Weary Dodgers Start New Losing Streak : Another Marathon for L.A. as Reds Win in 13th on Bell’s Homer, 3-2

Bleary-eyed and travel-weary, the Dodgers surely could have done without another extra-inning game Monday after flying all night to get here following a draining 16-inning victory on Sunday in Los Angeles.

But given the alternative, which was losing to the Cincinnati Reds in the regulation nine, the Dodgers probably didn’t mind putting in more overtime if it would eventually result in a second-straight marathon win.

However, all that extra work was nullified by Reds third baseman Buddy Bell, who hit Brian Holton’s first pitch in the bottom of the 13th inning over the left-field fence for a 3-2 Reds victory before 19,361 fans at Riverfront Stadium. It was the Dodgers’ 10th loss in 11 games.

So, on this holiday weekend that has become quite laborious for the Dodgers (57-80), they split a pair of prolonged 3-2 decisions. They beat the New York Mets by that score in 16 innings on Sunday to snap a nine-game losing streak before catching a late charter flight and arriving in Cincinnati at 4 a.m. for an afternoon game.

Despite Monday’s loss, which was similar to Sunday’s game except for the outcome, the Dodgers were not devastated. Maybe punchy is the proper description.

Manager Tom Lasorda managed to find humor in the overtime his team has logged. And Holton, who had pitched scoreless 13th and 14th innings against the Mets the day before, could joke about not having to ice his arm after making only one pitch to Bell.

“I told (the players), if we could hold them three more innings, we usually score in the 16th,” Lasorda quipped.

In the last two games, the Dodgers have managed just 5 runs in 28innings. That is the bad news. On the other hand, Dodger pitchers have given up only 5 runs in 28 innings.

“The bullpen did a super job,” Lasorda said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to score runs. And we had the opportunities with the guys we wanted up.”

Sunday, the Dodgers blew two bases-loaded chances with less than two outs in extra innings. Monday, they had a bases-loaded situation with one out in the 10th and failed once more.

Reds reliever Rob Murphy gave up consecutive singles to Steve Sax and Craig Shipley, prompting his removal. Bill Landrum was summoned, but he walked Pedro Guerrero on four pitches.

Landrum fell behind Mike Marshall, 3 and 0, before throwing two fastballs for strikes. Landrum then threw a slider that Marshall popped up to shallow center for the second out. Then he struck out John Shelby on four pitches to end the threat.

The Dodgers’ other scoring chance came in the 12th, when Shipley singled and took second on a throwing error. A frustrated Guerrero was intentionally walked to give the Reds a chance at a double play. Marshall had been taken out two innings before, so pinch-hitter Danny Heep was called upon. Heep grounded into a double play.

Cincinnati, in turn, advanced runners as far as second base in the 10th and 12th, but couldn’t score.

The Dodgers pretty much had exhausted the bullpen--ace Matt Young still is unavailable because of a sore elbow--when Holton was brought in in the 13th. He had pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the 13th inning of the day before, but this time Bell struck quickly.

Holton threw what he called a cut fastball, and Bell hit a towering drive for his 12th home run. “I felt a little stiff when I started warming up, but then I felt good,” Holton said. “My arm felt fine. I just hung one pitch. At least it wasn’t (a) cheap (hit).

“As soon as I let it go, I knew it was in a good spot for him and not for me. I dropped my elbow on the pitch instead of getting out in front.”

It all happened so fast that Holton temporarily forgot that he threw just one pitch. He smiled when reminded.

“Well, that’s a first for me,” he said. “I’ve never done that before.”

Unlike Sunday’s extra-inning game, when the Dodgers squandered a 2-0 lead, they had come came from behind to tie it on Monday.

The Reds scored a run off Dodger starter Tim Leary in the first inning on three singles and another in the third on Kal Daniels’ bases-empty home run that barely cleared the fence. Leary was saved in the sixth when Shelby threw out Paul O’Neill at home plate, catcher Mike Scioscia blocking O’Neill with standard proficiency.

The Dodgers scored a run in the second on Dave Anderson’s double off starter Guy Hoffman and tied it in the eighth off Frank Williams when Guerrero hit a run-scoring double off the right-center wall that almost went out.

Leary left after six innings, and the game dragged on so long that he watched the last few innings in dress clothes from the stands.

“It’s tough to lose after playing that long,” Leary said.

Dodger Notes

Reliever Matt Young, who has a sore left elbow, probably will not be available for another few days, according to Young and Dodger trainers. “I’m not there yet,” Young said. “I felt a little twinge the last time I threw.” Said Manager Tom Lasorda: “There’s no need to rush him. We want him healthy.”. . . The victory went to Reds reliever Tom Hume, who retired the side in the top of the 13th. . . . Dodger rookie Tim Belcher had been scheduled to start Wednesday night’s game, but because he pitched two innings Sunday, the Dodgers may start someone else. Belcher, however, says his arm feels strong and that he could pitch Wednesday if called upon. “I’m looking forward to Wednesday,” said Belcher, who grew up in Ohio. . . . Reds outfielder Tracy Jones, who is from Torrance, is upset about his platoon role and told Cincinnati writers that he might request a trade. “It’s getting to the point that I think it might be better if I play somewhere else next season,” Jones was quoted as saying. “Let’s just say it’s very frustrating.” Pete Rose, the Reds manager, did not take Jones’ comments well. Said Rose: “All he’s worried about is Tracy Jones. I’m trying to win a division here. I can’t be worried about whether or not Tracy Jones is frustrated.”. . . Gordie Hershiser, young brother of Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser, has joined the Dodgers on the trip. The younger Hershiser had a 1-6 record with a 3.23 earned-run average, 2 complete games and 1 shutout in 18 appearances for the Dodgers’ Single-A team in Vero Beach, Fla. . . . The Dodgers have recalled catcher Orlando Mercado from Albuquerque. Mercado was acquired earlier in the season from the Detroit Tigers for pitcher Balvino Galvez.