Ashby Feeling Frustrated

The numbers would seem to indicate Andy Ashby’s return from last year’s elbow surgery has gone fairly well.

His record (9-12) entering tonight’s critical start in San Diego could be better, but his earned-run average (3.71) is respectable, he has thrown 179 2/3 innings and has missed only one start, because of a blister on his middle finger.

The numbers don’t tell the whole story, though.

“You miss a year and you come back and feel good, but the results aren’t there,” Ashby said. “It makes you think. It makes you wonder, ‘Will it ever feel completely right again?’ It seems like it’s something new every time out, whether it’s the arm angle, timing or whatever it may be ... it’s just not happening.

“You go out there and walk six or seven guys a game ... that’s just not me. I’m not saying I’ve got great control, but I don’t remember the last time I walked six guys in a game. This year it’s happened twice.”

The frustration of Ashby’s last three starts, in which he gave up 15 runs and 19 hits, including four home runs, in 12 1/3 innings and lost three games, has obscured the six-game stretch that preceded it, when the right-hander went 2-1 with a 1.76 ERA. The 14 walks in his last four starts also weighs on Ashby’s mind.

“There’s so many things you see and say, ‘Man, that’s it right there,’ and then you can’t repeat it because there’s something that won’t let you do it, and I don’t know what it is. It’s frustrating as an athlete when you know what feels right and you just can’t do it.”

Ashby will get at least one more chance to snap out of his funk tonight, but if he doesn’t, Manager Jim Tracy might have no choice but to look for other pitching options in the final week of the season.

Among those are Hideo Nomo on three days’ rest, which would bump Ashby from Wednesday’s scheduled start against Colorado.

“These guys are counting on me, and I’m going to do everything I can to get it turned around,” Ashby said.

If the Dodgers don’t feel Ashby can contribute to a playoff rotation, “then I’m going to do what’s best for the team,” he said. “But I’ll never ask out of there. That’s not going to happen.”

*

Misery has some company. Left-hander Omar Daal has been rocked for 14 earned runs and 21 hits in 10 innings of his last three starts, all losses, but Tracy has little choice but to bring Daal back Sunday against the Padres.

Daal gave up five runs in 1 2/3 innings of Tuesday night’s 6-4 loss to the Giants, an abbreviated start that put a heavy burden on an already overworked Dodger bullpen.

“What other choice do I have?” Tracy said. “There’s not a multitude of options. You have to weigh the advantages of a veteran in a pennant race against a kid.... I would like to see Omar rebound, because his success has been a big part of this club.”

Like Ashby, Daal’s slump was preceded by a hot streak--he went 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA during an eight-start stretch from July 20-Aug. 31.

“Mentally, I’m fine,” Daal said, “and I feel good physically. I think I’ve just been trying to be too perfect with my pitches, trying to hit too many corners. I’m going to be aggressive, throw strikes, and see what happens.”

*

Eric Karros’ third-inning RBI double Thursday night was his 580th extra-base hit, moving him ahead of Steve Garvey into second place on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ list behind Willie Davis, who had 585 extra-base hits.

ON DECK

Opponent--San Diego Padres, three games.

Site--Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego.

Tonight--7 p.m.

TV--Channel 13, all three games.

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

Records--Dodgers 86-67, Padres 64-89.

Record vs. Padres--5-7.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ANDY ASHBY

(9-12, 3.71 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’

BRETT TOMKO

(9-10, 4.44 ERA)

Update--The Dodgers can’t afford to go to San Diego with the same mind-set as they seemed to have in Colorado, where they lost three of four games to the Rockies last weekend. “We were looking past them, we expected to win, and came out flat,” second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said. “We have to have a different attitude going into this series.” Tomko, the Padres right-hander, is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this season.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (15-6, 3.32) vs. Jake Peavy (6-7, 4.55).

Sunday, 2 p.m.--Omar Daal (11-9, 4.07) vs. Adam Eaton (1-1, 7.91).