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Dodgers call Schumaker to mound again

Veteran infielder delivers second scoreless inning this season

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers needed second baseman Skip Schumaker to pitch again on Friday night, his third career appearance and second in two months.

With the Dodgers trailing the Phillies, 16-1, Schumaker took the mound for the ninth inning to preserve an already-taxed bullpen. The Dodgers had used three relievers over 4 1/3 innings because starter Chris Capuano couldn't make it out of the fourth. The club also needed three relievers on Thursday.

"You really don't want to do it," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "It's one of those times where you have to save your 'pen."

Schumaker retired the first two batters he faced, Domonic Brown and Delmon Young. He then walked John Mayberry Jr., allowed a double to Ben Revere and walked Carlos Ruiz to load the bases. Schumaker struck out pinch-hitter Humberto Quintero to complete his second scoreless inning this season.

"I was just trying to get out of that inning as soon as I can, without having to use anybody else and not get anybody hurt, including myself, because it's really close to the plate," said Schumaker, who pitched in college.

Schumaker nearly hit Mayberry with a pitch, though, as a fastball got away and ran up and in on the Phillies outfielder. Fortunately, Mayberry got out of the way.

"The No. 1 thing I don't want to do is go up and in and get anybody hurt, or even throw inside," said Schumaker, who was visibly upset with himself for the miscue and threw his hands in the air in disgust after making the pitch. "I feel bad about it, and I'm just glad that I didn't hit him. It's uncalled for. I still should be throwing the ball down."

Schumaker also pitched a scoreless ninth against the Rockies April 29 at Dodger Stadium, when the Dodgers trailed, 12-2.

Austin Laymance is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
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