Bohanon Provides a Bright Spot

Pitcher Brian Bohanon wasn’t supposed to play a major role for the Dodgers, but few things have gone as planned at Chavez Ravine this season.

The left-hander was acquired on July 10 from the New York Mets for middle reliever Greg McMichael, moving into the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Many figured the assignment was temporary because interim General Manager Tom Lasorda had been trying to get another high-profile starter.

But Bohanon made an immediate impact, becoming the team’s most consistent starter during the last month. He has improved to 6-7 with a 2.75 earned-run average after earning victories in four of his last five starts.

His performance has been especially important because right-hander Ismael Valdes has been on the disabled list since July 27 because of a strained stomach muscle. The Dodgers aren’t sure when--or if--Valdes will return, so Bohanon is being counted on.

And he’s delivering.

“He has been picking us up every time he goes out there, and that’s really what we’ve needed,” Manager Glenn Hoffman said. “When you lose a guy like Rocket [Valdes], you know you’re going to need other guys to step up.

“All of our guys have been doing that, and Brian has just been super. He’s given us quality innings each time out.”

That’s why Lasorda got Bohanon.

“I talked to a number of people about him, and the thing that everyone said is, this guy can flat-out pitch,” Lasorda said. “I knew [Bohanon’s statistics] weren’t great, but that didn’t matter to me.

“I had seen him pitch and I liked what he could do. I just wanted to get him over here before someone else got him.”

A spot starter and long reliever for the Mets, Bohanon was 2-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 25 games when the trade was made. Bohanon believed he could do more, and has made the most of his opportunity.

“I thought I was throwing well [with the Mets], but I wasn’t in a role where I could do as much,” he said. “When you’re relieving and only starting a few games here and there, you don’t feel comfortable using all your pitches.

“Now, I know I’m going to be out there every fifth day. I feel like the team has confidence in me, and I think I can be a workhorse.”

He has been so far.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Pittsburgh Pirates, two games.

* Site--Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh.

* Today--4 p.m. PDT.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 62-62, Pirates 56-68.

* 1998 record vs. Pirates--7-3.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CARLOS PEREZ (7-11, 3.75 ERA) vs. PIRATES’ JASON SCHMIDT (9-9, 3.84 ERA)

* Update--This is the beginning of a seven-game, three-city trip that the Dodgers acknowledge will probably determine their fate in the National League wild-card race. They have more victories over Pittsburgh this season than against any other opponent, two in a three-game series on the previous homestand, and three in a four-game series at Three Rivers in May. Perez gets the worst run support among NL pitchers, and the Dodgers have scored only three runs in his first three starts since he was acquired from the Montreal Expos on July 31. Perez got no decision in a 3-2 loss to the Florida Marlins on Wednesday, giving up one earned run and seven hits in seven innings.

Wednesday, 4 p.m. PDT--Brian Bohanon (6-7, 2.75) vs. Todd Van Poppel (1-1, 5.19).