Dodgers Chafe at Valdes

They have protected him, encouraged him and challenged him.

They could have traded him for one of the game’s dominant pitchers, but didn’t because of his potential.

The Dodgers have done everything they can to support Ismael Valdes--but he remains their biggest source of frustration.

The right-hander further infuriated his coaches and teammates Tuesday night with his second consecutive poor outing in the Braves’ 8-3 victory over the Dodgers before 30,310 at Turner Field.

Valdes lasted only 4 1/3 innings as the Dodgers lost the second game in the three-game series and dropped to third place in the National League West. His control problems helped Atlanta take command in a three-run fifth inning, and Brave starter Denny Neagle (4-1) and two relievers gave up only seven hits.

The Dodgers face Greg Maddux today, as the four-time Cy Young Award winner tries to complete the sweep. They are in that position because of Valdes--and that is undisputed.

“It’s frustrating,” said Valdes, who dropped to 2-4. “I’m not doing very well, especially on the road, but I’m working hard. I’m trying, but I don’t know what else to do.”

Neither do the Dodgers.

“It’s not only frustrating for us, it’s frustrating for him too,” Manager Bill Russell said. “He’s a better pitcher than that, he’s a better pitcher than the way he’s been pitching.

“He has all the ability in the world to be a big winner in this league, but he’s got to stay focused out there. He has got to concentrate.”

Valdes is winless on the road (0-4) and has a 6.04 earned-run average in his last five starts overall. He gave up four runs and seven hits Tuesday and struggled with his control, walking five. And he threw only 57 strikes in 105 pitches.

“That’s just way too many pitches for that many innings,” Russell said. “He’s thrown around 100 pitches in his last two starts, and he only pitched [4 1/3] and five innings. You just can’t do that and be successful in this league, and he knows that.”

Valdes walked the bases loaded in the fifth when the Braves took a 4-1 lead.

Walt Weiss and Keith Lockhart walked to open the inning, and scored on Ryan Klesko’s one-out two-run single to left. Andres Galarraga scored on Javy Lopez’s single to left-center, which chased Valdes.

“It was obviously a tough night for him,” catcher Mike Piazza said. “That’s all I can really say.”

Valdes’ performance troubled pitching coach Glenn Gregson, whose usually upbeat mood changed during the fifth. Gregson admonished Valdes in a one-sided conversation on the mound after Lockhart walked.

“I was just trying to challenge him,” Gregson said. “He was giving these hitters too much credit. He was constantly pitching in tough spots, because he was nibbling too much on the corners.

“There’s an air of confidence you need to show as a major league pitcher. Clearly, I didn’t see that tonight. And that’s what we’ll talk about.”

That is a familiar theme with Valdes. He was 10-11 last season despite a 2.65 ERA--fourth lowest in the league.

“It’s frustrating for me, because he has the stuff,” Gregson said. “Pitchers come along at different times, but it’s there with him. He just has got to learn to trust his stuff.”

During the off-season, the Seattle Mariners asked for Valdes in a trade that would have sent left-hander Randy Johnson to the Dodgers. But Fred Claire, executive vice president, refused to trade the fourth-year starter, whom he considers a future star.

Valdes is only 24, and he is considered to be among the major league’s most talented starters. He went 15-7 in 1996, and the Dodgers believe he has the ability to be a 20-game winner.

“I’m not happy with the way I’m pitching, but every pitcher struggles, everyone struggles in this game,” Valdes said. “You have to be confident, you have to say to yourself, ‘I know this will end.’

“I know this is going to change for me. It has to change.”

The Dodgers have been waiting.