DODGER REPORT

ON DECK

* Opponent--Pittsburgh Pirates, three games.

* Site--Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh.

* Today--4 p.m.

* TV--Channel 5, today, Saturday and Sunday.

* Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 6-3; Pirates 4-4.

* Record vs. Pirates--2-1.

TONIGHT’S GAME

DODGERS’ RAMON MARTINEZ (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. PIRATES’ FRANCISCO CORDOVA

(1-0, 1.29)

* Update--The Dodgers feel fortunate to have started the season 6-3, considering that they are batting only .212 and have scored no more than three runs in six of their nine games. They have yet to put together three consecutive hits. The Dodgers are waiting for ace Ramon Martinez, tonight’s starting pitcher, to return to form. Martinez has struggled with his control in his first two starts, walking nine batters and yielding 12 hits in 10 innings. Rookie second baseman Wilton Guerrero, in a three-for-22 slide, is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday’s game. The surprising Pirates are 4-4, despite having the lowest payroll in the major leagues at $9 million. The starting rotation has a 1.84 ERA, and John Ericks has four saves.

* Saturday, 10:30 a.m.--Hideo Nomo (1-0, 2.08) vs. Jason Schmidt (0-0, 1.50).

* Sunday, 10 a.m.--Ismael Valdes (1-1, 4.05) vs. Jon Lieber (0-0, 1.42).