Leyland: Russell Is Doing a Good Job

The Marlins’ Jim Leyland, voted National League Manager of the Year three times in 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, said Dodger Manager Bill Russell, in his first full season since succeeding Tom Lasorda, knows what he’s doing.

“I think he’s done an outstanding job and I mean that,” Leyland said. “I think he’s got a good feel for it and think he’s got great patience. Billy was a player and he realizes how tough the game is to play. He doesn’t panic. It’s not easy to come in here and follow a guy like Tom Lasorda, but I think he’s the perfect man.”

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Russell said Todd Hollandsworth, who had missed four games because of a knee injury, is ready to return, but he’s having a difficult time getting back in the starting lineup. Hollandsworth has entered the last three games as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

TONIGHT’S GAME

DODGERS’ HIDEO NOMO (5-3, 3-12 ERA) vs. MARLINS’ AL LEITER (3-3, 4.66 ERA)

Dodger Stadium 7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Update--They have won three consecutive games after a season-high six-game losing streak. The Dodgers hit three home runs in Monday night’s 5-3 win, their first over the Marlins in four games. Bobby Bonilla’s seven-game hitting streak ended when he was 0 for 3 with a walk and a run. Bonilla, who is tied for the league lead with 19 doubles, is hitting .435 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 13 RBIs over the last 13 games. Edgar Renteria, runnerup behind Dodger outfielder Todd Hollandsworth in the balloting for 1996 rookie of the year, extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a two-out single in the seventh inning. Nomo is second in the National League with 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings and has given up two or fewer earned runs in six of his 10 starts this season and 41 of his 71 lifetime starts. Leiter, who went on the 15-day disabled list May 1 because of a knee injury, will be making his second start since he was activated on May 20. He gave up one run on five hits in a 2-1 loss to the Mets on May 21. Leiter threw the only no-hitter in franchise history, May 11, 1996, against the Colorado Rockies.