Konerko Looks for Comfort Zone

Hitting slumps are part of the game, and Paul Konerko accepts that he will struggle at times.

But that hasn’t provided comfort for the Dodger rookie first baseman, who isn’t having fun at the plate. Konerko said he is working hard to overcome his problems, and he hopes to see some results soon.

“It’s kind of frustrating, because I’m not real happy with my swing right now,” he said. “When you keep going up there, and you don’t get the results you’re looking for, you know that something isn’t right.”

His batting average is yet another signal.

Konerko began Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros batting .185 (five for 27) without a home run. He had two hits in his previous 22 at-bats (.090) after starting the season three for five.

He drove in his first run with a deep fly ball to left-center in the second inning against the Astros.

“You can see he’s pressing a little right now,” Manager Bill Russell said. “It’s that, with the combination of facing good pitching.

“When you get up here, you’re not facing the type of pitching you faced in the minors, and it’s all about figuring out the pitchers at this level. But he’s a real smart hitter for a young guy, and I have confidence he will get it turned around.”

Konerko, who experienced few slumps during his standout minor league career, is working closely with hitting instructor Reggie Smith. They’re trying to help Konerko get comfortable at the plate again.

“A lot of it is just mental,” Konerko said. “It’s about getting back to basics, and remembering the things you’ve done before to have success.”

Smith said that unlike many rookies, Konerko is a student of hitting. He studies pitchers and situations, which will help him.

“I treat every at-bat like it’s my last,” Konerko said. “I know guys are going to challenge me right now, especially because I’m not going too well, but I never want anyone to feel like I’m an easy out.”

*

It appears that reports of Mike Piazza’s demise were greatly exaggerated.

Some expressed concern about his focus, because of his contentious contract negotiations, when the all-star catcher was batting .172 without a homer or run batted in through the first seven games. But he went five for seven with three homers--among them two grand slams--and 10 RBIs in two games to raise his average to .278 going into Saturday’s game.

“I’ve gotten off to slow starts before, it’s just a matter of staying relaxed and doing what you know you can do,” Piazza said. “It’s not something you can worry about. If you do, you’ll go crazy.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (1-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. ASTROS’ JOHN HALAMA (0-1, 11.25 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

TV--ESPN. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Park earned the victory in the Dodgers’ 9-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the home opener Tuesday. He gave up one unearned run on seven hits in six innings, and was forced to leave the game because of a lower back strain. He underwent therapy between starts, and Park said he feels stronger than he did Tuesday. “I was kind of sore all over, but I wasn’t in a lot of pain,” he said. “I’ve done everything that I normally do [between starts], so I’m not worried.”