BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Is in Mood to Celebrate

On the first anniversary of the worst day of Orel Hershiser’s comeback Sunday, he pitched five hitless innings against the New York Mets to earn a victory--and an assist.

The assist came before the game, when Hershiser counseled the Mets’ Dwight Gooden after Gooden pitched three hitless innings in his first competitive appearance since undergoing arthroscopic shoulder in September.

“Anybody who has had shoulder problems, maybe it would help them to talk to somebody who lived through it,” Hershiser said. “And I’ve really lived through it.”

On March 15, 1991, soreness set back his comeback bid two months. Sunday, he threw 66 pitches, striking out six and walking two.

“I could have thrown 60 more pitches,” said Hershiser, who has given up one run in his last nine exhibition innings. “I was throwing as hard in the fifth inning as I was in the first inning. It has been a utopia spring.”

It has been a very different type of spring for Gooden, who along with teammates Daryl Boston and Vince Coleman recently was the subject of a sexual-assault complaint. Gooden threw 36 pitches, giving up one unearned run.

“It’s a B game but, to me, it was a big stride,” Gooden said. “I couldn’t ask to be in a better position . . . and I got some good pointers from Orel.” Hershiser said he told Gooden, “I was pleased he was throwing the ball low, because that was the hardest thing for me. That places more stress on the arm.”

Kal Daniels will miss at least today’s game because of soreness in his left knee. The soreness may have been aggravated while he was running the bases Saturday. “It’s the usual thing he suffers during the season, when he gets his one or two days off,” said Charlie Strasser, assistant trainer. “Nothing different, nothing more.”

Jay Howell, suffering from a sore shoulder, threw during batting practice for the first time, pitching for 10 minutes. “I don’t feel like I’m that far behind,” Howell said. “No question, I can be ready opening day.” . . . The Dodgers defeated the Mets, 4-1, giving up only two hits. Coleman broke up a no-hitter with two out in the eighth inning with a single to left against Tim Crews.