Tracy Has Praise for Cabrera’s Bat

When asked Saturday to name his best right-handed hitter after Paul Lo Duca, Manager Jim Tracy chose utility player Jolbert Cabrera, an answer that posed another question: Why isn’t this guy starting on a regular basis?

Cabrera, who is batting .265 with six home runs, 27 runs batted in and 26 runs in 189 at-bats, can play second base, shortstop, third, center field and left, and the Dodgers are getting marginal offensive contributions from second baseman Alex Cora (.234), shortstop Cesar Izturis (.249) and third baseman Adrian Beltre (.219).

But every time Izturis ranges deep into the hole and makes a strong throw to first to nail a runner, as he did on Matt Kata’s first-inning grounder Saturday, or Cora turns a superb double play, as he did in the second inning Saturday, or Beltre goes far behind the bag for a grounder, as he did on Shea Hillenbrand’s sixth-inning shot Saturday, Tracy tables any thought of benching his infielders in favor of Cabrera.

“With pitching the strong point of this team, and several sinker-ball pitchers, if you start compromising [defense] you start burning the candle at both ends,” Tracy said. “It’s a dilemma, but not one I lose a whole lot of sleep over, because I know what’s necessary to give this team the best chance to win every day.”

The Dodgers have already compromised their outfield defense with the additions of Jeromy Burnitz, who has been playing out of position in center field, and Rickey Henderson, who is decades removed from the Gold Glove award he won in 1981.

Tracy has started Cabrera, who had a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning Saturday, at second against left-handers, but he’s not about to break up his infield defense on a regular basis.

“Our pitching staff has an earned-run average of 3.07, and you have to protect that,” Tracy said. “You owe it to them.”

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Tracy found no fault with Burnitz’s decision to attempt a bunt with runners on second and third and two out in the 15th inning of a 1-1 game Friday night.

Burnitz, with Kata playing very deep at third base, tapped the ball too close to pitcher Stephen Randolph, who made the play to end the inning. The Diamondbacks won, 2-1, in the bottom of the 15th on Hillenbrand’s RBI single.

“Why wouldn’t I be OK with that?” Tracy said. “The third baseman’s heels were on the [outfield] grass. If that bunt is three feet further to the left, [Randolph] has no chance and a run scores. That ball was two or three feet away from being something we rave about today.”

Burnitz, who homered off Randy Johnson earlier in the game, didn’t second-guess himself, either.

“I saw it right away and went for it, I just didn’t execute it,” said Burnitz, who estimated he’s had about 10 bunt hits in his career. “I’ve done that a couple times, usually when I’m struggling. It was a great opportunity. I just have to do it.”

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First baseman Fred McGriff, who has played in only four games since June 14, had another setback in his recovery from a left groin strain and appears weeks away from a return.

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Struggling utility player Daryle Ward, who was optioned to triple-A after Wednesday night’s game, arrived at Cashman Field in Las Vegas just before game time Saturday night and only a few hours before the 72-hour window for him to report would have closed. Ward pinch-hit in the eighth inning and grounded out.... Arizona Manager Bob Brenly’s wife fell ill Friday night, and Brenly did not arrive at Bank One Ballpark until the fifth inning Saturday.... To make room for center fielder Dave Roberts, who was activated off the disabled list Saturday, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Wilkin Ruan to triple-A Las Vegas.