BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Gott Is Trying a Calmer Approach

After getting his first save of the season, Jim Gott said he is toning down his approach in hopes of improving his statistics.

“I talked to Bill (Buhler, trainer) about it, and he told me it is hard to work with all that hype,” said Gott, who is known for pumping his fist and shouting after getting big outs.

“It’s going to be hard for me, because I am just being myself, but by being like that, you just get all worn out,” Gott said. “I am trying a more relaxed tempo.”

Gott has also earned a chance to pitch in late innings because his curveball is working well again after several years of inconsistency, and because he was 3-0 with a 2.66 earned-run average after the All-Star break.

“For me to be consistent, I can’t ride the wave anymore,” Gott said.

Mike Sharperson’s two hits in his first start Thursday were a tribute to having lost 14 pounds during spring training, lowering his weight to 202 pounds. . . . After one official game in his new surroundings, Tom Candiotti is already endorsing the National League. “You’re really in the game the whole time over here, thinking about pinch-hitters and things like that,” said Candiotti, whose previous seven years were spent in the American League. “It’s a lot of fun, but I was tired after running the bases four times.” . . . Eric Karros said he received more than 25 congratulatory phone calls after his first-inning homer in his first start Thursday. He also received the expected benching Friday night against Padre right-hander Dave Eiland. “I wasn’t exactly surprised,” said Karros, who still does not expect to remain on the team after Jay Howell returns from the disabled list in 10 days. . . . Pedro Martinez threw a one-hitter for eight innings for triple-A Albuquerque Thursday, giving new manager Bill Russell a 5-2 victory over Las Vegas in his debut.