Perez Is Still a Complete Pitcher

Charles Johnson has had an emotionally draining season, although most of what has occurred is a blur.

The all-star catcher was traded in a blockbuster deal, became a father for the first time and has been involved in the stunning events still unfolding at Chavez Ravine.

Johnson said the experience has strengthened him, and he is eager to help the Dodgers in the future.

If he’s given the opportunity.

He called another good game behind the plate Monday, helping left-hander Carlos Perez pitch his third consecutive complete game in a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies before a crowd of 26,122 at Dodger Stadium.

Perez (10-13) gave up seven hits--including a solo home run by pinch-hitter Kurt Abbott with one out in the ninth inning. Perez struck out nine and walked one while throwing 116 pitches, 92 for strikes.

Johnson wasn’t the star, but he continues to succeed in a supporting role.

“Everything has been moving at full speed for me all season,” Johnson said. “The trade, worrying about my wife, the baby being born and then all of the changes we’ve had around here.

“It has been kind of hard at times, but it’s been getting better here every day, and I’ve learned a lot this year. It’s just been a real strange year for everyone.”

The Florida Marlins sent Johnson to the Dodgers in the seven-player Mike Piazza trade May 15. Moving to Los Angeles was an adjustment for Johnson, who grew up in Florida.

Johnson and his wife, Rhonda, lived in a hotel for several months before moving into a house in Bel Air. Rhonda was pregnant with their son, Brandon, who was born in July, when she joined him in Los Angeles after the trade.

“That was hard because I was worried about her being here alone, away from everyone, and being seven months pregnant,” Johnson said. “I just wanted her to be comfortable with all the adjustments, and I was just hoping the baby was healthy. Those were really the main things on my mind.”

And if changing coasts and a pending birth weren’t stressful enough, Johnson had the added pressure of succeeding Piazza. Johnson is considered without peer defensively among National League catchers--but he’s not the offensive force Piazza is.

Johnson hasn’t produced offensively even by his standards, failing to meet his off-season goals.

After going one for four in Monday’s game, Johnson is batting .216 (95 for 440) with 18 homers and 57 runs batted in. He has struck out a team-leading 125 times, including once during Monday’s eighth inning, when the Dodgers scored four times thanks to an error, three walks and Bobby Bonilla’s double.

Johnson believes he has let the Dodgers down.

“I’m disappointed in myself,” Johnson said. “I don’t feel my average is what it needs to be, and I didn’t put up the numbers [homers and RBIs], at least not what I expected.”

Manager Glenn Hoffman said Johnson shouldn’t be so hard on himself.

“C.J. has been through a lot this year, and he’s has had some good days and some tough days,” Hoffman said. “I’ve just known him for half a year, but he’s a hell of a worker.

“You look at the power stats and the strikeouts, and you see some things he’d like to work on. But he controls a lot of other clubs’ running games, and the pitchers obviously enjoy throwing to him.”

Johnson is eligible for arbitration after the season and hopes he’s in the plans of new General Manager Kevin Malone.

“I can definitely see myself being here,” Johnson said. “There have already been a lot of changes, and there are going to be a lot more, but I would like to be here because there are a great bunch of guys here.”