BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Lasorda’s Resume Is Looking Better

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda, who became only the fifth manager to lead the same team into the postseason in three consecutive decades, likely also saved his job with his efforts.

Dodger President Peter O’Malley is remaining mum about Lasorda’s contract, but considering the team won 17 of its last 23 games, talk of being underachievers suddenly disappeared.

“The only guy who’s going to decide whether I’m coming back or not is one man,” Lasorda said, “and that man’s name is Peter O’Malley. If he wants me back, I would be more than honored. If he doesn’t, I’ll say thanks for the memories.”

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Certainly, no one will be tested more this series than Dodger catcher Mike Piazza.

The Reds stole a league-leading 190 bases this season, and the Dodger pitching staff has struggled holding on runners. Opponents have stolen 107 bases against the Dodgers and were caught 45 times.

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Just how dominant has Dodger pitcher Ramon Martinez, tonight’s starter, been against the Reds in his career?

He has not lost to the Reds since June 14, 1992, going 6-0 in eight starts with a 2.12 ERA.

“Yeah, but sometimes things change in the playoffs,” Red Manager Davey Johnson said, hopefully.

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The Reds have reason to be concerned about outfielders Ron Gant and Reggie Sanders. Gant was batting .291 with 29 homers and 86 RBIs on Sept. 5, but since is batting .276 with no extra-base hits and only two RBIs. Sanders was hitting .320 with 27 homers on Sept. 10, but since is hitting .306 with only six RBIs and no home runs. . . . Davey Johnson, when asked his pick for the National League’s MVP: “Well it’s a Red. I like [Barry] Larkin.” . . . Lasorda may become a grandfather by game time tonight. His daughter, Laura, went into labor Monday morning. . . . Lasorda telephoned Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann before their playoff game against the Mariners and wished them luck. . . . Red pitcher Pete Schourek, who starts tonight, has difficulty believing he’s the opening night starter in a playoff game. He was released this spring by the New York Mets. “It’s been a total 360-degree turnaround for me from last year. I was at the bottom, getting waived by a last-place team and pitching the first game of a division championship.”

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The only other four major league managers who have led their same team to the playoffs in three decades: Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Athletics, John McGraw of the New York Giants, Casey Stengel of the San Francisco Giants and Walter Alston of the Dodgers.