Mondesi Covers His Territory

Dodger right fielder Raul Mondesi has staked out his territory in the clubhouse, putting a Dominican Republic flag over his stall.

“It’s just something different.” Mondesi said of the flag, which was given to him by Manny Mota. “Last year Nike put the flag on the back of my shoes.”

But right field is really Mondesi’s territory.

Mondesi showed why he’s one of the best defensive outfielders, making a running over-the-shoulder catch of a first-inning drive by Mark Grace.

Mondesi banged into the wall and made a strong throw back to first to try to get Shawon Dunston, who had singled.

Mondesi also hit the wall when he made a one-handed running catch of a ninth-inning shot by catcher Scott Servais in the ninth and threw a one-hopper to Eric Karros to nearly get Brooks Kieschnick, who had walked.

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Wilton Guerrero, who had two hits in his first three at-bats, tripled into the right field corner fifth inning and scored on Greg Gagne’s single as the Dodgers chased Trachsel.

Guerrero has five triples this season, tying him for the league lead with Deion Sanders of the Cincinnati Reds.

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The Cubs placed catcher Tyler Houston on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right hand before he game and recalled catcher Mike Hubbard from triple-A Iowa.