Martinez Counseling Valdes

The frustration in the Dodger clubhouse increases with each start by pitcher Ismael Valdes, but Ramon Martinez continues to support his friend.

Martinez is counseling Valdes on dealing with his on-field problems and trying to help the enigmatic right-hander regain his form.

It’s not easy--but such is the role of a team leader.

“We’ve been talking for a while,” Martinez said. “It’s been tough on him since last year, when he would pitch well but he didn’t win a lot.

“He’s a good pitcher, and he will win. He just has to stay strong. Sometimes it’s mentally tough, but you have to stay strong.”

Valdes lost Tuesday to the Braves, 8-3, and is 2-4 with a 5.31 earned-run average. He is winless on the road (0-4), and many Dodgers are angered by his reluctance to challenge hitters.

“Everyone struggles in this game, everyone has bad times,” Martinez said. “But sooner or later, he will get out of it.

“As long as he stays healthy and keeps working, I know he will be OK. This is hard for him, but this will make him stronger.”

Todd Hollandsworth ended an 0-for-17 streak with a single in the sixth inning Wednesday.

He also collided with shortstop Jose Vizcaino while pursuing a foul popup by Walt Weiss in the bottom of the inning. Hollandsworth, third baseman Todd Zeile and Vizcaino converged down the left-field line, and Vizcaino made the catch for the final out in the inning.

But his forearm hit Hollandsworth on the head, and the outfielder fell in pain. Hollandsworth was examined by a trainer after he briefly lay motionless on the field, but he remained in the game.”

“He got me a little bit everywhere,” Hollandsworth said.

“It was late in the game and we were down, but no one was going to give up on that ball and let it drop in. It was just one of those plays where we all came together, but the bottom line is that the ball was caught.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Florida Marlins, four games

* Site--Pro Player Stadium, Miami

* Tonight--4 PDT

* TV--Fox Sports West today, Channel 5 Saturday and Sunday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330)

* Records--Dodgers 16-16, Marlins 11-22.

* 1997 record vs. Marlins--4-7

DODGERS’

RAMON MARTINEZ

(3-2, 3.19 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’

CHRIS HAMMOND

(0-0, 0.00 ERA)

* Update-- Martinez has pitched into at least the seventh inning in five of his seven starts and is among the National League leaders with 48 innings pitched and 44 strikeouts.

* Friday, 4 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (3-0, 3.96) vs. Jesus Sanchez (1-1, 2.63).

* Saturday, 4 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (2-3, 4.43) vs. Andy Larkin (1-2, 7.00).

* Sunday, 10 a.m.--Ismael Valdes (2-4, 4.95) vs. Brian Meadows (3-3, 2.72).