Holton Gets Big Out, Anderson the Big Hit in Dodgers’ 3-2 Win

Rookie reliever Brian Holton had long since given up any hope of playing in Sunday’s Dodger game against the Montreal Expos. Two outs in the 10th inning, score tied, runners on first and third, Andre Dawson at the plate and two veteran Dodger relievers in the wings--who’s kidding who?

“I figured I was going to be used in long relief,” Holton said. “After the fourth, fifth inning, I figured I’m not in there. I just kind of sat down there.”

Nice view, too. Then came a phone call from the Dodger dugout, pitching coach Ron Perranoski on the line. They wanted the new guy, Holton, not relievers Ed Vande Berg or Joe Beckwith. “I was surprised,” Holton said.

So was Dawson, who waved at a full-count curveball for the third out and then watched the Dodgers score the deciding run in the bottom of the inning for a 3-2 victory in front of 31,664 at Dodger Stadium.

Holton and the Dodgers can thank Dave Anderson for the win. Then again, Anderson said he probably owed the Dodgers his game-winning RBI-single in the 10th that scored Mike Scioscia from second.

Wasn’t it Anderson, playing in only his fourth game at shortstop, who had bumbled a pop fly in the first? The misplay later allowed the Expos to score twice.

“I really cost us two runs,” he said. “It was one of those plays that as soon as the ball was hit, it was my play.”

Anderson ran into shallow left field searching for Wallace Johnson’s fly ball. He flipped down his sunglasses. He stared at the sky. He missed the ball. Later, with Tom Foley also on base with a hit, Wayne Krenchicki lined a two-run single to right.

“I really didn’t see (Johnson’s pop up) until it about hit me in the head,” Anderson said. “But that’s what makes baseball such a great game. You can be a goat and a hero in the same day.”

For all of the heroics, the Dodgers remained in fourth place, 10 games behind the Houston Astros. All it took to stay there were 10 innings, 8 substitutions, 17 players and Expo reliever Tim Burke.

For the second time in three games against the Dodgers, Burke arrived on the mound with the score tied and left with a loss.

On Friday evening, Burke saw rookie Jeff Hamilton line an 0-0 pitch to the wall for an RBI single and a Dodger win. Then on Sunday, Burke, among the major league leaders in appearances, gave up another line drive, this time to Anderson.

Scioscia began the inning with a walk and moved to second on a Jose Gonzalez sacrifice bunt. He scored moments later on Anderson’s hit, which wasn’t far from where Hamilton’s single landed two nights earlier.

Just like that, Holton, summoned from the Dodger Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque last Wednesday to replace the injured Tom Niedenfuer, had his first win of the season. It only took one out, but there are easier ways to earn a victory than retire Dawson on strikes.

“I know (Dawson), but I know he doesn’t know me,” Holton said.

Perhaps the 3-2 curveball will serve as a reminder. While warming up, bullpen catcher Mark Cresse noticed that Dawson would bat. So Cresse instructed Holton to start throwing curves. Sure enough, practice made perfect.

Holton threw two inside fastballs on his way to the full count. When catcher Scioscia signaled for a curveball, Holton remembers saying, “Good, good.”

Was Dawson looking for a third fastball?

“It might have been in the back of his mind,” Holton said.

With that done, Holton retired to the training room and had his elbow packed in ice. In two appearances (2 innings), Holton has two strikeouts, one win and hasn’t allowed a hit or run. That beats what he did in three appearances last season (1-1, 9.00 ERA) or at the end of 1982, when the Dodgers asked him to join the team and then never used him.

So sure was Holton that the Dodgers had no plans for him, that he planned to become a free agent at this season’s end. He was a starter in the minors and the Dodgers wanted him, if they wanted him at all, as a reliever.

“Right now, it doesn’t matter,” Holton said. “As long as I get to pitch.

“I definitely want to stay here,” he said. “As little as I’ve been out here, I’d like to stay here. That’s why I really want to do good now.”

Holton has the attention of Manager Tom Lasorda.

“I was very, very impressed at his coolness,” Lasorda said. “It didn’t affect him any way knowing the situation, who the hitter was. You’re asking a kid to get out a million-dollar ballplayer.”

Cool, eh?

Said Holton: “I’m just glad it’s over. I’m used to pitching in front of 2,000, 3,000 people. That’s a big crowd.”

Now Holton finds himself in the Dodger bullpen waiting for the phone to ring. Maybe the next time, the call will be for him.

Dodger Notes

First baseman Greg Brock left the game after his at-bat in the second inning. Earlier in the first, while catching a foul ball, Brock strained his left knee. Arthroscopic surgery was performed on the same knee June 24. “I caught my spikes in the dirt,” Brock said. He was examined following the injury and his condition, the Dodgers said, would be reevaluated today. He is on a day-to-day basis. . . Center fielder Reggie Williams also left the game early. Jose Gonzalez replaced Williams in the second inning after Williams complained of dizziness. Williams has been suffering from an infection in his ear, Manager Tom Lasorda said. . . . Franklin Stubbs, who took Brock’s place at first, finally put a stop to his recent hitless streak. He bunted safely in the seventh inning of Sunday’s game, thus ending an 0-for-26 slump. After Saturday evening’s game, when he struck out three times in four at-bats, Stubbs sat in front of his locker and simply stared ahead. He didn’t begin to change into his street clothes until long after many of the Dodgers had left.