BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Gott’s Record OK, Numbers Aren’t

Reliever Jim Gott’s earned-run average going into tonight’s game is 5.71, he has walked 11 batters in 17 innings, and he has already given up three home runs. So Gott can only shrug and smile when he is asked what it’s like to pitch so raggedly and still wind up with a 4-1 record.

“That’s just the way game is,” he said. “There’s been plenty of times in my career when I’ve thought I’ve pitched pretty good for a stretch and instead of 4-1, I’m 1-4. Things kind of even out, you’ve got to keep that steady flow through everything.”

Last year, when he was thrust into the closer role after Todd Worrell was injured, Gott saved 25 games, walked only 17 in 77 2/3 innings and had a career-low 2.32 earned-run average.

This year? With the emergence of rookie Darren Dreifort, he has had several appearances as a set-up man and several games in which he has entered with leads and given up tying runs only to have the Dodgers rally for victory.

“They began the season calling me Pedro Martinez (last year’s mostly successful set-up man), and it’s gone to ‘the Vulture.’ Because it’s obvious, guys like Orel Hershiser, he should be 6-1, 6-0, they way he’s been pitching--but I’m going in there, giving up runs, then getting the win.

“If anything, I’ve been trying too hard to get out there and kind of re-establish what I did last year. You just can’t look back to the past and expect to succeed.

“I’ve been trying to throw my pitches early, and the hitters have been smart--they’re not swinging and I’m getting behind in the count.”

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In the first inning Friday night, second baseman Delino DeShields was caught trying to steal for the first time this season. DeShields, who had been successful on his first 12 attempts--tying a career high for consecutive steals--was thrown out at second by Padre catcher Brad Ausmus.