DODGERS NOTEBOOK: STAFF DURABILITY KEY TO 2ND HALF.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer ST. LOUIS - Andy Ashby
These factors could lead to fatigue when the Dodgers make their playoff push in September, and were considered when manager Jim Tracy
``We're thinking about those things, but Ishii will have a nice long rest between this start and the next start,'' Colborn said. ``Odalis will hopefully pitch only one inning in the All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games and then have three days before and two days rest after, so that might refresh him. As far as Ashby goes, we will be monitoring his health, but so far he seems pretty energetic and he's been through these wars before.'' When the Dodgers open the second half with a four-game series Thursday against Arizona at Dodger Stadium • • [ , right-hander Hideo Nomo Hideo Nomo (born Aug. 31, 1968 , Osaka, Japan) Japanese baseball pitcher whose success with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 created new opportunities for Asian players in Major League Baseball. , who has the longest winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" in the league with seven in a row, will face Randy Johnson in the opener. The Dodgers will follow with Perez against right-hander Curt Schilling, Ashby against right-hander Rick Helling and Ishii will end the series against left-hander Brian Anderson. The alignment gives Ishii nine days between starts. Perez will have six days between starts and Ashby will rest nine days between starts. ``The All-Star break gives them a time to refresh a little bit, and that's helping them,'' Colborn said. ``Ashby's getting a break. Ishii's getting a break. I'm pretty happy overall with the rest possibility of our starters. You don't want any player to get overworked, but when they sign up,they sign up for a 162-game season and the starters sign up for 35 starts. ``I know there's extenuating circumstances Facts surrounding the commission of a crime that work to mitigate or lessen it. Extenuating circumstances render a crime less evil or reprehensible. They do not lower the degree of an offense, although they might reduce the punishment imposed. with Ishii and the short seasons, Odalis hadn't pitched a whole thing and Ashby making two starts, but that's what the break is for.'' The three are a combined 27-15 with a 3.13 ERA. Perez's staff-leading 123 innings pitched already is a major-league career high. Dodgers starters entered Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Cardinals leading the National League with 43 victories and a 3.38 ERA, and catcher Paul Lo Duca Paul Anthony Lo Duca (born April 12, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the New York Mets. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004) and Florida Marlins (2004-2005). said fatigue shouldn't be a factor. ``I think the guys are strong, and I don't really think it's going to be a problem,'' Lo Duca said. ``With (Darren Dreifort) and (Kevin Brown) coming back, it should take some of the load off of them. I don't think it's going to be a concern.'' --Carrara in control: Reliever Giovanni Carrara heeded the advice of bullpen mate Terry Mulholland, and it's turned Carrara back into the effective pitcher that helped anchor the bullpen the first month of the season. Carrara said his success last season came from throwing four pitches - fastball, slider A block of material that holds the read/write head of a magnetic disk. See flying head. , curveball and changeup - but he went almost exclusively with a fastball and slider earlier this season. It was fine in April, but he was 3-2 with a 6.19 ERA in May. ``I'm back to the point where I can throw everything,'' Carrara said. ``Early in the season I was doing well with fastball-slider, and sometimes you get in love with that. I forgot to use my offspeed pitches.'' Carrara, whose primary job is to get the ball to closer Eric Gagne, is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA since June 1. He pitched two shutout innings against St. Louis and has yielded one earned run in his last 13 2/3 innings pitched. --Odds and ends: Atlanta left-hander Tom Glavine might not attend the All-Star Game on Tuesday in Milwaukee, which could open a spot for Ishii. The rookie is 11-5 with a 3.58 ERA, and baseball would welcome the Japanese influence to the game. ... Tracy said David Ross, who never played above Double-A last season, probably will start at catcher Saturday because of the afternoon game in expected humidity after the Friday-night game. DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS Time: 5:10 p.m., Busch Stadium. TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish). Matchup: Dodgers LH Odalis Perez (9-4, 2.56 ERA) will make his last start before heading to Milwaukee for Tuesday's All-Star Game. Perez is third in the league in ERA and opponents' batting average (.210), but allowed five runs in seven innings in a loss to the Angels in his last start. Perez is 3-0 with a league-leading 1.33 ERA in day games. Cardinals RH Matt Morris (10-5, 3.27) is 2-0 with a 3.79 ERA in his career against the Dodgers. He'll join Perez at the All-Star Game. - Brian Dohn CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS (see text) |
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