Dodgers Outlast Giants, Win in 12th

If there is a difference between this season’s Dodger team and last season’s, it’s that this one doesn’t give up. Players might still drop balls and overthrow first base, but at least they try to stay in the game.

Saturday, their tenacity paid off in the 12th inning when they scored three runs and beat the San Francisco Giants, 5-2, before 47,241 at Candlestick Park.

After Friday night’s loss, which gave the Dodgers an 11-17 record, Manager Tom Lasorda was asked if this was a must-win situation.

“Every time we win, it is a must-win for me,” Lasorda said.

The Dodgers’ record on the road last season was 26-55, and he said that he expects this year’s to be better, though it is only 5-11.

“When I came in today, Jody Reed pointed out that I looked terrible,” Lasorda said. “Then, after the victory today, he mentioned how good I look. My wife tells me that, too. She says it’s amazing what a win will do for me.”

Tension began with a bases-loaded jam that starting pitcher Tom Candiotti got out of in the first inning and ended after 4 hours 18 minutes, with Jim Gott getting his first victory.

Candiotti loaded the bases in the first inning and then struck out Matt Williams and Barry Bonds and induced Robby Thompson to fly out.

“I think that set the tone for the game,” Candiotti said. “This win could be a big confidence booster for the club. Here we won on the road against their best pitcher (John Burkett) and against the team with the best home record. I was having trouble developing a feel for the knuckleball, but luckily it clicked in at just the right time. “

The Giants scored two runs in the third inning and the Dodgers scored one in the fourth and another in the sixth.

The game remained tied, 2-2, until the 12th, when Mike Piazza led off with a double off the right-field wall, moved to third on a single by Lenny Harris and scored when Jose Offerman hit a sacrifice fly to Barry Bonds. Lasorda wanted to use a pinch-runner for Piazza, but there was no one left on the bench. Piazza seemed to beat Bonds’ throw, which glanced off catcher Jeff Reed’s glove.

“I know he has a great arm, but we were desperate for the run. So I just told myself to stay patient, so I didn’t leave early, and then run my butt off,” Piazza said. “I tried to read the catcher to see where the throw was coming. And it seemed like it was right on the money.”

Mitch Webster, who hit his last home run last September in San Francisco, followed Offerman by hitting a 1-and-1 pitch from reliever Dave Burba off the facing of the right-field seats for a two-run homer.

“I was having trouble seeing the pitch, and I don’t know what he threw, but whatever it was, it went out and it felt good,” Webster said. “This is a big win for us. We played well, and it would be hard to come back here (today) after two losses. After the emotional drain, it would be that much tougher to take.”

There seemed to be nobody happier in the Dodger dugout after Piazza scored than Cory Snyder, who had tried to stretch a single into a double and gotten thrown out at second base, stranding Eric Karros at third in the ninth inning.

“Should I say it was a no-brainer?” Snyder asked.

“No,” Gott answered. “It was aggressive baseball. Cory and I talked about it on the way to the park today. We said we need to go out and play hard and have fun.”

But it wasn’t fun at the time. Karros cursed and stomped. Snyder was replaced in right field by Webster on a double switch that put Pedro Martinez on the mound.

Martinez gave up singles to put Giants on first and third with one out. Martinez struck out Matt Williams after knocking him down.

The Dodgers tied the score, 2-2, in the sixth inning when Butler reached first on an error, stole second and scored on a single to left field by Tim Wallach.

“We are a different team than last season,” Karros said. “Last year we boot a ball, we give up. But this team doesn’t give up. That’s the difference.”