Beltre Finally Looks at Home at Plate

General Manager Dan Evans isn’t one to make snap judgments, so third baseman Adrian Beltre isn’t off the hook after one big series.

However, Evans was encouraged by Beltre’s performance as the Dodgers swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games at PNC Park.

“It’s a really short stretch, so I’m not going to draw too many conclusions, but Adrian had a lot of good at-bats,” said Evans, who did not accompany the team on the six-game trip. “That’s encouraging to me, because Adrian is working hard and he had a really good approach.

“He also had some big hits for us, and this team is always going to be better when Adrian Beltre is doing that.”

Beltre, who raised his average to .205, went five for 11 in the series with three doubles and three runs batted in. He also was sharp on defense and started Sunday’s 6-2 victory despite a swollen left elbow.

Julian Tavarez hit Beltre with a pitch in Saturday’s 4-3 victory. After arriving early at the ballpark for treatment of the elbow Sunday, Beltre pleaded with trainer Stan Johnston to clear him to play.

Impressed by Beltre’s desire, Manager Jim Tracy revised the lineup. Beltre went one for four with a double and was effective at third.

“The guy was tremendous all weekend,” Tracy said. “He was in the middle of three wins.”

Beltre and catcher Paul Lo Duca, hit by a pitch on his left forearm in the third inning, underwent precautionary X-rays. The results were negative, a team spokesman said.

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Center fielder Dave Roberts might be sidelined slightly longer than expected. He said his strained right hamstring was sore after he took batting practice, threw in the outfield and walked on a treadmill before the game.

He sat out the final two games of the Pittsburgh series after suffering the injury in the first inning of Friday’s 5-2 victory, and had hoped to return to the lineup tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. “I’m not so sure now,” he said.

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The Dodger bullpen leads the major leagues with a 1.43 earned-run average. The group has been charged with only four earned runs in its last 50 1/3 innings.

“Not only are we getting people out, but we all get along extremely well,” left-hander Tom Martin said. “If you’re going to have success and get along with the rest of your teammates like that, it just makes things a lot easier.”

ON DECK

Opponent -- Philadelphia Phillies, four games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

Tonight -- 7.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2 every game.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 12-13, Phillies 15-10.

2002 record vs. Phillies -- 4-3.

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Kevin Brown (1-1, 3.68) vs. Randy Wolf (3-1, 2.93).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (0-1, 3.76) vs. Vicente Padilla (3-2, 2.31).

Thursday, 7 p.m. -- Hideo Nomo (3-3, 3.16) vs. Brandon Duckworth (1-1, 9.95).