A No-Win Situation for Dodgers

Those who occupy the executive offices at Chavez Ravine believe the Dodgers are underachieving under Manager Bill Russell.

They point to the team’s payroll of about $57 million, a roster that includes six all-stars and a starting pitching staff that was considered among the National League’s elite at the beginning of the season.

They point to those things to show that Russell isn’t getting the job done. But what they fail to accept is that their team is flawed--and that isn’t their embattled manager’s fault.

The Dodgers aren’t as talented as team executives believe, which was reinforced Saturday in a 7-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Ellis Burks hit a three-run home run and tied his season high with four RBIs as Colorado ended its losing streak at four games before a crowd of 48,231 at Coors Field.

The Dodgers had the tying run at second with one out in the ninth, but Eric Karros struck out swinging and Raul Mondesi grounded out to shortstop against Dave Veres to end the game. Veres earned his first save of the season while the victory went to Mike Munoz (1-0), who pitched two innings in relief of starter Mike DeJean.

Dennis Reyes (0-3) made his first start of the season in place of injured Ramon Martinez, giving up five hits and four runs--including Burks’ homer--in 4 2/3 innings.

After winning the first two games of the series to move back to .500, the Dodgers are at 36-37. And losing to the team with the worst home record in the major leagues (12-22) wasn’t the worst news for this struggling bunch.

The Dodgers announced before the game that third baseman Bobby Bonilla was put on the 15-day disabled list because of an intestinal infection that has forced him to be hospitalized. That came after news this week that season-ending shoulder surgery has been recommended for Martinez.

Starting left fielder Todd Hollandsworth was lost for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The Dodgers are relying on unproven players, and help isn’t in sight from triple-A Albuquerque.

Combine that with the other tumultuous events in this circus-like season, and one can easily understand why the Dodgers are down.

“As I’ve said before, we can’t just answer every injury,” said Fred Claire, executive vice president. “When you lose your No. 1 starting pitcher [Martinez], you can’t just go out and find a No. 1 starter.

“Hollandsworth is on the disabled list, now Bonilla is on the disabled list. We’ve been through a lot, but you can’t dwell on that. What we have to do is to make the adjustments and continue to battle. There really is no other answer than that.”

But the Dodgers had holes even before the losses of Bonilla, Hollandsworth and Martinez. Needs in the bullpen and center field, among others, went unfilled.

During the off-season, Claire told anyone who would listen that Roger Cedeno was the answer in center, and that either Antonio Osuna or Scott Radinsky could be the closer. Recent events have shown that those individuals haven’t established themselves.

Six members of the Dodgers’ active 25-man roster Saturday had less than a year of major league service time. The reserves available during the game were batting .228 (65 for 285) with six homers and 25 RBIs.

One veteran recently pointed out that the Dodgers have failed to receive consistent production from several key positions. Their once-formidable starting rotation has been shaky, and the bullpen has been a mess.

“Things aren’t going well, and [managers] are the first one to take the blame,” said right-hander Jim Bruske, who was charged with three runs Saturday in 1 2/3 innings.

“[Russell] is not the one out there making the pitches or swinging. It’s on us.”

At least the players are pointing fingers where they belong.

NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Angels

WHERE: Edison Field

WHEN: Monday, 7 p.m.*, Tuesday 7 p.m.

WHERE: Dodger Stadium

WHEN: Wed., 7:30 p.m., Thursday, 7 p.m.