Adams Not Finished as a Starter

By Jason Reid

June 15, 2001 12 AM PT

Relief pitcher Terry Adams was supposed to start only a few games, but plans have changed because Kevin Brown is still in pain.

Brown has an irritated nerve in his neck and could be sidelined until after the All-Star break, meaning Adams is still on the spot.

Adams believes he is up to the challenge.

“We all have to step up, with Brownie being out, and I definitely want to do whatever I can to help this team,” said Adams, scheduled to start Saturday against the Angels in the second game of a three-game interleague series at Edison Field.

“We’ve had to deal with a lot this year because of all the injuries--you’ve got some guys in different roles now--but that’s just the way it is. I don’t know what Brownie’s status is, and I don’t know what they have in mind for me, so I’m just going to keep going out there every five days and do the best I can.”

So far, so good, Manager Jim Tracy said.

“You can’t say enough about the lift that man is giving us, especially his last time out,” Tracy said. “That’s the type of effort we’re going to need to get through what we’re dealing with right now.”

In a strong six-inning outing last Sunday against the Angels at Dodger Stadium, Adams gave up five hits, one earned run, had a career-high nine strikeouts and left with a 4-2 lead.

Unfortunately for the Dodgers, the bullpen struggled and the Angels won, 6-5 in 10 innings.

The right-hander worked 4 2/3 innings and got no decision in his first start June 5, which the Dodgers won, 6-5.

The Dodgers considered it a good performance, under the circumstances, and Adams built on the new experience.

“The first one helped get some of the nerves out of the way,” said Adams, 2-2 with a 4.65 earned-run average. “I was still a little [nervous] the second time, but a little less.

“I was working so fast that first game. The second time, I kind of backed off, took my time, took some deep breaths and paced myself a little better. I didn’t try to throw 96 [mph] the whole game. I just threw strikes.”

Rookie Hiram Bocachica is off to a good start in his audition to become an everyday player next season.

Or this season.

In two games subbing for injured second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (sprained left ankle), Bocachica is three for nine with his first home run and three runs batted in.

He has started 15 games, playing outfield and infield, and is batting .400 with six RBIs as a starter. Overall, Bocachica is hitting .256 with the homer and eight RBIs.

“We need Grud to get back, so I’m just going to try to do what I can until he does,” Bocachica said. “I’m getting some opportunities and I’ll get some at-bats to try to help the team.”

ON DECK

Dodger-Angel weekend series--Three games at Edison Field.

Tonight--7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net tonight and Sunday; Channel 9 Saturday night.

Radio--KLAC (570), KMXN (94.3 FM), KMPC (1540), XPRS (1090), KXTA (1150).

Records--Angels 31-33, Dodgers 36-30.

2001 series--Angels lead, 2-1.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

RAMON ORTIZ

(4-4, 4.00 ERA)

vs.