Garvey Advocates Opposite Approach

The middle of the Dodger lineup has not produced since the All-Star break and at least one observer with experience as a cleanup hitter said it is no secret why.

Steve Garvey sat in the Dodger dugout before Thursday night’s game between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres and said the Dodgers’ run producers are not using the entire field.

“Except for two guys, Lo Duca and Green, everyone is trying to pull the ball too much,” said Garvey, who produced 992 of his career 1,308 RBIs for the Dodgers from 1970-82. “When you’re in a slump you should do just the opposite and go the other way.”

The Dodgers’ lack of production from the cleanup spot continued Thursday night in a 4-1 loss.

Shawn Green, who was moved from third to fourth in the batting order to give hot-hitting Paul Lo Duca an opportunity to produce some runs, went 0 for 3 with a walk.

Dodger cleanup hitters are now one for 27 since the All-Star break.

Garvey, who lives in Utah, said he watches the Dodgers regularly on satellite television. He said the Dodgers would come out of their slump when players stop trying to win the game with one swing.

“Tommy [Lasorda] would have us hit and running, he’d even have me stealing,” Garvey said. “It’s those kinds of plays, not necessarily a big hit, that can turn things around for a team.”

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A sellout crowd of 53,662 was on hand on Shawn Green Bobblehead Night.

The Dodgers also sold out their May 31 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks when Lo Duca bobbleheads were given away.

The final bobblehead promotion, which involves pitcher Hideo Nomo, is Aug. 24 against the Atlanta Braves.

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Center fielder Dave Roberts stole second base in the sixth inning, giving him 23 steals this season. That’s one more than Tom Goodwin’s team-leading total of last season.... Alex Cora had a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning. He is 10 for 29 with a home run and three runs batted in as a pinch-hitter this season.

ON DECK

Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 13 tonight, Channel 11 Saturday.

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

Records--Dodgers 55-41, Giants 54-41.

Record vs. Giants--2-4.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KAZUHISA ISHII

(12-5, 3.32 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

KIRK RUETER

7-6, 3.51 ERA)

Update--Ishii ended the Dodgers’ three-game losing streak at the start of the second half by pitching 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Rueter has not won in his last seven starts. He is 0-3 with a 4.99 earned-run average during that span.

Saturday, 1 p.m.--Dodgers’ Omar Daal (7-5, 4.29) vs. Ryan Jensen (10-6, 4.40).

Sunday, 5 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (9-6, 3.10) vs. Russ Ortiz (6-6, 3.66).

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.