Notes on a Scorecard - July 17, 1995

So much for the momentum that Ramon Martinez’s no-hitter and another Hideo Nomo gem should have generated for the Dodgers. . . .

A series split at home with the team that has the second-worst record in the major leagues, Florida, is unacceptable. . . .

The fact that the Dodgers didn’t commit an error during the four games shows that fielding isn’t their only weakness. . . .

The only Dodgers who had a good series at bat were Nomo and Jose Offerman. . . .

On Saturday night, Nomo pitched a three-hitter, allowed one run, and struck out 10. . . .

However, it wasn’t entirely the same old thing. . . .

He didn’t walk a batter in a game for the first time since Oct. 1, 1992, against the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan--and got a hit for the first time in his professional career. . . .

The designated hitter rule is used in Japan. . . .

In the National League, Nomo was 0 for 35 before he bounced a pitch from Bobby Witt into center field for a single in the seventh inning. . . .

The crowd stood and gave him the loudest ovation of the night. . . .

The ball was sent with care to the Dodger dugout and then delivered to Nomo’s locker in the clubhouse. . . .

At the end of the inning, Tim Wallach and Nomo crossed paths. . . .

“Sushi,” Wallach said to Nomo. . . .

It seems the Dodger third baseman had lost a wager to Manager Tom Lasorda. . . .

Lasorda bet that Nomo would get a hit against the Marlins and, in a generous mood, didn’t ask for any odds. . . .

If Nomo got the hit, Wallach would treat Lasorda and Nomo to a sushi dinner. If Nomo failed again, Lasorda would buy Wallach a dinner for two. . . .

“Don’t think I won’t collect, either,” Lasorda said later. “I’m going to eat a Moby Dick. It will cost Wallach a fortune.” . . .

Among other beneficiaries of Nomo’s appearance was Peter O’Malley. . . .

The tickets-sold count was 45,449, nearly 15,000 more than for Martinez’s no-hitter on Friday. . . .

It took a while for Nomomania to show at the box office, but an average of 48,432 tickets have been sold for his last three home appearances. . . .

Most of the customers stayed around for the entire 8 1/2 innings on Saturday. . . .

A lot of them seemed to be hoping for the Dodgers to finish their at-bats quickly, so Nomo could get back on the mound. . . .

About the only fault that can be found with him now is that his slow delivery allows base runners to steal off him easily. . . .

The Marlins stole two bases although only three batters reached first base. . . .

“We’re working with him on something,” Lasorda said. “I can’t tell you what it is, but he’s definitely going to get better at holding runners on.” . . .

There were the usual two news conferences for Nomo after the game. . . .

In front of his locker, English-speaking writers interviewed him with the aid of a translator. To accommodate the throngs, the lockers on both sides of Nomo’s have been vacated. . . .

The Japanese-speaking media interviewed him in the clubhouse that served the Los Angeles Angels from 1962-65. It is tiny. No wonder the Angels thought they were treated as second-class citizens by the Dodgers. . . .

Nomovision: Nomo’s next start Thursday against Florida at Joe Robbie Stadium will be telecast by Channel 5 although it wasn’t on the original TV schedule. . . .

Until then, Marlin pitching coach Larry Rothschild will be working overtime to figure out a way to stop that pesky No. 16, who got 20% of the Dodgers’ hits on Saturday. . . .

*

The Angels look more genuine every day, but I still think they should acquire an established starting pitcher. . . .

It ought to be a no-brainer for U.S. Soccer to pick Steve Sampson as permanent coach of the national team. . . .

Michael Schumacher reportedly will ask for a $1 million-a-race contract to drive on the Grand Prix circuit next season. . . .

Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez ought to hang up the gloves after his upset loss to Saman Sorjaturong in the seventh round Saturday at the Forum. . . .

TV announcer Joel Meyers says he nearly cracks up every time he reads the warning, “Any transmission or rebroadcast of this telecast without the expressed written consent of the office of the commissioner of baseball is strictly prohibited.” . . .

“What commissioner?” Meyers asks.