BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Nothing Works for Lasorda

When Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda brought in Omar Daal Friday night to pitch to Barry Bonds rather than intentionally walk him with the score 4-4 in the fifth inning, with none out and runners on second and third base, he fell under heavy criticism. Bonds hit a three-run homer on a 2-and-0 pitch, with .238 hitter Dave Martinez on deck.

“I brought in the left-hander in there to get him out,” Lasorda said again Saturday. “If he would have popped up, would anyone be saying, ‘Why didn’t you walk him?’ ”

So in the seventh inning Saturday, with the Giants leading, 3-2, and Will Clark on second base, Lasorda ordered Bonds intentionally walked by Orel Hershiser. Martinez followed with a two-run double to right-center.

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The Houston Astros clinched third place in the National League West Friday night, ensuring that the Dodgers will finish fourth. The Dodgers’ 80-81 record is better than last season’s 63-99, but it makes little difference to some of the players.

“It doesn’t feel better,” reliever Roger McDowell said. “We may have improved, but our goal is still to play in the postseason. Denver’s going home at the same time we are.”