DODGERS REPORT : Konerko Hitting a Frustrating .207

Paul Konerko is trying to remain focused, but the rookie first baseman is having problems.

He is disappointed in his performance, struggling to get comfortable and wilting under the pressure of the Dodger publicity machine. Many before him have encountered something similar--but there isn’t a formula for success.

“It’s all part of it, it’s part of what you go through in this game,” he said. “It’s frustrating because I’m going up there and taking bad swings, and I’m just not doing what I know I should be.

“I look at everything I’m doing, and I just don’t know anymore. I’m trying, but I just don’t know.”

Konerko is batting .207 after going one for four Wednesday night in the Dodgers’ 9-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium. He has only two runs batted in without an extra-base hit.

“He’s pressing, and that’s something you know young players are going to go through,” Manager Bill Russell said. “We’re confident in him, and we’re going to keep giving him opportunities.

“He’s a hard-working guy, and he’s doing everything he can to break out of it. We’ve seen what he’s capable of doing, so all you can do is keep giving him opportunities and hope for the best.”

As they are prone to do with rookies, the Dodgers put pressure on Konerko by touting him throughout his minor league career. The blitz increased after he batted .337 with five home runs and 23 RBIs during spring training.

Because of Konerko’s presence, team officials said they weren’t worried that first baseman Eric Karros would be sidelined for the first six to eight weeks of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery.

Their praise increased the fans’ expectations--and the pressure on Konerko.

“I’m getting my opportunity right now, and I’m trying to deal with everything and just focus on what’s important,” he said. “I’m working on my swing every day, but I can’t explain what’s wrong. I would fix it if I could explain it, but I can’t.”

Catcher Mike Piazza is counseling and encouraging Konerko. He said he has seen this before.

“A lot of rookies are expected to contribute in this organization, and he’s obviously a guy who’s being counted on for a lot,” he said. “It’s tough to relax when you’ve been put in that situation, especially when things aren’t going well.

“I’ve been talking to him and doing what I can, but it’s tough. It’s something you can try to help him with, but it’s something he has to figure out for himself.”

But where will he do that?

Center fielder Roger Cedeno and Karros are expected to return soon from his rehabilitation assignments and Konerko is among the candidates to be demoted to triple-A Albuquerque to make room on the 25-man roster.

It might help Konerko to play in a less-stressful environment, but Dodger officials are reluctant to admit their mistakes, so Konerko might remain on the team.

“We’re not going to speculate on what we’re going to do, because that’s not fair to the players,” said Fred Claire, executive vice president. “Paul Konerko is a very important part of this team, and a very important part of this organization’s future.

“As far as what may or may not happen with Paul or any player, I’m not going to comment on that. We’ll make those decisions when the time comes.”

*

This is the Dodgers’ first series in Milwaukee in 33 years.

Ron Perranoski earned the victory, 6-5, when they defeated the Milwaukee Braves on Sept. 22, 1965 at County Stadium.

ON DECK

DODGERS’ HIDEO NOMO (1-2, 7.02 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’ JOSE MERCEDES (1-0, 4.11 ERA)

County Stadium, 11 a.m. PDT

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--This is an important start for Nomo, who walked four consecutive batters and five overall in losing to the Chicago Cubs, 8-1, Saturday at Wrigley Field. He was charged with eight runs--seven earned--and chased after two-thirds of an inning--the shortest outing in his career.