Roberts Might Play Tonight

With his right hamstring finally cooperating, leadoff batter Dave Roberts said Thursday he expects to be activated from the disabled list this weekend.

“My hamstring feels good and ready to get out there,” said Roberts, who is scheduled to rejoin the team today in Arizona after completing a three-game rehabilitation assignment with the team’s rookie-league affiliate in Ogden, Utah.

“I just want to bring some energy to the lineup any way I can. My hamstring feels better now, so I can play the game the way I’m used to playing.”

Arizona left-hander Randy Johnson is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game series tonight at Bank One Ballpark, so the Dodgers might wait until Saturday to activate the left-handed-batting Roberts, who is hitless in three career at-bats against Johnson.

Roberts has monitored the sluggish Dodgers while working in Utah, and he hopes it’s not too late for them to salvage the season.

“We’ve got the pieces in place, I really believe that,” he said. “We just have to hurry up and get something going.”

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Although Dodger starters still have the lowest earned-run average in the major leagues at 3.53, the group has struggled recently.

In 14 games from July 7 through Wednesday, the rotation went 6-7 with a no-decision and a 6.60 ERA.

The five-man staff gave up 89 hits in 73 2/3 innings during that span, and everyone contributed to the downturn.

Despite going 2-1 in three starts, Kazuhisa Ishii had a 7.16 ERA. Andy Ashby went 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA, and Wilson Alvarez split two starts with a 9.00 ERA. Even the consistent Hideo Nomo had a rocky start against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, though that could happen to anyone.

Of course, ace Kevin Brown missed two starts while on the disabled list because of an abdominal strain, contributing to the rotation slump. Brown has been impressive in two outings since being activated, and he leads the majors with a 2.12 ERA.

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The Dodgers went over 2 million in attendance for the 31st year in a row and the 37th time overall.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Arizona Diamondbacks, three games.

Site -- Bank One Ballpark.

TV -- Channel 13 tonight and Sunday.

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

Records -- Dodgers 53-48, Diamondbacks 54-48.

Record vs. Diamondbacks -- 5-4.

Tonight, 7 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (6-8, 4.65) vs. Randy Johnson (1-3, 5.83)

Saturday, 1 p.m. -- Andy Ashby (2-7, 5.66) vs. Elmer Dessens (5-7, 5.26).

Sunday, 1:30 p.m. -- Hideo Nomo (11-8, 2.78) vs. Curt Schilling (5-5, 3.07).