Advertisement

Dodger Notebook : Texas Shells Four Pitchers, but Still Loses, 10-9

Share via
Times Staff Writer

Just when Dodger pitchers were throwing in spring training as if it were June or July, the Texas Rangers shelled four of them for 13 hits Thursday. Even so, the Dodgers won, 10-9.

Six of the Rangers’ runs were unearned as the Dodgers made three more errors, running their string to 11 in six games.

Catcher Mike Scioscia was charged with two passed balls and an error in the first inning alone as Texas scored three unearned runs off Fernando Valenzuela.

Advertisement

Valenzuela, who had pitched three hitless innings in his first start against Houston last Sunday, gave up seven hits to the Rangers in four innings. The Dodgers had hoped he could pitch five innings.

After falling four runs behind Thursday, the Dodgers went ahead, 10-5, with a six-run explosion in the sixth inning which featured a triple by Mariano Duncan and a 410-foot, wind-aided home run by Ralph Bryant.

Thirty-nine players, 21 of them Dodgers, played. Dave Anderson, playing third base for the Dodgers while Bill Madlock got a day off, had three hits, one an inside-the-park home run. Steve Sax drove in three runs.

Advertisement

Dodger Notes Infielder Enos Cabell, who had until Saturday to decide whether he would become a free agent or remain with the Dodgers, said Thursday he will play for Los Angeles again. Cabell, 36, is in the option year of a two-year contract. “He has a contract for the 1986 season,” Dodgers Vice President Al Campanis said. “We have not talked to him about a new contract.” The Dodgers reportedly are paying Cabell about $450,000. Last November Cabell asked to be traded, a routine move, apparently, to keep his options open. But Thursday he said, “We have the makings of an outstanding club, and I certainly want to be part of it.” Nobody at Dodgertown seemed surprised by his decision. Cabell hit .292 in 57 games for the Dodgers last season after coming to the team, in a trade with Houston July 10. He played first and third base and hit .323 as a pinch-batter. He is on the injury list at the moment, having sprained the middle finger of his left hand diving into third base at Tampa Tuesday.

The Dodgers will play Cincinnati today at Holman Stadium, with Orel Hershiser and Jerry Reuss scheduled to pitch.

Advertisement