Dreifort’s Woes Compounding Staff’s Plight

Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn have been supportive of struggling Dodger starter Darren Dreifort.

Tracy has urged patience because the $55-million pitcher is a tireless worker.

“He’s a guy you have to remain patient with,” Tracy said. “There’s nobody who wants to [succeed] more for a ballclub.”

Colborn is not worried because he believes Dreifort has pitched well in his last two starts.

“He pitched a pretty good game,” Colborn said after Dreifort gave up 10 hits--including two home runs--and five earned runs in Tuesday’s 9-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“Honest to God, I’m not kidding. Technically, his pitches went where they were supposed to go.”

But their optimism has not helped Dreifort on the mound.

The right-hander is 4-6 with a 4.95 earned-run average, and has only one victory in his last six starts. In his last three outings, Dreifort has a 9.88 ERA.

“I don’t think anybody feels worse about the situation than Dreif,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “We go out there and do what we can for him, but ultimately the responsibility is on the particular player. He’s doing what he can, but everybody struggles at times.”

This is an especially bad time for the Dodger pitching staff.

Andy Ashby is out for the season after having elbow surgery, Kevin Brown is on the disabled list because of an irritated nerve in his neck and Eric Gagne is in the minors after several poor outings.

Chan Ho Park and Dreifort were expected to fill the void, and Park has delivered with 12 consecutive quality starts.

Brown is expected to be activated early next week, but the Dodgers still need more from Dreifort.

Not that Dreifort is Colborn’s only problem.

The bullpen is in disarray because Terry Adams and Giovanni Carrara are needed in the rotation, giving Gregg Olson a bigger role.

Olson is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in 27 games, and has a 30.34 ERA in his last three appearances.

“I’ve been one pitch away, each time, from getting out of it without any damage,” Olson said. “Usually, the way it works for me, I’ll get hot and become a good pitcher again.”

Jesse Orosco has not been effective either. Opponents are batting .409 against the left-hander, and six of the eight runners he has inherited have scored.

Tracy and Colborn have relied on Matt Herges, who leads National League relievers with 46 1/3 innings.

Herges is 3-1 with a 1.35 ERA in his last 12 appearances, but the Dodgers are risking burnout using him so much.

“It’s taxing our coaching and managerial abilities,” Colborn acknowledged. “But that’s what we like.”

ON DECK

Opponent--San Diego Padres, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2 today and Saturday, Channel 5 Sunday.

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

Records--Dodgers 38-33, Padres 32-40.

Record vs. Padres--3-3.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ TERRY ADAMS (2-2, 5.12 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ WOODY WILLIAMS (5-6, 4.67 ERA)

Update--Adams has a 5.74 earned-run average and three no-decisions in three starts. The right-hander has limited opponents to a .246 batting average. Williams is 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA in six games against the Dodgers. In 45 innings, Williams has limited the Dodgers to a .177 batting average.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Luke Prokopec (6-3, 4.35) vs. Brian Lawrence (0-0, 5.40).

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (4-6, 4.95) vs. Adam Eaton (7-3, 4.61).

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.