Wherever He Plays, He’s Hitting
After having his season interrupted twice because of stints on the disabled list, Todd Hollandsworth appears to have found a groove.
Hollandsworth, who started at first base and batted third Wednesday night against the Colorado Rockies, came into the game having gone 10 for 25 during a 10-game stretch in which the Dodgers lost only twice.
Hollandsworth hit home runs last Friday against the Angels at Anaheim and Sunday and Monday at Pittsburgh. He had a run-scoring single Tuesday at Pittsburgh and entered Wednesday’s game batting .298 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 114-at bats.
In his first at-bat Wednesday, he hit a two-run homer against right-hander Pedro Astacio.
“It’s kind of been a different spot every night, but once you get your mind set on it and adjusted to doing it, it hasn’t really been a problem,” said Hollandsworth, who has started 15 games in center field, four in left, one in right, four at first base and four as designated hitter. “I’m making the most of the opportunity I’m getting. The team is playing great lately, which we pretty much have to do that because of the position we’re in.”
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As expected, rookie right-hander Jamie Arnold will start the second game of today’s day-night doubleheader.
Arnold is 2-2 with a 4.12 earned-run average in 25 appearances, 24 in relief.
Arnold made his only start May 5 at Montreal as a last-minute replacement for left-hander Carlos Perez. Arnold earned the victory by giving up only one hit in 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He pitched five hitless innings before giving up a leadoff single in the sixth.
“I’m not going to try to change too much because whatever I did last time worked out pretty good,” Arnold said. “I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think about it. I was told a few hours before the game, so I just tried to stay as calm as I could.
“I don’t think I’ll be as nervous this time. I’m just going to go out and give us as many innings as I can and hope it’s enough.”
Arnold has no illusions about his role on the staff. He would like to be a starter, but is content to be contributor out of the bullpen and as a spot starter.
“We have a great rotation and everybody is coming along real well,” he said. “Just staying here [in the major leagues] is fine with me.”
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With the Dodgers possibly facing five left-handed starters in the next five games, Manager Davey Johnson and General Manager Kevin Malone said the club has considered the possibility of catcher Todd Hundley dropping his appeal of the three-game suspension he drew for his role in a fight with the Seattle Mariners July 11.
If the Dodgers continue their recent solid play, and Hundley’s suspension is upheld at an appeal hearing tentatively scheduled for Aug. 6 in New York, he would be lost to the Dodgers during a possibly crucial part of the schedule.
“It comes down to Todd, his agent and the union,” Malone said. “But there has been some thought that with Angel Pena swinging the bat so well and playing so well, this might be the most opportune time--if there is an opportune time--to lose a guy who is hot and hitting home runs.
“We’re looking at all our options, and there is some consideration of waiting and going through the appeal hearing. We’re trying to figure out what would be best for everybody involved and hopefully we’ll make the right decision and it won’t hurt us.”
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The Dodgers put 15 remaining luxury suites on sale at a cost of $185,000 to $390,000 for half- and full-season packages. Leases are available from four to 10 years.
A model suite built next to the press box is available for viewing by potential suite holders.
Fifteen suites already have been reserved by local corporations, according to the Dodgers.
The suites will be constructed on the Club level of the stadium after the season.
DOUBLEHEADER / TODAY
DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (6-7, 6.29 ERA)
vs.
ROCKIES’ BOBBY JONES (4-8, 5.81 ERA)
Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.
TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)
TONIGHT
DODGERS’ JAMIE ARNOLD (2-2, 4.12 ERA)
vs.
ROCKIES’ BRIAN BOHANON (9-7, 6.36 ERA)
Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.
TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)
* Update--Today’s doubleheader is the first for the Dodgers at home since 1992 and the first day-night doubleheader in their Los Angeles history. The first game is part of the regular schedule, the second a makeup of an April 11 rainout. Fans must pay separate admissions for the two games. Manager Davey Johnson said he remembered playing day-night doubleheaders as a player with the Baltimore Orioles in the 1960s. “It was usually in Minnesota,” Johnson said. “[Former Twin owner] Calvin Griffith made a nickel go a long way.”
* Tickets--(323) 224-1HIT.
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