DODGERS FALL SHORT ONCE MORE TRAMMELL'S BAT HELPS PADRES SPOIL IT FOR L.A SAN DIEGO 4, DODGERS 3.

The Dodgers needed something. Anything.

They got it from their experienced veteran. A player manager Jim Tracy has defended all season long. And the player whom he challenged only a few days earlier when he put him back in the leadoff spot.

Marquis Grissom answered the call and provided the clutch hit, something no one else had been able to do the last few days. Still, this is the Dodgers, and even Grissom's help didn't help.

Grissom hit a two-run, two-out single in the seventh inning to give the Dodgers a one-run lead. But after Bubba Trammell evened the score with a solo home run off Jeff Shaw in the ninth, the Padres outfielder added a two-out, two-run single off reliever Mike Trombley in the 10th to steal a 4-3 victory in front of 31,902 at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers rallied in the bottom of the 10th off Trevor Hoffman and scored when Adrian Beltre drove in pinch runner Hiram Bocachica with two out. But Jeff Branson struck out with runners on the corners to end the game.

The Dodgers now are four games out of first place in the National League wild-card playoff race and four back NL West divisional race.

Grissom's hit gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead but it was quickly erased. Shaw was tagged for a solo home run by Trammell to lead off the ninth before the closer retired the next three batters, striking out Damian Jackson to end the inning.

San Diego's Jose Nunez, on the Dodgers' roster at the beginning of the season, retired the side in the ninth.

Trammell also hit a two-run homer off Terry Adams on Tuesday to give the Padres a 2-0 lead. They eventually won 3-2.

It was another typically nonproductive offensive outing for the Dodgers. Until the seventh inning, that is, when Grissom hit the single up the middle off reliever Jeremy Fikac, who had just entered the game, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.

The Dodgers could not afford to lose another game with just 16 left. They lost Monday and Tuesday's games to the Padres despite solid pitching from starters Kevin Brown and Adams.

On Wednesday, pitcher James Baldwin, acquired in a July trade from the Chicago White Sox, pitched well after struggling his last few outings. He hasn't won since Aug. 23.

Baldwin allowed five hits and one run in seven innings, walking two and striking out four.

Eric Karros led off the seventh with a single and Tom Goodwin pinch-ran for him. Goodwin was called out at second on a comebacker to the mound by Adrian Beltre. It appeared he was safe after shortstop D'Angelo Jimenez dropped the ball. But replays showed Jimenez made the play and that he dropped the ball after he touched the bag.

Alex Cora then flew out to right field for the second out and pinch hitter Dave Hansen, batting for Baldwin, smacked a double to right field, putting runners on second and third, setting up Grissom.

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Photo:

(color) Adrian Beltre makes a play at third base during the Dodgers' 4-3 loss to San Diego on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer

Box: STANDINGS