Dodger Notebook : Morgan Goes 5 Strong Innings in 11-10 Win Over Yankees

Mariano Duncan hit a three-run homer and Mike Morgan pitched five scoreless innings Tuesday as the Dodgers held off the New York Yankees for an 11-10 victory.

The Yankees made a game of it by scoring seven times in the top of the ninth off relievers Jay Howell and Alejandro Pena, but they fell one run short.

Howell and Pena haven’t pitched lately because of the flu bug which has swept Dodgertown.

Duncan, Jeff Hamilton and Willie Randolph had two hits apiece to pace the Dodgers’ 14-hit attack.

Morgan picked up his first victory of the spring as he allowed the Yankees three hits and struck out five in his second start since coming to the Dodgers from Baltimore earlier this month.

Mel Hall’s three-run homer keyed New York’s outburst in the ninth inning. Don Slaught and Randy Velarde added solo homers for the Yankees.

Coming off the bench, Slaught had two of the Yankees’ 12 hits. Stan Jefferson also had two hits.

Left-hander Al Leiter took the loss. He allowed nine hits and seven runs in six innings, walking two and striking out four.

The crowd of 7,988 was the third-largest in Holman Stadium history.

The effort by Morgan was his longest and best of the spring.

“The big thing for me today was my curveball,” said Morgan, who’s competing for the fifth starter’s job in the Dodgers’ pitching rotation. “I’m just staying more in control. I’ve been trying to throw with all my arm. Now I’m concentrating on keeping my body back.

“I don’t know what role the Dodgers want me in. It’s probably better for me if I don’t because I get too hyped up for games.”

Left fielder Kirk Gibson, sidelined with a sore right shoulder, took a few swings in the batting cage Tuesday, but did not take batting practice or play.

Gibson said the shoulder is slightly improved, but said he does not know when he’ll be able to play.

The Dodgers close out their Florida schedule Wednesday against the Montreal Expos at Vero Beach. They fly home after the game, and meet the Angels in the opener of the annual Freeway Series Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.