Mondesi Bats Leadoff With Zero Effect

Raul Mondesi batted leadoff again Tuesday night because Dodger Manager Davey Johnson hoped to jump-start the frustrated right fielder, who has come under fire recently while his batting average has dropped and his attitude has worsened.

Mondesi has been harshly criticized by former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda and fined by Johnson, creating headaches for General Manager Kevin Malone. The Dodgers acknowledge they don’t know how to get through to him, but weary team officials feel compelled to continue trying because Mondesi remains among the major leagues’ most talented players.

With that backdrop, Mondesi batted atop the order for the second time this season in a 7-2 loss to the Astros at the Astrodome. Houston (65-42) scored five runs in the third inning--aided by two Dodger errors--to take a 5-1 lead against Dodger starter Darren Dreifort (8-11) before a crowd of 34,874.

The National League Central division leaders had 10 hits in support of starter Mike Hampton (15-3). The left-hander gave up only three hits--among them Devon White’s 10th homer--in seven strong innings against the Dodgers (46-60).

Mondesi went hitless in four at-bats, marking the fifth time he has batted leadoff in his career.

The onetime cleanup batter is now batting .245. Mondesi has hit only four home runs since the end of May after hitting 18 and leading the National League in the first two months of the season.

With the way things have been going for Mondesi and the Dodgers, it’s not surprising that Johnson’s latest attempt to help also failed.

“There are a lot of things that are going on with Mondy, and we’re trying to work through that,” Johnson said. “Are there things Mondy should be doing better? Are there things Mondy needs to change? Yes, but you can say that about everybody because our performance just hasn’t been to the level we expected it would be.

“Mondy is having a real hard time right now, but it doesn’t mean anything if you only stick with guys during the good times. Heck, that’s easy. That’s not what being a team is about. You have to be there in the tough times. That’s what it’s about.”

Johnson has done that, trying to shield Mondesi from criticism.

Eyebrows were raised Saturday when Mondesi did not start in the Dodgers’ 4-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Johnson said that Mondesi, who pinch-hit in the eighth and played defensively, was too distraught over trade speculation to start.

However, team sources said that Mondesi’s late arrival to Dodger Stadium played the biggest part in Johnson’s decision to put Trenidad Hubbard in the starting lineup in place of Mondesi. Moreover, sources said, Johnson also has fined Mondesi more than the organization has disclosed.

Johnson fined Mondesi and pitcher Carlos Perez because they were the only players who missed a mandatory workout at Dodger Stadium after the All-Star break. But sources said Mondesi also was forced to go into his pockets, being fined an undisclosed amount, because of the break he took in the bullpen during a game against the Diamondbacks on July 23.

Johnson would not comment on team disciplinary action, but he acknowledged that Mondesi has been fined more than previously believed. However, Johnson said it’s unfair to blame Mondesi for the Dodgers’ disastrous season.

“I talked to Mondy about [showing up late Saturday] and I’m fine with that now,” Johnson said. “I’ve gotten Mondy to admit that he’s guilty of doing some things that he shouldn’t, and he knows how I feel about that. But it’s not Mondy’s fault that we’re [14] games under .500.

“Whatever mistakes Mondy has made, I’ll fight anybody who tells me that Mondy is not out there grinding and trying to do everything he can to help us win. I don’t care what anyone says, the effort is there. The results haven’t been, but the effort is. There has been some criticism of him that is just, and some criticism that has been unjust.”

Johnson wanted it made clear he was not alluding to comments Lasorda made about Mondesi in a story in Sunday’s editions of The Times. Johnson declined comment on Lasorda’s comments, but others within the organization also have criticized the emotional Mondesi.

Lasorda, though, has been chief among the group. In addition to admonishing Mondesi publicly, sources said he also deeply hurt Mondesi’s feelings by giving him a tongue lashing earlier in the season in Philadelphia while the team was on a trip.

Mondesi has declined comment on the story in which Lasorda was quoted, and on his difficult situation in general. His agent, Jeff Moorad, is speaking on his behalf.

“It’s unfortunate that Tommy expressed his frustration with Raul publicly,” said Moorad, who has been on the phone frequently with Dodger officials in an attempt to extinguish fires ignited by Mondesi’s behavior. “My hope is that everyone, Tommy included, will play the type of support role that is needed to help Raul get back on track this season.

“Raul started the season with the best two months of his career, followed by the worst two months of his career. At this point, he’s still in the process of working through his difficulties. Let’s not forget the commitment he shows every time he steps on the field.”

The Dodgers haven’t. They are simply tired of everything else.

“We’re here to help, support and encourage Raul in any way he needs,” Malone said.

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