They’ve Had Plenty of Three Dog Nights

PHOENIX —  Is it a curse or something worse, a chronic inability to produce in a crucial lineup spot.

The Dodgers’ three hole has become a bottomless pit of hitless games. Players batting in that position have a .236 average, significantly lower than any other spot above eighth in the order.

J.D. Drew opened the season 0 for 25 batting third. He got hot, then slumped, prompting Manager Jim Tracy to try Hee-Seop Choi, who was 0 for 7 in two games. So Milton Bradley was moved there. He went one for 16 in four games.

On Sunday, it was Drew, who went eight for 20 last week batting elsewhere. He was 0 for 2 with a sacrifice fly, a run scored and two walks.

But a three-hole curse? No way.

“Don’t start talking about that stuff,” Drew said. “There’s no such thing.”

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Pitcher Brad Penny would like the Dodgers to offer him a contract extension, and his agent recently took the first step by sending a proposal to General Manager Paul DePodesta.

“This is a good place to play, this team will always compete for the playoffs,” Penny said. “I’d like to stay.”

Penny, 27, will become a free agent at the end of the season if he doesn’t get an extension. He is making $5.2 million this season and may command a salary of $7 million to $9 million a year if he remains healthy. His situation is complicated by the unusual biceps nerve injury he suffered last season. It could recur at any time, although Penny has not had a problem in his seven starts since coming off the disabled list April 24.

The Dodgers probably would wait for him to make several more starts before extending an offer. However, Penny said he would be inclined to test free agency unless an agreement can be reached relatively soon.

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Derek Thompson was glued to the monitor in the clubhouse, reliving each of the 95 pitches he threw Saturday night in his major league debut. He is planning on making another start Thursday.

“I would love the opportunity to go out there again,” he said. “I want to make them have to keep me here.”

Roy Smith, the Dodger vice president of player development, pulled Thompson aside for an uplifting talk.

“He told me he liked the way I minimized damage,” Thompson said. “He said my stuff is good enough to pitch at this level.”

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Odalis Perez threw 100 fastballs in a bullpen session, 65 on flat ground and 35 from a mound, his most extensive workout since going on the disabled list May 15 because of shoulder soreness. Tracy said Perez might be ready to return in about a week.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Chicago Cubs, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- FSNW2, all three games.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 26-23, Cubs 24-24.

Record vs. Cubs (2004) -- 4-2.

Tonight, 5 -- Wilson Alvarez (1-2, 4.61) vs. Greg Maddux (2-3, 4.33).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Brad Penny (2-2, 3.56) vs. Carlos Zambrano (3-2, 3.62).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Derek Lowe (4-4, 3.11) vs. TBA.

Tickets -- (866) 363-4377.

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*--* DODGERS TODAY

*--*

DODGERS’

WILSON ALVAREZ

vs.

CUBS’

GREG MADDUX

*--* THE MATCHUP 2005 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA Chicago/Maddux (R) 2-3 4.33 4-6 0-1 6.1 2.84 DODGERS/Alvarez (L) 1-2 4.61 0-1 1-0 7.2 0.00

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Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

TV -- FSN West 2. Radio -- 980, 1330.

Update -- Alvarez lasted only three innings in his first start, giving up six runs and seven hits against the Giants on Wednesday. The Cubs have been hit by a rash of injuries and Saturday traded struggling reliever LaTroy Hawkins to the Giants for two minor league pitchers. Maddux has an overall record of 307-177.

-- Steve Henson