Offense Starts Off Better Than Nomo

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  The Dodgers overcame Hideo Nomo’s rough outing Wednesday in a 13-4 rout of the New York Mets at Dodgertown.

In the clubs’ exhibition opener, the Mets raced to a 3-0 lead after Nomo had faced only five batters at Holman Stadium. The right-hander gave up three doubles and a two-run home run to Mike Cameron in the first.

“I just wanted to get my pitches lower,” Nomo said through an interpreter. “The reason I did bad was I got my pitches too high.”

Nomo, scheduled to pitch only two innings, had an easier time in the second, giving up only a single.

Overall, the Dodger starter gave up five hits and three earned runs without a walk or strikeout.

Pitching coach Jim Colborn said Nomo, who was 16-11 with a 3.09 earned-run average in 2003, couldn’t locate the strike zone.

“He wasn’t consistent with his delivery,” Colborn said. “He got slightly better in the second when he was forced to concentrate harder. He has a ways to go.”

Manager Jim Tracy took comfort in Nomo’s pain-free performance.

“I’m very pleased he went out there and could be so free and easy the first time out after off-season [shoulder] surgery,” Tracy said. “Hideo Nomo knows how to build himself up to be prepared.”

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The Dodgers realize Shawn Green is not thrilled about moving to first base, but Green appeared comfortable at the position against the Mets.

Green, a career right fielder, made a nifty backhanded stop on a ball to end the Mets’ half of the second. The cleanup batter also singled and had a two-run double in two at-bats.

“It helps to have a play on a ball,” Green said. “It was hit pretty hard, so you get a few of those and you start to get a little comfortable. All in all, I felt better than I expected.”

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Tracy experimented, batting switch-hitter Cesar Izturis second behind Dave Roberts. Adrian Beltre moved up to third and Paul LoDuca hit fifth behind Green.

Beltre has rarely displayed the plate discipline required to bat third, but he went two for two with a walk in the opener. If the Dodgers don’t acquire another major run-producer, Beltre’s performance in the No. 3 spot might be the key to the team’s hope for more runs.

“I’m going to give him the opportunity to do it,” Tracy said. “It would make a lot of sense for this lineup.”

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The Dodgers were eager to observe pitcher Jose Lima, who got off to a fast start in his bid to make the team.

The flamboyant Lima -- a 21-game winner and National League All-Star with Houston in 1999 -- threw two shutout innings after relieving Nomo. He gave up one hit and struck out three without a walk.

“The ball is flying out of my hand,” said Lima, who has worked on his mechanics with Colborn.

Lima made a comeback with Kansas City last season after playing for the Newark Bears of the Independent League. The right-hander won his first seven starts for the Royals, finishing 8-3 with a 4.91 earned-run average in 14 starts.

He could provide the Dodgers with rotation or bullpen depth to trade for a hitter.

“Last year, I was nowhere,” Lima said. “I was making $3,000 a month. My cell phone bill is higher than that. I thought my career was over.

“To be in a Dodger uniform ... it’s like the Yankees; all the tradition.

“There’s still a lot of Lima Time. There’s still a lot of Lima Time left.”

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Second baseman Alex Cora continues to make a speedy recovery from a broken right forearm and says he will play in exhibition games. ... The Dodgers had 16 hits, including four doubles and three home runs.