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It’s Nothing Special if Nomo Wins 100th

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Hideo Nomo doesn’t display much emotion, and even the possibility of his 100th victory tonight against the San Diego Padres wasn’t enough to enliven the stoic Dodger starter.

“Maybe I’ll look back on my career if I’m cut from the team tomorrow, but, right now, I still really don’t think about it,” Nomo said through an interpreter. “All the games that I’ve won up to this point, I haven’t won by myself.

“They have been the result of my teammates, everybody, whether it’s in Japan or the United States. It’s always been a group effort.”

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The right-hander is 99-77 with a 3.94 earned-run average in eight-plus seasons in the majors. Nomo also had 78 victories in Japan.

Is anyone in his family excited about the career milestone?

“No,” Nomo said. “Only the reporters.”

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Andy Ashby, bumped from the rotation, pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Thursday’s 6-1 loss to the Padres -- his first relief appearance since June 24, 1993.

“It was definitely a different feeling coming in the middle of a game,” said Ashby, who made 30 starts last season. “It’s definitely something I’m going to have to get used to, coming in that situation.”

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The Dodgers plan to honor Dennis Gilbert, a Chicago White Sox executive, on April 20 at Dodger Stadium for his philanthropic efforts in the Los Angeles baseball community.

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Tonight

DODGERS’ HIDEO NOMO

vs.

PADRES’ BRIAN LAWRENCE

Qualcomm Stadium, 7

TV--Channel 13. Radio--KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Update--Nomo tossed a four-hitter in an 8-0 opening-day victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right-hander is 7-4 with a 4.25 earned-run average against the Padres. Lawrence pitched seven strong innings against the San Francisco Giants in an opening-day no-decision.

-- Jason Reid

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