Hershiser Is Coming Around at Right Time

It was in September of 1988 that Orel Hershiser set a major league record by pitching 59 straight scoreless innings, setting the tone for his most-valuable-player performances in the Dodgers’ playoff victory over the New York Mets and World Series victory over the Oakland Athletics.

In September of 1991, this is how far Hershiser has rebounded from his reconstructive shoulder surgery of last year:

If the division race comes down to a decisive game Sunday at San Francisco, the final day of the regular season, Hershiser is expected to take his regular turn.

Manager Tom Lasorda said Monday night that a decision hasn’t been made, but he added:

“I wouldn’t be afraid to do it, not the way he’s been pitching.

“He has more confidence in himself now, his arm is stronger and the main thing is that he’s still a great competitor, he still knows how to win.”

Hershiser showed that again by giving up only two hits in seven shutout innings of a 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres Monday night. The Dodgers remained a game ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League West.

Sunday?

“I’d put the ball in his hands,” said Darryl Strawberry, who was on the other side in ‘88, a member of the Mets.

“He has what it takes,” Strawberry said of Hershiser. “Some guys have it, some don’t.

“Playing behind him, he’s starting to remind me of the way he pitched before.”

The way he pitched in ‘88?

“Stuff-wise he was already there,” catcher Mike Scioscia said. “The only thing lacking was his stamina. He wasn’t pitching as well in the later innings.

“Now he’s erased that. He’s turned that question mark into an exclamation point.

“He threw as well or better in the later innings tonight as he did in the early innings, and that speaks for his comeback.”

So does this:

--Hershiser has struck out 17, walked two and given up only three earned runs in the 26 innings of his past four starts.

--He has won six straight decisions and is 7-2 in 21 starts, the Dodgers going 16-5 in those starts, winning 10 of his past 11.

He threw 88 pitches Monday night and said: “I could have gone on, but why stretch it now when I may have to pitch a championship game Sunday?”

Would he be disappointed if he didn’t pitch it?

“No,” he said after a pause, “because I think the decision would be based on what they felt was best for the club, and I think I’m still viewed as the fifth starter.

“The important thing for me personally is that I know I can pitch again in the major leagues and I know now that I should continue to return to form. I’ve had my days as an ace, and I still think some of those days are ahead of me.”

Two weeks ago, when he went 15 days between starts because of tenderness in his shoulder, it seemed, at best, that he might play out the season as a spot starter.

Now he is being compared to the old Orel.

“My arm is stronger, I have confidence in all my pitches, the break on my curve stays sharper longer and my control is better,” said Hershiser, ticking off the reasons for his recent effectiveness.

“The hardest pitch for me to throw is the hard curve, but I can throw it 10 to 15 times a game now, and it’s a great weapon. Tonight, I was ahead of the hitters all the way, and I could choose from any of my pitches. I was able to keep the Padres off balance.”

So, is he the old Orel?

“I think that will be decided when my contract runs out,” he said with a smile, meaning the Dodgers will have to decide.

“At times I feel like the Orel of old, although it may not look like it because I’m changing speeds more. But the fastball is there when I need it, and that feels as good as it does just to contribute again.”