Spring Training / Dodgers : Reuss, Niedenfuer Hit Hard in a 10-8 Setback to Montreal

Another Dodger exhibition defeat, this one a forgettable 10-8 loss to the Montreal Expos on Sunday, produced the usual poor pitching performances and adventures in the infield.

On the positive side to the club’s fifth straight loss, however, at least the Dodger offense was productive, getting 12 hits off four Expo pitchers.

Highlights included a two-hit, one RBI performance by Pedro Guerrero and two hits and two RBIs by Mariano Duncan. And Jose Gonzalez, the center-field candidate Vice President Al Campanis seemingly favors, singled and stole his first base of the spring.

But there were far more lowlights. Not surprisingly, the most glaring involved the pitching.

Starting pitcher Jerry Reuss was hit hard during his three innings, giving up three runs, six hits and two walks. It obviously was a disappointing effort for Reuss, who pitched well in his debut earlier in the week.

“I had hoped to go four innings, but 60 pitches is a lot for three innings,” Reuss said. “I felt fine, but my balls were up in the strike zone.”

Reliever Tom Niedenfuer had an even tougher time, giving up four runs in the ninth inning. Niedenfuer has now given up six earned runs in five innings, but he said afterward he is not concerned.

“In the last few years in spring training, you can count my good performances on one hand,” Niedenfuer said. “Spring training is more for the people down here and to get in shape than what happens in the game. I’m down here working on different things.”

Dodger Notes

Dodger owner Peter O’Malley reiterated Sunday that the club is not contemplating signing free-agent outfielder Tim Raines. “Our position is still the same,” O’Malley said. “It has not changed at all. That’s all there is to say.” Tom Reich, Raines’ agent, had said that Raines would soon sign with one of four teams--San Diego, Atlanta, Houston or the Dodgers. “It’s still very, very doubtful we’ll sign Raines,” Vice President Al Campanis said. . . . Third baseman Bill Madlock took the day off to have his sore shoulder X-rayed. Charlie Strasser, the Dodgers’ assistant trainer, said the X-rays showed no complications. Madlock experiences inflammation in his shoulder almost every spring. He has played only once in the last four days because of the condition. . . . Bowie Kuhn, former commissioner of baseball, visited Dodgertown Sunday and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Don McMahon, Dodger coach, clocked Kuhn’s pitch with the radar gun at 41 miles per hour. . . . The Dodgers play Atlanta in Vero Beach today. Orel Hershiser is scheduled to start and probably pitch five innings.