ISHII STOPS LOSING STREAK DODGERS TAKE HALF-GAME LEAD IN WEST DODGERS 2, ARIZONA 1.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Kazuhisa Ishii isn't sure how to explain why big games bring out his best stuff. He only knows he likes them.

Sunday, it couldn't get much bigger. At least in July.

The Arizona Diamondbacks already had won three in the four-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers had a season-high losing streak of four games. And they'd just lost their hold on the lead in the National League West.

The Dodgers turned to their quirky Japanese pitcher, who had lost four of his past five starts. Ishii threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits to give the Dodgers a 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. More important, he gave the Dodgers a half-game lead in the division in front of a crowd of 46,140 at Dodger Stadium.

``I like pressure,'' Ishii said through an interpreter. ``I just want to win these games.''

The Dodgers were counting on it.

``I remember early on when we acquired Kazuhisa Ishii as a free agent, we were aware of the fact of how many big games he was involved in in Japan and the fact that he rises to the occasion,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``He's a big-game pitcher and he proved that tonight. ...

``I know that I've talked about one here recently that I've compared to his major-league debut and he far exceeded that one with the one he threw tonight. This was by far as good, and maybe even a little bit better, than what he did in his major-league debut against the Rockies.''

Ishii tied a Dodgers record by striking out 10 in his debut against Colorado on April 6.

The struggling Adrian Beltre hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to score a run in the fourth and Paul Lo Duca hit a two-out, broken-bat single to shallow right to score one in the fifth.

Eric Gagne earned his 33rd save of the season. Matt Williams, recently back from a broken left fibula, homered to left off Gagne in the ninth with one out, but Gagne got pinch-hitter Steve Finley and Tony Womack to end the game.

Arizona manager Bob Brenly didn't select Ishii to the All-Star team, even though Ishii had 11 victories and started the season 10-1. Ishii has won both of his starts against the D'backs and recorded his 12th of the season.

``I think we were just a little too impatient,'' Brenly said. ``I think if you give him the opportunity, he'll run himself into trouble. I give him credit, he was able to throw his curveball for strikes.''

Tracy patiently has waited for Beltre to produce and he did so - at least in one at-bat to score a run. Mark Grudzielanek then hit into a double play to end the fourth inning.

In the fifth inning, Alex Cora flied out to right field and Ishii - who would later single in the seventh - struck out. Dave Roberts drew a walk and stole second, his 21st stolen base this season. Lo Duca hit a blooper into shallow right to score Roberts from second for a 2-0 lead. Shawn Green, who was 2 for 3 with two singles, grounded into a fielder's choice for the final out of the inning.

It was just one victory in four games. But it was a big victory.

``We have nothing to hang our heads about and as a matter of fact everything to feel good about,'' Tracy said. ``It's very safe to say there's going to be a three-horse race from now. It's just set up to be that way.''

The San Francisco Giants are in third, 2 1/2 games back.

Green made a catch at the wall on a Jose Guillen shot to right field in the seventh to help Ishii, who struck out five and walked five. But Ishii was sharp most of the game.

``I relaxed and it was a really good time,'' Ishii said.

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) DISASTER RELIEF

Ishii shuts down Arizona as Dodgers narrowly avoid four-game sweep and retake first place

(2) Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros hustles to first for a bases-loading infield single in the fourth inning Sunday.

(3) Dave Roberts gets high-fives in the dugout after scoring the Dodgers' second run in the fifth inning on a single by Paul Lo Duca.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer