Dodgers’ James Loney sits out against Reds
Watching James Loney stumble over first base in pursuit of a foul ball the previous night, Manager Joe Torre decided to give his first baseman a rare day off Saturday.
“His bat is dragging a little,” Torre said.
Loney went into Saturday two for his last 20.
Arguably the Dodgers’ most consistent performer in the first half of the season, Loney was batting .309 with six home runs and 63 runs batted in at the All-Star break. Since then, he was hitting .206 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 34 games through Friday.
But Loney said he doesn’t feel out of sorts at the plate.
“It’s probably the best I’ve ever felt as far as hitting the ball hard,” he said. “Everything feels good — timing, everything.”
Hitting coach Don Mattingly agreed with Loney and blamed the first baseman’s decreased production on a change in roles rather than poor form.
While Manny Ramirez was sidelined, Loney often batted fourth this month.
“Realistically, right now, I think he’s a five or a six guy,” Mattingly said.
Gibbons starts at first
Almost five years removed from the last time he played first base in the majors, Jay Gibbons returned to the position Saturday as Loney’s replacement.
Gibbons, who hadn’t played in the big leagues since 2007 until he was called up Aug. 8, said he played first base periodically for triple-A Albuquerque this season. But he wouldn’t say he felt comfortable playing there.
“Comfortable?” Gibbons said, laughing. “I’m going to try to be a goalie out there, block everything.”
That was what Gibbons had to do in the second inning, as he blocked a sharply hit grounder by Cincinnati’s Ramon Hernandez with his chest and made a throw to pitcher Chad Billingsley at the bag to get him out.
Gibbons said he wanted the ball hit to him early.
“I’d rather them hit three balls to me in the first inning,” he said. “I don’t want the screamer in the eighth.”
Furcal’s recovery
Will Rafael Furcal play again this year?
“Yes,” trainer Stan Conte said. “I hope.”
Still hindered by back pain that landed him on the 15-day disabled list almost two weeks ago, Furcal underwent another MRI exam Saturday. The test was negative.
Furcal also received an injection in his back to numb the pain and reduce inflammation.
While the Dodgers are on the road next week, Furcal is expected to go to their spring-training facility in Arizona to receive treatment.
Torre said the Dodgers would be cautious with Furcal.
Short hops
Sidelined reliever Jeff Weaver will start a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Class-A Inland Empire next week. Weaver said he is scheduled to pitch an inning Tuesday and two innings Saturday. He could be activated for the start of the Dodgers’ next homestand Hip-hop duo Akwid will headline the Viva Los Dodgers Day concert, which will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday in Lot G.
dylan.hernandez@latimes.com
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