from LA daily news
from LA daily news
Published: Thursday, August 1, 2002
Dodgers' Perez ready to pitch
By Brian Dohn
Staff Writer
CINCINNATI -- Odalis Perez got away from pitching for 10 days. He spent four days at his home in the Dominican Republic, where he saw his newborn son, Odalis Jr., for the first time.
But the time away was given not for that but to allow Perez, who is 1-4 with a 7.31 ERA in his last five starts, time to refresh his mind for the final two months of the season. Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn concurred that Perez seemed mentally fatigued. Lapses in concentration were evident.
So there is little question Tracy is a bit curious to see how his All-Star left-hander reacts to the rest his mind and body received. And by the time your Danishes and muffins are gone, Tracy should know, since Perez starts today's series finale (9:30 a.m. PDT) against the Reds.
"I'd like to see him be very consistent and focused," Tracy said. "I think if he does that, we're going to see the Odalis Perez we saw much of April, May and June. I think if there's anything that left Odalis, it's his concentration and focus maybe have slipped a little bit.
"His stuff is still very, very good. He would be a big boost to us in this final two months of the season if he returns to that form."
Perez, who threw one bullpen session in the Dominican Republic and one upon rejoining the club Tuesday, hasn't started since he allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings July 22 in San Diego.
Perez has already pitched a career-high 144 1/3 innings and made a career-best 21 starts, but he said that isn't a concern.
"I feel fine," Perez said. "I went to the Dominican and didn't think baseball for three or four days. My mind is fresh; now I know I have to take care of business."
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the other few times Perez had extra days rest this season,
he did have his concentration and pitched very well.
I'd take the under (both pitchers are better in day this season. but will be hot/sticky today)--if both teams weren't batting so well......
what's the play on this game?? :shrug:
