Team Won’t Take Chance on Ponson

The Dodgers continue to troll for a starting pitcher, but they don’t plan to take a chance on erratic Sidney Ponson, sources said. The right-hander was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals three days ago to make room for Jeff Weaver.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti was in the San Francisco Giants’ front office in 2003 when Ponson was acquired for the stretch run. He went 3-6 in 10 starts and was not a strong presence in the clubhouse.

Ponson, 29, has lost his last four decisions and is 4-4 with a 5.24 earned-run average in 14 games. Persistent alcohol problems prompted the Baltimore Orioles to terminate his contract last year.

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Manager Grady Little said batting coach Eddie Murray deserved credit for the Dodgers’ league-leading batting average of .285.

“I’ve been around a lot of hitting coaches in the past who tend to stereotype all the hitters,” Little said. “Eddie takes each individual and works with them according to their own strengths and weaknesses. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen at that.”

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Even with three days off coming up, Little continued his velvet glove treatment of right fielder J.D. Drew, who remained free of injury during the first half of a season for one of the few times in his career.

Drew did not start against Giants right-hander Jason Schmidt, against whom he is batting .111 with 13 strikeouts in 27 at-bats. It was the 20th game Drew has not started -- the Dodgers are 35-33 with him in the lineup and 11-9 without him.

“It’s a chance to make the All-Star break a little longer,” Drew said. “Any days off where you get to catch your breath is absolutely a good thing.”

Drew, who entered the game in the seventh as part of a double switch, is batting .287 with nine home runs and 50 runs batted in but has not hit a homer since June 1, a span of 98 at-bats. He has one home run in his last 130 at-bats.

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Nomar Garciaparra, who extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a single in the sixth inning, was the Dodger most interested in the World Cup. And it wasn’t solely because his wife, Mia Hamm, was considered America’s best female soccer player.

Garciaparra played soccer through high school and wanted to continue in college. However, the school that offered him the best financial package, Georgia Tech, did not offer the sport.

“If I would have gone to UCLA, I would have walked on the soccer team,” he said. “I loved it as much as baseball growing up.”

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Second baseman Jeff Kent and center fielder Kenny Lofton were again held out of the lineup because of minor injuries. Little said he expected both players to be healthy enough to play when the Dodgers begin a four-game series at St. Louis on Thursday. ... Brad Penny made his first relief appearance since July 9, 2000, pitching to three batters in the seventh. Little wanted to give him work before his All-Star appearance Tuesday.