Tsao’s string of perfection has many admirers

Dodgers broadcaster and former pitcher Jerry Reuss is no stranger to no-hitters, having thrown one in 1980. Nor is he a stranger to perfection, having retired 25 consecutive batters in that game.

Yet he’s not sure he’s seen anything to compare with reliever Chin-hui Tsao’s string of eight perfect innings over his last six outings.

“I just find it hard to believe that you can go out there [for] eight innings and be that consistent,” Reuss said of Tsao, who has given up only one hit and two walks in 10 2/3 innings since being recalled from the minors April 18. “It’s remarkable. Having a good appearance followed by another good appearance. Having that kind of consistency.”

In the modern era 15 starting pitchers have thrown perfect games, retiring 27 batters in a row. And Jim Barr holds the major league record for consecutive batters retired with 41. But that, too, came as a starter.

Tsao’s string is nearly as impressive as those, said bullpen teammate Rudy Seanez, because it came in relief, requiring him not only to pitch against different teams but off different mounds and in different conditions.

“Before and after the game he does his work,” Seanez said. “A guy who puts that much time and effort and work into what he does and [is] prepared, it doesn’t surprise me.”

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Right-hander Jason Schmidt played catch Friday for the first time since going on the disabled list 17 days ago, throwing 40 times from about 50 feet. But Stan Conte, the Dodgers’ director of medical services, cautioned against reading too much into that.

“It’s not anything to get too excited over,” he said. “It’s not insignificant by any stretch of the imagination. We’re moving up each day and we’re progressing each day.

“[But] how fast he will progress after this it’s hard to tell. At any point it can really take off. Or it can back up.”

Conte said it was uncertain when Schmidt, who pitched 11 innings over three starts before being sidelined because of bursitis, will throw again.

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Reliever Yhency Brazoban is also getting closer to returning to the pitching staff after working a hitless inning Thursday for triple-A Las Vegas.

The appearance was the fourth in the right-hander’s comeback from Tommy John surgery, but it was the first time he pitched in consecutive games.

Manager Grady Little said Brazoban was scheduled to pitch again Sunday. Left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo, also rehabbing with Las Vegas, was expected to pitch again soon too, after striking out seven in 2 1/3 innings Wednesday.

“After we get all these guys healthy -- which it looks like they are -- then a decision will be made as to when we think they’re ready to help us here,” Little said.

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The St. Louis Cardinals joined the Oakland Athletics in banning alcohol in their clubhouse Friday, hours after a medical examiner reported that Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock’s blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit when he died after driving his SUV into the back of a tow truck last weekend. But although Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said alcohol use is a concern, his team has no plans to follow the Cardinals’ lead.

“We review [our policy] all the time,” he said. “We’re cognizant of it. And we hold our players to be responsible for their behavior.”

The Dodgers do prohibit their minor league players from drinking alcohol in the clubhouse and on team flights and bus trips.

“We monitor it very closely,” Little said. “What we stress most around here is personal responsibility.”

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kevin.baxter@latimes.com