Herges Has His Success in Perspective

It would be easy for Matt Herges to rest on his laurels, considering his performance thus far.

But the 30-year-old rookie reliever won’t allow himself to be complacent, even though he has not given up an earned run in 19 1/3 innings over 12 appearances.

“I’m still not a lock on this team, I know that,” Herges said. “I have options and I have to prove every time out that I belong here. So far I’ve done that and hopefully I can continue to do it because I want to be here the whole year.”

Dodger Manager Davey Johnson said the middle-inning reliever’s approach to pitching has helped him exceed expectations.

“He’s been outstanding,” Johnson said. “I think the biggest thing is his coming up with a little sinker in winter ball. And he’s using his changeup and curveball with the sinker. He’s not trying to throw the four-seamer by everybody.”

After eight years in the minor leagues, Herges said he’s enjoying his scoreless streak while it lasts.

“I’ve just got to roll with it because I know it’s going to end soon,” he said. “When I’m out there I don’t think about it because I’m trying to save a game or get an ‘H,’ a hold or whatever they call it nowadays. But when I’m sitting, hanging around and everybody calls and reminds you, and fans are saying stuff, it’s hard not to think about it.”

*

Houston’s return to Dodger Stadium June 8 for a makeup game, necessitated by an April 17 rainout, won’t exactly thrill Astro outfielder Richard Hidalgo.

Five times Hidalgo has been hit by a Dodger pitcher at Chavez Ravine this season.

“It’s not good and it hurts,” said Hidalgo, who has been hit a major league-leading nine times. “I guess they’re just trying to pitch inside to me.”

On April 19 against the Dodgers, he tied a major league single game record when he was hit three times. Saturday night, Darren Dreifort nailed him just after giving up a home run. Sunday, Jeff Shaw hit Hidalgo in the 10th.

Entering this season, the Astro outfielder had been hit only seven times in his career.

“I don’t know why,” Hidalgo said of his recent impersonation of Don Baylor, the all-time leader in being hit by a pitch. “I’m not doing anything different. They’re just coming inside on me.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Arizona Diamondbacks.

* Site--Bank One Ballpark.

* Tonight--6:30.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 all three nights, plus ESPN2 Wednesday.

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

* Records--Dodgers 17-13, Diamondbacks 21-10.

* 1999 record vs. Diamondbacks--6-7.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (3-2, 4.25 ERA) VS. DIAMONDBACKS’ OMAR DAAL (0-3, 4.99 ERA)

* Update--Park has struggled with his control in his last two starts, matching a career high with seven walks against the Braves in Atlanta and at Dodger Stadium. In six career appearances against the Diamondbacks, Park is 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA. The left-handed Daal, a Dodger from 1993-95, is 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA against his former team in nine career appearances.

* Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.--Carlos Perez (3-1, 4.73 ERA) vs. Armando Reynoso (2-3, 4.68 ERA).

* Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Brown (2-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. Randy Johnson (7-0, 0.93 ERA).