Evans Confident Despite Frustration

These are difficult days for the Dodgers and General Manager Dan Evans, among the main targets of fans frustrated by the team’s ineptitude on offense.

Evans has come under fire for assembling a lineup that is last in the National League in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, walks, home runs, runs, runs batted in and total bases.

The heat intensified as Evans played it cool while the Dodgers lost seven straight games and 10 of 11, insisting things weren’t as bad as they seemed from the outside.

On Sunday, Evans acknowledged he has had better weeks but continued to express confidence in the team.

The club’s top baseball executive still believes the Dodgers are better than they have performed recently and hopes to acquire help through trades before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline.

But Evans said the current group has to be more productive in the second half, or outside assistance won’t matter.

“Heck, it wasn’t a lot of fun,” Evans said of the Dodgers’ tumultuous stretch. “When you lose seven in a row and 10 out of 11, every day seems real cloudy, and every day seems like, ‘What’s going to happen next?’

“But you can’t feel sorry for yourself. We have to take a more proactive approach, and all of us, myself included, we have to just do our jobs a little bit better. And if we do, it’s not like we’re in disrepair, where we still can’t compete. We can absolutely still compete.”

Evans remains optimistic because of the Dodgers’ major league-leading pitching staff, which continues to roll despite losing No. 5 starter Darren Dreifort (knee surgery) for the season and staff ace Kevin Brown (lower abdominal strain) for at least one start.

But what about that offense?

“I’m not going to say I’m not frustrated with our offense, because I am,” Evans said. “The important thing is that we still believe in the guys that are here. I think we’re still going to get offense from these guys, and I’d still like to add a guy or two or whatever, just to make us better.

“At the same time, the existing players still have to perform at a higher level than they’ve performed. That just has to occur for everything to work out well for us.”

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Only five days after activating first baseman Fred McGriff, the Dodgers put the 17-year veteran back on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 5) because of a strained right groin. Left-hander Steve Colyer was recalled from triple-A Las Vegas to take McGriff’s spot on the 25-man roster.

Manager Jim Tracy said McGriff aggravated the injury stretching for a ball in one of two games (out of five) he started after returning to the lineup. However, McGriff appeared to be in significant pain while running from the moment he returned.

An MRI exam Saturday confirmed McGriff, 39, had suffered a groin tear.

“If I had known that, I might have done some things a little different,” said McGriff, who did not put a timetable on his return.

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Catcher Paul Lo Duca finally got the news he wanted to hear, learning of his first-time selection as a reserve to the NL All-Star squad.

Lo Duca joined Brown (sixth selection) and closer Eric Gagne (second) as the Dodger representatives for the July 15 All-Star game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

“I dropped a tear when I got the call,” said Lo Duca. “It’s something you strive for and dream about when you’re younger.”

The Dodgers were disappointed that starter Hideo Nomo was not selected, but he might be added if another pitcher cannot participate.

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San Diego Padre outfielder Rondell White is among many players in whom the Dodgers have expressed interest, but an NL executive said it is doubtful a deal could be completed.

San Diego General Manager Kevin Towers declined comment on the White situation, but the executive familiar with conversations between Towers and Evans said Towers would want to unload one of the Padres’ big contracts in the deal.

Moreover, the Padres are not interested in taking back starter Andy Ashby, whom the Dodgers are attempting to move, and the remainder of his $8-million salary.

ON DECK

Opponent -- San Diego Padres, two games.

Site -- Qualcomm Stadium.

TV -- Channel 13 today, Fox Sports Net 2 on Tuesday.

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

Records -- Dodgers 46-40, Padres 32-57.

Record vs. Padres -- 3-7.

Tonight, 7 -- Andy Ashby (2-4, 4.64) vs. Oliver Perez (2-3, 5.61 ERA).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Wilson Alvarez (0-0, 1.23) vs. Adam Eaton (3-7, 4.44).