Lo Duca Looking More Like a Star

Paul Lo Duca, all-star?

The Dodgers believe the versatile catcher deserves consideration for the National League squad.

Lo Duca leads Dodger regulars with a .343 batting average, is fourth with 11 home runs and tied for second with 38 runs batted in.

“What he’s doing for this club is exactly what you need from guys,” said left fielder Gary Sheffield, a six-time all-star selection.

“You’re not going to win unless you have guys step up like he’s stepping up. Then the recognition comes from there.”

Lo Duca has played well defensively at catcher and first base while subbing for Eric Karros, and batted throughout the order.

“If you want to get right down to it, he’s making a statement for himself for consideration for the All-Star team,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “Where would this ballclub be without him?

“Look at the different things I’ve had to do with this individual to keep this club afloat. He’s just a very special individual.”

The Dodgers plan to lobby for Lo Duca to be among the NL reserves, but the eight-year minor leaguer is still focused on the big picture.

“All this stuff really doesn’t matter, I just want to win,” Lo Duca said. “It’s nice, but I’d trade [the attention] for victories any day.”

With Karros sidelined because of back stiffness, Shawn Green started his first game in the majors at first base.

“I’ve been working on it for a few weeks now,” said Green, who last played the position as a junior at Tustin High.

“It’s going to take a few days, at least, to lose the sweaty palms, but it’s exciting. It’s going to be fun.”

However, Green still prefers right field .

“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, and I understand I’m going to make some mistakes,” the Gold Glove outfielder said. “But I feel like I can do a solid job. If [Lo Duca] can do it, anybody can.”

Tracy said Karros’ back had improved to “the point it was at when he came off the disabled list.”

But is that good enough to keep Karros in the lineup?

“What we saw of him, when he did come back, was better than we saw Eric Karros at any time during spring training,” Tracy said. “The crispness in his swing was back, and those are the things that you look for.”

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (sprained left ankle) took infield during a rehabilitation workout at Dodger Stadium. Tracy said Grudzielanek still has difficulty running the bases, but he might be activated from the disabled list today. . . . Starter Kevin Brown returned to Los Angeles to be with his wife, Candace, for the birth of their third child.

ON DECK

Opponent--San Diego Padres, four games.

Site--Qualcomm Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2 tonight, Friday and Saturday; Channel 5 on Sunday.

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

Records--Dodgers 40-37, Padres 37-41.

2001 Record vs. Padres--3-6.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

LUKE PROKOPEC

(6-4, 4.08 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’

BRIAN LAWRENCE

(1-0, 4.43 ERA)

Update--Prokopec is 0-3 with a 5.46 earned-run average in June. Opponents are batting .322 against him after batting .207 in May. Lawrence, a rookie right-hander, earned his first big-league victory against the Dodgers last Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Friday, 7 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (4-7, 4.94) vs. Adam Eaton (8-3, 4.29).

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (8-5, 2.86) vs. Kevin Jarvis (4-7, 5.51).

Sunday, 2 p.m.--Kevin Brown (6-3, 3.00) vs. Bobby Jones (4-10, 3.70).