BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Game Rained Out, Doubleheader Today

A torrential thunderstorm hit Veterans Stadium about 1 1/2 hours before the Dodgers’ game was to begin against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday night, closing the airport, local highways and eventually postponing the game until today, when a doubleheader will be played. The first game begins at 1 p.m. PDT. Channel 5 will begin its telecast at 3 p.m., joining the first game in progress and continuing through the second game.

The Phillies, who were not home for the Fourth of July, were expecting a crowd of 50,000 for fireworks, so they waited with hope for a window of calm that was supposed to come. This four-game series is also the last meeting between the two teams this season, which could complicate a makeup date. But after city officials had closed most of Philadelphia, and the police had called the club and urged it to postpone the game, the Phillies faced reality and called the game at 7:53 p.m. It had been scheduled to start at 7:30.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers, who had stretched, taken batting practice in the cages, read books and played cards, did what any team would do after a rain delay. They visited with rock star Alice Cooper, who was at the stadium to promote his new album.

“We play together in a world series of golf in the winter, so that’s how some of us know him,” said Tom Candiotti, who will start the second game today. “He is the nicest guy in the whole world. He’s so articulate and a genius, really.”

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Thursday’s game was to have been the first of a 13-game, four-city trip for the Dodgers, who believe it to be crucial stretch, not only because of the pending strike, but because of the consistency they hope to restore to the bullpen with the return of Jim Gott.

“We aren’t looking for a .500 trip, this is a huge trip,” Gott said. “I feel wonderful. I’m in a lot better shape, both mentally and physically, than since spring training. I believe the ups and downs that I had with trying to adapt to another role the first part of the season are over, and I am looking forward to my role as the set-up man to Todd (Worrell).”

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Kevin O’Malley, the oldest son of Dodger owner Peter O’Malley, is making his first trip with the team. “It’s not that I thought I couldn’t go on a trip, but I didn’t think it would be right to get in anybody’s way,” Kevin said. “I wasn’t coming until the other night when we ran into Tommy (Lasorda) at dinner, and he asked me to come on the trip.”

Kevin, 18, attends Penn State University, where as a freshman last season he was a varsity catcher. He worked out before the heavy rains with coach Joe Ferguson.

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The Dodgers need for a left-handed reliever continues, and so do reports of possible trades. Fred Claire, executive vice president, said he has not spoken with the Chicago Cubs about Randy Myers or to the New York Mets about John Franco. Both relievers are reportedly on the trading block. “I have not spoken to the Cubs in some time and am not in a trade discussion at this time,” Claire said.