By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 04/18/12 8:59 PM ET
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MILWAUKEE — Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he’s confident that closer Javy Guerra has the confidence needed to rebound from blown saves like the one he suffered Tuesday night, his first of the season after converting five saves.
Guerra allowed a two-run walk-off double to pinch-hitter George Kottaras with one out as Milwaukee rallied in the bottom of the ninth for a 5-4 win.
“I guess it’s the personality,” Mattingly said. “He’s a carefree guy, he gets on the mound and he lets it go. He’ll be mad about the game last night, then it’s over.”
Guerra blew only two of his 23 save opportunities last year after inheriting the closer job from the injured Jonathan Broxton. Although Kenley Jansen has dominating strikeout totals, Mattingly has insisted that the more seasoned Guerra remains his closer, with Jansen setting up in the eighth inning.
“The ninth inning is always nerve-wracking,” said Mattingly. “But Javy doesn’t get rattled. Last night, he just didn’t get the pitch where he wanted. But a one-run lead in the ninth inning? I’ll take that situation every day.”
MILWAUKEE — With Thursday’s getaway game starting at 12:10 p.m. CT, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he wrestled with the lineup he produced for Wednesday night’s game against the Brewers.
Mattingly sat his two Juans, left fielder Juan Rivera and third baseman Juan Uribe. Tony Gwynn started in left and Jerry Hairston started at third base, with shortstop Dee Gordon giving the Dodgers three sons of former Major Leaguers in their starting lineup.
Mattingly said he wanted to rest Rivera and Uribe one of the last two games.
“Most of the time, it’s pretty clear-cut, but Uribe hits [Wednesday night starter Zack Greinke] pretty good,” he said. “I know Rivera, when he plays five, six, seven games in a row, he gets worn down, so I’ll try to give him a breather with favorable matchups.”
Rivera was 0-for-6 against Greinke, Uribe 5-for-18, Gwynn 3-for-4 and Hairston 4-for-7 entering Wednesday.
Mattingly said he will probably start catcher Matt Treanor Thursday for A.J. Ellis.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
