BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Broken Rib Blamed on Expo Retaliation

Third baseman Tim Wallach, who was put on the 15-day disabled list after it was discovered Sunday that he had suffered a broken left rib in Saturday night’s game, said he believes the Ken Hill pitch that caused the injury was thrown at him intentionally.

Wallach was hit in the fifth inning, stayed in the game for an inning, then was replaced by Lenny Harris.

Expo outfielder Marquis Grissom was hit by Orel Hershiser Friday night, and Wallach said he thought Hill’s high fastball was retaliatory.

“I don’t think (the decision to retaliate) came from (Hill), I think it came from the bench,” said Wallach, who left the Expos during the off-season after a 12-year career with them.

Expo Manager Felipe Alou declined to comment on the situation.

Said Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda: “It was intentional. It’s a shame when you lose a player like that. It bothers the hell out of me. These are things that should not happen.”

Lasorda denied that Hershiser was throwing intentionally at Grissom.

“Hershiser wouldn’t throw at the Devil,” Lasorda said.

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Cory Snyder moved from his usual right field spot to play third base Sunday. The team recalled outfielder Raul Mondesi from Albuquerque to fill Wallach’s roster spot.

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Standing at his locker early Sunday morning, minutes after he gave up the three-run homer by John Vander Wal that blew the Dodgers’ ninth-inning lead over the Expos, Jim Gott said the explanation was simple.

“Hanging curveball, middle of the plate: Eric Anthony, Rick Wilkins, and now I can add a new guy to the list,” he said, referring to other hitters who have homered against him. “You’d think you’d learn from your mistakes . . .

“I lost the game. Geez, we didn’t lose the game in the 10th (when two other relievers gave up three runs in the 9-6 defeat), we lost it in the ninth.”

Before Saturday, Gott, assuming the closer role after Todd Worrell suffered continuing arm problems, had blown only two saves in 19 opportunities. Two days before, he struck out all three Expos he faced to earn his 17th save. Entering the ninth Saturday night, the Dodgers had been 41-3 when leading in the ninth inning.