Dodgers need to make some noise

MILWAUKEE —  Two days, and the silence is already deafening.

Two days into the Dodgers season, and we’re still waiting for someone to throw out the ceremonial first laugh, the ceremonial first shout, the ceremonial first hug.

Goodness, we’re just waiting for someone to turn on the music.

The Dodgers’ 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers here Tuesday night ensured that, for the first two days of the 2007 season, the Dodgers clubhouse has been eerily silent.

By Grady Little’s decree, there is no music before games. By baseball tradition, there is no music after losses. In this year’s Dodgers veteran culture, there is little loud talk or horseplay or howls.

Hanging out in the giant Miller Park visiting clubhouse this week has been like hanging out in a nicely appointed bus station after midnight. It is empty and morose except for the oddly dressed men who occasionally wander through, their faces in scowls, their voices in whispers.

“C’mon, there’s no panic in here, we’ve got a long way to go,” said Luis Gonzalez.

No panic necessary. But questions are arising. And answers have been difficult.

The first question Tuesday concerned Randy Wolf and his surgically repaired left elbow, both making their first start for his beloved hometown team, the beginning of an $8.5-million journey.

The question was, how does his tank work? How quickly does he run low?

In his last four starts for the Philadelphia Phillies last season, he averaged 73 pitches per start.

After the fifth inning Tuesday, Wolf had thrown 69 pitches and was leading, 3-2, and he was coming to the plate with one out and runners on first and second base.

With two Dodgers starters in the bullpen -- Chad Billingsley and Brett Tomko -- it seemed clearly time to remove Wolf for a pinch hitter.

“No,” said an emphatic Little later.

Wolf stayed in the game, and three batters into the sixth inning, the Dodgers were cooked. He allowed an infield single to Johnny Estrada, and a two-run homer to Kevin Mench, and the one-run edge was more than enough for the strong Brewers bullpen.

The difference between 69 pitches and 93 pitches for Wolf, it turns out, was the difference between a win and a loss.

“I cost us the game, it was a tough one to swallow,” said Wolf.

Even more so for Little, who has been adamant that his starters go deep to protect a bullpen that will have to win games for them in September.

“We’ve been trying for pitchers to go past five innings,” he said. “That’s the only way we’re going to achieve this.”

Another question is arising about Gonzalez. The poor left fielder has been a Dodger all of two days and he has been swarmed by reporters twice and he still hasn’t gotten a base hit.

“You guys are brutal,” he said with a smile.

The 39-year-old is one of the most decent, stand-up guys in the sport. But for two days, he has also been one of the most lost.

On Monday after the season opener, he was asked about a two-run double by Geoff Jenkins that sailed over his head.

On Tuesday, he was asked about a second-inning leadoff double by Estrada that sailed past his glove, leading to the Brewers’ first run. He was also asked about a late throw to second base one inning later, allowing Bill Hall to turn a single into a double.

About the Estrada hit: “I just couldn’t get to it.”

About the Hall double: “He’s a fast guy, he just beat me there, I’ve just got to get it and get it in.”

Gonzalez shook his head and almost frowned.

“You guys have all seen me, you know who I am,” he said. “I’ve played long enough, what you see is what you get, I’m not 21.”

The next question involving Gonzalez may be aimed for Little, who is trying to get right-handed hitting Matt Kemp some plate appearances early in the season.

Would Little consider subbing Kemp for Gonzalez instead of Andre Ethier, which is what happened Tuesday?

At least Kemp is hitting the ball hard, something that is also eluding Gonzalez.

“I can’t wait until you guys come over here and talk to me after I actually get a hit,” he said.

After two games, new Dodgers outfielders Gonzalez and Juan Pierre have gone hitless in 15 at-bats, while new Dodgers pitcher Wolf is 0-1.

Which brings us to the other new veteran, Jason Schmidt, who will face Jeff Suppan tonight in a game that suddenly reeks of particular importance to the Dodgers psyche.

“We think we’re going to stomp on somebody,” Little said hopefully.

Schmidt signed a three-year, $47-million contract specifically for nights like this. He may no longer be an ace, but he can still throw hard enough to be a stopper, if not a stomper.

Whatever he does, these Dodgers need this weird start ended, and fast.

In the meantime, if you really want to experience quiet, find out where Ned Colletti is sitting.

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Bill Plaschke can be reached at bill.plaschke@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Plaschke, go to latimes.com/plaschke.