BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT

He was as responsible as anyone for the National League West division title last season, sparking the Dodgers with his hustle, and solidifying the top of the lineup.

He now has become the forgotten man.

Chad Fonville was kept out of the starting lineup for the 16th consecutive game Tuesday.

With Juan Castro playing well at shortstop until Greg Gagne’s return later this month, Delino DeShields playing solidly at second, and the outfield crowded, Fonville realizes he’s going to have no choice but to get used to his bench role.

“I haven’t been getting on base at all, and that’s frustrating,” said Fonville, batting .212, with only three hits in his last 32 at-bats [.094]. “When I do get on base, I know I can make things happen, but it’s not happening. I feel like I’m letting the team down.

“I don’t know why, I just haven’t been myself. I haven’t been making good contact with the breaking ball, and I’m swinging at a lot of balls in the dirt.”

The difference this season, scouts say, is that pitchers are throwing Fonville mostly breaking balls. Last year, Fonville rarely saw anything but fastballs.

“I know what I need to do,” Fonville said, “and I also know what my role is now. I’m not going to be a starter or everyday player this year, but I know what I need to do to help this team win.

“The spark is still there.

“I just need to light that match again.”

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Dodger reliever Mark Guthrie, buried in the bullpen most of the season, has emerged as one of the most valuable left-handers in the league.

Guthrie has pitched 11 2/3 scoreless innings, and has yielded only one earned run in his last 22 1/3 innings. He has a 1.24 earned-run average in 27 games.

“It’s been tough to judge how well I’ve pitched because so many of my situations were just to get some work in,” Guthrie said. “But I’m getting comfortable now. I just feel much more effective when I can pitch a couple of innings at a time instead of coming in to get a left-hander or two out.”