Dodgers Bumble, Fumble to Third Straight Loss, 10-3

MONTREAL â€”  Dodger ineptitude was not just limited to defense here Saturday night, though there was a fresh supply of bungled plays to again show that “The Dodger Way To Play Baseballâ€� sometimes can be a horror flick.

No, this time, the Dodgers put it all together and totally came apart in a 10-3 loss to the Montreal Expos before 14,534 at Olympic Stadium. Usually, the Dodgers need only one problem area to flare up in order to fall apart. Saturday, however, they lost their third straight with a breakdown in three basics of baseball.

Defense?

Well, the Dodgers committed two errors that led to runs in Montreal’s four-run fifth inning.

Mike Ramsey, a defensive spe- cialist in center field, committed one error and also badly misplayed a run-scoring double in the third. Shortstop Dave Anderson muffed a potential double play ground ball for the other error.

“It was just one of those days, man,� Ramsey said. “What am I supposed to do, run everything down? I just didn’t get that ball. You expect me to get everything, man?�

Pitching?

Normally reliable starter Bob Welch, who gave up 7 runs in 4 innings, summed up his performance best when he called it “disgusting.� Almost equally hittable were relievers Tim Leary, Brian Holton and Tom Niedenfuer, who each gave up one run in one inning’s work.

All were eventually knocked out, but Niedenfuer had the most painful exit, in the eighth. He was hit in the right kneecap by Herm Winningham’s bases-loaded line drive, which led to a run and an out. Niedenfuer, who had merely a bad bruise, needed assistance in leaving the field.

“A wonderful night,� said Niedenfuer, rolling his eyes. He kept his humor, though, by adding: “I was yelling at (catcher Mike) Scioscia, ‘Go to the plate, save the run.’ �

Offense?

Take away a three-run sixth inning, the result of Bill Madlock’s two-run home run and Pedro Guerrero’s solo homer, and the Dodgers came up empty against Expo starter Bryn Smith and reliever Lary Sorensen, who pitched 2 hitless innings.

“Everything went wrong, everything,� said Madlock, who blamed the Dodgers’ hectic travel day on Thursday. “We were a beat behind on everything. Ground balls, hitting, pitching. It’s going to have an effect for a couple days.

“When we left home, we were playing pretty good baseball. When you’re at this stage (of the season), you can’t get overly concerned.�

That seemed to be Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda’s thinking. Even though the Dodgers have lost four of their last five games--Saturday’s being their most lopsided since their 8-1 loss in the home opener--Lasorda did not segue into a funk.

“We didn’t play too well the last two games,� Lasorda said. “But, of course, Cincinnati has lost two in a row. . . . (Today), we just hope to play better.�

At one point, Lasorda started questioning a Canadian wire-service reporter whom he had not met before. After about five minutes, somebody handed Lasorda a notebook and pen. Then, Lasorda was asked what he would write about Saturday’s game.

“First, I’d look at Welchy’s performance,� Lasorda said. “Then, I’d question some of the runs (the Expos) scored (on Dodger errors). Then, I’d write that some days nothing goes right. But if I had a pen, I certainly wouldn’t write anything negative. I’d find something positive.�

Even Lasorda had to laugh at that. Aside from Guerrero’s two hits, Madlock’s home run and Matt Young’s one-out relief pitching, there wasn’t much. Saturday belonged to the Expos, who took full advantage of the opportunities the Dodgers gave them.

Tim Wallach went 4 for 4, with two doubles, and Andres Galarraga and Casey Candaele each had two hits.

Smith, making just his fourth start since off-season elbow surgery, had his best game of the season. Before the Dodgers’ three-run sixth, Smith (2-0) gave up only two hits. But he allowed three hits in the sixth and two more in the seventh before being replaced by Sorensen.

Welch (4-2) was mystified by his poor showing. He said his arm felt fine, but he blamed his head.

“After I gave up that first hit (to Wallach in the second inning), that changed my whole thinking. I was pitching totally different. I just didn’t stick to the plans I should have.

“I tried to regroup, but I was fighting myself from then on out. I had excellent stuff at the start. . . . The pitcher dictated the whole ballgame, and that’s what I did.�

Dodger Notes

The Tom Niedenfuer trade rumors have resumed. This time, the Dodgers apparently are talking to the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles about acquiring a center fielder in exchange for the Dodger relief pitcher. Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, reportedly has inquired about Red Sox outfielder Dave Henderson and Oriole outfielder John Shelby. “I’ve been rumored to go so many places, I don’t even worry about it any more,� Niedenfuer said. “I heard about the Boston one when a writer from the East called. I’m not surprised. If I worried about every rumor, I’d be worried all the time.� . . . The Dodgers are concerned that rookie Mike Ramsey, whose defense is a plus, will not be able to contribute enough offensively. After striking out three times Saturday, Ramsey is hitting .234. . . . Niedenfuer said his right knee, hit by Herm Winningham’s one-hopper in the eighth inning, is not serious. “I think not,� he said. . . . Shortstop Mariano Duncan was not in the lineup Saturday, one night after making a crucial error that led to a loss. Said infield coach Bill Russell: “We just wanted to give him the day off. More than anything else, it might help him regain concentration. You can sit back a game and look at things. It happened to me a lot when I was playing. I’m sure he’s taking it defensively, but it’s something he’s got to accept. . . . Orel Hershiser (3-4) opposes Ubaldo Heredia (0-1) today at 10:30 a.m. (PDT). The Dodgers will fly to Philadelphia after today’s game for a three-game series with the Phillies.