BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Perranoski Spots Dreifort’s Problems

Pitching coach Ron Perranoski has worked a lot with Darren Dreifort recently, and believes he has pinpointed some of the areas that have caused Dreifort’s inconsistency. Along with working on mechanics and an off-speed breaking ball, Perranoski said he is helping Dreifort get to know himself and what he is capable of doing.

“He needs to extend himself out in front more and needs to use the upper part of his body,” Perranoski said. “We really didn’t change all that much. We went through his delivery and his angle discipline is the No. 1 thing. I don’t want him pitching too fine.”

Dreifort pitched in a simulated game recently and he and Perranoski also reviewed video of an inning Dreifort pitched four games ago, when he gave up a run and two hits. It was Dreifort’s first appearance since June 11, after which Perranoski began to work intently with him.

“He has so much potential and is such a a good kid to work with, it’s important to try and keep his confidence level up,” Perranoski said. “He was starting to become concerned.”

Dreifort, 21, was acclaimed as the best amateur player in the country last year, when, at Wichita State University, he had a 11-1 record and 2.48 earned-run average with 120 strikeouts and only 34 walks in 102 innings. But Perranoski points out that just because Dreifort has struggled this season doesn’t mean he’s lost his talent.

“In college, they are going to swing at a lot of balls, and (Dreifort) is capable of throwing the ball by anybody, both balls and strikes,” Perranoski said. “Up here, players won’t swing as much, or they will foul them off. This is an adjustment pitching up here.”

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X-rays on Tom Candiotti’s right big toe were negative and he is scheduled to pitch tonight. Orel Hershiser will pitch Wednesday in the final game of the series. . . . Reporters were kidding Chris Gwynn about the number of times he has been asked the obvious question, “How does it feel to play against your brother, Tony?” Not accepting a pat answer, Gwynn came up with this one: “It’s always fun because he plays, and I get to sit here and watch.”