BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Piazza Bats .295, Throws Out .733

You’ve heard about Mike Piazza, the hitter. Sunday, he extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the fifth inning.

But just as impressive has been Piazza’s work behind the plate. In the first inning Sunday, he threw out Lonnie Smith on an attempted steal of second base. Piazza has thrown out 11 of the 15 who have attempted to steal on him so far this season.

More than technique, Piazza credits his strong arm and the ability of Dodger pitchers to hold runners.

“My arm feels good,” Piazza said. “I’m making up a lot of the time on velocity. I hope I can keep it up. Being a catcher is sort of like being a relief pitcher. People don’t realize how much throwing you do. You throw every day, between innings. We throw a lot.”

Rodney G. King was a guest in the Dodger clubhouse before and after Sunday’s game. . . . For the record: Jim Gott was not credited with a save in Saturday night’s 6-3 victory. Gott entered the game in the ninth inning with his team leading by more than three runs and the potential tying run was not in the on-deck circle. . . . Brett Butler, held hitless in three at-bats Sunday, already has six bunt singles. Last year he led the league with a career-high 41.