There’s No Saving Ishii in Wild Outing

Dodger pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, citing Paul Lo Duca’s take-charge ability behind the plate, likened his catcher last week to “a goalkeeper.” Lo Duca did not have many save opportunities Saturday.

Just about every pitch Ishii threw was whacked before it could reach Lo Duca’s mitt, as a New York Yankee team featuring one regular--second baseman Alfonso Soriano--ripped Ishii for six runs and six hits in the first inning of a 10-8 exhibition victory over the Dodgers.

Ishii, who was so keyed up he threw two warm-up pitches over Lo Duca and to the backstop, narrowly missing a photographer with one, gave up consecutive home runs to Bobby Estalella, Marcus Thames and Scott Seabol.

Pitching in the Dodgers’ first televised Grapefruit League game, the Japanese left-hander also walked two and gave up three singles. Often behind in the count and up in the zone, he threw 40 pitches, 20 for strikes, before being pulled with two outs in the first.

“More than disappointment for the fans, I’m disappointed I was showing my worst,” Ishii said through an interpreter. “But I will be ready to go in my next start.... With a few adjustments, I should be OK.”

Like Kevin Brown on Friday night, Ishii had problems with the soft Holman Stadium mound. “He was fine in the bullpen, then he gets to the mound and throws two to the backstop,” pitching coach Jim Colborn said. “Pitchers are having trouble with their plant foot. We’re tending to it.”

The Dodgers may need to tend to Ishii’s nerves, too.

“He has a lot of nervous energy,” Lo Duca said. “He pitches on adrenaline and is still getting used to everything. It’s going to take a little time. He’s a polished pitcher, he’s been doing this a long time. He’s not a kid. He won’t get rattled.

“I don’t think anyone can fathom what he’s going through. He was an icon [in Japan], and there’s double pressure on him to perform here. It was like Chan Ho Park in Korea. He was like Elvis there, and it was tough for him here too.”

Manager Jim Tracy found one benefit to Ishii’s performance: “Now we get an opportunity to see how the guy rebounds.”

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Brown spent so much time talking with reliever Matt Herges in the clubhouse Saturday that Herges thought he might not make it to the stadium in time for the game. It was a worthwhile chat, though.

Herges, who gave up seven earned runs in 41/3 innings of his first five games, threw two scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out one. He worked ahead in the count, and his pitches had good life.

“He told me my job today was to throw strike one, get ahead, have a plan and execute it,” Herges said of Brown. “Worry about one pitch each time. He said I didn’t have anything to prove to anyone in this clubhouse.... That was pretty awesome. That’s a team leader right there.”

Herges admitted his mind was too cluttered with thoughts of being the Dodger closer, of his failed contract negotiations and of a cut fastball he was experimenting with but eventually canned.

“Jesse [Orosco] told me to just shut everything out and do what I’ve done the last few years,” Herges said. “This was definitely a positive step.... I felt more locked in mentally.”

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Four Dodger pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts Saturday, including four each by Robert Ellis and Orosco. Lo Duca hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning, and Jeff Reboulet also homered for the Dodgers.... Brown, who is recovering from elbow surgery, came out of Friday’s start with no health issues, and Tracy said the staff ace will pitch Tuesday against Houston.... Shawn Green is hitting .100 (two for 20) in seven spring games.