BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Mother Knows Best, Crews Attests

Relief pitcher Tim Crews credits a phone call from his mother for changing his luck, which has improved considerably since he gave up winning hits in three consecutive appearances from July 15-19.

Because of his mother’s advice, Crews colored his graying hair and trimmed his mustache. Since then, he has given up no earned runs in 6 2/3 innings covering five appearances.

“My mom told me I was too young to look so old, so I took care of the hair,” said Crews, 30. “And she told me the mustache made me look wild, so I trimmed it. All I know is, it worked.”

Bob Ojeda has inflammation of cartilage in his right rib and received a shot of cortisone in his right side. He will throw in the bullpen today to determine whether he can make his next scheduled start Monday against the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles.

Ojeda was in Los Angeles Friday with his wife, Ellen, when she gave birth to Kathryn Ellen.

Alfredo Griffin’s double vision has cleared up and he was released from a hospital after undergoing cheekbone surgery Tuesday. He is expected to rejoin the Dodgers Monday in Los Angeles. . . . Mike Scioscia continues to suffer from flu, which forced him to sit out a third consecutive game. . . . Mike Morgan, heckled by fans Sunday in Cincinnati for comments he made about Red Manager Lou Piniella after Morgan was originally left off the All-Star team, did not speak with reporters after the game because of a remark by a Cincinnati journalist. . . . Jeff Hamilton reported to triple-A Albuquerque to begin his 20-day rehabilitation assignment, but did not play at Colorado Springs Friday.