Tomko again provides only muddled relief

Nothing more could have been asked of Mark Hendrickson, but his inspired five-inning effort in the Dodgers’ 5-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves Wednesday night made clear the ramifications of Brett Tomko’s poor form.

With Hendrickson indicating that he is ready to take a place in the Dodgers’ makeshift rotation by lasting as long as could be expected by someone who hadn’t started in more than a month, Tomko again faltered in his role as middle reliever.

The 56,000 fans at a sold-out Dodger Stadium anticipated the impending doom when they saw Tomko take the mound to replace Hendrickson in the sixth inning and showered him with boos. The crowd, awaiting postgame fireworks, made similar noises when Tomko departed a third of an inning later.

A 2-1 deficit became a 4-1 hole, as Tomko gave up hits to the first three batters he faced. He struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia, then walked pinch-hitter Kelly Johnson to end his night.

In the wake of the defeat, Manager Grady Little stood firmly behind Tomko.

“Everybody goes through tough times like Brett’s going through right now,” Little said. “More times than not, they get out of it and the only way they get out of it is getting back on that mound and having some success.

“We’re going to continue to get him some opportunities until he gets the ball rolling the way he needs it to roll. We can’t sit in the clubhouse talking about getting him going. We can’t work with him in the bullpen to get it going. He’s got to get it going by pitching and getting some success.”

Little added that Tomko’s next chance could be as a starter Sunday in place of Randy Wolf, who went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of shoulder problems.

But Little also hinted Tomko could see less time in crucial situations, saying, “Pitchers certainly dictate the times that they pitch.”

Tomko has given up seven runs and 14 hits in his last four outings, which have lasted a combined 4 2/3 innings.

The team’s fifth starter when the season commenced, his earned-run average has inflated to 6.14 and his record stands at 1-6.

Asked if he sensed a lack of confidence in Tomko, Little replied, “I don’t really sense that, I realize that for a fact.”

Tomko didn’t want to discuss his struggles before the game and wasn’t available for comment after.

On the opposite end of the spectrum on this night was Hendrickson, who blanked the Braves for four innings. Throwing 77 pitches -- his most since May 19 -- Hendrickson didn’t walk any batters and held the Braves to five hits.

“He was outstanding,” Little said. “He gave us everything we could ask for.”

The low-key Hendrickson, thrust into a starting role because of Hong-Chih Kuo’s ineffectiveness, wouldn’t speculate what a performance like this could do for him moving forward.

But he acknowledged that he pitched well, saying, “That’s probably the best my change-up’s been all year.”

The Braves got to Hendrickson in the fifth inning, when Yunel Escobar doubled to left-center to drive in pitcher Chuck James. Escobar scored on a single to center by Chipper Jones.

Hendrickson was saddled with the loss because of the Dodgers’ inability to capitalize on early chances.

Juan Pierre, who was three for four, reached third in the first inning with only one out, but Russell Martin and Jeff Kent failed to drive him in.

Rafael Furcal came to the plate with the bases loaded in the second, but struck out looking to end the inning.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com