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Dandy Randy

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Two starts, two victories, a 1.32 earned-run average.

Yes, Randy Wolf is having fun as a major leaguer.

“Hopefully, I’ll be here for a while,” he said Wednesday night after allowing one earned run in eight innings during the Philadelphia Phillies’ 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium.

Wolf, 22, hasn’t changed much since his days at Westhills PONY League, El Camino Real High and Pepperdine.

He continues to frustrate batters with a precision fastball that comes in at 88 mph. And his baby face has Phillie teammates calling him a dead ringer for Richie Cunningham of “Happy Days.”

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“He has a great makeup,” catcher Mike Lieberthal said. “He’s 22 but acts like he’s 27. He’s ready to pitch here.”

Wolf made his debut last Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

He did not have much time to think of his accomplishment. He received a phone call Wednesday to pack his bags at triple-A Scranton, got to Philadelphia on Thursday and pitched the next day.

“I think it all sunk in after I came out in my debut,” he said. “I sat back, took a deep breath and really took everything in. I looked where I was. It was amazing. Ever since I don’t know how old I was, I dreamt of being here.”

The night before, Wolf could hardly sleep.

“I went to bed probably 2:30, which is normal for me the day before I pitch a night game,” he said. “I rolled over, got up, thought it’s about time to get up and it’s 4:30.”

Ryan McGuire, former El Camino Real first baseman who is with the Montreal Expos, called the Phillie clubhouse to offer Wolf congratulations “from one Conquistador to another.”

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The message was taped to Wolf’s locker.

“It was awesome, especially coming from a guy who owns me,” Wolf said.

Probably no one was more excited than Wolf’s mother, Judy, who left her home in West Hills to fly to Philadelphia last Friday but ended up arriving at the ballpark too late because of a weather delay.

“Do you think I can sue God for bad weather?” she said.

But Judy and more than 40 other family members and friends watched Wolf’s second start against the Padres.

“Randy! Randy!” Wolf’s cousin, Tiffany, shouted during batting practice, causing him to wave and offer a smile.

Then Randy went out, struck out seven, walked two and allowed five hits to improve his record to 2-0.

He also got his first major league hit with a single.

“It’s beyond words,” Judy said. “It’s indescribable. This is awesome.”

This weekend, the Phillies play the Dodgers in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium, allowing Wolf to return to the site where he pitched El Camino Real to City championships in 1993 and 1994. There is a little difference, though.

“It’s the big leagues,” he said. “You can’t match it. It’s awesome.”

He’s also going to spend time at home, where his mother will give him a home-cooked meal or take him out to his favorite restaurant.

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“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “When I go to spring training, I don’t think I’ll be home for another seven months. To be here in early June is exciting.”

Sunday is Father’s Day, and Wolf plans to take moment to remember his father, Jim, who died in 1994 during Wolf’s senior season at El Camino Real.

“I know he’d be proud,” Wolf said. “When we went to Dodger Stadium the first time, he rented a real nice car and made it a special time. It would be nice to have him here for this, but it’s strange how things work out. Hopefully, there’s someone pulling the strings for him.”

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