. Six runs and seven hits later, veteran Wilson Alvarez In the eighth inning Saturday, Schmoll was called upon to hold a five-run deficit and get the Dodgers to the ninth. He walked Joe Randa Joseph Gregory Randa (born December 18, 1969 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former Major League Baseball player. He was primarily a third baseman during his career. High School Years to start the inning, committed an error on a bunt and allowed three runs while recording one out. Again, Alvarez had to come in. Pitching coach Jim Colborn
``Basically, I talked to (Houlton) about his delivery,'' Colborn said. ``It's a normal learning process. When a pitcher has been around for a long time, he can realize what he's doing wrong and fix it. But with younger guys, first, they don't recognize it, and second, they don't exactly know how to fix it. D.J. is somewhere in that process of recognizing it.'' The reality for Schmoll is that he probably is bound for Triple-A Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. when Eric Gagne comes off the 15-day disabled list in about a week. Houlton, who had been solid until Friday, is a Rule 5 pick, and the Dodgers can't send him down without running the risk of losing him, something they don't want to do. ``We dealt with that with (Jose) Nunez (in 2001), and that didn't work out,'' Tracy said. ``As you get further into the season and the games become bigger and bigger, you might be forced to make a very, very tough decision.'' --Injury updates: Gagne began his rehabilitation assignment with Las Vegas by striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning of a 10-7 loss to Sacramento on Sunday. He will join the Dodgers today in St. Louis, then make the short trip to Memphis, where he will pitch another inning in the 51s' game Tuesday with the Cardinals' top affiliate. Reliever Elmer Dessens, who did not make the trip, played catch from 60 feet for the first time Saturday. The session went well, but Dessens isn't close to returning. The session went well, but Dessens isn't close to returning. ``We're going to take it slow with him,'' trainer Stan Johnston said. --Drew sits: With left-hander Eric Milton pitching for Cincinnati, left-handed hitting J.D. Drew was rested for just the second time this season. Tony Jackson, (818) 713-3675 tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS at ST. LOUIS - Tony Jackson |
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