Tracy Changes His Tune for Blowing a Big Lead

Manager Jim Tracy acknowledged Friday he apologized to the team for his mishandling of the bullpen Sept. 10 in a 5-4 loss to Arizona.

Tracy addressed the team in a closed-door meeting Sept. 12 before the start of a three-game series against San Diego, intimating he erred in not using closer Eric Gagne as the Diamondbacks scored five runs with two out in the eighth inning while overcoming a four-run deficit.

Although roundly criticized publicly by baseball analysts and privately by players, Tracy passionately defended his decisions to reporters. After reconsidering things, however, Tracy in the meeting shouldered responsibility for the loss.

“I felt like there were choices there that I could have utilized a little better than I did,” Tracy said. “That’s the bottom line.”

Some players said Tracy appeared distraught about the situation, informing them he had not slept well after the loss. Tracy also vowed not to make a similar mistake as the Dodgers continued their pursuit of the National League wild-card berth.

General Manager Dan Evans supported Tracy.

“He thought that decision was in the best interest of the club when he made it, but he may have reconsidered,” Evans said. “The important thing is that he has managed the bullpen so well over the course of the season.

“There haven’t been many times anyone could point to something because of how well Jim has handled the bullpen. Jim is someone who has a lot of integrity, and he’s honest and passionate. People are allowed to sift through their decisions and change their mind.”

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A day after declining to speak with reporters, Odalis Perez responded to criticism of his decision to skip a start because of a broken fingernail on his pitching hand.

Perez said his situation has been inaccurately portrayed in the media, insisting he wanted to start Wednesday against Arizona but would have only hurt the team because of his inability to control the ball.

The besieged left-hander also expressed frustration about his teammates’ perception of him, saying his comments have been misunderstood.

“You don’t think I want to pitch? You don’t think I want to win? I want to be out there,” said Perez, who hopes to rejoin the rotation after a bullpen session today.

“I understand what everybody thinks, but the only one who knows how I feel is me. I threw on the side and I had no control, just go ask the pitching coach. I don’t want to go out there and be leaving the ball all over the place and over the plate. I don’t want to get hit and allow nine, 10 runs. Is that going to help the team?”

Edwin Jackson pitched seven strong innings Wednesday, but the Dodger offense stalled in a 2-0 loss.

Perez earlier in the season called out Evans, Tracy and the everyday players for not doing their parts to support the pitching staff. He reiterated he was not trying to hurt anyone, but the team was sinking and he wants to win. “A lot of people weren’t smart enough to understand what I was trying to say,” he said.