Erickson’s Down to His Last Strike

Right-hander Scott Erickson seems to have left his best stuff in a Y2K shelter with the canned goods and distilled water. Since 2000 he is 12-28 with a 6.50 earned-run average in 311 1/3 innings.

And he might be facing his last chance with the Dodgers.

After giving up three home runs and seven runs in 4 2/3 innings Tuesday, he has a 7.26 ERA in 31 innings and has surrendered nine home runs and struck out only five.

Erickson, 37, blamed the Dodger defense for some of his problems, but Manager Jim Tracy wouldn’t hear of it.

“There were a couple balls that left the building, and it’s hard to make those plays,” Tracy said.

Erickson will start Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, but there are no promises after that. A fifth starter won’t be needed again until May 28. Left-hander Wilson Alvarez is a candidate, as is 14-year veteran Pat Mahomes, who has a 2.41 ERA in five starts at triple-A Las Vegas.

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The Dodgers probably won’t make a decision on whether to trade for disgruntled Philadelphia Phillies’ infielder Placido Polanco until Antonio Perez has been given a look at third base, sources said Wednesday.

Concern by the Dodgers that Polanco could be dealt elsewhere has diminished because the Phillies aren’t inclined to move him while first baseman Jim Thome is on the disabled list. Second baseman Chase Utley played first Tuesday and the versatile Polanco gives the Phillies options at several positions.

Polanco, a .295 lifetime hitter who is very close to Dodger coach Manny Mota, was nearly traded to the Chicago Cubs two weeks ago. General Manager Paul DePodesta has not called the Phillies, but the Dodgers know of Polanco’s availability and have gauged what it would take to acquire him.

DePodesta planned to pursue Polanco during the off-season had he become a free agent, but the seven-year veteran surprised the Phillies by accepting arbitration and agreed to a one-year, $4.6-million contract.

Acquiring him to fill the hole at third probably would take giving up prospects from the talent-rich Dodger farm system.

Perez will complete his triple-A rehabilitation assignment Tuesday and is expected to get the bulk of playing time at third once he rejoins the Dodgers.

His best position is second base, and if he does not acclimate well at third, the Dodgers and Phillies could be talking.

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Eric Gagne will throw 30 pitches over two innings today for Las Vegas, then probably will be activated over the weekend. The Dodgers would like to activate him Friday and have him immediately serve the two-day suspension levied after he violated rules by being in the dugout in uniform while on the disabled list. However, Gagne would have to drop his appeal.

“He has a voice in this,” Tracy said. “Can I make a suggestion? Yes. Do I get the final vote? No.”