Bocachica Gets a Rare Opportunity at Second

After waiting more than a month for the opportunity, Dodger rookie Hiram Bocachica finally saw his name in lineup when he arrived at Dodger Stadium on Thursday afternoon for the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.

Bocachica started at second base in place of Mark Grudzielanek, his first start since June 26 at San Francisco.

“I come to the park mentally prepared for anything, and I’m actually feeling relaxed knowing I’m going to start,� Bocachica said before the game. “I’m excited and I’m going to play like it’s the last game of my life.

“We have guys that have been stepping up all year, so I just want to go out there and do that and have fun.�

Bocachica, who was on the disabled list from July 9-26 because of a sprained right ankle, began the game batting .307 in 23 starts.

He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts Thursday in the Dodgers’ 7-4 loss.

Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said Bocachica, who has started 14 games at second base, seven at third and three in left field, “has not been a forgotten guy,� and that he was looking for opportunities to give players such as Dave Hansen and Bocachica more at-bats.

Tracy said he gave Grudzielanek the night off so he would be fresh for tonight’s opener of a three-game series against the Central Division-leading Chicago Cubs.

“We’ve ridden this guy pretty hard,� Tracy said of Grudzielanek, who was on the disabled list in June because of a sprained left ankle and is battling a thumb injury. “He’s been through the wringer a little bit. This gives him a day to sit back and relax.�

Center fielder Tom Goodwin, on the disabled list since July 21 because of a strained right hamstring, said he is making progress but could not pinpoint when he would return.

Goodwin took batting practice Thursday and will run the bases today.

“I still haven’t tried to really let it go,� Goodwin said. “That’s the true test because that’s what’s going to happen when I finally get in there. The one thing you don’t want to do is go out there for the first time, get hurt, and go back on the 15-day disabled list.�

Goodwin and Tracy said a minor league rehabilitation assignment is a possibility.

“We cannot afford for him to come back at less than 100%,� Tracy said.

Goodwin, batting .237 with three homers, 20 RBIs and 19 stolen bases, said he is not worried about losing playing time to McKay Christensen or Marquis Grissom in center field.

“I know it’s in good hands out there,� he said. “The job is getting done. I just have to wait until I’m really ready to go.�

Reliever Mike Trombley made his first appearance for the Dodgers, pitching the eighth and ninth innings.

Trombley, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, gave up a home run to Jason LaRue, the Cincinnati catcher’s second of the game, in the eighth, then worked a 1-2-3 ninth.

Dodger shortstop Alex Cora extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an infield single in the third inning.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Chicago Cubs.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 tonight, Channel 11 Saturday, ESPN2 Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers (61-48), Cubs (62-45).

* 2001 Record vs. Cubs--0-3.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

CHAN HO PARK

(11-6, 2.85 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’

KERRY WOOD

(9-6, 3.64 ERA)

* Update--The Cubs have the best record in the National League and lead the Central division. They swept a three-game series from the Dodgers in Chicago on May 4-6. Tonight’s game features two of the most dynamic right-handers in the majors. Park has won three consecutive starts and has held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 20 of his 23 starts. He has 163 strikeouts in 157 2/3 innings. Wood has struck out 174 in 136 innings.

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--James Baldwin (0-0, 2.25) vs. Julian Tavarez (8-6, 3.83).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Eric Gagne (4-4, 4.99) vs. Jon Lieber (14-5, 3.46).