BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Patience Runs Out, Ashley Benched

The Dodgers, deciding they can no longer afford to be patient, benched left fielder Billy Ashley on Friday and replaced him with rookie Todd Hollandsworth.

Hollandsworth, who will play every day until further notice, will play center field while Roberto Kelly was pushed to left field. It’s the first time Kelly has played left field in three years when he was with the New York Yankees.

“We needed to look at what’s happening,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, “and see what we can do to give us some spark. I’m anxious to see what [Hollandsworth] can do.”

So what happens to Ashley?

“He has to respond,” Claire said, “it’s that simple. There’s nobody that has given up on Billy Ashley. We just need to change a coordinate or two to get us better.”

Simply, the Dodgers decided that they can’t continue to live with Ashley’s defensive woes and strikeout prowess. Ashley is batting .249 with eight homers and 27 runs batted in, but has struck out a league-high 76 times in only 185 at-bats.

“I was surprised I struggled as much as I did,” Ashley said. “Coming off last year’s performance [.345 with 37 homers and 105 RBIs at triple-A Albuquerque], I thought my eye would be more disciplined.

“But I think I made improvements. I feel more comfortable.”

Ashley, however, declined comment when asked about his demotion.

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That stranger in a Dodger uniform picking up a baseball for the first time in four months Friday was pitcher Darren Dreifort.

Dreifort, after receiving clearance in an examination Friday morning, pitched for the first time since undergoing “Tommy John” elbow surgery this spring. He threw lightly 30 times from 50 feet away on flat ground, and will continue the program every other day.

“Everything looks good,” said Pat Screnar, Dodger physical therapist, “and his range of motion is normal now. The elbow is sound. Our next big goal is getting him ready for the [fall] instructional league.”

Dreifort, who says he obviously has been frustrated, has used the time to take 12 hours at Wichita State and expects to graduate this winter.

“It’s been tough,” said Dreifort, who has caught a few games on TV, “but I already knew I was going to miss the season so there was nothing to rush back for.”

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Dodger fans, perhaps insisting on a winner instead of merely coming out to see a gate attraction, have been slow to buy tickets for tonight’s game featuring Hideo Nomo.

The Dodgers have sold 44,000 tickets, leaving them 10,000 short of a sellout.