Ishii’s Strong Start Is Welcome Change

The Dodgers said the development of Kazuhisa Ishii’s changeup has been the key to the starter’s strong start.

Ishii, scheduled to start tonight against Florida, relied heavily on his changeup while posting a 4-1 record with a 3.98 earned-run average in his first five outings. His command of the pitch improved while working last season with pitching coach Jim Colborn.

“I’ve been able to add that to my repertoire, and I think that’s helped me a lot,” Ishii said through a translator.

“I’m finally at a point where I’m really comfortable with it. I would like to make it so I can throw my changeup and curve consistently, so I can get a strike whenever I want.”

Ishii’s work ethic has helped, Colborn said.

“The good thing about him is that he’s malleable” Colborn said. “He can change what he does and learn things.”

The effectiveness of Ishii’s changeup has impressed his batterymate.

“It’s helping him out big time,” catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “It’s really been good for him against right-handed batters, and getting right-handed batters out has been a problem for Kaz sometimes.

“He didn’t have that kind of a pitch that goes away from a right-handed batter, everything was coming in, so this is great for him. It’s a good pitch. He can throw it for strikes and he feels confident in it.”

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Left fielder and leadoff batter Dave Roberts sat out Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Florida after suffering a strained right hamstring Tuesday in the series opener.

Although Roberts said the pain had subsided, the Dodgers proceeded cautiously because he was limited to 107 games in 2003 by hamstring problems. Roberts, listed as day to day, said it was doubtful he would play tonight in the final game of the series.

“It’s not as tender right now and the mobility is good, so hopefully it’s just a couple of days,” he said. “The flexibility is good, it’s just kind of sore behind my knee, so we’ll take a couple of days of inactivity to make sure I’m right.”

Jason Grabowski replaced Roberts in left field and atop the order, going one for four.

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Rookie reliever Duaner Sanchez is inspiring confidence with every outing, solidifying his position in the bullpen rotation.

Sanchez (1-0) escaped a jam in Tuesday’s 4-3, 11-inning victory, working 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the second victory of his major league career. He has a 2.51 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

“Duaner Sanchez continues to become more and more interesting,” Manager Jim Tracy said, “each and every time we put him out there.”