Bradley Takes Road to Prosperity

The kinder, gentler Milton Bradley has been decidedly unfriendly to opposing pitchers. During the seven-game trip that ended Sunday, the Dodger center fielder was 13 for 30 with three home runs and eight runs batted in.

He finished with a flourish, going four for five with two doubles in an 8-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

“Milton Bradley is playing his best ball since he joined us [before the 2004 season],” Manager Jim Tracy said. “Not just his hitting, but his defense and his baserunning too.”

Bradley is batting .375 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. He ranks among National League leaders in each category.

*

Jeff Kent, Jason Phillips and Cesar Izturis are other Dodger regulars who have provided consistent offense.

Kent had two hits, a sacrifice fly and was hit by a pitch, scored two runs and drove in one. He is batting .362.

Phillips extended his hitting streak to 10 games and drove in two runs. He is batting .333 and is eight for 16 with runners in scoring position.

Izturis, who singled and scored in the first inning, is batting .333. He leads the league with 10 multihit games.

*

Jose Valentin sat out Sunday’s game, one day after being hit in the right wrist with a pitch, but he could return to the lineup as soon as tonight.

“I was kind of scared because I got hit square on the wrist,” he said. “I was thinking, ‘Man, I probably broke it.’ ”

X-rays were negative, however, and he said the bruise would not hinder his ability to throw or swing a bat.

Seven Dodger batters were hit by pitches during the three-game series. Although the Dodgers said they did not believe anyone was plunked on purpose, closer Yhency Brazoban appeared to send a message when he threw a pitch under the chin of Colorado shortstop Clint Barmes in the ninth inning.

*

Infielder Antonio Perez will begin a rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Las Vegas when his injured hamstring is healed, Tracy said. Perez cannot be optioned to the minor leagues without going through waivers, but he can have a rehab assignment of up to three weeks.

Allowing him to play in Las Vegas for close to the maximum allowable period would enable the team to delay a decision on whether to send infielder Norihiro Nakamura to the minors or reduce the pitching staff from 12 to 11.

*

ON DECK

Opponent -- Arizona Diamondbacks, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- FSN West 2.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 13-5, Diamondbacks 11-8.

Record vs. Diamondbacks -- 2-1.

Tonight, 7 -- Derek Lowe (1-1, 1.27) vs. Javier Vazquez (1-2, 7.65).

Tuesday, 7 -- Scott Erickson (1-1, 7.80) vs. Russ Ortiz (1-1, 3.75).

Wednesday, 7 -- Jeff Weaver (2-1, 6.00) vs. Brad Halsey (2-0, 2.74).

Tickets -- (866) DODGERS.