BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser: Fourth Would Be Better

Orel Hershiser will pitch tonight with a 1-6 record in his last seven starts. It is a slump that has kept him throwing nearly every day since his loss last Wednesday in New York.

“I’m still trying to adjust to how strong my arm feels,” Hershiser said.

Opposing hitters agree that Hershiser is throwing harder than last year, but with less control. He hopes to adjust soon, because he still believes the last-place Dodgers have something to play for.

Namely, getting out of last place, where the Dodgers have not finished since 1905.

“I do not want to walk around all winter hearing about how we finished last,” Hershiser said. “That would be almost as bad as walking around last winter hearing how we finished one game out of first.”

Hershiser added, “The way I look at it, Houston still has to play that 26-game trip, so we could make up some games there. The Giants are the next team, and we can gain ground on them this week. Finishing fourth sounds a whole lot better than last.”

Jim Gott has the best save percentage of any Dodger reliever--four in five attempts. He has been the most consistent Dodger reliever, with earned runs allowed in only 10 of 45 appearances.

Yet he has yet to win confidence as a stopper, finishing only 20 games and often being removed in crucial situations.

“I understand my role. I am sort of the offensive lineman of the bullpen, and that’s great,” Gott said. “I can throw a couple of innings every day. I love that opportunity. But I’ve also played long enough to know that situations can change.”

Darryl Strawberry was examined by Dr. Robert Watkins on Monday in Los Angeles and is tentatively scheduled to undergo a second MRI exam. The results of the exam could determine whether Strawberry continues his back rehabilitation or undergoes surgery. . . . The Giants have placed Kirt Manwaring on the disabled list with a sprained right shoulder. He was replaced with Mark Bailey, who was recalled from triple-A Phoenix. . . . Will Clark missed Monday’s game with a sore knee, but could return tonight. . . . Pat Rapp, Giants rookie pitcher who was 0-2 with a 7.20 earned-run average in two starts, was returned to Phoenix and replaced by pitcher Francisco Olivares.