Manager Gene Michael has a theory about why third baseman Keith Moreland has committed 19 errors this season, most on the team.
”Infielders can get a little shaky at times when the errors come in bunches,” Michael said. ”You don`t want the ball hit to you. I know that feeling because I`ve had it. When you get that shakiness and you don`t want that ball, the ball finds you sometimes. I had that happen to me when I was with the Dodgers.”
Moreland didn`t make an error in April.
Reliever Dickie Noles, who is on the disabled list with a broken wrist, threw off the mound Friday.
”I would say he is a definite possibility to go to rehabilitation,”
Michael said. ”It would be tough for him to come right off the disabled list and pitch in a game right away.”
Michael said he is pleased with All-Star second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who spent about a month on the disabled list with an injured right ankle before returning July 11.
”I don`t think Sandberg is quite as quick as he was yet,” Michael said. ”But that will come. He`s swinging the bat fine.”
Shortstop Shawon Dunston, on the DL with a broken ring finger on his right hand, is slated to begin throwing this week.
”Dunston is getting his running in and he`s doing as much as he can now,” Michael said. ”He`s getting itchy.”
Asked if he thought Dunston might be less reckless a player once he returns from the injury, Michael replied: ”Maybe at the beginning. But I think he`ll probably be out to prove that he won`t be too cautious. I`ll have a little talk about being a little more careful.”
As a player, Michael never endured the injuries similar to Dunston`s or Sandberg`s. ”I played 10 years and I was never on the DL,” Michael said. ”I never had a broken bone, I never had a stitch. Never got cut at second base, minor leagues or big leagues.”
Billy Williams departed from Chicago for Cooperstown, N.Y., Friday to be inducted into tho Hall of Fame during ceremonies Sunday.
Andre Dawson has hit 20 homers against Western Division clubs this year. That`s a personal best.
Michael and coach Johnny Oates, another former Dodger, were introduced to the crowd this weekend as being ”prominent in Dodger history.”
Scott Kamieniecki and Eric Schmidt combined on a two-hitter Friday night as the Albany Yankees defeated the Pittsfield Cubs 8-1 for their fourth straight Eastern League victory. Kamieniecki (1-0) went the first five innings before giving way to Schmidt, who finished up for his fourth save. Schmidt did not allow a hit and walked one.
Albany (48-50) scored three runs in the third inning on RBI triples by Tony Russell and Hal Morris, and a wild pitch by loser Dave Kopf (2-3).
Albany`s Darren Reed made it 4-1 when he hit his 17th homer since being demoted to the Eastern League from Columbus of the International League. Reed, who hit eight home runs while he was with the Clippers, also added an RBI double and Russell hit his sixth homer, both in the eighth inning.
Pittsfield (61-38) scored its only run in the fourth on an error by Albany third baseman Scott Shaw.
