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Saturday, April 26, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Dodgers vs. Pirates, 7:05 p.m., PNC Park. TV: Fox Sports Net; Radio: KDKA-AM (1020) and Pirates Radio Network. RHP Hideo Nomo (2-3) will start for the Dodgers against the Pirates' Salomon Torres (2-0).

Brian Giles, who marks his 15th day on the disabled list today because of a sprained right knee, hit 30-35 balls off a batting tee yesterday but is still several days away from running outside or taking batting practice. When he starts running the bases and doing other activities that will require him to go side to side, he will wear a protective knee brace. Giles said his knee may not be 100 percent healthy until this winter, but he's hoping to be back in action in about two weeks. "I just have to be functional enough to go out there and be capable of playing," Giles said. "It's just frustrating. [Yesterday] was the first day I did anything baseball related. Obviously, I increased my workload," Giles will go on the West Coast road trip, which opens Monday in his hometown of San Diego. His presence in the lineup has been sorely missed as the Pirates have struggled offensively in their past 15 games.

Jason Kendall was back in the starting lineup last night and feeling no pain in his back. Kendall and the Pirates are hoping the back spasms, which first occurred the day before the season opener, won't be a lingering issue and will respond to treatments and medication, such as the shot he received earlier this week to ease inflammation. He missed the afternoon game Thursday after catching 13 innings the night before. Manager Lloyd McClendon noted wryly that he's "the dumbest son of a gun in the world because I didn't play him a day game after he caught 13 innings." But the manager will consult the trainers and Kendall to see how the back is feeling before making a decision on whether he can play. "Anybody who's ever had back problems can tell you that back spasms are no fun. If there's any way he can get out there, he'll be out there," McClendon said.

Bob Mariano, a 1976 graduate of Moon High School, has been serving as the Dodgers' hitting coach after Jack Clark was injured in a motorcycle accident March 30. Mariano, an infielder who played minor-league baseball in the New York Yankees' and Baltimore Orioles' organizations, had been the Dodgers' minor-league coordinator. The first time he was in PNC Park was in September, when he came home to visit his terminally ill father. "This is going to be something special for me. It's like a dream," Mariano said. "My parents used to take me to Forbes Field. I can remember it like it was yesterday." His favorite player was Roberto Clemente, but two Pirates he remembers from his childhood -- Manny Mota and Maury Wills -- are longtime members of the Dodgers' organization. "I'm working for them. And, when they start telling their stories from Forbes Field, I tell them, 'Hey, I saw you guys play,' " Mariano said.

Fans still have six days to vote on a player bobblehead that will be given away as a promotion Sept. 20. Mike Williams has a slight lead over Kip Wells in the voting, 7,609-7,573. Also in the running are Kris Benson (2,480), Aramis Ramirez (2,130) and Fogg (1,809). Votes can be made on-line until May 1 at www.pittsburghpirates.com.

NASHVILLE (15-4) won, 8-5, at Salt Lake. Starter John Wasdin (2-0) pitched into the seventh. Only one of the three runs he gave up was earned. He struck out seven and walked one while allowing eight hits. LF John Barnes, RF J.J. Davis and C Humberto Cota homered. Davis also had a double. 2B David Doster had two doubles.

ALTOONA (10-9) had the day off.

LYNCHBURG (12-4) rallied from a 6-4 deficit in the eighth to win, 11-6, at home vs. Kinston. Reliever Josh Higgins (2-0) got the final eight outs. Starter Bobby Bradley gave up two hits and three walks in five shutout innings. 1B Chris Shelton hit two home runs and drove in seven runs. C Ryan Doumit had four hits, including a double, and scored twice. DH Yurendell DeCaster singled, doubled and scored a run.

HICKORY (16-5) won, 3-2, in 12 innings at home vs. Charleston (W.Va.). Shane Youmin (3-1) worked the final two innings to get the win. Starter Leo Nunez allowed two runs on six hits in six innings. 1B Brad Eldred had three hits, including a double, and drove in a run. DH Chaz Lytle had two hits.