Dodgers pitcher Chris Capuano frustrated by his inconsistency

DENVER – Chris Capuano’s starts this season have generally fallen in one of two categories: really good or really bad.

Capuano’s performance in the Dodgers’ 9-5 defeat by the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night was in the latter category, as the left-hander was charged with six runs (five earned) and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. His previous start was also a bad one, as he gave up seven runs (five earned) and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings. Those two starts marked the Dodgers’ only losses in their last 12 games.

But Capuano didn’t give up any runs in his two starts before that.

Capuano has no explanation for his erratic form.

“As a pitcher, when you have really good stuff it’s great,” Capuano said. “But when you’re a little off like I was tonight, it’s great if you can go six or seven and give up three runs, try to keep your team right there in a game. It’s frustrating. It’s a bad feeling as a starter to put your team in a hole like that early.”

Capuano was removed from the game with one out in the fifth inning and the Dodgers trailing, 5-2. Brandon League came in, allowed an inherited runner to score and gave up two runs of his own. The lead increased to 8-2.

Capuano said he understood why Manager Don Mattingly pulled him.

“I know where he’s coming from,” Capuano said. “In this ballpark, you’re never out of it. He wanted to do what he had to do to make sure he kept it right there. For me, I felt I was throwing the ball a little better in the last two innings. This is a good hitting team and tonight I had problems cutting my fastball back over the plate. Just got too much plate on some of those pitches. It’s frustrating. I felt I was just a pitch or two away from containing it, but they got me.”

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