Fundamental Mistakes Are Proving Costly

Lapses in concentration and poor execution have hurt the Dodgers throughout the season, and those problems continued Saturday afternoon in a 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves scored runs in the fourth and sixth against starter Chan Ho Park after he quickly got the first two batters out in each inning. And the Braves closed the scoring in the sixth with some help from right fielder Matt Luke.

Luke, filling in for injured starter Gary Sheffield, threw to the wrong base on a two-out double by Chipper Jones, allowing Michael Tucker to score from first base. Luke threw to second instead of first, and Atlanta third base coach Bobby Dews capitalized on the opportunity, sending Tucker to the plate.

“He was trying to be a little too aggressive,” Manager Glenn Hoffman said of Luke, who made a strong throw to get Javy Lopez at third base in the seventh.

“But it wasn’t just him, we made some other mistakes. We haven’t done a lot of things right lately.”

The Dodgers wasted an opportunity while batting in the fifth, trailing, 5-3. Eric Karros struck out swinging with one out and runners at first and second, and Bobby Bonilla grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

“You can’t give them [the Braves] opportunities,” Karros said. “You give them an inch and they take a yard, that’s why they’re successful.

“We have to play smart baseball, and we haven’t been doing that. We’re not a team that has so much talent that we can overcome those things.”

*

Bonilla played well in his first start at third since July 10, went two for three with two runs batted in. He was also sharp defensively, handling seven chances flawlessly.

“I feel great,” Bonilla said. “I can play third fine, I just can’t play the outfield.”

Hoffman said Bonilla might start at third again today in the final game of the series. Hoffman might make Bonilla the everyday third baseman because rookie Adrian Beltre is struggling.

*

Eric Young had a single and a home run in five at-bats Saturday, extending his hitting streak to seven games.

Young is batting .481 (13 for 27) during the streak.

“That’s great, but it doesn’t matter unless we can put some wins together,” Young said. “That’s the only streak that matters now.”

Tonight

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(6-11, 3.89 ERA)

vs.

BRAVES’

DENNY NEAGLE

(11-10, 3.68 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--The Dodgers turn to Dreifort to prevent a three-game sweep. Dreifort is seventh in the National League with 144 strikeouts, but he has lost his last three decisions and five of six.