MARQUEE FOR MARQUIS GRISSOM'S HIT COMPLETES SWEEP DODGERS 5, HOUSTON 4.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Marquis Grissom is on a personal mission to prove he can consistently produce at the major-league level.

Along the way, he's helping the Dodgers prove the best way to win is as a team.

Grissom's RBI double in the 12th inning Sunday gave the Dodgers a 5-4 victory over Houston and a sweep of the three-game series before 29,356 at Dodger Stadium.

Grissom was 3 for 6 Sunday and has had seven hits since taking over for injured left fielder Gary Sheffield.

``At this point in my career, it's a lot to prove to myself and nobody else,'' Grissom said.

Grissom's one-out drive to right center went under the glove of Astros' center fielder Lance Berkman to allow Adrian Beltre to score the deciding run after Berkman's second two-run home run of the day had put Houston ahead 4-2 in the top of the inning.

Berkman's other home run came in the eighth, tying the game 2-2, and leaving Dodger starter Darren Dreifort with a no decision despite tying his season high with nine strikeouts. He gave up just three hits in eight innings.

Relievers Jeff Shaw and Matt Herges combined to shut out the Astros for the next three innings, and Mike Fetters (1-0) pitched the final inning to earn the win.

``I don't think after what we just witnessed here that there is any question about the character of this team, the makeup of this team and the unselfishness of this team,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said.

``Today was totally indicative of what we have been talking about as far as being the type of club we want to be.''

Paul LoDuca went 3 for 6 and Angel Pena hit his first home run, but the Dodgers received equally as important baserunners without swinging the bat. They had as many walks (9) as hits.

Mark Grudzielanek started the 12th-inning rally by walking and Shawn Green followed with his second walk of the day. Both later scored.

The Dodgers led 1-0 in the second inning on a bases-loaded walk to Dreifort, the third walk of the inning by Houston starter Scott Elarton.

``What's so impressive is that we just did not give up,'' Tracy said. ``That's something we've got to try to continue to do throughout the course of the season. It's important for us to never quit because you never know what you can do.''

What the Dodgers have done is remain in first place while a series of injuries have sidelined marquee players.

``What we have going on right now in my mind is a group of people that are feeding off one another,'' Tracy said. ``That's a very special thing to have. I'm very adamant about the fact that when you are around a special situation, any type of winning situation in professional sports, that's what happens. That's the only way to get it done.''

Grissom agreed.

``We are trying to see the big picture at the end. We are trying to get there, but it is going to take 25 guys,'' Grissom said. ``It's not going to be just Gary or Kevin Brown. It's going to take all 25 of us to go out there and win.''

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Dodgers starter Darren Dreifort had a season-high nine strikeouts in eight innings Sunday against Houston at Dodger Stadium.

E.J. Flynn/Associated Press