Dodgers Continue To Slide; Furcal Uncertain For Tuesday

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) -- While the Dodgers maintain a winning season at 19-18, they have had a very difficult last few games, losing four straight, in no small part due to shortstop Rafael Furcal being out of their line up.

Furcal is one of those players every franchise wishes they had - a shortstop who is just as dangerous behind the plate as he is on the field. He is currently third in the National League, batting .366.

It is hoped by Dodger Coach Joe Torre that Furcal will be returning Tuesday, but Furcal is less optimistic.

"We have to wait and see how it feels," Furcal told the Los Angeles Times. "This is the type of thing where it feels fine one day and it doesn't the next."

Torre had wanted him to start on Saturday and Sunday, but was still experiencing discomfort any time he ran or tried reaching down. On hearing this, Torre didn't press the issue.

"It's the running aspect that bothers me more than anything and that's such a big part of his game. When you have guys playing the middle of the infield, it's quickness and speed that make them what they are."

Without Furcal on the field, the Dodgers are missing a key force in their line-up. Ever since making the show in 1996, Furcal has dominated the spotlight. In his first year, he batted a .295 average with 40 stolen bases, netting him National League Rookie of the Year.

Furcal is also famous for performing an unassisted triple play in 2003, the 12th in baseball's 132 year history. He caught a line drive with two runners moving, was able to tap 2nd base before that runner tagged up, and tagged the first base runner before he could return. Furcal's speed is legendary - he's one of the best base stealers in the game.