DODGERS NOTEBOOK: PEREZ FINDING COMFORT IN L.A.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Odalis Perez has found comfort on the pitching mound this season. He attributes that, in part, to feeling comfortable in the clubhouse.

The 24-year-old left-hander hums Latin tunes, moves to the music of meringue or salsa on days he starts, and teases teammates. They're all the things he didn't think he could do when he was with the Atlanta Braves.

``I do my own thing here,'' said Perez, who is making a strong case to be on the All-Star team when it is announced today. ``It's different there. There were so many superstars and you have to respect them so much in the clubhouse.''

When asked if he felt like he was walking on thin ice, Perez said: ``All the young guys are like that. If you do something wrong, they're going to jump on you. Maybe someone's waiting for me to do something wrong (here).''

But Perez (9-3, 2.33 ERA) can seem to do no wrong in Los Angeles. He will make his 17th start with the Dodgers since he was acquired along with Brian Jordan in the trade for Gary Sheffield. Perez was 7-8 with a 4.91 ERA last season in Atlanta, and he had a career major-league mark of 11-15 with a 5.38 ERA.

``I was afraid to play my Latin music, to joke around,'' said Perez, who's from the Dominican Republic. ``Some of those guys, (Greg) Maddux, (John) Smoltz, they're great guys. Some are different. Some are superstars. I don't want to be acting like I'm a superstar. But they've been to the World Series. They know how to win.''

Perez, who said he still talks to several of his old teammates, is a different pitcher than last year. He's more comfortable throwing inside and he's doing more of it.

``It's belief in your stuff and belief in your command,'' Perez said. ``You say to yourself, `I'm important to the team.' When you have the opportunity to be a No. 3 guy, you have a big responsibility.''

--Triumphant Tracy: Dodgers manager Jim Tracy marveled at the way the team's offseason trades panned out despite criticism and skepticism from media and fans. The Dodgers, who were tied for the best record in baseball before Saturday's game with 50 wins, got a big pat on the back from their manager.

``You create your own luck,'' Tracy said. ``It's time to seriously tip your cap to (general manager) Danny Evans with some of the things he's done. Some of these (trades) were looked at with eyes rolling and statements of, `God, can you believe that one?'

``You can't let (criticism) waver in your decision-making.''

Chan Ho Park signed a free-agent contract with Texas, the Dodgers traded Luke Prokopec to Toronto and got Perez and Jordan in exchange for Sheffield. Cesar Izturis was made the starting shortstop at age 22 and little-known Dave Roberts became the leadoff man. Then Tracy moved Eric Gagne to closer, where he's become arguably the best in the game. Gagne had 29 saves before Saturday's game.

--Ho-hum day: It wasn't quite the event it was Tuesday, but Darren Dreifort threw again Saturday. He threw 61 pitches - 31 in the bullpen and 30 on the mound - to Alex Cora, Hiram Bocachica, David Ross and Jeff Reboulet. Only this time, he did so without all of his teammates and Dodgers executives on hand.

``I felt better,'' Dreifort said. ``I got whacked around a little more today. I wasn't as tired toward the end.''

There is no timetable for Dreifort's return.

--Odds and ends: Pitcher Omar Daal, who has a tender spot in his left groin, is expected to throw a bullpen session today. The Dodgers then will evaluate if he'll be ready for his scheduled start Tuesday.

ANGELS vs. DODGERS

Time: 5 p.m., Edison Field

TV/Radio: No TV; 570-AM, 1150-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish), 1330-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: About an hour before he is scheduled to take the mound, Dodgers LH Odalis Perez (9-3, 2.33 ERA) might learn he is a National League All-Star for the first time. The fast-working Perez needed 1 hour, 55 minutes to one-hit Colorado on Tuesday. RH John Lackey (0-1, 3.86) will be making his second major-league start. He gave up three earned runs in seven innings in his debut last Monday at Texas.

- Frank Welch

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DODGERS vs. ANGELS (see text)