Izturis Clings to Lead

Even a sociology professor would be hard-pressed to come up with an explanation for the inverse relationship between Cesar Izturis’ production on offense and the All-Star votes he has received.

Izturis was sixth among NL shortstops in voting June 1 despite batting .342 and leading the league in hits and multi-hit games.

Support grew quickly -- in large part because of an aggressive public relations campaign by the Dodgers -- and in tallies released Monday he leads at shortstop with 677,260 votes, about 65,000 more than second-place David Eckstein.

Yet the surge has coincided with the worst slump of his career. Since June 1, Izturis is six for 74 with no multi-hit games, his average plummeting to .279.

“I appreciate the support,” he said.

“It would be an honor to represent the team and the fans.”

Jeff Kent is a landslide leader at second base. If Izturis holds his lead, the Dodgers would field the All-Star middle infield for the first time since Davey Lopes and Bill Russell in 1980.

*

Outfielder Milton Bradley experienced a setback in his slow recovery from a torn ligament in the ring finger of his right hand when he was forced to stop taking soft-toss swings left-handed because of pain.

The Dodgers are 10-17 since Bradley last played May 29.

*

Olmedo Saenz was embarrassed that he didn’t get to second base on a fly ball to right field in the ninth inning Sunday against the Angels that Jeff DaVanon lost in the sun. Saenz was lifted for a pinch-runner and said he felt pain in his right hip when he began running to first.

“It’s not anything serious,” he said. “It’s a little tender.”

Saenz, 34, played in all but one of the last 13 games and is on pace to accumulate more at-bats than in any previous season.

“I’ve been playing a lot,” he said. “But with our injuries, I have to.”

*

Left-hander Odalis Perez said he expects to be activated from the disabled list in time to make a start before the All-Star break.... Dodger minor leaguers Russell Martin and Andy LaRoche will play in the All-Star Futures Game July 10 in Detroit.... Las Vegas catcher Dioner Navarro has been chosen to play in the triple-A All-Star game July 13 in Sacramento.