Bullpen Has Been Consistent Option

Before a 4-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, the Dodger bullpen had been positively bullish, going 8-0 since July 2.

The bullpen contributed three scoreless innings until Mike Fetters gave up a two-run home run to Henry Blanco in the 10th inning. But Fetters (4-2) was the winner on Friday night, and the record of Dodger relievers is 23-15. The bullpen’s 3.88 earned-run average ranks second in the National League to the Florida Marlins’ 3.81.

“The bullpen is the least of our problems,” Dodger Manager Davey Johnson said. “Everyone there is doing a great job. We should be scoring more runs.”

With Matt Herges (8-0) moving into the starting rotation, the continued effectiveness of Fetters, Terry Adams, Antonio Osuna and closer Jeff Shaw will be key in the season’s final two months.

A contribution by Carlos Perez, the recently demoted starter, would be nice too. Especially considering he’s the only left-hander in the bullpen.

“We’ve done fine against left-handed hitters, but Carlos could be a great addition,” Fetters said.

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Herges will make his first start a day earlier than anticipated. He will start Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Darren Dreifort, originally scheduled to start Monday, will pitch Tuesday, giving him six days rest.

Herges is glad to get on the mound as soon as possible.

“The tension is building a little bit,” Herges said of his start. “I’m trying to find ways to relax.”

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It’s no surprise that Johnson believes Dodger left fielder Gary Sheffield should be the National League most valuable player.

But Johnson knows the award probably will go to someone else unless his team makes the playoffs.

“He’s my pick, no doubt about it,” Johnson said. “But we need to win for it to become plain to a lot of people.”

Sheffield entered Saturday’s game ranked among the top four in the league in homers (34), runs batted in (88), total bases (255), on-base percentage (.457) and slugging percentage (.682).

Sheffield hit his 35th homer in the fourth inning Saturday.

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The Brewers are last in the National League with a .243 batting average and a .320 on-base percentage. No one is more frustrated than hitting coach Rod Carew.

“I do take it personally,” Carew said. “It’s frustrating for a hitting instructor because of how much time you spend working with these guys. They do all the work, but at times it’s not carried into the game.”

Carew, a Hall of Famer who won seven American League batting titles, was the Angels’ hitting coach from 1992-99. Last season, the Angels batted .256, second-worst in the majors.

Carew moved on to Milwaukee and the Angels have hiked their average to .283. Yet the Brewers do not believe Carew is the reason for their anemic offense.

“Rod works harder than any hitting coach that I’ve had in my career, period,” said outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, who is batting .216. “He’s here any time you want. He’ll show up early. He’ll stay late. He’ll throw to you, which some guys don’t. He’s always, always available.”

TODAY

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES

(2-4, 5.32 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’ JIMMY HAYNES

(9-10, 4.87 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--In his first start since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs, Valdes went four innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-3 Dodger victory. He gave up two runs and struck out eight. One day earlier Valdes pitched to two batters before the game was rained out. Haynes, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, is in his first National League season after pitching for the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics. In four starts since the All-Star break, he is 0-3 with a 7.40 ERA.