DODGERS HOLD OFF PADRES IN WEST COAST SHOWDOWN
Eternal Baseball
SAN DIEGO – If this was a preview, the National League West should be can’t-miss viewing this season.
The Dodgers and Padres kicked off the pre-season in fine fashion Monday night, and a duel between Western aces turned into a battle of the bullpens. Dodgers closer Eric Gagne got Padres star Tony Gwynn to fly out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to preserve a 5-3 win for Los Angeles.
Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax strolled through the first two innings but in the bottom of the third inning he walked Dave Winfield to set up a key at-bat for notorious lefty-killer Brian Giles. The Padres outfielder battled to a full count, then hammered a 3-2 changeup into the right field seats, scoring Winfield and giving the Padres an early 2-0 lead.
The Dodgers answered back in sixth inning, pouncing on Padres starter Randy Jones for four runs. Cody Bellinger’s RBI double scored Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella’s bases-loaded walk tied the score at 2-2. Pee Wee Reese followed with a two-run single to lift Los Angeles to a 4-2 lead. After striking out Brian Giles to start the bottom of the sixth, Sandy Koufax caught too much of the plate with a fastball and Ken Caminiti pummeled it for a 405-fott home run to straightaway center field. Los Angeles summoned Orel Hershiser from the bullpen, but Koufax left with a 4-3 lead.
Justin Turner would add an RBI single in the ninth off Padres reliever Kirby Yates, and the Dodgers lead was 5-3 entering the bottom of the ninth inning. Los Angeles closer Eric Gagne got into trouble immediately, walking Phil Nevin and allowing a pinch-hit single to Ryan Klesko. After striking out pinch hitter Benito Santiago, Gene Tenace walked to load the bases with one out. Gagne struck out leadoff man Fernando Tatis and retired Tony Gwynn on a fly ball to right field to seal the hard-fought 5-3 victory.
Sandy Koufax (1-0) earned the win for Los Angeles (5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 K) while Randy Jones (0-1) took the loss for the Padres (7 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K). Orel Hershiser and Jeff Shaw notched holds for the Dodgers and Eric Gagne slid through a dangerous ninth inning for his first save of the pre-season.
Tuesday night brings game two of this pre-season opening series. Los Angeles right-hander Jeff Pfeffer takes the mound while San Diego counters with right-hander Tyson Ross. First pitch from PetCo Park is at 7:05 PM EST.
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