Season Saver

As I predicted, David Wells rose to the occasion of a big game with his career and the Dodgers’ season on the line. His wheels hit in the fifth could literally be the thing that turns this team around. I don’t know that Wells will be much more than a .500 pitcher for the Dodgers the rest of the way through, but the novelty of him will work for a little while.

Besides, .500 is a whole lot better than what Tomko was giving us.

Tomko compiled a 2-11 record between starting and relieving. His record as a starter was better than as a reliever: his only wins came as a starter, while he lost three additional games by giving up the winning run in relief. In Tomko’s 15 starts with the Dodgers, he was 2-8, but the team was 5-10. Since the All-Star Break, the Dodgers won only two of Tomko’s starts. His ERA hasn’t been below 4 since May 1.

Had Tomko pitched last night’s game, I have no doubt the Dodgers never would have recovered from the 2-1 deficit. I can’t see Tomko picking off a runner from second, and I can’t see him doing anything as brash as laying down a bunt and beating it out. Another loss last night would have dropped the team behind Colorado, given them a 2-4 road trip, and we’d all be pointing fingers at Matt Kemp’s baserunning stupidity. David Wells isn’t a long-term answer, but he is better than the alternatives we had before. I look for him to get up for another big game against his former mates in LaJolla on Friday.

Now if only we can get rid of Hernandez, we might have a shot at this thing.