BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser Giddy About Facing Fernando

Orel Hershiser, one of the few Dodgers remaining from when Fernando Valenzuela last pitched at Dodger Stadium, said Saturday he is eagerly looking forward to pitching against Valenzuela in their sold-out matchup today.

“It’s going to be a fun game to play,” Hershiser said. “I think it’s going to be a mix of emotions and sentiment because it’s Fernando out there, and competition, because it’s a big league game.

“But no matter what, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Whether we win or lose, I’m sure it’ll be a game we’ll all remember.”

Valenzuela, signed by the Philadelphia Phillies last week, last pitched for the Dodgers at the end of the 1990 season. He was released before the 1991 season.

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda agreed it seemed fitting that it would be Hershiser who faced Valenzuela and said it would be impossible to watch Valenzuela pitch today without remembering the mania that surrounded him in the 1980s.

“It’s going to be interesting to watch him,” Lasorda said. “How can you forget it? The guy was exciting, the guy was a winner. He set the baseball world on fire.”

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Philadelphia’s scheduled starter, right-hander Shawn Boskie, was a late scratch Saturday after suffering from dizziness caused by a viral infection. He was replaced by right-hander Paul Quantrill. . . . Catcher Mike Piazza was rested, replaced by Carlos Hernandez.