Winning’s the Balm to Them

One has a record barely above .500 and the other is closer to 20 losses than to 20 wins, but hard-luck pitchers Odalis Perez and Jeff Weaver insist membership on the first-place Dodgers is reward enough for their consistent performances.

“If we were in the cellar it would probably be a little frustrating,” said Weaver, saddled with the defeat Sunday at Dodger Stadium after giving up two runs in seven innings of a 3-0 loss to the San Diego Padres. “But we’re winning games, we’re still in first and you know you’re contributing to help that cause.”

Weaver (7-10) has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts, pitching at least six innings in seven of them.

“I can’t remember the last time he hasn’t given us a quality start,” left fielder Dave Roberts said. “Unfortunately, he’s been the tough-luck pitcher. Time after time he throws great innings and has great starts, but runs are tough to come by when he’s on the mound.”

The Dodgers are averaging fewer than four runs in Weaver’s 21 starts, scoring two runs or fewer nine times.

Perez (4-3), whose 2.81 earned-run average is the lowest among Dodger starters, has no-decisions in six games in which he has pitched at least seven innings and given up two earned runs or fewer. Perez said he is OK with having a mediocre record as long as the Dodgers make their first playoff appearance in eight years.

“If I can go out there 32 starts and give the team at least 25 times an opportunity to win, I’m fine with that, even if I don’t have a winning record,” Perez said Thursday after receiving a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies despite seven superb innings.

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Roberts was available only to pinch-run Sunday after straining the back of his neck Saturday in the batting cage. He is day to day.... Hideo Nomo, recovering from inflammation in his right rotator cuff, threw all of his pitches during a 41-pitch bullpen session and is scheduled to throw again Tuesday.... Dodger co-owner Jamie McCourt, still plagued by a bacterial infection that has rendered her blind in her right eye, returned to Dodger Stadium for the series against the Padres wearing sunglasses. It marked her first appearance at the stadium in a month.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Colorado Rockies, four games.

Site -- Coors Field.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2, all four games.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 57-40, Rockies 42-56.

Record vs. Rockies -- 4-4.

Tonight, 6 -- Kazuhisa Ishii (11-5, 4.31) vs. Shawn Estes (10-4, 5.56).

Tuesday, 6 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (4-3, 2.81) vs. Aaron Cook (4-4, 4.71).

Wednesday, 6 p.m. -- Jose Lima (9-3, 4.08) vs. Jeff Fassero (2-6, 4.83).

Thursday, noon -- Wilson Alvarez (5-3, 3.40) vs. Jamey Wright (1-0, 1.80).