Robles Turns Into Money Well-Spent

HOUSTON —  Shortstop Oscar Robles has gone from the verge of returning home to Dodger deity in two weeks.

General Manager Paul DePodesta decided not to save $200,000 by sending Robles back to his team in the Mexican League for the playoffs in late June, instead keeping the versatile left-handed hitter.

The decision appeared prescient when Cesar Izturis went on the disabled list because of a strained hamstring. Robles is batting .439 in July and .419 since starting off one for 17 in early May.

Now Robles is racking up international telephone charges as fast as he is hits.

“My friends and my teammates in Mexico City are calling me, saying they are proud because I’m showing that a Mexican player can hit in the big leagues,” he said. “Mexican players have a reputation as being pitchers and good defensive players, but very few have shown they can hit.”

Robles had three hits Saturday against Houston Astro All-Star Roy Oswalt, one day after his nine-game hitting streak ended.

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Scott Erickson, 37, lost his spot in the starting rotation seven weeks ago and could have been released were it not for a rash of injuries to other pitchers.

Now he is establishing himself as a dependable option out of the bullpen. Manager Jim Tracy hasn’t had enough confidence in Erickson to use him in tight situations, but the day is coming.

“What I have seen of late is encouraging from the standpoint that he has spent a lot of time in the bullpen and is comfortable warming up and sitting down, which is something a starting pitcher doesn’t have to deal with,” Tracy said.

Erickson, a sinkerball specialist, has given up one run in 8 2/3 innings spanning six appearances since June 7.

Said Tracy: “Would I use him in a situation where we need to get a groundball? We are getting to that point.”

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Hip and lower-back soreness have cut into infielder Olmedo Saenz’s power output and Tracy did not start him three of the last four games. He struck out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning Saturday.

Saenz, 34, has struggled since his slugging percentage reached a season high of .670 on June 3, the day of his seventh and last home run. In 24 games since then, he is slugging .300 with four doubles in 19 hits, dropping his slugging percentage to .500.