SAVING GRACE

By JASON REID

May 6, 1998 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

ATLANTA —

There isn’t a big name or dominant figure in the Dodger bullpen, which features castoffs and newcomers.

They don’t stir concern in opponents in the late innings, a shortcoming in their occupation. And they aren’t overpowering or flamboyant.

But to this point, none of that has mattered.

The revamped Dodger relief corps has been a steadying force during the team’s rocky start and is providing the foundation for its recent success. The group’s performance is among the surprises of the early season, and it’s getting impressive reviews around the National League.

“They might not have guys who have big reputations, but what they do have are a lot of guys who come in and challenge you,” Milwaukee Brewer Manager Phil Garner said. “The only thing that matters is coming in and getting the job done--and they’re obviously doing that.”

That they are. Jim Bruske, Brad Clontz, Mark Guthrie, Frank Lankford, Antonio Osuna and Scott Radinsky have been formidable in relief.

The bullpen’s 2.46 earned-run average, even with Tuesday’s struggles, is second only to the San Francisco Giants’ in the major leagues. In the team’s first 24 games, the bullpen had streaks of 15 and 34 innings in which it wasn’t charged with an earned run.

“The bullpen has been doing a great job since the season started,” catcher Mike Piazza said. “They’ve gotten big outs in tough situations, and they’ve been giving everyone a big lift.

“On this team, everyone has to contribute, and those guys have a big role to play. They’re a group of guys who work hard, and they’ve really come together quickly.”

With the retirement of closer Todd Worrell, the team’s all-time save leader, at the end of last season, the Dodgers were forced to reconfigure their bullpen. But Fred Claire, executive vice president, didn’t acquire a high-profile replacement for Worrell or accomplished setup men because of the team’s payroll concerns.

He claimed right-hander Bruske off waivers from the San Diego Padres and selected right-hander Lankford from the New York Yankee organization in the Rule V draft. They joined the four holdovers from last season, right-handers Darren Hall and Osuna, and left-handers Guthrie and Radinsky.

Claire signed right-hander Clontz, who was released by the Braves on March 25, to a one-year contract April 9 after Hall suffered a slight tear on the rotator cuff of his throwing shoulder. That completed the unheralded bullpen, which is now among the game’s best.

“We found out what the new guys could do in spring training, and we already knew about the guys who were coming back,” Manager Bill Russell said. “This hasn’t been a surprise, because we thought they had the talent to do the job consistently. That’s what they’ve gone out and done.”

Clontz (2-0, 3.38 ERA) did not give up a hit or run in his first 11 2/3 innings in nine appearances, and Guthrie (1-1, 0.79 ERA) is rebounding from a disastrous 1997 season. He took the loss Monday in the Braves’ 4-2 victory at Turner Field, giving up his first run in 11 1/3 innings in 16 outings.

Radinsky (1-0, 0.77 ERA) has asserted himself as the closer. He has a team-high five saves with one blown save.

Osuna (2-0, 2.70 ERA), the loser in the closer competition, hasn’t been impressive. But he throws the hardest among the relievers--with a fastball clocked at 94-95 mph--and team officials still hope Osuna, 25, is their closer of the future.

Fifth starter Darren Dreifort also made a big contribution while he worked out of the bullpen. Lankford (0-2, 5.74) is the only one who has struggled.

The rookie gave up the winning run last Monday in the Brewers’ 3-2, 13-inning victory that ended the bullpen’s 34-inning scoreless streak, and the 15-inning streak ended April 11 with Lankford on the mound. But he throws four pitches, and one doesn’t expect a Rule V guy to set the tone.

Bruske (0-0, 1.13 ERA) has been the biggest surprise. He has a save and has not been charged with an earned run in 15 2/3 innings in his last 14 games.

“The thing that has helped us a lot, maybe the most important thing, is that we’re all out there pulling for one another,” he said. “We all feel real confident every time we go out there, but we also know that if we do struggle, the next guy who comes in can pick us up and get out of a jam.”

That attitude has helped make life easier for first-year pitching coach Glenn Gregson.

“Just the personality and makeup of these guys, that they’re such a tight-knit group, helps so much,” he said. “Probably the most pleasing part for me is that I don’t have to worry about stepping on toes with them.

“There are no egos, so I don’t have to worry about stroking people in certain situations. They don’t care if they get in there in the fifth or for the final out in the ninth. They are a blue-collar bunch, but you can’t argue with their results.”

The closer situation typifies the group’s unity.

Radinsky and Osuna did not allow their battle to become personal or distract the team. Osuna has accepted that Radinsky has outperformed him, and their roles are now defined.

“That’s the type of thing that could easily cause a lot of problems, when guys are competing for that job,” Bruske said. “But you look at the situation here, and there wasn’t anything negative about it.”

Of course, the Dodgers have been traditionally among baseball’s pitching-rich teams. They had the league’s best bullpen last season with a 3.40 ERA, but expectations weren’t as high for this edition.

“It’s not like we just started doing this,” Radinsky said. “You just go out and pitch, it’s really pretty simple.”

And so far, effective.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

How They Rate

Leaders in bullpen ERA through Monday:

1. San Francisco Giants: 1.70

2. Dodgers: 2.18

3. Pittsburgh Pirates: 2.72

4. Milwaukee Brewers: 2.84

5. Texas Rangers: 2.95

6. San Diego Padres: 2.97

7. Chicago Cubs: 3.03