Dreifort Has Chance to Impress Father

Because his family resides in Wichita, Kan., Darren Dreifort does not get a chance to pitch in front of his father too often.

Dreifort, however, will get the opportunity to do so tonight when he takes the mound for the Dodgers against the Florida Marlins. John Dreifort, chairman of the history department at Wichita State, has been in the Los Angeles area for nearly a week and he’s excited about watching his son.

“This is the first time that I’ll see him pitch in Los Angeles since his rookie year,” John Dreifort said Tuesday from the Dodger clubhouse.

“We don’t get a chance to see him play very often. We get to St. Louis, Denver and whenever they play interleague against Texas, but most of the time, we watch him on TV as much as we can.”

In his previous start, Dreifort suffered his team-high 12th loss when he gave up seven runs and 11 hits in a 7-3 loss to Atlanta Friday. Dreifort is hoping that his father’s presence will help him begin a winning streak.

“It’s always good to have him here,” said Dreifort, who has a 0-3 career record against the Marlins, with a 5.40 earned-run average.

*

According to Manager Davey Johnson, the wait for pitcher Antonio Osuna to return to the lineup will continue as the reliever rehabilitates an elbow injury that has restricted him to five games this season. Osuna has been throwing in the bullpen recently.

“He’s done that real well here but right when he gets to put the finishing touches [on returning], something seems to happen,” Johnson said.

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Pitcher Ismael Valdes, who has lost four decisions in a row, is not expected to miss a start even though he suffered back stiffness late in his no-decision appearance against Atlanta on Sunday. Johnson said Valdes should be ready for the Dodgers’ game at Philadelphia on Saturday.

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT

(9-12, 5.65 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’ BRIAN MEADOWS

(10-11, 5.37 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7:30

TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Meadows leads the Marlins in wins and is making his third career start against the Dodgers after losing twice last season as a rookie. Mark Grudzielanek is second on the Dodgers with a .309 batting average and he is trying to become the first shortstop to bat at least .300 in a season (minimum 100 games) since Maury Wills batted .302 in 1963.