Robles Has Some Big Shoes to Fill
For the third game in a row, reserve infielder Oscar Robles started at shortstop in place of an ailing Cesar Izturis.
But Sunday marked the first time Robles was starting in place of an All-Star, what with Izturis being named a reserve on Sunday for the midsummer classic, which will be played in Detroit on July 12.
“It’s very tough because I know that Cesar is one of the best shortstops in the major leagues,” Robles said. “I’m trying to replace Cesar the best way I can.”
Manager Jim Tracy said Robles, whose contract was purchased from the Mexico City Red Devils, has been a “steady” presence in the middle of the infield.
“He doesn’t have quite the range as the other guy [Izturis], but he can handle the position. He’s filled in very well. He’s not the fastest of foot.
“He’s the prototypical infielder I managed in the winter of 1993 in Mexico. He’s similar to a Juan Castro but he doesn’t have the pop.”
Robles batted .333 in June and was four for his first 10 in July, though he does not have any delusions of grandeur for himself.
“I understand the situation,” Robles said. “I respect the decision of the manager. He has to go with the best players. I’m just working hard every day, trying to do the best I can to help the team win.”
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Izturis is doubtful to play tonight because of his strained right hamstring.
“[Sunday] was not a good day for the leg,” Izturis said. “It hurt a little.”
Tracy said that if Izturis’ condition did not improve by next week, he would discourage his shortstop from playing in the All-Star game.
“If he blows out that hamstring in the All-Star game and we lose him for two months, we’re not serving our situation well at all,” Tracy said.
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A day later, and after watching replays, reliever Duaner Sanchez had no argument with his being called for a pivotal balk in the eighth inning that gave Arizona a two-run cushion on Saturday afternoon.
“It was. The whole thing is they don’t call it before, and they decided to call it this time,” Sanchez said of his left foot breaking the plane of his right knee on a fake pickoff attempt.
So, Sanchez knows not to do it again, right?
“I’ll do it,” he said. “I’ll do it another way.”
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Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, on the disabled list since May 31 because of a sore pitching shoulder, threw 23 pitches to hitters and will join triple-A Las Vegas at Fresno to pitch an inning on Tuesday and another inning-plus Thursday.
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ON DECK
Opponent -- Colorado Rockies, four games.
Site -- Coors Field.
TV -- Channel 13 today, FSN West 2 Tuesday through Thursday.
Radio -- 980, 1330.
Records -- Dodgers 38-43, Rockies 28-52.
Record vs. Rockies -- 4-2.
Tonight, 5 PDT -- Jeff Weaver (7-7, 4.51) vs. Byung-Hyun Kim (2-7, 6.04).
Tuesday, 6 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (4-4, 4.50) vs. Jeff Francis (7-5, 5.01).
Wednesday, 6 p.m. -- Brad Penny (4-5, 3.49) vs. Joe Kennedy (4-8, 6.93).
Thursday, noon -- Derek Lowe (5-9, 3.96) vs. Jamey Wright (5-8, 5.14).