Perez Finally Has Encouraging Outing

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  Dodger left-hander Carlos Perez pitched fairly well Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, prolonging his bid to remain in the major leagues.

He worked four innings in a 4-2 loss at Dodgertown, giving up four hits and three runs (two earned). Perez was charged with the loss and gave up his second home run in nine exhibition innings--Ray Lankford’s fourth-inning, two-run shot to left field.

But the struggling pitcher impressed Manager Davey Johnson with his mechanics. He struck out five and walked only one, showing marked release-point improvement in his 66-pitch appearance.

The velocity on Perez’s fastball was clocked between 85-89 mph, but his improved command enabled him to finally show something positive.

He had a 14.40 earned-run average after two Grapefruit League outings.

Based on Perez’s encouraging performance, he will start again Wednesday against the Montreal Expos at Jupiter.

Orel Hershiser, competing for a rotation spot with Perez, also pitched well against the Cardinals. He relieved Perez and struck out six without a walk in four scoreless innings. Hershiser also will work again Wednesday, probably in a simulated game.

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Gary Sheffield suffered a cut on his left pinky that required stitches and might sideline him for several days. The injury occurred when the all-star outfielder slid headfirst while trying to steal third base. “I’m done running forever,” Sheffield joked. “I’m never going to steal another base.” Sheffield is listed as day-to-day.

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The Dodgers are trying to have Campo Las Palmas reopened, baseball officials said.

Team Chairman Bob Daly and President Bob Graziano have had discussions with the commissioner’s office about reopening the Dominican baseball academy, which was closed as part of the punishment for the club violating major league rules in signing third baseman Adrian Beltre before his 16th birthday.

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Catcher Todd Hundley, sidelined for five games because of back spasms, was hitless in two at-bats in his return to the lineup. . . . The Arizona Diamondbacks signed middle infielder Craig Counsell, released this week by the Dodgers, to a minor league contract.