BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Rises When Sinker Sinks

Orel Hershiser’s comeback has advanced to the stage at which his sinker is sinking and his therapist is missing games.

Facing the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, Fla., without Pat Screnar there to monitor him, Hershiser allowed two hits in four innings, with eight grounders. Only three balls reached the outfield on the fly.

It was the first time since Hershiser’s surgery nearly two years ago that he has pitched without Screnar watching him. He became the first Dodger pitcher to go four innings.

“If somebody told me I didn’t have surgery, I would have believed him,” Hershiser said after the Dodgers lost, 8-5. “I was throwing my first pitch every inning as hard as I wanted. My sinker was working.

“I’m not bearing down on every pitch, but it’s like, if I get behind a hitter two and one, I will bear down to see if I can get him. And I’m doing it. I’m getting him.”

Hershiser said he realizes that most people in baseball still question his ability to be a consistently good starting pitcher, even though he added that he feels “100% better” than he felt at the end of last season.

“Everybody feels there is a question mark there--but me,” Hershiser said.

Eric Davis did not work out for the second consecutive day because of a shoulder injury.

Also missing the game because of injuries were Dodger outfielders Mitch Webster, who has a sore lower back, and Stan Javier, who has a groin pull.

Jay Howell threw for 10 minutes, his first time on the mound since receiving a cortisone shot in his right shoulder Saturday. The date of his return is still unknown.

Eric Karros continued his hot streak, getting two hits in a 5-0 “B” game victory over the Astros, then socking a two-run triple in the main game. Karros, who is hitting .555 with a home run, two doubles and a triple, was endorsed by first baseman Todd Benzinger. “Eric is in a tough spot, but he is proving he has to be in the major leagues somewhere,” Benzinger said. . . . Pedro Martinez was hammered for three hits and five unearned runs in one inning, becoming the losing pitcher. . . . Tim Crews gave up homers to Karl Rhodes and Ernest Riles in one inning.