Dodgers calling on 51s call-ups

Nick Christensen

Monday, July 18, 2005 | 9:24 a.m.

LOS ANGELES - Sometimes, players linger for years at Triple-A, waiting for September to roll around so they can sit and watch in the major leagues.

And then there are seasons like this year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, when seemingly nobody has been safe from injury and a Triple-A ballclub has been thrown to the fire against major league competition.

So far this year, 18 Dodgers have gone on the disabled list, prompting call-ups to a degree that few had ever seen. At times, five rookies have started for the Dodgers. Some games have ended with six on the field.

Predictably, the team has struggled. The Dodgers are 10 games under .500, going 11-17 in May and 11-16 in June.

To say this isn't the same team that started the year 12-2 is no joke. Just two players from the Dodgers' opening day starting lineup started last Friday's game. That number was up to five on Sunday, but still a low count. Meanwhile, three Dodgers, including two from that opening day lineup, are rehabbing with Las Vegas.

"It's kind of funny seeing everybody because we're all down here," utilityman Mike Edwards said. "People from Vegas keep popping up here. It's comforted us a little bit, knowing there are a couple guys in the same situation."

Edwards was called up on May 4 after Jose Valentin suffered torn ligaments in his knee. So far this season, he's had 138 at-bats, his .283 batting average eighth-best among National League rookies.

"It was definitely a surprise," Edwards said of his call-up. "I wasn't quite sure how it was going to play out. I got my feet wet and since then I've come off the bench for a little while ... the past two weeks I've played quite a bit. It's going well."

Edwards is hitting .298 over his last 33 games. He got his first major league home run on July 1.

"Obviously you want to take advantage of any kind of opportunity you get, especially not knowing my situation, not knowing how it's going to end up," he said. "Getting going makes you feel comfortable. I'm pleasantly surprised."

Outfielder Jason Repko hasn't had the same kind of success that Edwards has, but he's had 36 starts and 162 at-bats.

"I started out the season great, hit some skids here and there - you do it in the minor leagues as well," he said. "It took me a little longer than I wanted to, and things are just starting to turn around now. But it's basically the same thing."

The biggest adjustment Repko's had to make has been accepting a bench role after being an everyday player as a big-time prospect for so many years in the minor leagues.

"I was learning how to play (while) not playing every day," he said. "That's a good asset to have in my game. I'm not saying I have a grasp for it yet, but I have an idea and I know how to prepare myself. I think that's going to be a big key later on."

Rookies Antonio Perez and Oscar Robles have also been pleasant surprises for the Dodgers, batting .321 and .343, respectively.

Perez played for the 51s last season, becoming the first 20-home run, 20-stolen base player in team history. He went on the disabled list five days into the 2005 season, and spent the first half of May with the 51s.

Originally expected to back up Valentin at third, Perez became the everyday third baseman when Valentin was injured.

Robles was purchased from Triple-A Mexico City, where he was hitting .390 for the independent league team.

Despite their individual successes, though, the Dodgers have had a hard time putting it all together for a win.

Part of the blame falls on starting pitching, which at times has struggled to give the young Dodgers defensive support. And part of that falls on the inexperienced players themselves as they collectively feel their way through their first major league seasons.

"You have to stay positive," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. "I think there needs to be a genuine understanding that you have to be consistent on the mound, right from the get-go. We have to give these kids a chance to be in a game situation."

The Dodgers finally won one of those game situations, in Saturday's come-from-behind rally against the San Francisco Giants.

While it was veterans like Cesar Izturis, Jeff Kent, and Jason Phillips driving the ninth-inning comeback, Repko's 2-for-3, two-RBI afternoon was good news for Mike Edwards, who went 2-for-4 with a run batting two spots before Repko in the lineup. Robles finished 2-for-4.