BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Piazza Off When Candiotti Pitches

The Dodgers apparently are going to rest catcher Mike Piazza whenever knuckleballer Tom Candiotti pitches. That figures to keep the rookie star fresh while giving backup Carlos Hernandez some experience with the toughest pitcher on the staff to catch.

“I get tired of chasing him down,” Piazza said of Candiotti. “Carlos is very capable of catching him. It’s a way of staying fresh. I’m very happy with it.”

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Tim Wallach, complaining again of stiffness in his left shoulder, was removed from Thursday’s game in the fifth inning and taken to Centinela Hospital Medical Center for X-rays, which were negative. Wallach was examined by Dr. Robert Watkins, who diagnosed a pinched nerve in the left side of his neck. The Dodgers are listing Wallach as day to day. . . . Brett Butler had three hits, raising his average to .310. He was the only Dodger with more than one hit.