Gibson Takes the Blame for Dodger Defeat

One loss to the Houston Astros might be rather painlessly absorbed and quickly forgotten by the Dodgers, who have been on a rampage through the National League West.

But Kirk Gibson apparently does not believe in rationalization. So, after badly misplaying a fly ball in the sixth inning here Tuesday night that greatly contributed to the Dodgers’ 4-3 loss to the Astros before 28,838 fans at the Astrodome, the Dodgers’ outspoken left fielder unleashed a scathing attack--on himself.

“Yes, we could’ve gone 5 1/2 (games) up, but we didn’t, thanks to me,” Gibson said. “There’s no excuse. It was a stupid play. You can’t let a ball get by you the inning after tying the game. I was a mental midget.”

The Dodgers, who had won 4 straight and 9 of their previous 10 games, were done in by several factors, the biggest being Gibson’s error in judgment, which was ruled a triple. And that misplay, ultimately, resulted in the go-ahead run for Houston, which closed to within 3 1/2 games of the first-place Dodgers.

Astro left-hander Bob Knepper, who pitched a two-hitter for 8 innings to improve his record to 8-1, baffled Dodger batters all night. And the Dodger defense, lately quite proficient, had several breakdowns, the most damaging being Gibson’s misplay.

Before Tuesday night, the Dodgers’ last loss was Don Sutton’s last start. This time, though, Sutton was not the problem. He allowed only two runs in five innings before asking to leave because he had aggravated an old lower back injury when he fielded a ground ball in the second inning. He continued to pitch but said he felt it stiffen in the fifth.

Per his incentive-laden contract, Sutton earned $25,000 for making his 15th appearance Tuesday night, but it was the eighth straight start in which he came away winless.

Gibson is paid $1.83 million, second highest on the club, presumably with the understanding that he should make the proper judgment on low line drives such as the one Buddy Bell hit off reliever Brian Holton to lead off the sixth inning.

More like a cast-iron glove than a Gold Glove in the outfield, Gibson nevertheless had a good jump on Bell’s liner. But as he neared the ball, Gibson hesitated, trying to decide whether to let the ball fall for a single or try to make the catch.

He went for the catch.

Bad decision.

The ball bounced in front of him, then over his glove, and carried to the fence. Bell easily had a triple and, perhaps, a swifter runner might have had an inside-the-park home run. Billy Hatcher, the next batter, flied deep enough to center field to score Bell and enable the Astros to reclaim the lead, 3-2.

Houston made it a two-run lead in the eighth when Bill Doran homered off Dodger reliever Jesse Orosco. The run turned out to be important, because the Dodgers rallied in the ninth to narrow the deficit to 4-3.

But the Dodger comeback bid wasn’t enough, and Gibson blamed himself.

“You never ever let a ball get by you in the sixth inning of a tie game,” Gibson said. “No excuses. It was just stupid. I got a great jump at the ball . . . When I got closer to it, I wasn’t sure whether I could get it. Maybe I should’ve let it bounce.”

In their half of the sixth, the Dodgers had tied Houston, 2-2, without getting a hit. Pinch-hitter Mike Davis walked, then advanced two bases on a ground out and a wild pitch and scored on Gibson’s fly ball to left.

It had been the only run, other than Mike Marshall’s second-inning home run, that the Dodgers had scored against Knepper until the ninth.

Gibson, who had struck out twice against Knepper, flied weakly to left in the ninth with none out and Mickey Hatcher on second base.

But that turned out to be the last batter Knepper faced. Against reliever Larry Andersen, Marshall struck out when he tried to check his swing, but it was called a strike by first base umpire Dana DeMuth. But John Shelby’s subsequent single scored Hatcher. Juan Agosto then struck out pinch-hitter Jose Gonzalez for the final out.

“I was terrible (at the plate), too,” Gibson said.

One positive for the Dodgers was Sutton’s performance, which probably will enable him to collect on his next incentive bonus Friday night--$50,000 for being on the roster July 1.

“I know July 1 will be a good day,” Sutton said, smiling, “but I don’t think about that. The only time I gave it a lot of thought was the day I signed the contract.”

Because of Shawn Hillegas’ recent strong pitching and the acquisition of Mario Soto, there has been speculation that the 43-year-old Sutton’s tenure on the Dodgers soon will end.

“How much longer before I start rearranging furniture for a living, I don’t know,” Sutton said. “I don’t think my time is gone yet. Right now, there are enough spots for all of us.”

On this night, though, it wasn’t the mechanic on the mound that did in the Dodgers. It was the guy in charge of the glove compartment in left field.

“I sure as . . . hope I can forget about tonight,” Gibson said. “I was stupid.”

Dodger Notes

Reliever Jesse Orosco gave up his second home run in 29 innings Tuesday night when Bill Doran hit an off-speed pitch over the left-field fence. Said Orosco: “I felt fine. I had good stuff. I can’t throw zeros on the board all my life.” . . . Mike Marshall, who strained his left hamstring Monday night, was noticeably bothered by it when running Tuesday. Marshall said he was even more bothered by his ninth-inning strikeout. “I didn’t swing,” Marshall said. “No way, I checked it.” He also was fined for throwing his helmet.

Mario Soto arrived Tuesday and worked out with the Dodgers before the game. But Soto will not throw or begin therapy on his right shoulder until he is examined Thursday by Dr. Frank Jobe in Los Angeles. Soto said he does not expect to pitch any time soon. “It’ll take some time,” he said. “I’ve got to get to a point where I’m close to 100% before I pitch. I’m not going to hurry any. I’ve got to get on a program.”

Pedro Guerrero, who has a pinched nerve in his neck, still is not close to returning, but he has started taking ground balls in batting practice. Guerrero is only taking ground balls at first base--not third base--indicating that Jeff Hamilton will remain at third and Guerrero will switch to first. . . . Guerrero, Alfredo Griffin (broken right hand) and Jay Howell (fractured rib) will be examined upon the Dodgers’ return to Los Angeles on Thursday. Griffin continues to field ground balls during batting practice. But, according to trainers, he has not swung a bat. . . . Mike Davis, frustrated with his lack of playing time, met with Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ executive vice president, recently to express his unhappiness. Davis came out of the meeting a little less discouraged. “We talked quite a bit, but no resolution, no promises,” Davis said. “I’m basically in a tough situation right now. But if I ever get back into the lineup, I’m not coming out again.”