Wallace Praised for Staff Performance

You won’t find his name in any box score, but pitching coach Dave Wallace is as responsible as anyone this season for the Dodgers’ success.

“He’s done a tremendous job,” said Fred Claire, executive vice president. “Dave’s really been an unheralded guy. He isn’t one to call attention to himself, but he deserves a lot of credit. It really goes back to last year and the improvement that’s shown.”

The Dodger staff had a 4.17 ERA in 1994, ranking ninth in the league before Wallace’s arrival. They finished second in the league last year with a 3.66 ERA. And although runs are being scored at a record pace this year, their ERA is 3.46, second in the major leagues.

“He’s been absolutely unbelievable,” starter Tom Candiotti said. “His secret is the open communication he has with all of us. He encourages us to talk out any problems we have, and he’s very easy to talk to.

“It wasn’t easy just walking in here [replacing Ron Perranoski], but he’s been there the entire time for us.”

Wallace has marveled at the staff’s consistency.

“Usually, either the starting rotation or the bullpen will scuffle,” he said, “but these guys have been pretty consistent. You keep a staff healthy, and usually you have a chance to be there at the end.”

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Manager Tom Lasorda, still recovering from a heart attack, will not be doing commentary on Fox for today’s game against the Rockies.

“Once again, it’s the doctors,” Lasorda said. “They told me it’s too much for me right now.”

Lasorda said he would be examined again Monday morning, and more will be known then about his timetable for a return.

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Outfielder Wayne Kirby rejoined the Dodgers on Friday after the death last Saturday of his father, Wayne, 53, in Norfolk, Va.

“It’s been tough, but I know my father would want me to go back,” Kirby said. “My father wasn’t even sick. He woke up, got a drink of water, and when my mom tried to wake him up at 8 in the morning, that was that.

“It was tough going back driving from the airport to my mom’s house because usually my dad’s at the airport picking me up. He told me during the course of my career, ‘Don’t let anyone intimidate you. If things go bad, keep your head up, things will go better.’

“He was always there for me.”