Rafael Furcal hit a leadoff homer against beleaguered Oliver Perez, and the surging Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 5-1 on Monday. Perez (2-3) lost his third straight start, allowing five runs and six hits over six innings. It was his first start since Mets closer Billy Wagner's public criticism of the left-hander, who gave up a combined total of 12 runs, eight hits and nine walks against Washington and Pittsburgh in his previous two outings. Perez's woes continued in the opener of this three-game series, as the switch-hitting Furcal drove an 0-2 pitch to left-center for the 23rd leadoff homer of his career and 11th with the Dodgers. Furcal came in 4-for-19 lifetime against Perez, who had allowed only one home run over 29 innings in his previous six starts this season. (Updated 05/06/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/10/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Juan Pierre followed Furcal's homer with a single, then stole second with one out and Jeff Kent batting. The former Met hit a vicious line drive that struck Perez right in the bread basket, but the pitcher recovered in time to throw him out as Pierre took third. Russell Martin drove in Pierre with a single, and Perez retired 10 of his next 11 batters before giving up three more runs in the fifth. He recovered after a rocky first, but got little run support as he was outdueled by Chad Billingsley. Perez continues to struggle on the hill and pitching coach Rick Peterson will need to reel him back in. It appears as though Perez will be an inconsistent pitcher throughout his MLB career, but one that has the talent to be a dominant weapon. For now, he remains a No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy SP in mixed leagues. His next scheduled start is for Sunday against the Reds. (Updated 05/06/2008).
Perez allowed five runs and six hits in six innings of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Dodgers. (Updated 05/06/2008)
Advice
After starting the season 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA, Perez is 0-3 with a 8.10 ERA in his last three games. Monday's start was Perez's first outing since Mets closer Billy Wagner???s public criticism of the left-hander, who gave up a combined total of 12 runs, eight hits and nine walks against Washington and Pittsburgh in his previous two starts.
Rafael Furcal hit a leadoff homer against beleaguered Oliver Perez, and the surging Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 5-1 on Monday. Perez (2-3) lost his third straight start, allowing five runs and six hits over six innings. It was his first start since Mets closer Billy Wagner's public criticism of the left-hander, who gave up a combined total of 12 runs, eight hits and nine walks against Washington and Pittsburgh in his previous two outings. Perez's woes continued in the opener of this three-game series, as the switch-hitting Furcal drove an 0-2 pitch to left-center for the 23rd leadoff homer of his career and 11th with the Dodgers. Furcal came in 4-for-19 lifetime against Perez, who had allowed only one home run over 29 innings in his previous six starts this season. (Updated 05/06/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/10/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Juan Pierre followed Furcal's homer with a single, then stole second with one out and Jeff Kent batting. The former Met hit a vicious line drive that struck Perez right in the bread basket, but the pitcher recovered in time to throw him out as Pierre took third. Russell Martin drove in Pierre with a single, and Perez retired 10 of his next 11 batters before giving up three more runs in the fifth. He recovered after a rocky first, but got little run support as he was outdueled by Chad Billingsley. Perez continues to struggle on the hill and pitching coach Rick Peterson will need to reel him back in. It appears as though Perez will be an inconsistent pitcher throughout his MLB career, but one that has the talent to be a dominant weapon. For now, he remains a No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy SP in mixed leagues. His next scheduled start is for Sunday against the Reds. (Updated 05/06/2008).
= probable start
