BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : One Morgan Bunt Becomes Two Outs

Dodger starter Mike Morgan hit into one of the season’s more unusual double plays in the fourth inning. With runners on first and second in a sacrifice situation, Morgan bunted toward third. Astro third baseman Ken Caminiti fielded and quickly threw to shortstop Andujar Cedeno, who was covering third. Cedeno then made a slick throw to first while avoiding a sliding Mike Scioscia for a double play.

“That’s the way the whole day went,” Morgan said. “I lay down a nice bunt and they make a great play.”

Morgan was also left in to bunt in the sixth inning, though he had already given up six runs, because Manager Tom Lasorda wanted to spare a tired bullpen. “He’s a pretty good bunter,” Lasorda said. “What we wanted to do was try to keep out of the bullpen. I’m trying to give ‘em a rest, but I just haven’t been able to.”

Dodger relievers gave up two runs Sunday but have given up only five in the past 29 1/3 innings. The bullpen leads National League relievers with an earned-run average of 3.13.

Brett Butler has hit in six games in a row, and has a .606 on-base percentage in that period. He was on base six consecutive times Friday and Saturday. . . . Darryl Strawberry drove in runs in three of the four games against the Astros and has hit 10 home runs since the All-Star break. However, he has yet to hit a daytime homer. . . . The Dodgers fell to 18-15 in day games, 8-5 in day games at Dodger Stadium. . . . Astro outfielder Steve Finley was three for five and is 30 for 68 (.441) as a leadoff hitter. . . . Houston catcher Tony Eusebio got his first major league hit, a sixth-inning double. Rob Mallicoat threw the final three innings for his first major league save.