BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Nervous Rookie Homers First Time Up

Dodger infielder Garey Ingram pinch-hit for Orel Hershiser in the eighth inning of Thursday’s game, and he said he hadn’t been that nervous since his first day of double-A ball.

In his first major league at-bat, Ingram homered against Colorado reliever Mike Munoz, becoming the 38th player in the National League to homer in his first at-bat and the 67th player overall.

“When I hit it, I just took off running, I was so excited,” said Ingram, who was called up May 14 from double-A San Antonio to replace Dave Hansen, who is on the disabled list. “Brett (Butler) was there waiting for me and he was smiling, it made me feel good.”

Butler, who was in the on-deck circle, said he was happy for Ingram. “I told him someday you will be bouncing your grandchildren on your knee, and you will be telling them about your first major league at-bat.”

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Eric Karros, who had gone 28 consecutive games without committing an error, made two Thursday, misplaying a grounder in the first inning and throwing away a routine double-play ball in the third.

The latter error cost the Dodgers a run.

“I was due,” said Karros, who has four errors this season. “That first ball, I thought I had it and when I looked in my glove it wasn’t there, and the second one was tailor-made for a double play, I just took too much time. I thought we were out of the inning and in the dugout and then threw it away. “

Karros is batting .265 with five home runs, 10 doubles and 13 runs batted in. “I’m traditionally a second- half player and right now, they haven’t depended on me. There’s Mike (Piazza), Eli (Tim Wallach), (Raul) Mondesi who are coming through. But there will be a time when we will need my bat, and I will be there.”

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Todd Worrell said he will throw again on Saturday and probably be activated when the team returns home on Monday. . . . Ramon Martinez said he has felt back stiffness before, but nothing like he did during Monday’s game. He believes it occurred when he struck out in the sixth inning, but says he is much improved and will start Saturday. . . . Manager Tom Lasorda will give the commencement address at graduation for the College of the Arts at Long Beach State on May 27.