Hamilton’s Hit Gives Dodgers Win in 10th

Dodger theatrics this season have been one long song and dance. Comedy one evening, tragedy the next.

Friday night, Steve Sax and Jeff Hamilton decided enough was enough and rewrote the usual finish of a Dodger game. In doing so, they tried a little-used approach--a happy ending.

Sax lofted a soft, 10th-inning single to left field to move pinch-hitter Enos Cabell to third, and then Hamilton, another late replacement, delived a bases-loaded line drive to left for a run and a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Expos at Dodger Stadium.

The win, combined with a loss by the Atlanta Braves, moved the Dodgers into fourth place in the National League West, just one game back of the third-place Reds. The evening’s developments also took some of the sting out of recent reports of team strife and dissension.

The Dodgers haven’t done well in extra-inning games, losing 4 of their previous 14 tries. But this time they had bases loaded, the infield drawn in, no outs and the rookie Hamilton at bat.

“He did exactly what he was supposed to do,” Cabell said.

That was simply putting the bat on the ball, rather than worrying about hitting a sacrifice fly or such. With the infield in, Cabell said, “All they can do is one step and a dive.”

The Expo infielders never got the chance. On the first pitch from reliever Tim Burke, Hamilton lined the ball to the wall.

“It’s a good situation,” Hamilton said. “You’ve just got to make sure you get a good pitch to hit. With no one out, you have a little leeway.”

A crowd of 36,436 watched starter Bob Welch, then reliever Ken Howell (5-8) hold the Expos to just eight hits. Finally, with no outs in the bottom of the 10th, Cabell, Sax and Hamilton did their part, this time victimizing Burke.

Burke loaded the bases by walking Cabell, allowing the single to Sax--after Sax fouled off two bunt attempts--and walking Franklin Stubbs intentionally. Hamilton then came through.

Howell, who pitched three scoreless innings, could empathize with loser Burke. Walks have been Howell’s specialty of late.

“I know how he feels,” Howell said. “You’d rather see a guy flat-out beat you with the bat. When you walk a guy, you’re not even giving yourself a chance. I’ve lost a couple of games like that.”

Welch began the evening with just three victories since April 30, when he had a record of 3-1 and an earned-run average of 1.44.

Then came May and trouble, followed by June and more trouble. By the time August was half finished, Welch had a 6-9 record.

Also, in his previous two starts against the Expos this year, Welch was 0-2 with a an ERA of 6.57.

And things didn’t start out well Friday night.

After disposing of leadoff hitter Tom Foley, Welch watched Mitch Webster lob a double down the left-field line. Next up was the dangerous Tim Raines.

Raines flied to left for the second out, but there was little relief for Welch. Up came Andre Dawson, who entered the game with a career average of .406 (13 for 32) against Welch.

Sure enough, Dawson dropped a double near the right-field line, which allowed Webster to score easily from second. The inning ended a few moments later when Wayne Krenchicki lined to third.

Welch then pitched effectively through the seventh inning, after which he left, complaining of a sore right groin. Welch allowed only five hits but wound up with the third no-decision in his last six starts.

The Dodgers scored in the sixth when Bill Madlock singled with one out and moved to second as Len Matuszek walked with two outs. Mike Scioscia singled past pitcher Floyd Youmans to center, driving in Madlock.

Dodger Notes Outfielder Pedro Guerrero left Los Angeles Friday evening to be with his ailing mother in the Dominican Republic. Guerrero, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 11, received permission from Dodger management to make the trip and is expected to rejoin the team in time for their three-game series against the Mets beginning Aug. 29. While in the Dominican Republic, Guerrero is supposed to continue the rehabilitation of his injured left knee. “He’ll be given some things to do before he goes,” Dodger physical therapist Pat Screnar said. Screnar said the swelling and pain above Guerrero’s knee “is considerably less.” Could he play again this season? “It’s up to Pete, primarily,” Screnar said.