Dodger Notebook : Hershiser Rebounds, Limits Mets to One Hit

Orel Hershiser rebounded after the pounding he took from the Detroit Tigers Monday, holding the New York Mets to one hit in six innings Friday during the Dodgers’ 7-0 exhibition victory.

Ricky Horton and Alejandro Pena completed a two-hitter.

“My competitive juices flow a lot easier against the Mets than against the Tigers,” Hershiser said. “Besides, pitching against a team we have scouting reports on fits my concentration better.”

As is his custom, Manager Tom Lasorda is playing it cool where his opening day pitcher is concerned. There is little doubt that Hershiser will be the man, but Lasorda refuses to commit himself.

After Friday’s game, Hershiser said he hoped that Fernando Valenzuela would be chosen for the opener in Cincinnati April 3.

Lasorda scotched that idea but said, “I’m not telling you guys who it will be. It’s the one thing I can keep from you.”

Alfredo Griffin figures that when a player is as hot as he is this spring, he should find a way to make his hits count.

So, the veteran shortstop came up with a couple of interesting ideas after hitting a double and a triple in four times at bat. His average is so high that the .500 day cost him a point, to a mere .511.

“I’m a spring training hitter,” Griffin said. “They ought to make the season start in March. Or maybe next year, I know what I’ll do. I won’t come to camp till April.”

Told that he was a contender for the spring training batting championship, Griffin said, “That’s good to hear. I want to win it at least in the Grapefruit League. I have no chance to win it in the big leagues.”

Actually, Griffin is just happy to be hitting--period. He needs any lift he can get after skidding to a career-low .199 last year in his first season with the Dodgers.

In nine full seasons in the American League, plus parts of three others, Griffin had a composite average of .258. He batted as high as .287 with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979 and .285 with the Oakland Athletics in 1986. With the A’s in 1987 before being traded to the Dodgers, he hit .263.

What happened to Griffin last year is a story that the 32-year-old native of the Dominican Republic would just as soon forget. He got off to a horrible start, hitting .183 in April and .145 in May, then on May 22 suffered a broken right hand when hit by one of Dwight Gooden’s fastballs in a game against the Mets.

It was July 25 before Griffin played again--57 days later. He finished fairly well with a .247 average in September and October, but that mini-rally wasn’t quite enough to pull him up to .200.

“I never hit .199 in my life before,” Griffin said. “I wanted the winter to go fast so I wouldn’t think about it so long.

“Now I feel like a .300 hitter. I know the pitchers aren’t in mid-season form yet, but it’s good for me. It builds up my confidence.”

Griffin’s early foot has all but assured him of starting the season in the second spot in the batting order, behind newcomer Willie Randolph. He usually batted eighth last season, after often leading off in earlier years, and the switch to second should help him get his average back toward normal. With Kirk Gibson hitting behind him, he is sure to see a lot of good pitches.

Asked if Gibson would be the best hitter who had ever followed him in the order, Griffin thought awhile, then said, “I guess.”

Lasorda said that Griffin had the No. 2 spot all but locked up.

“Let’s say he’s doing everything he can to have me put him there,” Lasorda said. “I talked to him about it. I want him to get on base for the big guys, like two guys bring the ball down the floor (in basketball).”

After what he went through last season, Griffin isn’t particular where he bats.

“I could lead off, but Willie (Randolph) makes more contact than I do and walks more,” Griffin said. “I don’t walk much. I swing at everything. I have to be more selective.”

Pressed for a reason for his spring resurgence, Griffin said, “I’m waiting longer, till the ball gets closer to me. That way, I can see it better.”

Dodger Notes

Both the Dodgers and New York Mets observed St. Patrick’s Day Friday by wearing green. The Dodgers switched from blue caps to green, as they have on that occasion for many years, and the Mets put on green uniform shirts for the first time. Even the bases and home plate were painted green. . . . Mariano Duncan continued his hot hitting in his bid to win a berth with the Dodgers as a utility man. He had a triple and a single in two at-bats, raising his average to .467.