Last season the NL West Champion Dodgers relied heavily on their bullpen to give them relief, but after leading the NL in runs allowed in 2009, the Dodger bullpen just can’t seem to put it together this year. What gives?

In seven games the pen has allowed 15 earned runs in just 17 and 1/3 innings (a whopping ERA of 7.79), which is a big part of the reason why the Dodgers are just 3-4. The bullpen collapsed twice on the road against the Florida Marlins last weekend losing both those games in the late innings, and they were flirting with collapse again this afternoon before winning the home opener.

The answer isn’t as easy as one might think. In 2009 the same crew finished second in the major leagues in wins (37), first in bullpen ERA (3.14), WHIP (1.26), opponent batting average (.230) and opponent OPS (.656). For a team who’s starting pitchers averaged just 5.7 innings (worst among playoff teams), the bullpen was absolutely the most important part of the Dodgers’ success.

Only this year, they aren’t succeeding.

Even in today’s 9-5 win over Arizona the bullpen still allowed three runs. When they were up 9-2 and about to wrap it up early, Ramon Ortiz came into the game in the seventh. After retiring the first two batters he faced, things quickly turned ugly when Mark Reynolds hit a two-run home-run over the left field fence. That wasn’t the end of it. Then second baseman Kelly Johnson pulled the game within grand-slam-distance when he hit an RBI single to center.

Jeff Weaver and Ramon Troncoso looked OK, but at no point did either one of them look like they were in complete control. Weaver allowed one run when he came into a sixth-inning jam to relieve starter Clayton Kershaw, and set-up man Troncoso struggled with his control early on, consistently falling behind batters before eventually securing the eighth.

And it doesn’t end there. George Sherill has been the very definition of the bullpen’s misadventures this season retiring only one of the five batters he’s faced and sporting a mind-boggling ERA of 22.50. Neither Ortiz has an ERA of under 5.00 either, and not mention last year’s standout Ronald Belisario who currently isn’t on the roster because he ran into a little trouble getting a visa in the off-season.

If things keep going this way the Dodgers might want to consider bringing in Jose Canseco as their new set-up man.

It’s not all bad, though. Jonathan Broxton continues to be solid out of the Dodger pen, which is something you really need from your closer. Brox has yet to allow a run and has given up only one hit in three appearances including today’s one-two-three ninth against the Diamondbacks. Sweet relief!

I’ll be the first to admit: being a Dodger reliever isn’t the easiest job in the world (even if you do have a visa). Dodger starters seem to have a tough time lasting more than five innings, which means they’re going to get a lot of work. For instance, Jeff Weaver has been called on in every game this season except for one.

But when you are called on out of the pen, we do expect to get some relief. After all, that’s why you get paid the big bucks. If not, it’s going to be a long season. And I really don’t want to see Jose Canseco’s noodle arm anytime soon.

The Sun was shining and balls were flying out of Chavez Ravine as the Dodgers hit four home-runs en route to beating division rival Arizona Diamondbacks (4-3) in today’s home opener, 9-5.

On an afternoon when Matt Kemp was given his 2009 Golden Glove and Silver Slugger awards, the center-fielder drove a full-count pitch over the right center-field wall, part of a three-run sixth inning, and the Dodgers posted 9 runs against the red-hot Diamondbacks to win the first game of the year at Dodger Stadium.

Kemp was just one of the magnificent outfielding trio to hit one out today. Manny Ramirez hit his first and the team’s first of the afternoon in the fourth-inning. Andre Ethier, who also received a Silver Slugger, drove a pitch over the right field porch for his first longball of the year. Ethier (2-for-5, 3 RBI) led the Dodgers with 22 home-runs at Chavez last season, just one shy of a franchise record.

Third baseman Casey Black also got an invitation to the home-run party with a two-run shot of his own in the fourth, just two batters after Manny. Blake continues to swing a hot bat leading the Dodgers with a .389 batting average.

It was good to see Clayton Kershaw open up Dodger Stadium with a win, his first of the year, especially against a hot-hitting Arizona club that racked up 15 runs a couple days ago. The 22-year-old left-hander allowed two runs and three hits in 5 1-3 innings after a no-decision in the Dodgers’ 4-3, 10-inning loss to Pittsburgh last week.

Kershaw has a tendency to lose control in the later innings, but he looked strong in his second start striking out seven and walking five; however, as soon he gave a free pass to the first couple batters he faced in the sixth, Torre didn’t hesitate to go to the bullpen.

The bullpen was another story, or shall I say the same story of the 2010 season.

After a lackluster first week, the Dodgers still can’t get any relief. The bullpen continued to struggle after they led the NL in runs allowed last season. Ramon Ortiz retired the first two batters he faced in the seventh, but then quickly got into trouble giving up three hits and a two-run home-run to Mark Reynolds bringing the score to within four runs.

Set-up man Ramon Troncoso also struggled early on with his control, consistently falling behind in the count, but he managed to fight back and secure the eight inning.

On the sunny side, Jonathan Broxton came on in the ninth and continued to be the lone bright spot in the Dodger bullpen. Broxton quickly mowed down the Diamondbacks one-two-three and helped improve the Dodgers record to 3-4. Brox has only allowed one hit this season and has yet to give up a run.

With the win the Dodgers improved to 28-25 in home openers since 1958 (the year they moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles). This is the third year in a row Los Angeles has opened Dodger Stadium with a win.

The second game of the four-game-series will be tomorrow night at Chavez Ravine with Chad Billingsley (1-0) set to take on Rodrigo Lopez (1-0). The first pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. EST.

Notes: Ethier hit 22 home-runs at Dodger Stadium last season, just one shy of a team record held by Gary Sheffield and Adrian Beltre. Loney hit 2 doubles this afternoon, tying him for second on the team with 3. Long-time sportscaster Vin Scully returned to the hometown booth today for his 61st season as the voice of the Dodgers. Scully injured his head a couple weeks ago falling out of bed. He has the longest current broadcast tenure with a single baseball club in professional sports history.