The Joke’s on Beltre and It’s a Pipp

Adrian Beltre, the next Wally Pipp?

Beltre’s teammates teased him during the final days of the trip because infielder Jose Vizcaino played well while filling in for him at third base. Beltre sat out three games because of a swollen left ankle.

Dodger veterans told Beltre he would become a footnote in history like Pipp. Lou Gehrig replaced Pipp at first base for the New York Yankees during a game in 1925 and went on to play a then-record 2,130 consecutive games. Whenever Vizcaino got a hit or made a strong play defensively, Beltre heard about it.

Of course, it would have helped if Beltre had known who Pipp was.

“They were all over him,” said Manager Davey Johnson, reveling in the fun at Beltre’s expense. “Viz would make a play and they would all get after him. He was champing at the bit to get back in there.”

Beltre returned to the lineup in Wednesday’s 9-7, trip-ending loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He went three for four, hit his 14th home run and scored three runs.

“Looks like he’s safe for now,” Johnson said, jokingly.

*

Gary Sheffield is coming off a strong trip.

The left fielder drove in 12 runs in six games. He also hit the sixth grand slam of his career in Sunday’s 9-7 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, driving in six runs.

What’s the secret of Sheffield’s recent success?

“We’re just getting a lot of guys on in front of me,” Sheffield said. “I’ve been coming up with guys on base a lot, and the more you see guys in RBI situations, the more comfortable you get.”

Sheffield leads Dodger regulars with a .310 batting average. He is third on the team with 21 home runs and 71 runs batted in.

He said he isn’t swinging especially well.

“No, I’m not doing anything different up there,” he said. “It just comes down to seeing a lot more guys on base. It’s easy to drive in runs when you get a lot of chances.”

* Opponent--Chicago Cubs, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Channel 5 tonight, Channel 11 Saturday.

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

* Records--Dodgers 58-69, Cubs 53-73.

* Record vs. Cubs--2-1.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES

(8-11, 3.47 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’ STEVE TRACHSEL

(4-15, 5.88 ERA)

* Update--Valdes has had quality starts in five of his last six outings. Trachsel, who grew up in Fullerton and attended Long Beach State, is eligible for free agency after the season.

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (7-10, 5.78) vs. Andrew Lorraine (1-2, 3.95).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (11-12, 5.20) vs. Kyle Farnsworth (2-7, 6.17).

* Tickets--(323) 224-1HIT.