LA Dodgers (23-21) at San Francisco (22-22), 10:05 pm EDT
SAN FRANCISCO - Wilson Alvarez will make his first
start of the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday
when they continue their three-game series with the San
Francisco Giants.
Alvarez (1-1, 0.84 ERA), who has made eight relief appearances
this season, was inserted into the rotation in place of the
struggling Scott Erickson. Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy has
said that the lefthander, who pitched for San Francisco in 1997,
will be limited to about 70 pitches.
He will be opposed by righthander Brett Tomko (3-6, 4.30), who
will be trying to win for just the second time in five starts.
Tomko has faced the Dodgers twice this season, posting an 0-2
record with a 5.91 ERA.
He pitched effectively in his last start, allowing two runs and
five hits in five innings at hitter-friendly Coors Field on
Thursday, but did not get much help from his offense in a 3-1
loss to the Colorado Rockies.
The Giants are averaging just two runs in Tomko's nine starts
this season, scoring more than three runs just once.
San Francisco won its third straight game Tuesday, recording a
5-3 victory over its long-time rival in the series opener. Mike
Matheny hit a three-run homer and Edgardo Alfonzo went 3-for-3
for the Giants, who also got a solo homer from pitcher Jason
Schmidt.
Antonio Perez had two hits for Los Angeles, which has lost seven
of its last nine and is 11-19 since a 12-2 start.