Izturis Has Been a Hit at the Plate

It might be premature to hail Cesar Izturis as an offensive force in the Dodger lineup, but he is showing early in his third full major league season that there could be more to his game than outstanding glove work.

The slick-fielding shortstop has wielded a productive bat throughout April, a sign that the additional work developing strength in the switch-hitter’s swing is paying dividends. Izturis had reached base in every game and carried a career-high 14-game hitting streak before going hitless in four at-bats in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over the New York Mets.

“The noticeable improvement that you see right now is left-handed,” Manager Jim Tracy said, referring to Izturis’ .273 average batting left-handed, well above his .233 career average. He is batting .364 right-handed.

Working with batting coach Tim Wallach, Izturis improved his strength thanks to several specialized drills in spring training. He has also benefited from more time spent studying opposing pitchers.

“Now I have a plan when I go to the plate,” Izturis said. “I know how they’re going to pitch to me.”

Jim Fregosi, a scout for the Atlanta Braves who managed Toronto when Izturis was in the Blue Jays’ minor league system, predicted a bright future for the 24-year-old.

“He’s an intelligent player and he knows what he’s got to do,” Fregosi said. “Once he’s around a little while, he’ll hit better. I think he’ll have a fine, long major league career.”

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Whatever the cause, Hideo Nomo’s decreased velocity has become cause for concern. In his five starts it has hindered his ability to get away with mistakes. The right-hander has yielded nine homers in 28 innings -- or roughly one every three innings -- after last season giving up 24 homers in 218 1/3, an average of one every nine innings.

“Right now, where Hideo is as far as his velocity’s concerned, it’s safe to say there’s not a whole lot he’s going to get away with when he misses with a pitch,” Tracy said. “You can’t afford to leave balls in the middle of the plate with his velocity not quite where it was for much of the last two seasons.”

Tracy said he did not know whether the decrease in velocity was attributable to Nomo’s age, off-season shoulder surgery or mechanical deficiencies, though he noted that the 35-year-old seemed somewhat out of rhythm Tuesday against the Mets. Nomo gave up three homers in six innings during the Dodgers’ 9-5 loss.

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Guillermo Mota said he felt no added anxiety facing Mike Piazza on Tuesday for the first time since March 2003, when the right-hander ignited a brawl between the Dodgers and Mets by hitting Piazza with a fastball in the left shoulder.

“Nothing,” said Mota, who was suspended four games and fined $3,000 in the wake of the incident, the second involving the players in two years. “I put that behind me. That’s in the past, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

Mota struck out Piazza in the seventh inning Tuesday.