IN BRIEF : Dodgers Beat Cincy 4-1 on Leary’s 5-Hitter, First Win of the Season

Tim Leary pitched a five-hitter today as the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 for their first victory of the season. The Dodgers, who were 6-3 last year at Riverfront Stadium, avoided their first sweep here since 1978 by taking the final game of a season-opening three-game series.

Kirk Gibson had a hand in the Dodgers’ first two runs. He singled in a run in the third inning against starter Rick Mahler and got caught in a run-down in the sixth inning, allowing Alfredo Griffin to score.

Leary, 17-11 last season, lost his shutout in the ninth inning when Kal Daniels led off with a walk and scored on Jeff Reed’s two-out double. Leary walked two and struck out seven. Mahler, 9-16 last season with Atlanta, allowed six hits over seven innings in his first start for the Reds.

Mike Scioscia walked, advanced on Leary’s sacrifice and Griffin’s infield single, then scored on Gibson’s two-out single to center in the third. An alert play by Gibson helped the Dodgers score again in the sixth. Griffin led off the inning with a double, and Gibson was hit on the right shin by Mahler’s pitch. Griffin moved to third on Eddie Murray’s fly out, bringing up Mike Davis.

Gibson took off on a steal attempt and stopped halfway when he saw the throw had him beaten. He then retreated toward first, starting a run-down that enabled Griffin to break for home and score without drawing a throw.

Gibson made it safely to second on the play when first baseman Todd Benzinger’s throw glanced off him for an error. Griffin technically scored on the throwing error.

Mariano Duncan led off the eighth with a double off reliever Tim Birtsas and eventually scored on Mickey Hatcher’s pinch hit ground out.

The Dodgers made it 4-0 in the ninth when Jeff Hamilton doubled, advanced to third on a fly ball and scored on a wild pitch by reliever Kent Tekulve.

Gibson left the game after six innings to ice his shin, but the injury was not believed to be serious.