Roberts May Be Available

The Dodgers hope Dave Roberts can return tonight for the opener of a three-game series against the Houston Astros after the center fielder sat out a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Dodger Stadium because of a sprained right neck.

Roberts, who was injured Saturday when his head slammed into the knee of Colorado second baseman Ronnie Belliard while sliding into second on a stolen base, said the injury had progressed better than expected but that he still has difficulty turning his head to the right.

“It was just really scary for me because it was my neck,” Roberts said. “You hear your neck pop and crack, and the first thing you think is it could be really serious.”

Roberts remained on the infield dirt for about five minutes while being attended to by a team trainer but came out of the game only after scoring the go-ahead run on Adrian Beltre’s bases-loaded walk.

The Dodgers replaced Roberts in the lineup Sunday with Jeromy Burnitz, who made a nice running catch in left-center field in the seventh inning to rob Juan Uribe of an extra-base hit.

“Wheels, baby,” Burnitz said.

Roberts said he had taken some muscle relaxers and pain medication and would try to return today.

“That’s obviously not my decision,” he said, “but if it were my decision, I would be back in there as soon as possible. These are important games, so I have to help in any way I possibly can.”

*

John Ricondo was perfect on the details, right down to the sweat-stained Dodger cap.

“I put some salt and water on it and let it sit in the sun for a while,” said Ricondo, the goateed winner of the Eric Gagne look-alike contest.

Ricondo, a 25-year-old from Sherman Oaks, got to meet Gagne on Sunday before the Dodgers played the Rockies after beating out about 20 other contestants. He also won four tickets to the game and a jersey signed by the closer.

“The fake one is better looking!” Colorado slugger Larry Walker yelled near the batting cage as he observed Gagne and Ricondo standing next to each other.

Perhaps. But the fake Gagne probably wouldn’t have been able to retire Walker to secure the Dodgers’ 3-0 victory over the Rockies and register a 54th consecutive save over two seasons that tied Tom Gordon for the major league record.

*

Manager Jim Tracy announced the Dodgers today would activate catcher Todd Hundley from the disabled list and recall infielder Jason Romano, outfielder Wilkin Ruan and pitcher Steve Colyer from triple-A Las Vegas. The club also would purchase the contract of pitcher Rodney Myers, Tracy said. More call-ups may be announced in the coming days.

Hundley hit .083 in 24 at-bats during his rehabilitation assignment with Class-A Vero Beach, but Tracy said the quality of the catcher’s at-bats was better than his statistics indicated. Hundley, who underwent back surgery after playing in only 12 games with the Dodgers, also is expected to resume his role as the reserve catcher.

None of the other call-ups are expected to receive much playing time.

*

Tracy said he started Ron Coomer in place of Fred McGriff at first base Sunday because McGriff was still bothered by a sore groin and Coomer had fared better against Colorado starter Darren Oliver. Coomer was 0 for 3.... Kazuhisa Ishii reported no complications a day after pitching five shutout innings in his first appearance since spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee July 29, Tracy said. “Hopefully, we’ll have ourselves a pretty good left-handed pitcher down the stretch here the last month of the season,” Tracy said.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Houston Astros, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2, all three games.

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

Records -- Dodgers 71-64, Astros 71-65.

Record vs. Astros -- 1-2.

Tonight, 5 -- Hideo Nomo (15-10, 2.86) vs. Wade Miller (11-11, 4.21).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Wilson Alvarez (2-1, 2.64) vs. Tim Redding (8-13, 3.87).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Kevin Brown (13-7, 2.26) vs. Jeriome Robertson (12-7, 5.18).