Stubbs Belts 2 Home Runs in Dodger Win

It was an interesting Friday evening for Dodgers Franklin Stubbs, Reggie Williams and Bill Russell, heirs temporary to the left-field vacancy made possible by an unforgiving pair of Pedro Guerrero metal spikes.

Among other things, they took part in the Dodgers’ 6-5 come-from-behind, bottom-of-the-ninth victory over the Angels in the opening game of the Freeway Series before 35,901 fans at Dodger Stadium. That was nice, what with Williams starting in center, Russell in left and Stubbs making a late-inning appearance in a familiar place--first base.

The fun continued for Stubbs as he hit two home runs and accounted for four of the Dodger RBIs. Suddenly, both Guerrero, who underwent surgery Friday to repair a ruptured patellar tendon, and the Dodgers are resting a bit more comfortably. Stubbs’ offensive outburst helped, as did Ken Landreaux’s pinch single that scored Dave Anderson with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Said Stubbs: “I was able to pick up a spark when they needed it. I was just trying to make contact. I wasn’t going to hit defensively.”

Earlier, it looked as if the evening would be no fun at all for the Dodgers. Angel pitcher John Candelaria allowed just three hits during his five innings of work. He struck out six batters and generally made life difficult for the Dodgers. Of course, the Angels couldn’t have been happier. Candelaria, who earlier in the spring nursed a sore elbow, now has pitched 14 innings and allowed just two runs.

But Candelaria left, replaced first by Stewart Cliburn, then by Doug Corbett and then by Donnie Moore. Soon, a 4-0 Angel lead also left.

Maybe it doesn’t sound like much now, but before Guerrero ruptured his tendon while attempting an ill-fated slide Thursday at Vero Beach, FLa., Stubbs was most likely the 25th man on a roster that was set for 24. Williams, meanwhile, was bound for an exclusive engagement in center field, along with Ken Landreaux, and Russell was, well, wherever Manager Tom Lasorda wanted him.

Now they are part of the three-man team assigned to replace Guerrero.

Their workday started in various ways. Stubbs, who is expected to receive most of the playing time during Guerrero’s absence, became acquainted with the subtleties of the Dodger Stadium left-field corner during pregame drills. Dodger Coach Joe Amalfitano conducted the tutoring session.

At times, Stubbs fielded balls cleanly and effortlessly. In weaker moments, when the ball caromed off the wall, he looked like a farmer trying to kill snakes with a hoe.

“We’re going to have to give him a crash course,” Amalfitano said. “We don’t want to put too much on him. He’s being put out there because he swings a good bat.”

That would explain why Stubbs, primarily a first baseman, was told not to worry about positioning and the like. Dodger coaches will do that for him. Not that Stubbs wears a butcher’s apron in left field, but management would rather have him concentrate on replacing Guerrero’s bat instead of his glove. The advice worked Friday.

Dodger management also would prefer that Stubbs not repeat his erratic play of 1984, the season the Dodgers first brought him up from the Triple-A team in Albuquerque.

Not to worry, said Stubbs.

“I feel ready, that’s all,” he said. “In ’84 I was new, I had that doubt. Right now, there is no doubt. I’m swinging the bat well and I feel like I belong.”

It was so noted by the Dodgers. “Just talking to him out there versus when he got here in ‘84, his facial expressions are a lot different, he’s confident,” Amalfitano said.

Williams had less of an impact Friday. He did fulfill a lifelong dream, he said, which was to meet Angel player Reggie Jackson. Otherwise, he went 0 for 4. At least, he is on the team, rather than spending time in Albuquerque.

“But I hate to have somebody get hurt in order for me to get an opportunity,” Williams said. “I’m kind of remembering what happened last year when I came up. I can’t prove anything in one night.”

Freeway Series Notes Surgery was performed on Pedro Guerrero’s injured patellar tendon by Dr. Frank Jobe at Centinela Hospital Medical Center Friday morning. The operation took 90 minutes. Guerrero is expected to remain in the hospital about three days. He will wear a hinge brace on his left knee for at least six weeks. The Dodgers have placed him on the 60-day emergency disabled list. . . . Dodger Vice President Al Campanis said there is no rush to deal for a replacement for Guerrero. Cesar Cedeno, recently released by the Toronto Blue Jays, has been mentioned as one candidate. Cedeno contacted the Dodgers about a possible job during the winter. Said Campanis of a deal, any deal: “It’s possible. We don’t have to do something right away. That’s why you have farm systems.” . . . Bob Welch pitched seven innings and struck out nine. Ed Vande Berg pitched the ninth for the Dodgers, allowed a hit, and got the win. . . . A storm system near Dallas forced the Dodger team plane to land in Houston Thursday evening. In all, the flight from Vero Beach to Los Angeles took about nine hours. Guerrero was on the plane, too, which was delayed about two hours in Houston.

The Angels acquired left-handed relief pitcher Chris Green from the PittsburghPirates Friday. In exchange for Green, 25, the Angels gave up minor league infielder Kevin Davis. Green spent almost all of the 1985 season in the minors. Angel General Manager Mike Port said Green will join the team for the next two Freeway Series games. Will he pitch? “It’s not totally inconceivable,” Port said. Green is expected to report to the Angels’ Triple-A club in Edmonton following Sunday’s game in Anaheim. . . . No news on a possible deal involving reliever Terry Forster and the Angels. Port said a tentatively scheduled meeting between himself and Forster’s agent, Mark Polan, never took place Friday. Had they met, Port said, he would have told Polan that the Angels aren’t particularly interested, at the moment.