Mondesi Lives Up to Stretch Goals

The Dodgers had just lost three consecutive games, dropping 2 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres on Aug. 21, and it was time for action.

Right fielder Raul Mondesi sat down with coach Manny Mota and decided to set goals for the final 36 games: 50 hits, 40 runs, 12 homers and 40 RBIs.

The goals may have appeared unrealistic, but ever since that day, Mondesi has been on a torrid hitting streak and the Dodgers have played their best baseball. The Dodgers since have won 19 of 24 games to vault into first place, and Mondesi is batting .361 with 14 runs, five homers and 24 RBIs.

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The Dodgers are leaning toward keeping Chad Fonville on their playoff roster in lieu of a pitcher, most likely reliever Chan Ho Park, for the first round of the playoffs. The Dodgers figure they would need only 10 pitchers in the first round of the best-of-five series, and then likely would revert to a 11-man pitching staff if they advance to the second round. . . . The flags at Dodger Stadium flew at half-mast Tuesday in memory of Times columnist Allan Malamud. . . . The Dodgers have moved their Sept. 28 game against San Diego from 7 p.m. to 1, accommodating Fox TV.