Dodgers’ 15-6 Blowout Not Wind-Aided

No, the wind was not blowing out.

It only looked that way on the scoreboard, which showed that the Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs, 15-6, Thursday before 27,918 at Wrigley Field.

And, yes, the Dodgers got home runs from Mike Scioscia and Juan Samuel, and the Cubs got two from Shawon Dunston and another from Ryne Sandberg. The Dodgers batted around twice, scoring six runs in the third inning and five in the seventh. They even had a two-homer inning.

But a game for the heavy hitters? No.

Of the Dodgers’ 20 hits in their largest run output of the season--topping the 12 scored on May 19 against Philadelphia--only four were for extra bases. These were the two home runs, a double by Samuel and Lenny Harris’ bases-loaded triple in the third inning, which accounted for three of his career-high four runs batted in.

“I’ll never forget this day,” said Harris, who went three for six. “This means a lot to me. I never thought I’d have a four-RBI game. I have to thank (batting instructor) Ben Hines for a lot of that.”

Let’s not forget the four Chicago pitchers, to whom all the Dodgers owe thanks. Only relief ace Mitch Williams, mopping up to get some work, escaped damage, pitching the ninth inning without allowing a runner. Otherwise:

--Starter Les Lancaster lasted 2 1/3 innings, surrendering eight hits and eight runs, seven of which were earned.

--Steve Wilson gave up four hits and two runs in 3 2/3 innings.

--Jeff Pico went down in two innings, and his earned-run average went up, as the Dodgers nailed him for five runs on eight hits.

It was 8-0 by the end of the third inning, when the Dodgers sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs. Harris’ triple and a two-run double by Samuel were the big hits.

After solo home runs by Scioscia and Samuel in the fourth inning, Fernando Valenzuela had a 10-0 lead. The left-hander had faced one batter over the minimum until then.

In the fifth inning, Dunston’s seventh homer of the season broke the shutout. In the sixth, after pinch-hitter Domingo Ramos and Jerome Walton opened with singles, Sandberg homered into the left-field bleachers. In the seventh, as the Dodgers increased their lead to 15-4, Manager Tom Lasorda lifted Valenzuela for a pinch-hitter.

“It can be tough pitching with a big lead,” said catcher Scioscia. “Sometimes, you get into a little bit of a lull. I think Fernando did, but he came back and made some good pitches.”

Valenzuela, who has won four of his last five decisions, disagreed.

“Scoring runs early is great,” he said. “I didn’t try to fool around. I concentrated on every hitter. Some people would say, ‘I have a big lead, so I’m going to throw the ball right over the plate.’ That was not the case with me, especially in this park. Six or seven runs here is like two or three in another park.”

Mike Hartley and Mike Maddux each gave up a run--Hartley when Lloyd McClendon’s fielder’s choice scored Walton, and Maddux on Dunston’s homer to lead off the ninth.

Dodger Notes

Pitcher Jim Gott, a free-agent signee who has not pitched since April, 1989, was activated after the game. To clear a roster spot, the Dodgers sent Mike Hartley to Albuquerque. He gave up five runs to the New York Mets on Tuesday and allowed the Cubs two walks, a hit and a run Thursday. The move had been anticipated for some time, as Gott, who had arm troubles while with Pittsburgh last season, continues his comeback after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his right (throwing) elbow. “All along, a lot of people believed I wouldn’t make it back,” he said. “That’s the fire that fueled me through this whole thing. It goes back to when I had shoulder surgery with San Francisco. That organization honestly believed I would not come back. I have to thank them for that.” Said Hartley, who appeared in 14 games: “I can pitch here. I would have continued to prove that as the year went along. I’ll work hard to get back.”

Juan Samuel, who began the day in a one-for-29 slump and has been dropped to seventh in the order, went four for five with two RBIs and two runs scored. The difference this day? “If I knew, I’d be hitting .400,” he said. Instead, he’s hitting .203. . . . Vice President Dan Quayle attended the game and threw out the first ball. He emerged from the Chicago dugout wearing a Cub jacket, but upon walking to the other side was greeted by Manager Tom Lasorda, who wrapped Quayle in his personal Dodger jacket.