A Pinch Double by Hatcher Gives Dodgers a Poke When They Need It

Whenever a Dodger losing streak has reached three games this season, nothing critical but worthy of attention, it is as if they suddenly take notice of this unsettling development and decide it has gone far enough.

The Dodgers put to rest another three-game losing streak before it escalated into something serious with a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday night, behind continued strong pitching and perhaps the most unspectacular two-run double of Mickey Hatcher’s nine-year career.

“This (the slump) wasn’t anything to slit our wrists over,” catcher Mike Scioscia said. “Actually, I’m surprised we have gone as long as three games this year. I don’t think we should have losing streaks.”

Five times this season, the Dodgers have lost three straight games. Maybe a few days of tinkering is all they need to solve what is wrong, because each time they have avoided a fourth straight loss.

Friday’s victory, which kept the Dodgers five games ahead of the second-place Houston Astros in the National League West, was one of their more creative efforts.

Because their offensive drought continued against Pirate starter Mike Dunne, the Dodgers clung to strong pitching by starter Tim Belcher (7-4) and capable relief work, and took whatever run production they could get.

Tapping all available resources, Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda sent up Hatcher, just off the disabled list after nursing a strained groin, to pinch-hit for Mike Davis with two out in the seventh inning and runners on first and third in a 1-1 tie.

The move was made because Pittsburgh Manager Jim Leyland replaced Dunne with left-handed reliever Dave Rucker. Hatcher hit an 0-1 inside fastball off the handle of the bat into shallow center field. It looked as if center fielder Andy Van Slyke would be able to run it down, but he arrived too late, the ball hitting the webbing of his glove as he dived head-first into the artificial turf.

The ball skidded about 10 feet away from Van Slyke, allowing pinch-runner Rick Dempsey to score from third and Steve Sax all the way from first. Hatcher, still slightly bothered by the groin strain, limped into second base with a smile on his face.

The Dodgers had a 3-1 lead and were a few innings--and Pirate rallies--away from a win. Reliever Alejandro Pena allowed his first run in 23 innings in the seventh, but Jay Howell bailed out Jesse Orosco from an eighth-inning jam and worked a flawless ninth for his 11th save.

Pitching has been a constant for the Dodgers this season, but lately the offense hasn’t been easy to find. Hatcher was the self-deprecating hero Friday night, poking fun at his unimpressive game-winning double.

“I’m a lucky . . . ,” Hatcher said, laughing. “The guy (Rucker) made an excellent pitch inside on my hands, and I made a terrible swing. I didn’t even know what I was swinging at. I was just lucky.

“Most guys like to use the fat end of the bat to hit. I like to use the handle. Hey, you know, I think that’s what more people have to do. When a pitcher makes a great pitch, just take a . . . swing and see what happens. That was probably one of the hardest-hit balls I’ve had this season, and I end up being the hero.”

Hatcher, hitting .344 in 19 starts, has not been productive as a pinch-hitter. He was 5 for 22 with only 4 RBIs in in that role before Friday’s two-run double.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the hit, Hatcher said, was that he made it to second base without the use of a walker.

“But at least I didn’t run like Walter Brennan this time; that’s good,” said Hatcher, who said the injury still bothered him a little. “By the way, he (Brennan) was my first hitting coach.”

The Dodger offense was pretty gimpy until the seventh inning, which is why Belcher was pulled for a pinch-hitter despite allowing only one hit and one run.

In his second start since returning to the rotation after a successful bullpen stint, Belcher was romancing a no-hitter through 5 innings, but he gave up a run on one hit in the sixth. Dunne walked to open the inning and went to third on Barry Bonds’ single to right, Bonds taking second on right fielder Mike Marshall’s throwing error. Dunne scored on Jose Lind’s groundout, enabling the Pirates to make it 1-1.

The Dodgers’ first run came in the third inning. Marshall’s single scored Davis, who had walked and then advanced to third on Kirk Gibson’s single.

“I feel I’m throwing as well as I have all year,” Belcher said. “It would have been nice to get those two or three runs the inning before. But I guess I was lucky tonight, because they scored the runs after I had left, and I got the win.”

But not before the Dodgers had to endure a few anxious moments. Orosco pitched himself into trouble in the eighth--runners on first and third with two out--before Howell struck out R.J. Reynolds on a curveball in the dirt.

After Howell easily disposed of the Pirates in the ninth, the Dodgers’ latest losing streak had ended, and the concerned silence that had overtaken the clubhouse in recent nights had been replaced by the usual postgame banter.

“We just have an attitude in this clubhouse that no matter how many in a row we lose, it’s like it doesn’t matter because we know it won’t last,” Hatcher said. “You never see people in here carry it over to the next day. We may be quiet and think it over after a loss, but that’s it. It’s why we’ve been successful.”

Dodger Notes

Center fielder John Shelby, hit in the right eye by a foul ball Wednesday, rejoined the team Friday. But he probably will not take batting practice until Sunday, when the medication that has dilated his eyes wears off. Shelby said he has slight problems seeing things at a distance but that the eye does not hurt and the swelling is almost gone. . . . The Dodgers’ Tim Leary (9-6) opposes the Pirates’ John Smiley (9-5) tonight at 4:30, PDT.