Karros Again Lifts Dodgers

Luke Prokopec is lost on the mound, and the first-place Dodgers are running out of time for growing pains.

The leaders in a tight National League West race overcame another ineffective outing from the rookie right-hander Wednesday night, scoring five runs in the sixth inning and rallying to a 9-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 29,528 at PNC Park.

Eric Karros hit his second key home run in as many games against the National League Central’s last-place team, breaking a 4-4 tie in the sixth with a three-run blast to left against left-hander Jimmy Anderson (6-12).

Gary Sheffield’s two-run single tied the score, then Karros delivered the big blow with his 12th homer on a 1-and-2 curveball.

Karros’ homer landed in the same section his 11th fell Tuesday night, when his solo shot provided the difference in a 2-1 series-opening victory.

“The nature of this team all year has been to bounce back, and we did it again tonight,” said Karros, who also had the game-winning hit in Sunday’s 3-2, 10-inning victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Also Wednesday, Paul Lo Duca hit his 18th homer--and fourth leadoff shot--for the Dodgers (65-49), who won their fourth in a row and lead the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks by 11/2 games and the third-place San Francisco Giants by two.

The big inning got Prokopec off the hook after he gave up six hits and four runs in 41/3 innings.

Although he has a recurring blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, Prokopec also has experienced other problems during a 12-game winless streak.

“We’ve talked about the fact that you go through growing pains with young pitchers,” Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said. “We saw what Eric Gagne has had to go through, and I think Luke is feeling that a little bit right now.

“Also, with his finger being the way it is, it’s inhibiting him from using one of his best weapons on a regular basis, and that’s his slider. That can also help to create additional problems.”

Giovanni Carrara (2-1) worked 22/3 strong innings, giving up only a run-scoring sacrifice fly after relieving Prokopec in the fifth with one out and the bases loaded.

Terry Mulholland pitched two scoreless innings for the Dodgers’ fifth consecutive victory over the Pirates, spanning two series.

The Dodgers needed their timely contributions because Prokopec needed assistance again, and Tracy is searching for answers.

“With the day off on Monday, we’re definitely going to discuss the possibility of going with [a four-man rotation],” Tracy said. “That’s definitely something that we’re going to explore to continue to try to give [Prokopec’s blister] a chance to heal.

“I certainly think that some additional rest for him is warranted. It just seems with that finger, we continue to take a step or two forward and three backward. We’re going to address the situation and try to get it resolved.”

Prokopec has four quality starts in his last 12, and a 5.72 earned-run average during the streak. After starting the season 6-1 with a 3.33 ERA, he is 6-6 with a 4.69 ERA.

“The finger has got a lot to do with it, but more than anything it’s just being a rookie and going through this phase where you have nothing to show for what you’ve done,” Prokopec said. “I just can’t quite finish the pitches, I’m getting them up in the zone, and that’s where you get hit.

“I think this [the winless streak] would wear on anyone. That’s just the way it goes. Some days you get wins, some days you don’t. But you could easily be 10-6, and instead you’re 6-6, and that certainly plays a role mentally.

“I’ve only been pitching a couple of years, and I’ve sort of not been through this too much at all, especially in the big leagues.

“It’s not the place to be learning this, that’s for sure.”

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Breaking Away

Best records in baseball since All-Star break:

Seattle 20-7, .741

Oakland 20-7, .741

Dodgers 17-9, .654

San Francisco 17-9, .654

Angels 17-10, .630

New York Mets 15-10, .600