BLAME LOSS ON ASTROS' PETTITTE L.A.'S WOES ARE DEPODESTA'S PROBLEM HOUSTON 2, DODGERS 1.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

As the Dodgers' season heads toward an ever-likely disappointing finish, it would seem inevitable that a full- scale version of the blame game is right around the corner.

General manager Paul DePodesta made the game's first move Friday, and instead of mincing words about injuries and youth, DePodesta found a clear target when it comes to the team's shortcomings.

``I'm the general manager,'' DePodesta said before the Dodgers lost to the Houston Astros 2-1 in front of 41,638 at Dodger Stadium. ``At this point, things are not going the way we wanted them to go, and ultimately the responsibility is mine.

``If I said anything different, I would be removed from reality.''

Craig Biggio hit a solo home run off Dodger starter Derek Lowe with one out in the eighth to break a 1-1 tie and send the Dodgers to their fifth loss in their (ast six games. Lowe lost despite a mechanical adjustment that he attributed his success to, but the Dodgers bats couldn't get it done.

The Dodgers had the tying run on second with one out in the ninth, but Houston closer Brad Lidge struck out Jose Cruz Jr. and pinch-hitter Ricky Ledee to earn his 31st save.

Frustration abounds at Dodger Stadium, and not just because the team's two best hitters can't stand each other. Before Friday's game, manager Jim Tracy offered up inexperience as the major reason the Dodgers have been lacking in clutch hits recently, but they had trouble simply getting baserunners Friday.

Houston starter Andy Pettitte continued his impressive post-All-Star break run as he pitched eight solid innings. The only mark against him was Olmedo Saenz's leadoff home run in the seventh, which tied the game 1-1. Pettitte (12-9) allowed six hits, walked one and struck out seven.

``When you're involved in a game like that, more often than not one pitch decides the game,'' Tracy said. ``For the third night in a row, we were in the game and played our rear ends off and came up short.''

The Dodgers' starting lineup Friday included four players hitting .245 or below, so while the manager typically is the first to shoulder the blame when things go wrong, DePodesta said no fingers should be pointed toward the dugout.

``I certainly don't think it's pointed at Trace or the coaching staff,'' DePodesta said. ``I think they've done a great job with what they have.''

And Friday night, that wasn't much. Lowe (8-13) had his best outing in a month, but typical of the Dodgers' luck, it came on a night when Pettitte was all but untouchable.

``When you're up against starting pitching like that, your guy has to be up to the task,'' Tracy said, ``and Derek Lowe was that and then some.''

Lowe, who couldn't get out of the fourth inning of his previous start, went eight innings and allowed the two runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out five.

``It's fun to pitch in a game like that,'' Lowe said.

After Lowe's last start, Lowe said pitching coach Jim Colborn suggested the pitcher move from the third-base side of the rubber to the first-base side. Lowe tried it, and liked the outcome.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo, 4 boxes

Photo:

Houston Astros starter Andy Pettitte continued his streak of pitching deep into the game by going eight innings against the Dodgers on Friday night.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) DODGERS vs. HOUSTON

- Rich Hammond

(2) GAME RECAP

(3) HOW THE RUNS SCORED

(4) DODGERS' ALMANAC