'PEN CAN'T ERASE DODGERS LEAD; SHAKY RELIEF CLOUDS OTHERWISE ROUTINE VICTORY OVER MARINERS : DODGERS 7, SEATTLE 4.Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer The Dodgers were three outs from going home with a smile, but since when is anything that easy? After eight solid innings from Darren Dreifort William Felton Russell, Russell needed three relievers to get through the ninth inning of a 7-4 interleague victory over the Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Mariners have played in Safeco Field. in front of 41,514 at the Kingdome. The Dodgers were hoping to think only about the home runs by Gary Sheffield
Gary Antonian Sheffield (born November 18, 1968 in Tampa, Florida) is a Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder for the Detroit Tigers. and Eric Karros abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in by Paul Konerko Paul Henry Konerko (born March 5, 1976 in Providence, Rhode Island) is a first baseman in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1997-98) and Cincinnati Reds (1998). . They took two of three against the Mariners and had a good chance to make up some ground in the National League West by playing three games this week against the lowly Oakland A's. But as the plane was warming up so was the bullpen. And suddenly the Dodgers' six-run lead started to shrink. Ken Griffey Ken Griffey may refer to:
Radinsky finished his career with a 42-25 record, a 3. was no better, facing two batters, walking one and allowing a hit to load the bases. David Segui David Vincent Segui (born July 19 1966 in Kansas City, Kansas) was primarily a first baseman with the Baltimore Orioles (1990-93 and 2001-04), New York Mets (1994-95), Montreal Expos (1995-97), Seattle Mariners (1998-99), Toronto Blue Jays (1999), Texas Rangers (2000) and Cleveland , pinch hitting for the first time this season, stood at the plate representing the winning run. ``The ninth inning is always exciting,'' deadpanned Dreifort. That Osuna struck out Segui on a 2-2 fastball to end the game is only part of the story. If Osuna hadn't struggled all season, Guthrie and Radinsky would never have been in the game. ``We are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a hot hand right now,'' Russell said. ``Maybe now is the time for Osuna to step into that role.'' It certainly is no longer Radinsky, who took over the closer role when Osuna faltered. He didn't get a blown save the way he did twice at home against Cincinnati, but he has allowed 12 of the last 20 batters he's faced to reach base (nine hits, three walks). But Russell knows that Osuna, like Radinsky, is a one-pitch fastball pitcher. Osuna has more velocity, Radinsky more movement. Neither has been consistent and hitters have adjusted. Radinsky had 10 saves in his first 11 attempts, but just one in his past four. ``I want to be that guy,'' said Osuna, who also saved Saturday's game. ``There were times when I lost my confidence, but I have gained it back.'' That confidence had been shattered early this year when Osuna came out of spring training with a new three-year contract but without control. He left the team for several days in early May when his father became ill in Mexico. With 62 down, and 100 games to play, the Dodgers (31-31) need him to step up. Dreifort (4-5) certainly has done his share, winning for the fourth time in five starts. He struck out Griffey three times, the first time that has happened this year. Dreifort allowed nine hits but was helped by two of the Dodgers' three double plays. Last Thursday, the Dodgers refused to trade Dreifort to the Mariners as part of the Randy Johnson deal. Sunday he showed why he might be worth it. ``When you see a young arm like that you want to hold on to him,'' Russell said. ``He gave us great effort today and you know he is going to be around for a long time.'' Dreifort was given the lead on a first-inning homer by Sheffield and a fourth-inning blast by Karros, both off Mariners starter Jamie Moyer (3-6). The Dodgers appeared to blow open the game in the sixth when six consecutive batters reached base against Moyer and five scored. Konerko, who had four RBI on Saturday, highlighted the inning with a bases-clearing double to right-center. ``It's not like I'm Juan Gonzalez now,'' said Konerko, referring to the major-league RBI leader. ``I knew with an off-speed guy like Moyer I had no chance to pull the ball. That is the best way to hit anyway. Things seem to finally be falling into place.'' The Dodgers never scored again, but that didn't seem to be a problem - until the ninth. Although Dreifort cruised, Guthrie had been up three times previously. ``That is a tough situation to be in,'' said Dreifort, who opened the season in the bullpen. ``If you get loose that much and don't get in the game it's hard. If you get loose that much and you don't pitch well, it's even worse. ``These are quality guys. They know how to pitch.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer, right, waits for Eric Karros to round the bases following a fourth-inning homer. Elaine Thompson/Associated Press |
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