BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Piazza Has a Shot at a Rare Title

Mike Piazza already has been to the All-Star game a couple of times. He already is called the best all-around catcher in the game. Many of his peers say he’s the leading candidate to win the most valuable player award.

One elusive achievement is being overlooked: the National League batting title.

It will be a few weeks before he’ll have the necessary plate appearances, but before Friday’s game, Piazza was batting .402--54 points ahead of runner-up Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres.

“I told him the same thing I’m telling you,” Manager Tom Lasorda said. “He has a chance to do something that hasn’t been done in this game in over 50 years. He can be the first catcher to lead the league in hitting since Ernie Lombardi [of the 1942 Boston Braves].

“I told him, ‘You’ll be the next Italian to do it.’ ”

Said Piazza: “That would be a killer. I would get a real charge out of that. I’m not going to lose sleep over it, especially as long as Tony Gwynn is in the league, but that would be a unique accomplishment.”

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A National League official confirmed that Dodger pitcher Hideo Nomo will be selected Sunday to the All-Star game, but no decision has been made who will start. The choice is expected to be between Nomo and Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves.

Nomo (6-1), who has won six consecutive starts with a 0.89 earned-run average, also is scheduled to be announced next week as the National League’s pitcher of the month. It’s the first time a Dodger pitcher has won the honor since Ramon Martinez in June, 1990.

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Dodger outfielder Chris Gwynn, on his brother, Tony, who correctly predicted that Nomo would strike out 13 or 14 Rockies on Thursday night: “He comes in here and not only wears us out, but he’s a prophet.” . . . While it already has been determined that Nomo and Piazza will make the All-Star team, first baseman Eric Karros, right fielder Raul Mondesi and shortstop Jose Offerman still are awaiting their fate. “All I can do is put up the numbers and let them decide,” Karros said. “I’d love to make it once, though.” Said Mondesi: “I want to be there, I really want to be there. You know what they say, the first time is the toughest.” Said Offerman: “I want to go too, but I’m not going to get my hopes up.” . . . The Dodgers don’t plan to adjust their pitching rotation with the off day Monday, meaning that Nomo will start Wednesday against Atlanta, providing five days’ rest before the All-Star game.