Dodgers to Try Cedeno

SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers, realizing they can’t count on center fielder Brett Butler’s return, and unable to live any longer without a true leadoff hitter, simply had no choice.

The Dodgers called up center fielder Roger Cedeno from triple-A Albuquerque after their latest debacle, a 7-3 loss Tuesday night to the San Diego Padres at Qual Com Stadium, and will immediately put him atop the batting order.

The Dodgers, losers of six of their last nine games, had only five hits in eight innings off left-handed starter Sterling Hitchcock and dropped to last in the major leagues in runs scored.

“It was obvious we needed to do something,” catcher Mike Piazza said. “It can’t hurt. You have to have a catalyst, a guy who can go out and do some things. We’ve missed that guy all year.

“That’s always been the reason for my success, and Eric’s [Karros] success. We always had guys on base.

“That’s why the Braves are a great team. They’ve got Kenny Lofton and Michael Tucker on top of the lineup .The Expos have three leadoff guys with Mike Lansing, [Mark] Grudzielanek and Rondell White. I mean, [Henry] Rodriguez could back into a 100 RBIs a year.

“You can go to your grave analyzing our problems, but it all starts on the top.”

The Dodgers made room on the roster for Cedeno, who was batting .354 with a .459 on-base percentage, by optioning left-handed hitter Wayne Kirby to Albuquerque. Kirby, who was hitting .162 and was hitless in 11 pinch-hit at-bats, said he probably will ask for his release.

“I never got a chance this year,” Kirby said, “I never got a chance at all. They know what I can do. I helped this team get into the playoffs last year.

“I don’t need to go down to triple-A and prove what I’ve done.”

Cedeno, who long has been touted as the Dodgers’ center fielder of the future, realizes this could be his final opportunity to win an everyday job. If he struggles again, the Dodgers likely will trade him away for help in the pennant stretch.

“We needed a change here,” Manager Bill Russell said, “and a change was made. Hopefully the speed at the top of the lineup will make a difference.

“It’s a year when we need to find out about Cedeno, where he’s at and see where he fits in.”

The Dodgers certainly could use a lift from someone. Hitchcock (4-4) baffled the Dodgers all night, not allowing a runner to reach second base until the sixth inning. The only run he yielded was a solo homer to left fielder Billy Ashley in the seventh, but by that time, it was too late.

The Padres, who had lost 21 of their previous 29 games, had defeated only one team with a winning record all season. This night, they made it look easy, getting to Dodger starter Ismael Valdes (2-5) for a season-high nine hits and four runs in six innings.

They also showed what it means to have production from the top of the order. The top five hitters in the Padre lineup went 10 for 16 with seven runs and seven RBIs.

Piazza and Karros are hoping that Cedeno can do the same. They certainly aren’t blaming all of their woes on the lack of a leadoff hitter. They’ll shoulder the blame for producing only five RBIs since May 2 and only 32 RBIs this season.

“We’re not making excuses, believe me,” said Karros, who has averaged 33 homers and 108 RBIs the last two years. “The middle of the lineup is not hitting, and we’re not going to sugar-coat that.

“But the reality is that when the opportunities are far and few between, you tend to put pressure on yourself. That’s what’s happening. You come up with just one opportunity, and you press, knowing that might be your only chance.

“Believe me, it’s a whole lot easier knowing you’re going to have a few opportunities.”

The Dodgers are hitting only .222 with runners in scoring position and .178 with two outs.

“A good leadoff hitter is very important to a ballclub,” Russell said, “but it’s still not the reason we’re not scoring runs. We’ve left a lot of men on base. That has got to change.”