Dodgers Sunk by Brazoban

Steve Howe always was tough to pin down. The self-destructive left-handed Dodger pitcher is proving an elusive target for closer Yhency Brazoban.

Howe, whose career was plagued by drug problems, holds the record for saves by a Dodger rookie, with 17 in 1980. Brazoban has been stuck on 16 for more than two weeks, mainly because his team rarely takes a lead into the late innings.

That changed Tuesday night, but this time Brazoban blew an opportunity in an eye blink, giving up a triple and a home run on consecutive pitches to hand the Philadelphia Phillies a 5-4 victory in 10 innings at Citizens Bank Park.

Although he began the season as a competent replacement for injured closer Eric Gagne, Brazoban’s failures are becoming increasingly common because he rarely throws anything but a fastball.

Sure, it’s a 97-mph fastball, but batters such as veteran Pat Burrell, who tripled off the right-field wall, and rookie Ryan Howard, who homered to left-center, are waiting for it.

Brazoban (2-5) has blown four saves, and his earned-run average has soared to 6.03. He gave up a three-run home run to Michael Tucker in a 4-1 loss to San Francisco on Sunday.

Dodger pitching coach Jim Colborn made light of Brazoban’s lack of an off-speed pitch, saying in jest that he is developing a changeup, a sidearm curve and a three-quarter-arm splitter.

Nobody in the clubhouse was laughing, however.

Brazoban left without talking to reporters. Dodger catcher Jason Phillips said teams are adjusting to his stuff.

“Look around baseball,” Phillips said, noting that the best closers use off-speed pitches. “Mariano Rivera never throws anything straight. Gagne’s best pitch is a changeup.”

Phillie closer Billy Wagner (3-1) is another example. He throws in the high 90s but throws as many sliders as fastballs. He lacked command in the 10th, his second inning of work, when he walked Jayson Werth with the bases loaded, but got out of the jam by retiring Jason Repko on a comebacker.

All indications suggest that the Dodgers (41-52) will remain patient with Brazoban, who was converted from the outfield in 2002.

Colborn was serious in addressing the topic.

“I don’t think it’s time to panic with him,” he said. “I judge his intensity and aggressiveness. These are miraculous intangibles he has for his age.

“[Young pitchers] have success, the league counterpunches and they adjust. My recommendation is that when we get the lead tomorrow, he’ll be in there.”

The way the Dodgers are going, another save opportunity would be an upset.

They came upon this one because starter Brad Penny settled down after giving up runs in the first and second innings. He struck out a season-high eight in seven innings, leaving with the score tied, 3-3.

Oscar Robles continued his torrid hitting, leading off the game with his first major league home run and hitting a double. The bottom of the order produced two runs in the fourth, but the Dodgers stranded 10 runners.

The Phillies (49-45) also left 10, including three in the eighth against Steve Schmoll, who gave up a leadoff double to Bobby Abreu, and hit David Bell and Mike Lieberthal, yet survived the inning.

“We did everything we could do to win, everything,” Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said. “We didn’t capitalize on opportunities we had early in the game. Add them up.

“Look back at our losses. This was somewhat of a replay.”

Others were less definitive.

“I look at karma,” Phillips said. “Guys on other clubs make mistakes and win games. We make mistakes and lose. I don’t understand that.”

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Fame over

Yhency Brazoban has struggled since taking over as closer when Eric Gagne was injured June 12:

*--* Month IP H ER BB SO W-L SV BS ERA June 13-30 5.2 7 5 3 1 0-1 4 1 7.95 July 4.1 9 9 2 1 0-3 1 1 18.71 Totals 10 16 14 5 2 0-4 5 2 12.60

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