BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Piazza Rests, Hernandez Starts

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda gave catcher Mike Piazza the day off, starting Carlos Hernandez, who had an eighth-inning, three-run pinch-hit home run in Saturday night’s 9-8 loss to Montreal.

“I didn’t even know I was going to start until I got to the park today,” Hernandez said. “But I’ve got to be ready.”

The Expos tried to run on Hernandez, who has started only six games since the All-Star break.

With runners at second and third in the second inning, Montreal tried a delayed double steal, but Hernandez blocked the plate and tagged out Mike Lansing.

After the Expos executed a successful double steal in the third inning, Hernandez threw out Sean Berry when he tried to steal second base in the seventh.

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Former replacement player Mike Busch, who was ostracized by the Dodgers after being called up from the minors last week, started his second game at third base.

Busch, who struck out three times before he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, has struck out six times in eight at-bats.

“I’m a little anxious,” Busch said. “I’m not seeing the ball. I’m just up there swinging. I’ve got to see the ball and be more patient.”