Questions Continue to Surround Struggling Nomo, Who Has No Answers

Hideo Nomo thought he had corrected his problems, and the Dodgers were hopeful that the right-hander had regained form.

Their optimism was based on Nomo’s performance against the Houston Astros on April 13. He pitched seven strong innings for his first victory, 3-1, and his teammates said it seemed like old times.

But then Nomo pitched Saturday.

He had his worst performance as a professional, lasting only two-thirds of an inning in an 8-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He walked four consecutive batters and five overall in the Cubs’ eight-run first inning, and was charged with seven earned runs.

His earned-run average jumped from 3.38 to 7.02. After struggling throughout spring training, Nomo (1-2) is under the microscope again.

And the Dodgers are searching for answers.

“I don’t know what [the problem is] at this point,” Nomo said through an interpreter. “I have to keep concentrating on my control, and that’s what I will work on before my next start.”

He characteristically put the most positive spin possible on his problems, but the situation isn’t that simple.

“He’s a warrior, and he’s just the type who won’t let you know if anything is bothering him,” Manager Bill Russell said. “He wants to go out there and finish what he starts, no matter what.

“Physically he’s fine, but he’s obviously struggling. It concerns you when you see that, but he just has to keep working on it.”

For the first time, Nomo is throwing a curveball to complement his fastball and split-finger pitch. Pitchers sometimes struggle when developing new pitches, but he hasn’t used that as an excuse.

While he was struggling last season, Nomo repeatedly assured team officials that his right arm was fine. But calcium deposits in his elbow were causing pain, and he underwent arthroscopic surgery in the off-season.

He was often hit hard during the exhibition season, and went 2-1 with a 7.41 ERA in five starts. Some Dodgers wonder privately if Nomo has lost velocity on his pitches, which is common for pitchers who undergo arm surgery, but he maintains everything is OK.

“He’s had good velocity at times,” pitching coach Glenn Gregson said. “His main problem has been mechanical, just trying to rediscover his release point consistently.

“As far as what happened [Saturday], it was just one of those days when everything went wrong. You can’t base everything on that.”

Nomo said that worrying won’t help him find answers.

“I’m not thinking about my last start or my next one,” he said. “The only thing I’m thinking about doing now is to keep concentrating, and keep working, on my control.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Milwaukee Brewers, three games.

Site--County Stadium, Milwaukee.

Tonight--4 PDT.

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

Records--Dodgers 8-9, Brewers 12-5.

Record vs. Brewers (1997)--0-0.

DODGERS’

RAMON MARTINEZ

(2-1, 2.33 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’

JEFF JUDEN

(2-1, 2.84 ERA)

* Update--The Dodgers won eight of 11 after starting 0-4, but lost the last two games of their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Their offense has been inconsistent (.241 team average), and hitters are failing too often in key situations. And although the season is only three weeks old, the Dodgers already trail the National League West-leading San Diego Padres by six games. “We have to start playing more consistent baseball,” Manager Bill Russell said. “It’s not a question of the talent, we have that, but we’re struggling to do things we know we should be doing.” Martinez’s pitching isn’t among the Dodgers’ problems. In his last 22 1/3 innings, the staff ace has given up only three earned runs and 10 hits. The Brewers are off to a fast start in their first season in the NL. They’re coming off a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants, have a team ERA of 2.73, have won four in a row and are atop the Central Division by half a game over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (2-0, 3.66) vs. Cal Eldred (0-0, 1.40).

Thursday, 11 a.m.--Hideo Nomo (1-2, 7.02) vs. Jose Mercedes (1-0, 4.11).