Abdominal Pain Sidelines Lasorda

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda was in the hospital Tuesday with abdominal pain and is expected to miss at least a few games.

The 68-year-old manager was being treated and evaluated in Centinela Hospital Medical Center in nearby Inglewood. He drove to the hospital from his home in Fullerton on Monday night and admitted himself.

Team physician Dr. Michael Mellman said Lasorda was doing “much better now” and would watch Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs on television.

Dodgers coach Bill Russell filled in as manager. He made out the lineup card with the help of the other coaches, and Lasorda approved it from his hospital bed.

Mellman said more tests were planned Wednesday, and Lasorda wouldn’t be released until the results come back. Mellman said he didn’t know how long that would take.

“He’s frustrated about not being at the game, he doesn’t like being in the hospital, and he doesn’t like being sick,” Mellman said before the game at Dodger Stadium. “He feels his place is at the stadium. He’s healthy enough to run a major league baseball team.”

The Dodgers complete a six-game homestand Wednesday night against the Cubs and begin a seven-game road trip Thursday night at Colorado against the Rockies.

There was no indication whether Lasorda would make the trip with the team or when he will rejoin the team.

“Tommy told me to be sure to tell Billy these games count on his record,” Dodgers General Manager Fred Claire said shortly after informing the players of Lasorda’s situation.

Lasorda has never had any serious health problems. But reserve outfielder Billy Ashley said Lasorda hasn’t pitched batting practice since the last homestand ended June 11.

“If Tommy’s in the hospital, it really hurts him, because he’d rather be here,” Russell said. “Everybody knows how Tommy likes to eat, and how he likes spicy foods. We just hope it’s a bad case of indigestion.”

Lasorda, the senior manager in the majors, is in his 20th full season as manager of the Dodgers. Los Angeles was 41-35 entering Tuesday night and leading the NL West.

Lasorda, the 13th winningest manager in major league history, has spent 47 years in the Dodgers’ organization. He succeeded Walter Alston as manager late in the 1976 season.

Lasorda ranks 12th on baseball’s list of games managed, having surpassed Dick Williams in wins and games earlier this season.

The Dodgers won pennants in 1977 and 1978--Lasorda’s first two full seasons as manager--and also won pennants as well as the World Series in 1981 and 1988.

In addition, the Dodgers won division titles in 1983, 1985 and 1995, and were in first place in 1994 when the season ended prematurely because of the players’ strike.