BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Piazza Quietly Hits Two Homers

Dodger catcher Mike Piazza was swarmed by reporters Wednesday night after calling Hideo Nomo’s 16-strikeout game, but the best-kept secret of the night was his two home runs.

Piazza, who has been back only 10 days since suffering a torn thumb ligament, hit two homers and drove in three runs in the Dodgers’ 8-5 victory, leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates to testify that he is the Piazza of old.

“I think we learned tonight that we can’t leave a pitch over the plate to Piazza,” Pirate catcher Mark Parent said. “He’s definitely back. The way he’s swinging, he’s like a strong Paul Molitor. Man, it’s going to be scary.”

Said Pirate Manager Jim Leyland: “He’s the best. I like him. My wife likes him, and she doesn’t know that much about baseball.

“All you have to do to like him is watch him play. He’s the best overall catcher in baseball.”

Piazza, who went three for four to raise his batting average to .416, says it’s premature to say his hitting stroke is completely back. Then again, it’s close.

“My thumb is still swollen,” Piazza said, “and from what I understand, it will be swollen for a few more weeks. But I’ll get there.”

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The Dodgers were planning to bring Todd Worrell into the game until they scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning, and then sat him down. Yet, when the Pirates scored two in the bottom of the ninth off rookie relievers Greg Hansell and Joey Eischen, they had no choice but to bring Worell in for the final out.

“It’s a little different pitching with a lead,” said Worrell, who recorded his ninth save. “They’re just a little inexperienced. You’ve got to learn to pitch in those situations. You can’t be too cautious, and that’s what’s happening.”

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Although Dodger catcher Tom Prince is eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Monday, he still has not recovered from the deep thigh bruise suffered June 3 in the home-plate collision with New York Met outfielder Ryan Thompson. . . . Dodger right fielder Raul Mondesi, who so often is being compared to Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, has begun wearing No. 21 on the back of his cap in honor of Clemente. . . . Banner in the right-field seats at Three Rivers Stadium: “Go Back on Strike.” . . . The Dodgers have a cast of candidates for the all-star team, but the early returns have left them far behind in the fan balloting. While Piazza is second behind catcher Darren Daulton, first baseman Eric Karros ranks only sixth, shortstop Jose Offerman isn’t even in the top eight and Mondesi is 11th.