Bonds Treatment for Beltre?

Adrian Beltre is so hot right now that opposing teams have no business pitching to him, a National League scout said Thursday.

“He’s slowly turning into a guy like Barry Bonds,” the scout said. “If there’s a choice, put him on or pitch around him. Right now, he doesn’t have any holes. There’s no one area you can pitch to and say, we can get him out here.”

Beltre, who leads the major leagues with 41 home runs, is batting .383 in 40 games since the All-Star break, with 19 home runs and 39 runs batted in.

By pitching around Beltre, opponents would challenge Shawn Green to beat them and carry the Dodgers into the playoffs. Green, moved to fifth in the lineup last month, is batting .297 with 12 homers since the break. The Montreal Expos intentionally walked Beltre with first base open Thursday, and Green struck out.

“With Shawn Green swinging a hot bat, you’re taking your chances,” Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said. “If there’s a right-hander on the mound, you’re walking Adrian Beltre to pitch to Shawn Green, who hits left-handed? That’s a gamble. That’s a tough choice.”

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When the Dodgers and Expos play next year the opposing shortstops could be brothers. The current Expo shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, is eligible for free agency this fall. As a possible replacement, the Expos are grooming Macier Izturis, 23, younger brother of Dodger Cesar Izturis.

Macier Izturis is batting .337 at triple-A Edmonton, with 56 walks and 29 strikeouts, and he is expected to be promoted in September. Although Cesar Izturis leads all major league shortstops in fielding percentage, Montreal General Manager Omar Minaya said some of his players consider Macier a better fielder.

“Just the fact that he’s being considered with Cesar is a great compliment,” Minaya said. “We’re very excited by his development.”

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In what could have been the Dodgers’ last game in Montreal, the Olympic Stadium crowd of 18,520 rewarded Dodger coach -- and five-time Expo All-Star -- Tim Wallach with a standing ovation. As the scoreboard flashed “We remember,” Wallach reluctantly emerged from the dugout to acknowledge the cheers.... Pitcher Brad Penny played catch for a second consecutive day, but his possible return remains weeks away.... Tracy said pitcher Edwin Jackson would not rejoin the Dodgers when rosters expand Sept. 1. Jackson first will make two more rehabilitation starts for triple-A Las Vegas.... In his third rehab start for Las Vegas on Thursday, Hideo Nomo struck out 10 in 5 1/3 innings, giving up three runs and five hits.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- New York Mets, three games.

Site -- Shea Stadium, New York.

TV -- Channel 13 all three games.

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

Records -- Dodgers 74-53, Mets 59-67.

Record vs. Mets -- 1-2.

Tonight, 4 PDT -- Wilson Alvarez (7-4, 3.76) vs. Tom Glavine (8-10, 3.10).

Saturday, 10 a.m. PDT -- Odalis Perez (6-4, 3.09) vs. TBA.

Sunday, 10 a.m. PDT -- Kazuhisa Ishii (12-6, 4.71) vs. Kris Benson (10-10, 4.52).