Struggling With Control, Nomo Is Rocked Again

Pitcher Hideo Nomo says his throwing elbow is fine after off-season surgery, but he is struggling to regain his form.

The right-hander had his second consecutive poor outing in the Dodgers’ 11-7 loss to the Montreal Expos on Sunday at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach, Fla. He pitched one-inning-plus, giving up five runs on three hits. Nomo walked three consecutive batters in the second, forcing in two runs.

Nomo, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips, faced five batters in the second and failed to record an out.

“I tried to work on my control, but that obviously didn’t work,” Nomo said through an interpreter. “I’m sure that has a little something to do with my mechanics, and my focus is something I definitely have to keep working on, but I’m not worried because I feel fine.”

Pitching coach Glenn Gregson urged caution with reporters from Japan covering Nomo, saying that it’s too early to be concerned.

“I would be concerned if today was March 30, but it’s not,” Gregson said. “He’s struggling with his release point, which is all tied to his balance, but he showed me a fastball with good velocity in the bullpen. I’m not worried when I see good velocity.”

Nomo (0-1) was scheduled to pitch two innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) in his first start against the New York Mets on Wednesday. In three innings, he has given up seven runs for a 21.00 earned-run average.

“It’s only his second start, and he says he’s healthy and pain free, so that’s the only thing we have to go on,” Manager Bill Russell said. “He threw OK, he just couldn’t get it over the plate.”

Nomo said he needs to have a good outing in his next start, scheduled Friday against the Baltimore Orioles at Holman Stadium.

“There really is no pressure [from the team],” Nomo said, “but I need to for my own sake.”

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Former pitcher Don Sutton, recently elected to the Hall of Fame, had a walkway at Dodgertown named “Don Sutton Square” in a ceremony before the game. “I’m proud of all of the Dodgers’ accomplishments and my small part in them,” Sutton said. “I couldn’t have spent my time and energy with a better organization.” Sutton also threw out the first pitch against the Expos. . . . Leading off the bottom of the first, Eric Young was hit on the left triceps by a pitch from Expo starter Carlos Perez. Young had a bruise, but X-rays revealed no further damage. . . . It was a good day for the Guerrero brothers. Wilton had two doubles in four at-bats and scored two runs for the Dodgers. Vladimir, an outfielder for the Expos, hit a grand slam in the sixth and drove in five runs. . . . Rookie Paul Konerko hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning, his first homer this spring.