Guerrero Shoots Down Astros : Hit in 12th Beats Astros, 3-2, and Angers Loser

The debate Tuesday night was whether Pedro Guerrero’s best shot was his game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th inning, giving the Dodgers a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros, or the verbal shots Guerrero and Astro reliever Charlie Kerfeld exchanged moments thereafter.

Guerrero, who also knocked in the game-tying run in the eighth inning, already was celebrating the Dodgers’ fourth straight victory, as were what remained of a Dodger Stadium crowd of 40,110, even before he reached first base.

What exactly was said in that brief burst of emotion between the two, which occured somewhere between first base and the pitching mound, was not immediately known. It depends on which player was talking, and both had plenty to say afterward.

Kerfeld said that Guerrero uttered several obscenities while heading to first base. That, Kerfeld said, accounted for his angry reaction, which included waving his arms at Guerrero.

“What he said was uncalled for,” Kerfeld said. “After he said that, I cannot respect him any more. It might come back to haunt him. I think he’s caught up in all that rivalry stuff. I don’t know what his problem is.”

Guerrero said it was Kerfeld who had the angry reaction. Guerrero said he was just trying to make it to first base.

“I don’t give a (bleep) what he said, but he said something (on the mound),” Guerrero said of Kerfeld. “The way he was talking, I think he wanted to fight. I don’t care, either. He can say whatever he wants to say.”

People were saying some pretty bad things about the Dodger bullpen the first week of the season.

That changed, at least temporarily, Tuesday night. Excellent relief pitching by Matt Young, Ken Howell and Tom Niedenfuer enabled the Dodgers and Astros to go into the 12th inning tied, 2-2.

And thanks to Guerrero’s single to center field off Kerfeld, Niedenfuer earned his first victory of the season.

Niedenfuer, the third Dodger reliever of the night, worked his way out of a two-out bases loaded jam in the top of the 12th inning by forcing Alan Ashby to ground to first. That gave the Dodgers another chance to win it in the bottom of the 12th.

“What pleased me was not only the fact we won but how we won it,” Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said. “The relief pitchers came in with their (butts) on the line because of the way they have been. But the way Howell threw the ball--can you tell me he’s a lousy reliever? And Niedenfuer pitched with his arm and his heart. He didn’t have his best stuff, but he pitched great.”

Young pitched out of a bases-loaded situation left him by starter Bob Welch in the top of the eighth and Howell retired all six batters he faced--four on strikeouts--in the ninth and 10th innings.

Astro starter Danny Darwin shut out the Dodgers through seven innings before the Dodgers got two runs on two hits--with an assist to a controversial balk call--in the bottom of the eighth to tie it.

That’s when Guerrero struck for the fist time. Guerrero looped a single to left, scoring Steve Sax from second. But Sax suffered what later was termed a possible groin pull running home and had to be replaced by Dave Anderson.

Of all the Dodger short relievers, Young, whose earned-run average had been sliced to 10.80 after 1 scoreless innings on Sunday, faced the toughest situation. His first pitch to Craig Reynolds was a ball, but on the next pitch, Reynolds flied to left.

It was Howell’s turn next. Howell and his 33.75 ERA blew away the Astros.

He struck out the side in the ninth and then retired Houston in order in the 10th, adding another strikeout.

Finally, Niedenfuer, whose ERA was 11.57 coming into his appearance, had to pitch out of jams in both the 11th and 12th innings. In the 11th, the Astros had runners on first and second with two out, but Niedenfuer retired pinch-hitter Jose Cruz on a grounder to second.

The Astros had the bases loaded in the 12th with two out, but Niedenfuer got Alan Ashby to ground to first.

Dodger Notes Pitcher Rick Honeycutt, who pulled a muscle in his right rib cage area, said he felt a little better Tuesday. But it is still likely he will miss his scheduled start Saturday in San Diego. The Dodgers also are considering whether to put Honeycutt on the disabled list. “I took a couple of pain pills and a couple of beers last night (Monday) and I went to sleep,” said Honeycutt, laughing. “My whole lower back was stiff when I woke up. But I iced it several times today. It felt better when I moved it around more. I’m sure the best thing, in my opinion, is to wait a couple days before deciding (his status). It might get better . . .” Coach Manny Mota, who was admitted to Glendale Memorial Hospital early Monday morning with chest pains, remains in the hospital to undergo further tests. The Dodgers said Mota is scheduled to be released Thursday morning and rejoin the team over the weekend. Initial tests have not revealed any health problems. . . . Ken Landreaux, who ran full-speed into the right-field wall Monday night said he almost was knocked out. Landreaux also said he hit his neck, not his jaw, on the fence. “I felt so dizzy,” Landreaux said . . . Alejandro Pena (0-0) faces Mike Scott (1-0) tonight at 6:05.