There’s No Middle Relief in Sight for Johnson

Add the bullpen to the growing list of concerns Dodger officials must address during the off-season.

The previously sound unit continued to struggle Thursday afternoon during a 7-0 loss to the Houston Astros at the Astrodome.

Houston took advantage of Dodger relievers while breaking open a scoreless game with a six-run seventh inning. Right-handed setup man Alan Mills was charged with three runs after facing three batters and failing to record an out, and left-handed setup man Pedro Borbon gave up run-scoring hits to the two batters he faced.

The National League Central-leading Astros scored one run through the first 6 2/3 innings against Ismael Valdes, but the bullpen wasn’t up to the challenge. And it hasn’t been for some time.

“It was a great game for a while,” said Manager Davey Johnson, whose team lost two of three to Houston. “But after that [Valdes was removed], it was pure ugly.”

Valdes (8-10) left in the seventh because of recurring blister problem. He gave up a one-out home run to Russ Johnson and then walked Jeff Bagwell, leaving with the Astros ahead, 1-0.

Enter Mills.

He has struggled with his command recently and did again Thursday, throwing only two strikes in 14 pitches before being removed. He walked two batters and gave up a run-scoring double to Lance Berkman.

“I don’t know what Al’s problem was,” Johnson said. “I mean, he wasn’t even close to the plate. That was the worst I’ve ever seen him.”

Enter Borbon.

After an excellent first half, Borbon has been hit hard since the All-Star break. He gave up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Matt Mieske and a run-scoring single to Tim Bogar.

*

Catcher Todd Hundley was drafted by the New York Mets, worked his way through their farm system and played in New York for seven seasons.

The Dodger catcher returns to Shea Stadium tonight for the first time since being traded in the off-season.

“That’s where I grew up as a baseball player,” said Hundley, among the most popular Mets with fans during his tenure. “I still have a lot of friends there and I’m looking forward to seeing them. It will be fun to stay in my house and see some old teammates--the ones still left.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--New York Mets, four games.

* Site--Shea Stadium, New York.

* Tonight--4:30 PDT.

* TV--Channel 5, every game.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 47-61, Mets 66-43.

* Record vs. Mets (1998)--3-5.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (6-8, 5.97 ERA) vs. METS’ OCTAVIO DOTEL (3-1, 6.34 ERA)

* Update--The surprising Mets have been the hottest team in the major leagues since the All-Star break, going 16-4 and moving into first place in the National League East. Roger Cedeno, a throw-in in the deal that sent Todd Hundley to the Dodgers, finally is fulfilling his promise. He is starting in right field, batting .314 and leading the major leagues with 52 stolen bases. The switch-hitter also has a .408 on-base percentage. Third baseman Robin Ventura has been everything the Mets hoped for and more after they lured him from the Chicago White Sox with a four-year, $32.2-million contract. He has been a leader on the field and in the clubhouse, batting .303 and leading the team with 25 home runs and 90 runs batted in. And Mike Piazza is batting .313 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs.

* Saturday, 4 p.m. PDT--Jamie Arnold (2-2, 4.80) vs. Al Leiter (9-7, 4.46).

* Sunday, 10:30 a.m. PDT--Darren Dreifort (8-11, 5.63) vs. Rick Reed (10-3, 4.78).

* Monday, 4:30 p.m. PDT--Kevin Brown (12-6, 3.39) vs. Orel Hershiser (11-8, 4.84).