Struggling Club Has Claire’s Support

Although the Dodgers had lost six consecutive games going into Saturday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves, Executive Vice President Fred Claire said he’s content with his roster, despite an offense that ranks last in the league in run production.

“We’re obviously in a tough streak,” Claire said before the Dodgers’ 10-3 awakening Saturday. “We went through a series of games where we felt we should have done better, and now we run into Atlanta and Florida. This period doesn’t get easy, it gets tougher.

“But . . . I believe in this club. We have a team that I feel should be and will be a better team than it was last year. There isn’t any reason for us not to be. We didn’t really subtract anybody from the roster.

“This is basically the same team that won 90 games and got into postseason play. . . . This is a team that, very frankly, needs my support. They don’t need a lack of confidence. If I felt it was a team where you needed to come in and yell and scream I would be yelling and screaming.

“Even though we’re losing, we’re only one swing away from winning.”

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Manager Bill Russell said outfielder Eric Anthony, who weighed 230 pounds last season, has been more productive since he lost 20 pounds last winter.

“He looked like he was a little heavy last season,” Russell said of Anthony, who hit his first home run of the season in Friday night’s 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves. “He got himself into good shape. That shows you he’s really serious about wanting to play up here.”

Anthony said he went on a strict diet during the off-season.

“I did it for myself, really,” said Anthony, who has hit in three straight games. “I wanted to feel better overall. I went to see a dietitian and got on a good diet. It’s definitely paid off. I can see the results in my game.”

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Russell said he’s considering using catcher Mike Piazza, who has started all but three games this season, as a designated hitter when the Dodgers open interleague play against the Oakland Athletics next month.

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Outfielder Brett Butler, put on the disabled list May 7 because of a shoulder injury, lifted weights before the game. . . . Hollandsworth missed his fifth consecutive game because of a knee injury. . . . Russell rested shortstop Greg Gagne, who had started 43 of the Dodgers’ first 45 games. Juan Castro started in place of Gagne, who was hitless in three at-bats in Friday night’s loss.