BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Reds’ Belcher Relishes Matchup

Former Dodger Tim Belcher said he is looking forward to his matchup with the Dodgers’ Tom Candiotti in Sunday’s finale of the series against the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m intrigued,” Belcher said. “He’s had a great career, and I enjoy pitching against guys like that. It makes for a difficult game, but I like the challenge.”

Belcher is 5-5 with a 3.48 earned-run average. He defeated the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals in his last two starts, giving up only one run with 14 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings.

Catcher Mike Piazza has maintained the groove that earned him the recent promotion to triple-A Albuquerque. He has a .345 average with 13 runs batted in through 21 games. Albuquerque first baseman Henry Rodriguez has 37 RBI in 51 games.

The Reds have put nine players on the disabled list this year, but only one remains: catcher Jeff Reed, who is recovering from elbow surgery. . . . With the effective work by Jim Gott and Roger McDowell in Thursday’s series opener, Dodger relievers have given up only three earned runs in the last 23 2/3 innings and five in the last 38. . . . Pinch-running specialist Tom Goodwin has only one plate appearance in seven games since his recall by the Dodgers, but has scored five runs.