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A Rough Road for Bradley?

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Times Staff Writer

Milton Bradley’s teammates Thursday expressed concern about the treatment the suspended outfielder might receive in the National League playoffs after his latest anger-management incident.

“Everyone knows how much Milton cares about this team and helping us win, and that’s why we’re going to always be there to support him,” closer Eric Gagne said. “But you know it’s not going to be that way on the road. That’s when Milton has to be careful.

“He’s really worked on it this year and he’s learned a lot. He hasn’t gotten into anything when [other teams’] fans have gotten on him and he’s got to remember to keep doing that now. He’s such a big part of this team and we need him. We really need him now.”

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The Dodgers have again rallied around Bradley after Major League Baseball prohibited him from playing in their final five games because he threw back a beer bottle into the stands and directed an expletive-laced tirade at fans Tuesday during a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Bradley also took off his cap and jersey while walking in from right field after having been ejected, and he argued with fans behind the Dodger dugout before leaving the field. He has been ejected four times and suspended nine games in his first season with the Dodgers.

In addition to hecklers on the road, Bradley also might continue to encounter problems with umpires. Bradley has had numerous run-ins with umpires since he was in the minor leagues.

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The Dodgers might turn to Odalis Perez to pitch the final regular-season game Sunday on three days’ rest if a playoff berth is at stake for them, Manager Jim Tracy said. Kazuhisa Ishii is currently scheduled to start Sunday.

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Gagne pitched one inning and gave up a run, a day after having been diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis. The Dodgers would prefer to limit Gagne to one-inning appearances.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- San Francisco Giants, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- FSN West 2 tonight, Channel 11 on Saturday, Channel 13 on Sunday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 92-67, Giants 89-70.

Record vs. Giants -- 9-7.

Tonight, 7 -- Jeff Weaver (13-12, 4.01 ERA) vs. Kirk Rueter (8-12, 4.81).

Saturday, 1 p.m. -- Edwin Jackson (2-1, 6.75) vs. Brett Tomko (11-7, 4.19).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Kazuhisa Ishii (13-7, 4.69) vs. Jason Schmidt (17-7, 3.29).

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