DODGERS : Wallach, Davis Seek Help of Smith

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  On an otherwise lazy afternoon this week, Tim Wallach and Eric Davis labored over a batting tee while listening intently to hitting instructor Reggie Smith.

Outside the batting cage, the fields at Dodgertown were unusually empty, with most of the reserve players gone to the Florida Marlins’ camp and most of the starters enjoying an afternoon off.

But Wallach and Davis had asked Smith for extra hitting instruction. Wallach had struggled the last two seasons at Montreal and was hitless in nine plate appearances this spring. Davis is trying to change his swing to the way it used to be, before he adjusted to compensate for injuries.

With Davis, Smith worked on mechanics. With Wallach, Smith worked on a different mental approach. Nearly three hours later, both players felt confident again. During Tuesday’s game against the Marlins, the results showed.

Wallach had three hits in four at-bats, including a two-run homer. Davis doubled, driving in the first two runs of the game, then scored a third that helped the Dodgers to a 10-0 victory.

“I’m just glad the session helped so fast,” said Wallach, who has also been working with hitting coach Ben Hines. “I felt good about my swing, but I couldn’t carry that into the games. Reggie worked on giving me one thought to think about when I am hitting. It’s amazing how much is mental.”

Said Davis: “I feel like it’s coming along.”

Orel Hershiser gave up two hits and had six strikeouts in four innings to get the victory. Pedro Astacio also pitched three innings, giving up two hits with four strikeouts.

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The Dodgers replaced center fielder Brett Butler with Tom Goodwin at the start of the fifth inning, but it had nothing to do with Butler being hit by a pitch earlier. The Dodgers were showcasing Goodwin for the Marlins, who wanted a good look. Goodwin singled in both at-bats.

Butler was hit in the foot in the first inning by Dave Weathers, but said he had only a slight bruise.

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The Dodgers have said Cory Snyder would be used as insurance in case of injuries, and that’s what happened Tuesday, when right fielder Darryl Strawberry took the day off because of a mild groin strain. Strawberry said he was feeling better and is listed as day to day.

Snyder made the most of the opportunity, driving in three runs with a single and a two-run homer. He has played mostly at first base over the last five games, replacing Eric Karros after the sixth inning and starting on Monday.

“Maybe it’s just that I’m not ready to accept a backup role,” Snyder said. “I think I’m young enough still to play every day and if you play different positions and play hard and someone gets injured, then I’ll be ready.”