BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Offerman Given a Surprise Role

If you don’t think the Dodgers have tried everything this season, consider that shortstop Jose Offerman batted third in the lineup for the second consecutive game.

He batted third Saturday for the first time in his three-year career.

Offerman is not your classic No. 3 hitter. In 1,140 career at-bats, he has two home runs. Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda had exhausted most other combinations. Why try this one?

“It’s just the fact that he’s been hitting,” Lasorda said.

Offerman, in fact, extended his hitting streak to seven games Sunday and improved his average to .278.

In two games in the No. 3 spot, he is three for six with two runs batted in.

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Brothers Todd and Tim Worrell pitched against each other for the first in their careers Sunday. Tim pitched two scoreless innings for the Padres, Todd gave up two hits and one run in one inning for the Dodgers. . . . After his spectacular day at first base, Tim Wallach offered regular Dodger first baseman Eric Karros his glove. Said Wallach: “You should take it on the trip with you.” Karros: “Why don’t you take it back to third base with you.”

Karros was given the day off Sunday. Dodger catcher Mike Piazza and left fielder Eric Davis did not start but entered the game late as defensive replacements. . . . With his ninth victory Sunday, Pedro Astacio tied Pedro Martinez for the team lead. . . . The Dodgers will begin a six-game road trip Tuesday with the first of three games against the Atlanta Braves.