Mondesi Covers His Territory

Dodger right fielder Raul Mondesi has staked out his territory in the clubhouse, putting a Dominican Republic flag over his stall.

“It’s just something different.” Mondesi said of the flag, which was given to him by Manny Mota. “Last year Nike put the flag on the back of my shoes.”

But right field is really Mondesi’s territory.

Mondesi showed why he’s one of the best defensive outfielders, making a running over-the-shoulder catch of a first-inning drive by Mark Grace.

Mondesi banged into the wall and made a strong throw back to first to try to get Shawon Dunston, who had singled.

Mondesi also hit the wall when he made a one-handed running catch of a ninth-inning shot by catcher Scott Servais and threw a one-hopper to Eric Karros to nearly get Brooks Kieschnick, who had walked.

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Wilton Guerrero, who had two hits in his first three at-bats, tripled into the right-field corner in the fifth inning and scored on Greg Gagne’s single as the Dodgers chased Trachsel. Guerrero has five triples this season, tying him for the league lead with Deion Sanders of the Cincinnati Reds.

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Center fielder Brett Butler, who missed his fourth consecutive game because of an injured left shoulder, will throw today. His status will be re-evaluated afterward. . . . Pitcher Ismael Valdes, who missed Thursday’s start against the Philadelphia Phillies because of an abdominal injury, said he felt no pain while pitching 7 2/3 innings Saturday.