Despite win, Alvarez unhappy with outing

Nick Christensen

Friday, July 15, 2005 | 10:06 a.m.

WP: Alfredo Gonzalez (2-1, 4.62 ERA). LP: Edgar Gonzalez (6-4, 4.64). S: Mike Neu (1).

Probable Starters

One rehab continued to stall and another one is set to get under way in what continues to be the Season of the MASH Unit at Cashman Field.

Wilson Alvarez struggled with his control in Thursday's 7-4 51s victory against Tucson. Barring a stellar bullpen session in Los Angeles this weekend, he will need to make another rehabilitation start with the 51s this weekend.

Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley, out since May 30 with a torn ligament in his finger, will begin a rehabilitation assignment tonight. He will remain with the 51s through at least Monday, taking three at-bats tonight and Saturday and sitting out Sunday's game.

Alvarez, on the 51s roster since July 5, gave up one hit and one walk in his third appearance in 10 days. Despite striking out two Tucson batters, Alvarez needed 33 pitches to get through the first inning and sounded disappointed with his performance.

"I can't control my fastball," he said. "I'm not going to be able to get people out at the big-league level. I feel great, I can't wait to go back to the big leagues again, but I'm not going to do any good going like this."

He said he feels no pain in his left shoulder, which has failed him twice this year for two stints on the disabled list. Both times, tendinitis was the culprit that sidelined the Dodgers' 35-year-old southpaw reliever. He was most recently put on the disabled list on May 31.

"I throw harder than what I used to but I'm not happy about it," he said. "It's all mechanics. I'm going too fast to home plate and my arm can't catch up. I've got to keep going out there until I get it right."

Alvarez said he saw his fastball clocking at 90 mph, where he usually prefers to pitch in the 85-87 mph range.

51s manager Jerry Royster said Alvarez also wants to test a normal game situation, sitting out for a half-inning then resuming his outing. That hasn't been possible with Alvarez continually pushing his pitch count, usually in the 30-35 pitch range.

Alvarez said his rehabilitation from his tendinitis has largely involved weights and ice to get rid of the inflammation in his shoulder, but somehow the process altered his delivery.

"It's kind of frustrating. I feel good now but I can't throw strikes," he said. "In the big league level, if you get behind in the count you're done."

Alvarez is 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA at Triple-A this year. With the Dodgers, he was 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA in 10 games.

About 20 minutes after the game began on a stifling 113-degree evening, Eric Stults relieved Alvarez as the 51s brought nine batters to the plate in the first inning. Tucson erased Las Vegas' 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the 51s came back late, led by deep shots by Brian Myrow and Norihiro Nakamura.

Nakamura finished 2-for-4 with two runs, and Myrow finished the game 2-for-3.