DODGERS NOTEBOOK: CORA PROVES HE CAN HIT A BIT.

Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer

CINCINNATI - Dodgers second baseman Alex Cora has successfully executed four squeeze plays this season. Three have been of the ``suicide'' variety, when then runner breaks from third with the pitch.

The most recent came in Monday night's win over Cincinnati, when Cora bunted back to the mound with Shawn Green bearing in on him, and Reds pitcher Aaron Harang's throw home was too high for catcher Jason LaRue to make the tag.

For Cora, who has a good chance for the first .300 season of his career, that deft bat-handling ability is another example of what a well-rounded hitter he has become.

``Alex Cora is one of the smartest players on the field,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``He is always one step ahead of the action taking place on the field.''

Cora is a poster child of sorts for the patient approach new hitting coach Tim Wallach has preached since the start of spring training. That much was borne out by Cora's epic, 18-pitch at-bat against Chicago's Matt Clement on May 12, resulting in a two-run homer that chased Clement and put the game away for the Dodgers.

But Tracy said Cora actually began practicing going deep in the count while playing last winter in Caguas, Puerto Rico, before Wallach's arrival.

``He was leading off for that team, and prior to his injury (broken right forearm), one thing they were displeased with was that they thought he took too many pitches,'' Tracy said. ``But he was preparing. He was trying to make himself better. I heard one report that (in winter ball), he wouldn't even swing until he had two strikes.''

Considering he usually bats eighth, Cora's heady approach to hitting has been a godsend.

``That's not the easiest place to hit,'' Tracy said. ``When someone understands that spot and has the ability to turn the lineup over so you don't have the pitcher leading the next inning off but instead you have the leadoff guy leading the next inning off, that's huge. And in order to do that, you can't get yourself out.''

Cora was out of the lineup for Wednesday night's game because left-hander Brandon Claussen started for the Reds. Backup second baseman Jose Hernandez came in hitting .329 against lefties, with seven homers in 85 at-bats.

--Penny ante: Dodgers right-hander Brad Penny - who will miss at least one start, probably two and possibly more with a strained right biceps - said he is taking ice and heat therapies for now. He has no idea when he might return.

For now, Dodgers officials are holding off placing Penny on the 15-day disabled list because that would eliminate him until at least Aug. 24, and there is a chance Penny will be ready to pitch earlier than that.

``When the nerve calms down, I believe I'll be able to throw (on the side),'' Penny said. ``It's not pain. It's just the nerve. I'm just glad it's not the elbow or the shoulder.''

Penny left in the first inning of Sunday's game against Philadelphia when he felt a sudden sensation, which he said Wednesday was more like a ``shock.'' An MRI taken on Penny's right arm Monday showed no structural damage.

Left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii, who was demoted to the bullpen last weekend, will make at least one spot start in place of Penny on Saturday at Chicago.

--Miscellany: Green entered the day having hit safely in 11 of his past 12 games, during which he was batting .327 (16 for 49). He was hitting .306 for the second half.

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- Tony Jackson