Key to Fast Start: Bradley Locked In

MILWAUKEE — Jeff Kent’s bat has cooled, but Milton Bradley’s is blistering.

He has had only one hit in his last 12 at-bats, but Kent still is batting .353 with a league-high 17 runs. He also was leading the Dodgers in runs batted in, but Bradley eclipsed him with his two-run homer in the 10th inning of Tuesday’s 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Left-hander Tommy Phelps blew two fastballs past Bradley and nearly struck him out on a pitch on the outside corner that Bradley ticked foul. Then Phelps threw him a changeup.

Big mistake. The home run was Bradley’s fifth, he is batting .373 with 14 RBIs and he has at least one hit in all 12 of his starts.

“I’m trying to ride the wave as long as I can,” he said. “I felt good in spring training, but the results weren’t there. Now I’m locking in on strikes and not chasing anything.”

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Jayson Werth will see a physician of his choosing for a second opinion about the wrist injury that has kept him from swinging a bat since he was hit by a pitch March 2.

Werth, frustrated by the continued discomfort, traveled to Atlanta to see Dr. Hank Sloan, who has treated him for other injuries.

At least Werth can be reasonably certain he isn’t going to lose his starting position in left field, despite the impressive performance of rookie Jason Repko.

“After the year [Werth] had a year ago, what would you take away from him?” Manager Jim Tracy said. “We’ve just got to get him healthy. When he’s ready to play, he’s going to get opportunities to play.”

Repko is batting .296 with three home runs in 27 at-bats. Werth came on strong in the second half last season and batted .262 with 16 home runs in 89 games.

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Eric Gagne played catch for the first time since he sprained his elbow during his last spring training appearance and, in Tracy’s words, “felt very, very good.”

Gagne threw about half-speed and remains weeks from coming off the disabled list, but he will throw again today.

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Infielder Antonio Perez ran at about 50% effort, testing the pulled left hamstring that has sidelined him since April 9. He also took batting practice.... Wilson Alvarez pitched two innings against Dodger minor leaguers in Vero Beach, Fla.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- San Diego Padres, two games.

Site -- Petco Park.

TV -- FSNW2 on Thursday.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 11-2; Padres 7-7.

Record vs. Padres -- 3-0.

Tonight, 7 -- Derek Lowe (1-1, 1.77) vs. Woody Williams (1-1, 7.47).

Thursday, 7 -- Scott Erickson (1-0, 6.97) vs. Adam Eaton (1-1, 3.24).