DODGERS : Belcher’s Road Back Stays Smooth, Clear

Tim Belcher’s extraordinary journey, which began on an operating table in September, took a giant step toward a possible opening day start Saturday.

Belcher not only held the Oakland Athletics to one unearned run on three singles in six innings before 29,669 at the Superdome, he also hit the game-winning home run in the Dodgers’ 3-2 victory.

Although the Dodgers have not made a decision, there are indications Belcher will start April 9 in Atlanta. It would be his second opening day start in the three years since his rookie season.

The assignment is customarily given to the pitcher coming off the best season, which would be Ramon Martinez. But Belcher’s comeback from arthroscopic shoulder surgery Sept. 11 might earn him the honor.

Since struggling in his first two spring starts, Belcher has given up one earned run on nine hits his last 16 innings to lower his earned-run average to 3.41.

While the Dodgers don’t place much emphasis on spring statistics, they have been watching Belcher closely because of his shoulder problems.

“That is the best I’ve seen him throw in many, many, many games,” pitching coach Ron Perranoski said. “His ball was just exploding.”

Belcher gave up only a bloop single by Ernest Riles, a ground single by Jose Canseco and a bouncing single in front of home plate by Scott Hemond. Belcher struck out seven, including three of the four batters in the fifth after his home run, a fourth-inning shot against double-A pitcher Joe Slusarski.

“Maybe I did well then because I was so winded after that home run trot,” said Belcher, who has one major league homer in 178 at-bats. “But I guess that’s what spring training is for.”

Belcher wasn’t much more serious when discussing his time on the mound.

“Hey, it’s spring training, it’s indoors, and it’s early in the day in New Orleans, where probably some of those hitters spent half the night in the French Quarter,” Belcher said.

Having been burned after high expectations last season, during which he was 9-9 with a 4.00 ERA while pitching with a bad shoulder, Belcher is taking his success with a shrug.

“If you want to consider that start an honor, which I don’t, then you would have to give it to Ramon Martinez,” Belcher said. “Based on the season he had last year, it would only make sense. That is, as long as he’s ready.”

That is one of the issues. Martinez has struggled after his 11-day holdout. He is 0-3 with a 5.73 ERA, which wouldn’t matter except that he missed nearly two important weeks of work.

“If they asked me to start opening day, that would fine,” Belcher said. “It’s actually more of a hassle than anything, but if they asked me, sure, I would do it.

“At this point, I’m just excited to start the season.”

The starter and loser for the A’s was 19-year-old Todd Van Poppel, a first-round draft pick last season who impressed the Dodgers with his fastball although he gave up one run on two hits and five walks in three innings.

Dodger Notes

Trade talks involving left-handed reliever Dan Plesac of the Milwaukee Brewers have apparently heated up. Milwaukee sources say the Brewers might agree to take two Dodger pitchers from a list that includes Mike Hartley, John Wetteland and Jim Neidlinger. . . . The Dodgers’ other spring squad lost to the Montreal Expos, 3-2, in West Palm Beach. Mike Morgan gave up three runs in five innings. Mickey Hatcher continues to struggle in what may be his last days as a Dodger. He went hitless in four at-bats to drop his average to .152.

Orel Hershiser threw off the front of a mound Saturday for the first time since suffering shoulder pain last week. Batting practice would be the next step in a process that will require Hershiser to make at least one rehabilitation start in the minor leagues before joining the major league team after the start of the regular season. . . . Darryl Strawberry said his right hamstring felt fine after an early workout Saturday, and he plans to return to the lineup today in Vero Beach against Atlanta. Strawberry has missed 12 games because of the injury.