DODGERS NOTEBOOK: NO. 2 SPOT WORKS FOR BELTRE.Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer The Dodgers turned to their leading hitter Adrian Beltre to take over the second spot in the order Friday and he played a major role in the seven-run seventh inning that led to a 7-3 victory over the St. Louis. Beltre, who came in with a club-high .336 average, was moved from seventh to second because of his consistency and knowledge of the strike zone. Beltre, whose RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in single gave the Dodgers a 4-1 lead, has 19 walks, including a league-leading six intentional walks, although most came as a result of batting in front of the pitcher. ``I don't expect those kinds of walks in the second spot, although it would be nice,'' manager Davey Johnson Moving Beltre to second forced Mark Grudzielanek Mark James Grudzielanek (born June 30, 1970 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a second baseman in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals. Previously, Grudzielanek played with the Montreal Expos (1995-1998), Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2002), Chicago Cubs to eighth in the order. Grudzielanek was benched for the three-game series with the Cubs and batted just .154 (2 for 13) during the homestand. ``This move is not a slap at Mark,'' Johnson said. ``He is still my shortstop. We've talked. I talk to all my guys. Some need more attention than others. He'll be fine.'' Grudzielanek was back in the starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes Friday and had two hits and a walk and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh. Still struggling: Alan Mills Alan Mills may refer to:
A week earlier, Mills gave up a game-winning grand slam grand slam n. 1. The winning of all the tricks during the play of one hand in bridge and other whist-derived card games. 2. Sports The winning of all the major or specified events, especially on a professional circuit. to Florida pinch-hitter Bruce Aven David Bruce Aven (Born March 4, 1972 in Orange, Texas), is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Aven played for four different ballclubs during his career: the Cleveland Indians (1997, 2002), Florida Marlins (1999), Pittsburgh Pirates (2000), and Los Angeles Dodgers after Darren Dreifort Mills was in trouble from the outset, walking Mark McGwire to start the eighth after taking over for Kevin Brown. ``He's just fallen into a little rough time,'' pitching coach Charlie Hough said. ``I liked the pop on his ball tonight and he threw some good breaking balls. His location could have been better. But every pitcher goes through this.'' Quick hits: There is a good chance Chan Ho Park will not face Fernando Tatis tonight - Tatis is one of several Cardinals to have the flu. Tatis set a a major-league record April 23 at Dodger Stadium when he hit two grand slams in one inning against Park. . . . Juan Acevedo, who opened the season as the Cardinals closer, will start Sunday's game against Ismael Valdes. Acevedo allowed runs in five of his last six relief appearances with an 11.74 ERA. DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS Time: 5:10 p.m. at Busch Stadium. TV/Radio: Channel 5; KXTA-AM (1150), KWKW-AM (1330, Spanish). Matchup: In the second of three games against the Cardinals, Chan Ho Park (3-2, 4.91) faces right-hander Kent Bottenfield (5-1, 2.59). Park is coming off a 6-4 loss to Florida. He did not figure in the decision but blew a four-run lead by giving up three home runs. The last time Park faced the Cardinals (April 23), he gave up two grand slams to third baseman Fernando Tatis. Bottenfield pitched the final game in that series in Los Angeles and beat the Dodgers 6-4. - Matt McHale CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, Box Photo: (1) BELTRE (2) PARK Box: DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS (See text) |
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