Whatever Johnson Said, It Worked

Frustrated because of his team’s poor play, Manager Davey Johnson discussed the situation during a closed-door meeting before Saturday night’s 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Johnson has been especially concerned about the club’s inability to hit consistently with runners in scoring position, and the reluctance of starting pitchers to challenge batters. The Cardinals routed the Dodgers, 12-5, in the series opener Friday, the Dodgers’ eighth loss in 11 games.

Cardinal third baseman Fernando Tatis became the first player in major league history to hit two grand slams in an inning in that game, getting both against Chan Ho Park in the Cardinals’ 11-run third inning. Johnson figured it was time to talk.

“By and large, I like this team,” Johnson said. “Everyone on this team wants to do it; everyone wants to be the one to get that big hit for us. That’s great, I want that.

“But no one needs to shoulder the whole burden. There are 25 guys on this team, so no one has to put the whole thing on themselves.”

Johnson, skilled at handling veteran clubs, made his points calmly during the 10-minute session in the clubhouse. Johnson expressed disappointment about the performance of the starting rotation.

Johnson said Park’s performance against the Cardinals was indicative of the problems of the rotation.

Park pitched tentatively, Johnson said, failing to challenge batters frequently. Park was pounded for eight hits and 11 runs (six earned) in 2 2/3 innings.

“But he wasn’t alone in that,” Johnson said, alluding to other members of the staff. “Certain pitchers have got to be really fine--but the guys we’re running out there don’t have to be.

“They don’t have to do that; they can go after people. When you start getting too cute, it’s self-defeating.”

Part of the problem might be the hype, Johnson said.

“It’s a young staff,” he said. “In their defense, when the illustrious L.A. writers talk about how good they can be, then you try to be too perfect and too fine. You get away from what made you pretty good.”

*

General Manager Kevin Malone acknowledges something is wrong with Park, but he believes the right-hander’s problems are all mental.

“I think his concentration is off, but it’s not his stuff,” Malone said. “I have the [radar] gun numbers, and he’s hitting 95 [mph]. I would be concerned if he was hitting 87 or 88.”

Park has struggled in three of four starts this season. He is 1-2 with a 7.32 earned-run average.

*

In an effort to avoid elbow surgery again, Antonio Osuna will begin another rehabilitation assignment today at Class-A San Bernardino.

Osuna, who tossed lightly without pain Saturday, is scheduled to pitch for San Bernardino against High Desert. He will be reevaluated after the outing.

The right-hander was put on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday (retroactive to last Sunday) after an MRI exam on his throwing elbow revealed another bone spur. Osuna came off the disabled list last Friday after completing his first rehabilitation assignment.

*

Third baseman Adrian Beltre’s hitting streak ended at 11 games. Beltre, who went hitless in three at-bats Saturday, batted .378 (14 for 37) during the streak. . . . Catcher Paul LoDuca got his first hit of the season, singling in the seventh inning. . . . The Dodgers are still considering signing veteran right-hander Mike Maddux, who was recently released by the Montreal Expos after he refused a minor league assignment. The Dodgers need bullpen help because of Osuna’s situation, and right-handed setup man Alan Mills has been unavailable because of pain in his throwing shoulder.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(3-0, 3.63 ERA)

vs.

CARDINALS’

KENT BOTTENFIELD

(3-0, 0.98 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

TV--ESPN. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Dreifort earned victories in his first three starts because the Dodgers overcame his control problems. Dreifort leads the National League with 19 walks and is coming off a career-high nine walks--in only 5 1/3 innings--in a 5-4 victory Tuesday over the Atlanta Braves. But Dreifort also has limited opponents to a league-low .127 batting average. “He just has to relax and throw,” Davey Johnson said. “If he does that, he’ll be fine.” Bottenfield leads the league in ERA. Two of his three victories have come against the Milwaukee Brewers.