DeShields Is Unhappy at Benching

Dodger Manager Bill Russell, who watched his team score only six runs in their last 49 innings while batting .177, juggled the lineup for Game 2. He benched second baseman Delino DeShields and replaced him with rookie Juan Castro, who had not started since Sept. 4. Russell also flip-flopped the top of his lineup, and put Todd Hollandsworth back in the leadoff and batted Wayne Kirby second.

DeShields was angered by the decision, particularly because he wasn’t notified by Russell or one of the coaches. DeShields was told by one of his teammates while stretching before the game.

“It’s always been like that around here,” DeShields said, shaking his head. “Would you be happy being here all years and then someone else comes along and takes your place? Somebody’s got to be the scapegoat. . . .

“I’m unhappy about it, I feel like I deserve to be in the field. But they’ll do whatever they want to do. I’m still part of the team. It’s not like I got released.

“I still think [Russell’s] a good manager. I like Bill a lot. I just want to be in the game.”

Unless the Dodgers advance to the second round of the playoffs, DeShields has most likely put on his Dodger uniform for the final time at Dodger Stadium.

“I like my teammates and the ballclub,” DeShields said, “but I’m going to do what’s best for me. I’ll go where I’m wanted. I don’t know what to feel here.”

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Never in rookie infielder Juan Castro’s wildest dreams did he ever envision that he would be playing in triple-A Albuquerque in May, and on Thursday, be the Dodgers’ starting second baseman in Game 2 of the playoffs.

“When I first came to the [United] States my goal was to make enough money to buy a house,” Castro said. “Well, I got enough to get my home now.

“I just want to play. I’m ready.”

Castro is expected to have a chance to be the starting second baseman next season.

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Dodger outfielder Dave Clark, who spent 2 1/2 years playing for Manager Jim Leyland and the Pirates, said he plans to soon call Leyland.

“I’m going to tell him, ‘I told you so,’ ” Clark said. “I always told him he didn’t realize what he was worth, and now he’s finding out.”

Leyland is the hottest commodity on the free-agent circuit, receiving offers the Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox and Angels.