Mulholland Is Hit Hard Again

Reliever Terry Mulholland made a throwing error and gave up consecutive home runs in the seventh inning Sunday in the Dodgers’ 5-0 loss to the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

It was the third time in four appearances that the 39-year-old left-hander has struggled.

Mulholland’s earned-run average is 15.26 in 72/3 innings.

“I’m not executing my pitches right now, and when I’m making mistakes guys on the other side of the field are making the most of them,” Mulholland said.

Mulholland had good results in spring training when he compiled a 2.96 ERA in 241/3 innings.

But he gave up eight runs and seven hits in two innings of a 12-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants on April 3, then surrendered five runs and four hits in 22/3 innings against the Padres on April 13 after Kevin Brown left the game because of an arm injury.

Mulholland looked better during two scoreless innings of a 6-4 loss at Colorado last Tuesday, but he wasted no time getting into trouble Sunday.

Mulholland came on in relief of Andy Ashby in the seventh inning with the Dodgers trailing, 2-0. Ramon Vazquez, the first batter he faced, laid down a bunt that Mulholland fielded before throwing the ball past Eric Karros at first base for an error.

Trenidad Hubbard, pinch-hitting for Ryan Klesko, launched a home run over the left-field fence and Phil Nevin followed with a homer into the right-field pavilion for a 5-0 lead.

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Brown will not accompany the team on its six-game trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago as he continues to recover from torn scar tissue in his right elbow.

Brown, who was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, will play light catch today at Dodger Stadium, Manager Jim Tracy said.

He is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday under the supervision of Dave Wallace, the team’s vice president of baseball operations.

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Guillermo Mota, brought up from triple-A Las Vegas to fill Brown’s roster spot, struck out two and walked one in one inning in his first appearance for the Dodgers.

Mota was acquired from the Montreal Expos on March 23 in a four-player trade that sent pitcher Matt Herges to Montreal.

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Padre Manager Bruce Bochy was ejected by plate umpire Mike Winters in the first inning after Nevin was thrown out trying to score on a two-out single to right field by Ray Lankford.

Dodger catcher Chad Kreuter moved to the right of home plate to catch Shawn Green’s throw from the outfield and dove to apply a tag.

Replays appeared to show that Nevin beat the tag.

Bochy retired to the clubhouse.

“This game gets frustrating, we thought he was safe,” Bochy said, “but it gave me a chance to listen to Vin Scully.”

Dodger reliever Jesse Orosco, who turned 45 Sunday, did not pitch but was planning to celebrate with his family at Disneyland after the game.

“My kids told me that’s where they want to take me,” Orosco said.

“My daughter said she’s going to go on Space Mountain and the Matterhorn.”

Will Orosco join her?

“We’ll see how it goes,” he said.

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Nevin reached 100 home runs for the Padres faster than any player in club history.

Nevin achieved the feat in 439 games, eclipsing Ken Caminiti, who did it in 468 games.