Russell Makes Players Work Out Their Troubles

The Dodgers expected some changes after being swept by the Atlanta Braves, and their schedule was affected first.

Manager Bill Russell, disappointed in his team’s play during the three-game series that ended Wednesday, scheduled a mandatory Thursday afternoon meeting and workout at Pro Player Stadium. The Dodgers said the extra work helped them after defeating the Florida Marlins, 4-3.

“Everyone was enthusiastic about it,” Russell said. “We had a lot of energy and fun out there, and we got some good things squared away.”

The team bus left the Dodgers’ hotel in Ft. Lauderdale at 1 p.m. (EDT) for the sessions that began five hours before the game. Russell and his coaching staff focused on fundamentals, including fielding drills and situational hitting.

The Dodgers made numerous mistakes in the field and at the plate against the Braves, so Russell figured they needed extra work.

“We can’t continue to make the mistakes we made,” he said. “You have to do something to correct them, because they’re not just going to get fixed on their own.”

Russell remained calm as the Dodgers stranded runners in key situations and made fundamental mistakes in the first two games. But his patience ended Wednesday when they committed three errors in a 7-0 loss to Greg Maddux, the Braves’ four-time Cy Young Award winner.

“Everyone worked hard, which is what you like to see when you’re trying to get going in the right direction,” Russell said. “And it’s always good to work on fundamentals, because that’s what the game is all about.”

Of course, the players would rather have free time under normal circumstances. But they don’t want their recent experience to become commonplace.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to work hard shouldn’t be here, because you have to work hard to win,” second baseman Eric Young said. “What happened in Atlanta wasn’t acceptable if we want to be the team we believe we can be.

“We have to do whatever it takes to reach that goal, and that means getting out there and doing something extra when things aren’t going good. To me, it’s simple.”

And essential, third baseman Todd Zeile said.

“It was good to get guys to open up and get back on the same page,” he said. “And getting back to basics is a good way to start.”

*

Outfielder Mike Devereaux elected for free agency.

He was designated for assignment April 24 and optioned to triple-A Albuquerque on April 27. Devereaux, who also played with the Dodgers in parts of the 1987 and ’88 seasons, batted .308 with one RBI in nine games.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (3-0, 3.96 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’ JESUS SANCHEZ (1-1, 2.63 ERA)

Pro Player Stadium, 4 p.m. PDT

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Park is scheduled to start despite his continuing back problems. He was forced to leave his third game last Sunday because of lower back stiffness, which has bothered him since spring training. The pain typically decreases between starts but returns when he pitches. “I keep doing my exercises, which makes me feel good,” Park said. “But I have to try to keep pitching and pitching, and maybe it will go away.” Pitching coach Glenn Gregson said Park will be monitored closely. “He doesn’t like to tell us when [the pain starts], so we have to be careful for him,” Gregson said. “But it’s to the point now where we know the signs of trouble.”