True-Blue Believers Still Talking of Playoffs

The Dodgers have struggled to remain above .500 and haven’t won at least four games in a row.

They are 4-9 in August, including 3-6 against the rebuilding Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates and Florida Marlins.

But the Dodgers are among the teams in contention for the National League wild-card berth, and they still believe they’re playoff-bound.

“No way is our season over with yet,” left-hander Brian Bohanon said. “There are a lot of teams who have bad stretches at times when things don’t go right, but then they turn it on.

“We definitely have the talent in here [the clubhouse] with guys like Mondy [Raul Mondesi], Sheff [Gary Sheffield] and E.K. [Eric Karros]. Those guys are real nice to have in the middle of our lineup, and I like our pitching staff also.”

The Dodgers acknowledge they’ve been inconsistent, but they insist things aren’t as bad as they seem.

“We’re still right with the teams ahead of us,” first baseman Karros said. “Granted, we should be playing better. But it’s not like the teams ahead of us have pulled so far out in front.”

Players said the key is to get going now.

“We’ll be fine as long as we’re within two or three games by September,” third baseman Bobby Bonilla said. “We have to put something together to do that, but we definitely can. That’s not even in question.”

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Manager Glenn Hoffman is at his wits’ end because several everyday players have been sidelined because of major and nagging injuries.

Right fielder Sheffield sat out Friday’s game after suffering a sprained right thumb during Thursday’s 5-2 victory over the Marlins. Sheffield is listed as day to day.

“We keep losing key guys,” Hoffman said. “It just keeps getting tougher and tougher. You know that it’s one of those things that’s out of your control, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

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The Dodgers retired the No. 20 worn by former pitcher Don Sutton--who recently was inducted to the Hall of Fame--during a pregame ceremony Friday.

The team also added a portrait of Sutton to the mural on the outfield wall. Sutton’s number was the 10th retired by the Dodgers.

“I just feel very lucky,” Sutton said. “This has been an incredible year for me, and I’m very thankful for what everyone has done.”

Today

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (10-6, 3.90 ERA) vs. BRAVES’ JOHN SMOLTZ (10-2, 3.36 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

TV--Channel 11. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330)

* Update--Park is making his first start against the Braves this season. Park is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his career against Atlanta.