Sheffield Says Effort Is There

The Dodgers acknowledge they haven’t met expectations to this point, but they say it’s not because of lack of effort.

They are trying, and they still believe things will work out.

“Everybody is playing hard and doing everything they can,” left fielder Gary Sheffield said. “When you work hard, you want good things to happen, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

“We know we have a lot of talent on this team and we’re capable of doing a lot, so it’s tough for everyone. All you can do is go out each day and do the best job you can.”

Sheffield has been the team’s most consistent player offensively. The No. 3 batter is batting .306 with 13 home runs and 37 runs batted in. Moreover, Sheffield has played well defensively during his first season in left.

Despite his performance, Sheffield said the team’s poor play is dominating his thoughts.

“This is not an individual game,” Sheffield said. “You have to do your job, but the only thing that matters is what the team does.

“Right now, we’re not doing what we have to do. We really haven’t done a lot right yet, but we’re going to keep trying.”

*

Infielder Jose Vizcaino doubted he would play much this season while backing up shortstop Mark Grudzielanek and second baseman Eric Young.

“I really didn’t think it would work for me,” Vizcaino said. “He [Manager Davey Johnson] told me it would, I just didn’t believe it because those guys don’t want to come out of the lineup. But I told Davey he was right, so I guess I was wrong.”

Vizcaino has been a valuable reserve, starting 14 games at shortstop, five at second and one at third. He’s now the everyday shortstop because Grudzielanek isn’t expected back for at least four weeks because of a broken right hand.

Vizcaino came off the disabled list last Friday after sitting out 14 games because of a left hamstring strain. The switch-hitter is batting .260.

“I just need to stay healthy,” Vizcaino said. “I’ve missed too much time, and the team needs me right now.”

*

Young went seven for 15 with five RBIs in the three-game series against the Texas Rangers, raising his average to .268.

“I was making a lot of U-turns [from first base to the dugout],” Young said of his long slump. “I just couldn’t get anything going at all, so I watched my videotapes [from previous seasons] to see what I was doing wrong.

“I was completely messed up. I was doing everything different. It was time to get back to basics.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Oakland Athletics, three games.

* Site--Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland.

* Tonight--7:30.

TV--Channel 5 tonight and Sunday, Channel 11 Saturday.

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

Records--Dodgers 29-29, Athletics 30-29.

* Record vs. Athletics (1998)--2-1.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CARLOS PEREZ (2-7, 6.18 ERA)

vs.

ATHLETICS’ MIKE OQUIST (5-4, 4.82 ERA)

* Update--The Dodgers have tried everything they can think of with Carlos Perez, including having several members of the organization work with him on his mechanics and pitching philosophy. Manager Davey Johnson said he does not plan to remove Perez from the starting rotation. One reason is that there don’t appear to be better in-house candidates.

* Saturday, 1:15 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (5-4, 3.69) vs. undecided.

* Sunday, 1 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (5-4, 5.86) vs. undecided.