A Change of Rotation: Perez Out, Herges In

Disappointed in Carlos Perez, Manager Davey Johnson moved the inconsistent pitcher to the bullpen Wednesday and put surprising rookie Matt Herges in the rotation.

“I’ve run the course with Carlos,” Johnson said before an 11-5 victory over the Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium. “He’s going to be in the bullpen, and he earned that right.”

Perez didn’t think so.

“It’s not OK because I’m not a reliever,” said Perez, 0-2 with a 16.71 earned-run average in his last two starts. “I don’t understand this, because I had two bad starts? I don’t understand why they had to make a move so fast.”

Herges, 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 66 innings, welcomed the promotion.

“It’s pretty awesome,” he said. “It’s really great for Davey to give me this opportunity, but it’s a little bit overwhelming.

“He didn’t have to bring me to spring training, he didn’t have to throw me in games and he didn’t have to give me this chance. It’s a pretty [bold] move on his part, especially in a pennant race, and I just want to do everything I can not to let him down.”

Johnson would not discuss his reasoning, but Perez’s attitude apparently spurred the move as much as his 4-6 record and 5.67 ERA. The left-hander reacted angrily in the dugout Tuesday when Johnson sent Chris Donnels to pinch-hit for Perez in the top of the fifth of the Pirates’ 6-0 victory in the first game of a doubleheader.

With the club in a close National League West race, Johnson consulted General Manager Kevin Malone, then made the change, further altering a rotation that recently underwent a make-over when Ismael Valdes was reacquired from the Chicago Cubs.

“As soon as [Valdes was traded to the Dodgers], too many things changed,” Perez said. “I’m tired of too much [stuff] .”

Herges, 30, is scheduled to make his first major league start Tuesday against the Cubs at Dodger Stadium.

He made the club in spring training as a nonroster player. Pitching middle relief, he became the first Dodger since Pedro Martinez in 1993 to win eight consecutive decisions. Opponents are batting only .239 against Herges.

The Dodgers have been trying to salvage Perez after his 2-10 1999 season, a 7.43 ERA and embarrassing off-field problems. But Malone said the Dodgers must focus on what’s best for the team.

“We’ve got to go with our best players because it’s all about winning now,” said Malone, who signed Perez to a three-year, $15.6-million contract before last season. “When you’re in a pennant race, it’s no longer development mode.

“We’re not going to let any one player divide this team. We’re going to be united and focused on what it’s all about--winning.”

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek agreed.

“We can’t afford to flip a coin and see which Carlos Perez shows up,” he said. “This is crunch time.”

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Outfielder F.P. Santangelo was activated from the disabled list and Donnels was put on it because of a sore right shoulder.