BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Worrell Says He’s Feeling Sharp Again

Todd Worrell doesn’t expect all his outings to be good ones, but he does feel he is improving. The ace of the Dodger bullpen has four consecutive saves and several sharp outings.

“All pitchers, especially relievers, know they won’t be sharp every time,” the right-hander said. “But I have been working hard and I am beginning to see the results.

“When I was having trouble, I knew I had to pitch myself out of it. It didn’t help a bit for me to sit out four games. You just have to keep pitching. I feel good about the way it’s going right now.”

Pitching coach Ron Perranoski is also pleased with Worrell’s progress. Before elbow trouble struck a few years ago, Worrell, now 34, was one of the best closers in the game.

“He’s starting to pitch the way we expected,” Perranoski said. “When he came back from his side injury, he was strong, but he didn’t pitch well.

“Now he’s doing a good job of changing speeds and he is spotting his pitches better.”

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The Dodgers are trying to get rookie Rafael Bournigal to do the things they couldn’t get his predecessor, Jose Offerman, to do--hit down on the ball.

“Hit down on the ball,” Manager Tom Lasorda yelled at his new shortstop as he stood in the batting cage. When Bournigal lashed a line drive to left, Lasorda led the cheers.

“Watch (Brett) Butler,” Lasorda said. “He leads the league in singles every year. He also earns $3.8 million. Watch him.”

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The Giants’ pitching problems persist. Before the game they put their best starter, Bill Swift, on the 15-day disabled list and brought up Brad Brink from Phoenix.

Already out of action are Mike Jackson, Mark Portugal and Kevin Rogers.