Rookies Playing Like ... Rookies

The heady days of April have given way to difficult times for several Dodger rookies as the calendar has turned and opponents have made adjustments.

Outfielder Jason Repko had three home runs and was batting .308 on April 18. Since then, he is four for 34 with one home run, dropping his average to .200. Repko has continued to play solid defense, but pitchers have thrown him more outside breaking balls.

Relief pitchers Steve Schmoll and D.J. Houlton also have hit rough waters.

Schmoll, who split last season between Class A and double A, had eight consecutive scoreless appearances from April 8-27. But since then, he has given up seven runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Houlton, who spent last season in double A, has given up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings over his last two appearances. He made five consecutive scoreless appearances from April 10-26.

Pitching coach Jim Colborn emphasizes getting ahead in the count and “pounding the strike zone.” Sometimes Schmoll and Houlton have taken the philosophy to the extreme, however, grooving pitches.

“I haven’t been throwing in and out,” Schmoll said. “I’ve been leaving balls over the plate more than I’d like to.”

Schmoll and Repko probably will be sent to triple A when closer Eric Gagne and outfielder Jayson Werth are activated. Both rookies are in the long-range plans, however.

“Schmoll looks very much like a guy who will be pitching in the major leagues for a long time,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “Repko is a good baseball player who does a lot of things well. He has a bright future.”

Tracy is also high on Houlton, saying the right-hander eventually will be a big league starter. The Dodgers want to keep him on the roster all season because, as a Rule 5 pick, he could be reclaimed by his former team, the Houston Astros.

A decision on Houlton probably won’t be necessary until pitcher Elmer Dessens is ready for activation from the disabled list, which might not be for another month or more. Dessens played catch Monday for the first time since he went on the DL for a shoulder spur April 20.

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