When at a Loss, Dodgers Turn to Perez Again

The Dodgers are still searching for answers with the season winding down, and they continued to tinker Saturday afternoon after the Chicago Cubs’ 6-4 victory at Wrigley Field.

Manager Davey Johnson made another rotation change, reinstating enigmatic left-hander Carlos Perez and returning rookie Matt Herges to the bullpen.

Perez and Herges initially switched roles Aug. 2, but Herges was winless in four starts after getting a no-decision against the Cubs, who ended the Dodgers’ winning streak at five before 38,710.

The bullpen hasn’t been as effective without Herges, as evidenced in the Dodgers’ latest loss.

Johnson pinch-hit for Herges in the sixth after the Dodgers took a 4-3 lead in the inning, and Gregg Olson (0-1) struggled in his first opportunity in a close game since returning from the disabled list.

The Cubs tied the score against Olson in their half of the inning on Rondell White’s run-scoring single, and closed the scoring with two runs in the seventh while chasing the frustrated reliever.

Ricky Gutierrez led off with his 10th homer, and Eric Young continued to torment his former team with a sacrifice fly. Young also had a two-run single.

The Dodgers were hitless against Tim Worrell (3-3) in the seventh and eighth.

Closer Rick Aguilera worked the ninth for his 28th save, and the Cubs won for only the third time in 15 games.

The Dodgers lost, Perez has returned to the rotation and there’s not much time left.

“Davey told me I’m back in,” said Perez, given many reprieves because of his three-year, $15.6-million contract. “He told me I’m going to pitch the last game against [the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday], and he knows I can pitch good against these teams we’re going to be playing.

“I’m glad to get back in the rotation because this is what I want. I’ve been waiting for this, now I just have to keep pitching good.”

Perez pitched 6 1/3 strong innings Friday in a 3-1 victory over the Cubs in the second game of a doubleheader, and that was enough to reclaim a starting spot because Herges is needed in relief.

Herges said he had not been informed officially, but he noticed the writing on the wall.

“Obviously, I’d prefer not to [be in the bullpen], but I would totally understand if it happens,” said Herges, 0-3 with a no-decision and a 5.48 earned-run average in four starts.

“If I was out there and I won four games in the rotation and I was dealing, it may be a little hard to understand. But I haven’t done that. If I was upset, that would be totally selfish, and that’s not what this team needs.”

The 30-year-old rookie right-hander gave up 11 runs in 18 innings in his first three starts.

The Dodgers did not provide much support, scoring only seven runs in his three losses.

On Saturday, things began well for the native of Champaign, Ill.

Many of Herges’ family and friends attended the game, and the Dodgers staked Herges to a 1-0 lead in the third on Mark Grudzielanek’s run-scoring double.

But the Cubs scored three runs in their half of the inning on Young’s two-run single, and Herges hit White with a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Dodgers went ahead with three runs in the sixth. Alex Cora had a two-run single and Bruce Aven, recalled from triple-A Albuquerque before the game, walked with the bases loaded. Cub center fielder Damon Buford robbed Dave Hansen, batting for Herges, of an extra-base hit with a running catch in deep center, ending the inning with runners at the corners.

Then Olson took over.

“The last four or five outings, I thought I was throwing the ball well,” said Olson, sidelined for 99 games because of a strained right forearm. “Things didn’t go my way and they went the Cubs’ way. It was just one of those days.”