Smoke Sets Off Johnson’s Alarm

While smoke billowed from the Dodger bullpen Saturday morning, Manager Davey Johnson looked from 350 feet away and indicated relief.

“I’m just glad they don’t have me skewered over the fire, or maybe burning in the middle of it,” he said of the gesture offered to whatever baseball gods the Dodgers have offended.

They have lost six in a row and, Johnson said, are playing tight.

“I’m really an optimist, a glass-is-half-full kind of guy,” Johnson said. “But I toss and turn about why we aren’t playing better as a team.

“I’ve always liked for people to think I’m good, because I think I’m good. Maybe this club is not used to people thinking they’re any good. Instead of relishing it, it’s become a burden.”

The Dodgers have been told how good they are since spring training. They were picked to win the National League West and many predictors expressed an opinion that measurements for World Series rings were in order.

Among those was General Manager Kevin Malone, who was absent Saturday, looking at farmhands at San Antonio.

Few have told the Dodgers they are any good lately.

“No, we’re hearing more we stink now,” Johnson said. “But that should make you want to play better.”

Instead, it preceded a 9-1 Dodger loss.

*

Adrian Beltre, who strained a groin muscle Friday night getting out of the batters’ box after hitting a ground ball, sat and watched Saturday while Dave Hansen played third base. Beltre is expected to be sidelined for a couple of days.

*

Antonio Osuna, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on May 20 to remove a bone spur in his right elbow, threw 30 pitches to three batters before the game and will be evaluated today. Should his arm prove no worse for wear, he probably will be sent to a minor league team for rehabilitative work.

*

Giant Manager Dusty Baker, ejected Friday night by plate umpire Larry Vanover, said the move was uncalled-for and was the product of a challenge that was answered.

“All I know is I didn’t do enough to be thrown out,” Baker said. “He just told me not to come out [while J.T. Snow was disputing being called out on strikes]. You’ve got to come out then. You can’t have him showing you up before 53,000 people.”

*

Baker on the idea that his club could be leading the National League West and have only one player on the All-Star team, Snow:

“Ain’t that what they say, you’ve got no stars, you’ve got a bunch of good guys? Ain’t that what they say, you’ve only got one marquee player?”

The marquee player, Barry Bonds, has been injured much of the season.

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There have been 112 home runs in 41 games at Dodger Stadium, an average of 2.73 a game. Over the previous three seasons, there were an average of 1.6 homers a game.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ISMAEL VALDES

(5-7, 3.72 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

KIRK RUETER

(6-3, 5.38 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 6:30

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

* Update--Valdes has lost five decisions in a row, but the Dodgers haven’t helped him much, scoring only 10 runs on his behalf. Last time out, they were in form, scoring only three runs in a 4-3 loss at San Diego in which Valdes was not around for the verdict. Rueter hasn’t pitched against the Dodgers this season but is 4-1 lifetime against them.