Non-Hitting Dodgers Go Quiet 0 for 4

They were relaxed after their first defeat, because the season has only started.

But that it’s-a-long-season stuff will take one only so far.

The Dodgers’ outlook isn’t as optimistic now after their season-opening losing streak reached four games Saturday in the Reds’ 3-1 victory before 20,464 at Cinergy Field.

They have 158 games remaining, but that’s not much comfort.

“Saying it’s only four in a row is unacceptable,” second baseman Eric Young said. “What are we going to say tomorrow, or the next day? What, ‘It’s only five in a row, or six in a row, or seven in a row?’

“No matter what time of the year it is, losing is unacceptable with the talent we have in this clubhouse. Everyone has to look at themselves in the mirror and just decide that.”

The Dodgers, who went 18-10-1 in the exhibition season, have opened the regular season with four consecutive losses for the first time since 1987, making many of the same mistakes that contributed to their first three defeats. Three L.A. Dodger teams have opened the season with five losses, the last also in 1987.

“Everybody is trying to do too much right now,” catcher Mike Piazza said. “We’re trying to pick each other up, and we’re pressing.

“And that’s hurting us more, because we’re not thinking out there in crucial situations. I don’t know exactly what the answer is, but we need to relax and just play the game. I have a lot of confidence in the talent on this team, but we’re just not playing good baseball.”

That much is apparent.

Right-hander Ismael Valdes (0-1) pitched well in his season debut, giving up three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings--the longest outing by a Dodger starter. He also walked four and struck out six.

But the offense continued to sputter.

The Dodgers had three hits and their team batting average dropped to .164 (22 for 134). They have scored nine runs in 39 innings.

And Piazza, Todd Zeile and Raul Mondesi--the Nos. 3, 4, and 5 hitters--are batting .177 (11 for 62).

“You have to give the [opposing pitchers] credit, but we have to get the monkey off our backs,” Piazza said. “We have to stop leaving runners out there, we have to start getting some big hits.”

Cincinnati starter Brett Tomko (1-0) pitched a personal-best eight innings, giving up one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out seven.

“When you’re not scoring runs, you have to play good defense and good fundamental baseball, and we’re not doing that,” Manager Bill Russell said. “These guys have been around long enough to know what they have to do, but we’re just not getting the job done.”

Once again, the Dodgers made several fundamental mistakes. And unfortunately for center fielder Thomas Howard, he figured prominently in the Dodgers’ problems.

The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when Young drove in Jose Vizcaino from second with a one-out triple to left-center. But Howard struck out looking, and Piazza grounded out to end the inning.

“I just totally lost my aggressiveness at the plate today,” said Howard, who has gone hitless in eight at-bats, with four strikeouts, since hitting a game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning against St. Louis on Thursday.

“E.Y. gives us a big lift with that triple, and then I strike out with less than two outs and him at third. You just can’t do that.”

And his day became worse.

In the bottom of the sixth, Bret Boone scored from second with one out on a bloop single to center by Pokey Reese. Howard’s throw eluded cutoff man Paul Konerko, going to Piazza at the plate, and Reese took second. He scored when Tomko, the next batter, singled to right to make it 3-1.

“As soon as I saw the pitcher coming up there, I knew something bad was going to happen,” Howard said. “I told Paul I was sorry as soon as I got into the dugout. It was just a bad throw, and a bad day.”

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Bad Beginnings

Worst starts in L.A. Dodger history:

* 1998--0-4.

* 1967--0-4. Finished 73-89, eighth in National League.

* 1970--0-5. Finished 87-74, second in National League West.

* 1976--0-5. Finished 92-70, second in National League West.

* 1987--0-5. Finished 73-89, fourth in National League West.