Prokopec’s Approach Earns Him Fans, Success

Rookie starter Luke Prokopec is gaining fans as much for his competitiveness as his performance.

Prokopec improved to 5-1 with a 3.59 earned-run average after Saturday’s 10-2 victory against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

He mixed his pitches, worked effectively in the strike zone and was in control during a strong six-inning, one-run, seven-strikeout outing.

But the Dodgers were most impressed with Prokopec’s eagerness to challenge batters, something he has done in each start.

“He’s a fierce competitor, not only in his body language but the way he approaches attacking hitters,” said Manager Jim Tracy of the Australian right-hander. “He says, ‘I’m going to give you my best stuff. If you can hit it and knock me out of here, so be it. But I’m not backing off.’ There’s something to be said for that.”

Prokopec said he must be aggressive to succeed.

“You just have to go out there, give them your best stuff and do your job, mate,” he said. “It’s really pretty simple.”

Apparently it’s not, or more pitchers would perform similarly.

“One of the biggest [areas] where a pitcher ends up running into problems is when he starts to pitch in fear of contact, and he is not afraid of that at all,” Tracy said. “The other thing that is so very special about him is his effectiveness early in the count.

“That does so many things and opens up so many other venues for him. The ability to be able to use all of his pitches, and not just have to use one small area of the plate because he falls behind, that helps.”

Many teams are interested in Prokopec, Eric Gagne and Matt Herges--pitchers the Dodgers have declined to trade.

Baseball executives said recently that the Dodgers could acquire an impact everyday player in deals that included the right-handers, but Tracy said the price might be too high.

“Well, you never say never, that’s the nature of the business,” he said. “But when you start talking about those names that you’re talking about, what would be out there on the other end would have to be pretty interesting and entertaining to even consider the thought.”

Catcher Paul Lo Duca (strained left oblique muscle) was one for four with a double and three runs batted in Saturday for triple-A Las Vegas.

In two games for the 51s, Lo Duca is two for seven with two doubles and three RBIs. Lo Duca is expected to be activated today.

ON DECK

Opponent--Colorado Rockies, three games.

Site--Coors Field.

Tonight--6.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2 every game.

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

Records--Dodgers 24-20, Rockies 21-22.

2000 record vs. Rockies--9-4.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT

(3-2, 4.50 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’ SHAWN CHACON

(1-1, 7.32 ERA)

Update--Dreifort has limited opponents to a .229 batting average. The right-hander was 1-0 with a 3.27 earned-run average in two starts against the Rockies last season, and is 2-3 with a 5.16 ERA in his career. Chacon, a rookie right-hander, is making his fifth start.

Tuesday, 6 p.m.--Eric Gagne (1-3, 4.56) vs. Denny Neagle (4-1, 4.12).

Wednesday, noon--Kevin Brown (5-2, 1.86) vs. Pedro Astacio (4-4, 4.50).