BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Ashley Finds His Groove

Left fielder Billy Ashley hit 37 home runs and drove in 105 runs for triple-A Albuquerque last season, but struggled after joining the Dodgers this season.

Ashley has raised his average from .230 on June 3 to .258 and is batting .313 (16 for 51) in the last 16 games. He has four homers in his last nine games and extended his hitting streak to five games in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Ashley said he has flourished since he was dropped to the eighth spot in the batting order several weeks ago.

“If I could explain it, I’d have been going well the whole time,” Ashley said. “I think hitting eighth has a lot to do with it. I’m seeing a lot more pitches.”

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Dodger pitchers Hideo Nomo and Ismael Valdes are a combined 10-0 this month with a combined earned-run average of 1.40. During that span they have four complete games and two shutouts. Nomo has 37 strikeouts in his last three games, the most by a Dodger since Sandy Koufax recorded 38 on Sept. 25, Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, 1965.

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Dodger catcher Tom Prince, who was put on the 15-day disabled list June 4 because of a concussion and bruised left thigh suffered in a home plate collision with New York Met baserunner Ryan Thompson on June 3, will be examined this morning by Dr. Frank Jobe and then will fly to Albuquerque to begin a rehabilitation assignment.