Perez Hurt; Jackson May Get the Call

SAN DIEGO —  Rookie Edwin Jackson might rejoin the rotation for the final regular-season series against San Francisco because of Odalis Perez’s fingernail problem.

Perez lasted only one inning in Monday’s 9-5 loss to the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium, giving up five hits -- including Phil Nevin’s three-run home run -- and four runs.

The left-hander’s fingernail appeared to be the focus of conversation during a lengthy mound conference that included Manager Jim Tracy, pitching coach Jim Colborn and trainer Matt Wilson.

Jackson gave up three runs and six hits in three innings after relieving Perez in the second. The 20-year-old right-hander could take Perez’s final scheduled turn Saturday during a doubleheader at Pacific Bell Park.

Jackson pitched seven strong innings while filling in for Perez in last Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Arizona, and he’s eager to help again if needed.

“I’m just here to do whatever the team needs me to do, but I’m always ready to take the ball,” said Jackson, 1-1 with a 3.38 earned-run average. “I love being out there and challenging guys; that’s what it’s all about.

“I’m not saying it’s easy, because it’s definitely not easy. I know I still have a lot of stuff to work on and learn, and that’s what I’m doing now. But I still want to [pitch] every chance I can get.”

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San Francisco Manager Felipe Alou plans to rest the NL West champions’ everyday players in two of the four games against the Dodgers.

That, of course, means fewer times for the Dodgers to face Barry Bonds.

“Does that help us? Well, it sure doesn’t hurt,” center fielder Dave Roberts said. “When you don’t see No. 25 in the lineup, that’s definitely a good thing.”

Said Tracy: “Barry Bonds forces you to make decisions that in any other circumstance you don’t even consider. His presence alone in a lineup completely changes the approach.”

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Another continuance was granted Monday in the case of reliever Guillermo Mota, who faces misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or higher.

A pre-trial conference has been scheduled Oct. 22. At that conference, a trial date or another pre-trial conference will be scheduled, according to a spokesman for the Glendale branch of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. Mota was arrested April 21 after allegedly speeding on the Ventura Freeway.