Tracy Is Pleased With Baldwin’s Performance

James Baldwin has struggled in 11 starts for the Dodgers, going 2-6 with a 4.60 earned-run average.

But Manager Jim Tracy said Baldwin’s statistics are deceiving.

“The numbers don’t tell the whole story,” he said. “He’s had several good starts for us, and the only thing that has hurt J.B. is the home run ball at inopportune times.

“But we’ve seen him be very, very good at times. When he is good, a lot of strikes are being thrown and a lot of ground balls are being hit.”

Baldwin can become a free agent after the season, and Tracy hopes the right-hander remains with the team.

“I absolutely love this guy because he competes,” Tracy said. “He’s an asset to a winning team. No question.”

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Closer Jeff Shaw recorded his 200th save in Sunday’s 2-1 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

Shaw, who has 40 saves, needs only one to tie Todd Worrell for the franchise record of 127.

“It’s a good accomplishment,” Shaw said. “From where I came from, pitching middle relief in Montreal, to getting a chance [to close] in Cincinnati to the last, whatever it is, five years that I’ve been closing

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel good, because I do. But I want a couple of more [saves]. There’s a record that I want, and that’s the Dodger all-time record. I’m not done yet.”

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Paul Lo Duca leads the National League in batting average with runners in scoring position (.400).

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ON DECK

Opponent-San Diego Padres, three games.

Site-Qualcomm Stadium.

Tonight-7.

TV-Channel 5 tonight and Thursday; Fox Sports Net 2 Wednesday.

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

Records-Dodgers 82-74, Padres 77-79.

Record vs. Padres-7-9.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ TERRY MULHOLLAND (1-1, 4.88 ERA) vs. PADRES’ BRIAN LAWRENCE (5-4, 3.03 ERA)

Update

-The Dodgers resume their season-ending nine-game, 10-day trip against a club that has given them fits. The Padres swept the Dodgers in a three-game series Sept. 17-19 at Dodger Stadium. Tracy said that Mulholland, starting for the third time for the Dodgers, might be the fifth starter next season.

Wednesday, 7 p.m.-Eric Gagne (5-7, 4.83) vs. Bobby Jones (8-18, 5.05).

Thursday, 2 p.m.-James Baldwin (2-6, 4.60) vs. Jason Middlebrook (1-1, 6.75).