Ryan Has Heater, but Astros Melted by Hershiser, 2-0

HOUSTON —  Sharing the pitching mound with Nolan Ryan still has to be slightly intimidating for Dodger Orel Hershiser, who possesses neither the menacing presence of an overpowering fastball nor the accompanying recognition.

But Hershiser made a bold statement here Wednesday afternoon for those pitchers who don’t have 95-m.p.h. fastballs, who need to work at pitching to be successful.

Hershiser dominated the Houston Astros in his own way, pitching a two-hitter for his second shutout of the season in the Dodgers’ 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros in front of 27,678 at the Astrodome.

In winning his 12th game in 15 decisions, Hershiser consistently fooled Astro hitters with curveballs that resulted in a dozen ground-ball outs. He even sneaked in a few 90-m.p.h. fastballs in notching six strikeouts. Houston’s only hits were rookie Craig Biggio’s single up the middle and Billy Hatcher’s infield chopper.

Thanks to Hershiser’s performance, the Dodgers left town with a 4 1/2-game lead over the Astros in the National League West. They have won 10 of their last 12 and have the league’s best road record at 23-13.

“This was my best outing, I’d say,” said Hershiser, who gave the Dodger bullpen a needed rest by pitching his sixth complete game. “I had my best stuff and best curveball all year. I probably threw in the 90s a couple times today, which is the hardest I’ve thrown this year.”

Hershiser’s effort even overshadowed one of Ryan’s best outings all season. In 7 innings, Ryan, 41, allowed only 4 hits and struck out 10. But he faltered in the third inning, walking the bases full and hitting Mike Marshall with a pitch that forced in a run, and again in the eighth, when Marshall’s single scored Kirk Gibson for a 2-0 lead.

“That was as good as I’ve seen (Ryan) in quite a while,” Marshall said. “He was overpowering, exceptional. When he’s pitching like that, you just hope your pitcher is throwing zeros up on the board.

“Even though we weren’t hitting, we knew we could still win because Orel was out there.”

Hershiser, who logs his pitching data on a lap-top computer, may soon get a reputation for being the most mechanically sound pitcher in the game.

“I’ve learned to be just a pitcher,” Hershiser said. “I wasn’t blessed with a lot of tools. I don’t have an unbelievable fastball or curve. I just go out there and try to consistently re-create what works for me. I can do things in repetition and not make any glaring mistakes.”

Wednesday was nearly a mistake-free effort for him.

He retired the first seven batters he faced before Biggio got his first major league hit. He gave up the infield hit to Hatcher, but got Louie Meadows to ground into an inning-ending double play. And he walked only one--Kevin Bass in the sixth. Starting and finishing strong, Hershiser retired the last 10 batters for his second straight victory against Ryan this season. On June 9 in Los Angeles, Hershiser beat the Astros and Ryan, 4-2.

“There’s an intensity about going out there against Ryan,” Hershiser said. “Nolie’s an outstanding competitor, and I feel fortunate to be on the same field with him. For me to beat him twice is, well, a dream come true. I remember watching guys like him when I was growing up.”

Ryan (5-6) probably will be watching Hershiser pitch in the All-Star game July 12. Among National League pitchers, Hershiser is second in wins with his 12, tied for first in complete games with 6, and has a 2.39 earned-run average.

Hershiser made the All-Star team for the first time last season. “I’ve got two more starts left before the break,” he said. “I want to keep focused on those starts. I’m glad they don’t pick the team until close to the break, because maybe some pitchers would have letdowns after being named.”

One thing about Hershiser, he rarely lets down the Dodgers. In what Manager Tom Lasorda unblushingly called a big game for the Dodgers, Hershiser calmed his manager’s anxiety. “I just told Tommy before the game, ‘Don’t worry,’ ” Hershiser said. “Tommy can get real excited about big games like this, but I’m pretty low key most of the time. He was getting loud and boisterous in the (clubhouse) before the game. So, just in passing, I said, ‘Don’t worry.’ ”

Apparently, Hershiser has replaced the slumping Fernando Valenzuela as the pitcher the Dodgers turn to for an important win.

“He’s a horse, no question about it,” Gibson said. “Let’s face it, there’s no doubt but that you want to have him out there.”

Added Marshall: “I’d say he’s one of the top five pitchers in the National League. He has been for the last two or three years.”

Maybe people are starting to notice.

Dodger Notes

Astros’ pitcher Nolan Ryan has been struggling, but he was pleased with his outing. The Astros clocked most of Ryan’s fastballs between 92 and 94 m.p.h., some faster. “I threw the ball better and, physically, I feel fine,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of slumps, but we’re in a serious one. If we’re going to make a race of this, we had better get started.”

Steve Sax and Dave Anderson accounted for four of the Dodgers’ five hits, getting two each. Anderson had a triple off Ryan and a single off reliever Juan Agosto to improve his batting average to .305. . . . The Dodgers, continuing to rescue careers of former big-name players, have signed infielder Damaso Garcia to a triple-A contract. Garcia, 31, was released in April by the Atlanta Braves. He is expected to join the Albuquerque Dukes in a week or so. In 21 games with the Braves, Garcia hit .117.

Medical update: Alfredo Griffin will have his broken right hand examined Saturday, and Dodger trainers said they are hoping that the strength and flexibility in the hand have improved enough to allow Griffin to start swinging a bat. But Charlie Strasser, the assistant trainer, said that Griffin may not return until after the All-Star break. . . . Pedro Guerrero reported no significant improvement in the pinched nerve in his neck. He will be examined again Friday.