Mondesi Trying to Clean Up His Angry Statements

Raul Mondesi sometimes underestimates the impact of his statements, saying things when he’s upset that he later regrets.

The Dodger right fielder spoke to reporters Tuesday while he was disappointed about being bumped from cleanup to fifth in the batting order, expressing anger over the change. Four days later, Mondesi had cooled off considerably, wishing he had kept his previous thoughts private.

“I know, I shouldn’t say [anything],” said Mondesi, who hit a three-run home run--his National League-leading ninth homer--Saturday night in a 12-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

“I say something, then everybody gets upset. I’m OK, I just didn’t like how it happened.”

Trying to jump-start the offense, Manager Davey Johnson switched Mondesi and Eric Karros in the batting order. Mondesi figured he had been performing well while getting accustomed to the role.

Mondesi was surprised, learning about the change when he arrived at County Stadium before the start of the series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Whatever the manager says, you have to do,” Mondesi said. “If the manager tells me to do something, I’m always going to try to do the job 100%. What? I’m going to tell the manager, ‘No?’ You can’t do that.

“I’ll do anything to help the team win, all I care about is helping the team win a lot of games. But if the manager [is] going to move me, just come to me and tell me. Just come to me and talk to me. Just tell me why.”

Johnson is skilled at handling talented clubs, and he has reasons for everything he does.

Mondesi has been hot since his demotion, batting .353 (six for 17) with two homers and six runs batted in.

“Mondy is playing awfully well,” Johnson said, smiling. “Maybe he’s still mad at me for dropping him to fifth.”

Realizing the importance of keeping Mondesi focused, many of his teammates, coaches and club executives have counseled him since he vented about the move. Mondesi appreciates the support.

“Yeah, everybody talked to me,” Mondesi said. “They don’t have to worry. I’m fine.”

*

Karros went two for five with a two-run single in the Dodgers’ five-run second. . . . Reliever Antonio Osuna, on the disabled list because of a bone spur in his throwing elbow, will rejoin the team Monday in Montreal. Osuna experienced pain and swelling in his right elbow after his last rehabilitation outing Friday. The Dodgers will reevaluate Osuna on Monday before deciding whether to activate him. . . . Utilityman Tripp Cromer got his first hit in nine at-bats, singling in the seventh while pinch-hitting for starter Darren Dreifort.

TODAY

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (2-1, 2.34 ERA)

vs.

PHILLIES’ CURT SCHILLING (3-1, 2.77 ERA)

Veterans Stadium, 10:30 a.m. PDT

TV--Channel 5. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--It can’t get much better for an early season pitching matchup. Brown and Schilling are among the elite starters in the game, and the overpowering right-handers are pitching typically well. Brown is coming off a trip-opening, 3-2 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday. He overcame occasional problems with his command, giving up six hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings. The Dodgers’ $105-million man struck out seven and walked four in his fourth consecutive impressive outing. Beginning play Saturday, Brown ranked third in the National League in ERA and strikeouts at 2.34 and 35, respectively. Brown is 4-3 with a 2.12 ERA against the Phillies in his career. He was 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in three starts last season. Schilling, making $5.15 million this season, isn’t in Brown’s class financially--but he is on the mound. Schilling is coming off a no-decision in the Phillies’ 1-0, 10-inning victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. Schilling pitched nine scoreless innings. He gave up five hits and struck out nine with a walk. Schilling is second in the NL with 39 innings pitched, fourth with 34 strikeouts and 10th with a 2.77 ERA. Schilling is 5-5 with a 3.48 ERA against the Dodgers, including 1-0 in one start last season.