Dodgers recall infielder Bogar from 51s

Tuesday, May 29, 2001 | 10:17 a.m.

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Las Vegas 51s made the three-hour bus ride here from Sacramento this morning minus infielder Tim Bogar.

Bogar, who has been in and out of the Las Vegas lineup for several weeks while trying to rehabilitate his hamstring, was recalled by the Dodgers to take the roster spot of Gary Sheffield prior to the 51s' 7-4 loss at Sacramento on Monday afternoon.

Bogar had gone 3-for-9 in his two previous games for Las Vegas. Although the hamstring still isn't 100 percent, the Dodgers decided to bring him back to Los Angeles anyway when Sheffield was put on the 15-day disabled list.

"It's about as good as it's going to get," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said of Bogar's sore hamstring. "That's where we're at. It's as good as it's going to get."

The Dodgers lost first baseman Eric Karros earlier in the week with a back injury. And it's possible that second baseman Mark Grudzielanek also could be headed to the DL with a sprained right thumb he suffered on April 25, the same day Sheffield was hurt.

If Grudzielanek, who sat out Monday's win over Colorado at Dodger Stadium, does go on the DL, the 51s figure to lose another key player, possibly outfielder Bruce Aven or utiltyman Shawn Gilbert.

The 51s dropped to 22-29 with their third straight loss on Monday. Matt Whisenant (1-6) walked the first three batters he faced and allowed six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.

About the only good news for Las Vegas is that third baseman Phil Hiatt continued his hot hitting, smacking his team-leading 10th home run of the season over the 403-foot sign in dead center in the fourth inning off Sacramento starter Micah Bowie (3-3). The 51s open a three-game series tonight here against the Fresno Grizzlies at 7:05.