Dreifort Strengthens Hold on Fifth Spot

The Dodgers won’t make an announcement, but the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation is essentially completed.

The job belongs to right-hander Darren Dreifort, who strengthened his position Thursday in his second start. He pitched four strong innings in the Dodgers’ 10-2 victory over the Florida Marlins at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach, Fla., giving up a single and a solo home run to Todd Dunwoody in the third.

Dreifort (1-0) struck out five and walked three, including the first two batters on eight pitches. But he struck out Derrek Lee and got out of the jam when Josh Booty hit into an inning-ending double play.

“It was just a lack of concentration to throw eight straight pitches in the same place,” Dreifort said. “But then [pitching coach Glenn Gregson] came out and told me I was rushing it a little bit, and I was fine after that.”

Dreifort, who pitched three innings in his first start, was said to be battling left-hander Dennis Reyes for the job. But from the first day of workouts, it was apparent that Dreifort was the Dodgers’ choice.

They believe Dreifort will be their most talented starter if he can develop a changeup to complement his hard slider and 95-mph fastball.

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Dreifort also hit a two-run homer in the Dodgers’ four-run second inning, giving the team two homers in as many games by pitchers. Chan Ho Park hit a two-run homer in a 7-6 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday. Dreifort hit 25 homers in three seasons at Wichita State. . . . Left fielder Todd Hollandsworth returned to the lineup after missing three games because of a sore left elbow. He went two for four with a run batted in and two runs. . . . Rookie Paul Konerko, working in the outfield and infield, started at first base. Konerko, who turned 23 on Thursday, went three for four and drove in three runs. . . . Thomas Howard, expected to make the team as a reserve outfielder, had a two-run, pinch-homer in the eighth. . . . First baseman Eric Karros missed his fourth straight game because of a sore left knee. Karros took batting practice and is expected to play today, Manager Bill Russell said.