BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Astacio Shows Coolness, Too

Pedro Astacio said he was told he would make only two starts while replacing injured Tom Candiotti.

But he smiled as if he knew that could change.

“Three times I have pitched here, and three times I have had success,” Astacio said. “I know I will get one more start, then I will see what has happened. I hope I can be here for a long time.”

While he impressed the Dodgers with his fastball in his previous two starts, Thursday they marveled at his coolness.

Despite six errors behind him, he still gave up only three unearned runs in six innings against the Cincinnati Reds, lowering his earned-run average to 1.23 during the 4-3 victory.

“More than anything, today was a tribute to the kid,” Roger McDowell said. “With everything that was happening, he maintained his composure and was able to get people out.”

Astacio would show his frustration by looking to the sky or pounding his glove after certain plays, but he never compounded his problems with careless pitching.

“I’m not happy with what I see, but I know it is part of the game,” said Astacio, 22. “I say, ‘Let’s get the next one.’ ”

Steve Wilson, who did not give up a run in his first 15 appearances as a Dodger dating back to last season, reached a low point in his career Thursday when he was removed from the game after throwing only four pitches for an intentional walk to Paul O’Neill.

Wilson was summoned into the office of Manager Tom Lasorda afterward for a confidence-building meeting. In his last six appearances, Wilson has given up five runs and eight hits, including two home runs, in only 5 2/3 innings.

“I feel fine, I’m going to be OK,” Wilson said. “I’ve had bad mechanics lately. I know I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m improving every day.”

Wilson said he was not upset or embarrassed that the Dodgers did not trust him enough to pitch to O’Neill, who represented the potential winning run.

“I think that just shows you how much confidence they have in Jay Howell,” Wilson said. “That move was a credit to Jay.”

Pitcher John Candelaria said his “twisted” right knee will be examined today after the team returns to Los Angeles. He said he is not worried. “I’ve already had two surgeries on the knee, so what’s the worst it could be? Surgery?” . . . After going hitless in his first 13 at-bats, the Dodgers’ Henry Rodriguez has eight hits in his last 18 at-bats, improving his average to .258. “All he needed to do was relax, which is what he’s doing now,” Brett Butler said.