Reyes Gets His Name in Several Books

While making his major-league debut Sunday, left-hander Dennis Reyes got his name into more than merely the starting lineup.

Among his accomplishments:

--His stolen base was the first by a Dodger pitcher in three years, the last one also recorded against the San Francisco Giants, by Orel Hershiser on May 8, 1994.

Reyes, of course, had no choice after he was picked off second when he strayed too far on a bunt attempt by Roger Cedeno.

Reyes’ teammates, of course, had fun with that.

“He did pretty well,” catcher Mike Piazza said, “scoring a run after being hung out to dry.”

Added first baseman Eric Karros, “You could see that coming, but you wouldn’t want to see it too often.”

--Reyes became the youngest pitcher in the majors this season at 20 years, 86 days. Before Reyes, the youngest had been the Florida Marlins’ Felix Heredia at 21 years, 26 days.

--Reyes ended the Dodgers’ major-league record streak of 681 consecutive games without starting a left-hander.

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Total attendance for the series was 195,333, the largest for a four-game set at Dodger Stadium since 202,997 attended a series against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 5-8, 1982.

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Hitting coach Reggie Smith, suffering from what is believed to be a pinched nerve, was admitted to Centinela Hospital Medical Center on Saturday night. Smith, 51, who experienced pain and numbness in his neck and right arm, was scheduled for further tests to determine the cause of the problem.

Smith has been experiencing the symptoms for some time. By Saturday, they had gotten bad enough to require hospitalization.

Smith obviously did not accompany the Dodgers when they left town Sunday night to start an eight-game trip, but according to team physician Michael Mellman, Smith might join the team on the road, depending on the outcome of the tests.

In Smith’s absence, his spot in the first-base coaching box was taken by Mike Scioscia.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Colorado Rockies, two games.

* Site--Coors Field.

* Tonight--6.

* TV--Channel 5 tonight

* Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 48-43, Rockies 44-48.

* Record vs. Rockies--2-1.

TONIGHT’S GAME

DODGERS’ PEDRO ASTACIO (5-7, 4.07 ERA) vs. ROCKIES’ DARREN HOLMES (3-1, 4.08 ERA)

* Update--This the start of an eight-game trip that figures to provide a tough test for the Dodgers. After winning three of four from the division-leading San Francisco Giants in their first series after the All-Star break, the Dodgers must play in Colorado, where their superior pitching might prove useless in the high altitude of Denver; in Florida, where the Dodgers lost all three games they played there this season; and in Atlanta, where they must face the Braves, the team with the best record in baseball. “This trip could be another character builder. Or, it could be the opposite,” catcher Mike Piazza said. It certainly figures to test the character of Astacio, who has struggled, enduring a seven-game losing streak at one point. The Dodgers are 6-11 in Astacio’s 17 starts. That’s nothing new. They are 56-69 in his 125 career starts.

* Tuesday, noon--Dodgers’ Chan Ho Park (6-5, 3.08) vs. Rockies’ Roger Bailey (8-6, 3.50).