Dodgers Stuck in a Time Lapse

The trading deadline can turn time into taffy. Ned Colletti, general manager of the rapidly disintegrating Dodgers, has a lot to chew on between now and July 31.

“I have to believe players will become available that aren’t available now,” he said. “Two weeks out are like two months out. As the deadline approaches, an hour is like a day and minutes are like hours.”

Watching the Dodgers lately makes seconds seem like eons. They’ve been that tough on the eyes.

There were no errors on the scoreboard but numerous mistakes in an 8-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night at Chase Field that pushed the Dodgers below .500 for the first time since May 13 and into a tie for third place in the National League West, 3 1/2 games behind first-place San Diego.

Outfielders made wild throws and took warped routes on fly balls. Infielders couldn’t quite get to ground balls. A pitcher forgot to cover first base. And the opposing pitcher, Enrique Gonzalez, had three hits and two runs batted in.

The Dodger who showed the most fire was the first base coach. Mariano Duncan was ejected for no apparent reason in the first inning, then exploded because he felt the umpires showed him no respect when he sought an explanation.

The Dodgers thought Chad Tracy swung at a pitch for strike three. Plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt checked with third base umpire Angel Hernandez, who ruled that Tracy checked his swing. Duncan said he merely motioned with his arms, simulating a swing.

Peering into the first base dugout all the way from behind third base, Hernandez informed Manager Grady Little that Duncan was kicked out. Duncan dashed across the diamond -- for an explanation, he said -- and was intercepted by second base umpire Randy Marsh, who Duncan said used vulgarity.

“Marsh told me to get the ... off the field,” Duncan said.

Duncan tossed his cap toward Hernandez, who picked it up, walked to the first row and flipped it to a fan. Bench coach Dave Jauss took over coaching first.

“He took property of the Dodgers and threw it in the stands,” Duncan said. “He’ll have to find a way to get back that cap or pay for it.”

None of the umpires would comment.

Extracurricular activity has been a staple of recent games between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. Fortunately for both managers, there was no retaliation for the multiple players hit by pitches when the teams met at Dodger Stadium two weeks ago. J.D. Drew was hit in the knee by a pitch in the first inning but it clearly wasn’t intentional.

“It seems to get a little exciting out there, doesn’t it?” Dodgers pitcher Aaron Sele said.

The normally reliable Sele (6-3) had his second poor outing in 12 starts, giving up nine hits and five runs while lasting two batters into the sixth inning. The game got away later in the inning when Joe Beimel gave up a three-run home run to Eric Byrnes two batters after failing to cover first on a ground ball to Nomar Garciaparra.

Whatever malaise the Dodgers contracted during the St. Louis Cardinals’ four-game sweep wasn’t flushed out by the dry desert heat.

“We’ve got a much better ballclub than we are showing,” Little said. “Right now, we have to play a perfect game to win.”

Meanwhile, Colletti’s sense of urgency is increasing. He’s been chasing starting pitching. Now the Dodgers might need a hitter as well.

“I know who is available and at what price,” he said. “Right now, I’m not inclined to pay the price. Either the price is our top prospects or the available player is only a marginal upgrade over what we have.

“If there is a chance to improve the club, a way to make it better, we will make that move.”